Chapter 150: Homeward Bound
Part 1: Home Land
TIME: 11:22 ERST
DATE: War Day 1150/28 Quintillus, 1005 C.S.
LOCATION: Ponyville, Erie, Equestria
It was a lovely morning. I was at our new castle/headquarters, now well staffed and well equipped with everything we needed. Dragonshire tech was being brought in, now, and Bright Eyes was personally integrating it into our technological profile.
The New Navy for NEIGHTO would have guided missiles. We had evolved from Edwardian-era warfare, to World War II, to Early Atomic Age. Radar, computer guidance for defensive weapons and even main guns, the works. Dragonshire was sharing everything they had, with us. Freely. Whereas before, Ember had been very reserved. After all, it's not always a good idea to drop higher technology on a lesser developed society. In this case, we had no choice.
As for the atomic weapon found in Dragonshire, we were unable to trace its origins. I didn't get a VERY good look at it, but what I did see, hinted at a Herdiet design, but I didn't think it was stolen from them. This suggested either they got their hands on an incomplete core and put the rest together themselves.. or worse.. he now had the ability to make his own Atomic devices, but had no delivery systems worth spit.
Either was worrying.
I was in the middle of writing up some operation plans, when Starlight Glimmer came in.
Starlight Glimmer: "Ah, K? Can I... talk to you?" She knocked a bit at the door as she entered.
K: "Sure, Starlight, what is it?" I motioned for her to come in and have a sea.
Starlight Glimmer: "I.." She looked down at the ground, and slowly shook her head. "..don't know where to start, I-" She cut herself off.
K: "Well, what's the matter?" I shrugged.
Starlight Glimmer: "I want to make friends." She declared, as though it was a military objective.
K: "Alright." I nodded. "Are you being genuine with that desire, or is it.. something else?"
Starlight Glimmer: "What do you mean?" She cocked a brow, and tilted her head at me.
K: "You're a psychopath." I nodded. "You're not devoid of emotion, but you have an incredibly hard time forming real connections. You lack empathy, you lie impulsively, you don't have remorse for your actions - instead, you fear consequences. And, you know how to charm ponies.. but it's not sincere."
Starlight Glimmer: "WHAT?!" She shouted.. more like she'd been caught.
K: "And someone that actually knows what it is, already told you." I nodded. "I see right through you." I gestured. "Moreover, I know how hard it is to treat. Nearly impossible, really, in the HUMAN world. Here? We might just have a chance. BUT." I leaned over my desk. "YOU need to accept that your psychopathy really IS a problem and YOU REALLY want to change."
Starlight Glimmer grew quiet, and slunk into her chair, listless, but clearly not sad. More like she'd been called out, and some master plan had just blown up in her face.
K: "Why do you want friends?" I was asking, more, what her PLAN was, while respecting the fact that she had one.
Starlight Glimmer: "His name is Sunburst. He's a Court Mage for Celestia. He.. we..." Now she dropped a tear. "..we used to be friends."
K: "What happened?" I nodded to her.
Starlight Glimmer: "He got his Cutie Mark first. And.. he abandoned me.. we grew distant.. I got jealous." She made an angry face at this, and if she had fingers, she would have balled up a fist. "Very. Jealous. Then angry. I grew up alone after that." She looked up to me, with.. very tired eyes.. eyes that were so exhausted from keeping up a front for so long. "I decided I wanted a place where everyone was equal. Where no one was left behind.. or special." She tilted her head a bit. "Norfy almost melted me into the rock for that." She looked up at me and the tiredness had an edge of anger to it. "I wanted to stop you all from stopping me." Her head tilted down, frowning. "And I ended up making a world.. where.. everyone suffered." She genuinely looked SAD at that.. indicating her psychopathy wasn't all-encompassing. "Then, I came back." She sighed.
K: "You wanted new friends to have around you, to show off to Sunburst, as a way of saying.. you didn't need him any more. That tells me you're still jealous, and you, in fact, want to settle things with him. You still want his friendship. Maybe.. more..?" I leaned in with that question.
Starlight Glimmer: "I.." She looked down, then back up to me. "..love him. Genuinely. Always did. I wanted to marry him when we were foals." She shrugged. "Why is it I feel like I can be straight with you?"
K: "Because you can't LIE to me." I smirked. "That's the start of a friendship - honesty." I nodded to her.
Starlight Glimmer: "That.. makes sense." She nodded. "..do you think I should get a new mane-do?" She fluffed at her bangs.
K: "Yes, you look like a bitch." And I can be straight right back at her.
Starlight Glimmer: "But... I AM a bitch." She shrugged.
K: "Don't look like one - it puts people off. Come on, we're going to Rarity's." I got up from my desk, accepted her hoof, and escorted her out.
I didn't see it, but Bob was looking at me from the hallway.. with his own share of jealousy and exhaustion. He'd heard my reputation with the ladies, it seemed, and had already drawn the wrong conclusion. I just didn't know it, yet.
Yeah, no, I probably would have, too - literal guilt-free sex. But Starlight wasn't about that sort of thing, and I respected that. Besides, I'm married, now.
TIME: 13:14 ERST
LOCATION: Rarity's Boutique
Rarity: "..and, now, darling, while I am not normally a mane stylist, I think this look will serve you much better." She said, pulling away the bib.
Starlight, for reference, now looked like her second model, with the swept curl instead of the flat bangs.
Starlight Glimmer looked at herself in the mirror, probably for the first time in a LONG time.. really looking at herself. A new self. She put her hoof on the mirror, then touched her face. She got a determined look, and nodded to herself.
K: "Now you look friend-shaped." I declared.
Rarity: "As for something to wear - since it seems EVERYONE is starting to wear something these days - come here. I think a nice skirt and blouse combo will make you look just DARLING.." She dragged Starlight away, with her smiling into her own reflection.
Trixie: "Eh, throw a cape over it and call it good." She smirked, but she was wearing her CAG uniform shirt under her cape, and a matching skirt.
Rarity: "Droll, Trixie Darling." She winked at her, though.
Dusk: "Not my scene." He shrugged. "Anything on the schedule?"
K: "I want you to get 4th Platoon worked up. If I go anywhere in Equestria, I want them." I nodded.
Dusk: "Sounds good to me. The wedding's in eight days." He shrugged.
K: "Rest, huh? We can't all be going on all cylinders, all the time." I nodded to him.
Dusk: "Yeah, well.. being around here isn't exactly rest." He smiled.
Rarity and Trixie both looked at him, then Trixie looked at me.
Trixie: "Oh, by the WAY, GENERAL.. your Lunar Guard over there GOT ME KNOCKED UP back in Dragonshire." She snorted.
K: "Nice going, Dusk." I smirked.
Dusk: "Yeah.. uh.. thanks." He blushed.
TIME: 15:34 ERST
LOCATION: Royal Palace, Canterlot, Equestria
We arrived by train. Being the C-in-C, I was able to get good seats. I needed Starlight Glimmer to be in Canterlot. She needed to confront her former friend, Sunburst. I hadn't ever spoken to him, in the five years I'd been there. Then again, meeting Court Mages wasn't usually part of the military requirements of the war. Magical things that came up, we handled in-house, usually.
Ironhide: "HEY! K!" He trotted right over. "And.. you're.. Starlight Glimmer, right?" He nodded to her.
Starlight Glimmer: "Yes, Commander." She nodded to him.
K: "I'm looking for a Court Mage named Sunburst." I shrugged.
Ironhide: "Oh.. uhm.. he'll be at the Magical School, by the Central Annex." Ironhide shrugged. "Most of the Court Mages have set up a research facility there."
K: "Alright, thanks." I nodded.
With that, we headed over there. It was a bit of a walk - for ponies, that wasn't much. For me, in good shape, it was okay. The Magic School that Twilight had once attended had become a major magical research center with the war and all - student and faculty alike were working hard to discern answers, divine information, and discover the unknown regarding Tirek and the others.
I wasn't sure what I was going to find, there, but.. Starlight needed answers, closure, if she was going to move forward. And if I was going to be her friend, I had to help her.
[End of Part 1]
Part 2: Mystical Break
TIME: 16:08 ERST
DATE: War Day 1150/28 Quintillus, 1005 C.S.
LOCATION: Magic Academy, Canterlot, Equestria
We arrived, and everything was buzzing with business. It was a very interesting place. The Sword of Rainbow's Light seemed to hum with the magical activity here. I went over to one of the Instructors, Grace Hackney.. I gave her a small nod.
K: "Instructor Hackney, yes?" I waved at her.
Miss Hackney: "Yes, General! Why, we never see you around here. It's a pleasure to meet you, finally." She looked at Starlight. "...I'm going to presume she's here under guard.."
K: "None of that." I held up a finger. "She's working towards redemption."
Miss Hackney: "Oh.." She looked between us, then gathered herself. "..how may I help you?"
K: "I'm looking for Sunburst." I nodded to her.
Miss Hackney: "OH! Sunburst!" She was glowing at the idea of him. "He's in the Central Annex right now. Researching some of the books you brought back." She pointed to where that was.
K: "Thank you, ma'am." I bowed to her a bit.
Starlight had stayed quiet.
We paced away, and I didn't need to pry, she opened up.
Starlight Glimmer: "Miss Hackney hates me. Always has." She shrugged. "I was a difficult student, spiteful." She shook her head. "I tended to take it out on others. My teachers, mainly. She started in, though, with me - pulling me aside on the first day of our classes and.." She sniffled a bit - genuine pain - and shook her head several times. "..said she knew I was a late bloomer. That.. she'd help me.. if I needed extra help."
K: "Was her offer genuine, or condescending?" I asked, in low tones, as we walked.
Starlight Glimmer: "I-I'm not sure, anymore!" She grew VERY uncomfortable, squirmed a bit.. and shook her head, stopping, and taking a minute to gather herself.
Her Psychopathy wasn't cemented. This was proof. It was a malingering, and very strong part of her personality, but.. it wasn't HER. Not YET. I had a CHANCE, and as hard as it was to watch, this pain was proof.
After she righted her emotional ship, we continued on. I had a feeling this was going to be painful. I could see some of the faculty and graduated students that were around her age or older, looking at us strangely. I wanted to shout, I wanted to tell them I knew what was going on in their heads - that they saw an evil mare, a villain, an enemy. And that they had magic and magic theory shoved so far up their flanks, they couldn't see REAL magic. The magic of Friendship, Love, forgiveness, honesty, creativity.. all of that. What I had come to think of as "soft magic." Not "Hard magic" like casting fireballs.
Only Twilight had ever broken that mold.
And when we got to the Central Annex, that's who was there, in a converted classroom, with Sunburst and several other ponies.
K: "Clear the room." I commanded.
Magi Pony #1: "Excuse you? We're in the middle of a translation, here-"
K: "CLEAR. THE. ROOM." I leaned over him and stated that, very loudly, into his face.
Magi Pony #2: "Look, just because you command the military-"
I grabbed both of them by their collars, and shoved them towards the door.
Magi Pony #1: "HOW RUDE! PRIME MINISTER!? ARE YOU GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS?!" He shouted.
Twilight: "Considering he hasn't asked me to leave? No." She said, curtly.
I tossed them both out, shut the door, and threw the latch.
K: "Mister Sunburst." I nodded to him.
Sunburst: "You must be General K." He looked at me over the rims of his glasses. "Rather.. forceful.. introduction." He shrugged and shut the book he was reading, then looking at Starlight. "Aha."
Twilight: "I'm sure General K has a very good reason, Sunburst." She shrugged and stepped over by me.
K: "I do." I nudged Starlight forwards. "Miss Starlight wants to talk to you."
Starlight Glimmer: "Sunny.." She started.
Sunburst: "Say your piece." He distracted himself with taking some notes.
Starlight Glimmer: "Sunny!" She exclaimed. "Oh, come on. Please. At least look at me!"
Sunburst: "Alright." He stopped taking the notes, and looked at her, nonplussed.
Starlight Glimmer: "I-I.." She looked bitter for a moment, then shook her head to compose herself. "..look, Sunburst, I did some things. I did some terrible things. When you.. when you got your Cutie Mark.. we.. we just STOPPED. 'US' stopped. And.. you.. you were all I had. All I ever wanted. All I ever needed. I.. I know it sounds silly, but.. I.. I loved you. Even as a foal." She was crying now, and I could see this was real pain.
Sunburst: "Some bad things. You nearly destroyed the timeline." He said, coldly.
Starlight Glimmer: "Sunburst-"
Sunburst: "Celestia teaches us forgiveness. I forgive you for.. oh.. let's see.. nearly killing all of us, being a very disrespectful student for years, tormenting our teachers, moving away after graduation, founding a town where you stole everyone's cutie marks to destroy their individuality.. and for WHAT?" He suddenly raised his voice. "FOR ME!? FOR US?! STARLIGHT, I DON'T EVEN LIKE MARES! I have a boyfriend!"
K: "Ohhh... shit." I said quietly - not that I couldn't tell from the way he acted, spoke, and moved.
Twilight: "Yeah, I had a feeling about this." She said quietly back to me.
Starlight Glimmer: "Sunburst?! What are you saying!?" She was sobbing now - he'd emotionally stabbed her in the gut and twisted the blade.
Sunburst: "WE WERE JUST FRIENDS, YOU SILLY MARE!" He stormed at her. "And some friendship THAT even was! WE WERE FOALS! It was a few years! Sure, I moved fast - learned fast, worked hard, got moved to a new school and everything. THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS IN LIFE! Friendship isn't permanent, it evolves and changes, and sometimes, we LOSE friends. ESPECIALLY when one of those friends acts so petty and spiteful that she has to RUIN THE LIVES of other ponies, or HAND TIREK A WORLD WHERE HE WON." He waved his forelegs dramatically. "And because of that, Tirek learned things he wouldn't have. But, that's ENTIRELY another matter. YOU telling ME that YOU did this for US?! What are you - obsessed?!" He stopped a moment
Starlight had fallen to the ground, flanks flat, forelegs forward and out, and was SOBBING loudly.
Starlight Glimmer: "Sunburst.. no, please!" She cried.
Sunburst: "I forgive you for your actions, Starlight Glimmer. But I would thank you to keep your distance. I cannot be friends with someone who's done things so heinous." He shook his head, and looked up to me, in a perfectly polite tone. "Anything else, General?"
K: "No, that's all." I said quickly, walked over, PICKED STARLIGHT UP (she has to weigh about 120lbs/55kg), and carried her outside.
All the way outside. With a crying mare over my shoulder. And Twilight Sentry, Prime Minister, following behind us, and giving penetrating stares to any that dared look at her in mockery.
So much for that.
TIME: 17:55 ERST
LOCATION: Rose's Cafe, Ponyville, Equestria
Starlight was with Rarity, now, drowning her sorrows in ice cream. LOTS of ice cream. I was grateful that ponies didn't think of alcohol as a refuge for crisis. Otherwise, Starlight would be very drunk right now. I felt horrible for her. Twilight was there, too, since the foals she was gestating were very hungry for strange ice cream flavors. Starlight was being ACCEPTED by the girls, one at a time, for her efforts to try and redeem herself.
I was sitting by myself, with a root beer float. I was stirring it, idly, looking at the wall.
BOB, of all ponies, came up and, nervously, moved up to me.
Bobs'n'Bits: "G-General. I.." He looked over at Starlight. "..did you let her down?" He demanded, quietly.
K: "Excuse me?" I cocked a brow at him.
Bobs'n'Bits: "I mean, you clearly rejected her." He snorted a bit, nervously.
I could tell, Bob was no Hero material. He was no tough guy. He was, however, a guy that clearly had a crush on her, somehow, but was too unsure and lacked the self confidence to do something about it. But, Celestia bless him, he was trying. Very hard.
And he thought I had taken Starlight somewhere, then denied her sex, in a way that would make her upset. Given my reputation, he seemed to think Starlight had a thing for me, and I was the one that rejected HER.
And he was here to defend her honor!
K: "I didn't." I pulled him gently into the seat next to me, and motioned for Rose to bring him something to drink. "You want to know what happened? Starlight came to me wanting to make friends." I shrugged. "She's a psychopath. But, it's not cemented. She needs help. She needs real friends. She needs ponies that care about her. YOU clearly do - and don't give me any bit about just being a concerned fellow citizen. I can read you, and I see.. a lot of what I once was in you." I patted his shoulder as Rose brought him a blackberry soda. "You're a good pony, Bob." I looked over at Starlight Glimmer. "And I think she needs to know that." I put the soda in his hoof. "Go over there and offer a shoulder." I nodded. "It's a start."
Bob: "..oh." He blinked, and looked at his soda. "I'm so sorry, General-"
K: "Just K. We're friends." I said warmly.
Bob: "K." He nodded, then looked at Starlight. "Maybe you're right." He said, as he got up and paced over to her, holding the soda.
And just like that, Starlight had been broken into pieces, then brought 'home' to heal.. and now? She had a friend.. someone that wanted to show her he card about her.
This was the real magic of this world. Friendship.
[End of Part 2]
Part 3: Bobward Bound
TIME: 09:44 ERST
DATE: War Day 1153/1 Sextus, 1005 C.S.
LOCATION: Ponyville, Erie, Equestria
K: "A little more left." I leaned in over Bob at the shooting bench. "That's not bad, though."
Bob was training. Since Starlight was going to be a main line combatant, he wanted to be with her. He wanted to impress her. She hadn't rejected him over the last couple of days, and he'd been there for her, in her most vulnerable moments.
Now, he was learning how to shoot straight. He wasn't terrible, but wasn't amazing. He's be good with an assault rifle. Grant for him.
Applejack: "Y'all keep it up, kids." She stepped away from the bench where Starlight Mint, Applebloom, and Rolfe were practicing.
Koringo was a bit away from the shooting area, outside the fence for it, playing with Winona. The twins were with her, too. They were walking real good, and I was happy to spend time with them.
Starlight Mint: "Mmm. So, Dad, can I join CAG, now?" She leaned on that.
K: "You're officially an Officer Cadet." I shrugged. "Yes." I looked at Applebloom. "You can, too, in a year."
Applebloom: "Alrighty!" She cheered.
Rolfe: "I got a few years, huh, dad?" He asked, as he safetied his weapon and set it on the bench.
K: "Yeah, and the war better be over by then." I nodded.
Bob: "So.. uh.. besides my shooting.." He safetied his weapon properly, and left it at the bench.
Applejack: "Mhm. Y'all needs lessons in woo'in' Starlight." She looked at me. "Jes' be yerself, sugarcube. Take 'er out ta dinner, see if she likes any plays, take'r to 'em, see what music she likes, go take'r t'some'a them." She shrugged. "Simple as."
Bob: "Really?" He blinked. "Here I thought I'd have to dress up and put on some kind of wild crazy scheme to get her to notice me..."
We all laughed at that - except Bob. He didn't get the joke.
K: "Seriously, Bob. You just need to be Bob. Be nice, care about her, care for her, tell her that. Tell her she's pretty, tell her how you feel. Be honest. Don't do some silly stuff thinking you need to impress her." I shook my head. "It really IS that simple."
Bob: "Oh. Okay, K." He nodded, smiling. "So, if I show up at her door with her favorite flowers and ask her to dinner.."
K: "Should work." I patted him on the shoulder.
Bob: "I'll go do that, now." He grinned, and trotted off.
Applejack: "He's harder up fer her than YOU are on a Saturday night fer ME." She smirked.
Starlight Mint & Rolfe: "MOOOOM!"
Applebloom: "SIIIIS!"
Koringo: "Mama!" She just grinned, happy to be included.
Liberty & Arthur: "Ma!"
Their first word! Both Applejack and I dashed over and picked them up (and I grabbed Koringo so she wouldn't feel left out).
Arthur: "Pa!" He nuzzled me.
Liberty: "Ma!" She nuzzled AJ.
Koringo: "Papa-san and Mama-san!" She snuggled both of us.
This is what it was all about - this cuteness. This love. I craved it, and I craved to protect it.
TIME: 14:44 ERST
LOCATION: Sweet Apple Acres, Haltimer County, Equestria
Back at the farm, I was happily assisting with tree maintenance duties. They weren't ripe, yet, of course - it wasn't even the beginning of summer - but they were taking shape. Some of the newer trees, that had been growing underground, were almost ready. It was fascinating to see trees of different growth generations all together at the farm, now that it had been mostly replanted with donor trees from all over the world.
The new farm house was up, and it was large enough for me, easily. No more staying in the barn-converted-to-another-home. As I gave one of the trees a close inspection, I spied an apple that was just about ripe, so I reached up for it.. just.. out of my reach.. and a DRAGON hand reached above me and plucked it.
Dragons are friends, so, I wasn't alarmed. I did turn around slowly, seeing Daig and a female dragon with him.
K: "Daig." I nodded to the apple. "Please, enjoy the fruit of our labors, ma'am." I gave her a small bow.
Daig: "This is my wife, K." He gestured to her.
Scarlet: "I'm Scarlet." She bowed a bit to me. "I've never had a pony apple before." She looked at it, and ate it in one bite. "My goodness, these are good!"
K: "The family I married into, ma'am." I smiled. "So, you moving close to Ponyville so you can interface with CAG more, Daig?"
Daig: "I'd.. actually like to join. For the duration. So does Onyx and his Platoon." He nodded.
K: "Welcome aboard." I nodded. "I need another senior officer along with me. Don't be surprised if I assign you senior commands." I shrugged.
Daig: "Ehhh... I think I'll take it." He grinned a bit. "I had some fun at the docks, but I'll be honest, I'd rather not be face-to-face with an Atomic, again."
Scarlet wrapped her tail around his waist and pulled him close to her. Reminded me of me and Applejack, honestly.
Scarlet: "I would appreciate the same thing, General K." She smiled a bit.
K: "Just K, please, ma'am." I nodded to her.
Scarlet: "Then, Scarlet, not ma'am." She shrugged.
K: "Scarlet." I nodded, smiling. "So, what brings you out here?"
Scarlet: "Ahh... it's my son. Topaz." She shrugged. "I saw him with Queen Ember.. and.. Daig told me how he was acting with her, when he almost.." She stopped herself, and looked down.
K: "No parent should outlive their child." I stated. "But, Topaz did what I would have done, if I had wings."
Scarlet: "I.. have been told.. some of the risks you've taken." She sighed. "My other problem is.. he's my baby, K. I.. don't.. I'm not ready for him to fully leave the nest, you know? But.. I know he has to. He's ready.."
K: "But, he'll always be your little whelp." I smirked. "I know the feeling - my oldest is an Officer Cadet and now part of CAG."
Scarlet: "OH! Well.." She pondered her thoughts a moment, and when Daig went to speak, she squeezed her tail that was around his waist to tell him to be quiet. "..I think I should share something with you, then.."
[End of Part 3]
Part 4: Scales
TIME: 19:22 ERST
DATE: War Day 1153/1 Sextus, 1005 C.S.
LOCATION: Ponyville, Equestria
Two things were happening tonight - Ember had a date with Topaz that she thought no one knew about, and Bob had a date with Starlight Glimmer that everyone knew about because Starlight is horrible at keeping secrets.
Applejack and I made it a point to be 'there' for both dates. In the background. So she could play 'matchmaker' and feel accomplished.
Besides, I had something special for Topaz.
Their date was low-key, dinner at Rose's cafe. They were staring at each other with heart-eyes, over a pizza. They had a very hard time eating that pizza, because they would not look at it. It was so very clear that they were hopelessly, deeply, madly in love.
Golden: "Oi, K." He nodded as he and Fluttershy took a seat with us. "This what'cha wanted?" He nodded at Topaz and Ember.
Fluttershy: "Ohhhh! I seeee!" She was smiling, seeing them THAT MUCH in love.. as she reached over and took Golden's hoof. "Just like us, dear."
Golden: "Aye." He was blushing.
K: "What do you think - should we let 'em off the hook, Flutters?" I smirked at her.
Fluttershy: "Oh! Yes." She nodded, seeing Rose had brought them daisy sandwiches and sliced cucumbers, their usual.
I got up, and went over to Topaz and Ember.
K: "You two look very happy." I nodded.
Topaz: "AH! K!" He cleared his throat. "Just.. ah.. keeping the queen company."
K: "Yeah, sure, and she's melted into a puddle at the sight and touch of her brave soldier for no reason." I shrugged. "I'm letting you off the hook, both of you."
Ember: "What do you mean?!" She looked surprised, all of a sudden.
K: "Topaz isn't who he appears." I nodded slowly. "SCARLET! DAIG!" I called out to them - they were waiting outside.
They both came in, and.. to be honest, Scarlet's dress was immaculate. I could see why Daig was still very affectionate with her.. I supposed she was still very attractive for a dragon, but the monkey brain wasn't translating it over fully.
Scarlet: "Honey.. I.." She lowered her head. "My Queen." She bowed a bit to Ember.
Ember: "Mister and Misus Scorchfang." She nodded. "What is it?"
Scarlet: "You see, My Queen. My maiden name is Rosethrone. I was the last of my line." She bowed to her queen a bit deeper.
Ember: "Rose.. throne.." She blinked, then looked at me (and my cheesy grin), then to Daig, then to Topaz. "..that's.." She blinked, looked down, and..
K: "As it was explained to me, Rosethrone has a standing Lordship Title, Hereditary. All of Lady Scorchfang's children should receive it." I patted Topaz on the shoulder, and slipped him a ring box. "Go on, man. It's LEGAL, now." I grinned.
Topaz: "I-" He stopped, and immediately looked at the ring, then to his DAD.. then me.. then almost lunged forwards to one knee. "My Queen. As Lord Rosethrone, I beg and beseech you to make me the happiest-"
Ember: "YES! YES, YES, YES, NOW SHUT UP AND KISS ME, YOU FOOL!" She lunged on him..
Oooooohhhh.. we gave them a few minutes, to rousing cheers of the Cafe's staff.
K: "ENOUGH Fraternizing, Sergeant!" I jokingly called him to attention.
They.. uh.. took 'em a minute to disengage from the grapple. Topaz was beet red in the cheeks, and his dad helped him up.
Daig: "I didn't know until yesterday, son." He shrugged. "It took some doing by General K to get her to admit this." He nodded.
Fluttershy: "AND YOU'RE INVITED!" She got quiet once everyone was looking at her. "Oh, dear. Uhm, you're invited to share my wedding day with me. Since we're all friends." She bowed.
Ember: "I would be honored." She bowed to Fluttershy.
TIME: 20:01 ERST
LOCATION: Fine Stuffs Restaurant, Ponyville
That part of things was taken care of. Now, to Bob. I infiltrated the restaurant - not easy as I'm the only human in the world. However, this was Filthy's restaurant (he was part owner with Brindle, and Gustave, a griffon chef). So, I got snuck in the back way.
K: "Fil." I nodded to him - I refused to use his name in full, any more, as I respected him, so he got a Human-ish moniker.
Filthy: "K." He nodded back. "How can I help the lovebirds?"
K: "Extra side dish, give them a free bottle of wine, and a free dessert." I nodded to him. "Bob isn't broke, but, this is his first time on a real formal date with Starlight Glimmer, and I want it perfect." I pointed a finger at him. "I was looking through his records, and one of your associates, Page'n Charts, used his services and got himself out of a tax situation because he found the missing money. Call it gratitude to his face." I looked over at Gustave. "Extra portion on the main course - I know them both well enough, they'll go for the Pony vegan pasta. Give them an extra veggie meatball each."
Gustave: "Z'hou seem to know a kitchen, monsieur." He bowed a bit to me.
K: "Oui, chef. Je connais aussi votre langue, bon monsieur. Je considérerais un très bon service comme une faveur personnelle." I put my hand to my chest and bowed a bit.
Gustave: "Today, you have made a friend of Gustave." He bowed back. "Your Prench is very good, monsieur."
K: "Thank General Sacquet." I smirked - he came here often.
After a few minutes, Filthy went out there with the extra side dish personally, and I could hear him thanking Bob for what he had done for a friend of his, and insisted he have a bottle of wine on him, to encourage him to return from the war alive, and have gainful employment with Filthy as his new chief patron.
Savvy, Filthy - you didn't get filthy rich by throwing away an opportunity. In this case, he leveraged the likelihood that Bob and Starlight would either settle in Ponyville or Baltimare, and wanted to line himself up an accountant with a reputation for himself and his associates (including Dusk's dad, Brindle Spindle). Which ALSO looks good on Bob to Starlight.
Fil, you are one crafty sonovamare.
I stayed through dinner, watching carefully from the kitchen. Being mindful to stay out of the staff's way. I saw Starlight GIGGLE at Bob's comments, and lean in to him, listen to him talk.. it was a casual sort of affection, but it was clear they were going places.
After they paid and left - with Gustave begging them to accept his free dessert to 'try out a new recipe' (it was Tiramisu, but I had him slightly alter the ingredients and use a different coffee) - I covertly followed.
They went to the park at the edge of town.
TIME: 21:22 ERST
LOCATION: Springdale Park, Ponyville, Equestria
I was hidden, casually, not specifically going Solid Snake, but close enough. I didn't peep on them with binoculars, but I kept an eye on things. I was mainly concerned with two things - one, Bob suddenly gets the Good Idea Fairy biting his ear and does something grandiose but ridiculous, or two, Starlight reveals her platitudes are simply surface level, and she appreciates him as a friend.
Neither happened. No, no, instead of that, a lone Unicorn stallion walked up from.. technically the direction of "out-of-town."
Simple Maths: "Starlight." He approached them.
Starlight: "S-Simple.." She stammered. "..what are you doing here?"
Bob: "Who are you?" He cocked a brow.
Simple Maths: "Simple Maths. I'm the one that.." He looked at Starlight. "..I thought you'd bring us REAL equality, Starlight! After all we shared! Our dreams!" He stepped forwards to her. "Our desire to have a PERFECT.. WORLD.."
Fuck, this dude's crazy. I silently drew my M-2 Pistol, and removed the safety. I was 25 meters away, well within my own precise range.
BOB got up from the bench as Simple got close, and put a hoof on his chest, Not firm, not hard, but direct.
Bob: "That's far enough, okay?" He was plain in his voice.
Starlight: "Simple.. I'm DONE with that. You.. you don't understand why I was doing it, do you?" She shook her head. "I was hurt. I was being stupid. I admit it. I'm sorry.. but.. that whole quest for equality? Dumbest idea I ever had." She gave him an edge-of-bitch with that, trying to verbally fend him off.
Simple Maths: "DUMBEST IDEA!?" He looked at Bob and HIT HIM in the chest with his horn in a head-ram attack, his horn crackling with electricity. "YOU STUPID BITCH, THAT WAS MY DREAM! NOW I'M GOING TO GI-"
**PLAM-PLAM-PLAM!**
Bob was flat on his back, chest smoking, Dager pistol out and aimed at Simple, who now had TWO IN THE CHEST, AND ONE IN THE HEAD AT THE BASE OF HIS HORN before I managed to run even 10 meters. PERFECT MOZAMBIQUE DRILL! I finally got over to them.
K: "GENDAAAAAAAAAAARMES! RED ALERT! WE HAVE A PONY DOWN OVER HERE!" I screamed at the top of my lungs as Starlight grabbed Bob up.
Starlight: "Oh, you BRAVE FOOL!" She hissed at him.
Bob: "OWW!!" He twitched in pain.. and gave her a small grin. "Sorry.. I.. I couldn't let him hurt you."
Starlight: "I would have cleaned his clock, Bob." She smiled, tears coming down her cheeks.
Plaster Patch the Paramedic, and Copper Shield the Gendarmes arrived first, and HALF THE DAMN TOWN was on its way.
Patch: "Second degree magical burns." He said, tearing Bob's shirt open, and examining his injury. "How do you feel?"
Bob: "It huuuurts! No one told me this war stuff was painful!" He complained.
Patch: "He'll be okay, K." He nodded to me. "Let's get him to the hospital."
K: "I'll give you a hand getting him on your cart." I said, getting my hands under Bob's shoulders.
Starlight: "Wait a second." She stopped me, paused, looked around at the growing crowd, said 'fuck it' in her head, and PLANTED one MAJOR make-out kiss on Bob's lips. "I love you, you stupid fool." She caressed his face. "Next time, let me handle it, okay?" She laugh-cried. "I.. know I've only known you for a short period of time, but.. I don't want to lose you."
Bob: "Be my Special Somepony?" He asked, with a pained grin.
Starlight: "Done." She nodded.
And with that, a relationship was secured. Now, we just had to handle the wedding.
[End of Part 4]
Part 5: Scaled Magic of Nature
TIME: 07:35 ERST
DATE: War Day 1158/6 Sextus, 1005 C.S.
LOCATION: Ponyville Church, Ponyville, Equestria
K: "COMPANY.. TEN-HUT!" I ordered as the Ponyville Militia stood to attention.
Formal uniform. Everyone was. Father Waddle was at the pulpit at the steps of the church. The crowd was mighty - everyone from Dragonshire of any repute. Half the upper crust of Canterlot. The entire retinue of Royal Guards. Every CAG member. Onyx's Special Forces Company. An Honor Guard from Prance. A Company of Horse Guards, from Ambleion. Seven Devils's entire Special Forces Squadron, and a company of Vulpine police. Havoc's entire Platoon, and a Platoon from Parliament's Own Fencibles. A company of Griffon Royal Guards. A company of Royal Guards from Blowgaria.
Dignitaries by the score.
Both Princesses.
So.. many ponies, so many others..
It was the largest wedding to date.
And they came in the same way as tradition had established: Ascending Rank. Starting with Fluttershy and Golden Wattle. Then Dusk Seeker and Trixie Lulamoon. Then.. Queen Ember and Topaz Scorchfang.
The Wedding March played. Loud, happy, with birds taking wing as the notes came up. The organ accompanied by Octavia's band.
Each lady looked so precious in their dresses. Trixie was crying already, but trying to keep it together. Ember was bright red across her cheeks. Fluttershy was about to faint.
They were led up the steps to the altar.
I stood straight up, smiling. Once again, it was too perfect.
Father Waddle: "Ladies and Gentlecolts.. today, we come here, in the Presence of our Goddesses to celebrate the union of Holy Matrimony." He held his hooves out before them. "Golden Wattle and Fluttershy. Dusk Seeker and Trixie Lulamoon. Ember Torch and Topaz Scorchfang. Do you all come here in the presence of Goddess Celestia and Goddess Luna, of your own free will? Without coercion, with love in your hearts?"
Grooms & Brides: "WE DO!"
Father Waddle: "Are you prepared, as you follow the path of matrimony, to honor, love and cherish each other for all of your days?"
Grooms & Brides: "We do!"
Father Waddle: "Are you prepared to raise your foals, in the love and harmony of Celestia's word?"
Grooms & Brides: "We do!"
Father Waddle: "Then, before we shall continue, let any who object to these unions, speak now, or forever hold thy peace..!"
EVERONE PAUSED! FROZE! DIDN'T MOVE!
I looked around, above us, and tapped my mic.
K: "We're clear THIS time, Father!" I nodded.
EVERYONE had a laugh at that.
Father Waddle: "GOOD! I would like to get through at least one wedding ceremony in this war, without interruptions!" He nodded, smiling.
Everyone laughed again.
Fr. Waddle: "Now that I've completed the first part of the ceremony, allow me to speak the Liturgy.."
He popped open his bible, and flipped to the correct page.
Fr. Waddle: "It shall be good that Stallions shall marry - for each Stallion, a Mare of virtue. For each Mare, a Stallion of strength and forbearance. The Husband shall fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and his wife to her husband. The bodies of both, belong to both, as both walk together. Do not deprive yourselves of each other, save that you pray to the Sun and Moon. Then come together, that you may resist the pull of Tartarus and its temptations together, as Husband and Wife! It is the great wish that all were so fortunate. Remember, each Pony has their own unique gifts - one has this, and another that."
He turned the page.
Fr. Waddle: "Know that together, both are sanctified before the Sun and Moon - whether the husband believes and the wife does not, or the reverse. For the act of union gives holy salvation to both, as their children shall be born holy and clean before the Light and the Night. Know that Celestia has called for us to live in Peace - yet our struggles are many, thy union brings a unitement. For who can say if the husband shall save the wife, or the wife her husband?"
Everything was finally going well - our first wedding without a disaster.
Fr. Waddle: "Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you. For wherever you go, I will go. And wherever you lay to sleep, so will I. Your battles shall be my battles, and together we shall be victorious. Your people shall be my people. The Sun and Moon ours both. It shall be that only death shall draw us apart - and where you die, I will die inside. Where you are buried, so shall I be buried."
Father Waddle looked up at us all. The Homily was next, of course.
Father Waddle: "This War we find ourselves in.. it brings forth unmitigated tragedy and loss. We have all felt its sting. None moreso than the couples before us. Each has suffered. Each has had their time in deepest darkness from the Sun or Moon's comforting light. They have all felt pain. AND YET! They have continued on. Marched forwards. And more than that, they have brought themselves together, in love and harmony, not in spite of the pain, but because of the light and warmth from each other's hearts." He waved gently to Ember and Topaz. "Even our newest friends.. a dragon whomst thought himself a lowly soldier, nearly giving all of his love and spirit to save his home, and his Queen." He nodded. "I am, then, overjoyed to be the one to officiate this joining of souls in holy matrimony. These joinings are naught short of miracles. And they prove forever more, that Friendship truly is Magic."
There was applause at that. Everyone could feel the warmth of his words.. I knew he took his time in writing that one.
Fr. Waddle: "You to be wed, take your right hooves together. Or, hands, in your cases, my Son and Daughter." He nodded to Topaz and Ember. "Do you, Golden Wattle, take Fluttershy, to be your lawful wedded wife? From this dawn forwards, in sickness and in health. In poorness and in Wealth. For all the days of your life, until Death do ye part?"
Golden Wattle: "Ah do!" He stood a bit taller.
Fr. Waddle: "Fluttershy. Do you take Golden Wattle to be your lawfully wedded husband? From this dawn forwards, in sickness and in health. In poorness and in Wealth. For all the days of your life, until Death do ye part?"
Fluttershy: "I do!" She beamed.
He turned to Dusk and Trixie.
Fr. Waddle: "Do you, Dusk Seeker, take Trixie Lulamoon in addition to Rarity Seeker, to be your lawful wedded Mareiage Partner? From this dawn forwards, in sickness and in health. In poorness and in Wealth. For all the days of your life, until Death do ye part?"
Dusk: "I do!" He nodded firmly.
Fr. Waddle: "Trixie Lulamoon. Do you take Dusk Seeker, with Rarity Seeker, to be your lawfully wedded husband in Mareiage Partnership? From this dawn forwards, in sickness and in health. In poorness and in Wealth. For all the days of your life, until Death do ye part?"
Trixie: "I do!" She stated assertively.
He turned to Topaz and Ember last.
Fr. Waddle: "Do you, Topaz Scorchfang - Blessed Son of Bahamut and fire his Eternal Flame, take Ember Torch - Blessed Daughter of Bahamut and spark of his Eternal Flame, to be your lawful wedded wife? From this dawn forwards, in sickness and in health. In poorness and in Wealth. For all the days of your life, until Death do ye part?"
Topaz: "I do!" He pawed the ground with his right leg.
Fr. Waddle: "Ember Torch - Blessed Daughter of Bahamut and spark of his Eternal Flame. Do you take Topaz Scorchfang - Blessed Son of Bahamut and fire of his Eternal Flame, to be your lawfully wedded husband? From this dawn forwards, in sickness and in health. In poorness and in Wealth. For all the days of your life, until Death do ye part?"
Ember: "I do!" She smiled broadly, and blushed.
Fr. Waddle: "Place the rings upon each other, to signify your Unions!"
The lads were nervous, but all found their marks. I noted that while Rarity stood somewhat WITH Trixie and Dusk, she was the one to hand over the ring - a signifier that as his First Mare, if she didn't approve of Trixie, there would be no Union.
Fr. Waddle: "THEN! ALL YE, HEAR ME NOW! By the power vested into me, Father Waddle of Ponyville, by our Goddesses, Celestia and Luna, I pronounce thee ALL to be Stallion - or Man - and Wives!" He smiled, then looked at us all. "Oh, you may kiss your brides."
Finally, a wedding without interruptions. And a fantastic closure to a chapter long lingering for many, or shortly for some. I was cheering, too.
The brides threw their bouquets.. I saw VIKTORIA VON BISMARK jump into the air and catch Ember's.
Viktoria: "Aha.. seems I am next wed." She nodded to Sig.
Sig: "Yes, and I am certain that whomestever you shall find, Frauline Major, they will be very happy." He nodded back to her.
Viktoria: "But, I already have, my Knight." She nodded to him, insistent.
Sig: "Oh? Who could that possibly be?" He looked at her curiously.
Viktoria: "GOTT VERDAMNT!" She SMACKED him with the Bouquet!
Sig: "A-HAH! I SEE YOU WISH TO CHALLENGE ME EVEN NOW!" He announced. "GOOD! I shall show you that a Germane Officer is never off-guard!" He drew his Menseur Sabre..
..and both of them started going at it, hard core, right there in front of everyone, knocking over princesses and kings, ambassadors and businessponies..
..and then some of us started laughing.
Dusk: "Okay, I guess we asked for that." He shrugged.
I have such good friends. And as I always say..
...FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC!
{End of Chapter 150}
