Chapter XXII: The List

Why am I trying to stop myself from blinking? Will it stop me from moving faster? Will it cause me to fail? Maybe. Or maybe not. But can I take that risk?

I search for the signal. The current within me. I find where I think it is. And I pinch it.

And my world becomes white.

And the greatest rush of energy EVER causes my heart to jump.

And stay jumping. And I don’t mean my heart jumps over and over again. I mean that the feeling of my heart starting to jump streeeeetching on and on FOR WHAT FEELS LIKE HOURS!

Holy shit this feels incredible!

Holy shit. Holy Shit! Holy Shit! HOLY SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-

A crack of pain splits across my skull and then all I know is blackness.

…

*Beep*

…Owwwwwwwwwwww…

*Beep*

My head hurts...

*Beep*

My chest hurts…

*Beep*

My arms-argh everything hurts!

*Beep*

Ugh.. what’s making that noise? It’s super annoying.

*Beep…Beep*

Oh, what?

*Beep…Beep*

Is it getting faster? Why?!

*Beep… Beep... Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep…*

Ooooooohhhhhhh. Come oooooonnnnn…

“Uggghhhhhhh…” I groan out aloud.

When I try to open my eyes I clench them shut immediately afterwards from a harsh, white light glaring into them. This increases the pain in my skull by a significant margin.

Argh, if this is what a hangover feels like, then I’m glad I don’t drink alcohol. This frickin’ suuuuuuucks.

Even as I’m thinking this though, the pain is rapidly fading away from many of the places I was feeling it in before. A quick inward check confirms to me my suspicion that my core is healing me faster now that I’m conscious. Although it’s taking it’s sweet time.

“Baelor?” A voice says my name, causing me to blink rapidly to get used to the light.

“Baelor, how are you feeling?” The familiar voice asks from my right. I turn my sore neck to the right to look at Celestia, who’s sitting down next to the bed I’m laying in.

“Like an Ursa Minor sat on me.” I mumble out an answer.

She lets out a dry chuckle. “So, nothing life-threatening then.” She responds.

“Nope.” I say with a smile. Then I drop it to look back up at the ceiling. “Where… am I right now?” I ask her.

“Cloudsdale General Hospital. You… were in quite a state when you were brought back up.” She answers.

“Brought back up? What-ergh,” I clench my eyes from a throb of pain though my skull. “ugh, what happened?” I ask her.

“You don’t remember?” She says in puzzlement.

“No. The last thing I remember is…” A shrill scream of terror rings through my head. “RARITY! She was falling! She and three other ponies!” I exclaim while sitting up abruptly. I turn to Celestia with wide eyes. “Are they-?”

“They’re all fine. Rainbow Dash managed to save them in time. Right after performing a fantastic Sonic Rainboom in fact.” Celestia answers with smile.

I let out a sigh of relief and slouch back down in the hospital bed.

But… wait. Something doesn’t quite add up.

“So, how did I end up in the hospital again? Now that I know they’re all right, I remember actually diving after Rarity and those other three. But… after that, I’m drawing a blank.” I wonder aloud in puzzlement, looking to Celestia for answers.

She tilts her head to the side slightly contemplatively. “Well… if that’s really all you remember, then I suppose that’s the point when you turned into lightning.” She says.

“Oh, yeah, that does make se-“ I blink. Then look to her in confusion. “Could you repeat that?” I ask her politely.

She smirks mirthfully. “I said, that the moment you’re drawing a blank on is likely when you turned into lightning.” She says to me.

Turned into…

…

brain.exe has stopped working.

My mouth opens to respond, but no sound comes out. Then closes again. Then proceeds to open and close repeatedly in as I’m left dumbfounded.

“It was actually quite startling to be honest.” Celestia continues on, as I'm busy trying and failing to process my apparent actions. “And nopony quite understood what had happened at first. One moment you were there, far below the stadium, about to catch up to the ponies in need, and then the next; flash, boom, you’re gone. Just like that.”

“I… turned into… lightning?” I ask slowly.

“Yes, you did. And also managed to completely obliterate every bone in your body when you hit the ground.” Celestia responds calmly.

“I turned into lightning.” I state to clarify.

“Yes Baelor, you turned into lightning. Something that I can honestly say is fairly impressive. I did not see that coming.” She says.

As she’s saying that though, something clicks in my head as I remember something else.

That… feeling was what it felt like to turn into lightning.

That rush… was the most indescribably fantastic feeling I’ve ever felt.

…

I need to try that again.

I look down to my arm and raise it up to flex my claws a bit. Not too painful.

I sit up. “Baelor? What are you doing?” Celestia asks me.

“I’m going out to try and turn into lightning again.” I answer while sliding off the side of my bed to stand.

“Come again?” Celestia says in surprise.

“I’m going to try and turn into lightning again.” I answer with a slightly manic smile growing on my face. I get stopped from leaving by a golden glow of magic lifting me off the ground.

“Baelor, doing that is what landed you here in the first place.” Celestia turns me around to face her. “I know I seemed enthused by the fact that you did it once already, but that doesn’t mean I think you should try that again.” Celestia says with a serious look.

I’m not really listening fully because I’m just kind of trying to run in place within her magic to see if I can somehow get out. “Baelor…” Celestia says to grab my attention again. “Honestly, it’s times like these when I feel like the comparison of you to a dog is accurate. You’re taking things a little too lightly right now.” She says in exasperation.

“I haven’t taken my own bodily safety seriously since I got off the moon. Not much reason to when I can just heal myself from anything else besides a spear through my core.” I say flippantly. Maybe if I try rolling around like in Twilight’s magic?

“Baelor, that’s not a good mindset to have. What would Twilight and your other friends think if they heard you say that?” Celestia asks me with a frown.

I sigh. “They wouldn’t like it.” I answer, resigning to drop trying to escape. “But… I think it’s pretty apparent to both of us by now that I’m more than willing to give up my own life to save the lives of others. And I wouldn’t regret it for a second if it ever came to that. Especially if it’s one of my friends I’m saving.” I state.

“Giving your life up for another is completely different from slamming into the ground at impossible speeds just for a small thrill, Baelor.” Celestia says sternly.

“It’s not about the thrill, Celestia. It’s about trying to better myself. To get a new ability under control. And then using that ability to protect others, and do my job as a Knight better.” I explain to her.

This takes Celestia aback. “As a… do you mean that you’ve decided to…?” Celestia asks me in surprise.

“Well, I don’t see a reason to put it off any longer. And… I’ve come to realize that there are types of evil out in the world, even inside Equestria, that I don’t ever want Twilight and the others to ever encounter.” I tell her, looking down. My mind flashes to the feeling of a thestral’s wing talon punching through my throat. I look up to Celestia again. “So yeah, I’m willing to accept your offer Celestia.”

Celestia gently sets me down on my feet and releases me from her magic’s hold. She’s smiling at me, obviously glad to hear my answer. Before she can say anything though, a knock at the hospital door causes us both to look over.

“Your highness? There’s a message from Captain Shining Armor that he says needs your personal attention at your earliest convenience.” A gruff voice says on the other side of the door.

“Well, a Princess’s work is never done. I guess you better go see what he needs.” I say to Celestia.

She shrugs. “And I suppose you should go and see my student and her friends to let them know you’re alright. They are probably starting to wonder where you’ve been for the past half-hour.” She says.

I blink. “All of my bones were shattered and I was only out for half an hour? Really? And they don’t know where I’m at?” I have so many questions suddenly.

“Yes to both. Most everypony was, from what I could tell, too preoccupied with observing Rainbow Dash’s Rainboom to really wonder what that bolt of lightning was or where you went.” Celestia answers me.

“And you weren’t?” I ask her in curiosity.

She gives me a knowing smile. “Let’s just say that multitasking is one skill I’ve learned to master in you and my sister’s absence. I’m not about to forget in such a short time that my friend is missing, even if many other miraculous things happen in that short time.” Celestia says to me. Then she turns to the door and leaves my hospital room.

After the door closes, I sigh.

That’s it… I’m doing it... I’m a Knight of the Order of Awen.

I’ve given it a lot of thought, more than anything else I’ve thought about, but making the decision now, right after I landed myself in the hospital again still seems a little impulsive to me.

Maybe I’m just being too critical of myself. After all, every word I said to Celestia was true.

I sigh again before shaking my head. I really need to stop moping around when I’m alone. Solution: find somepony in order to not be alone.

Time to go look for the girls like Celestia suggested.

Twilight apprehensively trots forward with the rest of the girls through the gates of the Cloudstadium. Though the events leading up to Rainbow’s Sonic Rainboom have been over for a little over a half-hour now, they are just now getting out of the stadium due to the state in which Rarity was in.

-In that she had fainted at some point while she was falling, and had only just recently woken up. Because of this, Twilight had almost instantly switched from worrying about Rarity to worry about Baelor. Who has not shown back up since he dove down after Rarity and then disappeared with no warning whatsoever.

“So, you don’t actually remember what happened after that flash ah lightnin’ missed you?” Applejack asks Rarity, who has had a new cloudwalking spell cast on her since waking up.

“N-no, I’m afraid not Applejack. The feeling of a bolt of lightning missing me by mere inches was… rather startling to say the least. My next memory was that of waking up surrounded by all of you. I… believe that may have been when I lost consciousness.” Rarity answers.

“You don’t think Bael tried to hit Rarity with that lightning, do you?” Rainbow asks from above, having decided to put the day with the Wonderbolts off temporarily while trying to make sure all her friends are alright.

“Of course not! Baelor would never do something like that.” Fluttershy protests in shock at Rainbow’s suggestion.

“I’m just saying it as a possibility! I wasn’t even looking at him when he did it, so all I have to go on is what you’ve all told me. I do know that I’ve seen him use lightning a couple times so that’s really all I have to go on.” Rainbow says defensively.

“Wait, you’ve seen Baelor use lightning? When?” Twilight ask in surprise.

“Oh, yeah, it was when Nightma-WHOA!” Rainbow cries out in surprise from Pinkie grabbing her suddenly and putting her irritated face right up in front of hers.

“Princess. Luna.” Pinkie says sternly to Dash.

“W-what? Pinkie-?”

“BAELSAIDCALLHERLUNA! It makes her sad, so stop.” Pinkie tells her with narrowed eyes.

Rainbow blinks. “Oh. Yeah, right. Sorry. Can you let me go now?” She pleads, slightly creeped out. Pinkie lets Rainbow go.

“Thanks Pinkie.” Dash says in relief.

“No problemo!” Pinkie chirps happily.

“So… what was that about Princess Luna?” Twilight asks in confusion from the rather intense de-railing of the conversation Pinkie provided.

Dash looks up. “Oh, right. So anyway, this one day, like, a little after we got back from Appaloosa, I’m practicing my tricks when I see a mare flying really fast through the air. Not as fast as me, of course, but still pretty fast compared to others-“

“Rainbow, how is this relevant to when you saw Bael use lightning?” Twilight asks in irritation.

“I’m getting there! So pretty much, the mare was chasing Bael, who was flying from her, I asked her what was going on, she said she was just trying to talk to Bael but he ran away. So I decided to help her out a little and try to get Bael to stop. I tackle him from the side into the lake near the edge of White Tail Woods, but he just pops right out of the water and suddenly I’m holding onto him for dear life as he rockets away again. But I guess I weighed him down enough for the other girl to catch up because then she tackles him in mid-air and sends us all crashing through the branches of the trees in the woods.” Rainbow explains.

“Dear, while this is very fascinating, it still isn’t telling us about when you saw Baelor create lightning like you said you did.” Rarity points out.

“Alright, alright. So to make a long story short, basically the mare turned out to actually be N-Princess Luna in disguise, she un-disguised herself after we all hit the ground and then grabbed him in her magic. Bael went a little crazy after that. Some really bright sparks flared up on those big claw-things on the ends of his wings and he started swinging them at Princess Luna. She panicked, backed up, tripped, and fell on her butt. Bael managed to stop right before actually hitting her though. After that, uh, Bael kinda asked me to leave for a bit, so I didn’t actually hear what they talked about after that.” Rainbow concludes her story.

The other five mares stare with varying degrees of concern from what Rainbow just told them… with the exception of Pinkie Pie, she’s just as unconcerned with it as she is with everything.

“So… what yer sayin’, is that Baelor can make lightnin’ shoot out of his hoof-tips?” Applejack asks.

“I don’t have hooves.” Baelor says casually from behind Twilight.

“Well, that goes without sayin’. But what I’m trying to figure out is if he can throw it around like a lasso in a rodeo with no real effort.” Applejack answers, not realizing who answered her question.

“Well, I mean, yeah I can do that, but only if I actually make the current of energy flow in the shape of a rope. I’m not an infinite supply of energy, so I need to be efficient with how I use it.” He answers back.

“Now that’s a style I can get behind. Solid, practical, and straightforward. Thanks for lettin’ me know Baelor.” Applejack says.

“No problem Applejack.”

It is at this point that everypony gasps in realization.

“BAELOR?!” Everypony exclaims in surprise.

“Yo.” He says with a two-clawed salute.

“I heard that you have an urgent matter for me, Captain Armor.” Princess Celestia says calmly, walking through Shining Armor’s office doors. Shining stands up abruptly from his desk at-attention. While he knew that he’d sent a message to her via their crystal communications array, her prompt and sudden response has managed to catch him slightly off guard.

“Er, yes, your highness, that’s correct. But, if you’ll forgive my curiosity, I thought you were in Cloudsdale at this moment. How did you manage to get back here so quickly?” He asks her.

“Well, I heard that this was urgent, and upon listening to the report from the message crystal, I felt it was best that I return post-haste to oversee the operation myself. So I teleported back using my own magic power.” Celestia says, answering his question. “So, what exactly is the situation, Captain?” She prompts.

He nods. “For the past two months, there have been some… confusing reports, to say the least, from the mayor of the city of Clipago about the police force of the city.” He tells her.

Celestia tilts her head slightly. “Confusing how? Is there some kind of problem with the police force?” She asks.

“Not according to the reports sent. Actually… the reports indicate a near-flawless record from the force, and the crime rate is said to be almost completely zero within Clipago.” Shining Armor says.

Celestia frowns slightly. “Low crime-rates? Isn’t that a good thing? I’m fairly certain that there are several towns and cities with low crime-rates as well. So why would these reports raise concerns?” She asks him.

“Because of the size of the city population versus the size of the police force.” Shining Armor answers, looking down slightly in thought. “Normally, low crime rates within settlements are due to lower populations with close-knit communities, such as with Ponyville or Appaloosa. Or, in the case of larger cities, large and well trained law enforcement proportionate to the overall population within the city. Usually this means one officer to every one thousand residents in the city, with sometimes more or less that amount depending on which city.”

Shining looks up to look at Princess Celestia in the eyes. “But Clipago has a total population of slightly above 27,000 and they only have eight police stallions and mares, including the police chief. That’s one officer to over three-thousand of the ponies living there. The city with the closest population to crime-rate ratio is Baltimare, and they have such a large force stationed there that they have one officer to every three-hundred residents. Not even coming close to what the mayor’s reports say the Clipago force is managing to do. And going in the opposite direction, the Equestrian city with the closest officer to population ratio is Pennsilmania, with around two officers to every 2,500 residents, and they have nearly the highest yearly crime-rate in Equestria.” He explains to her.

Celestia nods. “I believe I can see where you’re going with this.” She says.

“That kind of efficiency is unheard of anywhere else in Equestria, and it’s very suspicious that it’s managing to have such levels of peace within the city limits without more enforcement.” Shining Armor states.

“What do you plan to do about it?” Celestia asks him.

“I… felt that you should have the final call on that your highness. But I believe the best course of action would be to go to the city myself for an inspection of their police force. While the circumstances themselves seem fishy, if this report is legitimate and true, then that would mean the force deserves a large raise for their ability to accomplish their jobs under such strenuous circumstances. And after that I believe perhaps giving them some guardstallions to give them some relief would also be prudent, until they can get their numbers up. It’s possible that the only reason they’re so low on numbers for the size of the city, is because Clipago is currently one of the fastest growing cities in Equestria, and they just haven’t managed to have time to train more ponies for the job themselves.” Shining Armor says.

“That sounds like an excellent course of action Captain. But, if I may, I would like you to take someone else with you when you are ready to go.” Celestia says.

Shining blinks. “Who, exactly would you like me to take?” He asks her, perplexed.

“Baelor. Provided he agrees when I ask him.” She says.

Shining Armor feels himself furrow his brows but schools his expression back to neutral. “Permission to speak freely, your highness?” He asks.

“Of course, permission granted.” Celestia answers.

“I believe that isn’t the wisest choice, your highness. While I’m sure a dragon, in certain circumstances, could be very useful, I don’t think bringing him along on a mere inspection of a city’s police force is a good idea. As far as I know, he has no training in combat or knowledge of the law to aid himself if things turn out far worse than we’re expecting.” Shining says frankly.

“Your opinion is noted Captain. However, I disagree, and I can assure you that should any combat situation arise, he would be as prepared for any threat as you and your ponies would be. Perhaps even more so.” Celestia states with a serene smile.
“It’s possible that there’s no need for violence at all. Things could be just as the mayor wrote they are.” Shining Armor points out.

“Then he will simply sit and observe. He needs experience to handle situations with violence being a last resort.” Celestia says.

“And… why is that?” Shining asks her.

“Because he’s going on The List.” Celestia states.

Shining Armor’s eyes widen in surprise at that.

Every single guard knows about The List. They were inducted on the rules involving The List along with being given a copy of it upon becoming a full-fledged guard.

The List, is basically just a list of names.

A list of names, that have full knowledge of what it means to be on The List.

But in terms of what every guard knows about the list, they only know about the rules. The rules are as follows:

1. Do not talk about The List.
2. Do not think about The List.
3. If someone asks about The List, there is no list.
4. Do not, under any circumstances, engage in combat, or interfere in the business, of anyone on The List. Behavior or activities that seem suspicious or strange from List members are only to be brought to the attention of others that are on The List.
5. If somepony knows more than these rules about the The List and their name is not on it, detain them immediately and inform the Princess(-es).

These five rules are drilled with increasing frequency into every guard’s brain the higher on the chain of command a pony climbs. And as Captain of the Royal Guard, Shining Armor is acutely aware of just how serious and important the list and it’s rules are.

Because there is an unspoken sixth rule/observation about The List:

6. Princess Celestia is on The List.

Many stallions and mares in the guard have different opinions about the significance of this last fact, but every single one, including Shining Armor, agree that if Princess Celestia is on the list, and she doesn’t want anyone not on the list to know what it means, then it’s for a good reason.

That doesn’t change the ominousness of The List though. It is after all, in a nutshell, a list of ponies both outside of, and above, the chain of command. Ponies that, though they don’t actually outrank anypony in the guard, they can’t be stopped by the guard either, even if they’re breaking the law.

Thankfully, to Shining Armor’s knowledge, there hasn’t ever been an instance of somepony on The List abusing that fact.

But still, Shining Armor has met Baelor before. And learning that he’s going to have his name on The List, is shocking to say the least. And the worst part is that he doesn’t know whether to be relieved that Baelor is (apparently) trustworthy enough to be put on it, or scared of how little he knows of Baelor to properly judge whether he’s worthy to be put on it.

Actually, that just might be his general unease from not knowing what it takes to get on The List in the first place.

“Captain Armor? Captain? Captain Armor, are you alright?”

Shining Armor blinks in surprise, realizing that the Princess had asked him a question he didn’t hear. “I’m so sorry your highness, I lost myself in thought for a moment there. What was that you said before?” He asks her.

“I didn’t ask you anything, I simply told you that Baelor will be on the List and then you started staring off somewhere for about a minute. Is everything alright?” Princess Celestia asks him.

“Right, right. He’s going on the List, and you want me to bring him with me to Clipago. I’m sorry for doubting your judgment, Princess.” Shining apologizes promptly.

Celestia looks at him strangely for a moment before uttering her next query. “How soon will you be able to have everything ready for your inspection?” She asks him.

Shining Armor sighs. “It’s customary to send a notice ahead with a week’s advance-“

“Forgo that custom and turn it into a… surprise inspection. I’m starting to get the impression that catching the Clipago police force off-guard is the main purpose of this operation, so you might as well go all the way and give them no warning before you’re upon them. I have a… gut-feeling that it will work out best that way.” Celestia tells Shining Armor.

“In that case, I can have everything ready in two days.” He answers, resisting the urge to smirk.

“Good. Make it so Captain.”

Shining Armor gives a slight bow of his head. “It will be done, your highness.” He answers.

Celestia nods, and then walks out of his office. Shining Armor sits down to go over which stallions and mares to bring, among other things that need preparation.

As the doors to Captain Armor’s doors close behind her, Celestia lets out a sigh of mild disappointment.

He still fears her, just like every pony else

Even after all this time, are her Knights still the only true friends she has?

“Sister.”

Celestia looks up and sees a mass of starry mane coalesce to take the form of her younger sister.

“Oh, good evening Luna.” Celestia greets warmly.

“Good evening. I did not expect you back from Cloudsdale so soon. Did something happen?” Luna asks her.

“Well, something certainly happened at the competition. But I am back because of a more… work-related problem that was brought to my attention.” Celestia answers.

“I see…” Luna says thoughtfully. Before Celestia can ask her if there is anything wrong though, Luna speaks again. “What exactly is this List, that you spoke to the Captain of the Guard about, and why will Baelor be going on it?” She asks suddenly.

Celestia blinks in mild surprise. Then she gives a dry chuckle. She should have figured Luna was listening in. “I was intending to tell you about it at some point. I suppose now is as good a time as ever.” She decides.

Luna frowns and opens her mouth to ask another question, “-but not here. Let us go somewhere with fewer ears nearby… and several anti-eavesdropping charms inlaid into the room.” Celestia interrupts, turning to the right to lead the way.

Celestia hears Luna hesitate for a moment before taking a confident step to follow her.

It seems Baelor’s name isn’t going to be the only new name added to the list. .

Author's Notes:

Chapter's done. And the story now has the beginnings of something it's been sorely lacking for a while!

"What's that?"

An actual gosh-diddley-wing-ding-dong-dang STORY ARC!!!

"Wait, so you're saying that you're going to be posting story chapters that actually go somewhere for once?!"

Eyuuuuuuuuuup!

"Hallelujah!"

"Hey, Falx, what's under that sheet right here?"

So glad you asked Pinkie! For look who I managed to find! *schweep*

"I hate you... SO much right now."

"Oh hey, you found him! Why the hell would you do that? I thought we were rid of him for good."

*GASP!* Aevum! How could you say that! You know as well as I do just how much Pinkie cares about her dear friend-

"I actually hate him with a burning passion! Teehee!"

-Sombra-wait what? You hate him? You! Pinkie Pie! Hate Sombra?!

"Yep!"

You! Pinkie "Smile at every pony you see" Pie, hate him.

"Yeppers!"

...

Well then why the hell have we been keeping him around for all this time?!?!

"I dunno, I figured it was cause one of you guys could see a little good in him deep down inside or something."

NO! Of course not! We kept him around because you didn't seem to dislike him and we thought it'd make you sad to see him go!

"Correction: Falx thought that would happen. I just tolerated him without caring one way or the other."

"You froze him solid at least a half-dozen times and left him like that for months on end."

"I didn't kill him, did I?"

"Mmmm... point."

Well screw this noise! Freeze!

*shink*

Up!

*ppfwwwwweeeeEEET!*

AND AWAY YOU GO!

*CRASH!* *YEEEEEEAHAHAHAHAHOOIE!*

Were the sound effects really necessary Pinkie?

*Ba-Dum-Chish!* "Yep!"

*sigh* Well, at least he's gone now-

"Hey guys! Have any of you seen Sombra?"

"Uh..."

"No... why?"

"I just love stopping by to see what kinds of grumpy faces he makes before getting frozen! He's like a big ol' grumpy cat. You know he hates everyone in the room, but you just can't resist how adorable and petable he is!"

"O-oh... well..."

If we see him we'll... be sure to let you know. He's probably just hiding in a corner sulking or something.

"Y-yeah. He'll turn up eventually."

"Oh, ok, cool. Thanks guys! See you later!"

...

"..."

"..."

"Oh yeah! I just remembered the other reason why I figured you kept Sombra around! Letum just adores making cutsie faces at him to make him even angrier! She gets a kick out of it, but I can tell she really likes him! She's probably going to be pretty let down to learn he's-"

DON'T WORRY SOMBRA! I'LL SAVE YOOOOOOOOU!!!!

"TALLY HOOOOOOO!!!"

"WHY THE HELL DIDN'T WE KNOW ABOUT THIS BEFORE HANDDDDDDD!!!!"