The Road to Reunification
Upheaval: Reckoning
Chapter 12: The Road to Reunification
When she heard that her siblings were teleporting to the Royal Palace, Luna immediately returned to Canterlot to greet them. After days of going from one settlement to the next, she was both glad and frightened that this day had finally arrived. It was already sunset by the time she made it, and she was just in time to see the gathering gray light that heralded Terrato’s teleportation spell.
The transition from Barrier Lands and Heartland to a single united Equestria now hinged on how well the next few days went. Terrato’s first appearance before the Heartland’s ponies needed to be carefully managed so this teleportation was kept secret. Celestia’s de-powered state merited the same thing.
Luna's heart dropped when her two older siblings stepped out of the teleportation spell. They were not even looking at each other, and the space between them said more than any explanation on their part would have.
Though she had recovered well physically, even traveling on somepony else’s teleportation spell sapped Celestia’s fragile magical strength. Luna gestured towards the only royal guards so far who knew of their princess’s current condition: Pegasus Guard Captain Bright Shield, who was still struggling with the nervous tremor in his right foreleg since his encounter with the Equi Ignei, and Unicorn Guard Captain Shining Armor, who was still recovering from the disturbing things he had been hearing about his younger sister. That had to be as traumatizing as hearing the alien tongue of the Eternal Herd’s enforcers. It was not yet even a week since Luna was able to assure Shining Armor that his sister was neither a criminal, nor dead. The two escorted Celestia to her quarters.
With Celestia in no condition to talk, Luna approached Terrato. The guilty and annoyed look on his face only proved further that they had to talk before tomorrow.
“You weren't the least bit fair, big brother,” Luna said. After about what had happened. It was all she could do to stem her resentment. She had never met this Pyre Valor save for her encounter with Nightmare Moon’s new host. Yet, even second-hoof knowledge was enough to make her feel something over the execution. They had both been possessed by Nightmare Moon, and they had both attacked Celestia in a rage. While Luna was spared, Pyre Valor was condemned to a slow and painful death. Terrato settled into his quarters. It was easy to tell that he had a lot in his mind. The seeming betrayal of this Blue Moon must be difficult to deal with, and the information about the Blasphemous Rift…steps had to be taken. He was in no mood for what she had to say, but it was because of so many decisions that the three of them had to make that she had to confront him over this brewing issue.
When they heard that they were to set up a room for royalty, the castle’s staff tried to outdo themselves in decorations, and luxury items. Terrato sat gingerly, and looked around in disapproval. He looked as if he had been forced to wear the frilliest dress ever sewn together. “Oh so I’m to blame in this?” he asked. “Isn't it enough that I take what she says into account when it comes to the Elements of Harmony?” The chair was the biggest one available in the palace, but he was still too big for it. His uncomfortable expression made him look even more out of place in the Royal Palace.
“I asked you to talk to big sister before I left for the Heartland. I was hoping that things would be better between you two when you get here. Instead, they've gotten worse! She protested against that execution, and you just shoved her aside!” Luna let out a sigh. “It’s good that you let Twilight and the others return to their homes here but ‘taking what she says into account’ isn't enough. We may get to suggest things, but you still maintain absolute control of the Legion, and the Barrier Lands.
“All I did was enforce my laws!” Terrato said. “There’s nothing--”
“Your laws don’t cut it anymore, big brother!” Luna said. “We’re done with ‘your realm’, and ‘big sister’s realm’ remember?” Her frown deepened. “Your legionnaires look at you through rose-colored glasses because you've fought alongside them for centuries. They don’t consider that you’re just as guilty as big sister when it comes to the existence of that barrier. If big sister was the judge who sentenced them to their fate, you were the warden that enforced that sentence.”
“Are we going to throw blame around now, Luna?” Terrato asked, his voice dropping dangerously.
For a terrifying moment, Luna thought that he might actually attack. The moment passed, and she remembered that, her brother instinctively fell into a fighting stance even during arguments. “I’m not interested in blame,” she said. “What I want is for us to fix where we keep going wrong. Big sister was wrong for banishing Twilight, you were wrong for punishing Vanguard Clash, and you were wrong for letting Pyre Valor burn, and the Black Rose rebels hang. We can’t move forward with a united Equestria if we keep falling back to the old ways we created. Now, I’m starting to think it was wrong to let you maneuver your legionnaires within the Heartland for a draft.”
“What are you talking about?” Terrato asked. “The Legion needs resources. I thought you understood that. Didn't you agree when Celestia protested against it?”
“I did because I believed it was necessary to protect Equestria. Our Equestria, not just yours!”
“You have some nerve of accusing me of being a tyrant!” Terrato snarled. He banged the table with a hoof, causing cracks to spread out. “I never wanted to rule over these ponies!”
“But when big sister’s power was stolen, you had no problem assuming some of her authority!” Luna shot back. “Yet, you haven’t reciprocated by sharing control over the Barrier Lands.”
“The Equestrian Legion serves not just me, but all of Equestria. I thought I made that clear already.”
“Then prove it tomorrow,” Luna said. Her brother gave her a questioning look. “Give me and big sister authority over the Legion that’s equal to yours so that no major decisions on their part can be accomplished without an agreement between all three of us.”
“That’s insane!” Terrato said. “You think I can just wave a hoof, and get the Legion to accept the two of you as its leaders?”
“Certainly not, but it’s a start. Just as Celestia and I approving of you is only a start to get the Heartland ponies to accept you as a leader.”
“No!”
“I may have spoken on your behalf, big brother, but I will organize a resistance with big sister if I have to. ‘Your’ legionnaires will have to drag their new recruits kicking and screaming to their posts, and they’ll have to pillage their resources instead of having them delivered.”
“I thought you wanted to help, Luna,” Terrato growled.
“I want to help reunite Equestria under the three of us, not under just you. That’s Black Rose’s goal, if I recall, and I will fight her every step of the way to prevent that.” Luna put a hoof on the table right next to her brother’s for emphasis. “You have no idea how to deal with the ponies here, big brother. Big sister has no idea how to deal with the ponies of your realm, and I certainly can’t deal with both. We need the two of you working together, not going back to your old ways. We either share in ruling this united realm, or we fall apart.”
Terrato crossed his forelegs, and fell silent. Luna waited patiently. Terrato could be stubborn, and hard-headed, but she still had faith in him. Celestia had been wrong about him becoming a monster, but she wasn't entirely wrong about the change. In the Barrier Lands, Terrato expected unquestioning loyalty from his ponies. For a thousand years, they of the Barrier Lands considered it a virtue to never question him. Those who did were severely punished. It was no wonder that he found it difficult to rule with anypony as an equal. It was becoming more apparent that, for all his declarations of devotion to Celestia, he would prefer to just place his sister on a pedestal, and shower her with adoration while he commanded Equestria through the Legion. At least Celestia wanted to share some of her power. The last time Terrato had tried, it was with Black Rose. ‘Yet another problem I can partly lay at your hooves,' she thought at the new “alicorn”.
It felt like an hour before Terrato finally deigned to speak. “Alright,” he said. “I will gather the Legion’s High Command as soon as possible, and they will swear fealty to you and Celestia. I will commit to your idea of reunification, Luna. Your thousand year time-out has saved you from developing the biases that Celestia and I have. It may well be a blessing for these circumstances. ” He smiled wryly. “You haven’t steered us wrong yet.”
“I’m not blameless in this,” Luna replied. “I wasted so much time because I was blind and jealous. Even when I finally returned, I didn't even have the nerve to act until Twilight set off the events that brought us to this.” She looked at Terrato, and matched his smile. “What I've realized is that, left alone, the three of us keep making stupid decisions. But working together…”
Terrato stood up. “I will admit that I've had more than a hoof in how this all turned out, just as I admitted to Celestia that we were both wrong when it came to the division. I’ll also admit that I've preferred to do things my way lately. I figured that letting Celestia make all the decisions was what caused all this trouble.” He looked out a nearby window, and to the night sky that Luna had just prepared. “My way hasn't been good enough. This reunification will change that.” He made his way to the bed. “It’s time for us to turn in. We have a lot of work tomorrow.”
“Goodnight then, big brother, and good luck to all of us.”
When she and her friends had gathered together for a teleportation spell from Prince Terrato, Twilight had braced herself for both the return to her old home, and the sight of the changes.
Actually appearing in the middle of Ponyville, however, quickly proved to her that she hadn't braced herself enough. It wasn't just the village. It was the very land itself that felt different. The colors were so vibrant that they hurt her eyes. The fragrance of flowers was so strong that she was dazed in a minute. And the warmth…she trembled, she never imagined that mere warmth could feel so good. She shook her head, and waited for her senses to settle.
“Look everypony! They’re back!” somepony called out.
In an instant, they were surrounded by nearly every pony in Ponyville. Except for Fluttershy, that is. Before anypony could come close, she was already surrounded by a horde of woodland creatures, shielding her from the others in a living wall of fur and feathers.
“Rarity!”
Sweetie Belle broke through the crowd, and jumped towards her sister. Rarity answered with a cry of joy and a tight hug. As she did so, Sweetie Belle bumped against the saddlebags she was carrying. The clink of metal was unmistakable. “I missed you so much!” she said between sobs.
Rarity couldn't say anything to that. She was crying too. Just being near the loved ones she once thought she’d never see again left her speechless. She heard a meow, and felt something furry rub against her legs. Before she could look down, however, she heard her name called out by another familiar voice. Her parents made it through the gathered ponies, and joined their daughters in embrace.
After some time, Sweetie Belle finally noticed Rarity's saddlebags. She nudged them, and heard the metallic jingling again. “What’s this?” she asked. “Did you bring back some presents from the ‘Barrier Lands’ Princess Luna was talking about?”
“No, Sweetie Belle,” Rarity replied, “that’s actually--”
Sweetie Belle opened the bag, and pulled out one of the mage blades with her mouth. “What’s this?” she asked, her words muffled from having to speak while her teeth clamped on the leather casing. “Some kind of knife?” The casing came loose slightly, and her eyes fastened on the brilliant mana crystal embedded into the slender blade. “It’s so pretty…” she said. “Do they give one to anypony who joins the Legion?”
“Sweetie Belle!” Rarity admonished, thankful that she had taken the time to sew up some leather sheathes for her mage blades. She lifted the weapon with her telekinesis, pulling it out of Sweetie Belle’s mouth, and replacing it in her bag. She didn't miss the mention of the Legion.
“Can you put in a good word for me so I can join?” Sweetie Belle asked.
Rarity gasped. “Certainly not! You’re too young! Besides, joining the Legion is a life-long commitment. You can’t just join to see if you’ll get your cutie mark there, and then leave…”
Rarity’s voice trailed off when she caught sight of her boutique from a distance. To see it still standing tall and proud, brought fresh tears to her eyes. Some kind pony had apparently maintained it while she was away. It was a nice sentiment, a little unnecessary, but she certainly appreciated the gesture. She looked to her sister and her parents. They were probably the ones responsible. The beautifully constructed house, her personal design, beckoned tantalizingly for her to go back to business. But she remembered what she was saying just now.
“Rarity?” Sweetie Belle asked. “Are you alright?”
Sweetie Belle's voice jolted Rarity out of her melancholic thoughts. “I’m fine, dear,” she replied. “Let’s not talk about the Legion for a while, okay? How have you been?”
Applebloom had not been far behind Sweetie Belle when the crowd parted. She raced towards Applejack with the other Apples not far behind. In Big Macintosh’s excitement, he bowled over a few ponies too slow in getting out of his way.
Applebloom reached Applejack first, jumping up, and then wrapping her forelegs around her neck. Big Macintosh came up, and swept both of them up in his forelegs in a crushing embrace. “AJ!” he cried out joyously, his eyes already watery.
“Hey, big brother,” Applejack gasped, as soon as she had managed to loosen his grip. She closed her eyes, and returned her siblings’ embraces with one of her own, enjoying the familiar warmth and the scent of home.
“You missed the harvest, young’un!” Granny Smith said in a mock stern tone.
Applejack’s lips split into a wide, sheepish grin. “Sorry, granny,” she replied. “I’ll make it up to you somehow.”
“You darn tootin’ you will!” Granny Smith walked over, and then gave Applejack a hug once Big Macintosh set both his sisters on the ground. Her forelegs were trembling, and it was not just due to exertion. “Double the work for you once Winter Wrap Up, and the spring planting starts!”
The grin all but disappeared on Applejack’s face. “I’m sorry, granny…” she said. “I’ll be headin’ out before spring gets here.” Watching the joy on her siblings’ faces wane at her words was heartbreaking.
“But why?” Applebloom asked. “Ain’t what you did for this Legion enough?”
“I’ll take your place, AJ,” Big Macintosh said. “I can’t let my little sister go out there, and fight monsters for a living!”
“I can’t just quit,” Applejack replied. “I signed up for this, and I ain’t going back on my word.” Her siblings looked even more downcast after that. She didn't bother mentioning that she couldn't even if she wanted to. Leaving the Legion was considered treason and she had plenty of opportunities to see what the Legion did to its traitors.
Granny Smith seemed unfazed. “Well then, let’s make good use of your time here. First of all, let’s get you fed. Land’s sakes, girl! What are they feeding you over that Legion you joined? I can see your ribs! And what’s that chain you got wrapped around your neck? Some kind of fancy-pants, big city jewelry?”
“No, granny. It’s some sort of magic lasso. Now that you mentioned it, I’d really like to talk to you about it.”
Pinkie was jumping up and down the moment she noticed everypony in Ponyville gathering around her. In her excitement she ran over to the crowd trying to hug as many ponies as possible. Several were happy to return the hug, even if it meant being squeezed in with other ponies in her giant embrace. A few patted her back reluctantly.
“Pinkie!”
Pinkie whirled at that call. The Cakes stood at the edge of the crowd, unable to push their way in as Cup Cake was carrying their two foals. She jumped over several ponies and rolled under a few more to reach them. “I missed you guys so much!” She drew both of them in a hug before focusing on Pumpkin and Pound Cake. “Especially you two,” she said, playing with their forelegs as she did so. “You've grown since the last time!”
Both foals cooed with delight, and grasped at Pinkie’s front hooves. Pumpkin noticed Pinkie’s saddle bags and gave it a curious look. Her horn glowed, and the bag’s front flap opened. By the time Pinkie noticed what she was up to, the bag’s content was already floating out. “Oh no!” Pinkie exclaimed. “Pumpkin don’t--”
Pumpkin had telekinetically lifted a strange stone tablet from Pinkie’s bag. It was covered in strange markings and gems. All of a sudden, the gems glowed briefly and sparked. The magical glow around the tablet disappeared, causing it to fall inside the bag again. Pumpkin Pie cried out in pain and grasped her horn. Her eyes watered and she started wail.
“Oh no…” Pinkie said. “I’m so sorry, Pumpkin, I should have stopped you faster.”
Cup Cake inspected her daughter worriedly. When she could see anything wrong, she concentrated on comforting the crying foal. “There, there, Pumpkin, it’s alright.”
“What is that thing, you got there?” Carrot asked.
Pinkie lifted the piece of slate to show them, then returned it to her saddlebag. “It’s some weird device those weird ‘True Earth Ponies’ gave to me before I came back here,” she said. “They said it would help me with something…”
“Legionnaire Pinkie Pie.”
Pinkie turned around and spotted the two ponies she had met earlier during the march to Fangbreaker Fortress. “Oh, it’s you ‘True Earth Ponies’ again!’ she said. She backed up a step. Sharpfangs and Tailwind didn't like these ponies and, the truth be told, they were a little scary. Still, suddenly running off when it looked like they only wanted to talk would be rude.
The pony in the funny-looking stone pony mask turned toward his younger companion and said something. The younger stallion listened intently, then shifted his attention to Pinkie. “We did not get a chance to properly converse the other day, Legionnaire Pinkie Pie,” he said. “We would like to correct that.”
“Huh?”
The younger stallion looked taken aback. “We would like to speak with you,” he said.
“But you’re speaking with me right now!”
The masked stallion leaned over to whisper again, then handed something to the younger stallion. Pinkie recognized the object. It was the same piece of slate she had seen with the two during their last meeting. “Please take this,” the younger stallion said. He handed the bejeweled slate to Pinkie. She took it as if it might turn into a snake, and bite her if she wasn't careful.
“Uh…thanks? What do I do with this though?” Pinkie tried to make sense of all the markings. When that didn't work, she tried pressing on the gems. As a last resort, she bit into the stone. Except for hurting her jaw, she accomplished nothing.
At the sight of Pinkie trying to eat the slate, the younger stallion panicked, and stepped forward. The masked stallion held him back, and whispered something else. “When you begin to channel ley energy instinctively, the device will react,” the younger stallion said. “Once it does, you will learn much from just observing it. We are confident that, once you notice this, you will seek us out to learn more.”
“Okey dokey lokey,” Pinkie replied. She had thought that these strange ponies would ask her to do something that her friends wouldn't approve of, but carrying a piece of stone around sounded reasonable. Besides, these two mentioned “channeling ley energy” again. She had no idea what that meant, but from what Cold Forged had mentioned earlier, it might be some form of useful magic. The prospect of having something useful during an emergency was too good to pass up.
“And another thing,” the younger stallion added.
“What is it?”
“We are aware that you are good friends with a pair of goats,”
Pinkie tilted her head to one side. “Goats? I don’t recall meeting any goats in these lands.”
The younger stallion let out a sigh. “We mean the purple one, and the white one who marched with you after we last spoke.”
“Purple one and white one marching with me…you mean Twilight and Rarity? Oh, you silly! They’re not goats!”
The younger stallion frowned at this while the masked one shifted slightly. “Regardless, make sure that they do not try to use their magic on the device. It will react badly.”
“Okey dokey lokey!”
“I’m sorry,” Pinkie said. “I should have put my bags away first.”
“That thing looks dangerous,” Carrot said. “Maybe you should get rid of it.”
Pinkie looked at her saddlebag, and considered it. Maybe she should just get rid of this stone. It hurt ponies, and it might continue to do so. She suddenly remembered the fight in Bastion City again: cringing behind Twilight, and wishing that all her friends would be fine… “Sorry,” she said. “I think I still need it.”
While her friends got swarmed by ponies, Rainbow took to the air, barely dodging a large flock of birds and other flying creatures heading for Fluttershy. She had missed Ponyville, and she had missed everypony in it, but she couldn't bring herself to go among them, and try to reconnect with her home. She should be glad to have this break. Instead, she felt agitated and restless. Home was important, but it just wasn't the right time to deal with it. It was as if she was in the middle of a sporting competition, and then asked to sit it out so she could relax. The sense of urgency refused to go away no matter how much she tried to convince herself to calm down.
“Rainbow Dash!”
Rainbow looked down and spotted a small, orange-coated pegasus filly standing there. Scootaloo looked up at her happily, and expectantly. Despite herself, Rainbow flew down, and landed. “Hey, pipsqueak,” she said. “How have you been?”
“Things got really boring here without you around!" Scootaloo hopped in place. "I’m so glad you’re back!”
Rainbow snorted. “Well, don’t get used to it, I’ll be flying off in a couple of weeks!”
Scootaloo's ears flattened at this, but she quickly perked up again. “Princess Luna said that you joined the Legion. Is it great being in the Legion, huh?”
Rainbow nodded. “It sure is! You get to fight for Equestria’s sake, fly into battle, and shoot at the bad guys! It’s pretty awesome!”
“Wow! Is it more awesome than joining the Wonderbolts?”
Rainbow stopped dead in her tracks. Joining the Wonderbolts…that was her life-long dream here. All the training and practicing was so she could join that team of elite flyers. Yet, all that training and practicing now felt like a long dream, and reality had just caught up with her. Even if she wanted to join the Wonderbolts now, it was impossible. She knew a lot about the Legion’s draft, probably more than any of her friends after asking around about it in her flight. The Wonderbolts were Equestria’s best flyers. They were likely going to be absorbed into the Legion like the Royal Guard once drafting began. Logistics would divide them among the various flights.
“Y-yeah…” Rainbow answered with barely a fraction of the enthusiasm she had a few moments ago. “It is. The Wonderbolts are awesome and all, but they focus more on air shows, and racing. The Legion gets up to a lot of hardcore stuff.”
“Awesome!" Scootaloo sang out. "I should really join the Legion then!”
“Hey, wait! You can’t!” Rainbow raised a hoof, as if she were trying to stop a runaway carriage.
Scotaloo's hopping stopped. “Why not? You just said it was awesome, and Princess Luna said that they were looking for members.”
“It’s also really dangerous. A lot of bad things can happen to you!” Memories flashed through Rainbow’s mind: a giant wolf’s paw slamming into her, a bloody Applejack lying motionless on the snow-covered ground…“A lot of bad stuff,” she mumbled.
Scootaloo tilted her head. “You just said the Legion was awesome. Now, it’s bad?”
“It is awesome…and bad stuff happens and…” Rainbow shook her head, and began to hover. “Sorry, Scootaloo, I...uh…I need to think alone.” She flew off, and took shelter in a cloud. It was a mistake to come back to this place. In Fangbreaker, everything was clear and straightforward. She just needed get better at being a legionnaire, beat Scarlet, then rise to the top of her flight. Coming back to the Heartland just muddled things up.
While all her friends met up with loved ones, Twilight dealt with the citizens of Ponyville in general. Somepony had mentioned that Spike wasn't around, reminding her that her assistant was still somewhere in the Western Barrier Land being tutored by a kirin. She wanted to head on to Canterlot to see her family, but she didn't want to go ahead of her friends.
“Twilight Sparkle, is it true that you are a member of this ‘Equestrian Legion’?” Mayor Mare asked.
“Yes, it’s true,” Twilight replied.
“Then you would know what they’re really like!” somepony from the crowd said. “Can they be trusted? What do they really want?”
“The Legion seeks to protect Equestria,” Twilight said. Princess Luna should have come here to allay their fears. That they were still asking these questions meant that they had yet to completely trust Luna despite the time she had spent here before. “They can be trusted.”
“What about this Prince Terrato?”
“He’s Princess Celestia’s brother. He may be scary…and rude…and violent…and always in a bad mood…”
The crowd started to look even more worried as Twilight continued. "But he means well,” she finished with a sheepish grin. The crowd looked a little mollified, but not enough for her to feel sure about them. She looked up in time to see Rainbow fly off.
It hit Twilight yet again. This homecoming would have nothing to do with relaxation, or reconnecting. She and her friends may have just come here to see the last vestiges of their old lives be consumed by the Legion. Night had completely settled by this time. The familiar lights of Ponyville did little to take the edge from her worry.
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Another great chapter! Can't wait to read more.
-Minty
well thats a morbid sentiment.
Ahh, interesting to see you bring Shining Armor into this, makes me wonder if Cadence will show up. Also, I can definitely see some fun times ahead with him once the Royal Guard is pulled into the legion. Same with the Wonderbolts, for that matter.
I feel bad for Twilight's parents, they are probably going to have both of their kids pulled into the legion.
wow, another chapter? so soon? that's an unexpected surprise :D
and we have a lot of things going on here.
First of all, I love Luna :D she is going to be the major player here, that's for sure. already she's putting Terrato in his place :D and Terrato in a colorful room :D
and then we have the mane six and her return home. Not much has happened so far. we know that Pinkie has some rune table thingy and that it react badly to unicorn magic (probably it's too intense and it could cause feedbacks. I hope Twilight won't try to use magic on it, because with her power it could seriously injure her)
Rarity and Applejack will probably spend a lot of time with their families, Rarity will most likely properly close the shop or something and possibly create more appropriate cloths for herself and her friends. especially since they will return to Fangbreaker in few weeks and it's already cold there. AJ would probably try to research as much as she can on her family history.
Rainbow will be depressed most of the time, or at least uneasy. I'm hoping for few serious talks between her and her friends. Actually, I'm hoping for a lot of talking and a fair share of drama in this part of the story. Especially since Rarity already sees the tension and RD can also tell at least some of the things. I wish we could see more of the things going on in her head.
There is way too much going on and way too little talking about it. with the way all of them reacted to their return home I'm foreseeing few storms gathering on the horizon.
Flutetrshy will probably spend as much time with her animal friends as possible. not that some of the spells Celestai created are down her animals will get more wild, it would be interesting to see how she will react to that.
And Twilight, there will be a lot of talking here. She also wants to visit her family (including her brother) so she will be torn between her friends and family. she will also try to be as close to the Princess as possible. so it may be so that Twilight will be alone, away from her friends and alone with her own mind which is never a good thing in her case.
I can't wait for the next few chapters. :D
Woo! Quick update! This was a good one. I still dread the race between rainbow and Scarlet. It will be amusing to see how the Mane 6 will react to certain situations with their training and combat hardened instincts.
If you've brought in Shining Armour, will you bring in Cadence?
Wait... she's Celestia and Luna's niece...
Luna's respect has been doubled, standing up to Terrato like that. She deserves a 'Stache.
“One more thing,” the younger stallion added.
Am I the only one who read that in Jackie Chan's uncle's voice?
I see that you have introduced Twilight's brother. I hope that whatever you have planned for Cadance, it isn't anything related to Alicorns. Personally, I like to think that she's a winged unicorn, produced by some chemical-X mutation...thingy. Oh well, not that it really matters and/or deserves a place in this story.
Love the speed at which you write. Quality stuff at a good pace, I am pleased!
Also, Pinkie will be badass. Just saying. Curious to know more about the ley energy or whatever. Being able to use a pinkie sense at will may be invaluable in the future...badum tss.
"but he means well"
lol
A trip that they looked forward to now becomes a time of discomfort, realizing that the home they have returned to will change along with them
I get the feeling somethings will happen during their stay, forcing the girls to reveal to all just how much they changed
488133 So Cadence is Terrato's daughter?
awesome chapter!
good to see that terrato finally softened up a bit. i was half expecting terrato to make pyre's final verdict that she would have to live her life with the consequences of her actions, but that was a epic conclusion to her tale as well.
488850
that would be hilarious, considering that she's a pink 'alicorn' (i will never admit that she is a true alicorn, to me she's just a unicorn with wings) whose special talent is love
Well, my wish regarding Terrato was granted pretty quickly.
I hope Pinkie's tablet didn't do Pumpkin any lasting harm.
Terrato pulling his head in, taking a breath, and actually listening to something other than his own temper for once was a much needed not-an-arsehole moment for him. Nicely done - hopefully he can keep it up. Well, enough to be effective in protecting Equestria - if he stops being a dick ENTIRELY, he won't be nearly as fun.
I've been looking forward to seeing how other Chosen would react to the Barrier Lands. Looking forward to more on this, everything's looking fine so far.
Still, it can't stay that way forever. Only a matter of time until the legionaries come in...
I was expecting the Equestrian legion troops to just parade in to the heartland cities marching to legion marching songs, singing about honor and courage and that they will never bend in the face of darkness and they will crush all who threaten Equestria, fighting until death claims them or something epic like that
The troops would march in a perfect line and then they would pass the royal siblings all saluting them simultaneously in perfect dicpline.
And the Heartland Equestrians would stare in awe after first being afraid when they heard about Equestrias enemies but now seeing that their nation has this epic army that will fight to the death to protect them.
488131 don't we all
488133 Woahhhhhhh that is a verrrry scary view there
And now Terrato gets to be reasonable, and I am left unsatisfied. He has been such an asshole throughout the story that I honestly just wanted him to keep being an asshole so he could be cast down and humiliated.
I do this out of love
And now Rainbow Dash is finally understanding what it means to be a Warrior. She knows both the joy and the sorrow that comes from serving. She knows what every soldier, marine, sailor and airman who has looked the elephant in the eye, as they say, and lived, knows.
She is starting to understand that, once you have been through the fires of battle alongside your Brothers and Sisters-in-Arms, you can never truly go back home, and that the feel of the crossbow, like the feel of the rifle in the hands of us humans, will never leave her.
Warfare leaves scars upon the soul, as it has done to her, but there is also the comradery that those who have served together, fighting and bleeding at one another's side, that she shall always have.
One song comes to mind, when I think of Rainbow Dash and her Brothers and Sisters-in-Arms.
https://youtu.be/TAryFIuRxmQ
Luna still proving herself to be the most open minded and sensible of her siblings. She has the outside perspective, the authority, the experience with making mistakes and power to call both Terrato and Celestia out on their bullshit and it's nice to see Terrato agree with her. Luna's just saying what I've been saying all along, all of them are garbage rulers on their own and they need to work together to truly unify Equestria.
I appreciate Apple Bloom being the only crusader with enough sense not to ask to join the Legion (yet), she just wants her sister back. If it weren't for the fact Big Macintosh needs to keep the farm in order, he'd be a great addition to the Legion though it would be really great if they got Maud but she wasn't a thing yet.
Speaking of older siblings I was wondering when we would see Shining Armor. Can't see him having any issues with the transition, once they see how powerful his shields are no one will give him any grief and he had the guts to face King freaking Sombra alone. This does raise the question of what Cadence is in this universe, she can't be a true Alicorn so I'm guessing she's just a winged unicorn, wonder if she joins the Legion too?
Yeah Pyre went out like a coward rather than live with the consequences of her actions and actually try to make up for them. I did like what she said t Twilight though and Twilight's reaction to losing her rival without beating her first makes sense. Vanguard is kidding himself if he thinks Twilight isn't going to ask for that job and he should really stop stalling and ask Applejack as well.
Not sold on Blue Moon being earnest about his betrayal, it's rather conveniently inconvenient that he knows what Black Rose wants to do but how she intends to do it. Black Rose likely wants the Legion's presence in the Heartland to cause an uproar from the Heartlanders. Be interesting to see how this develops.