Chapter 65
Sitting in a small two wheeled cart stuffed between Vinyl Scratch and Pebble, Sumac Apple watched as the ponies of Ponyville worked to put everything back in order. It was, for him, a defining moment in his young life. He had seen an enemy come out of nowhere, assault the very town in which he lived, burn and raze at least half of the town down to the very ground, and now, the ponies of the community were coming together to help one another.
Something about this caused young Sumac’s heart to swell with pride. It made him stronger, it made him grow. While the attack had been quite demoralising to him so far, watching the ponies of Ponyville come together nursed his tender spirit and restored a fiery courage to his heart.
Vinyl was sitting on a pile of cushions to shield her body from the bumps and jostles of the two wheeled cart. Octavia pulled the cart with slow caution, not wanting to hit the bumps, ruts, and debris in the road with any sort of speed, which in turn might cause harm to Vinyl. Beside Octavia, Tarnish walked with a slowed gait so he would not pull ahead. Sumac could not help but notice that Octavia paid attention to the road while Tarnish paid attention to the sky.
Nearby, a group of pegasus ponies lifted up a heavy wooden beam and moved it into place. Once it was in place, a group of earth ponies armed with mallets began pounding wooden pegs, securing the wooden beam to the structure. On the ground, a much older unicorn filly that Sumac did not know levitated the wooden pegs into place for the earth ponies. For Sumac, it was a stunning display of unity, of togetherness.
Lifting his hoof, Sumac waved at a wagon passing in the other direction, a wagon pulled by a pony that Sumac knew as Mister Rich. The wagon was loaded down with stone blocks, wooden beams, and bags of cement. For Sumac, home was now a place rather than a stop upon the road. Home was a fixed location that didn’t change. Home was Ponyville.
Ahead, Princess Celestia loomed large next to a newly constructed building, and Sumac watched as Tarnish veered off to go and talk to her.
The big white alicorn looked tired, there could be no doubt of that. She still wore her armor and the parts of her that were visible were filthy. Somehow, she still looked regal, even covered in soot and grime, with her pelt matted from sweat. Sumac had trouble meeting her gaze, seeing as how he threw a tantrum the last time they spoke.
“Mister Teakettle.” Celestia took a bit of a breather from her tasks and gave Tarnish her full attention. “And how are you on this fine morn?”
Tarnish, who was almost tall enough to stare at Celestia eye to snoot brought himself up to his full height. “Worried about you and thinking that you need a break. You okay, Princess?”
“Call me Celestia, if you please.”
“Well, you do keep calling me Mister Teakettle.”
“Well, you look like a Mister Teakettle. You can’t fault me for calling it as I see it.”
At this point, Sumac realised that Princess Celestia and Tarnish were very silly ponies.
“Vinyl Scratch here has taken on an apprentice,” Tarnish said, trying to be conversational. “He’s sitting next to her in the wagon. I think we’re all in big trouble.” The tall, chocolate brown stallion began to chuckle, which turned into a nervous laugh when he saw that Celestia wasn’t laughing.
In fact, Celestia looked quite worried, and it made Sumac feel alarmed.
“I take it that you don’t approve.” Tarnish appeared to be studying Celestia’s face, looking for some indicator of emotion. Ears perking, Tarnish took a far more aggressive stance and took a step closer to Celestia. “If you don’t approve, just come right out and say it.”
“I never said that I do not approve.” Celestia, whose face had become a passive mask, stood her ground and did not back away from Tarnish, who now stood mere inches from her.
“Tell me, do you blame Vinyl for what I did?”
Sumac heard a sharp inhale from both Octavia and Vinyl.
“No, Tarnish, I blame you for what you did.” Celestia remained impassive.
“I’m not so sure.” Tarnish’s ears pitched forwards and his eyes narrowed. “You know, sometimes, I think that you do. I also think that Twilight blames her too. Why can’t you just talk to me and be honest with me? Why not just tell me the truth? After everything I’ve done for you… after everything that we’ve gone through together, you still can’t be open with me.”
Much to Sumac’s growing worry, guards were coming over now and he could feel the tension in his spine, pushing down on him and making him feel weaker. After seeing and witnessing powerful moments of unity, Sumac did not want to see two old friends start fighting.
“I don’t get you sometimes, Princess. Why can’t you just be direct? Why can’t you just have an opinion? Just spit it out! The rest of us have opinions and you can too! Look, I get it, I really do… Vinyl takes a very different approach to magic and what she does is considered outside of the realms of safe, acceptable wizardry. I’ve been there when the lectures happened. And I really do think that you blame Vinyl for what I did!”
“Tarnish—”
“What did Tarnish do?” Sumac asked, interrupting Princess Celestia, his voice just loud enough to be heard over the brewing argument. The little colt was all too aware of how close the guards were now.
“I did something bad, something evil,” Tarnish replied, his ears drooping as he took a step backwards from Celestia. “I made a mistake that I don’t think I’ll ever live down.”
“I don’t see it that way.” Celestia’s voice was flat and emotionless.
Sumac, confused, felt Vinyl leaning up against him, and he supported her bulk with Pebble’s help.
Tarnish, uncertain, stared at Celestia and his ears drooped even more. He took another step backwards and then another. He stopped when he bumped into Octavia. The guard did nothing to stand down or relax and the tension remained high. Sumac realised that princesses could not have squabbles like normal ponies, the guards got involved.
“Tarnish, you made a mistake when you were overcome with a desire to do good. I know you and I know your heart. You had the best of intentions, which made everything that happened all the more tragic. You made a decision that you should not have made and you took an issue into your own hooves that you should not have. You did however, allow the darkness that lingers in your heart to affect your judgment. You made a mistake that cannot be corrected. Even worse, you made this mistake after you were warned that you were heading down a dark and dangerous path.”
Sighing, Celestia shook her head. “I do not blame Vinyl. I do not agree with Vinyl’s approach to magic, it troubles me, and I will confess, sometimes it frightens me a little how powerful she has become by using her… how shall we say, unique approach to magic. That said, even though I do not agree with her methods, I trust that she will do the right thing, because so far, she has not given me a reason not to trust her. If anything, Vinyl should be credited with keeping you from slipping even further into darkness than you did. She was, after all, the one that stopped you.”
Reaching out a wing, Celestia touched Tarnish on the cheek for a moment, then wiped away a tear that had slipped out. “Mister Teapot, you are still my friend and you have my trust once more. You have paid for your mistake and you now live with a sincere desire to do better. You know the dangers of good intentions and what an overwhelming desire to do good can do to your judgment when mixed with feelings of rage and frustration. I do not think you will go astray from the light ever again. And I trust in Vinyl to keep you on the straight and narrow, even if her methods for magic are peculiar.”
While all of this seemed nice and the squabble seemed to be over, Sumac still didn’t know what Tarnish had done. Frustrated, he thought about saying something, but decided that he didn’t want to ruin the moment. He wondered what it was about Vinyl’s methods of magic that bothered Princess Celestia and Twilight Sparkle.
“Congratulations, Sumac Apple, once more you find yourself in the company of a worthy master. First Trixie Lulamoon, and now Vinyl Scratch, both of whom were once my students.” Princess Celestia pushed past Tarnish and came over to the cart. Lowering her head, she nosed Vinyl, a soft, tender touch, and then stood there looking at Vinyl. “Tell me, Vinyl, how are you feeling? Are you getting better? I am assuming that it was you that gave Sumac a mohawk. Do you know what his mother will do to him? Or to you, for that matter?”
There was near-silent, wheezing laughter from Vinyl, who leaned forwards and pressed her muzzle against Celestia’s. With an almost geriatric slowness, the albino unicorn raised her forelegs up and then managed to get them around Celestia’s neck, with just a little bit of help from the alicorn.
With her neck held in Vinyl’s embrace, Celestia whispered, “I need you to make Sumac strong. Trying times are ahead. Things are going to get worse. This attempt was only the beginning, I fear. Keep him safe, Vinyl, just as you have kept others that I hold near and dear to my heart safe.”
When Celestia pulled away, Vinyl nodded. After a moment, Celestia turned around and before Tarnish could react, she pulled him into a wing-hug, almost causing him to vanish from view behind dirty, sooty feathers. Startled, perhaps even spooked, Tarnish froze, but Celestia just overpowered him and drew him closer. After a long embrace, she planted a soft, affectionate kiss upon his cheek, then pulled away.
“Thank you, Celestia.” Tarnish’s ears were pinned back against his skull.
“Think nothing of it, Mister Teapot,” Celestia replied.
After a few seconds of contemplation, Sumac wondered if this was a friendship lesson. Past hurts, even if forgiven, seemed to linger and the only way to deal with them was to drag them all out again, no matter how painful they might be. It gave him a lot to think about and he glanced at Pebble, who was silent beside him.
Sumac wanted to be with his mother.
“Octavia, go on without me,” Tarnish said in a soft voice, “there is still much to discuss…”
Closing his eyes, Sumac rested his head against Trixie, glad to see her and feel her against him. Boomer was still clinging to Lemon Hearts’ horn and was now making happy sounding trilling sounds. Octavia worked to make Vinyl comfortable, propping her up with cushions and making sure that Vinyl’s spine was supported. Pebble made for a very useful wedge, also useful in helping to hold Vinyl up.
“So, my son asked you to be his master,” Trixie said in a muted whisper as she pulled Sumac closer. She focused upon Vinyl with her one available eye and after a few seconds of staring, she nodded. “I approve. I think he will have much to learn from you.”
Vinyl nodded.
“This is a big moment for any little unicorn,” Trixie said in a happy-sad voice. “Well, for those of us who wish to answer the call of greatness. We step away from our parents and we find another who will mentor us in the ways of magic. We have done this since time immemorial. From these bonds, greatness comes, such as Star Swirl the Bearded and Clover the Clever.”
“Or The Great and Powerful Trixie and her apprentice, Sumac Apple.” Octavia, sitting down beside Vinyl, smiled.
“I became his mother.” Trixie’s voice sounded fearful and a bit squeaky. “It brought a different set of challenges and a new relationship between us. I am thankful that we have what we have. Now I get to feel this wonderful sense of pride that is so overwhelming… and I am glad that Sumac has found another master. You know, for a time, I worried that I might be jealous or petty.”
Trixie was warm, soft, fuzzy, and smelled of floral scented soap. Sumac yawned and fought the urge to sleep. He didn’t want to sleep, knowing that bad dreams were waiting. Try as he might, he couldn’t stop his head from nodding. The sound of Boomer singing her silly song was somehow soothing, it made everything right in the world.
“We all now have a common goal,” Trixie said, “and that is to keep Sumac safe. It isn’t just the lantern, Catrina wants him, and she wants him alive. Twilight has… interrogated a few prisoners and she’s learned quite a bit. In a way, I am rather proud of the fact that he has so thoroughly unhinged our enemy.”
Half awake, Sumac giggled.
“Hush, you!” Trixie gave Sumac a squeeze and then looked over at Vinyl. “Perhaps the best thing you could teach him, is how to be quiet. Twilight says those magical insults of his could be disastrous. They need to be controlled.”
“Did I use dark magic?” Sumac asked. There was no reply, just silence. Sumac felt Trixie’s breathing quicken and he squirmed against her, feeling the velvety cling of her pelt against his own. “I did, didn’t I? I had a dream about it. I was punished for having a potty mouth and using dark magic.”
“Diarrhea mouth,” Pebble deadpanned as she turned away.
“Nopony plans to punish you, Sumac.” Trixie’s voice was flat, calm, and reassuring. “Dark magic happens. Twilight could tell you an amusing story about her friend Rarity using dark magic. But with your magical insults, you need to be very, very careful about what you say, how you say it, and what you feel when those words come out of your mouth.”
“I’ll do my best,” Sumac promised.
“That is all we ask from you,” Trixie replied as she gave Sumac a snuggle. “Well Vinyl, I hope you are up for a talk. There is much we need to discuss and there are things you need to know…”
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I'm not 100% certain, but I think this should be "too".
This chapter was filler, and not quite all that interesting, but I understand this.
A good story can't be humorous, cute, or action-packed. No, because a good story builds up the tension. And that's exactly what this chapter does, builds up tension. Tension between Tarnish and Celestia, tension about the future, and tension about Vinyl's magic (What's up with that anyways?).
This is a truly great story, kudz, and I hope you keep writing. Side note; while catching up on TPROS, I'm on Chapter 65, and so is this. Coincidence?
..Yea, probably.
7657757
Filler? No. It gives details into the much larger story being told here. Sumac can't see all of it, which mirrors what the reader sees. The best that Sumac (and by extension, the reader) can do is piece the story together.
As for Vinyl's magic, the roots to that issue can be found in Venenum Iocus.
7657765 Tch, again with the cross-referencing.
I'm already catching up on TPROS, and I'm almost done damnit kudz. Just gimme like, another day or two and I'll pull that certain string of stories right outta my Pinned bookshelf.
Also, I have realized a grievous error in my character. I'm not subtle enough, and that's kinda my downfall. I'm very blunt, and thus I don't really have many friends I can talk to, but in the same manner I don't realize the subtleties directed at me.
Learning about myself, even when not reading the story. Truly, a great story, and a greater author.
Good timing, Kudz - I just got off work and needed a good chapter of something to take the edge off. Thanks.
I think Vinyl will be an awesome teacher and I expect she will run Sumac through the ringer. Vinyl takes pride in her magic, and I assume, her students. Add to that, that I'm pretty sure that Vinyl understands just how powerful and how much of an asset Sumac really is, she'll make sure he learns his lessons whether he wants to or not.
I almost feel sorry for Sumac. Almost.
That little pebble is getting some much needed practice in holding up titans!
I have not read venenum locus but i suspect she codes magic.
What Tarnished said here I think winds up tying into what Sumac was revealed by Celestia (and a lot of characterization from VI) about how Tarnished is not balanced in regards to how much he cares about himself.
He confronts Celestia about her behavior regarding Vinyl, but it winds up revealing more about Tarnished's self doubt and the rift between Celestia and he, which is far more of a problem between the two... but Tarnished would not confront her about that. He would only confront her about how she treats his friends, not about how he is treated himself, or how he feels ashamed himself, because of issues going all the way back to his adolesence.
Maybe I'm reading into it too far into it, though, and it's just a conversation that slightly changed when she revealed she was not angry at Vinyl... but the way she does confirm that Tarnished has her trust again seems like she at least feels like Tarnished needs that reiterated.
Will we be following VI/its sequel, all the way to when Tarnished does this evil thing or will we be catching up in the future and have to learn about it secondhand alongside someone like Sumac?
7657896
Tarnish doesn't think much of himself.
It's a failing. I am glad that somebody took notice of this.
7657757
7657873
In regards to Vinyl's magic:
Vinyl is incredibly dangerous. And that is all I can say.
7657911
I disagree with you.
The way Vinyl feels about Octavia doesn't sound like the words of someone who is dangerous, let alone a threat to anyone.
Vinyl's way of talking about this subject seems to be from a standpoint of someone who has lost everything. The feeling of being alone, with no one to be able to understand or calm one self is the situation that Vinyl is in.
Right now, Vinyl is in a very, very dark place (regarding her mental health and her sanity). If anything happened to Octavia (bad that is) Vinyl would hurt (maybe even kill) everyone that stood in her way, she would not show regret nor remorse while doing so, for she is fighting for one of the most toxic and overwhelming emotions anyone can have. She is fighting for someone she loves and holds close to hear scarred heart.
To a point, she reminds me of Doctor Freeze. The actions of this man don't stem from hatred or the need of revenge, they all stem from the terrifying throught of what would happen if he lost his wife. Vinyl in this case is no different. Because she is absolutely and unquestionably in love, she is willing to sacrifice everything (even her own sanity and life) if it meant that she could protect the one she loves.
"While love can make anyone move mountains and cross entire seas, it can also make someone violent and blind. Do not let your love grow its thorns, for it will only hurt you and the one you love"
7657941
I meant that in the sense that she is powerful and is capable of immense destruction if provoked. She is dangerous. But she is also gentle, even tempered, and kind.
Her views on magic are considered unorthodox though.
7657964
And to a herd mind culture like your equestria has, unorthodox is bad without needing (or giving, or having) explanation.
So when does Sumac get to learn the Bass Blast?
Will he get his own set of shades?
Will Sumac get a bass canon?
Will I ever get my olive Apple ship?
7658011
Sumac wears teashades, remember?
Round glasses with smoked glass lenses. Dark.
7658014 Oh, he did? I completely forgot.
So much happens every chapter I tend to forget these minor details. Silly me. I just glad Tarnish is finally here.
7657793 good teachers make a student want to learn but NO teacher without can make a student learn if they don't want to
7657904 We saw Tarnished disparage himself as a weak unicorn in VI which sadly hasn't improved apparently.. I will say with what Tarnished has learned of magic and its application from other cultures makes him very powerful without his special talent. That alone makes Tarnished one of the most powerful unicorns around
7658005 sadly even humans have a herd culture. Look at how we treat those that are different
7657964
In my head magic works through a combination of rote, intent, and sympathy.
Twilight Sparkle can be dangerous because her understanding of magic (rote) is so thorough that her spellwork is like an elegant machine, effective because she knows all the shortcuts and obstacles and how best to utilize them. Her intent is straightforward, calm, collected.
Vinyl Scratch is like a janky old analog synthesizer, her understanding of the principles of magic is solid but what really makes her stand out is that she can use her emotions (intent) to modulate and amplify her spellwork. Something that sounds tame can quickly become a crescendo of violence, all you have to do is push the right buttons and flip the proper switches. Then again make a mistake and you can quickly lose control of the melody, sometimes to disastrous results.
Zebra hoodoo and Minotaur stich magic are great examples of sympathy combined with intent.
7658335
Once more, with feeling!
In a more literal sense.
Ok, seriously.
WHAT THE FUCK DID TARNISH DO?!?!
When will we get details on that, it's killin me.
7658389
Mwahahahahahahahahah!
7658416
I'm hoping we find out by the end of VI.
I'm as curious as Sumec about one thing: what dark deeds to Tarnish commit, exactly? Or will that take another story to explore? And seriously, why does it feel like that Tarnish was modeled after Nathan Drake from the Uncharted series?
7658005
How so! Most characters that have an explanation behind their magic seems to be more dangerous than those who don't have an explanation as to why they are powerful.
King Sombra, Queen Chrysalis have, literally, no explanation as to why they are powerful. It's just like "BAM! Here's the enemy of the season, let's make him freaking powerful without any explanation as to how they got so powerful before their introduction".
While the protagonists have a natural flow as to how and why they got so powerful.
Okay now I have GOT to know: What Dark Magic did Rarity use? I mean I could go the obvious route and go to the Comics, but I am not so sure.
Also what in the name of all that is unholy did Tarnish DO??? O.O
7658610
Pretty sure the Inspiration Manifestation was the Dark Magic Rarity used.
7658610 My guess would be that's a reference to "Inspiration Manifestation" and Rarity using the power of the book to change Ponyville.
7657911 I understand, sensei.
7658684 Yeah. You're probably right about that. Though I am not 100% sure on that.
7658389 He left the toilet seat up.
7659172
And left a floater...
Hitler had good intentions
7657904
I've noticed it too and have wondered about it. I've been thinking about this for days. It's been five years or so since VI and while Tarnish clearly has skill, his self esteem is pretty poor. I was trying to figure out why. And then I realized that he probably has not been settled in one location long enough to get help. In Swans and its predecessor, there is clearly some form of therapy available. I'm unsure if it is just because Cadance has the power to literally help with people's love lives and There are No Therapists so there isn't other help or if his unsettled lifestyle hasn't allowed him to get some help. Hopefully, it's just his unsettled lifestyle and with settling in a more developed area, like Ponyville, will allow him to get a little help. I can't imagine Celestia likes seeing someone with so much potential not possessing the self esteem they should have and will help him get in touch with someone to help (or maybe Twilight will help).
The opening sally of a war has begun and they need all the soldiers in the war to be at their best and with Tarnish's self esteem, he is not.
7661931
You pretty much hit the nail on the head. Tarnish isn't the sort that stays in one place for very long and as such, he's never got the help he needs that will allow him to get better from the isolation he experienced earlier in his life, which is a major cause of his self esteem issues.
For the most part, Maud, Octavia, and Vinyl prop him up and keep him motivated. They are all aware of their own weaknesses and do a rather good job of looking after one another.
Raise this town, raise this town, one, two, three, four.
Huh.
It feels like that was a long overdue conversation between Celestia and Tarnish and Vinyl.
Heh, Trixie would be.
Caught up!
.. ... You know I half expected harpies and such to start bursting into flame as he swore at them, much like Bon Bon and the rats...
Hmm has the "mistake" done by Tarnished been described in one of the other stories? or not yet?
8051657
It is a noodle incident, left vague on purpose.
8051875
I have my theory, but I doubt you would validate it. At least, not until you finish Skyreach.