Waking Up (Locked)

[Fantasy Script]

Waking up. He wasn’t sure if he had actually woken up. He didn’t know where he was, couldn’t see anything, couldn’t really hear anything much either. Wondering he lay in this strange darkness. This slow wake up, every individual piece of him slowly meanders back into wakefulness. A very peculiar experience he had to admit. It was probably the overdose of knock out powder combined with whatever effect the herbs had on his system. He wondered what had happened while they were unconscious. Had they won? Had the Adversary been defeated? Killed even? Was Celestia back? Had she been tried already? Restored to her throne or thrown in a dungeon?

So many questions, sadly no answers.

If they had won… indeed if the Adversary was gone and the Diamond Dogs defeated that would mean the Blood Wars were over… right? What would happen now? What would happen to Canterlot, to Ponyville, to Equestria as a whole? Times were changing, that much was for sure – win or loss.

Script lay there wondering. What would Lucky say? More importantly, what would Max say? In hindsight he could tell that his impulse decision was stupid. He was pretty convinced that he had successfully destroyed what little positive rapport he had managed to garner with the mighty mare. Nothing to do now but mourn the chances lost. He had tried, failed and now would have to move on. Not that Lucky would make it easy on him. The Dang jokester would probably tease him endlessly, if not, in a bout of insanity inspired helpfulness – or was that helpfulness inspired insanity? – try and get him laid regardless, possibly with Max.

It was a possibility.

Slowly the leaden feeling in his limbs lifted, his eyelids twitched a little, preparing to open soon. The noise around him became clearer. It was time to face the music, time to return to life and endure the ever annoying Lucky Drops. He sure was happy to have found a decent friend in all of this.

Even if he wanted to strangle him sometimes.

His eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the lighting, looking around he wondered where he was and how he was.

[Red Charge]

Through blurry, weary eyes, a shape began to take form in front of Fantasy, it was a majestic looking figure, glowing in an unearthly, celestial aura, he felt warmness spreading through his body and limbs, a tingling sensation somewhere on the line between absolute peace and euphoria... was this some sort of paradise?

No, it was Lucky Drops, shining a light into his pupils while shoving a potion down his gullet, grinning at the larger stallion.

"Oh, our enchanter is waking up!" He said excitedly and perhaps a little too loudly, withdrawing his flask with a 'pop' from Fantasy's lips.

"How are you feeling partner?" He asked, pulling the larger unicorn to a sitting position and wrapping an arm around his shoulder. Actually it didn't feel so bad, whatever concoction Lucky used, it felt like a summer vacation in a five star hotel.

They were in a small tent in the outskirts of Canterlot proper, there was no sound outside with which to judge Equestria's situation and Lucky smiling usually had little to do with how dire a situation actually was.

"We won." Max said, sitting in the corner of the room and adjusting her saddle bags. "Sharp is dead, Adversary defeated, Diamond Dogs surrendered."

"Yeah and boy is the brass happy with us." Lucky added, "Says we really put the pain to those dogs. Of course, it ended up being a pretty one sided fight, apparently we had an army of changelings in reserve."

"We lost the Captain of the Royal Guard and Field Marshal Hightower." Max said flatly. "Nothing WE could have done about it, it was the Core Hounds, thousands of them, no one's sure of what happened." She spoke calmly, but it was obvious she was bothered by this.

"We're still waiting for Princess Luna and her party to come back. From what Princess Cadance reported, the Royal Advisor was in critical condition too."

"But we're alive!" Lucky said quickly, "We won, with the upper hand. Now after so long, maybe we can do something about the Diamond Dogs! I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm angry, but they're not all bad people. I had the chance to work with a lot of them, the Blood Fangs really messed them up, but they're still just like you and me." The alchemist was quick to advocate peace, what a pony he was. It was such a pony quality to see the good side of anyone and a trademark of Lucky's positive approach to life.

Max sighed and rubbed her eyes with a hoof. "I think I'm going to get a little more shut eye. Please go talk outside." She said, curling up on her sleeping cot tiredly.

Lucky quickly dragged Fantasy to his feet and outside, "Come on, come onnnnn....!" He said, pulling and pushing the heavier set enchanter out of the tent.

[Fantasy Script]

Watching the enchanting light as his eyes adjusted to wakefulness he wondered whether he might have actually died in the end. Perhaps something had gone wrong and he was slowly coming to in the afterlife. That would be kind of a bummer. He didn’t want to die quite yet, there was some stuff he wanted to achieve first. Things he wanted to see. Ponyville for one, some of the rare and legendary enchantments for another, were only some of the things he wanted to witness before death claimed him. Thanks to Lucky he was even considering, only lightly mind you, the possibility of settling down at some point and rearing some foals of his own.

Maybe…

Possibly…

Likely not.

As his vision cleared he was happy to note that he wasn’t dead, or that Lucky had died with him, which would make afterlife interesting. But from the look of things he was still very much alive. Smacking his lips and judging the taste of whatever concoction Lucky had shoved down his throat, again, Script slowly stretched, popping his joints and vertebrae satisfyingly. The silence outside their little tent was unsettling. Sure Lucky seemed happy, but that didn’t help much, Max looked rather exhausted, which might mean something else had happened or it was the aftereffects of the powder incident.

“I’m fine, thanks Lucky.”

“What happened?” Perking his ears to catch some sounds outside, anything really, as he asked.

Max reply was a relief. They had won. With Sharp dead a deadly thorn had been removed from the kingdoms side, it might even mean that the diamond dogs would finally be able to reform and become allies instead of enemies. There were good dogs out there. The changeling army was somewhat surprising. Script wasn’t even sure how that could have been possible, but he wasn’t up on politics as much as maybe should have been. It was entirely possible that they had had unlikely allies in the Changelings… still a bit strange. It was sad that they had lost Captain Shining and Field Marshal Hightower. Both were ponies of much renown, of legend even. Captain Shining, as the Captain of the Royal Guard and husband of Princess Cadence… there would be much, much grief the coming weeks… months, perhaps even years.

He only hoped it wouldn’t lead to more hate, more war.

That even the Royal Advisor was in critical condition… that must have been a fight for the history books. The man was basically immortal, in Scripts opinion. That there was something that could put him down was unheard of. So much had happened. So much had changed. He could only wonder how it would affect Equestria.

Something bothered him though.

“Defeated? Not killed? Is that dragon still alive? What happened?”

Before he could get an answer Max basically threw them out. She looked exhausted and she had all right to be. With what had happened she deserved some shut eye. He needed to move, flex his muscles and joints. Despite the potion he still felt stiff as a board, though that might have been simply his imagination.

He let himself be dragged outside, giving Max a wistful last look before clamping down on his emotions. If anyone asked, he couldn’t remember what he had asked her, it never happened; it had been a mistake in the heat of the moment. Time to move on.

Though he was sure it would be a dark day in Tartarus before Lucky would let him life that one down. He sighed, the things he put up with.

[Red Charge]

Lucky Drops strolled around Fantasy Script as the two walked outside, like two sides of the same coin. One forlorn and one unbearably happy, one in the science of enhancing and deconstructing through magical infusion and diffusion, the other in the science of enhancing and deconstructing with magical concoctions. Didn't help that they were both bearing similar colors, if Lucky's was a bit brighter than his grumpy counterpart.

"So yeah, I'm not too sure on the details, but I got it from a buddy that Princess Cadance said that the Adversary wasn't killed, but something about that he'll never be able hurt Equestria ever again. So basically we won. At a big cost, I can't even count the casualties we've sustained in this war, but we've won. Equestria is finally no longer in danger." He said, "And it's, you know, it's beautiful." He gestures around at the lively construction still going on around Canterlot.

"There's talk of rebuilding Ponyville now that it's more or less safe. So yeah, at least that should make you happy, right?" He nudged him, then climbed on his back, resting on it, "Just uh, testing the potion's effect on your muscles, carry on." The alchemist said, turning over so he was lying on his back, or rather, on his back on Fantasy Script's back.

"Oh and another thing that might make you happy, Max is stuck with us. Brass really liked our performance out there and we're now official."

The his voice lowered to that of a whisper, "I can tell you got a soft spot for her, but I don't know if you wanna push your luck... at least for now." He took in a long breath, contemplating his next words carefully, "She might warm up, eventually. But it's clear she's got something else on her mind. Something she might not take kindly to get distracted from. I just want you to be happy, I suggest you put yourself out there and let it come from her. I don't think she'll have any problem voicing anything if and when the time comes."

Then his tone became light again, "Hah, but what do I know about mares right? I got an ex who threw me out of her life and a child I can't see."

"For what it's worth though, I'm glad we got 'stuck' together, wouldn't rather it be with any other pony. Oh, well, maybe that redhead cousin of the Sky Titan. She's a fire that one." He laughed. "So where are you taking me now?"

[Fantasy Script]

The teasing never came; Script was honestly a bit surprised. As they strolled through Canterlot, he could see the change. The atmosphere felt different. There was energy in the air and in the ponies and beings around them. The war was over and it could be felt. Ponies moved with a spring in their step, work was done just that little bit quicker with just that bit more joy. The longer he concentrated on it the more apparent it became.

It was beautiful.

Ponyville was being rebuild, too, which was pretty amazing.

“You have no idea Lucky. I’m looking forward to seeing it. Finally.”

He didn’t mind Lucky climbing on his back; he was used to carrying a great weight and Lucky was surprisingly light. The news that they were now an official team and stuck with each other made him stumble a little. He was happy that he could still work with his friend and Max… well… he certainly didn’t mind. Things were looking up for the grumpy one. He was so relieved that Lucky didn’t tease him he didn’t even mind that they were talking so openly about what he felt. Maybe felt… perhaps should consider feeling? Eh, it would become clear at some point.

“You’re probably right Lucky. I’ll leave it as it is. Friendship can come first, who knows what will follow. I got my trusty advisor in all things social with me so I should be fine, eh?”

Moving along the city, the weight of Lucky, who was quick becoming his best friend, Script simply enjoyed how things had changed since he moved here. The change soothed old wounds, he could feel it, not enough to make him such a happy camper as Lucky, but some sores could be healed with friendship.

He didn’t comment on Lucky’s last comment. He simply filed it under things to listen for and watch out. Maybe at some point an opportunity would present itself that he could repay Lucky and maybe reunite him with his wife, or at least get him to see his filly. No idea how, it was probably impossible, but you never know. They had survived the impossible and friendship could make a lot of things possible.

“I could dye my mane red if that helped?” Script snarked, chuckling softly. “Believe you me, I’m happy things turned out that way. I wouldn’t want anyone else at my side.”

Lucky had made a lifelong friend, whether he knew it or not. Script would always stick with him if he could. Since he’d been wandering aimlessly for now he didn’t have a clear plan were to go, when inspiration struck. Adjusting his course he moved towards the city wall, looking for a part that wasn’t too busy with reconstruction or other activity from where they could look down into the valley.

“There it is.”

He surveyed the Valley, seeing the remnants of war, but knowing, simply knowing that it was all going to get better now, that the wounds would heal, and while they would scar it only showed what they had survived.

“This is what we helped protect. This is what we saved. And now we can rebuild.”

Turning to his friend he smiled, truly smiled.

“It’s beautiful isn’t it?”

[Red Charge]

Lucky gave a light hearted chuckle when Fantasy suggested he'd dye his mane red, but of course, with lucky, no such suggestion would go unpunished. "Great, I'll make you a solution tonight. I can also make some coat bleach too!" That's it, once the idea was firmly planted in that pony's skull it would be next to impossible to get it out.

Turning over on Fantasy's back to get a better view Lucky took a deep breath and nodded, "Yeah, I think it was nicer before there were crashed blimps and craters all over the place, but yeah."

He stared off into the horizon, smoke was still trailing from where the diamond dogs' supply lines were.

"Can hardly believe it, both the Changelings and the Diamond Dogs are no longer a threat. It'll be a long while before there's any trust, but at least we're on the way right? We were a part of that, you and I. Albeit the less savory one, but still, we were a part of something this big. One day ponies are going to talk about this as a turning point and we can say we were there doing our part. Gives you a warm, fuzzy, feeling doesn't it? I'm not sure if we're unlucky to be alive in a time when Equestria's worst enemies banded together to destroy us, or lucky enough that we were alive to see the epic battles and watch them all driven away before our eyes. Blackmane, Sharp, Dreadtalon, the Adversary..."

He elegantly rolled off of Fantasy's back and to his hooves and sat down to look out, "Max seems to know exactly how to feel, upset, apparently Hightower was like, her role model. Funny for a unicorn isn't it? Then again it might be more that the Adversary got away with killing him. But from what I understand, he's not going to be a problem anymore. Can't imagine what kind of pain the Princesses put on him."

He took another long sigh and then, as if he's met his serious quota for the day, a bastardly grin spread on his face, "So you wanna go steal some food?"

[Fantasy Script]

Oh dear… why oh why had he opened his mouth? He could just see himself now, coat almost white and flaming red hair… knowing Lucky it might actually be fire. Just for kicks. He would have to weather this one. It was his idea in the first place, even if only jokingly suggested, but Lucky was hardheaded like that.

“Honestly I don’t know what to think. After everything that happened the sudden peace just seems… unreal. I’m still waiting for the other horseshoe to drop. Maybe I just need to get used to the idea that we won and things can move forward again.”

His gaze strolled across the landscape, noting the sites of battles simply by craters smoke and destruction dotting what was once a tranquil valley.

“We’re part of history now. Likely we’ll never be mentioned by name, but in some book they will at least have a line about brave ponies that destroyed the knockout powder supply, providing key support. That will be us. I would have preferred to see all this in times of peace, but I’m happy I was able to help. It’s a nice feeling to know I contributed to something bigger than keeping myself alive.”

He sighed heavily, thinking about their commander. The poor mare probably had lost a lot more than he had in this war. Technically he hadn’t really lost anything, except maybe some years off his lifespan thanks to Lucky. He just hoped Max would be able to get back on her hoofs. His wandering thoughts about the pretty mare were derailed at Lucky’s last suggestion.

What was he up to now?

“Steal food?” He didn’t know whether the grin should unsettle him or make him smirk. “What, my dear fellow, do you have in mind?”

[Red Charge]

"Well, you know we can go see Honey Drizzle and she'll set us up with a real nice champion meal." He said, referring to the cute little mare who seems to have a major crush on him. "I mean, we need a good solid meal after inhaling so much knockout powder so it's pretty much Doctor's orders right?" The peppy unicorn asked, turning around and starting to head for the mess tent. "We can bring something nice and tasty for Max too..." He said in a sing song voice, obviously playing that card to convince Fantasy to come with.

Not that he had anything better to do anyway.

[Fantasy Script]

Honey Drizzle did seem to be an excellent provider of nourishment. That much, Script remembered. To be perfectly honest, Lucky had him at the mention of food. After everything that had happened something warm and filling to eat sounded about right. Maybe Max would even appreciate the delivery of something tasty considering the rotten mood she found herself in. She might just as well slap it away and reprimand them. He really didn’t have much of a grasp on her emotional responses yet. He may never have. Some warm food was hardly comfort for the losses, but it was harder to be mopey with a stomach full of tasty goodness.

“By all means Mister Drops, lead the way. May the Lady Interforce not be too annoyed at us for thinking of her.”

He trundled after the way too cheerful alchemist, wondering idly if perhaps the many fumes and potions the unicorn had ingested over time had permanently changed him. Made him artificially cheery or something. Considering the volatile effects of alchemy, it seemed likely.

Then again, there were ponies with unnaturally cheery dispositions. Party ponies were considered an almost official occupation in some parts, after all – and most had a natural disposition towards cheer, happiness and laughter.

[Red Charge]

Lucky drops led Fantasy through the camp as he has many times before. To both their surprise Honey Drizzle had prepared the three of them a champion's meal, packed and warm. "I know you were part of the battle... Don't tell anyone or the others might get jealous okay? She asked, looking at Lucky Drops with admiration.

"Scout's honor." Lucky said, saluting her with a hoof, then sniffing at the food.


"Wow Drizz, this smells fantastic." He said, "I better be careful walking with these lest I draw attention to myself." He grinned widely, causing the mare to blush and stammer.

"I... I just thought you might want something better than rations after the big battle..." Lucky cut her off by giving her a strong but very short hug.

"Thanks Drizz, can always count on you." He said, quickly letting go and heading on his merry way, Fantasy in tow.

She just looked at them gow, tapping her hooves together with the lack of anything intelligent to do with them.

Lucky led him back to the cliff side, going through an emptier part of the camp and then set up the food before him so they could eat and enjoy the food.

"Oh my stars, can you smell that?" He asked Fantasy, unwrapping some of his food. "Truly outdone herself."

He waited for Fantasy before digging in, "Mmm, amazing."

[Fantasy Script]

Watching the interaction between Honey Drizzle and Lucky was always interesting. The mare clearly admired Lucky, was probably crushing on him pretty hard. Lucky must know. The yellow pony wasn’t that oblivious, but with what Script knew about him, there would never be anything more than friendship between those two. It was interesting to watch indeed, and a little sad.

“Thank you very much, Miss Drizzle.”, was all he said as the delicious smelling packages – and Lucky – moved away from the canteen.

Returning to the cliff side they settled down and the masterpiece that Honey Drizzle had prepared for them was revealed. Taking a good long smell of it Fantasy Script knew two things: Honey Drizzle was an expert cook and it really paid off knowing Lucky Drops. It smelled heavenly. It was probably the best food he had eaten in quite some time.

The northern pony dug in with gusto, enjoying the delicious meal.

“The best.” He answered between bites, restraining himself to not scarf it all down and truly enjoy the taste. A difficult task as the food was so very, very good and practically begged him to be eaten.

Restraint finally won out and he managed to slow down enough that he could chew thoughtfully and actually talk between bites.

“What do you think happens now? We’re a team now, permanent if what you heard is to be believed. But what are they going to do with us?”

Looking at the devastated landscape below he had a decent idea what might be part of their agenda, but on the other hand, to dispatch a slayer with support for simple reconstruction, especially if there were more than enough ponies more qualified for the job, seemed a bit excessive. The war was over, crisis averted, all’s well that ends well and all that. Gazing further, his eyes grazing the Everfree, a thought wiggled into his mind: The next catastrophe might just be brewing in there.

Who knew what would threaten the peace next?

“Whatever it is. I think, after a bit of rest mind, I need to get some enchanting done. Maybe some refilling flasks or something… You know like, imprinting one of your concoctions and then enchanting it that every time you fill water in it converts it to one of your tonics… or something like that…”

He shook his head taking another bite.

“Gotta think about that…”, Script mumbled.

[Red Charge]

"For now just relax, until we get our next assignment, we're free to do whatever. Take a little break from everything, let us process whatever it is that's going on, then when they call us back in again, we'll be fresh and ready. Myself, I'm going to go to Manehattan, get a nice hotel room and just waste the rest of my pay. When it's out I'll probably be back here." Lucky Drops smirked at Fantasy.

"I don't think I need to ask you where you're going. Ponyville, right?" He asked rhetorically.

"Enjoy it, you earned it. You really did." Lucky relaxed very visibly. It was obvious to Fantasy that he wouldn't see him for a while, even should he try his damnedest. Lucky wanted some freedom for himself after being cooped up for so long and he definitely gave out a vibe that said he wanted to disappear for a while.

(Alright, I don't really have anything to add. Make your conclusion posts then we'll lock the thread. And you can feel free to do whatever until you're next called for a mission, I'll let you know)

[Fantasy Script]

Script nodded slowly.

“Yeah, I think I’ll do that. After all that happened I’m really curious to see that little town. Maybe I’ll help with rebuilding or something. I don’t really like being idle.”

The enchanter was somewhat saddened to hear that Lucky was going to drop of the radar for now. He really had gotten way too used to the presence of his companion. He would be fine, surely. Having spent most of his adult life alone he should be fine, surely. Still, he would enjoy having Lucky back soon.

“At least sent me a letter, eh? Lemme know what kind of chaos you got yourself entangled in.”

Finishing off the meal the enchanter stood and, probably rather surprising Lucky, he hugged the pony.

“Take care, my friend.”

With his parting shot delivered he parted ways with the alchemist, hoping to see him again soon.

‘Ponyville.’ He thought idly ‘I think I’ll visit Ponyville.’

And maybe find Albion. The little bugger had proven rather elusive and probably had found a nice niche for himself. Ah well, he would pop up soon enough, most likely in the most unexpected of places.