The journey had been languid until the border for the most part, the fast travelling river providing much needed rest for Scalpel and his niece, as well as some of the last portions of untarnished scenic beauty in Equestria. The barge master had not asked questions when he paid for transport to the border, doubtless he had been involved in illegal activities for some time and this had proven to be nothing new to him. 

Grunge had also been accepted in a way by the crew too, so long as he kept to himself and remained quiet the crew did nothing more than flick suspicious glances at him from time to time. frankly he was far too interested in playing with a wooden toy and splashing at the water to cause much of a fuss.

For his part Scalpel had decided to dig through one of the half remaining collections of ancient lore whilst keeping a watchful eye on Honey whilst she dozed in a chair out in the sunshine, blissful in the warmth of the day. It was moments like this when she enjoyed peaceful dreams that all the hardships and turmoil’s of the world dropped away from her face; she became innocent again, free from pain and terror of waking life.

Turning back the book he dug into the great epics of the pre-equestrian age, a world not dissimilar from their own, in a way. Perhaps this was the way it had always been, had Pax Equestria simply been a fabrication, a false idea planted in the heads of ponies because of the gentle hearts of the Diarchy. Perhaps their greatest failure was in creating a system of government so reliant upon them that it could not survive without their constant maintenance.

As the sun sunk lower in the horizon, the chill of night crept up on them, but they were nearing their destination at least. Soon they would be on the Imperial road and make their way to Star Harbour and see about a trip to Trotpoli and away from the never ending cycle of war in Equestria. His studies would perhaps falter, but he could probably pick up further research in the morgues of Trotpoli, even if live subjects were generally easier to examine and gain precise details on than the dead.

He paused for a second; did he really wish to leave his studies behind in Equestria? After all he had been through and the uncountable difficulties to get this far, it seemed his studies on the fundaments of magic and ways to expand it beyond natural proportions was drawing close to an epiphany… he felt a tug which he hadn’t ever felt before, almost as if something was suggesting that an enlightening of the world awaited beyond the next corner…. It was hellishly tempting.

He turned to gaze at Honey, he had wrapped his coat around her shoulders as the night chill came in and she had snuggled into it adorably. What about Honey? Scalpel knew he couldn’t go gallivanting around the country digging into things most people would consider blasphemous without considerable danger, Trottingham had been proof of that. How could he do such a thing and risk the life of Honey? Was he not responsible for her? How long before someone finally managed to get to her before he could stop them… like they had before…

On the other hoof, if he achieved success, if his studies in Divinity and the expansion of biological magic were correct he could protect her eternally, safe forever from foulness and those who would wish to harm her. But such powers might come with a considerable cost, perhaps he would only have one shot at it… perhaps he would perish like Twilights attempt… or come back a monstrosity from the abyss like Pinkie pie. Furthermore there were other possibilities to consider, including loss of self or perhaps even physical mutilation… many risks, but great rewards if successful… 

Suddenly the new night was broken by a piercing bolt of golden light to the west, a pillar of cosmic fire which boomed like the father of thunderclaps and lit up and destroyed a decaying city Scalpel recognised as Old Hoof. The wind roared and the power of the blast shook both water and earth, felling trees miles from where it had struck. The power of a raging god had been unleashed that night and all would know and see from the farthest regions of Equestria.

Awestruck, Scalpel quoted something he had seen long ago in a copy of an ancient book of Hideu scriptures from thousands of years ago.

“Maheshwarastra… a cosmic flaming beam of destruction from heaven itself… someone must have truly angered one of the new gods to have such fury unleashed upon them…”

Whilst he had stared, overwhelmed by the majesty of the pillar of fury, the crew ran around squawking orders to pull into land before they destabilised, Honey, awoken by the frightful din of apocalyptic anger stood next to him, nestled in one of his hooves as the observed the power from afar in a mixture of terror and fascination. Behind them, Grunge clanged his hooves together in approval, beginning to pace back and forth in excitement.

It seemed like utter madness the next thought that occurred to him, but it drew him all the same, like the rapturous wonder of light before a moth.

[i]I must go there.[/i]

***
They had made quick progress towards the town, or at least what was left of it, Scalpel was physically wheezing at the pace he had been going at, whilst Honey and Grunge followed more easily, mostly due to Grunge allowing himself to be used as a carrier for Honey. Scalpel might have laughed at the sight if other things had not pressed at his mind, like physical exhaustion of sprinting towards the now fading blast of light in an unquestionable urge to know.

He had tried to convince Honey to stay behind at the Barge with Grunge, but she had adamantly refused to be parted from him and so he had reluctantly conceded. The barge itself had survived with only a few dents and scratches, and he had paid them handsomely to remain where they were for the meanwhile whilst he investigated. They thought he was mad as a brush, but the gold was good and they seemed safe for the moment, with no other heavenly fire descending from the sky.

Eventually he reached the outskirts of the town… or at least what was left of it. The place looked like the gateway to Tartarus, a patch of earth burnt to a crisp. Anything flammable now seemed to be smouldering or burning and great plumes of smoke were beginning to rise from the pit. Twisted bodies lay on the ground in all directions, but it did not seem that they had been innocent victims, the taint of the cult covered so many. He signalled Honey and Grunge to wait at the edge as he moved into the inner city to investigate. Honey looked like she was about to object, but a look from him silenced her; it was too great a risk.

He travelled deep into the ruins of the city and shivered at some of the twisted things which had once been ponies… or worse. The place had clearly been crawling with Smiling Dolls, their scythe like wreckage coated the land in deadly spikes and macabre grinning heads, now burnt to nothing. Something crawled out of one of the pits, it was a Doll, but its back legs had been crushed. It still moved towards him with surprising speed, but magic put an end to it as he crushed its skull like an egg.

Scalpel explored the city more thoroughly but it seemed as if whatever had leveled the place had long since departed, a sudden wind however blew a plume of smoke away just in time for him to catch something on the far edge or a little beyond the city. Curious he paced forward to investigate, and the form became more and more distinct. It was a figure which almost looked as if it was… sleeping? As he advanced towards it and as the smoke cleared it became clearly visible. It seemed to be nestled on the edge of the destruction zone, and despite all the ash and cinders, the figure was almost pristine… asides from patches blood which matted portions of fur on figures body... but there was only one sign of injury, which to his amazement healed within seconds to reveal an unblemished coat. He realised it was a she, a brilliant turquoise or aqua green mare Alicorn which a tight braid through both mane and tail… which almost suggested a warrior or huntresses pragmatism. She had amazingly large wings, far bigger than any pegasi, or even that of the Celestial sisters… perhaps she had an association with beings of the air?

On drawing closer openly, but slowly as not to suggest an imminent threat, he saw that the blood stains suggested deep incisions and lacerations, most likely that of Smiling Dolls. They were some of the most difficult injuries to heal, even with unicorn magic but this... this was astounding, there was nothing there.

"remarkable" he spoke breathlessly.

What amazed him even more was the blood, it was bright gold, glowing with inner power of a celestial being… majestic… beautiful… a book of knowledge yet unknown to pony science or study. The scientist told him to collect and analyse and study without moral obligation… but the doctor won the battle and he resigned himself to having to ask permission first, such was the cost of common equity over compulsive passionate action.

Drawing back slightly so he was fully in front of the Alicorn mare he spoke up, almost timidly, but with an undercurrent of scientific excitement. 

“Uh… Miss… Um, Alicorn?… I am a doctor… do you, uh… require assistance? ”