//------------------------------// // The Curse of Tambelon // Story: The Island of Tambelon // by Rakoon1 //------------------------------// It didn’t take long for them to arrive to what appeared to be a small farm. There was a small orchard of apple trees and a cottage. Getting to the cottage, Jonagold opened the door and got in, followed by the others. The main room was very simple, with a loft serving as room. The fireplace had a warming flame that filled the room with warm. There was two old armchairs placed beside it and there was somepony sitting on one… “Buttercup, Ah’m home” he said. “An’ Ah’ve brought somethin’ ya’ll love.” “Jona, if it is anything that comes from the city, I rather don’t want to know what it is” she replied. Listening that voice, Applejack became again speechless, as heart raced like when she met her father earlier. It was then that she got the will to say: “Mom…” Listening her voice, Pear Butter, better known as Buttercup, got up and turned to Applejack. She had a pale gamboge coat with a jar of preserves as Cutie Mark, a brilliant gamboge mane and brilliant turquoise eyes. She was Jonagold’s wife and Applejack’s mother. “Applejack?” Buttercup asked, not wanting to believe what her eyes were seeing. And she run towards her and hugged. Just like with his father, Applejack’s only response was to hug her back. After they finished their hug, Buttercup said: “You don’t know for how long I wanted to do this. I missed you, AJ… You and your brother and sister. I know you must be wondering what happened, but everything will be explain. Please don’t hate us…” Hearing her mother telling those words made Applejack to make tears appear on her eyes and soon fell over her face, something that surprised her friends. “Is Applejack… crying?” Rainbow Dash asked to Pinkie Pie with a whisper. “Yeah, I know” Pinkie replied. “And I always thought she cried in the inside.” “Don’t worry, mom, I don’t hate you” Applejack said with a smile, looking then to Jonagold, who positioned himself beside Buttercup with his foreleg around her neck. “Both of you.” A smile appeared on the two parents’ face. For the next moments Applejack told her parents about their family and also things that they have accomplished, telling also about their journey to Tambelon (including about Thorax who now had his real form). After finishing, Pear Butter said with a smile: “I can’t believe how much my children have grown… You and Big Mac both now have a family of your own…” “Yes, I have a son called Apple Storm and Big Mac have two, a colt named Jonagold and a little filly named Apple Flower” Applejack told. “I can’t believe Big Mac gave my name to his son…” Jonagold said. “I feel so honored…” “I know Jona, he’s one of my friends” Star said. “He’s one of the best ponies I know.” “I’m sorry to ask this, Mr. Apple…” Twilight said. “Please, call me Jonagold… or Jona, as ya prefer” he replied. “Any friend ov our children is our friend as well.” “Well, it’s just we all want to know how you two ended up here, in Tambelon” Twilight said. “I know it’s going too far asking this…” “No, if you want to know, we will tell you” Buttercup said, saying then to Applejack. “You, particularly, have the right to know, Applejack. All begin in that trip we take to Vanhoover… to talk with your grandfather.” “You mean grampa Grand Pear?” Applejack asked. That caught both Buttercup and Jonagold by surprise. “You know him?” Buttercup asked. “Yes, some years ago he came to Ponyville and he connected with us” Applejack told. “That’s hard to believe having in count happened that day…” Jonagold said. In the past… Jonagold and Buttercup had arrived to Vanhoover with one objective in mind: to talk with Grand Pear, Buttercup’s father. They found him, closing his pear-stand. Grand Pear was an old earth pony with a light amber coat with a green pear as Cutie Mark, a mane that, due to old age, had become white and light gray but retaining some grayish gamboge highlights and brown eyes. He was with his back at them, not noticing their presence until Buttercup talked: “Hi, dad…” The old pony was clearly surprised for hearing his daughters’ voice, but he regained his composure and chose to pretend she wasn’t there at all. “I know we don’t see each other for almost twenty years… ever since I married Jona, but… Please, dad, we can’t keep this stupid feud. I am your daughter… and also the mother of your grandchildren.” Grand Pear continued silent, while pretending Buttercup wasn’t there. “Big Mac is a sweet and hardworking colt who always want nothing more than help the others” she continued. “Applejack has a strong and honest spirit like nopony I have ever seen. And then there’s Apple Bloom. She has just born and the reason why I and Jonagold are here. Big Mac and Applejack have lived without knowing you, but I want them and Apple Bloom to know you. Come on, dad, we have to let bygones be bygones.” But he continued to ignore her and Buttercup sighed, defeated. Not liking to see his wife that sad, Jonagold advanced and said: “How can ya jest stand there an’ not even dare tah look at her in tha eyes?! An’ Ah was thinkin’ it was possible tah convince ya tah forget tha past after all these years.” “Jona…” “No, he has to listen what Ah have tah say” Jonagold replied. “Ah was always a stallion that speaks out his mind an’ Ah’ll stop being that now.” And Jonagold continued to say his truth to Grand Pear: “Ya know, things have not been easy fer her after ya left her… Or rather when ya kicked out ov yer family ‘cause she follow’d her heart. She was heartbroken! An’ now she’s here, tryin’ tah make amends and ya jest ignore her? What father ya are.” Despite everything Jonagold told him, Grand Pear decided to remain as if they were not there. For that, Jonagold told Buttercup: “Come, Buttercup, looks like it was a mistake to come here.” And he started to move away. Buttercup took a few seconds, still hoping that her father would talk to her, but she eventually followed her husband, while a tear appeared on a corner of one of Grand Pear’s eyes. In the present… “Yeah, grampa Grand Pear told us ‘bout that” Applejack said. “He said it was hard fer him tah hear all that. So what happen’d then?” “We were returning home and that’s when it happened…” Jonagold spoke. In the past… The couple was walking back to Ponyville in great silence. Buttercup had a very sad look, what saddened Jonagold. Trying to cheer her up, he said: “Come, honey, everything will be fine.” “How can you say that?” she asked. “My own father pretended I didn’t even exist.” “You know how he is” Jonagold told. “He’s very stubborn and doesn’t like to lose an argument. We will try once again an’ perhaps he will be more willing tah forget tha past.” Buttercup smiled and then said, while holding her head on Jonagold’s neck: “You’re the best.” At that moment, they heard a buzzing noise and, when they found themselves, they were surrounded by changelings, who looked at them with an angry look. Deciding to protect her wife at all cost, Jonagold said: “Don’t worry, darlin’, Ah take care ov this beasts” Jonagold said. “No, wait, Jona, they’re too many” she replied. But he ignored her and tried to fight the changelings off, only to be overpowered by them. “No, Jona!” Buttercup exclaimed, wanting to help her husband, but was not able to do so because the other changelings didn’t allow it. At that moment, a wicked laugh was heard and Chrysalis appeared. She approached the couple and told: “Well, well, well, looks like we got here good addictions to our storeroom. How nice…” When she was about to charge her horn to suck some of Jonagold’s love, a high noise was heard, causing Chrysalis and her changelings to feel pain that drove Jonagold to be released. He then went to his wife’s side, while the noise disappeared. “Who dares to hurt the Queen of the Changeling like that?!” she exclaimed, looking around. “I did” a voice replied. And Grogar appeared from the shadows. “Grogar…” Chrysalis said. “What are you doing in Equestria? This is my territory.” “Believe me, I would rather be in my beautiful island, but I’m lacking inhabitants that can contribute to the island’s care and I have to say that an Apple and a Pear would be the ideal addictions” Grogar replied. “Forget it, old ram” Chrysalis replied. “I saw them first, they’re mine. I need to feed myself and my subjects and there is too strong for me to just let them go.” “You can kidnap any pony you want” Grogar told. “But those two are benefic to me. Beyond that, should I remind you that I have a better record when it comes to do the master’s will? I bet he would easily get on my side.” Chrysalis hated to admit it, but Grogar was right. He was the one that was in the most of Lord of Chaos’ regard. In order to keep her pride intact, she told: “As you wish. Their love was also too sweet to my taste.” And having said that, she and her changelings took off and moved away. After they were gone, Grogar turned to the couple and told: “Well, it’s time for you to come to your new home.” “We’re not going anywhere with you!” Jonagold exclaimed. And he tried to attack him, but Grogar launched a spell that casted Jonagold back, with Buttercup going to him to see if he was right. After Grogar hit his bell and then the three of them teleported away, reappearing on Tambelon, at the outside of the city. “Where are we?” Buttercup asked, while she helped Jonagold to get up. “In my own island” he replied. “Welcome to Tambelon, your new home. I recommend you to feel grateful because I’m giving you this piece of land for you grow apple and pear trees. I can promise you that, as long you don’t rebel against me, you’ll have all the peace you want.” “If ya thing we’re goin’ tah comply, ya’re terribly mistaken” Jonagold said. “Anyone who comes in my island during my watch will never get out” Grogar said. “That’s the key rule around here. I like to call it the Curse of Tambelon.” “But we have a family” Buttercup said. “You can’t keep us away from it.” “Actually, I can” Grogar answered. “And you know what? That was another reason why I chose you. You see, even I need to pay my tribute to the Lord of Chaos, so I give them the fear and despair of my own subject. And your fear to never see your children will work just fine.” There was pause and then he said: “I’ll let you get comfy with your new home.” And having said that, he disappeared, while Buttercup hugged her husband crying. In the present… “So it was Grogar who kept ya away from us” Applejack said, turning then to Twilight. “Sorry, Twi, but yer grandpa was a nasty piece ov work when he was Grogar.” “Despite everything, it wasn’t everything bad” Buttercup said. “Grogar kept his word and left us alone.” “But everything changed when the Dark Mistress took over” Jonagold said. “She started to torment the inhabitants even more.” “Well, you don’t have to worry about that because we’re going to defeat that Dark Mistress” Star said. “After we do that, Tambelon will return to be what it was and you can return home.” “Well said, son, and we’ll do that as quick as possible” Blue said. At that moment, he had again the feeling he was being watched. Twilight noticed Blue’s look and, dragging him to a corner, while the others talked with Applejack’s parents, and asked: “What’s wrong, Blue?” “I have the feeling we’re being watched” he said. “That happened before, after defeating that witch and her stone ponies, but I thought it was just my imagination, but now…” “We better get to know if you’re not imaginating, but it’s for the best we do that quietly” Twilight said. Blue nodded, agreeing with her. Outside, the same figures that were watching the heroes before were now watching the cottage. It was then that a light illuminated them and they turned, facing Blue and Twilight. The light was coming from Twilight’s horn. “Who are you?” she asked. “And what do you want?” Blue asked. At that moment, the General of Balance noticed something that left him surprised. “Wait, you’re… light ponies” he said. Taking advantage of his surprised, one of them casted a spell that obfuscated Twilight and Blue. When they were able to see again, they noticed the two light ponies were gone. “But who were them?” Twilight asked. “I… don’t know” Blue said.