Chapter VI - Sneaking
Flame Trail knew the time to act has come. He couldn't slack off anymore thinking about his past, he had a task to accomplish. Getting on his hooves, the fiery colt yawned a few times and then observed the village through the nearby window. That's when he noticed something critical.
Flame Trail: Are they who I think they are? What could have brought those bastards here?
Some royal guards were standing before the management hall of Fallen. One of the guards stood out from the rest; apparently he was the captain of that squad. He was a Pegasus with a variation between yellow and orange as coat and blue mane and tail. He also was wearing a slightly different set of armor to show off his status as a leader.
Flame Trail: This is really, really enraging. What if they see us going to the Elder Altar and become curious? We sure are going to have a lot of trouble.
The obsidian colt heard a knock on the door right after his personal question. As Flame Trail told the pony to come in, he kept his eyes on the squad, observing everything they did. It was unusual to see royal infantry around Fallen, since the village was labeled as "nothing more than ruins". After the defeat of the rebellious army of the village, a rather "phony" treaty was signed between the remaining ponies and the royal order to clean things up. The treaty obligated the remaining managers to comply with any law signed by the princesses and to change the village's name to "Fallen". However, in exchange the princesses promised not to invade or attack the small town ever again. Since the "pact" stated that the citizens of Fallen must obey the Equestrian laws, the royal order abused their rights and implemented heavy taxation and several limitations. From the day of the signature onwards, the village kept on getting poorer and poorer to the point that someponies decided to leave Fallen for good. Flame Trail was more than aware that he had to repay the princesses for what they had done, and withdrawing wasn't in his plans. After a quick examination of the problem he was facing, the black coated Pegasus turned his head to face none other than Olive.
Olive Tyler: Oh, good morning Flame! I am glad you are already awake because breakfast just came out! I hope you like waffles and… What are you looking at?
Flame Trail: I am looking at a squad of alienated blockheads. If they find out we are trying to investigate the altar, they will become a headache.
Olive Tyler: Why do you think so? Why would the officials bother us in any way? It's not like we are going to go against the law. Plus, this village has almost no value and there are not problems with security either.
Flame Trail: Well, you know what they say. Where there is smoke, there is fire. They will occasionally run across us and it will not be an easy task to explain our intentions. It's not every day they see three ponies go to an ancient structure that no one dared to set foot on for a long time. Our actions will become suspicious.
Olive Tyler: Brush that thought off of you Flame! We'll handle any guard in any way possible! Even if that means fighting against them!
Flame Trail: Are you out of your mind? If we do that we'll attract the other "bees". I mean, if we fought the guards, we'd be condemning ourselves already. We need to save the struggle for later.
Olive Tyler: If you say so. Just remember you can count on me for anything. Now, would you like to eat with us? The food is getting colder.
Flame Trail: Certainly. Just let me check one more time on those guards.
Without any second terms, the spotted guards trotted inside the building. Flame Trail just stood there observing every move they did through the room's window. He was more than aware that if his group ran into one of those guards they'd be in trouble.
Flame Trail: I've seen enough. Let's go.
Flash Sentry knew he couldn't fail his mission. He had been assigned as a commander to find a mystical artifact for the princess of the sun. He wanted to make Celestia proud and have a one hundred per cent "satisfaction rating". Nothing would stop him in the search for the "Injury of Fire".
Guard 1: Sir, I believe it is wise if we stopped by the town's hall and ask for information on what we are searching for. We wouldn't have any chances of finding the artifact just by randomly looking around.
Flash Sentry: You're right recruit. I'd not let my squad try to "catch the wind", if you know what I mean. Let us pay a visit to the manager then. Follow me, gentlecolts!
And so, Flash's squad followed behind while he guided them through the village until they reached the management hall. The commander swore that he never saw something of Fallen's like. An unimaginable beautiful and big forest surrounded an old and ruined small town. The two things clashed together in the intent of making one more noticeably visible than the other. Flash Sentry could see the sadness and the indifference in the "face" of Fallen. "What happened here?" was the question that kept hammering his head. After a couple of minutes, they arrived at the place they sought for.
Flash Sentry: We've arrived at the management hall, my men. Does anyone know anything about this place?
Guard 2: I'm sorry sir, but I'm afraid we have no info on this village.
Flash Sentry: It's fine. We'll have some as soon as we pay a visit to the managers. Let us go inside the building.
As the commander gave his orders, the whole squad of guards entered the village's hall as quick as possible. Mr. Sentry however, stopped a little before going inside the structure to think about his mission. The leader had in his heart that he couldn't possibly fail the princess and knew that it was a privilege to be assigned to such task. The Pegasus looked back at the village of Fallen one more time before entering the aforementioned building.
Back inside Ariston's house, Flame Trail and the other two were having a nice morning meal while discussing ways to reach the Elder Altar without being noticed by the guards. While the greyish and the greenish unicorns were suggesting a more "direct" confrontation, the Pegasus kept insisting that it was a bad idea and that sneaking behind the guards was the perfect plan. After a brief moment of silence, the fiery colt finished his plate and spoke up.
Flame Trail: Thanks for the hospitality and for the delightful breakfast, but we must figure out a way in which we could sneak into the altar without those guards knowing of us. There must be something we could try.
Ariston: Well, if it is a real buggin' to you that we should face the guards; I do believe that it would be a good idea to wait until night, so it could be easier to go into the altar without anyone noticing us.
Flame Trail: That would be a good strategy, but it's unsuitable that we wait longer than usual, for the sole reason that if we keep in this rather "idle" state, the guards may take advantage and reach the altar before us. If that happens, our chances of succeeding in retrieving the ancient artifact shall be reduced.
Ariston: Maybe, but Flame think about it for a second; if the guards really wanted the Injury of Fire, why wouldn't they have already taken it? Besides, isn't the artifact only accessible for Legendary Blazing Pegasi?
Flame Trail: I know that, but who knows what Celestia has behind her wings? She probably is trying to find a way to "bypass" the altar and get to the artifact without having to pass through its approval. She's a treacherous pony by nature and she will find all the ways possible to achieve whatever she wants.
Olive Tyler: I think I might have a solution for your dilemma. If we disguised ourselves as researchers we could have a better chance of sneaking by the guards. After all, you can see a lot of them passing by Fallen.
Flame Trail remembered how often explorers and scientists visited the village in the search for interesting things to put on their journals. He recalled the times when he couldn't get enough concentration for his own studies because of the researchers knocking on his door. Whenever he answered them they would always take a pen and a small notebook to write down whatever the fiery colt would say. He was annoyed to the point that he had to nail a sign on his front door telling the researchers to bug off.
Flame Trail: You couldn't be more right… But, that would be something worth the shot. Do you guys have anything we could use as a disguise?
Ariston: I have some pairs of glasses and hats we could wear as a "camouflage".
Olive Tyler: And I have some shirts and saddlebags which we could use to perfect our disguise.
Flame Trail: Excellent. Could you bring those things here so we could try them out?
Ariston: Affirmative. I'll go grab the glasses and the hats. Wait right here!
Olive Tyler: I'll go and do the same thing with the shirts and the saddlebags. Wait for us!
Flame Trail: I promise you I won't move a muscle.
Commander Sentry and his companions were holding a conversation with the main administrators of Fallen regarding the mystical temple that was located in the western part of the village. The officers took the opportunity to tell the enduring tale behind the legend of the aforesaid structure and the myths about a pony who was to be chosen to take down a tyrannous ruler.
Administrator 1: As I already said, the altar holds a secret power that no one has ever dared to uncover. Most ponies fear this power, and thus, they prefer to stay away from the ancient shrine of the "legendary" ones. The only ones that have gathered up enough strength to enter the building are the researchers who come by to write reports on Fallen.
Flash Sentry: Interesting. And why would you allow those individuals to enter such a trust-less place? Aren't you afraid of being held responsible for an accident?
Administrator 2: As we already mentioned, the officers are not held responsible for anything that happens in that temple because it is not considered a "property" of Fallen. The princesses themselves stated that the reestablished local system had no administrative powers over the western part of the Everfree province, and the altar is located in that western portion of the region thanks to a river that cuts the east from the west.
Flash Sentry: I understand. However, we are here to declare that the highest authority in Equestria has given me the means by which I will concede you full control of the Everfree Forest. By the reason of reinforcing their political ties, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna have agreed to give the entire province of Everfree to the domains of Fallen, and both of them have declared that the village had to pay nothing for it. All you have to do is put your signatures on this document and my comrades will nail a flag in the entrance to this village to declare its autonomy over the whole region of the Everfree Forest. What do you say?
Administrator 1: My goodness! We're honored to be conceived such a great opportunity! If my associate agrees, we'll be glad to take the deal! Right, Charl?
Charl: Indeed, indeed! My colleague Phelix and I will be more than honored to accept your conditions!
Flash Sentry: So, if both of you are OK with the terms and topics shown on this paper, you may sign it and give it to me. We'll do the rest for you.
Phelix: Of course, let us have a look at it.
As the two officers read the paper, three mysterious researchers who passed by the nearby window caught the attention of the guards. After the document's examination, the two administrators took out their pens and signed the testimony. Subsequently, they also noticed the distracted royal squad looking at the left window with a hint of curiosity in their eyes. One of the guards spoke to one of the executives.
Guard 1: Were they also researchers?
Charl: They ought to be. I've lost the account of times I've seen researchers. Aside from that, here's your paper! We read and signed it!
Flash Sentry: Wonderful. Now if you excuse us, we've many more tasks to accomplish. It was nice to discuss the story of this village, but we have other assignments to attend. Thanks for your cooperation and I wish you a nice day.
Phelix: We're the ones who should thank you commander! Come back anytime!
Just as the leader of the squad was leaving, a strange thought rushed through his mind and made him ask the officers one more question.
Flash Sentry: Before we go, what was the name of the race of ponies you mentioned earlier?
Phelix: Oh, they were the "Legendary Blazing Pegasi", why you ask?
Flash Sentry: I was just curious. That's all.
With that, the commander and his squad left the building and met the village once again. Although, as they already had stated that they had assignments to attend, the mysterious researches from before could be seen trotting towards the ancient altar in the western part of Fallen. As suspicion began to build up, Flash Sentry decided to intervene and go after them. With a gesture of his hoof, he ordered his companions to follow him.
Flash Sentry: Let us follow those "researchers" and find out if they are actually "researching".
End of Chapter VI
A/N: Yay, I'm not dead! I was just taking care of some stuff 'cause I'm now doing a course in Interior Design. I've also began "pumping iron", so you know what that means; I'll be twice as more tired as I have ever been, but don't you worry your pants everypony! This Fan Fiction is not over yet! I hope you liked this chapter because I spent a lot of time thinking about what to write for you without having to "exhaust" your eyes! As always, constructive criticism is always welcome, but be wise and don't try to be one of those "bad examples" out there. See ya next time!