Hi, dad!

I’m not sure how you or the others are faring, but we’ve discovered something amazing. I’m sending Eleven because this must get to you no matter what. That and he really wanted to run around properly.

You don’t have to keep going south anymore. The dwarves are currently busy unearthing what seems to be significant parts of a Silversmith city in working condition. So far, we’ve managed to uncover an area the size of the dark priest enclave and there seems to be so much more it’s unbelievable. I’m not sure if the entire Brauheim’s population could fit here but the deeper we go the more I think the answer is yes. And do you wanna know what the best part is? It’s almost right under Chrysalis’ old hive! The southern edge of the Badlands, to be exact. Hole, I think that if we dug northwest, we’d connect with the tunnel we build on Flow’s orders. It makes me wonder if Chrysalis’ hive ever made contact in the past.

Now, it’s not all sunshine and happiness. So far, we haven’t discovered a single mech which might mean there’s some threat we’ve yet to discover waiting for us. Thankfully, our more likely guess is that most of the mechs were lost during a recent explosion caused by a self-destruct mechanism.

Now hold onto mom or something, because the dwarves managed to activate some sort of a video archive similar to the dark priest library and replay a video from the security cameras of the upper section of the city. Unfortunately, they don’t know when the recordings are from - the system of dates that the pre-Living End project dwarves used is lost. What we assume is that they have to be reasonably recent, by which I mean from this decade. Okay, I’ve been stalling long enough. Take a wild guess as to what caused the self-destruct sequence.

It was Desert Shade along with a group of ponies, a griffon, and TWO HOLES-DAMNED ALICORNS, one of whom was that brain-damaged black mare Cryo was sent to get on Cromach’s request, only with less drooling and random stumbling around. I’m sending the image of the second alicorn in Eleven’s head as well. For some reason he feels familiar and yet even when I dug through my hive memories I couldn’t find anything.

So that’s my report. We’ll settle here and keep uncovering the city room by room to avoid triggering any further alarms and self-destruct mechanisms.

For the last hour, Thirteen has been having serious trouble trying to push Three’s wheezing and gasping for breath out of her mind. She offered to take him on her back earlier. Hole, even Harriet did. Three refused both suggestions and just kept on plodding forward on his short legs, pumping them hard to keep up with the others.

Lucky, tower-legged buggers.

This also meant that while the pace was overwhelming for him, for everyone else the last week meant a long but rather comfortable trip. Surprisingly, despite them taking a direct route southeast through the wilderness they weren’t attacked by Corrupted. In fact, they barely even noticed being observed from time to time. Gem’s best guess was that it had something to do with the permanent darkness. On one hole, it meant that so far their trip has been safe for everyone but Three trying to push himself past what had to be the point of exhaustion each day. On the other, it’s also been supremely dull, especially for Thirteen whose only conversation partner has been Harriet. The others either were used to trips like that or they were Three who was too busy trying not to pass out to chat.

Three wheezes again which feels as if it was ripping Thirteen’s lungs out instead. The coughing fit makes Gem tap on Magpie’s shoulder to slow down and eventually stop.

“This is where I wanted to get today and set up camp,” says Gem.

“And where is here exactly?” asks Thirteen, looking around and not seeing anything other than grey shadows and silhouettes.

“Maggie, will you do the honors?” smirks Gem.

“Do we really need to alert everything in our vicinity to our presence?” grumbles the griffon.

“Lamp!” huffs Gem.

“Fiiine...” Magpie switches his headlamp off, pulls out what looks like a glowstick the length of Three’s foreleg, raises it into the air, and flips a switch.

Light spreads through the area including the trees, the low undergrowth, and Thirteen’s eyes go wide and her jaw drops.

“Wh- What is this?” she breathes out, momentarily forgetting about Three sitting down and wiping foam off of his muzzle, “It’s so pretty...”

Thirteen has never seen anything like the surrounding area before. It’s not particularly cold here, although she did notice temperature dropping over the past hour, and yet the ground is crunchy and white as if covered in rime. Trees and brushes look like they were made of ice mixed with tainted biomass and seemingly draw the light of Magpie’s lamp through the trunks up into the canopy. Within a moment, Thirteen understands perfectly why Magpie was worried, because where in any normal forest the light would be covered by a wall of trees, here it only spreads further and further, bathing a big area in a corona of sparkling, white glow.

“King Chilly’s territory,” explains Gem, “Some call it the Frozen Forest. It’s home of the Separated and it means we’re about two-thirds of the way to Canterlot-”

“Which we are going to avoid like wildfire,” interrupts her Magpie.

“We’re going to take a short break in lower Canterlot,” Gem corrects him, upon which the griffon just sighs, “We need to resupply and gather some love. We got lucky so far with the Corrupted and we’ll lkely get to Canterlot safe and sound but the eastern wild territories are worse, what with corrupted griffons running around on occasion. Once we leave Canterlot, we won’t be safe until we reach Griffonstone.”

Answered by a chorus of nods, some more hesitant than others, Gem looks around the small clearing where they stopped.

“Where was I? Right, king Chilly’s territory and the Separated,” she sits down as the others start taking out camping supplies.

Thirteen takes her bag off and looks at Three who pokes her hind thigh. The drone is swaying and wincing as he shifts his weight from one hoof to another.

“Yes, Three?”

“I… I want to build the tent this time, Thirteen.”

“Are you sure? You look like you can barely stand.”

“Lucky me that I can do parts while sitting then,” he gives her a determined smile, pulls out one of the segmented poles, and stares at it for a moment, “Uhh… isn’t this a little too short?”

“Do you want to figure it out on your own too, or can I offer instructions?” Thirteen sticks her tongue at him.

“I...” Three purses his lips. After a brief fight between pride and rational thinking, his exhaustion wins. Quietly, he says, ”I have to do it on my own, I can’t be stupid and lazy all the time. I know I won’t make it without help, though,” he sighs, “What do I do?”

“Three, it’s not a big deal-”

“Exactly, Thirteen,” Three whispers, “It’s not a big deal and I can’t figure even that out. I’m older than Gem, few weeks but still, and look at the difference. Like a larva compared to a queen.”

“I’ll help you, I’ll support you.”

“But what do I learn that way? I… I kinda don’t want to return home now… just for things to stay the same. I want to make boss… and mister minotaur proud.”

“Well, how about you start small? Now you build the tent with my help, tomorrow you’ll do it on your own. It’s not like you need to be able to do everything right this instant.”

“I suppose you’re right...”

“Technically, that’s from Five, not me. That’s what she kept telling me as I failed her training over and over and over. Umm, I should have kept that part to myself, shouldn’t I?” she scratches her head, certain that she’s just sabotaged her entire point.

“That’s okay,” Three picks up one segment of the pole again, “What do I do with this then?”

To avoid interrupting Gem currently getting ready for a campfire story without the fire, Thirteen switches to instructing Three through a hive link.

“I won’t bother you with full history just because it would take forever, but as far as I know, Corrupted have sort of a slot inside their heads for a ruling entity whom they obey almost unquestioningly. Separated were either born with that slot not working or have had that slot changed to listen to themselves.”

“That’s kinda changeling-like,” comments Thirteen.

“It’s more about the effectiveness of hive mind structures, really. We’re just one of many species using that mechanic, although we are by far the most intelligent one,” Gem corrects her, “Well, with that, Separated are significantly more individualistic than Corrupted and generally a lot smarter.”

“So, a lot more dangerous?”

“Strangely, no,” Gem shakes her head, “Separated are non-confrontational and won’t attack anyone unless they get attacked or see someone get attacked. After that, yes.”

“They sound nice,” mumbles Three.

“They are. They travel the world in search of knowledge.”

“What about?” asks Thirteen, more and more eager to meet one of these friendly Corrupted.

“Anything, really,” Gem shrugs, “There’s a big inn about halfway between Canterlot and the Crystal Empire if you take the road. A Separated mare works there as a cook and a waitress, listening to stories of travellers and learning new recipes. As far as I know, some Separated travel even to the Griffon Empire, although I doubt they’re exactly welcome there. I’ve met one who wanted to learn about fighting to be able to protect king Chilly and teach the others. Supposedly, the best fighter in the world lives somewhere in the Griffon Empire these days.”

“Wait, isn’t mom the best or do you only count non-changelings?” asks Thirteen which makes Gem grin.

“He is a changeling,” she says, “and mom had the misfortune of fighting him once. Being chewed up by a dragon might have caused less damage, and the worst part was that his words afterwards were ‘I should have been more careful but I overestimated her’.”

“OUCH!” Thirteen winces at the image but can’t help snickering, “I like him already. Who is it?”

“I must admit I don’t know,” Gem shakes her head, “I’ve only seen him once centuries ago and at that time he was working for Cromach and the Order of the Silver Sun as an instructor.”

“Where might be this Order situated? Asking totally only out of curiosity, of course.”

“They used to be in Manehattan but Promi told me that after they’ve involved themselves with the end of the world pretty much exactly as we have, they packed up and left Manehattan before the alicorns and guards could get them. As I said, they’re likely in the Griffon Empire for the same reason we’re going there.”

“Awww, they all want to get miss Harriet home,” Three gives everyone an exhausted smile.

“Dummy!” says Gem after she stops laughing. In fact, it takes everyone other than Magpie few moments to calm down again. This, of course, makes Gem nudge the griffon and nod towards their tent.

“We should go to bed,” he says, “First watch-”

“I would like to take the first one, please.”

Magpie looks at Three with a raised eyebrow after his interruption.

“And what? Faint after the first hour? We need a real warning, not someone who will trust a group of bandits or Corrupted that they’re going into our tents to give us all a group hug.”

“I’ll do the full shift with him!” Thirteen, standing and trembling with the desire to lunge at the griffon’s throat.

“Which would leave us with one more tired member tomorrow,” Magpie stares at her coldly.

“You-” Thirteen bares her fangs.

“Three and Thirteen, first watch. It’s my turn to do the second.”

“You’re out of love crystals because-” Magpie points at Thirteen.

“Did I ask for your opinion?” hisses Gem sideways at the griffon who immediately stops and blinks in confusion as if he’s just been slapped. In a calm tone, she adds, “Besides, this is exactly why we have to stop in Canterlot. Check and mate, catbird.”

Magpie doesn’t answer, shutting the big lamp off and retreating to his tent instead. Gem stands up, her eyes stopping on Three just sitting there and staring down at the crunchy grass reacting to his poking.

A picture of misery, really. And right after I thought he was getting better with that joke. Magpie sometimes really needs a kick in the nuts.

Next, she looks at Thirteen still glaring at the lit tent and the griffon’s silhouette inside with a continuous quiet growl.

“Thirteen, Three, please get ready for your shift. Harriet-”

“I’ll stay with these two for few minutes,” the huge mare’s tentacles extend, wrap around the barrels of Three and Thirteen, and pull them towards her, “I’m not exactly tired, although the constant night is making me feel a bit heavier than usual.”

“You’re the pinnacle of feminine thickness, Harriet. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise,” Gem sticks her tongue out at the corrupted dragonpony who mirrors the gesture, obviously winning on both the number and length of tongues, “Oof, I know when I’m outmatched.”

With a snicker, Gem enters her and Magpie’s tent.

“...I hate that griffon...” Thirteen breathes out quietly.

“He’s right, though,” mumbles Three.

“And all three of you are wrong,” Harriet nuzzles Three who has to look up in a ninety-degree angle to face Harriet after she straightens back up.

“All three?” Thirteen tilts her head.

“You, Thirteen - Magpie is nowhere near as much of a plothole you think he is. It took me a while to understand. Granted, he’s leagues worse with Three than he was with me, but you have to understand that to him we’re a threat. I mean our lack of experience, not us being enemies. You wouldn’t be too patient with someone this green whom you can’t control being responsible for your life, I’m sure of it,” she rubs Three’s chin and makes him look up as he slips into his gloominess again, “You’re wrong in believing you’re as bad as Magpie thinks, Three. He… isn’t right in the head after everything he’s been through. If even half of the stories are true, I don’t doubt for a second I’d be a drooling wreck or straight-up dead after one-tenth of his way to today. That part he talks about, that is. I’m a waitress, for Emperor’s sake. I have my theory about Magpie’s past, but you have to be special to survive what he did. Of course, so many bad experiences also make him see things way worse than they are and that’s where he is wrong. See? All three.”

“Thank you,” says Three, petting Harriet’s foreleg.

“No problem. I just wanted both of you to know that we’re friends no matter how it might look on the surface.”

“No,” huffs Thirteen, “Not with him.”

“Yes, even with mister Magpie,” Three takes a deep breath, “We just need to find the right way.”

“There’s the best little hug bug!” Harriet grabs Three with both forelegs and presses him against the scales on her chest with strength but utmost care. Three does his best to spread his forelegs to encompass Harriet, but that’s simply impossible so he settles for going as far as he can reach.

After a short while, Thirteen clears her throat and says:

“We really should be getting ready for our watch, shouldn’t we?”

“Right, right,” Harriet puts Three down and walks off to her tent with a final wish of good luck.

“-and now tell me why you’re so hard on Three!” Thirteen’s ear twitches as she hears Gem’s faint voice from her tent, “You’re going so far with it that it’s irritating even me and I’m used to your gloomy ass. Give me a hoof massage.”

“Three!” Thirteen whispers directly into Three’s ear, “Can you hear it?”

The drone nods, slowing his breathing down.

“I hate chicks,” replies Magpie.

“Females or little griffons?”

“Pick one. It changes depending on the time of day.”

“Three is older than I am,” Gem nudges the conversation further.

“Age and maturity - definitely not one and the same.”

“Okay, I understand that one better than most, but don’t avoid the question.”

“That was the answer. He is completely detached from reality, basing what’s going to happen on pure wish. That’s putting everyone in danger. That you’re all taking him seriously is what makes it so infuriating.”

“While most of that is true, there’s so much more to Three than that.”

“I’m not seeing it.”

“Obviously, and I think I’m starting to see the problem.”

“Enlighten me...”

“He believes in others. He believes in others even more than you doubt them. He believes- no, he knows there’s good in others and will act on any little chance of that part winning.”

“That’s stupid.”

“Normally, I would agree, especially as a very old and cynical changeling. It would be true for you, for Harriet, even for me.”

“And you think it might not be true for him? After what just happened in the prison?”

“Maggie, I know talking won’t change your mind. Just give him a chance. I know him and you wouldn’t believe half of the things I could tell you. Trust me on that.”

“Fine, I promise I’ll shut up. It’s not like I care about living to old age anyway. If trusting a total idiot completely blind to reality is the thing to kill me, then so be it.”

“Yeah, that part of you is something I still have to work on. Just don’t die before I figure out how,” whispers Gem with a sigh.

“Not listening to Three might be a good star-”

“Catbiiird...”

“Right, I promised. Does it count if I just stay away?”

“Can you give him a hug or a ride?”

“Only if he ever deserves it.”

“Heh, I’ll remind you of this one day, catbird.”

“He’s an idiot,” mutters Thirteen.

“He saw through those unicorns immediately,” objects Three.

“So what? I’ll give him a good talking to- wait,” Thirteen narrows her eyes, “Do you want to make the griffon eat his words?”

“I really don’t want to make enemies out of anyone, Thirteen,” sighs Three, “Deep down, mister Magpie must be a good guy otherwise miss Gem wouldn’t spend so much time with him.”

“I really like you, Three,” Thirteen scoots over to him and wraps her foreleg around his shoulders.

“Of course I like you too, Thirteen. You’re a good changeling.”

Thirteen smiles inwardly.

Not what I meant, but probably all I’m gonna get right now.

“Then I guess all we can do is hold the best night watch ever held, right?” forcing a smile, she winks at Three who nods, “That will shut the griffon up without making him angry, right?”

“Let’s do our best. I think it would be a good idea to cover each other’s backs,” says Three simply.

“It certainly would,” Thirteen turns around, narrowing her eyes to see better.

The forest is silent to the point where Thirteen has to occasionally rub her forelegs together to reassure herself she hasn’t gone deaf. With no moon or stars to show the progress of the night, Thirteen has only her changeling senses to rely on and even those are failing her here. Has it been an hour? Two? Is it almost over? Has it been just a few minutes?

Thirteen blinks and yawns.

Something pressing against her chest wakes her up, and as she slurps a string of her drool back into her mouth, her bleary eyes focus on Three poking her with his nose.

“Wha-?”

“Gem will be waking up in five minutes,” whispers Three.

“I’m so sorry, Three!” Thirteen straightens up immediately, “I... I...”

Three waves his hoof dismissively.

“I was supposed to do the watch on my own anyway. Nothing much happened and at least this way you’ll be fresh for tomorrow.”

“I’m carrying you all the way today then,” Thirteen stands up on all fours and when Three opens his mouth to object, she presses her nose to his, channeling her inner Gem, “No arguing!”

“Alright, alright,” says Three after a second of silent breathing, “I’m going to need it.”

After patting Three’s head, Thirteen heads off to her tent while smiling to herself until she falls asleep again.

Yay!

Author's Notes:

Error 404: Plot not found.