Chapter 146: Starlit Journey Home
Part 1: Home Landed
TIME: 09:22 ERST
DATE: War Day 1107/15 Quartus, 1005 C.S.
LOCATION: Manehattan Naval Yards, Manehattan, Erie, Equestria
I just about JUMPED off the ship, and hugged the nearest pole. HOME. I was home.
Twilight: "Ugh.. wish.. they'd stop.. kicking." She waddled off the ship with Flash Sentry's help.
Dusk: "You'll get used to it." He chuckled.
Rarity: "Speak for yourself - you don't have to carry them, darling." She nudged him - she'd had foals, too.
Applejack: "Aw, Twai, don't worry about it." She was behind her. "We're home, an' we're stayin' put a while."
Sig: "..I still don't know why I have been ordered to come along.." He was a bit frustrated.
K: "You're permanently assigned to CAG as our armored warfare expert." I shrugged. "So, enjoy Equestria, Major." Yeah, promoted again - and doubly so displeased, he was.
Gilda: "Oh, relax - I'm just happy to have another Griffon on the team." She smiled as she strutted off the ship.
We'd lost a lot of warship tonnage in the last few battles, and I could see their replacements being constructed, now. The last evolution of the Equestrian Royal Navy was taking shape - beyond this, the world simply did not have the chemicals and materials sciences to make more things work, yet, and it would take years to get there.
Sunset: "I'm just glad we get some time off." She flexed her wings.. she was getting used to them, now. "Come on, Twilight, let's get a train ride home, huh?"
Toola Roola: "I'm SO HAPPY to be back here.." She slid down the railing, and slapped her art bag to her side. "Oh, man, I have so many paintings I want to make, now.."
K: "Everybody.." I flapped my arms. "..enjoy your time, but make sure the Royal Palace knows where you are. We have a month's leave time to relax and recuperate from all that fighting and investigating. So, enjoy it."
Applejack: "..durn straight, honeybun." She slid up to me like a cat in heat. "Ah gots all kinda RELAXIN' I wants to do."
Steela: "Agreed." She was blushing, though.
Dusty Dunes: "Oh, yeah!" She smiled.
Luna: "I have.. as they say.. dibs." She got off of the Cloudsdale's gangplank, levitating some luggage, but the rest of it was being carried by attendants. "And The Moon is up past her bedtime." She magically grabbed me by my tie. "Come along My General."
TIME: 19:22 ERST
LOCATION: Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, Manehattan, Erie, Equestria
I was laying flat on my back, shower complete, sack empty, happy mares around me. Most asleep. Luna, not. I sat up, and slid over to where she was, looking out the window of the Penthouse at the night sky.
Luna: "..do you fear never being able to return, here, My General?" She blinked, and looked at me.
K: "I'm not worrying about that - I'm enjoying what I have, when I have it." I nodded, and slid around her - naked - and cuddled her.
Luna: "I will never forget thee, My General." She slid her wing over me, and held me close. "You cared about me, you still care. I feel your love. It is so very strong, and it sustains me, in hope, every day." She smiled.
K: "I'm glad." I rubbed her belly - her being pregnant means we didn't do anything kinky, but we did cuddle and sleep.
Applejack, Dusty, and Steela? Noooo.. we did everything. EVERYTHING.
Luna: "What, now? We have still not found the Rainbow of Light." She nuzzled me.
K: "We'll find it." I nodded, rubbing her belly, still. "I've been thinking about a name."
Luna: "Have you?" She smiled.
K: "Theia." I nodded.
I had no idea what that would mean for the future, though.
There was a knock at the door and.. as I was rather naked.. Luna went to answer it (since ponies being naked isn't a big deal).
Female Germane Voice: "Ah, your highness. Guten Abend. I am looking for vone of our officers."
Luna: "Good evening.. ah.."
Maj. von Bismark: "Major Viktoria von Bismark. Germane Royal Guard."
Meanwhile I'm getting pants and a shirt on.
Luna: "Well, I assure you, Major, none of your officers are in here."
Maj. von Bismark: "Oh, ja. Ja. However, I seek an audience with General-Feldmarschall K."
I paced over to the door at this point, in just my uniform pants and my uniform shirt (unbuttoned and open).
In contrast, I was looking at a VERY well stacked mare. Blonde mane, white coat, green eyes, wearing an absolutely pristine Germane Army Feldgrau uniform. No cape - not at that rank - but she was wearing the correct Picklehaub for the Royal Guard.
K: "I'm he. Major." I gave her a casual nod.
Maj. von Bismark: "I seek Hauptmann Sigfried von Gneisenau.." She looked me over and gave a tiny shrug. "..the human form is as curious as I thought it might be. You have many scars."
Luna: "I'm rather impressed that your look is so dismissive." She smiled.
K: "She has her eye on someone else - YOU'RE the one that gave him those 'colors' he's so protective over!" I pointed at her, smiling.
Maj. von Bismark: "Jahwol." She gave a small curtsey. "I seek my Knight."
K: "Ah. And, he's a Major, now, too." I nodded. "Prince Hoffnungsteyer gave me the authority to grand field promotions. Brevet only until the paperwork goes through. His, has, already."
Maj. von Bismark: "My Knight has been very busy." She's practically purring.
K: "Room 703." I pointed down. "Two floors down. You.. ah.. planning on putting his sword on your wall, or is this just about greasing a sheath, here?"
Maj. von Bismark: "A Lady hopes that, one day, he will understand." She gave a small dismissive shrug. "Even if she has to help him."
Luna: "Be direct." She nodded. "It worked on me." She looked over at me, smiling.
K: "Be direct." I echoed her.
Maj. von Bismark: "..Jahwol." She blinked, the gears turning, as she gave us a small bow, and moved to leave, before stopping for a moment. "Thank you, General."
K: "Any time." Sig was in trouble. LOTS of trouble. Poor man.
That didn't really concern me, though. I mean, Sig was a friend, now, even if he wanted to try and remain distant. However, his romantic entanglements were not my immediate concern.
I just hoped he'd have a good time, and find a reason to enjoy love.
The next day, after I awoke, I was informed by the hotel staff that there were numerous noise complaints from Sig's room. I expected that. I did NOT expect them to sound like fighting. Specifically, sword fighting.
When I went to check on them, however, I found the two of them in pristine uniforms. Having breakfast. Chicory coffee, too.
Sig gave me a nod and handed me a cup.
Maj. von Bismark: "Unfortunately, that feather brain is denser than I imagined. I even tried being direct. Though apparently me telling him his Lady demands satisfaction... means he must show his achievements and martial improvements. We ended up dueling most of the night. Which is satisfactory in some ways, least I know he has the stamina..."
Luna could not stop laughing.
[End of Part 1]
Part 2: Ponyville Party
TIME: 11:13 ERST
DATE: War Day 1108/16 Quartus, 1005 C.S.
LOCATION: Ponyville, Erie, Equestria
With all the rail lines fully operational, the majority of CAG arrived by train. Bluey spent half the time in my lap. Magellan was having a great time, too. Honestly, the whole train was abuzz with folks eager to get home. For some, this was their NEW home. For ones like me, it was home-home.
Steela.. it was her first time here.
As we pulled into the station, I could see most of the town had turned out to cheer for us. Banners, a band, streamers, the whole works. It was an air of celebration - we had achieved several major victories. We'd taken our share of losses, but the majority of the fighting had gone our way.
Rainbow McSherbet: "I'm really excited." He was beaming. "It's the first time I've been shore-bound in a long time."
Rarity: "We do hope you decide to stay, darling." She smiled to him. "At least as long as you can - I'm certain our dear General will have many more adventures for us."
Rainbow McSherbet: "I'm here to the end." He nodded. "Doesn't mean I won't take some time to wander."
Fluttershy: "I'm so nervous." She squirmed a bit. "I have to tell my parents what.." She looked at Gig, with their kids asleep in her lap. "..changes I'm going through."
K: "I'll be very happy when they do." I patted her shoulder. "You've suffered so much. You deserve to be happy."
As the train pulled in, we all got off. I stretched my legs just in time to be tackled by my kids.
Rolfe: "DAD!" I was hugged.. tightly.
Starlight Mint: "DADDY! MOMMIES!" She went for Luna (who's half asleep on her hooves).
Koringo: "PAPA-CHAN!" Tiny hugs.. she's gotten bigger.
Pomme Florale: "PaPa! MaMa's!" She hugged Applejack.
Granny Smith: "Oh! My human Grandson! Ohhh.. look who's walking, now." The twins squirmed out from Granny's saddle bags and meandered on over on unsteady legs.
I'd missed it. We'd missed it. Their first real steps. Applejack and I looked at each other with guilt.. but.. we smiled. We traded domestic moments for saving lives. We'd do it again. And in that moment, Applejack fully understood why I was doing what I was doing - why I was willing to deprive myself of certain joys and happiness.. to save everyone. Not that she didn't partly understand before, but, now, missing a major moment like that herself, she got it.
Applebloom: "Cadet Applebloom Reportin' fer Duty!" She stepped up to us, with her friends, and Babs.. and saluted.
I could barely contain my emotions, as I disengaged from the pile, and stood up. Slowly, I extended my arm and brought it to my hat brim. She was a full grown Mare, now, of 15, and a full member of the Junior Military Cadets.
I wasn't surprised to see that she was ranked Cadet Sergeant.
So many changes. Without us.
TIME: 12:22 ERST
Applejack and I decided to escort Fluttershy, Golden Wattle, and their two Kits - Maria and Todd - to Fluttershy's cabin. Ever since Cloudsdale was destroyed, her parents had been staying there. After all, the only other place they could go, besides a refugee settlement in Cloud d'Alene was Fluttershy's aunt's place in Superior.
We should have noticed.. how.. quiet it was. Like, the usual sounds of animals.. simply wasn't present.
As we got closer, we could faintly hear music playing. Given the sound shadows of this part of the town, that meant it was playing VERY loudly.
Something was greatly amiss. I didn't see it, as she was ahead of me, but Fluttershy.. Fluttershy knew. I couldn't hear her grit her teeth.
When we got to the edge of her property.. I saw.. devastation. Her garden was torn up, both by wagon wheels and vague attempts at digging holes. There was a new Gazebo here, in the middle of where she used to grow a few specific food crops for some of the animals.
And, speaking of the animals.. there were none.
The music was very loud indeed. Also, one of her windows was broken, and boarded up.
Golden Wattle: "WHAT the BLOODY TARTARUS!?" He recoiled in horror, seeing all this.
K: "Easy, Captain." I nodded. "Fluttershy? You okay?"
She didn't hear me. She'd already handed off Todd and Maria and was marching towards the door. Golden hurried to catch up with her. We were right behind. She threw open the door to her cottage to see..
Fluttershy: "ZEPHYR! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!?" She SHOUTED.
There, on her couch, was this stallion named Zephyr, reclined back, empty pizza boxes everywhere, and Mrs. Shy desperately trying to clean things up. Mister Shy was seated at the table, looking very sad indeed.
Golden Wattle: "Fl-Wh-Ah.. WHAT IS ALL THIS, THEN!?" He demanded.
Zephyr: "Haya, SIS! Siiis.. great to see you!" He got up from the couch, knocking over a couple of beer cans - one of which was used as an ash tray, and opened his forelimbs for a hug.
Fluttershy: "ZEPHYR BREEZE! YOU MADE THIS MESS, DIDN'T YOU!?" She demanded. "You.. you.. YOU RUINED MY HOUSE!" She suddenly broke down crying.
Zephyr: "Mess? Ahhh.. it's just a little improvement, here and there. Don't be so dramati-"
BIG. FUCKING. MISTAKE.
Golden Wattle: "YOU BLOODY CUNT-FACED TWAT!" He DOVE at him!
K: "GOLDEN, NO!" I caught him in mid-air - not easy with a Pegasus - and managed to pull him back so his VERY pristine right cross only grazed Zephyr's lip by a bare hair.
Golden Wattle: "YOU BLOODY PIECE OF SHIT! I OUGHTTA THROTTLE YOU!" He was WRESTLING me HARD, trying to get out of my grasp.
K: "HONEY, HELP, I CAN'T HOLD HIM!" I.. I couldn't! He was FAR to enraged.
Applejack: "SETTLE DOWN, GOLDEN!"
She was about to step in, with Zephyr backing away, scared, when Golden managed to wriggle free. In an instant, she had her Lasso out, and ensnared Golden Wattle, tackled him, and hog-tied him.
Golden Wattle: "LEMME OUT, JACKIE! AH'MA'COMMIT ME A WAR CR'OIME!" He screamed.
K: "GET HIM OUT!" I pointed.
Applejack dragged Golden Wattle out the door, with him BITING the rope.. trying to CHEW his way out.
Fluttershy: "MOM! DAD! I-I-I ..." She sniffled through her tears. "WHY did you let him IN?!"
Mrs. Shy: "Sweetie.. uh.. he.. he had nowhere to go.." Her voice was soft and submissive.
Mr. Shy: "Dear.. he's.. he's our son." He shrugged his wings.
Fluttershy: "AND THIS.. WAS.. MY HOUSE! WAS! YOU LET HIM DESTROY IT!" She sobbed, almost screaming. "GET OUT, ZEPHYR! GET OUT! GET OUT OF MY HOUSE, OUT OF MY LIFE! YOU RUIN EVERYTHING YOU TOUCH! YOU'RE A DISASTER! A LEECH! A PARASPRITE! I'M OUT THERE RISKING MY LIFE FOR EVERYONE.. EVERYONE.. AND YOU RUIN THE ONE GOOD THING I STILL HAD LEFT! AFTER.. EVERYTHING.. THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME.. I STILL.. HAD.. THIS! BUT NOT ANYMORE! NO! I DON'T EVEN GET TO HAVE A HOME, DO I!? MY FAMILY - MY FAMILY.. HAS MY HOME RUINED! DESTROYED! BY YOU! THESE ARE MY CHILDREN! THAT WAS TO BE HMY HUSBAND! AND THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE OURS! AND YOUR DESTROYED IT, LIKE YOU DESTROY EVERYTHING!" She was sobbing, screaming, and crying like she NEVER had before.
Now I understood a lot more about her than I did five years ago.
Mrs. Shy: "SWEETIE! That's no way to talk to your brother!"
Fluttershy: "SHUT UP, MOM!" She screeched at her.
Mr. Shy: "Fluttershy! My goodness, what's gotten into you!?" He was emotive, but still quiet voiced.
Fluttershy: "WH-WHAT'S GOTTEN INTO ME!? DO YOU REEEEEEEEEEEEALLLY WANNA KNOW, DAD!?" She looked at me and pointed to the two confused, almost crying fox kits.
K: "I'll get them out." I grabbed them both up, and pulled them out of the house.
Vigilance and Colgate ran up at this point, with one of the town Gendarmes, Copper Field - Copper Top's younger brother.
Vigilance: "Aw, crap, we're too late." He shrugged.
I handed Colgate the babies and went back inside.
Fluttershy: "YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOTTEN INTO ME..DAAAAAAAAAD?! HOW ABOUT ALL THE TIMES I WAS BEATEN, WOUNDED, AND TORTURED?! THAT GETS INTO YOU - INTO YOUR HEAD, YOUR HEART! I NEVER TOLD YOU! BECAUSE I WANTED TO SPARE YOU! I'VE BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS BECAUSE I WANTED TO KEEP YOU SAFE! I WANTED TO PROTECT YOU! AND THIS IS HOW YOU TREAT ME!? YOU LET THAT SLIME BAG WITH WINGS IN HERE, AND LET HIM DESTROY THE ONE.. GOOD.. THING I HAD LEFT!?"
Both of her parents were cowering in the corner, holding each other.
Fluttershy: "K.." She grew quiet.
K: "Yes, Fluttershy?" I nodded to her.
Fluttershy: "Get Zephyr out. He's banned from my property." She said, in a normal voice.
Mrs. Shy: "Fluttershy! No! Where will he-"
Fluttershy: "You two have a choice. Him or me. I'm done. You can stay here. You WILL clean the mess you allowed him to make. But if you let him back on my property again? We're through. You two can starve in the streets for all I care." She was ICE FUCKING COLD with that delivery - the same way she was with Grogar.
Mr. Shy: "Fluttershy, honey, you can't ask us.."
Fluttershy: "I'm not asking. I'm DEMANDING." She glared at him.
Zephyr: "No one EVER wants me around! EVER! Why did I even BOTHER trying to come here!" He started ugly crying, when I went to grab him and remove him. "Get your mitts off of me! I know when I'm not wanted! FINE Fluttershy! I'll just.. I'll just.. go back to nature! YOU'LL SEE!" He started making for the door.
Fluttershy: "..I hope you starve." She said, her voice devoid of emotion.
Broken at this revelation, Zephyr Breeze flew off, crying, too.
Mr. Shy: "Fluttershy! How could you!?" He was insulted.
Fluttershy: "I let you into my home. A home I earned and built on my own. And you let him destroy it. How could YOU!? I gave you kindness and hospitality, and you spit in my face." She snorted at them. "Make your choice, father."
They both cowered there for a bit longer. I swore they'd piss themselves. Then, Mrs. Shy got up and started cleaning again. Mr. Shy went and helped her. They said nothing else.
I exited the cabin and walked over to Golden Wattle and AJ.
K: "Golden." I knelt next to him. "Fluttershy needs you. Can you be a good father and future husband and support her?"
Golden: "..aye.." He looked ashamed. "Sorry, K."
I pat him on the head.
K: "You're alright. You were angry that someone hurt the mare you loved. You saw red, you wanted to defend her honor." I shrugged. "Apologize to her, not me."
Golden: "Aye. Uh.. can I get up, now?" He looked at Applejack.
Applejack: "Shore'nuff, sugarcube." She untied him.
[End of Part 2]
Part 3: Darkened Forest
TIME: 19:44 ESRT
DATE: War Day 1108/16 Quartus, 1005 C.S.
LOCATION: Fluttershy's Cottage, Ponyville, Erie, Equestria
Cleaning up was a long process. No one spoke. Not a word. Fluttershy let out all the anger and frustration that had built up for years. Her parents, I could see, were even more submissive than she'd been when I first met her.
She was not the same pony.
Golden took the kids and went to Broken Dawn's place, so we could get some peace. Applejack and I - despite wanting to spend time with our own kids - stayed. We knew that Fluttershy needed us.
Finally, with everything mostly done, Fluttershy was the one to speak up.
Fluttershy: "Dad.. did.. your cloud puffs survive?" She asked in a tiny voice.
Mr. Shy: "Ah.. s-some of them did." He shrugged a bit, uneasily.
Fluttershy: "Dad collects cloud puffs from historical events, rare types, things like that. Some of them are irreplaceable." She said, softly.
K: "I see. You must have been very proud of your collection, sir." I said, sweeping.
Mr. Shy: "I.. well.." He cleared his throat a bit. "..the one I'll miss the most is one that was from a very rare storm over the ocean. The cloud was emerald green, ready to drop a waterspout.." He looked at his wife. "..I caught it the day I met her."
K: "I can understand." I nodded. "I'm very sorry that this war caused you to lose something so precious." I wasn't talking about the cloud.
Mr. Shy: "Uh.. it's.. Wafting. By the way." He brushed off his hoof, and offered it, finally.
K: "K----." I shook hoof-and-hand with him.
Wafting Shy: "Um.. and this.. is.."
Mrs. Shy: "Snuggle." She smiled, finally.
Fluttershy: "Your grandbabies are named Maria and Todd." She said, at last.
Wafting Shy: "Oh." He softened, suddenly.
Snuggle Shy: "They looked precious." She smiles, again.
Fluttershy: "I adopted them." She nodded.
Wafting Shy: "Your.. fiancee.. certainly looks strong." He nods a bit.
K: "He successfully brought down the revolutionary Herdiet government of an enemy nation with a mere company of special operations and Marine troops, the nation's old King, and a lot of guile, saving tens of thousands of lives." I nodded, smiling. "He's something special."
Snuggle Shy: "Oh, how lovely." She clapped her hooves.
K: "He's up for a Victoria's Cross." I nodded. "I'm honored to have him as a friend."
Fluttershy sighed, seeing it was getting dark. Golden and the kids came in about then, with Broken.
Broken Dawn: "Oh! Hello, sir. Ma'am." He nodded to them. "Broken Dawn, Golden's friend."
K: "He helped with that revolution, too." I shrugged.
Fluttershy: "Yes, they're both very brave." She was her sweet self, again, fluttering up to her dear love, and giving him a hug.
Wafting Shy: "Welcome to the family, then." He was kindly with that.
Fluttershy looked out the window, and lowered her head a tiny bit.
Fluttershy: "Golden, honey, I hate to ask you.." She trailed off.
Golden: "Aye, I'll go git 'em." He already knew. "And take him to the hotel. For one night only."
Fluttershy: "That works." She nodded, softly.
Snuggle Shy: "You're serious, then." She said softly.
Fluttershy: "I am, mom. He's a lazy, good-for-nothing slob. I won't have him around my children like that." She nodded softly, but firmly. "He needs to fly or crash."
K: "I'll.. go with." I nodded a bit. "Hon, why don't you get back to the kids? Things seem to be calm around here, now, and I'll be along before too long, anyway."
Applejack: "Alright, honeybun." She nodded, then nodded to Golden Wattle. "Sorry 'bout hog tyin' ya."
Golden: "Water under the bridge, Jackie." He nodded. "Better you did that, then me kill him. We were all angry."
K: "We were." I shrugged. "I wanted to show him how human hands feel across a muzzle, but, I couldn't - I have to be someone you all look up to."
Fluttershy: "Thank you, K." Both for offering to pimp-slap her brother, and for not doing it.
A bit later, Golden, Broken, and I had flashlights, and were plumbing around the Everfree Forest at night. Funny how it didn't bother me, any more. Funny how I felt like walking tall, despite the night.
Funny how I noticed TROGGLE FOOTPRINTS IN THE DIRT!
K: "Light's off! Cover! Cover!" I whispered harshly, drawing my Dager, and getting to a rock.
They did the same, and - thanks to dexterous hands - I turned on my flashlight and cupped my palm over it, just enough to show where the tracks were.
Golden: "Tha's not good." He frowned.
K: "Broken, go back and get the Militia. Quietly. We have the Element of Surprise - let's keep it." I pointed, clicking the light off.
Broken Dawn: "You got it, K." He took wing and zoomed off.
Golden: "We gotta find the lil' bugger, don't we?" He frowned.
K: "As angry as she is, Fluttershy would be very sad if they hurt him." I pointed out.
Golden: "..fuckin' oath.." That was said with an air of defeat -he VERY rarely curses, any more, since Fluttershy does not like mean words.
Golden and I crept along the path, until we could hear Troggles 'talking' - as much as they do. We got to a thicket of brush, and peeked through. There, we saw poor Zephyr - he was tied to a rotisserie spit, and they were starting to build a fire under him.
Zephyr Breeze: "You guys are all wrong! My sister doesn't love me - she's not going to come rescue me!" He whimpered.
Troggle: "Eh? No. EAT YOU! Eat pony lightly roast! COOK IN SKIN!" It cackled.
Zephyr Breeze: "What?! NOoooooooooooo! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! NO NO NO! NOT THAT!" He was scared.. and he pissed himself.
Troggle: "Oooo.. Food self-basting." They all cackled - all 24 of them.
Golden: "...no chance we can leave him like that?" He smirked at me.
K: "Nope. We're heroes. Gotta rescue him." I nodded.
Golden: "I gotta plan.." He beamed a grin.
I dreaded to think what it was, but, he told me, just wait, and I'll know when to act. So, I sat there, in the brush, waiting for either the Ponyville Militia, or Golden Wattle..
..and Golden Wattle struck first.
Golden: "CHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGE!" He yelled from the other side of the clearing.
Before I knew what was happening.. A CELESTIA-DAMNED MANTICORE CHARGED THROUGH THE UNDERBRUSH!
Troggle: "WEAPONS! SHOOT! SHOOOOO-" *GLURK!*
He didn't get to finish talking, the Manticore stung him with his tail.
Me? I crawled in to the clearing, in the darkness, and got out my Bowie Knife. Getting up to where Zephyr was, I started cutting his ropes.
K: "Be glad I adore Fluttershy, or you'd be food right now. Be glad she loves you, too, or she wouldn't have asked." I whispered harshly.
Zephyr: "I thought she hated me!" He whined.
K: "No, she's just mad because you suck at life." I got him free, finally, and pulled him off the Rotisserie Spit. "Now come on! Stay by me."
We made a run for it, with me stopping a moment to fire a few shots at a couple of Troggles. After running up the path, we were joined by Golden.. who was looking VERY smug.
K: "Excellent plan, Captain." I patted his shoulder.
Golden: "Nat'cher'ly." He smirked, then looked at Zephyr. "Be glad I love her so much. I ain't gonna hit'cha."
At that moment, Written Script, Broken Dawn, and three Infantry Platoons charged up to meet us.
Maj. Written Script: "GENERAL!" He nodded. "Orders?"
K: "Sweep and clear - and watch out for the Manticore - he's a friendly." I grinned.
Leaving a confused Written Script, the four of us headed back to the cottage.. Zephyr doing nothing but apologizing for everything.
Sometimes, life works out funny like that.
After returning to Fluttershy's cabin, Zephyr broke down and sobbed. He had no idea the War was this dangerous, or that ponies were actually DYING-dying. It scared him. His inability to protect himself scared him more. He was shaken to his core, completely.. and he asked me to help.
I packed his few things for him in a small bag, and wrote orders for him to report to Marine Corps Training Camp. I also wrote additional orders to his Drill Instructors that, under no circumstances, would he be allowed to 'wash out' - that he MUST complete the training, and he is not allowed to quit or be discharged.
The Marines would make a Stallion out of him, or he'd die trying.
I had faith that, deep down, he'd make it. He was a marshmallow, but I'd seen ponies fall down before, lose themselves.. but I also knew that Pony nature at times was very specific. Some times.. some ponies.. just needed a very specific kick in the flanks to do well in life.
And, come Hell or High Water, Zephyr would, too.
[End of Part 3]
Part 4: Wedding Shy
TIME: 09:26 ERST
DATE: War Day 1110/18 Quartus, 1005 C.S.
LOCATION: Ponyville, Erie, Equestria
Two days later, and Fluttershy's cottage was back in working order. The animals were starting to come back. Todd and Maria were very happy with their grandparents. Fluttershy was making room in her life for her folks, one way or another, not just as guests at her home.
Cloudsdale had been destroyed nine months ago, at this point. Efforts to restore it were progressing. Temporarily, they were anchoring the new clouds to Mount Baldy over in Greenbroke, a bit across the border from Canterlot, instead of its traditional place near the capital.
Now that we were home, preparations were in the works for our next wedding - Fluttershy and Golden Wattle, plus Trixie joining as Mareiage Partner to Dusk Seeker and Rarity. Watching all these ponies develop lives because of this war was warming my heart.
Then, there was Toola Roola. And her unresolved trauma. Fluttershy specifically said she wanted Toola's mom at the wedding, if it was possible, so, Applejack and I went over to her place to talk to her about it.
Toola Roola: "Oh! Jackie, K. Come in." She was in the middle of painting Golden Wattle riding a Manticore as a wedding present.
Applejack: "Heya, there, sugarcube." She trotted on in and examined the painting. "Lookin' good, there, Toola."
Toola Roola: "It struck me funny." She smirked.
K: "Toola.. remember when we were on the Eyesore Islands and you told me about.. how your father passed?" I nodded to her.
Toola Roola: "...yeah..." She went cold, at that.
K: "Look, I told you before, you need to make peace with your mom. At least TALK to her. It's been years. Running away from this.." I gestured. "..I know how you ponies work. That darkness in your heart? Tirek can worm his way into it. And make you hurt. Badly."
Toola Roola: "You're right, you know." She nodded, frowning.. and letting out a long sigh. "I suppose I'd better address it. Sooner rather than later." She shrugged.
Applejack: "That, and Fluttershy wants yer mom at th' weddin'." She smiled.
Toola Roola: "Mmm.. and I know our dear Human - you don't want me going by myself." She gestured, grinning.
K: "Of course not." I nodded. "We'll go with you. Who else you want along?"
Toola Roola: "Sunset." She nodded. "Trixie, Rarity, and Dusk, too."
K: "No problem. I'll see if MATS has a flight going to Seacattle in the next couple of days." I nodded to her, smiling.
Toola Roola: "I'll show you guys around - and show you some of the most AMAZING forests you'll ever see." She beamed a grin.
K: "Sounds great - get packed." I nodded to her.
Toola Roola: "Right away." She leaned up and kissed me, then kissed Applejack. "You two are the best."
K: "We care." I nodded to her.
Applejack: "Shore'nuff, sugarcube." She hugged her. "We're friends. Forever."
TIME: 13:26 ERST
DATE: War Day 1111/19 Quartus, 1005 C.S.
LOCATION: Seacattle, Wenatchee
The seven of us got off the C-1 Buffalo at Whitecap Air Force Base in Seacattle, and headed into the Officer's Lounge tog et our luggage. I'd called ahead to the Seacattle Gendarmes, and made sure Toola Roola's mom was, indeed, still in the city. Her name was Meadowlark. She lived in the city, still.
Colonel Wind Rider: "Ah! General!" He trotted over, nodding to me.
Dusk Seeker: "Colonel." He nodded to him.
Col. Wind Rider: "Fancy seeing you here - I was on tour." He shrugged.
Wind Rider.. was.. an interesting pony. I'd met him ages ago, and I immediately knew he was a fraud at worst, and a washed-up has-been at best. And I called him out on it, too. Instead, I moved him to a position that could help - he was now part of the Royal Office of War Information. The Propaganda and Recruitment arm of the military.
He was a show pony. He went around, impressed ponies with his record, and got them to join up. That was.. acceptable.
I gave him a nod, and patted his shoulder.
K: "Remember our deal." I gave him a small smile.
Col. Wind Rider: "..yeah." He nodded rapidly.
The deal is, his record stands, no matter what, until the War is over, then he graciously allows Rainbow Dash and a few others compete to take his place. And in exchange, the Royal Tax Revenue Service doesn't take a hard look at just how much compensation he got for using his name on things.. that might not have been taxed properly.
K: "You've been good for us, though." I shrugged. "Especially fundraising for Cloudsdale."
Col. Wind Rider: "I suppose I have." He smirked a bit.
K: "Anyway, got to go - got business in the city." I shrugged. "Catch you later."
Col. Wind Rider: "Well, I'll be around if you need me." He smiled and nodded.
We all got away from him, and Rarity could not stop staring at him.
Rarity: "..he's positively a used cart salespony, darlings.." She snapped her lashes.
Dusk Seeker: "Yeah, I met him a few times." Dusk shrugged. "Always struck me as a Stallion that peaked before 25 and never let it go."
K: "He's slime, but he's famous, so, I use him in exchange for not investigating his taxes." I smirked.
We got a street car ride to Meadowlark's house. It wasn't the same house Toola Roola's father had died at, of course. It made sense she wouldn't want to live there any more. I was the asshole that went up and knocked.
Meadowlark: "Just a moment!" Came the call from inside.
Toola Roola: "..is it bad that I feel sick?" She frowned, suddenly starting to lose her nerve.
Rarity: "Toola, darling, you've faced Tirek. This is nothing." She patted her shoulder.
Toola Roola: "Yeah, but.. I hate Tirek.. I.. love my mom." She drooped.
The door opened, and there stood Toola's mom, Meadowlark. Purple coat, blonde mane showing greys, eyes that were bright, but showing some sadness, and some crow's feet, just gently.
She saw me and smiled.. then saw Toola.. and her face screwed up with pain and suffering. Instantly. She fell to her side, and started crying. Sobbing. Loudly.
She wasn't angry. She didn't greet her with joy. Instead, she took one look at us, and fell apart, like she expected to get hurt. Again. Somehow.
Something was going on here, and now.. nothing made sense.
[End of Part 4]
Part 5: Parental Pains
TIME: 13:36 ERST
DATE: War Day 1111/19 Quartus, 1005 C.S.
LOCATION: Seacattle, Wenatchee, Equestria
We were inside Meadowlark's apartment duplex, now. There were few photos in the outer foyer. Paintings, yes, but no family photos of Toola or her father, Cheval. A few from when Meadowlark was younger, and one of Meadowlark's parents.
Rarity and Applejack helped Meadowlark get on to her sofa, and let it all out. Trixie and I were looking at each other in confusion. Toola looked sick. Dusk was in 'investigative' mode. Sunset was trying to comfort Toola.
Dusk: "....Mrs. Meadowlark, we know about the incident that killed your husband." He started.
Meadowlark: "THEN JUST ARREST ME! GO ON! I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANY MORE!" She sobbed into her couch pillow again.
Toola Roola: "Mom!? WHAT.. what the Tartarus are you talking about?!" She looked stunned.
Meadowlark: "That's why you brought a Guard, isn't it?!" She gestured to Dusk. "You finally put it all together?! You have all the evidence!?" She looked between all of us. "DO YOU WANT MY CONFESSION, TOO!?" She screamed.
Dusk: "...yes." He suddenly locked in, and I let him take the lead.
Meadowlark: "I confess. I sabotaged his experiment. I did it! I couldn't STAND him being so FUSSY and being MORE INTO those MACHINES than he was ME!" She slapped her hoof to her chest. "I.. was a ballerina, once, when we met. He called me his Sugar Plum Fairy.." She quivered her lip, sniffling. "I missed that. I missed those days of us just.. being with each other. Me dancing, him romancing.. then.." She shook her head, and looked at Toola. "Please, understand, I loved you with all my heart. I still do. But, I saw the way he pushed you away. How his 'science' kept getting in the way." She shook her head.
Toola Roola: "Mom? What are you saying?!" She demanded.
Meadowlark: "That last experiment of his.. if.. he failed, he'd have lost his funding and would have had to go back to teaching full time. He'd s-s-stop.. working so hard. Ignoring us. Ignoring.. his family." She collected herself. "So, I.. removed a couple of fuses."
Toola Roola: "No, Mom.. no.. no, I.. I killed him." She sniffled. "HE TOLD ME TO PAY ATTENTION, AND.. AND I COULDN'T EVEN DO THAT MUCH FOR HIM!! I WAS TOO DISTRACTED SKETCHING!" She started sobbing, now. "I THOUGHT.." She grew quiet. "..I thought you'd blame me for killing Dad.. and.. you'd hate me.." She started crying softly. "So.. I .. left!" She choked out.
K: "Ten years. And you both thought you did it." I nodded. "From what I know of the incident, it sounds like it was an accident - fuses removed or not, you'd both have equal blame for what happened. You're not blameless. But, both of you have enough guilt to go around." I sat between them, on the floor. "And both of you were afraid the other would hate them if they knew the truth."
Meadowlark & Toola Roola: "YES!" They looked eat each other.. and both collapsed into a hug, crying into each others' shoulders.
With that, I scooted back on my butt, and got up.
K: "I think you two have a lot of catching up to do." I nodded to them, speaking softly. "Come on, guys. Let's go get lunch and let them talk."
With that, we departed.
Taking a Street Car, we found a seafood restaurant closer to Whulget Sound, and I could see some Canidan naval personnel intermingling with the Ponies here. It was nice to see so many races get along like this.
The cafe was set up for eating outside, so, the six of us just grabbed a couple tables.
Rarity: "I'm pleased, darlings, that we were able to settle Toola Roola's trauma. It must've been positively dreadful to think she alone was responsible for her father's death all this time." She sighed.
K: "It was both of them, and it was largely an accident. I'm sure Cheval was a bit distracted, too, and hadn't noticed the danger until it was too late, as he was focused on the results." I gave a wide shrug.
Waitress: "How-do, folks." She paced up and handed us menus. "Need some time?"
K: "Ah.. pink lemonade. I'll have some." I nodded.
Trixie: "Yeah, me, too." She smiled.
Dusk Seeker: "Coffee, please." He was reading the menu with interest.
Rarity: "Same, darling." She gave a small grin, fascinated at some of the food choices.
Sunset: "Mmm.. one sparkling white grape and one coffee." She smiled.
Applejack: "Ah'll have this here sparklin' apple juice." She grinned, tapping the menu.
Waitress: "Coming right up." She nodded to us, and trotted off.
Sunset: "Fluttershy'll be happy we got this done." She grinned, patting us on the back. "Okay, it's not a fully happy ending, but it's better than a bad one, right?"
K: "You have a point. At least, now, Toola Roola and her mom can kinda go back to what they had." I shrugged.
About then, five uniformed Gendarmes, one wearing a Gendarmes Commander's uniform, could be seen on the street, frantically looking and asking.. about.. something. One of the Canidan sailors from RCS Snow Dome (identified because their hats have their ship name stitched across the crown) pointed.. to us.
K: "...so much for lunch..." I frowned.
Sunset: "Oh, COME ON! We just got done with a WAR. Well, another war.." She shook her head.
Rarity: "Courage, darlings. It can't POSSIBLY be that bad!" She gave a small giggle.
They ran up to us, and the Commander saluted.
Iron Bars: "Commander Iron Bars, Wenatchee State Prison, General K." He stood to attention.
I gave a casual salute back.
Iron Bars: "Sir.. I.. don't know how to say this.. but.. Daring Do has been busted out of prison, sir." He sighed, and frowned.
K: "Oh, REALLY!?" I leaned forwards, very curious.
Iron Bars: "I-It's.. who did it.. sir." He clears his throat and shuffled his hooves. "I was there. I saw her."
Dusk Seeker: "Saw whom, Commander?" He tilted his head to him.
Iron Bars: "It was.. Starlight Glimmer." He said, dropping that verbal grenade on the table.
Rarity: "I take it back, darlings.. this is the WORST. POSSIBLE. THING." She scowled.
My question was.. HOW!?
{End of Chapter 146}
