//------------------------------//
// Chapter Ten: Expansion 
// Story: CRISIS: New World Order 
// by GanonFLCL 
//------------------------------//

And so it was that Rarity and her friends, both new and old, needed to spend two months—and some days, as Sundial always made sure to add—essentially locked up in Goldridge’s old checkpoint building, their only protection from the raging thunderblizzards outside. If this had been the situation twenty-one years ago, Rarity believed that she would have surely gone crazy with cabin fever within a week. Not that she didn’t love her friends, but at the time, tensions had been a little high between Fluttershy’s injury, Tick Tock’s distrust of Starlight Shadow and her sisters, and Rainbow Dash’s growing frustrations with the situation.

Now, things were different. Rarity’s company was as diverse and colorful as before, but there weren’t any needless arguments raging back and forth over inconsequential things. And, most importantly, they had a way to keep in touch with those back home, thanks to Sundial and Clockwork coming together to make such a thing possible. Considering that a desperate need to get home was the largest contributor to everypony’s irritation before, this was a welcome—and convenient—change of pace.

Rarity entered into Sundial’s “office”, so to speak, accompanied by Apple Bloom and Bluebolt. Twilight had gotten back to Sundial with a schedule of sorts that worked for everypony so that it wasn’t a total mess for all of those involved, as even with the prospect of checking in with Rarity, Bloom, and Flurry, those back home did still have lives to manage. Rarity wouldn’t expect them to drop everything just to check up on them, not when they had plenty of opportunity to do so over the next two months.

Today, sometime after dinner, they had scheduled the first meeting with Applejack and her family. Fluttershy—the only other one of Rarity’s friends still living in Ponyville—would be joining them. They had other meetings scheduled, of course, but this was just the first of many, not just overall but specifically with Applejack and company.

Thus, Sundial switched on her monitor and stepped aside to give room, and Clockwork did the same on his end after a brief exchange with Sundial. Rarity, Apple Bloom, and Bluebolt were greeted with the friendly, familiar sight of some of their friends and family back home. Considering that Rarity knew Fluttershy was supposed to be here, too, she was curious as to why only Applejack and Flathoof were on the other end at the moment.

Applejack hadn’t changed too much over the years, but had taken to wearing Granny Smith’s shawl after she had passed away. She was still as robust as ever, as age had barely taken its toll on her at all, not even so much as a wrinkle or gray hair to show for it. How she managed it, Rarity had no idea, but it had inspired no small amount of jealousy over the years.

Flathoof—a bright red earth pony stallion with a blond mane—had grown bigger after years of working on Sweet Apple Acres, though he still wasn’t quite as full-bodied as Big Macintosh. He wore a brown work vest and a matching stetson hat of his own, which Rarity had made for his birthday shortly before he and Applejack had gotten married. He still had his artificial right foreleg, though he’d gotten it restyled years ago to look more “traditional” so that it would fit in with the farm’s aesthetic.

“Rarity! Apple Bloom!” Applejack exclaimed, getting her face just a little too close to the monitor. “Y’all have no idea how glad I am ta see ya. We’ve been worried sick over here waitin’ ta hear anythin’ 'bout what happened ta ya.”

“It’s a delight to see you too, darling,” Rarity with a polite wave. “I’m terribly sorry we’ve made you worry so much—”

“We’re doin’ just great, sis!” Bloom interjected, also getting a little too close to the monitor. “Just wait ‘til ya hear about all o’ the neat stuff I’ve seen 'n' done! I got ta meet a bunch o’ kirins, an’ we got ta travel through some mountains, an’—”

“Whoa whoa whoa, kiddo,” Flathoof chuckled. “Easy now, you don’t need to unload all of that on us at once, okay? Just take it slow and keep it simple if there’s something you want to share.”

“Yeah, save all the stories fer when ya make it home safe 'n' sound, y’hear?” Applejack added. “We’re just here ta make sure y’all’re okay o’er there, an’ ta let ya know that we’re all okay o’er here. This ain’t like no family reunion.”

“So, I heard that you’re gonna be stuck over there in my neck of the woods for a couple of months, huh?” Flathoof said, glancing at Rarity. “Guess it’s a good thing that you’re at least in familiar territory, right?”

“Indeed it is,” Rarity said with a nod. “Though things certainly have changed a lot over here in the past twenty-one years, so it’s not quite as ‘familiar’. The Wastelands aren’t called that anymore, for example, now they’re called the Great Expanse. There’s actual grass out here under all this snow! It’s incredible.”

Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Wow, really? Grass? Shucks, that might’ve been nice ta have back when we were starvin’ fer food 'n' all. Grass ain’t exactly tasty but it’s better’n nothin’.”

“I had a similar sentiment, darling. Though we haven’t exactly needed it, luckily. Sundial’s been a positively wonderful guide.”

“This world’s really neat, sis,” Bloom added. “I know ya told me stories 'n' all that but it’s really cool seein’ how things’re different from how ya said they were back when y’all came through here. Them volcanoes ya talked about ain’t eruptin’ all the time anymore, and ya already heard 'bout all the snow 'n' stuff.”

Flathoof smirked. “Well shoot, I’m actually getting a little misty-eyed hearing how things are improving back home like that.” He tilted his head slightly to the side, noticing Bluebolt. “And who’s that with you, by the way? Sorry, I only just noticed.”

Bloom brightened and practically yanked Bluebolt front-and-center into frame. “This is our new friend, Bluebolt! She’s a princess.”

Bluebolt gave a little wave. “Hello. It’s really nice to meet you both, Aunt Applejack, Uncle Flathoof.”

Applejack and Flathoof balked. “Did… didja just call me ‘Aunt’?” Applejack asked.

“Yes ma’am, I did,” Bluebolt said with a smile and a nod.

Flathoof’s grin brightened. “Holy horseapples, no way. You’re Blackburn and Lockwood’s daughter, aren’t you?”

Bluebolt glanced at Rarity, eyebrow raised. “Everypony’s really quick on the draw on that, aren’t they? You figured it out pretty much immediately. What gives?”

“It’s those lovely eyes of yours, darling,” Rarity said. “You have your father’s eyes through and through.”

“Hoowee, ain’t this a fine how-d’ya-do?” Applejack whistled. “I mean, we all figured that Blackburn 'n' Lockwood would have had kids o’ their own eventually, but we never thought we’d ever have a chance ta meet 'em.”

“See? I told ya they’d be tickled pink,” Bloom said, nudging Bluebolt gently.

“It really is a pleasure to meet you guys,” Bluebolt said with a bright smile. “I’ve heard so much about you, but it’s nice to finally put a face to the stories, y’know? An old photograph or two just doesn’t cut it after twenty years.”

“You’re twenty?” Flathoof asked.

“Uh, yes sir. Just celebrated my birthday last month.”

A coy grin spread on Flathoof’s face. “Shoot, I guess they couldn’t wait until we got out of the way before they got started, huh? Wait a second…” His eyes widened. “If you’re already twenty, that means they didn’t even wait until the wedding! That sly sonuva—”

Applejack laughed and clapped Flathoof on the back. “Y’know, that doesn’t really surprise me one bit. After seein’ those two together, I’d be more surprised if they waited more’n a few months.”

“Apple Bloom tells me you guys have kids of your own?” Bluebolt said, barely containing a grin. “I’d love to hear about them, if you don’t mind sharing.”

Applejack brightened immensely. “Shoot, now I know why Twilight tol’ me ta bring the young’uns wit’ us. I was wonderin’ 'bout it the whole way up here. Not that they wouldn’t like ta see that Apple Bloom was okay 'n' all, but it just seemed really odd that she asked that in particular.”

Bluebolt gasped, hooves to her mouth. “You mean they’re there with you? I can meet them?”

“Sure as shootin’, sugarcube! Fluttershy’s been keepin’ 'em busy outside while we had  this lil’ talk, jus’ waitin’ her turn 'n' all.”

Rarity nodded and smiled. “Ah, I was wondering where Fluttershy was. Twilight said she was going to come along with you, so I was a bit concerned.”

“I’ll go fetch her, hon,” Flathoof said, giving Applejack a peck on the cheek before heading off screen.

Applejack shook her head. “Y’know, when I heard y’all got sucked inta some other world again, I was terrified,” she said, looking at Rarity, then Apple Bloom. “More when I heard mah sister got taken wit’ ya. Ain’t right that y’all had ta go through all that again, that’s what I thought. I’m glad ta hear that things’re different o’er there now.”

“Oh, we’re going to have so many stories to tell you all when we get back, darling. You wouldn’t believe the half of it,” Rarity tittered.

“I can’t wait ta tell ya all about mah adventures!” Bloom said with a big grin.

Flathoof walked back into frame at this point, accompanied by Fluttershy and three younger ponies—two fillies and a colt. Fluttershy hadn’t changed much over the years, only adjusting her mane style so that it was no longer flowing long and free, but kept tied in little ribbons that kept it out of the way. She did always tend to look a little more tired than usual, lately, but seemed fine otherwise. Maybe a little thinner than Rarity remembered.

The younger ponies wasted no time in hopping all over the display, Applejack, Flathoof, and one another, excited by all the shiny lights and bright colors. So, while Applejack and Flathoof tried to rein in their children, Fluttershy had a moment to take a breather and sit down in front of the monitor herself.

Fluttershy brightened when she saw Rarity looking back at her. “Hi, Rarity. You’re looking well.”

Rarity smiled back. “Thank you, dear, as are you.” She gestured lightly towards the energetic young ponies. “Foalsitting duty again?”

“As usual,” Fluttershy said, rolling her eyes. “It’s like when I used to take care of—” She paused, glancing at Apple Bloom who was giving her a coy grin, then cleared her throat. “They’re just a little excited because they haven’t been to Canterlot in a while. You should’ve seen them on the train ride over here.”

“Oh, I can imagine.”

Applejack finally managed to get the young ones to calm down by slamming her hoof on the ground loudly and shouting: “Alright, ya lil’ varmints, if ya don’t settle down right now we’re gettin’ back on that train an’ y’all ain’t gettin’ any treats when we get home!”

The three young ponies immediately stopped what they were doing and fell into line. “Sorry, mama,” they all said together.

“That’s better. Now, if y’all behave yerselves, I’ve got a big surprise fer ya. Can y’all behave yerselves?”

They all brightened at the prospect of a surprise, and nodded obiently.

“Good. Now come on o’er here.” Applejack led the three young ones into seats of their own, then gestured towards the screen, specifically at Bluebolt. “Kids, I’d like ya ta meet yer cousin, Bluebolt.”

Bluebolt smiled and gave a little wave. “Hello.”

The three young ponies all waved back, their eyes wide. The oldest—a red-coated filly, no more than twelve, with a blonde mane and a cutie mark of an apple covered in honey—spoke first: “I didn’t know we had any cousins besides Gala, mama.”

“Well, y’know how Gala’s Uncle Macintosh’s daughter?” Applejack explained. “This here is Uncle Lockwood’s daughter. I know ya never met ‘im, but y’all remember everythin’ yer daddy told ya 'bout ‘im, right?”

“Oh wow!” The filly waved more vigorously. “Nice ta meet ya, Cousin Bluebolt. Mah daddy says yer daddy’s a king or somethin’!”

“Nice to meet you too, Cousin…” Bluebolt trailed off, then gave a nervous smile. “Bloom mentioned your names when we met, so hang on, let me put some names to faces. Let’s see, you’re the oldest… that was Honeycrisp?”

The filly—Honeycrisp—smiled and nodded. “Yup! That’s me!”

Bluebolt turned to the colt next. His coat was light red and his mane was light green, he didn’t have his cutie mark yet, and looked to be about ten. “And you’re the only colt, that would make you… Jazz Apple?”

The colt—Jazz Apple—nodded as well. “Nice to meet you, Cousin Bluebolt.”

Bluebolt then looked to the younger filly, whose coat was a bright green and whose mane was blonde, also without a cutie mark. She looked about seven. “And the youngest was… Ginger Gold?”

The youngest filly bounced up in her seat and waved excitedly. “Yep yep! Nice ta meet ya, Cousin Bluebolt!”

“I’m really liking the sound of ‘cousin’, y’know?” Bluebolt said to Apple Bloom.

“It’s got a nice ring, don’t it?” Bloom replied with a smile. She turned to the monitor now and waved at the young ones. “Hey kids! How’re y’all doin’?”

“Hi Aunt Bloom!” Honeycrisp greeted. “We’re doin’ just fine, thanks! How’s yer vacation?”

“Oh, uh, mah vacation’s goin’ just fine. It’s really snowy where we are right now, so we’re stuck indoors. But it sure is nice gettin’ ta meet yer cousin. Pretty soon we’re gonna go on a lil’ trip ta go meet yer Aunt Blackburn 'n' Uncle Lockwood, 'n' all yer other aunts 'n' uncles 'n' cousins, too.”

“Wowww…” Jazz said with wide-eyed wonder. “I didn’t know we had such a big family.”

“Well, I’ll tell ya all 'bout 'em when I get back from vacation, y’hear?”

Ginger let out a loud yawn. “I can’t wait ta hear it.”

Applejack smirked. “Uh-oh, looks like somepony’s tired. Been a mighty long day today, hasn’t it?”

“Aww, we’re not tired mama—” Jazz tried to say, interrupting himself with a yawn. “Shoot.”

Flathhoof grinned, and scooped Ginger up onto his back. “C’mon, kids, it’s getting late and we have a train to catch tomorrow morning. Let’s go get some shuteye.”

Honeycrisp, who was clearly fighting off a yawn herself, turned back to the monitor. “It was nice—” And there was the yawn. “—meetin’ ya, Cousin Bluebolt.”

“You too, Honeycrisp,” Bluebolt said with a smile. “Have a good night!”

Applejack turned to the monitor as she helped Flathoof escort their kids out. “Rarity, Apple Bloom, y’all take o’ yerselves out there, y’hear?”

“We will, darling,” Rarity said with a smile. “You do the same, okay?”

“Yeah, we don’t wanna come back an’ find out y’all had somethin’ bad happened ta ya while we were gone,” Bloom said, shaking her hoof.

Applejack smiled, nodded, and she and her family headed off screen, leaving just Fluttershy behind.

Fluttershy let out a breath of relief, then looked at the monitor, specifically at Bluebolt. “So, you’re Lockwood’s daughter, huh?”

Bluebolt nodded. “That’s right. And you’re… Fluttershy? My dad told me quite a lot about you, actually.”

“He did? Like what?”

Bluebolt tugged her collar. “Well, let’s just keep it simple and say that my dad still regrets letting things get out of hoof way back when, and hopes you can forgive him for not being honest with you. That’s the most I can really say about it since my mom wants to just put it all behind her.”

Fluttershy gave a short laugh. “It’s okay, I’ve gotten over it. I think I’ll always have feelings for your father, Bluebolt, but I’ve moved on with my life. Besides, I made my own mistakes during that whole situation, so I won’t let Lockwood take all of the blame for how things happened. That’s something he’d do.”

“I have my own share of guilt about the whole thing,” Rarity admitted sheepishly. “We were all young and foolish back then, weren’t we?”

“How is he, though?” Fluttershy asked. “Lockwood, I mean.”

“I mean, he’s always seemed fine to me,” Bluebolt said with a smile and a shrug. “I can’t really be the judge of how he compares to how you knew him way back then.”

Rarity patted Bluebolt’s shoulder. “It’s alright, darling, I’ll be the judge of that sort of thing when we get the chance to see him.”

“Tell him I said ‘hi’,” Fluttershy said with a weak smile. “Be careful out there, Rarity. You too, Apple Bloom.”

Rarity smiled back. “We will, darling. Go on, get some sleep. You look exhausted.”


*****


Sundial and Flurry Heart came down the stairs into the main den area sometime between breakfast and lunch one day, a little bit of extra pep in their step. The two had become quite close over the week en route to Goldridge, and more so with every day spent in the old checkpoint building. They headed into the dining room, chatting away all the while like they’d known each other for years. They were otherwise alone at the moment.

“So, what do ye think he wants?” Sundial asked as they took some seats at the table.

Flurry shrugged. “I don’t know, but he seemed insistent so it must be important to him. And if it is, I’m more than happy to help him however I can.”

“Aye, I can agree ta that. Still, why here in the dining room?” Sundial looked around to make sure nopony was hiding anywhere. “And why just the two o’ us?”

“Well, I mean, he sees us as his friends, doesn’t he? Or at least the ones he can trust the most. Maybe he wants to run whatever this is by us first before he talks to anypony else about it?”

Sundial scratched her chin. “Aye, could be. Lad’s always got a bit o’ mystery about him, so this doesn’t come as much surprise. Still, I wish he would start being a little more open, aye?”

A moment later, Weaver came out of the kitchen. He wasn’t wearing his old uniform, but a more casual, presentable shirt and not much else, just enough to keep tensions low with Tick Tock and to get him accustomed to everyday clothing. He also had an apron on, which was the first surprising thing.

The second was that he carried a small tray in his mouth, atop of which were two small bowls filled with some sort of liquid and what looked like chopped celery. He set the tray down between Sundial and Flurry, then gestured for them to take the bowls for themselves, all without uttering a single word.

“What’s this?” Flurry asked as she took hers, eyeing it curiously.

“Soup,” Weaver said.

“We can see that it’s soup, lad,” Sundial said as she sniffed at hers. It wasn’t an unpleasant smell, but it wasn’t exactly mouthwatering. “She meant more ‘why is there soup?’, aye?

Weaver tilted his head. “Oh. There is soup because I made soup.”

Sundial and Flurry both looked at Weaver at once. “You made this?” Flurry asked, bright-eyed.

“Yes.”

Flurry smiled. “And let me guess: you wanted us to try it first?”

“Yes.”

Sundial laughed. “Och, why didn’t ye say so, lad? There’s no need for ye ta act all dodgy if ye just wanted us ta try some soup ye made, ye could’ve just asked. Why are ye making soup, though?”

“I wanted to learn,” Weaver said, looking mildly embarrassed. “It is a skill I do not possess. It is beneficial to expand one’s skill set.”

“Well, we’d be happy to try some,” Flurry said. She took the provided spoon and scooped up a spoonful for herself, and slurped it down with a smile on her face. “Hmm…” she muttered, her smile faltering ever-so-slightly.

Sundial followed suit, taking a spoonful of the stuff and slurping it down. The taste wasn’t anything special, truth be told. It was just a rather plain celery soup, though it was a little too watery, with not quite enough other vegetables to enrich the flavor, and it might have needed just a little something extra. But it wasn’t bad. It would be serviceable for a camping trip.

“How is it?” Weaver asked, a little twinge of eagerness in his voice.

Flurry spoke first. “It’s good. I liked it. I’m not usually much for soups, so I’m probably not the greatest judge—”

“Don’t beat around the bush, lass,” Sundial said, giving Flurry a gentle nudge. She turned to Weaver. “It wasn’t bad, Weaver. I’d take it if offered, aye, but I wouldn’t pay for it. It’s not bad though, which is more than I can say for my own attempts in the kitchen.”

Weaver stiffened just slightly. “I see. Hmm…”

Pewter, who Sundial just noticed had been watching from the kitchen doorway, stepped out into the dining room. “Well? How did it go?”

Weaver gave him a brief look, then turned his attention back to the bowls of soup, hoof to his chin in thought. “It was ‘not bad’.”

“Ah, the dreaded ‘not bad’, huh?” Pewter said, patting Weaver’s back and smiling politely. He gave a little knowing look at Sundial. “For a chef, that’s about as useful as telling an artist their painting ‘looks good’.”

Sundial huffed. “Aye, well, I didn’t want ta hurt the lad’s feelings—”

“Then tell him what you honestly thought of his offering, Sundial. The only way a chef can learn is if he has honest opinions from his audience. Save the sugar-coating for the cookies.”

Flurry cleared her throat. “Um… okay, well, there wasn’t really a lot of flavor to it. The chef we have at the palace makes this wonderful vegetable soup that has a very striking taste—”

“I thought ye said ye weren’t much for soups, lass?” Sundial asked, giving Flurry a coy smile.

Flurry blushed. “Oh, um… wh-what I meant was—”

“Go on, lass, I’m just teasing ye. Tell it like it is, aye?”

“R-right.” Flurry took a breath. “Your soup was lacking in the flavor department. I could taste the vegetables—or rather, the celery—and not much else.” She gave a nervous smile. “I”m sorry, Weaver.”

Sundial rolled her eyes, then turned to Weaver herself. “I think it’s a wee bit watery, aye? Like drinking water with some chopped veg in it. Also, the veg was chopped a wee bit too big, so I was chewing a lot more than I was drinking. And really lad, just celery?”

Weaver frowned and nodded. “I see…”

Pewter set his hoof on Weaver’s shoulder. “Hey now, don’t get down, son. Your friends are telling you what’s wrong with the dish, so you just need to parse that out and figure out how to make it right.”

“Hmm…” Weaver nodded and considered their words for a moment. “Soup was too watery, needs more thickening agents. Perhaps potatoes for starch?”

“Good, good. That’ll give the soup a heartier composition, too, and a little more flavor and variety.”

“Soup was also ‘plain’, needs more flavor. Additional vegetables: carrots, onions?”

“Good choices. Also, consider some spices. Vegetable soup is more than just broth and vegetables. What spices do you think would be best, hmm?” 

Weaver pondered this. “Garlic. Pepper. Salt.”

“Good choices, very good. A solid standard base for most dishes, soup included. Might I also suggest some tomato juice?”

Weaver nodded. “Adds additional flavor, provides further thickening as well as color. Or perhaps parsley, celery leaves? Compliments potatoes?”

“Yes, that could work too. See? I knew you were paying attention last night.”

Sundial raised an eyebrow. “Last night?”

Pewter grinned and nudged Weaver gently. “This young colt was watching me cook dinner last night, and very intently I might add. I figured that he wanted to learn, so I made a bit of a show of things and talked to myself more than usual. He even approached me after dinner to ask for lessons.”

Flurry brightened and looked approvingly at Weaver. “Really?”

Weaver, looking more than a little embarrassed, nodded. “Yes. As said, it is a skill I do not possess, and expanding my skill set is important.”

“Is that all there is ta this then, lad?” Sundial asked, tilting her head. “Just expanding yer skills?”

Weaver hesitated a moment, then shook his head. “No. I also find it… calming.”

Sundial smiled. “Ye mean ye enjoy it?”

“I am not sure. I have never… ‘enjoyed’ something before.”

“Well then, why do ye find it calming?”

Weaver considered this. “Usually my food comes from foraging and eating raw materials during the year, plus provided Dolor rations in winter when food is scarce.”

Flurry raised an eyebrow. “Dolor? What’s that?”

Pewter made a face of disgust. “Synthetic food manufactured up in New Pandemonium. Up until the city went on lockdown they used to supplement it with food from the south that got shipped in on occasion, but these days it’s all they’ve got up there to eat.”

“Awful junk, that stuff is,” Sundial agreed. “Some ponies do good work with the stuff, but now that we’ve got real fruits and veg up here, nopony touches the stuff if they don’t have ta, aye?”

“Correct,” Weaver said. “Hence my learning to cook. It is a practical skill, makes use of raw materials for a heartier meal. Heartier meals provide more nutrition which improves physical health.”

“But ye said ye found it calming too, aye?”

Weaver tilted his head. “Yes. It is relaxing. The smells and tastes make me feel… soothed.”

“Aye, so that means ye enjoy it.”

Pewter nodded and patted Weaver’s shoulder. “That’s how I feel when I cook, too. But more than enjoying the cooking itself, I enjoy the sight of my friends and family enjoying the fruits of my labor. That’s the real joy of cooking.”

Weaver pondered this. “I think that I would ‘enjoy’ if my friends liked my cooking.”

Flurry clapped her hooves together. “Oh my goodness, this is wonderful. You’ve found something you enjoy?”

Weaver gave her a tiny smile. “Yes. I suppose I have.”

Sundial pushed her bowl towards Weaver. “Well then, what are ye waiting for, lad? Go put those lessons o’ yers ta work and whip us up another bowl, aye?”

Weaver looked at the soup, then glanced at Sundial and Flurry as his smile widened slightly. Without another word, he took the bowls back onto the tray, and with Pewter at his side he walked back into the kitchen.

“I’m very proud of him…” Flurry said softly, a smile on her face. “I’m so glad that we gave him this chance. He’s doing so much with it already.”

“Aye, that he is,” Sundial agreed. “He’s starting ta talk more often, he’s emoting more, and if ye can believe it, I think I’m starting ta see a wee bit o’ personality there, aye? He was a broken lad when we found him, but we’re fixing him right up, lass.”

Flurry sighed. “Still, there’s something missing, I think.”

Sundial raised an eyebrow. “Aye? What’s that?”

“I don’t know, exactly. He’s doing all of these things but it feels like he’s just doing them because they serve a practical purpose, or like he needs to do them to gain our approval or something. Even if he enjoys things like cooking, he didn’t learn it except to better survive out there in the wilderness.”

“Hmm… aye, ye’ve got a point, lass. Ye think he’s missing some kind o’ purpose?”

“More like… hope. Hope for the future, or rather, his future. I don’t know, I just think there’s something missing—” She then paused to let out a huge yawn. “Oh, s-sorry.”

“Didn’t sleep well, lass?” Sundial asked with a smile.

“Oh, um… no. I had a bit of a bad dream, I think, so I woke up a little earlier than I wanted to.”

“Aye? Well, I’m no psychologist, but I’m yer friend. So, if ye want ta talk about it, I'm all ears.” She glanced around to make sure nopony was listening, then whispered: “Was it about, ah… y’know, the thing with Kauldron? Because look, lass, we’ve talked about that—”

“No, it wasn’t that. I’m not exactly over that, but I haven’t had any bad dreams about it.” Flurry took a deep breath. “I’m not sure what the dream was, to be honest. I was standing out in an open field. There was grass everywhere. Beautiful, green grass. But the ground was soaked with red.” She frowned. “Blood, I think.”

Sundial, concerned, set her hoof on Flurry’s shoulder. “Anything else?”

“I heard screaming. Off in the distance, not nearby. Lots of screaming. Hundreds or even thousands of screams. Not terrified screams, really. More like there was a lot of fighting going on, but I couldn’t see it. And the sky was just black. No stars, no clouds, nothing. Just black.

“But that was all I could see or hear. By itself it doesn’t sound too scary, but there was just this… feeling in the back of my head. Like a sense of dread, but I don’t know what from. And it got worse, and worse… and then I woke up.”

Sundial leaned back in her seat and considered this. “Is this the first time ye’ve had this dream, lass? Usually with these sorts o’ things, it’s recurring, aye?”

Flurry paused, then shook her head. “No… I’ve been having them for a while now. Not every night or anything, just the past few weeks. I think the first one was actually before Kauldron, come to think of it.”

“And ye never mentioned this ta anypony else?”

“No, I don’t want to worry anypony. Rarity and Apple Bloom need to keep their spirits up. I don’t know Bluebolt, Symphony, or Venture all that well.” Flurry gave Sundial a brief smile. “But you, you’re different. You don’t let anything worry you, Sundial. So, I feel safe telling this to you.”

Sundial took a breath, then gave Flurry a smile back. “Well, I’m glad ye trust me then, lass. If ye ever feel the need ta talk about these nightmares o’ yers, I’m always willing ta listen. I’ll give it some thought though, see if I can figure it out. Aye?”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”


*****


Rarity and Bluebolt followed Sundial into her “office”—Rarity had yet to think of a better term for the odd little pocket dimension and disliked Sundial’s odd name for it: TARDIS—late one afternoon, before dinnertime, as they had another “check-in” scheduled for the evening. Rarity rather wished they could’ve found a way to make it work so everypony could be there at once—maybe for their monthly meeting—but at least these individual visits were less cluttered with all the faces present on both ends. No trying to decide who should speak when or to whom.

When Sundial flipped on her monitor, Rarity was greeted by three familiar faces bearing bright smiles.

Pinkie Pie, of course, looked just like she had when Rarity had left her at the train station way back before all of this happened, as if she hadn’t lost a single ounce of pep. If anything, from how much brighter she got when she saw Rarity on the other end of the screen, she’d somehow become more peppy than before.

Rainbow Dash, who’d grown out her mane a little and started modeling it after her old role model, Spitfire, was otherwise nearly as ecstatic. She looked like a proper professional these days in that official Wonderbolt dress uniform. Rarity always teased her that she looked better flying in that ensemble than that dreadfully simple blue and gold flight suit. Hence why she’d wanted to offer suggestions for an alteration to the uniforms.

Rarity hadn’t expected Briarthorn to participate in any of these meetings—he and Rarity weren’t exactly close—but she’d brought Bluebolt along today when she found out he would be here. Rarity was still astounded how young he looked even after all these years. His gold coat still had a healthy shine, though his darker gold mane was just starting to gray a little—he had claimed it made him look “distinguished”. He sported a little goatee these days that Rarity felt was terribly tacky, but at least his instructor’s uniform was crisp and neat.

“Rarity! Ohmigosh! I’m so happy to see you!” Pinkie cheered, pulling a noisemaker out of her mane to celebrate. “We heard all about what happened, and we got really worried, but then Twilight said you were okay, and look! You’re okay! You look great, by the way, much better than ‘okay’.”

Rarity nodded and smiled. “It’s good to see you too, Pinkie Pie, and thank you. We had a little bit of a rough start, but things have smoothed out tremendously now.” She turned towards Rainbow and gave her a coy grin. “Rainbow Dash, I see that you’ve managed to pull yourself away from your busy Wonderbolts schedule all for me, hmm?”

“Well duh, Rares, of course I would,” Rainbow scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Just don’t let it go to your head, though. I pushed back a show by a few days to make this little meeting happen, just so you know. Not because I’m worried about you or anything, but because I’m sure you just couldn’t wait to hear how I was holding up.”

“Don’t believe a thing she says, she’s been worried sick,” Pinkie chimed in, trying to hide her mouth behind a hoof in a conspiratorial whisper. She put her hoof on the wrong side, naturally. “The second she heard about you, she came flying home to see if there was anything she could to help. Like, the instant it happened. Rainboom and everything. BOOM! All the way from Fillydelphia in less than a minute,”

Rainbow rubbed her nose, embarrassed. “Yeah, whatever, only because I thought I’d missed out on a cool butt-kicking adventure while Rarity got to go, of all ponies.”

“She was up all night crying afterwards.”

“Pinkie, c’mon! You’re totally blowing my cool here!”

Rarity giggled. “It’s quite alright, Rainbow, you’re still ‘cool’ in my book.” She turned to Briarthorn. “And Briarthorn, I’m glad you could make it. This is certainly a surprise.”

Briarthorn gave Rarity a brisk, friendly salute. “Of course! Just checking to make sure everything’s okay, y’know? I heard you’re treading around my old stomping grounds and all that so I figured if you needed a little advice, a little know-how, a little nudge somewhere, that there was nopony better to offer it.”

“We’re quite well situated with a guide already, dear,” Rarity said, perhaps too quickly, “but thank you for your offer.”

“Hey hey, don’t sweat it. Just know that I expect stories when you get back, eh? I’ve just gotta know how the old hometown’s doing these days, and how all my old flames are smoldering… no, burning. Igniting? No no, that’s not it. Whatever, you know what I mean. There’s a word I’m looking for here…”

“Yes, well, I’m sure you’ll think of it.” Rarity turned back to Rainbow and Pinkie. “I’m glad you were able to make it. I’ve missed all of you just terribly, and I hope that my absence there hasn’t been too damaging on anything or anypony.”

Pinkie waved her hoof dismissively. “Pshaw! Pshaw, I say! We’re handling things just fine over here. It’s not like last time, y’know? The world’s not falling apart because it lost its Element of Generosity. I mean, we’re worried about you and all, and we want you home as soon as possible, but you can take your time to make sure you get here safe. No silly shortcuts, got it?”

“Yeah, we heard you’re stuck at Goldridge for the rest of the winter?” Rainbow said. She shook her head. “That bites. Stuck inside for two whole months sounds like a nightmare. I couldn’t do it, I’ll tell you that much. I’d need to get out and spread my wings! Total cabin fever vibe going on, y’know?”

Rarity smirked. “Yes, well, considering how you said your trip through the old Belt of Tranquility went, darling, I think even you wouldn’t take your chances with these dreadful thunderblizzards. They’re just like the Belt was, but they’re freezing cold to boot. And they’re simply everywhere.”

“Oh yeah? Well, that was Old Rainbow. This is New Rainbow, and New Rainbow is just plain better. Catch the wave, y’know?”

Pinkie raised an eyebrow. “But Dashie, you’re old Rainbow now. You’re like forty-two, remember? We just celebrated your birthday a month ago. There was a stripper in the cake and everything.” She gave Rarity a sidelong glance. “It was me. I was the stripper.”

Rainbow glowered at Pinkie. “Gee, thanks for reminding me, babe, I almost forgot that I’m getting older.”

“You’re welcome!” Pinkie looked back to Rarity, not an ounce of pep lost. “Oh hey! Insipid’s been worried sick too, just so you know. And Red, of course. I mean, we all are, but those two are pretty worried, what with knowing where you ended up and everything, and since they see you the most what with living here in Canterlot.”

Rarity frowned. “Are they? Oh dear. Well, Twilight said that she was going to be sending Spike over to help Insipid watch my boutique until I returned, but that was almost a week ago. Has he arrived yet? I certainly hope so. Even Twilight isn’t that absent-minded.”

“Oh yeah, of course he did! Insipid loves having him around and all, but that doesn’t mean she’s not worried about you. Ooh, just to make sure you’re not worried about the boutique’s business, they told me that they’ve been directing clients to Yona and Sandbar down in Ponyville for the time being.”

“Oh, well, that certainly alleviates some troubles. I was worried about what my clients were going to do when they came calling when I was supposed to be back.” Rarity let out a breath of relief. “Thank goodness. I know Yona and Sandbar will do well with a little extra business. I hate to put them under that kind of pressure, though.”

“See? Everything’s working out fiiiine.” Pinkie tilted her head in thought. “Anyway, Velvet’s already making plans for a big cake when you get back, by the way—no stripper, I promise, unless you want one. She’s spending a lot of time figuring out how to make a life-sized cake version of you that tastes how you look you’d taste like. I suggested marshmallows, she’s convinced it’s vanilla.”

Rarity balked. “I… um… thank you? Tell her I… appreciate it.”

Rainbow pointed behind Rarity at Bluebolt. “So hey, I don’t mean to butt in here, but AJ already kinda spilled the beans and that’s who I think it is, isn’t it?”

Rarity smiled, and gestured for Bluebolt to come over.

Bluebolt nodded politely. “Hello. It’s nice to meet you guys. I guess you already know who I am and all that, but I might as well be polite anyway, so uh, I’m Bluebolt, and you guys know my parents. Right?”

Briarthorn hummed and nodded. “Yes, yes, yes indeed, indeedy-deedy, no doubt about it. You are certifiably, categorically, and consummately—and also, certainly—the daughter of my dear Queenie Blackburn and Kingly Lockwood. It’s the eyes.”

Bluebolt rolled her eyes. “Every time: the eyes. Did everypony just stare at my dad’s eyes every day that they knew him or something? It’s getting creepy.”

“Hey, don’t joke, kiddo, your papa’s peepers were some grade-A optical oculars. I mean, that should’ve been my first sign that there was something going on between him and your mom, y’know? Your mom actually complimented those eyes! Said they were better than mine and everything! And back then she was, whew, not one to share a compliment very often.”

“So, you’re Captain Briarthorn? My mom and dad talked about you a lot.”

“Oh? Ha! Nice that they still keep me in their thoughts and prayers, that reaches right into the cockles of my heart. Well, I’m not exactly a ‘captain’ of anything these days. I’m more of a… hmm…” He looked to Rainbow. “Captain Dash, what exactly is my rank again?”

Rainbow huffed. “You don’t have a rank, doofus, you’re a teacher. I’ve told you this, like, fifty times.” 

“Right, right. So my rank is ‘Mister’ Briarthorn these days. Professor? Ooh, Sir. No… that’s not for teachers—” He paused, then pointed at Rarity excitedly. “Blazing!”

Rarity was caught off guard. “B-Blazing? I beg your pardon?”

“See how my old flames are blazing. That’s the word I was looking for earlier. It escaped me, but I caught it, locked it up, transferred it to you. Boom.” He turned back to Bluebolt. “So anyway, just Briarthorn will do, Princess.”

“Well, it’s nice to finally meet you. Mom basically talked about you like you were family, like a brother.”

Briarthorn put a hoof over his heart. “Ooh, ouch. Even after all these years that stings deep, deep, deep. Oh well, I suppose I never really had a chance once your dad came into the picture.” He smiled politely and gave a little bow. “But it was nice to meet you too, Princess. I’d love to hear about how things are going with your parents, if you’ve got the time.”

Bluebolt gave a little look to Rainbow and Pinkie, then to Rarity. They all nodded in approval. She turned back to Briarthorn and gave him a smile. “Sure, we’ve got the time.”


*****


Flurry Heart strolled through the middle levels of the changeling hive, marveling at how different it was from the hives that the reformed changelings at home made. Rarity had compared this hive’s appearance rather directly with the old changelings hives under Queen Chrysalis, at least in a general sense. The bioluminescent fungus that grew along the walls and ceilings gave it just the right sort of glow, but it was drastically different from any sort of “pony pods” as Rarity had called them.

Dozens of changelings—all of them quite young—wandered through the hive’s many tunnels, playing games and talking excitedly. It was odd seeing changelings of this particular sort with bright, happy expressions, but Flurry had gotten over the disorientation rather quickly. To her, these changelings were exactly like the reformed ones at home, they just looked different, nothing more.

What was so odd about this trip today was her particular company. Venture made sense, of course. The mare apparently came down here multiple times a day to visit with her old friend Aculeata, and did so often enough that she seemed to miss meals or even sleep. Tick Tock’s twin daughters, though, that was an odd pair of companions, more so that the pair walked along at the head of the group, leading the way with knowledge of every twist and turn and not at all bothered by what should actually be a rather frightful place for somepony their age.

Still, since having Venture available to chat with had been such a rare occasion, Flurry decided to take advantage of it and learn a little. If the mare was as well-learned as she said and seemed, it might do some good.

“Venture, if you don’t mind, may I ask you a question?” Flurry asked.

Venture tilted her head and smiled. “Of course! What about?”

“Well, it’s about your world’s alicorns. They’re just so much different from the ones where I’m from.”

“How so?”

“Well, in your world, Harmonia is worshipped as a goddess. Princess Celestia and Luna were never worshipped to that degree, nor are my mother, or Aunt Twilight—”

Venture’s eyes widened. “Your mother is an alicorn?”

Flurry paused, then cleared her throat. “Yes, she is. I, uh… guess I forgot to mention that at some point, didn’t I? Please don’t tell anypony—”

“Not a word from me,” Venture said, drawing her hoof across her lips. “Anyway, go on with your question.”

Flurry let out a breath. “Right. Um… well, the murals at the gryphon ruins seemed to mention that Nihila was worshipped as part of a cult of some kind, but I guess she isn’t really anymore?”

“Ah, well, yes and no. Nopony’s worshipped Nihila openly since the Beacons were erected, not since Silvertongue defeated her prior Warden, Blood Beryl, and the other cultists that followed him.” 

“And before that, her worshippers apparently started the big civil war down south?”

Venture then scratched her chin, as if pondering her words. “Yes, naturally. She was worshipped rather openly at that point, truth be told, and even before that. She and Harmonia were always seen as two sides of the same coin, at least until the war broke out.”

“Really? But… everything I’ve heard about her tells me she’s a goddess of evil. Why would anypony openly worship her if that were true?”

“Well, she wasn’t always the way she was,” Venture sighed. “Very, very few know this, but there was a time long, long ago—centuries before the civil war, in fact—that Harmonia and Nihila were worshipped equally and openly. As I said: two sides of the same coin.

“Harmonia represented hope and peace, the promise of a prosperous, happy life. Nihila represented ambition and conflict, the promise of triumphing over adversity. She wasn’t called ‘Nihila’ then, either.” Venture gave Flurry a sad smile. “She was Pandemonia. Together, they were the alicorn sisters, worshipped even by the zebras as part of their pantheon.”

Flurry blinked. “She went by a different name?”

“Yes, she did. There are no records as to why she started calling herself by a different name—by ‘Nihila’—but when she did, her views changed with it. She was more interested in her followers instigating conflict rather than combating the challenges of everyday life. It wasn’t long after that that the civil war broke out across the south.”

Flurry pondered this for a moment. This story sounded oddly familiar, albeit with a few details adjusted, but was otherwise strikingly similar to that of Luna and Nightmare Moon.

“Everything okay?” Venture asked, tilting her head. “You went kinda quiet there.”

“Hmm? Oh, yes. I was just thinking that, well, this whole Nihila and Pandemonia situation sounds familiar to me, kind of like the stories about my world’s Princess Luna and Nightmare Moon.”

“How so?”

“Well, a little over one thousand years ago, Luna—Celestia’s sister—grew envious and bitter about how ponies enjoyed the day compared to the night. Some… thing took advantage of this and essentially possessed her, I think, and started calling herself Nightmare Moon. At least that’s how I understand it.” Flurry let out a breath. “My Aunt Twilight and her friends helped to purge the Nightmare from Luna.”

Venture tilted her head again. “Purge it? You mean… return her to how she was before?”

“I think so, yes. She and Celestia were able to repair their relationship afterwards, and Luna recovered from that experience fairly well, from my understanding.” Flurry shrugged. “I mean, I don’t know if that’s what’s happened here, but like I said, it’s very similar, at least from how I understood it.”

“Huh.” Venture paused to stroke her chin. “Very interesting.”

Flurry wanted to keep the conversation going—Venture seemed to be just full of information—but the group was just arriving at the center of the hive, so further questions would have to wait.

They found Queen Aculeata seated on a nest of fungus-covered rock, tending to seven of her youngest children. According to the queen, the changelings of this “batch” were younger than two years old, and so were barely old enough to walk on their own. Aculeata was the very image of a doting mother despite her otherwise fearsome appearance. Flurry had some foggy, pleasant memories of when she was just a foal and Cadence did the same for her.

The twins walked in first, bright expressions on their faces. “Aunt Leata! Aunt Leata!” they cheered.

Aculeata turned briefly towards them and put a hoof to her lips to quiet them. “Shhh, my dears. I am putting the young ones to sleep. One moment.”

The twins hushed up, hooves over their mouths instantly.

Aculeata’s horn glowed with a dim gold color, which coated the seven young changelings she coddled. Where they had once been wide awake, they instantly drifted off to sleep. Aculeata then gently set them down into the fungus to rest, and rose to her hooves.

“Awww…” the twins cooed as one.

“Hello, friends,” the queen greeted as she stepped towards the group. “To what do I owe this visit? I am not used to so much company and so often. It is a pleasant change of pace.”

Venture smiled. “Oh, you know, I’m just here for my usual visit, but I wanted to check in with you first. If you don’t mind, I’m going to head off looking about the hive so I can get more acquainted with your kids. I think I might have just about met them all at this point, but I’m sure there’s one or two walking about that I haven’t met yet, and I’m gonna find them, and I’m gonna hug them.”

Aculeata smiled and nodded. “Of course. The children always enjoy seeing you, my friend. Give them my love and yours, as usual.”

“Will do!” Venture turned to Flurry and nodded politely. “Miss Heart, it was a pleasure walking down here with you. You’re an alright gal, y’know?”

Flurry nodded back. “You too, Venture. Take care.”

And off Venture went into some tunnel off to the side. Flurry watched her go, not quite sure what she was going on about with hunting down Aculeata’s children to hug them, but she trusted her, and Aculeata trusted her, so she figured there was no worry. That mare was just a mystery-and-a-half that nopony could seem to crack.

Aculeata then turned to the twins. “And I suppose you two are looking for Ambrosia, hmm?”

“Yeah!” Pumice cheered, leaping in place. “She promised she’d play with us today.”

“Where is she?” Scoria asked. “Oh, is she hiding? Are we playing already?”

“One moment, dears.” Aculeata turned off to a side tunnel and clicked her mandibles, giving off a chirping sound.

A moment later, an older female changeling, about fourteen or so, came running down the path. Flurry hated to admit that it was hard to tell the difference between one changeling and another aside from gender. She could tell by now that each of them had a unique distribution of their leg chips and holes, but it was difficult to spot them unless she spent a lot of time staring, which was rude.

“You called, mother?” the changeling said. She glanced off towards the twins, and her face brightened. “Aha! You’re here early, girls.”

“Yeah!” Scoria said, hopping up alongside the changeling. “Of course we are!”

“You promised you’d play with us today, Ambrosia,” said Pumice.

“That’s right, I did. Come along then, dears, let’s—” The changeling paused when she saw Flurry watching the display. “Oh! Hello. I did not know we had other guests. How do you do?”

Flurry nodded. “Hello. I’m Flurry Heart. And you are?”

“My name is Ambrosia,” said the changeling with a nod back. ““She’s a friend of one of Mum’s friends!” Pumice said.

“So that means she’s our friend too!” said Scoria.

“Well, any friend of the twins is a friend of mine,” Ambrosia said.

“So you’re their friend too, then?” Flurry asked.

“Yes, and their caretaker when Miss Tock and Mister Pewter need one,” Ambrosia said, smiling. “Which they often do. These two are quite the hooffull.”

“Aww, that’s sweet. Well, don’t let me keep you all from your playdate.”

Pumice and Scoria grabbed Ambrosia and practically dragged her out of the tunnel, going on and on about all the fun they were going to have.

Aculeata watched them go with a smile, then turned to Flurry. “So, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit, Miss Heart? I don’t believe we’ve had much chance to talk before, so this is a surprise.”

Flurry nodded. “Well, that’s exactly it: we haven’t had much chance to talk, and I think I might have been… avoiding you.”

“Oh?”

“You see, where I’m from, there was a changeling queen by the name of Chrysalis. She wasn’t quite like you are. She was actually rather mean and evil. She did a lot of bad things to my friends and family when I was just a foal, particularly to my parents before I was even born. She was not a very nice creature, you could say.”

“Ah, and you wish to get to know me better, as a sort of…” She clicked her mandibles. “Comparison? With this queen from your world?”

Flurry adjusted her jaw in thought. “Well, when you put it like that, it sounds kind of awkward, but yes, that’s about the gist of why I’m here. The changelings where I’m from that are like you—loving, compassionate, friendly—look completely different compared to you and your children. It’s an odd experience, really.”

“Yes, you and your friends seemed to express quite an odd array of reactions to my appearance and nature, likely due to a resemblance to this other queen. You say that this ‘Chrysalis’ did something awful to your parents, for example? May I ask what she did to earn such a reputation that it can cross worlds?”

Flurry frowned. “Oh. Um, well, it was around the time of their wedding. Chrysalis kidnapped and imprisoned my mom, then impersonated her in order to drain the love my dad had for my mom. She manipulated him into saying and doing some awful things to his sister—my Aunt Twilight—when she grew suspicious.”

Aculeata frowned as well. “I see. This is why I do not allow myself or my children to take the forms of another pony. It inspires distrust, fear, anger, hate, and jealousy. All of those are emotions that we find distasteful. And you say she forcefully took your father’s love for your mother from him?”

“Yes, she did. She was a horrible creature. Not like you,” Flurry said with a soft smile. “You have real love in your heart for your children. She only saw her children—her hive—as soldiers and minions to do her bidding and to make war on Equestria.”

“Ah, but one could chalk up my love for my children as simply motherly instinct, could they not? After all, there was once a time when I was perhaps an even greater monster than this ‘Chrysalis’ could ever hope to be.” 

Flurry tilted her head. “Hmm?”

Aculeata shook her head. “My memories of that time are foggy, but I likely killed many a pony for food, I certainly killed many of my kin for dominance, and I likely killed more of each just for sport. I killed my brothers and sisters. I killed my children. I was a monster, and perhaps deep down, I still am.”

Flurry frowned. Bringing Aculeata to doubt herself had not been the intention of seeking her out for conversation. “Oh… oh no, I don’t think that’s true at all. What about your partner, Comet? You love him, don’t you? He spoke very highly of you when we met.”

“Perhaps. I do enjoy his passionate company, and I am thankful to have a pony to watch my brood when I am away, and to relieve my stress and urges when I am restless. I am also glad to do the same for him. I revel in it. But ‘love’ him? I do not know if I feel for him as Tick Tock feels for Pewter. Their love is pure.”

“But doesn’t he love you?”

“He does. Oh yes, he does. I know that quite well. He is good food for me and my children, for his love for me is pure.” Aculeata suddenly looked very sad. “But I do not know if I love him in return. I do not know if I even can. I do not know how much of what I am now is survival instinct and how much of it is a truly changed nature.

“All I know, my dear, is that my children will be better than I ever could be. They will not inspire fear, or hate, or anger. They will bring joy, and love, and kindness into the world when I am gone, whenever that may be. I have no idea if I can do the same.”

Flurry furrowed her brow. “Well, surely there’s something about Comet that you enjoy more than just his…” She blushed and cleared her throat. “His body.”

Aculeata pondered this. “I… do not know. I have never considered that before.”

“Well, maybe you should? Like, how did you two even meet? Let’s start there, it’s always a good place.”

“He came to Goldridge eight years ago, during one of my breeding seasons. I decided that I fancied him to father my clutch that year—forgive me if I give details,” she added, seeing Flurry’s embarrassment at her words. “But, when I sought him out to mate, he told me something disconcerting. He cannot provide children, for he is sterile.”

Flurry’s eyes widened. “Oh? Oh dear, I’m sorry to hear that.”

“As was I. Though I was more upset than sorry. And he… he got angry. Angry with me, because I was prepared to leave him because of his condition. He had had that same experience before, you see. His ex-wife had left him when she discovered his infertility. It devastated him, and there I was, making him go through it again.

“I had never angered a pony before, not since I took this form. It felt… wrong. Anger felt wrong. I did not want him to be angry, so I explained my situation and showed him my true self so that he would understand. I expected him to run, afraid of what I am, but he did not. He said I was beautiful. I felt love bud within him.”

“That’s… quite a story,” Flurry said, tilting her head. “So, what happened next?”

“I invited him to my hive to partake in a more ‘casual’ experience, and he accepted. I believed his love would be good food, and it was. When we finished, I sought out a different mate, of course, for I had to do so before my period of fertility passed. When I returned, Comet had not left. He understood my need. He accepted it. And so he remained here with me, as my partner. He loves me. He loves my children. Though I often wonder why.”

“Well, my mom is an expert on love, you see, and she tells me that being in love with someone comes not just from enjoying their company, or liking how they look, or even sharing the same interests. It comes from a deeper connection. A common goal. A shared passion. Something just… clicks, and you find yourself needing that other pony—or whatever they are—in your life.”

“Hmmm… I will need to think on this. I still don’t know what inspires his love for me, for I have never asked him. Perhaps… perhaps his answer may inspire one of my own, you think?”

“I mean, it couldn’t hurt.”

Aculeata smiled. “I see. This has been most enlightening. I did not expect to have this conversation today, especially not with you. But, I am glad that I did. I certainly hope that I can make use of your words and advice. Thank you.”

Flurry smiled and nodded. “Oh, you’re very welcome, Your Majesty.”

“Just Aculeata will do… Flurry. May I call you that?”

“Of course, Aculeata. It would be my pleasure.”


*****


It was just after breakfast one morning when Rarity and Apple Bloom followed Sundial into her office—Rarity had decided to stop trying to classify or name it as anything else—to attend their next meeting with ponies back home. Winter was slowly chugging along here in this world, which meant summer was doing much the same back in their own, which meant that school would be in proper session soon and some ponies needed to get prepared, particularly students and teachers.

Particularly Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.

“That world sounds so neat!” Sweetie Belle said with a pout. “I wish it had been me that went with Rarity. If only I’d been on the other side of the room, drat.”

“Don’t you dare wish anything of the sort, Sweetie,” Rarity tutted. “I have things bad enough as it is worrying about Apple Bloom and Flurry Heart all the time. I don’t want to even think about the kind of stress I’d be going through if it was you over here.”

Bloom chuckled, eyebrow raised. “Shucks, Rarity, I can’t tell if that’s a compliment 'bout me bein’ able ta handle mahself, or if I should be hurt 'cause ya care more 'bout yer sister then me.”

Rarity stopped herself and gave Bloom a nervous smile. “W-why, the former, dear, of course. You learned how to defend yourself thanks to Applejack. Unless Sweetie’s been off learning how to fight behind my back, she doesn’t have anything close to a means of doing the same for herself.”

“Gee, sis, thanks,” Sweetie said, rolling her eyes. “I’m not useless, y’know. I bet I could handle myself just fine. I mean, I’ve got magic, just like you, and you seem like you’re not worried about defending yourself.”

“I’ve been here before, dear, I know what I’m dealing with.”

Bloom snorted. “If ya knew the half o’ what we’ve dealt wit’, Sweetie, ya probably wouldn’t be sayin’ any o’ that. 'Sides, y’all’re here in spirit!”

“Yeah!” Scootaloo said, pumping a hoof. “The Cutie Mark Crusaders’ friendship goes across worlds! Even if we’re not there with you, AB, we’ve got your back. You’ll do the CMC proud!”

“Well thanks, Scoots. I 'preciate that. But that’s not exactly what I meant.”

“Huh?” Sweetie and Scootaloo said together.

“There’s this gal we’ve been travelin’ wit’, an’ she’s just a darned good fighter if’n I’ve ever seen one. Swings these swords 'round like nothin’, like a knight from straight out o’ them old storybooks we used ta read when we was younger. Her name’s Sweet Symphony, and she’s like another version of you, Sweetie.”

Sweetie raised an eyebrow. “Of me?”

“She looks almost just like you, darling,” Rarity said. “A little younger than you are now, and her mane’s not quite the right color, but otherwise she’s the spitting image of our very own Sweetie Belle. She’s got a bit more color to her way of speaking than you do darling—and thank goodness you don’t.”

“Yeah, an’ she’s protectin’ 'n' datin’ a princess! Not just any princess, neither, but mah niece, Bluebolt!”

“Oh, cool! You got to meet your family over there?” Scootaloo asked. “That’s neat! But, you’re gonna have to explain that other stuff you just said, about traveling around with ‘another Sweetie Belle’, or something?”

Rarity and Bloom shared a brief look. They’d already had the discussion with Sundial about alternate selves, so it seemed to hold some merit all things considered. “I suppose so, yes,” Rarity said with a nod. “Not that we’d ever replace our Sweetie, of course. Perish the thought.”

Sweetie huffed. “Yeah, you’d better not! because if I find out you did, you just watch, I’ll figure out a way to go to another world just like you guys! And I’ll make my own club, with my own Rarity, and my own Apple Bloom!”

“Can I come?” Scootallo asked.

“Sure! And we’ll make our own club! Like a… a league! Or something!”

“Hey yeah, we’d be like… the Scootaloo-Belle Union!”

“Why do you get to be first? This was my idea. We should be the Sweetaloo Clan!”

Rarity chuckled nervously. “Darling, don’t go getting any weird ideas now, alright? We’re not replacing you, and you don’t need to go off and make some club or league or whatever you’re going on about. Please.”

“Yeah, y’all’re talkin’ crazy-like there, Sweetie,” Bloom said, shaking her head. “I mean, think about it. Who in their right mind would wanna join a club founded by Sweetie Belle, o’ all ponies.”

Sweetie nearly leapt at the screen, but Scootaloo held her back. “Let me at her! I’ll show you who’s good in a fight, Apple Bloom!”

Bloom just leaned back and laughed.

Rarity sighed and leaned back in her seat. “Some things never change…”


*****


Apple Bloom was quite excited to be meeting Bluebolt and Symphony for a little rendezvous in their room this particular evening. Normally that would not be the case, as the two typically made sure their room was off-limits after dinnertime, but tonight was an exception just for her, and only her.

When she knocked, there wasn’t even a commotion inside, just a set of hoofsteps as Symphony came and opened the door, a coy smile on her face. “Hey, Bloom. You’re right on time,” she said. “Glad you could make it. You weren’t followed, were you? And you told nopony?”

“Naw, I kept it secret just like ya asked. Shoot, I wouldn’t miss this fer anythin’,” Bloom said as she headed inside. She noticed Bluebolt standing in the corner and gave her a little wave, which was returned. “So, d’y’all wanna get started right away? I’ve been waitin’ all day fer this.”

“Are you sure you’re ready?” Symphony asked as she shut and locked the door behind Bloom after making sure nopony was out in the hall.

“Heck yeah I’m ready,” Bloom said with a proud nod. “I’ve been waitin’ fer this opportunity fer the longest time, ever since I first saw y’all in action together. I’ve never seen two mares move like that before.”

“You understand that you’re going to be getting a very… opportunità esclusiva here, don’t you?” Symphony continued, sidling up alongside Bloom and getting especially close.

“Not a lot of ponies are lucky enough to be where you’re standing, Bloom,” Bluebolt said, coming out of the corner to approach Bloom and Symphony, swaying her hips with every step. “There are mares and stallions back at home that would kill for this opportunity. An intimate evening with the Princess and her bodyguard, ha!”

“Shucks, now y’all’re gettin’ me all excited,” Bloom said, licking her lips and looking between the two. “C’mon, what’re we waitin’ fer?”

“Ooh, you’re an eager pony,” Symphony said, flicking her tail against Bloom’s. “I can’t say I blame you. I’m pretty damn good at what I do. Sorprendente, actually. Just ask Bluebolt about how good I am, she’ll tell you.”

Bluebolt nodded and winked. “The best. My songbird works some serious magic, and that’s not counting the horn. She taught me everything I know.”

“Night after night of practice—”

“—just covered in sweat when we were done.”

Bloom rolled her eyes. “Alright already, can we just get down 'n' dirty now? I already told ya, I’m ready.”

“Well, if you say you’re ready...” Symphony said, coming up right behind Bloom. “First, you gotta get into position. Raise those hindquarters up a bit, and lower your head towards the ground. Let’s see what you’ve got to work with.”

Bloom did exactly as she was asked. “Heh, this reminds me of when I used ta do this wit’ mah sister when I was younger.”

Symphony assisted Bloom, using her hooves to nudge the latter into the proper position. “You’ve got good posture, Bloom. Very good posture. Good muscle tone too. You’re pretty much perfect for this.”

“Ooh, now you’re making me jealous,” Bluebolt teased, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. “C’mon songbird, stop teasing her already and get started. I’m just dripping with anticipation over here.”

Symphony rolled her eyes.

“Too much?”

“Too much, pecha.” Symphony cleared her throat and sharply stood at attention. “So! You ready to learn how to fight from the best of the best, Apple Bloom?”

Bloom laughed. “Ready? Ha! I was born ready.”

“Good answer, cadet,” Symphony said, stomping her hoof on the floor. “But don’t get cocky now, got it? You’re about to go through one of the strictest, most difficult training regimens Hope’s Point has to offer, courtesy of the Princess’s own bodyguard.”

“But when you’re through, Bloom, you’ll probably be a better fighter than your sister is, take it from me,” Bluebolt said with a grin. “Being good in a scrap is a lot different from being a professional warrior.”

“And I’m nothing but professional,” Symphony added, waggling her eyebrows. “Alright! Enough talk and amusing innuendo. Iniziamo.”

Bloom raised an eyebrow. “Innuendo? The hay’re ya talkin’—”

“No talking during training, cadet!” Symphony huffed, tugging Bloom’s ear gently with her magic. “Eyes forward, mouth shut. Are you ready?”

Bloom wasn’t about to fall for that trap; she kept her mouth shut.

“Bene! Lesson one!”


*****


Rarity and Flurry Heart sat in Sundial’s office late one afternoon, eagerly awaiting the signal on the other end to pick up so they could get their next meeting started. They didn’t have to wait too long, luckily, and were greeted by the welcome sight of Twilight Sparkle, Cadence, and Shining Armor on the other end of the connection. 

The latter had, over the years, put on just a little bit of weight since he didn’t need to lead any guards anymore, and his mane had started to gray just a little, but he was otherwise still as handsome as Rarity remembered him, which felt odd to say since she’d seen him last just before all this happened. Either way, Cadence knew how to pick 'em, that much was certain.

“Hi Mom, Dad,” Flurry said, giving the two a little wave.

“Oh, Flurry honey!” Cadence cried, practically hugging the screen, just as Twilight had done. “I’m so glad to see that you’re okay. I know Twilight said you were doing just fine, but… but I just had to see it for myself. I was so worried about you.”

“We both were,” added Shining, who gave Flurry a stern look. “You’re keeping safe over there, right? You’re not going out and looking for trouble? I know you take after your aunt sometimes and she was always looking for trouble.”

“I’m right here, Shiny,” Twilight tutted.

Flurry rolled her eyes. “No, Dad, I’m doing just fine, thank you. I’ve got Rarity and Apple Bloom here with me to keep me out of trouble, okay? Nothing’s happened and everything’s just fine.”

Rarity kept herself composed. She knew Flurry was keeping a tight lid on what happened with her and Sundial—even among the immediate group—but was glad that that didn’t need to be explained to anypony just yet. No sense in worrying them, especially if Flurry claimed that she hadn’t been hurt during the ordeal and that nothing else had happened.

“I hear you’ve made some new friends,” Cadence said. “Are they nice ponies?”

“They’re very nice. There’s Miss Sundial, who’s just over there,” Flurry said, pointing towards Sundial off-screen.

Sundial briefly poked her head into frame and gave a polite wave. “Hello there. Nice ta meet you, Princes Cadence, Shining Armor.”

“Oh, hello,” Cadence said, returning the wave. “I like your hat, it’s cute.”

Sundial raised a hoof to her hat. “Aye? Uh… thanks?” She then shrugged at Flurry and drifted back off-screen.

“And then there’s Bluebolt and Symphony,” Flurry continued. She pointed at Twilight briefly. “Aunt Twilight can tell you all about Bluebolt, she’s the daughter of some friends of hers, and Apple Bloom’s niece. Symphony’s her fillyfriend and bodyguard.”

“She was very nice,” Twilight said with a chuckle. “If she’s anything like her parents, Flurry’s in good hooves, and they’re telling me her bodyguard is great at what she does. And I already think Sundial’s proven reliable too, at least from what I’ve seen and heard so far.”

“And we met Miss Venture on the way here, too, and she’s super nice and everything. Y’know, after spending more time with her, I got to thinking, have you ever wondered what it would be like if Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash ever, y’know, had a foal together?”

Cadence smiled. “Last I heard, they’d decided they were perfectly happy taking care of Cheesecake instead of having foals of their own. I gave up years ago trying to recommend a donor stud. It wouldn’t be the first couple I’ve helped along with such a thing.”

“No no, I mean, together together, like if they somehow could make that happen without anypony but the two of them?”

Twilight pondered this. “Huh… well, I mean, with the right spells it could happen. I could certainly look into it if they were interested—”

“I’m not talking about if it’s possible, guys, sheesh!” Flurry grunted. “I’m saying that Miss Venture is like the kid Pinkie and Rainbow never had. She’s got Pinkie’s enthusiasm and lust for life, and Rainbow’s adventurous spirit. She’s a real mystery, too, but she’s really nice.”

“She’s your typical intrepid explorer,” Rarity agreed. “Just like Daring Do, straight out of the storybooks and everything. And with a possible mysterious double life, like A.K. Yearling herself. Though I’m still trying to figure that last part out. What her ‘big secret’ is, I mean.”

“I also met this world’s changeling queen, Aculeata,” Flurry continued.

Twilight’s eyes widened. “That world has changelings now? When did this happen?”

“After we left, obviously,” Rarity said, rolling her eyes. “It’s quite a long story, darling, better saved for when we return home.”

“Considering our… history with changelings, I hope she’s more like the changelings have been under Thorax rather than Chrysalis,” Cadence said. “Is she nice?”

“She’s really nice,” Flurry said. “I think she’s trying very, very hard to make sure she’s nothing like Chrysalis ever was, and she doesn’t even know Chrysalis, so that’s impressive to me.”

“Well, any changeling that’s not like Chrysalis can’t be half-bad,” Shining said with a nod. “You always were good at making friends, sweetheart, so I'm glad to see that hasn’t changed despite everything.”

“And so… yeah, that’s all of my new friends,” Flurry said with finality. “Plus the ponies I met here that Aunt Twilight knew from her last visit, and their family too, of course.”

Sundial raised an eyebrow. “Uh, lass? Aren’t ye forgetting—”

“Nope, I’m not forgetting anypony,” Flurry said through clenched teeth, giving Sundial a terse look.

Shining narrowed her eyes. “Flurry, what are you hiding?”

“Nothing! Why would I hide anything, Dad?”

Rarity watched the situation unfold, and knew exactly what the issue was within seconds. She wisely backed out of the conversation slightly, as she didn’t need to be part of this and didn’t want to be, either.

“Come on now, Flurry, I know when you’re lying to me. You’re hiding something, or somepony. Tell me, honey.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow. “Shiny, am I missing something?”

Sundial shook her head. “I’m lost, too. Lass, why are ye acting so weird?”

“Because she’s hiding something,” Shining said again. “C’mon, honey, out with it.”

Flurry groaned. “Fine! I also have a friend named Weaver, and he’s really nice—”

Shining’s eyes widened. “A colt?! He hasn’t tried anything with you, has he honey?”

“Ugh, Dad! He’s a very nice colt who Sundial and I are trying to help! This isn’t anything like that!”

“Oh, sure, you say that, but I know what young colts are like. I bet he’s just waiting—”

“Dad!”

Cadence cleared her throat. “Shining, dear, I don’t know if my ‘radar’ works across this little connection, but I don’t think she sees anything like that in this colt.”

“Oh, yeah, that makes me feel better.”

Rarity huffed. “Really, Shining Armor, I hope you’re not insinuating that I would let anything of the sort happen to Flurry while she’s under my care?”

Shining balked briefly. “That’s not what I was implying. But a father can never be too careful.”

Flurry stomped her hoof. “Dad! That’s not what’s going on here!”

“Then tell me what is going on.”

Flurry took a deep breath. “He’s a broken pony, Dad. He was being used by an awful pony that treated him like a slave, and abused him for years. He doesn’t know how to act like we do. Sundial and I are trying to help him recover from everything that happened to him, but it’s… it’s hard.”

Sundial peeked onto the screen. “Aye, sir, we’re doing what we can for the lad, but he’s having a tough time breaking out o’ that mindset. He does chores like he’s following orders, sometimes even goes ta unnecessary lengths ta do them, aye? Everything he tries ta do it feels like he’s just going through the motions.”

Shining raised an eyebrow. “And you say he’s… broken? Like a sort of fugue state, or something like that?”

“I’m not sure, exactly,” Flurry breathed, “but Dad, he’s a good pony deep down, I can feel it. I want to help him so bad, but I don’t know what else to do. I don’t even know what’s wrong with him, and I hate saying it like that. Like there’s something wrong.”

Rarity leaned over slightly. “She’s been very diligent about the whole thing. The poor colt helped us along on our journey a few times, but he does seem a little out of sorts. Perhaps you can offer some insight?”

Shining paused, then nodded. “The way you described it sounds sort of familiar. I’ve seen a few guards get that way after the rough fighting, like at the Battle of the Bell or against the changelings at the wedding. Typical battle fatigue symptoms.”

Sundial shook her head. “Och, I’ve been more o’ the opinion he’s got wicked survivor’s guilt, considering what the Overseer had him do.”

“Either way, Dad, he’s just a pony in need of help.” Flurry hung her head. “I just want to give him… hope, I guess.”

“Right…” Shining paused, then hung his head. “I wish I could be of help, girls, but I’m no psychologist. Everypony handles this sort of thing differently. The only thing I can tell you at all is to keep doing what you’re doing. Keep showing him support and friendship. I won’t guarantee it’ll help, but sometimes, all you can do is hope.”

Flurry smiled. “Thanks, Dad.”

“And I’m sorry about going off on you earlier, honey. I’m just a little overprotective—”

“A little?!” Flurry huffed. “You were ready to bite his head off and you haven’t even met him!”

Cadence rolled her eyes. “I’m amazed our daughter doesn’t prefer mares at this point, Shining, honey.”

Shining sputtered. “Now why would you go and suggest a thing like that?!”

As the couple and Flurry started arguing between each other, Rarity and Twilight shared a brief look. “I think this is why Shadow doesn’t bother with love,” Twilight said, rolling her eyes. “I’m starting to see the positives.”

Rarity smirked. “It’s not all bad, dear. You just haven’t found the right someone, yet, that’s all. Once you do, it’s actually sort of magical.”


*****


Rarity knocked on Tick Tock’s door early one afternoon, just after lunch, looking for an opportunity to spend some time with an old friend. Truth be told, she spent most of her time over this winter so far with Tick Tock because she didn’t really have anypony else to talk to at times. Bloom was spending nearly all of her time with Bluebolt and Symphony, and Flurry was either with Sundial and Weaver—or just one of the two—or getting to know Queen Aculeata. And Venture, well, she seemed to disappear for hours at a time most days and was always busy, but at least she was friendly when they passed in the halls.

Tick Tock answered the door with a smile. “Ah, Rarity. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company today, hmm?”

“Just looking to have another little chat, darling,” Rarity said. “May I?”

Tick Tock gestured inside. “Sure, come on in. I might be a mite bit distracted though.”

“Hmm? Why’s that?”

Rarity looked into the room and saw that Tick Tock had set up a little table in the corner, around which sat Pumice and Scoria, who seemed hard at work on something and hadn’t noticed Rarity come in.

“Arts and crafts time,” Tick Tock explained. “It’s tough keeping them busy during the winter, so I have to do everything I can to keep them from driving Pewter and I bonkers. Ambrosia can only do so much”

“They usually play outside during the rest of the year, I take it?”

“Indeed they do. They’re very active, just like their father.” Tick Tock stepped over to the table. “Girls, Rarity’s here to visit us.”

The twins looked up in surprise, then waved politely at Rarity. “Hello, Miss Rarity!” they said together.

“Hello, girls,” Rarity replied with a nod and a smile. “How are you two doing today?”

“Good,” they said together.

Tick Tock brightened and put her hoof on Pumice’s shoulder. “Pumice, honey, why don’t you show Miss Rarity that thing you made the other day?”

“Okay, Mum!” said Pumice, suddenly quite excited. She reached under the table into a little folder that was there and fished out a sheet of paper, which she then showed off proudly to Rarity. “Look! It’s you!”

It was indeed a picture of Rarity, drawn at the appropriate skill level that Pumice’s age would allow, which meant uneven lines and misshapen figures, but it was still clearly Rarity as anypony could tell. However, it wasn’t colored-in with crayon—that was just the outline—but with glitter and glue. Not just regular store-bought glitter, either, but honest-to-goodness gem dust: amethysts for Rarity’s mane, sapphires for her eyes, and blue-flecked diamonds for her cutie mark.

“Oh my goodness, it’s lovely,” Rarity cooed as she looked it over. “Are those actual gems that you’re using for coloring?”

She looked down at the table where the twins were working, and noticed a few small tins filled with gem dust of varying colors: ruby, sapphire, emerald, topaz, the works. Years of working with jewels of every sort gave Rarity an eye for this sort of thing, so she recognized legitimate gemstones anywhere. It was hard to tell the quality of the original gems based on just the dust, however.

“Yeah!” Pumice said with a smile. “It makes everything look all sparkly and pretty.”

Scoria popped under the table for a second and pulled out a piece of paper too. “I made one of Miss Heart!” she said, pointing excitedly at the picture she’d made.

Rarity eyed that picture as well, and marveled at the gem colors they’d used to make an almost accurate representation of Flurry Heart—minus the wings, since they didn’t know about them. “My oh my, she’ll love to see this, darling. You two are quite the talented artists.” She turned to Tick Tock. “But real gemstones, darling? That seems a tad excessive, and expensive. You don’t seem the type, pardon me for saying.”

Tick Tock smirked. “Rarity, we live next to the world’s largest gemstone quarry, and we’re the only ponies out in this particular area. There’s no shortage of material. Besides, they’re using the gems that we couldn’t trade because they had impurities, so it’s not like we’re wasting anything valuable.”

“We mined them ourselves!” Pumice said proudly.

“Yeah!” agreed Scoria. “Daddy takes us into the mountains once a week to get exercise and go mining.”

“We’re his number one helpers, we are!”

Rarity grinned as she looked between the twins. “Ah, so that would explain your lovely little cutie marks. You’ve taken to gem-hunting, hmm?”

“Yup!” said Pumice. “We’re naturals! Daddy says so.”

“Does that mean you’re a gem hunter too?” Scoria asked, gesturing to Rarity’s cutie mark.

Rarity giggled. “Not exactly, though that is a part of how I got it in the first place, and I often go about it as part of my actual career.”

“What do you do?” asked Pumice.

“I’m a fashion designer by trade, and quite a good one if what they say about me is true. I use gems of all sorts in a lot of my specialty designs.”

“Really? Like what?”

Rarity gestured towards her winter coat, specifically the clasp. “Well, for example, I used a diamond for the clasp on my cloak here. It’s quite high in quality, but this is just a simple design.” She then gestured to the faux-ermine collar, which sparkled as it moved in the light. “But I added just a little extra diamond dust for that special, sparkly touch.”

“It’s really pretty,” Scoria said, eyes sparkling like Rarity’s dress.

“Thank you darling,” Rarity said with a smile. She turned to Tick Tock. “Your girls are just the sweetest little things, dear. If you don’t mind, may I sit and join with them in arts and crafts? I’m feeling… inspired.”

Tick Tock smirked. “Knock yourself out.”

Rarity took a seat, a sheet of paper, and a crayon—the glue and gem dust could come later. She hadn’t had a chance to work on a dress design since arriving to this world, but she knew an opportunity when she saw one, and she’d seen quite a lot in the past month or so that had filled her mind with ideas.

She was in the zone.

It was time to get back to work.


*****


Rarity was a little nervous about this last meeting here in Sundial’s office late one evening, with just another week or so left until the end of winter. It had taken that long to get everything together on the other end back home, which she knew was attributed to certain ponies’ busy schedules. 

She knew she wasn’t going to be involved much in the following conversation—she had already corresponded with the ponies needed to make this happen—but she was desperately hoping that things would go well. She sat off to the side, while Bluebolt took the center seat this time. Rarity knew she was really just here for moral support for both sides.

Rarity wasn’t sure why Sundial had brought Weaver along, to be honest, but the stallion stood out of frame, attentive, at attention, and quiet. She supposed Sundial had a good reason, so she wasn’t going to argue it. She did trust the mare, after all.

When the monitor came to life, the group was greeted by several faces on the other end.

Starlight Shadow was present, of course, with her mane still up and her work uniform still on. Insipid was there as well, waving politely, a nervous smile on her face. Curaçao had made it, too, looking as glamorous as ever; her action figure didn’t do her justice. And of course, three others, the rest of their family.

Red Velvet—an earth pony almost identical in color to Pinkie Pie, only of slightly darker hues—had put on a bit of weight over the years, mostly in her rear. She kept her mane short these days, parted just off to one side.

Havocwing—a candy apple red pegasus mare—kept her skunk-colored mane and tail dangerously short for a mare, in Rarity’s opinion. The little canine-like fang that once jutted past her lip had long since been filed down.

Grayscale Force, a grayish-blue pegasus mare built like a house, still had her turquoise-and-fuschia mane styled like a wild-and-crazy glam rocker, despite her age. If anything, it got wilder every single time Rarity saw it.

Rarity peeked her head up just a little bit to try and get things started, seeing as this was her idea in the first place. “Hello girls, glad to see we could get you all together in time. I understand your schedule was hard to get around, Curaçao?”

Curaçao nodded politely. “Oui, but zis was important, so I made it work. I am only in Canterlot for today, zen I must get back to ze shoot.”

Bluebolt grunted. “Look, can we just cut all the small talk and get this thing rolling? I’ll be honest, I only agreed to this thing as a favor to Rarity, but it’s late and I’d rather be getting ready for bed. So if you don’t mind?”

“Of course,” Shadow said, adjusting her glasses. “I did not expect much better of a response, naturally, and given Curaçao’s schedule I anticipated that we would need to be expedient with these proceedings. I have already spoken at length with my sisters on the subject material we are to cover—”

Grayscale interrupted with a grunt. “If you don’t mind, I have something to do before we get started.”

Shadow paused, then nodded. “Of course. I had not forgotten.”

Grayscale nodded, then headed off-screen for a moment. When she came back, she was accompanied by a young pegasus filly with a striking red coat and a long fuschia mane that she wore in braids. Grayscale retook her seat, the little filly taking a spot on her lap. The filly looked about ten.

“AJ told me you got to meet her kids,” Grayscale said. “Mac and I thought you should meet ours, since she’s your cousin, too.” She leaned into the filly’s ear. “Go on, say hello.”

The filly smiled and nodded. “Hi! My name’s Gala Apple. My mom said you’re my cousin, uh… Bluebolt?”

Bluebolt was given clear pause. “I… yeah, I suppose I am. Your dad’s my Aunt Applejack’s brother. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, too!”

Grayscale pet her daughter’s mane gently. “Okay, sweetie, let’s get you back to Daddy. You’re up way past your bedtime.”

“But Mama, I’m not—” She yawned. “—tired…”

“Uh huh. C’mon.”

Grayscale escorted the filly out of frame, presumably to give her back to Big Macintosh outside—Rarity was certain there was a good reason he wasn’t joining them—then returned and retook her seat. “Sorry that that had to be so brief. Mac wanted you to meet her earlier when AJ was here, but AJ and I agreed it was better for me to do it after we found out about this little thing we’re doing.”

Bluebolt frowned. “You’re playing dirty, starting this whole thing off by reminding me that one of my cousins is your daughter. Trying to earn a little sympathy off the bat, huh?”

“Think what you want, but the fact is that I’m as much your aunt as AJ is,” Grayscale said with a shrug. “I’m not bothered whether or not you and your mom hate me. I just want to make sure you know—both of you—not to take it out on Gala.”

“Yeah, right,” Bluebolt snorted. “Okay then, let’s get on with it.”

Shadow cleared her throat. “In order to hurry these matters along, considering the late hour, I have arranged for myself and my sisters to each put together a speech of sorts to catalogue some of the good we have managed to do for this world since we immigrated here, and any other points they wished to express. You may interject with inquiries if you wish, but it might prove more efficient to save them for the conclusion.”

Grayscale raised her hoof. “If you don’t mind, I’ll go first. I want to help get Gala to bed and spend some time with Mac before we head home tomorrow.”

“By all means.”

Grayscale cracked her neck, then sat up straight and stared Bluebolt in the face through the monitor, as intense as a thunderstorm. “I work on the weather team in Ponyville as team leader. I took over after Rainbow Dash left to join the Wonderbolts as a full-time flyer. It’s not flashy, or glamorous, or anything like that, but it’s important work.

“My team keeps the weather in check across the whole town. We make sure the sun is shining on all the crops year-round, we make sure the rain keeps the grass green and healthy, we keep the winds comfortable and breezy, and we keep the snow light and fluffy in the winter.

“But we also stop weather disasters, like lightning storms, flooding rains, and blizzards. A few years back, my team stopped a tornado that was about to pass right through Ponyville. We prevented it from destroying homes and potentially hurting or killing dozens of ponies. That’s my impact, I suppose.”

Grayscale then abruptly got up from her seat. “I’ve said my piece, so now I’m going to go help my husband—your uncle—put our daughter—your cousin—to bed.” And just like that, she strolled off the screen without another word and without looking back.

Bluebolt grunted. “Is she always like that?”

Insipid tilted her head. “Eh, she’s usually a lot better about it these days, but, like, she was really, really bothered by the things we did when we were, y’know, ‘evil’ and junk, or whatever?”

“Why’s that?”

Velvet scratched her chin. “She went a little nuts and basically made an attempt to crack your planet in half. Rainbow barely stopped her, so she was like this close to killing everypony, us included.”

“But, like, she’s trying really, really hard to get past that and live her new life, y’know? She’s trying to make a difference. We all are, cha?”

Bluebolt rolled her eyes. “Yeah, whatever.”

Shadow cleared her throat. “Who would like to share next?”

Insipid jumped up. “Ooh, me! Me! Pick me!” 

“Go on then.”

Insipid cleared her throat. “I haven’t done jack squat!”

Bluebolt raised an eyebrow. “What?”

Ever Rarity had to resist the urge to ask if Insipid was being serious. She knew the poor girl wasn’t the brightest crayon in the box, but this conversation was supposed to be taken seriously.

Insipid nodded proudly. “Yup! I’ve mostly been, like, a total waste of space and junk? I spend most of my time traveling around, going to conventions, collecting toys and stuff, and dressing up in costumes. Y’know, just enjoying life?

“Buuut, I’ve made a lot of friends! Lots and lots of friends, actually, of all ages! I know it’s not a lot, but I think that the ponies I meet at these conventions—and I see them all the time, every year—really like me, and I really like them, yeah? So, like, I might not have done anything as important, like, stop a tornado and junk, but I’m still making an impact, or whatever?”

Bluebolt shook her head. “Wow, that’s a real motivational speech you’ve got going on there.”

“I know, right?”

Havocwing grunted. “Can I go next? I’m with Grayscale on this whole load: it can bite my glorious red tush.”

Rarity was thankful that Havocwing’s normally colorful language had been toned down over the years, and that she was keeping to that standard even now. That had to be hard; Sundial could barely keep it under wraps herself, after all, and that was just while in the checkpoint building, not every moment of her life.

Shadow let out a breath. “Havoc, I would appreciate it if you could engage this with some modicum of tact.”

“Nah. Gray and I are way past this whole thing. We don’t need to justify ourselves and our new lives to her, to her mom, or to anypony. The only reason I'm here is because you guys wanted to do this. So let me say my piece, and I’m gonna bounce.”

Bluebolt narrowed her eyes. “Don’t let me keep you.”

Havocwing rolled her shoulders. “It’s like this, kid. I’m the captain of Ponyville’s little volunteer fire brigade. I’ve got a couple of good ponies working with me, and we do a darn good job at what we do, which is putting out fires, saving property, and saving lives.

“Do you know how many soldiers I killed at Hope’s Point?” Havocwing asked. She didn’t wait for Bluebolt to answer. “Nineteen. I took nineteen lives that day. Do you know how many lives I’ve saved in the past twenty years? Seventy-three. Seventy-three ponies I’ve personally taken out of burning buildings, or pulled out of wildfires, or whatever danger they got into.

“I’m not gonna give you some horseapples story about how I’ve made up for those lives I took. I’m not even gonna pretend that if I wasn’t here, those seventy-three ponies would or wouldn’t have been saved by somepony else. I’m just telling you that I am trying.” Havocwing then snorted, and started walking out. “Tell your mom she can bite me.”

“Havoc!” Shadow snarled through her teeth.

Rarity put a hoof to her face as Havocwing left the frame, embarrassed. She definitely expected Havocwing to be her usual churlish self but that was a little much.

Bluebolt, however, seemed to have enjoyed the quip, and gave a little chuckle.

Curaçao cleared her throat. “Per’aps I should go next?”

Shadow hung her head and sighed. “Proceed.”

Curaçao turned to Bluebolt. She did not smile, merely gave the younger mare a firm look. 

“My sisters can try to take the blame for all of zee individual lives zey took zat day,” Curaçao said, “but in zee end, I am to blame for every last one of zem. I personally 'ad a 'oof in maybe three, at most, but I gave my sisters zee opportunity. I 'elped bring down zee shield around your city, so I am responsible for all of zee destruction zat was caused. In effect, I did more zan end a few lives. I likely ended some ponies’ entire livelihoods. I ruined zem all.”

Bluebolt narrowed her eyes. “Even mom didn’t know that it was you. She thought it was all that shadow pony’s doing, all the way. And you’re just admitting it? If you hadn’t brought down the shield, the NPAF would’ve never made it inside. My mom could’ve taken her ship out that day. Gadget and Crossfire would still be alive.”

Rarity frowned. That was a rather sharp slippery slope Bluebolt just went down, but she likely didn’t know any better. Nopony did.

“Oui. I 'ave no reason to 'ide myself, as I once did.” Curaçao took a breath. “I am an actress zese days, and a fairly popular one from my understanding. I affect zee lives of ponies and ozer creatures all over zee world. Zere are youngsters out zere zat look to me—to my characters—as a role model. My films provide work for countless ponies every year, giving zem zee bits to provide for zeir families.

“But I agree wiz 'Avocwing. I do not say zis in an attempt to compare zee lives lost and destruction caused wiz zee good zat I am doing now. Zere is no comparison. I am telling you zis because I want you to know zat I regret what I did, and am doing zee only zing zat I know 'ow to do to try and make up for it.”

Bluebolt huffed. “So now you’re just living the high life, I take it? Champagne, movie stars, probably a high-class house of your own? And you expect me to sympathize with you?”

“Non. I just needed to ‘say my piece’. I do not expect to change your opinion, Princess Bluebolt. I only needed to say zat I am sorry. Tell zat to your parents for me. Tell zem zat I am sorry. For everyzing.”

Bluebolt took a breath and leaned back in her seat. “Who’s next?”

Velvet held up her hoof. “I’ll go next. Let me preface this whole thing by saying… I’m sorry, too. I think we all are—”

“Sorry? From how my mom described it, you were the worst of the bunch,” Bluebolt said with a sneer. “Thirty-eight lives gone because of you, and you alone. Most of them disfigured or mutilated, not even given honorable deaths. My mom couldn’t even give Commander Pinpoint a proper burial!”

Velvet hung her head. “I know. I was a monster. I won’t lie to you, either: I enjoyed every last second of it back then. But… I know that what I did was wrong. Beyond wrong. It was awful, terrible, horrifying, downright disgusting, and frankly, unforgivable. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I just want to say… that I’m sorry.”

“So, what do you do these days that makes up for all of that, hmm?”

Velvet cracked a small smile. “I don’t know if Pinkie told you, but she and I own a bakery together here in Canterlot called Sweet Dreams. We bring joy to hundreds of ponies every single day with our baked goodies and treats, and we do it as a team. She’s happy. I’m happy. So many ponies are happy.”

Velvet then reached into her mane—somehow—and pulled out a picture frame.

Bluebolt’s jaw dropped slightly. “How did you do that?”

“Huh? Oh, that?” Velvet smiled. “It’s just something that Pinkie and I can do. It’s like a little private compartment for anything that we need.”

“I’ll buy that with Pinkie, she’s got big, poofy mane that looks like she can hold something in it if she really tried. Look at you, you’ve got less hair in your mane than I do!”

Velvet shrugged. “I mean, I don’t understand how it works, it just does. Now, are you gonna ask questions, or can I finish my story, hmm?”

Bluebolt leaned back in her chair. “Go on.”

“Okay, so, look at this.” 

Velvet held up the picture frame to show off a photo. In it, three ponies were standing in front of a ferris wheel wearing goofy hats and big smiles on their faces: Red Velvet, her husband Cheese Sandwich, and their daughter Cheesecake. The photo wasn’t very old, either, maybe four months at most.

“I know Grayscale kinda has me beat on the whole ‘look at my family’ thing what with shacking up with your uncle, but I thought you needed to see this.” 

“That’s great that you and Grayscale get to have little families of your own,” Bluebolt snorted. “What about the families of the soldiers you killed? How is this fair?”

Velvet started to tear up a little. “It’s not. I know it’s not. It’s not fair that I get to be happy with a family of my own. I wake up at night sometimes, terrified that everything good in my life will have suddenly been taken away from me. Karmic justice, you’d call it. If that ever happened… if that ever happened, I don’t know what I’d do.

“So I know, it’s not fair. It’s not right. But… I am sorry for everything that I did when I was young, and stupid, and had a literal goddess of evil in my mind spurring me along. Because all of those things I did were still me. And I’m sorry…”

Insipid pulled Velvet in for a hug. “There there, Red.”

“I would seem that I am last.” Shadow looked at the camera next, adjusting her glasses again. “I do not know precisely what information you have on myself or my sisters, but I estimate that some illumination on the subject would be of assistance to understanding us further.”

“All I know is that you and your sisters were cloned from Rarity and her friends,” Bluebolt said. “Grown in a lab and infused with some of Nihila’s magic, I guess, then set out to unleash chaos on the world. And that you did just great at it.”

Rarity noticed Weaver’s attention peak just a little over in the corner next to Sundial. Now she had some guess as to why Sundial brought him along.

“That is a fair assessment, and accurate as well. My sisters and I were not born like yourself, or like Rarity over there. We were manufactured by our fa—” Shadow paused, clenching her jaw. “By Silvertongue for the express purpose of distracting and weakening Nihila enough for him to complete a ritual with which to drain her magic. We were little more than tools.

“When we learned this information, many of us simply cracked. We could not process the fact that our lives were a lie, that our lives had no greater meaning.” She let out a breath. “We were still under Nihila’s influence, however, for her essence ran through our bodies and souls fully. And so, under that influence, we did the only thing we could think of to justify our existences: we destroyed.

“As my sisters have already demonstrated, we regret the course of action that we embarked upon. I would love to express the sentiment that we didn't know better—a fair excuse, as we were chronologically less than a month old at the time—but I am aware that it would not justify anything.

“I, too, am not seeking forgiveness, but I do wish to make clear the things I have accomplished in my effort to make amends. For twenty years, I have served as a defender of my new home—we all have—from those that would threaten it. I am fully aware that our participation in these events did not bring about outcomes that might not have happened otherwise, but we have still participated.

“As for my own personal impact, I have taken on the role of headmare of the School for Gifted Unicorns. I was a teacher there for a time before taking the promotion, and I still teach advanced classes outside of normal school hours. I have given the gift of magical knowledge to thousands of unicorns, and I have personally helped hundreds discover their cutie marks and their purpose in life.

“I say this not to justify what we did, nor to earn sympathy or forgiveness. I see the practicality of things. Had your mother got her wish and had us executed all those years ago, think of all the lives that might have never benefited from our touch. More than that, as I recall, it was Tick Tock and your father that argued on our behalf.”

Bluebolt frowned. “They were just playing devil’s advocate, and you know that.”

“Tick Tock, perhaps. Your father, not so much. Flathoof has given me quite the picture of who your father is, and he does not seem the sort to do such a thing without worthy cause. Even if that’s all it was, they still filled that role when it was not required of them. Truthfully, if my sisters and I had truly desired to escape from your mother or to do her any further harm, we were more than capable of doing so right then and there.”

“Is that a threat?”

“No, it is merely an observation. My sisters and I accepted whatever judgement was passed upon us even then, because we knew we had done wrong. Your father and Tick Tock argued to give us another chance. Rarity and her friends welcomed us into their homes and lives to make that happen. I am merely telling you what we have done with it. We did not squander it. Explain that to your mother.”

Bluebolt relaxed into her seat slightly. “I promised Rarity that I would listen to you all, and I did. To be honest, knowing what I know about what you did and knowing what I know about you now, I still can’t say that I’d forgive you.” She took a deep breath. “But that’s not my place. That’s my mom’s place. So I’ll tell her all that you told me, and let her make a decision.”

“Again, we do not expect forgiveness. Merely an understanding.”

“Well, maybe you’ll get that much out of her. I can tell you right now she’s probably not going to be happy, but then again, I haven’t talked with her about it since I was a filly. Maybe things have changed, I don’t know.”

Shadow turned to Rarity. “I think that will be all from us, Rarity. I appreciate the opportunity that you have bequeathed upon myself and my sisters.”

Rarity nodded. “It was the least I could do with the opportunity I had, darling. Take care of yourselves over there, okay?”

“We will, Rarity!” Insipid said, waving. “Spike says ‘hi’ by the way!”

With that, the connection closed.

Rarity set her hoof on Bluebolt’s shoulder. “That was a very brave, kind thing you did for them.”

Bluebolt grunted. “Yeah, well, everything that happened was before I was even born. It’s not right for me to judge them on something like that.” She took a deep breath. “I doubt my mom will feel the same way. This might’ve just been a waste of time.”

Rarity nodded. “The best that I think Starlight Shadow and her sisters are hoping for is that she’ll at least listen. Do you think she will?”

“Yeah… I think she’ll at least give them that much.”

“Then this wasn’t a waste of time, dear. You should be proud that you at least made an attempt.”

Bluebolt sighed. “Right…”


*****


Sundial sent Rarity and Bluebolt on their way after their little meeting, then shut the door to her bedroom and took a deep breath, glad that things were wrapping up for the winter. It wouldn’t be much longer before they could all set out and get things taken care of on the other side of the world. That sounded a lot more difficult and impressive that it really was, in her opinion.

“So… have ye figured out why I asked you to come tonight?” she asked without turning away from the door.

Weaver, who was standing quietly in the shadows against the wall opposite her door, nodded. “Yes, I think I have.”

“Alright then, lad, tell me.” Sundial took a seat on the foot of her bed and gestured for Weaver to join her. “C’mon then.”

Weaver paused, then stepped out of the shadows and sat next to her. “Those six mares, they were grown in a laboratory. They were… created. ‘Manufactured’, one of them said. Made to be used as tools.” He hung his head. “Just like me…”

“Aye, lad, almost just like you. A wee bit different on account o’ the aging process they went through, but aye, they’re just like you otherwise. So do ye know why I wanted ye to sit in for this meeting then? Because it wasn’t just for you to find out ye’re not alone out there.”

“...no.”

“Well, lad, the way I see it, yer life’s journey has been much the same as theirs, aye? And I wanted ye ta see that, despite how everything in yer life has been, ye still have the potential ta be more than just some tool. Ye’re not a tool ta us, lad. Ye’re not a tool ta me.”

“You think that I still consider myself… a tool?” Weaver said, frowning.

Sundial rubbed the back of her head. “Och, I don’t know, lad, but everything ye’ve been doing and learning since we’ve been together has been ta try and be useful, it feels like. Flurry noticed. I noticed. Ye’ve got ta want ta do these things, not because it makes ye useful ta others, but because it’s something ye like ta do.

“Those mares, aye? They started off just like you, but look at them now. They’ve got jobs. They’ve got friends. They’ve got hobbies. They’ve got bloody families, they do. I just wanted ta show you that ye’re just like they once were, and ye can be just like they are. Ye can have a real life ahead of you, aye?”

Weaver tilted his head. “A… real life?”

“Aye, a real life, lad. Ye can have hobbies and friends o’ yer own—”

“Are you and Flurry my friends?”

Sundial smiled. “Aye, lad, we are. The rest o’ the girls are too, I think. But if ye want ta say that me and Flurry are yer best friends, then that’s what we are. And ye can have more than friends, aye? Ye can have hobbies too, like yer cooking. You enjoy it for more than it’s practical benefit, don’t you?”

Weaver pondered this. “Yes. It relaxes me. I enjoy the smells and flavors. I… enjoy it when you enjoy my food.”

Sundial clapped him on the shoulder. “See? That’s why I brought ye here tonight: ta let ye see that there’s more out there for you.”

“I see…” Weaver nodded his head. “Thank you, Sundial. I appreciate—”

A loud crack of thunder boomed outside the window, loud and hard enough to shake the reinforced glass.

Weaver froze up. Sundial knew he wasn’t fond of the sound of thunder, but she’d never seen him so scared before. Then again, that bolt had been close.

“Are ye alright, lad?” she asked him, rubbing his shoulder.

“Storms bring thunder,” Weaver muttered, shivering. “Thunder means lightning. I… do not enjoy lightning…”

“Aye, I know, lad.”

Another clap of thunder. Weaver shuddered and shrunk away from the window. Sundial frowned and pulled him in for a hug.

“It’s alright, Weaver, I’m here. That thunder and lightning won’t get ye in here.”

Weaver shook his head. “I do not like lightning, Sundial…”

“Aye, lad.”

“It is hard to sleep during these storms,” he muttered, shuddering as another clap of thunder resounded outside. “I am… afraid…” He hung his head. “I see things in my sleep. Flashes. Memories. Lightning, pain, the Overseer. I do not like seeing these things.”

Sundial paused and considered her next words carefully. “If ye want, ye don’t have ta sleep alone tonight. My bed is big enough for ye ta share with me, aye?”

Weaver looked back at the bed, then to Sundial. “You wish to share?”

“Aye, like when we shared a sleeping bag on the way through the snows. Remember? Ye slept pretty soundly with me next ta ye, so maybe I can help ye now too?”

Weaver paused. “How?”

Sundial smiled slightly. “Just don’t go telling anypony about it, aye? This is a wee bit different from a sleeping bag and they might get the wrong idea.”

He tilted his head. “What idea would they get?”

“Well, lad, if ye say we slept together, that’s a bit o’ different meaning than what we’re doing, aye?” Sundial turned red and shook her head. “Och, just get yer arse inta bed so we can sleep, aye? It’s late and I don’t want ta try and figure out this conversation.”

“It is a very confusing conversation,” Weaver said as he lifted himself towards the head of the bed.

“It’s a very complicated situation,” Sundial grumbled. She stood up and started taking off her clothes, then shot a look back at Weaver. He was just staring at her, unashamed and unbothered. “Ah, just so ye know, I sleep in the nude, aye? So don’t go getting any ideas.”

Weaver tilted his head as he removed his clothes as well. “What kind of ideas would I be getting?”

Sundial averted her gaze. “I don’t know! But don’t get them!” 

“From how Miss Symphony says it, nopony gets ‘ideas’ about you, Sundial,” he replied with a small grin. “So I will not either.”

Sundial balked. “Did… did you just give me sass, lad?”

Weaver tapped his chin, then nodded. “Yes.”

Sundial grumbled, then hopped into bed alongside Weaver, tucking herself under the covers in the process.

Weaver drifted off to sleep first, and Sundial tentatively huddled up next to him. She noticed that he seemed oddly content now, next to her. A great crack of thunder resounded outside, but he barely flinched. She believed in her heart that she was making him feel safe, just like she’d done for Flurry, just like the others felt around her at times.

But with him, it was different. A different kind of “safe”. She didn’t know what it was, but after everything that had happened to him, and the efforts that she and Flurry and gone through to pull him out of that, she knew one thing: she wanted to keep him safe.

She then slowly drifted off to sleep to the sound of the still raging storm as it got quieter. And quieter. And quieter.

Until she couldn’t hear it anymore, because she had fallen completely asleep.