//------------------------------//
// The Spectacle 
// Story: The Life and Times of Benjamin Inventor (Part 2) 
// by Bsherrin 
//------------------------------//

The Spectacle

"Gentlemares and gentlestallions, colts and fillies, foals of all ages..."

Ringmaster’s Introduction to the Circus

Sing you a song in the garden of life, if only you gather a thistle;
Sing you a song as you travel along,
An' if you can't sing - why, just whistle!

“Poems for Mages and Mechanics”, The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge

I opened my eyes.  I found myself in a dim room, staring at an institutional tin ceiling.  I looked left and saw a window, then to the right and saw a draw curtain.  I realized then I was in the castle infirmary.  I slowly checked myself over.  I was sore, sure enough, but there was nothing broken.  I sat up and rolled out of the lumpy cast-iron bed.  Somepony had been sleeping next to me, too, but wasn’t there now.
I stretched, used the bathroom and then looked out the window.  I could see the gardens and ponies moving around tables lighted with candles.  The reception!  So, then, Death was right; everypony did survive and the wedding went on as planned.
Guardian.
My Lady!  I can hear You again!
Yes, Guardian.
Well and good, my Lady.  I’ve missed You.
And I you, Guardian.
I checked my magic.  Not much of it, that was for sure, but I could feel it recharging if very slowly.  Likely take a week or so before I was back to full strength.
I heard the room door open and turned around.  A worried-looking Applejack walked in, saw the empty bed, and then looked around frantically before she spotted me.
“Hey, Lover,” I said and that was all I had time to get out before I found myself in a very strong Earth pony’s tearful embrace.
“Partner!  We thought when that monster zapped you that you was a goner and you’d never wake up!  Oh, Ben, I’m so glad you’re not dead!”  AJ was yelling, crying and kissing me all at the same time.  I embraced her as hard as I could.
“No, Hon, I’m fine, I’m fine,” I said, gently pushing AJ away from me so I could look at her.  Her muzzle was tear-stained but she was grinning from ear to ear now that I was awake.  “How is everypony else?”
AJ nodded.  “We’re fine, too, if a bit wore out.  You were the only one still unconscious after Shining Armor and Cadence sent them weird creatures packin’.”  AJ wiped her muzzle with her hooves until I reached around and got her a tissue.  On the small bureau next to the box of tissues were two hinged cases.
“What’re these, AJ?” I asked, pointing to the first one.
“Herself has awarded you the Order of Equestria, Partner,” said AJ proudly.  “She’s also promoted you to major and made you a Hero of the Realm.”
I opened the first box and found two gold oak leaves.  Field grade, then.  The second had a small, stylized Sun on a ribbon with the words “Above and Beyond” across the medal’s top.
I held it a moment.  “AJ, this is one of the highest awards you can get.  I don’t deserve this,” I said, turning to her.  “The changelings cleaned my clock.  I failed.” 
AJ shook her head.  “Those who didn’t run saw you a’standin’ over the Princess, Ben.  Even with almost no magic, you managed to hold off a dozen of them things for a good while.  You most likely saved her life.”
“I still don’t think I deserve this…” I started.
“I disagree, Major,” said a voice from the door which AJ had left open.  Standing in silhouette was Princess Celestia.  AJ and I both made a full bow.
“Your Highness,” we said at the same time.
“Rise, both of you.  And half bows will do from now on.”  Celestia turned to Applejack.  “Applejack, would you please be so good as to tell the others Benjamin is awake?”
“Why, o’course!  They’ll want to know, sure enough.  I’ll be back before you know it!”  AJ raced out the door and I was alone with my monarch.
“Hey, Maker,” said Tia.
“Hey, Tia,” I answered.  “You alright?”
“Yes, I’m…” Tia started, then stopped and looked away.  “No, Maker, I’m not.”
“Did they hurt you?”
“No, I’m just tired and have almost no magic.”
“What, then?” I asked although I already suspected.
Tia just looked down.
“It’s because you lost, isn’t it?” I asked.
She nodded and teared up.  “I tried, Maker, I tried and I tried.  I couldn’t do it.  She beat me and then she captured both of us.”
I walked forward and held her beautiful head against my chest with both hooves, then raised it a few seconds later and stared into her sad eyes.
“Tia, sometimes in spite of all you can do, even if you do everything right, you still fail.  Most of us learn that lesson early.  You, well…you’ve never met a challenge you couldn’t beat.  Remember when we sparred and I threw you those times?”
Tia nodded and smiled slightly.  “I wasn’t about to let you get away with that.”
“No, Tia, you weren’t.  And you’re a bad sport when you lose.”
“I am not!”
“Oh, yes you are, OTL.  And Tia,” I continued as she raised her head, “this is no different.  Now, then, O Ruler of Equestria, I’ll tell you what I told my students.  When you lose - not ‘if’ but ‘when’ - lose well, learn from it and move on.  I’d ask you to do the same.”
Tia had stopped crying and I handed her a tissue.  She wiped her eyes, and then looked at me.
“I’ll try.  It still chaps me, though.”
I shrugged.  “Not a bad thing, that.  Next time, you’ll be ready.”
“You bet I will!”
“That’s the spirit!  Still, though, this medal…” I said, pointing to it.
“You’ll accept it graciously, Major, and smile while doing it,” said Tia grimly.  “Besides, we need a hero to salvage this mess.”
“Ah-hah!  There’s the Realpolitik monarch I know and love!”
Tai grinned at that.
Just then AJ and the rest of the Mane Six burst through the door along with Shining Armor and Cadence, all still in their wedding splendor.  It was pandemonium and Tia stayed in the room’s shadow which was almost as good as a conceal spell.  Carl pounded me on the back and Cadence kissed me several times.  Pinkie tried to tackle me and Rarity was wiping away tears and saying how she wasn’t about to train another dance partner so it was a good thing I wasn’t dead.  Rainbow Dash Frenched me, Fluttershy put a hoof on my chest and Twilight led three cheers.
They led me back outside to the reception which up until then had been subdued.  The minute I showed up, the music, noise and dancing started full-force.  I accepted the congratulations of all and sundry, most I’d never seen before in my life.  AJ, now dressed herself, stood with me awhile, and then went to join her friends after she decided I wasn’t going to keel over; unlike me, she loved a good, loud party.
I had some punch, laughed at Pinkie’s antics, pretended to die of boredom when Carl looked over at me during a dance and finally slipped away.  I left the party behind and strolled into the adjacent gardens.  I found a quiet spot and was enjoying listening to the revelry in the background when I heard somepony call my name in a clear soprano voice.
“Benjamin Apple.”
I looked around and there was Princess Luna.  I’d only met her once before and that in a receiving line.
I made a full bow.  “Your Highness.”
“Rise.”
I came out of the bow.  “The moon is particularly wonderful tonight, your Highness, as are the stars.  I thank you.”
Luna gave me a small smile.  “Sister said you were a charmer.”
The direct approach, then.  “Thank you, your Highness,” I said, and stopped there, waiting for Luna to take the lead.
“Do you not care for parties?” she said, sticking to mundane topics for the moment.
“Not particularly, your Highness, although for Mrs. Apple, the livelier, the better.  I prefer a newspaper or The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge with an apple brandy in the silence of my study.”
Luna just nodded and said, “So would I,” then went still again.  I stood and waited.  I once overheard Tia tell Juliette Luna was socially awkward even before Tia banished her.
“Everypony will say I should have been there.  Everypony!” said Luna, abruptly.
There it was.  “Weren’t you patrolling the border, your Highness?”
Luna, still upset, gave a short, sharp nod.
“Then you were doing exactly what Herself assigned you to do, your Highness.  Some of the Guard was outside of the city, too.  And if the changelings had captured all three royals…well, so much for Equestria.”
Luna looked thoughtful for a moment, and then looked at me.  “Thank you, Mr. Apple.”
“Please, your Highness, call me ‘Benjamin’ or ‘Ben’…”
“…if ‘Benjamin’ is too long, yes, I know,” said Princess Luna, smiling a little more.  “You may go.”
Well, that could have gone worse.  I bowed, and then headed for the kitchen since I was famished and there was only finger food at the party.  Then a shower and bed for me in my old room, I thought.  That infirmary mattress left much to be desired.

I woke up the morning of the 24th, well-rested and with AJ sleeping next to me.  I woke her up and we had some fierce, passionate lovemaking, then headed downstairs to the officer’s mess for breakfast.  Most were still abed so we only saw a few of the Guard.  Each I met stopped and saluted me, even the Deputy Commander who smiled through his bandages.  Just like Defender of the Realm, everypony saluted the one who earned the Order of Equestria.
After we ate, AJ and I packed, then took the service passageways to the rear exit next to the kitchen.  I wanted to catch the 7 o’clock freight to Ponyville or the 7:30 passenger at the very latest if the freight wasn’t running.
As we came out the exit, there stood Jenson with his squad.  He saluted and I returned it.  He had a bandage on his right foreleg but otherwise looked pretty good.
“You’re up early, Jenson,” I said, shaking his hoof and being careful of the bandage.  “May I present Mrs. Apple?”
“Ma’am,” said Jenson, shaking AJ’s hoof.  Then he looked back at me.
“Going somewhere, sir?”
“Ah…the freight depot?”
“Now, Major, her Highness wanted to present the Order of Equestria to you properly.  She asked me to wait here and to…escort you to the anteroom for a ceremony at 8.”
Oh, by the Lord of Hel’s black bat wings, this sort of circus was precisely what I didn’t want.
“Um…I don’t suppose you and the squad could forget you saw us, Sergeant?”
Jenson and several of the squad grinned like possums.  “No, sir.  Sorry, sir.  Orders.”
“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you, Jenson, you and these mokes of yours?” I said, vexed.
“Just following orders, Major,” Jenson said as two of the largest squad members moved to flank me.  All three were smiling these evil smiles.
I looked at AJ who just smiled that smug smile of hers.  She knew!
“Fine, fine, let’s get this over with.”  Blast, this was as bad as a wedding.
We trotted to the anteroom and two of Jenson’s squad guarded the door as he closed it behind me.  A few minutes later one of the maids I knew well brought me my clean mess dress, new epaulets with gold oak leaves in place.  She curtsied as she handed it over, cast a glance at AJ and then tapped on the door.  The guards let her out, then closed the door firmly behind her.
“Friend of yours?” asked AJ, eyebrows raised.
“From when I first got here,” I answered, hoping that was the end of it.  It was.
I put on my mess dress and AJ put on the same dress she wore to the wedding.  I had just enough magic to clean and press it but even that small chore left me a little tired.  A few minutes before 8, AJ passed the Order of Equestria out to the guards, then returned smiling to me.
“You’re having a bit too much fun for my liking, Heather,” I said, still bothered.
AJ smiled and gave me a quick kiss.  “Maker, you do so much for other ponies.  Just this once, let some ponies do for you.”
Bah.
I heard the castle clock strike 8 and my two escorts opened the door.  They flanked me again as we walked to the Main Throne Room entrance, then each took a door and opened it at the same time.
The throne room was packed to the rafters, full of ponies.  On the dais was Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, both in full regalia.  Guards lined the red carpet and on command snapped to attention the minute the doors opened.  Hidden musicians blared a trumpet fanfare, then started to play the March of the Royal Guard.
Oh, Magic.  I almost, almost turned and ran.  AJ was right behind me, though, blocking my escape.  Nothing for it, then, so I started walking.  I recognized many of the palace staff, Lord Cecil, Lady Gabrielle, Lady Astrid, Chancellor and down front the rest of the Mane Six.  It was a conspiracy!
I climbed the steps and saluted the monarchs just as the music ended.  Both inclined their heads, and then Tia spoke.
“Gentlestallions and gentlemares, for the first time in 10 generations, it pleases me to award the Order of Equestria to Major Benjamin Apple for courage beyond the call of duty in defense of a member of the royal family.  Without him, I most likely wouldn’t be speaking to you today.”
Luna handed Tia the medal and I bowed my head so she could fasten it around my neck.  Tia went on as I raised my head.
“For this and other services to the Crown, I declare Benjamin a Hero of the Realm with all the responsibilities and perquisites pertaining thereto.”  Tia draped a sash over my head and lifted my right foreleg so the sash would fall properly.  Hmm, not bad, I thought.
Tia stayed where she was and Luna walked forward.  Both gave me a half bow, then Luna placed a hoof on my right shoulder and Tia placed one on my left.  They turned me to face the crowd.
“Gentlestallions and gentlemares,” said Tia in a strong voice, “I say ye…Major Benjamin Apple, Hero of the Realm and holder of the Order of Equestria!”
An enormous cheer rose from the assembled ponies.  The Guards banged their halberds on the floor, ponies whistled and a laughing Tia and smiling Luna both clapped their front hooves together.
Congratulations, Guardian!
Thank you, Lady Magic.
That was the last straw.  Tears started to run down my muzzle, something I’d dreaded would happen  I couldn’t help it, though, I was so moved.  I ignored the tears as best as I could, smiled and waved a hoof.  Drat, I hated crying in public.
Pinkamena of all ponies saved me.  She couldn’t stand it any longer, jumped up the steps and tackled me right there on the dais.  AJ, the rest of the Mane Six, Jenson, Lady Astrid and other ponies all followed, then hoisted me on their shoulders and carried me out of the throne room to a balcony which overlooked the Main Square, also full of ponies.  Another cheer arose as they deposited me on the balcony.  Hundreds of ponies, some with wounds from fighting changelings, cheered me over and over again.  Soon a chant started: “Ben-ja-min!  Ben-ja-min!  Ben-ja-min!”  I held a rictus grin and waved.
“Say somethin’, Partner,” said AJ, waving and smiling as if she’d done it a hundred times.
I raised a hoof and the crowd quieted.  The balcony’s magic amplified my voice so everypony in the square could hear me.
“I thank you.  However, as would anypony here, I did my duty as I saw it.  The Magic has blessed us with the finest of royals and it has been and always will be my pleasure to serve them.  Long live the royal family of Equestria!!”
When I finished, the cheers that came before were nothing compared to the roar which followed.  Take that, Tia, I thought, as I stepped back and Celestia and Luna moved to the front.
“Well played, Ben,” said Tia through her smile.
“Can I go now?” I asked, standing behind her and Luna.
“Your carriage awaits, Hero,” said Tia, still waving and smiling.
Carriage?  Oh, no!
I backed away from the royals with thoughts of escaping but there stood my nemesis Jenson.
“This way, sir,” he said, and pointed with a hoof.  AJ following, the two guards flanked me again and took me down the Main Steps to the Front Entrance which I’d only used once or twice before.  There waiting for AJ and for me was the Official Royal Carriage, gleaming white.
With bows.  And flowers.  And silk bunting.  Gah.
I clenched my teeth as I climbed in, the two Guards who were harnessed to it grinning back at me.  Jenson shut the half door after helping AJ in and then saluted, also grinning.
“Enjoy your ride, sir,” he said gleefully.
“Get bent, Jenson,” I growled, returning the salute.  By the Lord of Hel’s black and hairy tail, the Guard would never let me live this down.
I pasted a smile on my face as the two stallions pulled us at a good clip through the Canterlot streets.  Ponies lined the sidewalks, yelling, cheering, throwing streamers and confetti.  My two escorts also trotted behind, most likely to make sure I didn’t escape my full humiliation.  The carriage stopped at the depot where a special was idling on the passenger side.  A brass band struck up Nelly Bly when AJ and I got out.
We turned and waved to the crowd, then I spotted Roundhouse.
“Roundhouse,” I said, smiling and waving.  “Get this hog moving and get us out of here!!”
“Sure thing, Mr. Wizard,” said Roundhouse, laughing.  He waved to Casey and as we boarded Lady Astrid’s car, I heard the double toot.  A few seconds later we were moving.  AJ and I waved out the windows until, thank the Magic, we were out of the depot and on our way back home.
I collapsed on the loveseat and just breathed.
“Thank the Magic that’s over!”
AJ slipped out of her dress, fluffed out her mane, tied it back with one of her ribbons and put on her Stetson.
“Yep, you done good, Partner.  Here, do my tail.”
I took off medal, new sash and my mess dress, brushed out AJ’s tail, then tied on the ribbon.
“Well, Mrs. Apple, home again for us.  Back to routine, I hope.”
“Now, Ben, you know perfectly well things won’t be the same.”
I sighed.  “Yes, I know.”
“Hey,” said AJ, “look what I got.”  AJ held up a copy of the Ponysutra.
“Is that our copy?  I thought it was back at the cabin.”
“Nah, I got this from Cadence.  And look…margin notes!”  AJ held up page 12 which was covered in what I recognized as Cadence’s elegant cursive.  “Care for some light reading, Partner?”
AJ didn’t have to ask me twice.

“Partner?  Time to wake up, Hon.”
I felt around without opening my eyes and touched a muscular flank I knew well.
“Mmmm, no thanks.  I’m happy here.”
AJ laughed.  “C’mon, Studly, you’ve got t’ get dressed.”
I opened my eyes then.  “Eh?  Why?”
“So Ponyville can welcome the new Hero, o’ course!”
I groaned and covered my eyes with a forehoof.  “Oh, by the Lord of Hel’s minions, AJ, haven’t I gone through enough of this rigmarole today!”
“Ah, you know ya love it, Partner.  Here, stand up.”
I stood and AJ helped me put on my mess dress, sash and medal.  She held up a mirror and I had to admit, it made quite the show.  Still needed a cape, though.
The train pulled into the Ponyville station a little after 3:30.  Waiting on the platform was what looked like most of the town, unicorns in front including Lyra, Adding Machine, Pierre, Cutter and several others from the Stable of Commerce.  Stretched across the back of the crowd was a banner: “Welcome Home, Hero!”  Here we go, I thought, and stepped out of the private car.
I’d just started to wave and smile, AJ next to me when the banner collapsed on one side and a frantic, sobbing Fall pushed through the crowd and threw herself into my hooves.
“Boss!  Boss!  Boss!  Oh, I’m so glad you’re not dead!!  They told us you were dead!  But then you weren’t.  And, well…” Fall said, pulling back and looking at me.  “I’m glad you’re not.”
“Me, too, Punkin’, me, too,” I answered, noticing for the first time Fall was my height now.  Seconds later AJ and I were engulfed in family and friends.  After the mayhem, Mayor Mare made a mercifully short speech, then the crowd dispersed.  I sent Fall on her way and told her I’d see her tomorrow.  Fall spoke to AJ some as well which pleased me.
I spent a few minutes with Roundhouse who told me it was back to Canterlot for him, then joined AJ and the family.  We walked back to the farm, me still in my finery while AJ regaled the family with our day.
We all stopped at a small rise and looked over the farm.
“AJ?”
“Partner?”
“Remind me to tell Rainbow Dash her tomatoes are almost ripe.”
“Will do, Hon, will do.


End Part 2