//------------------------------// // Chapter 20 // Story: Pandemic: Picking up the Pieces // by Halira //------------------------------// Amanda returned from her early morning walk with Jackie following close by her to see that Paul had returned from his time out and about that evening. He and Robby had gone out and explored around town together while Devon caught up on her sleep. She had been a little surprised how much Devon had thawed out to him over the course of their walk yesterday. When they had returned from their walk they had been all smiles and seemed like a perfectly happy married couple despite all the hard feelings that Devon had been holding and the clear apprehension that Paul had showed. She wasn't going to complain since that was what she was eager to see, but it still felt weird for some reason. "Did you have a good evening together?" She asked the man and his son. Robby was entranced again by his comic book, but Paul smiled over to her. "Yeah, it was a good night. Robby and I got a good lay of the land together. He had a pretty good memory of a lot of it to guide me some, but we explored a bit more than he had seen." Robby looked up from his comic book and grinned. "We saw a lot of night ponies flying around town. I can't wait till I can fly too." Paul laughed. "Yeah, Robby had to point every single night pony out to me. We actually met a few that came down and talked to us. They all commented on how cute Robby was." "I'm not cute, I'm fierce," Robby protested as he spread his wings in what was supposed to be a threatening gesture. It just made him look cuter though. "A number of them did look pretty fierce that we met, at least at first. Once you start talking to them they loosen up a lot and get pretty chatty," Paul said. Amanda gave a chuckle. "Ponies are pretty friendly by nature, even the fierce ones. I've got to head out of here to take care of something, and I won't be back until late. Remember to make sure your wife is up and ready to get to her interview later. I'll be there too, but I won't be stopping by here again first. Make sure she doesn't oversleep." "Where are you going? I'm sure Devon will ask me," Paul said with a curious look. "Oh, Devon knows about it already," Amanda said with a dismissive wave of her hoof. "I need to go help with the fields. Farming isn't really my thing, but they pretty much drafted every adult earth pony in town into this for today. I'll still be there at the interview trying to get a teaching job as well." "Well, good luck. I'll make sure my wife's up with plenty of time to get there," Paul said as he glanced over to the sleeping form of Devon. Jessie was already starting to stir from her slumber. Amanda left the tent with Jackie following close beside her once again. She kept her pace slow in order to not outdistance the filly. She couldn't help feeling like a major burden had been lifted now that Jackie seemed to have lost her ability to fly. With her no longer being able to take to the air the filly seemed almost shy and clingy in public, a sharp contrast to her more energetic and temperamental behavior when in the tent. Perhaps it had something to do with comfort in her surroundings. That earned a frown as she considered it. If that was the case Jackie would get to being less well behaved as she got more used to the town. Amanda would have to start trying to impress some discipline on the filly in the next few months. She was young, but she was intelligent. Amanda had noted that Jackie had already gotten to where she could recognize certain words and seemed to know what they meant. It was time to start teaching her some behaviors. The thing that made that harder was the fact that she was going to be leaving Jackie in other ponies' care for upwards of ten hours a day for five days a week come fall. That would have her daughter learning who knew what from random ponies. This was a critical period of development and what she was learning now was foundational to her personality. Jackie's developmental education was highly important and should have some structure to it. There was one possible solution and it made her scowl. She could get back into dating again. It didn't feel like enough time had passed since her husband had passed. She didn't feel ready to move on yet. The wound was still too fresh. The fact remained that Jackie needed a second parent though. It felt wrong thinking about getting involved with some stallion just for the sake of practicality, but she couldn't help thinking that way. Of course, there was filling the personal void in her life as well. Making herself move on might be the preferable thing to do. His death was something she'd never get over, but her life wasn't over. She didn't need to just latch onto the first stallion that came along either. On a practical note it expanded her life beyond Jackie. Jackie was probably the biggest part of her life, but she couldn't neglect herself completely. Her own mother had done that as a single parent, and it had made her mother very bitter over the years. She just had no idea what she wanted in a stallion beyond a good parent for Jackie. She didn't know what appealed to her now that she was a pony, or what would not feel like simply trying to replace her Paul. She'd probably get a better feeling for this if she started dating again. She got so lost in thought that she barely noticed how much time had passed. Before she knew it she was coming up to the miles and miles of fields. In a panic she turned to check on Jackie, feeling incredibly negligent that she hadn't been paying attention to her filly. She let off a sigh of relief to find Jackie still sticking close by her. There was a huge amount of activity going on in the fields already, despite the early hour. There were hundreds, perhaps over a thousand earth ponies already here working diligently. They were pulling weeds, tilling soil, and more. Standing on a wooden platform overlooking the fields was a white earth pony stallion with a silvery oak tree for a cutie mark, Pale Oak. Beside him were a pair of unicorns and a pegasus she recognized as Amber. Not sure what she should be doing she trotted over to the wooden platform to get direction and find out who was going to be watching Jackie as she worked. Amber spotted her and gave her a smile as she came up to the platform. "Hi there! I recognize ya from the other day, though don't think I caught ya're name." "I'm Amanda, Amanda Wilson," Amanda answered with a smile. "I know we didn't get properly introduced." "That we didn't. I'm Amber...Amber Flowers," Amber said as she scrunched her nose up in disgust for some reason. "And that is all my human name, not a pony one. Just call me Amber. If ponies start calling me by first and last name I have a feeling I'll get some flower cutie mark just as some big joke from the universe." "No mention of Flowers from me if you don't want me to, though it's a pretty name," Amanda said with a nod. "It may be pretty, but until I get a cutie mark in something I want to have a cutie mark in I ain't risking it," Amber responded as she ran a hoof in front of her as if warding off evil. She then took to a low hover and indicated Amanda should follow. "Let's get ya set up. I'll lead ya to where the foals are being taken care of and then see where ya're needed out in all this." Amanda nodded as she followed close by the low flying pegasus. "If you don't mind me asking, what's a pegasus doing helping with the fields? It seems like an all earth pony job." Amber pointed upwards with a hoof. "I've got a few pegasi up in the air keeping track of what's going on down below. There's a lot of area being worked so eyes in the sky help keep track of things. Pale Oak might think he's running the show, but he doesn't really have a clue what's going on out in them fields standing on that platform." One of Amanda's ears flicked as she gave the pegasus a confused expression. "So, what exactly is he doing?" "Looking impressive, think it motivates the mares to see his big muscular form. I know I could stare at his flanks all day myself," Amber said in a low voice filled with mirth and a hint of lust. "He's a good sort, and ponies do listen when he talks, but I'm not sure he's as bright as that pearly white coat of his. Honestly, we could use a different lead earth pony, but then we'd all lose opportunities to stare at him and have our daydreams." Amanda giggled. She had to admit that the stallion did look attractive. If he wasn't that intelligent she doubted he would appeal to her though. Amber led Amanda to a crystal pony stallion named Calvin who would watch Jackie for her. He was rather quiet, but seemed to do well with foals, and had three others he was watching. There were many other ponies, as well as a few humans and humans with pony features, each watching small groups of foals. A few stray human children could be seen about too, standing out like giants beside similarly aged foals. She was then led out to the fields to get to work. There was a lot to do. Most of these had sat abandoned for long periods of time. Various plants ran wild throughout the fields, there were bushes and trees that needed to be removed, seeds to plant, and litter that needed to be cleared out. It gave her mixed feelings. There was the one part of her that detested the idea of farming, and that she was getting drafted into it, but there was another part of her that was almost eager to dig in and get these fields in order. That was likely her earth pony instincts. She wasn't sure how to feel about the fact they were strong enough she could feel them at work on her thinking. She flicked her tail, dismissing the thoughts. No matter what there was work to do right now, and it was just a one time thing anyway. She trotted over to a group of ponies working to uproot some trees that had taken root in the field and joined in putting her earth pony strength to work. Wild walked along the outline of the fields with a few helpers as she watched the earth ponies of town hard at work. By her figuring she really should be in the fields helping as well, but there needed to be controls set for tomorrow when she unleashed her magic on the fields. "Why are we doing this again?" asked Franklin, an older human, and native town resident. With him were several other humans and a few unicorns laying out tar. The ground had already been dug out in outline and covered in gravel. Another round of travel around with quick drying cement was still to come. Wild's ears twitched as she looked at their progress so far. "We need to make sure the outlines of the field are covered with something that can't grow plants. My magic travels across the surface of the soil for as far as it can reach before it finds a surface that can't grow plants. This barrier, though it is only on the top, will keep my magic contained. Keeping my magic contained keeps the town safe." The older man kept walking and spreading cement as be went. "Still not sure I believe what folks are saying you can do--no offense. It just sounds like a tall tale." "Believe it," Wild said as she turned her attention back to the ground they walked to make sure everything was spread right. "I almost hurt a lot of ponies and my human family as well when I first did it. Getting my cutie mark was probably the most terrifying few minutes of my life--you need a little more tar right here." "Well, I'll believe it when I see it," Franklin said as he backed up and better covered the patch of gravel with more tar. "I'll be happy to amaze you tomorrow then," Wild said with a small smirk as she continued to supervise the makeshift carrier's construction. "What's it like, being a magic pony and just being able to fix everything with hocus pocus?" Franklin asked as he resumed going forward. Wild forced her ears to not lay back, instead they seemed to just shake and sputter on her head. "I can't just fix everything with magic. I feel just as helpless as I ever did sometimes." Franklin paused for a moment and gave her a long considering look. "Something bother'n you? Even though I might not be a pony I still have concern for others. Townfolk is like a big family, and all you ponies are part of this town now. Family looks out for one another." Wild smiled a little as her ears picked up a bit. "I appreciate hearing that, and I'm sure all the other ponies would be glad to hear that too, but this is something I want to keep private...for the moment anyway. I thank you for your concern though." "Well, I can respect a lady's privacy. I hope whatever it is that's weigh'n on your mind works out soon. Anything as cute as a pony shouldn't have a longer face than what they already have," Franklin said as he resumed his walk, pushing the contraption that spread the tar. They walked on in silence for a few minutes. After a while they stopped again as they saw a happy commotion off to their side. "We got a new cutie mark over here!" A stallion shouted with excitement as he pointed towards a small crowd. The team making the barrier sat and watched the ponies gathering to congratulate whoever the pony was that had earned their mark. Though many of those who had gotten marks earlier had gotten them with little fanfare, it had become something of a ritual as of late for ponies to stop to celebrate newly gained marks. It was a momentous occasion each time now. After watching for a moment Wild finally spotted the pony in question. A rose-pink earth pony mare. Wild couldn't make out the mark from where she was standing, but she did see that the mare looked a bit uncomfortable with all the attention she was getting, even if she was smiling. As Wild watched it seemed many of the ponies seemed to be catching onto the mare's shyness, since they started dispersing from her after offering final congratulations. Wild sniffed at the air briefly and smelled a few familiar scents near her. "Hello Number. Hello Sunset," she said as she turned to greet the two unicorns standing behind her. "You're the first pony that has caught my scent before I announced myself," Sunset said with a grin and flicked her tail. "I don't do it on purpose, but my smell seems to just not be that noticeable." "Maybe I just have a good nose," Wild replied. Sunset did indeed have a weaker musk to her. Phobia had complained multiple times of not being able to pick up on her mother until Sunset spoke. "We need to borrow you for a few minutes to continue our discussion from yesterday," Number said as she glanced over at the crew laying out the barrier. "We got this, little lady, go take care of what you need to," Franklin said and the rest of the crew nodded in agreement. Wild frowned in response. She did need to talk to these two, but she wanted everything to be absolutely right with this barrier. If her magic breached the barrier it could cause havoc. Her power was not something to be taken lightly and controlling the environment they worked in was exceedingly important. She didn't want to be responsible for hurting anypony by letting her magic run amok. Number walked over to her and placed a hoof on her shoulder. "The fact that you take making sure everything is right seriously is very commendable, Wild, but you can't be responsible for everything." That was easy for Number to say. Ponies couldn't get seriously injured or hurt because of anything Number did. "Alright, but I'm going to come triple check everything afterwards," Wild acquiesced. Sunset nodded and began leading them away from the fields. They walked for several minutes in silence until they were in the abandoned warehouse and industrial district. There were few ponies about in this location. That indicated that this conversation was going to touch on subjects that they'd all prefer to be kept private. As they neared one of the abandoned warehouses Sunset began speaking. "Number told me about your conversation yesterday. The two of us had a long conversation about what could be done to aid you, and how you could aid us." That last part felt like how we can take advantage of you to Wild's ears. She wasn't a fool, she knew to Sunset she was just another tool in bigger plans. She heard how her sister and Number talked about the red unicorn. She'd even listened to Tattered Wing talk about Sunset a few times with Rosetta and Phobia when they didn't realize that she was in earshot. Sunset had been good to her so far though. "And what kinds of ideas did you come up with?" Wild asked as Sunset used her magic to open a rusted metal door to the warehouse. "What I'm going to discuss with you is not to be discussed with anyone," Sunset stressed as they entered into the warehouse and Sunset shut the door behind them. "Not even any of your family. This is classified government information, and I'm only sharing with you because I hope to bring you into our inner circle to help with the good work." "You've got my silence if you can help me find ways to help my mama," Wild said. She was eager to find out exactly what she was getting herself into. "Ways of doing that will take time to develop. I promise that we'll deliver a way to help her eventually though. I just want to be sure you're not going to turn on us if this takes years," Sunset said as she looked Wild in the eyes. "You can promise results?" Wild said with a raised eyebrow. Sunset seemed to consider her answer. "I can promise that every effort will be made, and that I have an idea that seems like it is within the realm of what we can accomplish in a few years--given enough study. It's something that I think the government might be willing to support and aid us in developing, despite their disapproval of ETS." "I'll help however I can if that's the case," Wild said. "Good, now let me explain what I have in mind," Sunset said as she let out a sigh. She must have been nervous that Wild would refuse. "Sunset Shimmer was on Earth for more than twenty years, masquerading as a human. We know that whatever she used on herself was not any variation of ETS or the rehumanization spell." Wild nodded. That made sense. Sunset Shimmer would have cut herself off from using her magic if she had used a transformation spell like ETS to turn herself into a human. "After some of our associates did some questioning we learned that the Equestrians have actually had a different transformation spell for centuries," Sunset explained as she began walking around. "It isn't a spell like ETS, it doesn't actually change the core of what you are, and it wears off, often in just a few hours. A powerful unicorn like Sunset Shimmer likely had ways of maintaining it for longer periods, but even the few hour version could be of great use to us." "And the government would be okay with this spell why? It just seems like ETS-light," Wild asked with a flick of her tail. "Because it solves one of their problems as well," Number spoke up. "The rehumanization spell doesn't work on ponies with cutie marks. It wouldn't actually change a pony into a human, just give them the shape of one for a few hours, but it gives the government a way to let ponies operate as humans again for periods. Like they are taking regular doses of a medication." "And on the reverse side it would work for making a human temporarily a pony for a few hours," Sunset said as she took control again the conversation. "Mind you that this wouldn't actually cure your mother's Parkinson's, but while she was in pony form it would be like she didn't have it since her biology is actually transformed for that period. When the spell ends each time she would revert back to her human form as it was before, including the Parkinson's." It wasn't a perfect solution, but it gave her mama a chance for a more happy and productive life. "And you really think you can develop this and that the government will be okay with it?" Sunset nodded with enthusiasm. "The Equestrians have known this spell for centuries and it is well documented over there. The government wants us to learn to be able to do anything they can do, they fear having all that power in the possession of a foreign power like Equestria without the United States being able to match it. Plus, they get their human-shaped ponies out if it. What do I care what physical shape a pony is in as long as they are actually a pony?" It seemed like a good route to take, one that would make everyone happy. Most of all it could help her mom. She looked back at Sunset and raised a hoof out to her. "I'm in. What do you need from me?" Rosetta paced around the living room swatting her tail at nothing with each turn as her fiancée and future father-in-law trying to calm her. "Rosetta, I'll be okay for a few hours. You don't have to watch over me constantly. Dad will be right here anyway," Phobia said calmly as she gestured with a wing to the sickly-colored green unicorn. Rosetta stopped and laid her ears back and restrained herself from growling. "I don't like leaving your side for any period of time." "You have to give her some space. You can be as smothering as every other person too," Tom said as he watched the exchange. "But John is still out there somewhere," Rosetta whinnied in frustration and anger at Tom. "He could come back at any time and hurt her again." "That's highly doubtful, and I'll be right here to watching her anyway," Tom said with sigh. He then looked pleadingly at her. "You know that the two of you need to be earning an income, you have a baby on the way, and Phobia is not going to be up to work for a while. You need to go do this interview, for the good of your family." "I don't know why you are suddenly pushing me on this, Dad," Rosetta snapped back. "Up until yesterday you were as adamant as me about keeping her guarded. Now all the sudden you are joining in the chorus your wife started about me needing to get a job. Since when do you take her side?" Tom frowned and looked down at the floor with his ears lowered. "I've reconsidered the level of danger Swift Strike presents. I don't think he'll be back. I think it's time for you two to get back to living your lives." Rosetta narrowed her brow and swished her tail violently. "What did Sunset Blessing say to you that convinced you of that? I see no reason to let my guard down." Tom let off a sad chuckle. "It's funny how you feel comfortable calling me dad but refuse to give Charlotte the same dignity. Not that I blame you, but it's a funny observation." "She makes my fur stand on end, she creeps me out," Rosetta said as she did one final swat with her tail and let it fall still. "She and I strongly disagree on almost everything," Tom said as if he was sucking on a lemon. His comment was a definite understatement, "but we both want the best for the two of you. She and I agree that you getting out of the house and trying for this position would be good for you, and for Phobia by extension. That's why Charlotte pulled strings to get you included in the interviews for teachers." "I never worked as a teacher before, I'm not sure I'm qualified. Plus, I sleep in the afternoons, that makes teaching day ponies and humans pretty hard," Rosetta said as she searched for excuses about why this was a bad idea. "There will probably be night pony foals that need teaching, and human children that some parents might prefer to put into night classes for whatever reason. You could also do half days," Phobia suggested. "You want to teach at a university, this is a good opportunity for you to get your hooves wet on that." Rosetta looked at Phobia and started flicking her tail again. "Sometimes I wish you would be less supportive." Phobia stood up and walked over to her. Once Phobia was close she gave Rosetta a kiss and rubbed her nose against Rosetta's before backing up a step. "I'll be okay with just Dad watching me, I'm not made of glass. You know we need the money, and can't keep relying on your sister for everything," Phobia said in a tone firmer than the expression on her face. "Are you sure? If John comes back and kills you I'll be very angry at you," Rosetta pouted. "I'll be fine," Phobia said again with a forced smile that Rosetta didn't buy. "Just go to this interview and come right back home to me. Maybe today after getting out you'll make more progress with my nightmares." Rosetta snorted. "Not likely. Luna told me yesterday that she's busy today, and I'm going to have a substitute teacher today." Phobia gave her a baffled look. "Substitute teacher? Who would be able to sub in for Luna?" Rosetta gave Tom a wary glance and talked in a hushed voice. "One of your coworkers. Apparently she spent a lot more time with about three of them and those ones are fully trained. I'm not sure which one though." "Really?" Phobia said in amazement. "I really need to get back to functioning so I can catch up." "What kind of coworkers are these?" Tom asked as he glanced between the couple. Rosetta looked at Phobia for Phobia to give an answer. Phobia looked over at her dad and gave him a shake of her head. "I can't talk to you about it, Dad. I can tell you that it's really important work and that you would probably approve of some aspects of it and really wish you didn't know about other aspects. Let's just say this is strictly night pony business, but I won't have any chance of getting hurt doing it." "Why does everyone in this family have to be so secretive," Tom humphed in frustration as he crossed his forelegs. "Isn't that supposed to be one of those big positives about being a pony that you all try to drill in me? That we're all supposed to be open and honest with one another?" "Sorry Dad, but secrets keep us safe. In this case secrets keep me safe," Phobia said apologetically. She turned back to Rosetta. "You know what you're supposed to do with whoever it is, right? You're subject to the same rules as every other dreamwalker." Tom shook his head in frustration and walked out of the room. After he was clear of the room Rosetta resumed her conversation with her fiancée. "I repeated what I was supposed to say about a hundred times for Luna yesterday. I won't have any problems reciting it all off," Rosetta affirmed. Luna may really have had her say it a hundred times, she lost track of how many times she had to repeat the Oaths of the Dreamwardens before Luna was satisfied that she wouldn't screw it up. The Dreamwardens were supposed to be very strict about the Oaths being said to them, even though it didn't seem like oaths being said, and there were consequences to misspeaking them. The only one of the Oaths she was sure she got right each and every time from the start was the one for Phobia, fear of the Wardens keeps us safe. "Go on, go to the interview and hopefully we'll talk when we sleep together," Phobia said as she gestured to the door. Rosetta lowered her ears in defeat and nodded. "Alright, just because you insist. Just make sure you keep safe with me gone." Phobia gave her another kiss. "I will, now go impress them with all your history knowledge." Rosetta wasn't sure that was enough to qualify her for teaching foals, but she'd give it her best shot.