//------------------------------// // Chapter 35: Final Preporations // Story: Rise of Char // by Turtlehaus //------------------------------// Ember Tutor showed Wisp Seeker out, promising to meet up with him at the North Tower early the next morning to help retrieve the Obelisk. Tutor heaved a sigh, wondering what he was going to say to Lionel before he climbed the stone steps to the second floor. There he found Fluttershy trying to coax Lionel to come out of his room; it didn't seem to be working. "Is he still in there?" Tutor asked curiously. "I think so, he hasn't said anything, but I haven't heard him climb out his window yet." Fluttershy replied. "Well, I better get in there before he takes off to Licorice's house again." Tutor said reaching for the stone door. "You're not going to yell at him again, are you?" Fluttershy asked, sounding very worried. "I didn't yell at him. I was trying to make him understand the importance of this task Lord Smolder has asked-" Tutor began to say defensively. "Lionel isn't a grown pony yet, he doesn't understand a soldier pony's sense of duty." Fluttershy interrupted him. "All he knows is that he may lose you and that frightens him." Mr. Tutor didn't have anything to say to her. His hoof hovered at the door. He knew he was never going to replace the father Lionel had lost, but did his best to act fatherly to him nonetheless. Although, it started to sink in that Lionel may have already accepted him for that roll a long time ago. "I'll… try to keep my voice down." Tutor said slowly, pushing Lionel's door open. Lionel's room was a mess. Tutor's face scrunched up in annoyance, having told Lionel yesterday to straighten up but was able to quell his disappointment for now. There were half drawn plans for future adventures Lionel had sketched out, check lists filled out from past adventures, a blackboard with his name and Tutor's name written across. Lionel had no tally marks, while Tutor had several; the title read 'Scoreboard'. Tutor could only come to the conclusion that it was meant to depict the times where Lionel attempted to do something and Tutor stopped him. Lionel had his desk with more slates strewn about, his bed was an elevated slab of granite, and his closet had no door. For reasons Tutor did not want to recount, the closet door was now a pile of dust in the backyard. Looking towards Lionel's lone window, he could see that it was still locked and that Lionel should still be in the room. It didn't take more than a few seconds to notice a light coming from under the bed. Lionel was laying under his bed, on the stone floor, his back facing the door. Mr. Tutor leaned his head down to get a better look at him. "Isn't this your 'Thinking Place'?" Tutor asked, trying to break the ice. "Leave me alone." Lionel mumbled. "Lionel, I-" "Mom and Dad did, and you're going to do it too." Lionel mumbled, curling up into a smaller ball. Tutor rubbed the back of his mane. He wondered how Reggie, Lionel's father, would have handled this. What Reggie would have said or done to have Lionel understand. All that came to mind was Reggie throwing himself into any situation and worry about getting out later. "Move over, I need some of your 'Thinking Place.'" Tutor said, getting down low and started crawling beneath his bed. "Wha-No! You can't use my 'Thinking Place'! You're not part of the Explorers and Adventures Club!" Lionel shouted in protest, rolling over to try and block him from entering. There was a bit of a struggle but Tutor won in the end. Bumping his head only a few times on the granite and watching Lionel roll back over to ignore him. Tutor could see a couple dozen words scribbled in charcoal under the granite slab, some had circles around them, while others were crossed out. "What's with all the writing?" Tutor asked. "Important stuff I think about." Lionel mumbled. Tutor could see the words 'Dark Marsh, Eat Cupcakes, Stop Snoring' among many other words. Tutor had to chuckle at some that read 'Grow Taller, Grow Mustache, Grow Cupcakes'. "Does Licorice crawl under here with you?" Tutor asked curiously. "No, she doesn't like small spaces." Lionel replied. "Then why is her name under here?" Tutor asked curiously, his hoof pointing to the name 'Licorice' written in charcoal under the granite. This prompted Lionel to viciously attack Tutor, flushing furiously, doing his best to wipe the name away. Tutor laughed while he asked questions about why her name was written under there. Lionel refused to answer any of them, having successfully wiped the name away and immediately went back to his pouting. "I'm going to go help Wisp retrieve that Obelisk from the mines tomorrow." Tutor said after a while. Lionel didn't say anything. His mane flickered in his disapproval for him. "I know you're scared. You think if I go down into those mines I'm never coming back." Tutor continued. "I'm not scared." Lionel mumbled. "I've been scared before." Tutor replied. "You have?" Lionel asked, sounding a bit surprised. "Oh yeah, like Fluttershy scared." Tutor said watching Lionel roll over to look at him. "When?" Lionel asked. "One of my best friends asked me for a favor." Tutor replied. "To go looking for some stupid rock in a spider infested cave with a big dragon?" Lionel asked. "No, it was when your Dad asked me to look after you when he was gone." Tutor said glancing over at Lionel. Lionel got very quiet. "Your father could have asked any pony, he could have asked General Hearth, Burning Sand, but he asked me. He asked a retired soldier pony to look after the only thing that mattered to him, his son, Lionel Stonehardt." Tutor continued. Tutor could feel Lionel shifting closer to him, resting his head on his shoulder. "I won't abandon my friends to venture into those mines alone, but I won't abandon you either, Lionel. If I say I'm coming home, would you believe me?" Tutor asked. Lionel nodded his head. Tutor could feel Lionel's irregular breathing, knowing he was trying to hold in his crying. "You Dad was one of the bravest ponies I've ever known, Lionel. I need you to be strong, not only for yourself, but for Fluttershy and Licorice as well." Tutor said to him. "Especially Fluttershy." Lionel choked a laugh. Tutor rested his chin on top of Lionel's head, trying to offer him some comfort. "I'm coming back, and I'm going to tell you all about my adventure. Okay, Lionel?" Tutor whispered to him. "Okay, Dad." Lionel whispered back. Ray Horizon and Solar Wind stepped out of Castle Char, making their way to the Eastern Fields where many of the Flame Pony Soldiers and Royal Guards were waiting in huddled masses. As Ray and Solar got closer, a few ponies spotted them, getting the attention of other ponies pointing them out. Murmurs began running through the herd, every pony could see the familiar helmet in Ray's arm and some started to fear the worst for the General. "Who's the mare?" "That's the General's granddaughter." "Why does she have the General's helmet?" "You don't think the General is…" The questions continued to be mumbled between the ponies. Assumptions were being made but no pony had any answers. As Ray and Solar approached the front of the herd, normally where General Hearth would address his troops, it started to become clear that an announcement was going to be made. Positioning herself at the would be front center of the herd, Solar whipped his wings straight up, one of many signals used to bring the troops to attention; depending on what type of military pony called for it. The herd of Soldier and Royal Guard ponies dispersed from their herded clumps into organized rows and stood at attention. Ray placed the helmet on the ground in front of her. Her heart was beating very fast, nerves taking over as she glanced over at Solar who stoically nodded at her. Taking a deep breath, Ray tried to channel her inner Rainbow Dash. "For those of you who don't know me, I'm Ray Horizon, granddaughter of General Warrick Hearth!" Ray shouted aloud. "First off, General Hearth is expected to make a full recovery." Every pony suddenly stomped twice before grunting aloud in unison; showing their support to their recovering leader. "Lord Smolder was personally going to come out here and deliver this news to you, but I asked to do this in his stead." Ray continued holding up the slate in her hoof. "Lord Smolder has also granted me the temporary position of General, in my grandfather's absence." Several ponies broke their thousand yard stair to glance at her, there were several whispers cutting through the ranks, and some uneasy looks passing between them. "Last night an Orc infiltrated our Kingdom, attacked General Hearth, Burning Sand, Argo Fleece, and Advisor Wingston right under our noses and taunted us by escaping unseen. This morning a meeting was held by Lord Smolder with Canterlot and the Crystal Empire to determine the threat that this Orc presented." Ray continued, doing her best to remain unfazed by their whispers and looks. "The Orc is marching with an army of Spiders and the Great Dragon Char at its back." Ray announced getting more confused looks from the ponies. "A dragon said to be as large as the mountains and fire so fierce it can melt stone with its breath alone." There were now nervous whispers running through the ranks, surprised and confused faces on almost every pony. "Tomorrow, we will be marching out with Lord Smolder to face this Orc in open combat." Ray announced with many disbelieving faces glancing her way. "How are we supposed to fight a dragon that big?" A pony's voice spoke up from the back. Several ponies nodded their concern over this, not liking the idea of facing something so terrifying. "Does it matter?" Ray asked aloud. "Of course it matters!" Another pony shouted. "Then feel free to leave, you can go inform General Hearth that you're quitting. That is if he's conscious at the moment." Ray offered pointing to Castle Char. There was a lot of uneasy movement in the ranks; a few faces looked rather guilty at the thought of facing General Hearth out of their own cowardice. "My granddad stood his ground during Black Winter, he stood his ground against the Last Orc's Final Battle, was forced to fight the ponies of the Crystal Empire and Canterlot under the rule of the Mad King, he taught every pony here how to fight the creatures of the Dark Marsh and protect their family and friends." Ray declared, her voice trembling near the end. "For the first time in his life he needs some pony to look after him." Every pony had grown quiet now. Each pony contemplating their own lives, of how the General had impacted it, and how he had remained strong throughout. "So I'm asking you, for the pony who's given us so much, will you follow me? To defend him and our home from this stupid Orc?" Ray asked, taking a sharp breath. It started off slow, a stomp here and there. The stomping grew in volume, every pony in the ranks was striking the ground with one hoof, chanting 'Hearth' over and over again. Ray glanced at Solar who smirked at her, nodding at her once more. Ray nodded back, lifting the helmet and placing it on her head, causing the ponies to stomp and chant louder. Flaring out her wings, Ray drew complete silence from the ponies, their stomping ceased and all eyes were on her. "Then let's get to it." Ray said. Wisp Seeker had left Ember Tutor's home in search of Tiff Pitchstone, the other pony in mind for this mission. It took over an hour to track him down, Wisp having thought that Tiff would be farming, searched the fields but had no luck finding him. Luckily though, Wisp happened across several Flame Ponies pulling stone carts full of ceramic jars from Castle Char. After speaking with a few of the cart pullers, Wisp got a lead on Tiff, who was attempting to salvage any crops he could before the battle tomorrow. "Just tell ol' Big Mac that these here crate hold coffee beans. I don't think he'll know what those are but just tell him Applejack wants them in the barn." Applejack informed a Flame Pony, strapped to a cart ready to move out. Wisp stepped past the Flame Pony moving the cart full of coffee beans to see Applejack marking a few tallies on her rock slate. "Hey, you with the hat!" Wisp shouted at Applejack. "You talking to me?" Applejack asked, with a raised brow. "Yeah Freckles, I'm looking for a Flame Pony named Tiff Pitchstone, have you heard of him?" Wisp asked, glancing around the Main Hall of Castle Char. "Freckles?" Applejack asked, narrowing her eyes at him. "Applejack, we still have several more jars of grape juice to move but these two are the last of the coffee bean boxes picked from the fields." Tiff said aloud, walking up from the dungeon, eyes trained on his rock slate. "Tiff!" Wisp shouted in excitement. Tiff jumped at the sound of Wisp's voice, it wasn't the look of fright but almost dread. Trying to slink back into the dungeon, Wisp quickly came up on him and pulled him by the arm into a hug. "You're looking pretty good for a farmer, Tiff, how's the quiet life treating you?" Wisp asked, patting Tiff on the back. "Well, you know, it's quiet. Lots of patience and tedious sort of work." Tiff mumbled, with a weak smile. "Just what the hay is going on?" Applejack asked, approaching the two of them. "Tiff, what's with Freckles here?" Wisp asked, motioning to Applejack. "Wisp Seeker, I'd like to introduce you to Ms. Applejack of Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack, this is Wisp Seeker… my old squad mate." Tiff said, introducing the two. "Squad mate?" Applejack asked curiously. "Tiff here used to be a Soldier Pony; every Flame Pony spends a year or two learning how to defend oneself against the creatures in the Dark Marsh back in the day. Tiff here used to roll with Squad Seven." Wisp explained. "Every Squad had four ponies." Tiff explained further. "It was Wisp, Ember, Reggie and I." "Now run along, Freckles, I got something important to talk to with Tiff here." Wisp said, shooing Applejack away. "You want to run that by me again, partner?" Applejack asked, sounding a bit annoyed. "Jeez, Tiff, what is she your special some pony or something?" Wisp asked, whispering behind his hoof. "N-No, she's just one of Equestria's best apple farmers." Tiff explained, flushing slightly. "Right, 'apple farmer'," Wisp said, not believing a word of it. "I can see you're busy so I'm just going to lay it out for you, Tiff. Lord Smolder has asked me to get a team together to go down into the mines and retrieve an Obelisk from the lair of Spiders." Wisp said nonchalantly. "Lair of Spiders?" Tiff asked, face full of dread. "Obelisk? Spiders? You better start talking sense here, cowboy." Applejack demanded. Wisp had to blink a few times at Applejack, looking very puzzled. "Cowboy? Is she calling me fat?" Wisp asked, looking unsure. "No, she's not." Tiff said, brushing that notion aside. "W-W-Why ask me? Why not Ember?" "I did, he's already said he's onboard. I sort of wish I hadn't, I forgot he was taking care of Lionel." Wisp replied. "Lionel? Reggie's kid? Bugger me, how is he?" Tiff asked, suddenly becoming interested in the topic. "He enormous, looks just like Reggie, he's even got that adventurer spirit." Wisp mentioned. "I'm sure that's giving Ember a difficult time keeping up with him." Tiff remarked. "That little foal has got more energy to burn then Reggie ever did. I'll bet my last bit that he ends up discovering some ancient pony civilization before he's sixteen." Wisp said in delight. "Hey, flames for brains, what this about sending Tiff to help you get an Obelisk?" Applejack interjected, clapping her hooves together to get their attention. "I've been tasked by Lord Smolder to get it, and I'm bringing together the old Squad to do it. Well, most of it anyways." Wisp said, sounding a bit solemn. "Most of it?" Applejack asked. "Our friend Reggie passed away a few years back. Lionel was his foal." Tiff explained, looking a little sad himself. "Oh, I see." Applejack mumbled, feeling a bit sorry for the two of them. "I'm confident that the three of us can pull this off, that is, if you're willing to help us Tiff." Wisp said, looking his way. Tiff looked uneasy, he hadn't been a Soldier Pony for many years, but old Soldier Pony code said not to leave friends behind and that resonated with him. "Count me in." Tiff said nodding in agreement; Wisp clasped an arm around him again and brought in for another hug. "Hold your horses, partner; you ain't going down into any Spider Lair without me." Applejack said decisively. "Applejack, there is no way I would want-" Tiff began to subtly say no thank you to her when Wisp cut in. "Sorry, Freckles, but if we need a tree kicked, we'll give you a howler. This is for ponies that've actually been in a fight before." Wisp remarked. "Wisp, Applejack is a-" Tiff attempted to warn him, but was also cut off by Applejack. "I guess you're right, I can't compare with a big strong colt like yourself." Applejack mumbled, looking very meek. "You can just go back to Ponyville where you'll be safe while Tiff and-" Wisp was suddenly blown off his hooves by a sudden stone box filled coffee beans striking him in the gut. Applejack had bucked one of the boxes at him, close range, and stood with a smirk while Tiff watched horrified. The box burst open, showering coffee beans everywhere; Wisp was buried in beans while the stone box flipped over on him. Tiff looked very nervous, knowing that Wisp was not a pony you'd pick a fight with, but then again, Applejack wasn't a pony he wanted to make mad either. The pile of coffee beans began to stir; the stone box fell to the side as Wisp reemerged from the pile. "Sweet Celestia! Did you kick that?" Wisp asked in amazement. "What's it to ya?" Applejack asked. "That was at least fifty pounds of stupid beans in that box, not to mention that the box itself is about twenty pounds easy." Wisp explained brushing beans off of him. "So?" Applejack asked again. "You're not just all bark, and no bite. I take it back, Freckles, welcome to the team." Wisp said striding back over to them. "Really?" Tiff asked in surprise. "I can see why you like her Tiff, she doesn't have a fiery mane but she's got a fire brewing on the inside. Make sure you get Tiff to the old North Tower first thing in the morning, Freckles, we'll need all the time we can get to find this Obelisk." Wisp instructed Applejack, ignoring his question. "It's Applejack." She corrected him. "I don't like- I mean I do but- I don't- not like…" Tiff stammered, embarrassed once more. "You don't what now?" Applejack asked, eyeing him suspiciously. "I uh- just going to um-" Tiff stammered nervously. "Clean this up." "Kick a couple of spiders like that tomorrow, Freckles, and we'll be in and out before breakfast." Wisp said, giving them a half-hearted wave before heading off. Applejack rolled her eyes at him. Glancing over at Wisp who was nearly at the entrance, she couldn't help but feel a little impressed at his fortitude. It's not every pony who can take a hit like that and shrug it off; especially one from her. I stood outside Castle Char's entrance with Tea Herbal, having requested that she be brought back to Manehatten by carriage rather than the train by Ponyville. The train itself was far from any danger, seeing as it would be heading towards Canterlot, away from the Ashen Fields, but it allowed me some peace of mind knowing she'd get there without any delays or problems. It was my way of making sure Tea didn't change her mind half way home and try to come back; I didn't want her anywhere near the fields. Shining Armor and Princess Cadance were kind enough to allow Tea the use of their personal carriage, seeing as they too chose to remain in Castle Char in preparation for the battle, and the Crystal Pegasi Ponies that pulled it. "The Crystal Pegasi ponies know to take you to Manehatten, from there you can direct them to where you're staying." I informed her, walking her to the carriage. "Eager to get rid of me?" Tea asked curiously. "Wha-no! I mean, I don't want you here- wait… I don't want you near the fighting-" I said quickly, stumbling over my own words. "Why not?" Tea asked, leaning in closer to me. "Because…" I began, feeling my heart start to race. Aside from Tea's studies, I would have offered her a place to stay right here in the Castle for as long as she wanted, but the very thought of her being in harm's way pained me in such a way I almost felt sick. Tea was wearing her cloak from the party, obviously knowing that it would be sometime before we would see each other again and would most likely want to say goodbye properly. "You're… important to me." I said, feeling my mane flare. "I don't want see you getting hurt." "I don't want to see you hurt either." Tea insisted, stepping closer to me; her face hovering very close to mine. My heart was pounding so fast, there wasn't anything I wouldn't have given to be able to be a normal pony for a few seconds, but the small bursts of fire coming off my mane reminded me of why I couldn't. "If I do, I know an awesome nurse pony that will take care of me." I said, nervously. Tea giggled to herself, making my heart dance. I felt her arms come around me and hug me. I didn't hesitate to return this gesture. I could feel her hug tighten considerably, her head pressing into my shoulder, knowing that it would be the last time she could do this for a long while. "I'm going to miss you, Smolder." Tea whispered to me. "I'm going to miss you more." I said to her. Tea clung to me for a while longer, but eventually drew herself away from me. Pulling her mane behind her ear, Tea offered me the best smile she had. I offered her a hoof into the carriage, feeling her hoof slip from mine and feeling the last bit of fear go with her. The placed my hoof on the carriage door as Tea settled in, turning to me for one final goodbye. "Goodbye, Smolder." Tea said warmly, if not a bit worried. "Goodbye, Tea." I said with a smile of my own. I closed the carriage door, prompting the Crystal Pegasi ponies to look back at me for the signal. I nodded to them that she was ready and the pegasi ponies saluted that they understood. The carriage lurched forward before picking up speed; the Crystal Pegasi took to the air and circled off towards Manehatten leaving me to gaze after them. Princess Sapphire had waited patiently for me by the entrance of Castle Char, giving Tea and I some privacy to say our goodbyes. It was nearly a full ten minutes after the carriage had disappeared from any pony's sight, that Sapphire felt the need to get me out of the main road. "If you were going to miss her so much, you should have let her stay." Sapphire said aloud to me from the entrance. "It's too dangerous for her to stay here." I called back looking her way. "Then quit moping and let's get going already." Sapphire snapped at me, motioning for me to follow her. I narrowed my eyes at her. Whispering to myself that I wasn't moping, even though in all rights I was, but I wasn't going to admit it to her. I followed Sapphire back into the Main Hall of Castle Char where she patiently waited for me to catch up. "Pinkie Pie has gathered up all dragon powder she could find, several Pegasi Flame Ponies are assisting her in setting it up at the mountain, as per your request." Sapphire informed me. "What about Crow and Roman?" I asked, walking the length of the Main Hall with her. "Ms. Fleece received word that Stitch Rose Shay had transferred all their designs to Roman and his Metallurgist Ponies early this afternoon; he promises to have it ready by morning." Sapphire answered. We climbed the stairs towards the Throne Room, breaking to the right, heading towards the Royal Chambers. Needless to say, I was very grateful to have Sapphire around. Wingston was normally the bat I turned to when needing updates or advice on things but Sapphire fit that roll rather well. With that being said, I felt she was more suited for my position, leading a Kingdom of ponies the way she carried herself. "How is the Soldier Ponies handling General Hearth's temporary replacement?" I asked. "She's integrated herself well into her new position, the Soldier Ponies are aware of their positions in tomorrow's battle. The East Battalion will be led by Shining Armor, while the West Battalion will be led by Ms. Fizzle. Ms. Horizon will be joining us at the front to lead the main charge against the Orc." Sapphire explained to me. "What about your parents?" I asked. "They've elected to assist Princess Celestia, Luna and Cadance on handling the Dragon when it chooses to reveal itself." Sapphire commented. "So where does that leave you?" I asked. "Protecting you." Sapphire said, nonchalantly. "Me?" I asked, stopping suddenly, looking rather confused. "Yes, you." Sapphire replied. "Why?" I asked. "Princess Cadance and I spoke earlier today, she seemed very concerned about you." Sapphire began, stopping to turn and face me. "I was rather confused by her concern, until she spoke of the last battle you faced; the one with your father." She reached out touching my ear with her hoof. I felt my face flush as the ice from her hoof lightly hissed against my flames. I could see a look of sympathy on her face. Feeling her hoof run across the scar of my once torn ear. "She said, 'I've never seen a pony so broken in both mind and body; only to have his heart shatter at the battles end.'" Sapphire continued, pulling her hoof away. "You are a very… kind pony, Smolder. I do not wish to see you the way Princess Cadance had." "Well, I don't want to see you getting hurt either." I insisted. "Then we have each other's backs tomorrow?" Sapphire asked confidently. I wanted to argue with her, but I felt that I would lose that argument before it started. Along with being a strong leader, I knew first hoof that Sapphire could hold her own in a fight and that there were few other ponies I would choose to have in a tight spot. "Agreed." I said nodding my head.