The Ponyville cleanup began in earnest in the days following the Storm of Magic, thankfully, the preparations carried out had proven effective, although that didn't mean everywhere was intact.
Key buildings like the Town Hall, Golden Oaks, and Schoolhouse had survived thanks to the Waystones, although the grass beneath each rock had been burned down to bare, blackened earth.
More significant damage had occurred to the towns outlying buildings, a few houses had collapsed and the roof of at least one dwelling had been pulled off one completely. Twilight had even gone to check on Rainbow Dash's cloudoleum, but thankfully she had moved it far from the storm's path.
When questioned, the pegasus had simply shrugged and said, "You wouldn't leave all your books in the path of a dragon would you?" Twilight had to agree with the analogy.
She had also been worried about Fluttershy's cottage but on arrival she found it had not only survived but looked no different than before the storm, although many of the animal habitats would need rebuilding. When questioned, the yellow pegasus admitted Discord had temporarily removed it from reality, and that was that.
Sadly, Ponyville General had fared the worst. Almost half the building had collapsed after a Waystone failed, exposing it, and the ponies within, to the full force of the Storm of Magic. Unicorn mages were removing it for analysis by Twilight Sparkle, with sabotage strongly suspected.
There was also the grim task of counting those who didn’t survive.
Stone faced, Nurse Redheart exited the hospital morgue, the room having survived as it was underground. This wasn't easy for her, any of the staff, or the families involved. The Nurse pony knew she came off as callous to her patients, but that didn't change the fact she took her job, and the lives of those in her care, very seriously. Consequently, she took their deaths equally hard.
Pushing grim thoughts from her head for the moment, she proceeded upstairs to her office, which thankfully had also remained standing minus a few ceiling tiles and a shattered window which had blown most of her paperwork all over the room. Settling behind her desk Redheart began cleaning and sorting the patient files and folders, she was nothing if not efficient with her organisation, rapidly replacing the errant documents, which led her to realise that a few were missing.
Thinking back, she recalled the last place she had them was after Double Helix had confirmed Scott was Reivers biological father. She had then put his file in her saddlebags with the rest, before joining everypony in what should have been a safe part of the hospital. In her haste to escape the collapsed roof she never bothered to check if any papers were missing, which meant they were probably still in the rubble.
Hastily making her way to the wreckage, she waved down one of the Guards.
"Excuse me sir but I'm missing some patient files, I think they got buried in the collapse."
"Ah, I know what you mean, we have them here," replied the stallion, taking her to a side room. "We've been keeping belongings and items here in case somepony comes to claim them."
He led her to a stack of grubby papers on a table, searching through it confirmed they were the missing files, but one folder wasn't present.
Reivers.
"Is this everything?" she asked. "I'm still missing a file."
"That's all we could find ma'am," he responded. "But there was a stallion rummaging in the rubble where we dug them out. Maybe he took one.”
“And you didn't think to find him?!” she asked, incredulously.
“We have more pressing concerns right now Ma’am,” the guard responded, indicating the ruins behind him.
Gathering up the mess of papers with a huff, she quickly left. There was only one pony that could want Reivers' file, but she wasn't sure if he was even aware of its existence, nevertheless, she didn’t want to put the foal at risk. Heading straight to Scott's room, she barged in, intending to reprimand him, only to find the stallion also missing.
With a creeping sense of apprehension, she went looking for her wayward patient, winding through groups of staff and patients as she checked each and every room, eventually moving outside where he was sitting quietly on a bench. She spied the missing file beside him as she approached, and the photo of Reiver in his hoof.
"Are you going to berate me for leaving my bed?" he asked tonelessly, eyes fixed on the picture.
"Actually, I was going to remind you that those documents are confidential," she replied.
"Even if they are my own son?" the stallion questioned.
She remained silent.
"That's who this is," he continued, indicating the photo. "This...colt, is my son, isn't he?"
"What makes you say that?," she questioned, unwilling to give him the truth without a fight.
“The eyes, his...muzzle shape, even that coat colour looks a bit like mine. I’m not an idiot so don’t deny it, I know he’s my son...he looks younger than I remember. Then again, I don't look like I'm supposed to either so it makes as much sense as anything else."
Redheart cocked her head, what was he talking about?
"Where is he?"
"In the care of a loving family," she stated.
"Which family? When can I see him?"
"If you read the file then you would already know the answer.” deduced Redheart. “In any case, I'm afraid I can't answer those for his own protection."
"What's that supposed to mean?!" he snapped, glaring at the Nurse pony as she quickly retrieved the folder. "He is MY son, I have a right to see him."
"And I have a right to protect my patients from harm," she retorted. "You should know he's been very unflattering about you!"
"What has he been saying this time?" he bristled. "That ungrateful little brat has no idea what I did to keep a roof over his head!"
"My understanding was that you neglected his emotional well-being, prioritising your career and personal gains over his, and your wifes, happiness."
"Don't you dare bring her into this!" roared the stallion. "She was supposed to raise the kid to be a man, but instead turned him into an emotional weakling!"
"And I suppose that's what drove you to leave?" she replied, in an even tone. "I'll admit I don't have the full story, but it's clear you never put anything before your own pride. You are doing it right now, you shouldn't be outside in your condition, yet, here you are, putting pride before everything else!"
"I am fine," he growled.
"Keep telling yourself that," she sarcastically rebutted. "Now get back inside before I have the orderlies drag you."
The stallion glared at her once again, but Redheart was used to unruly patients and stared him down hard. Finally capitulating, Scott stalked inside with a feral growl, stomping back to his room.
She sighed, he was going to be really difficult now, but she wasn't going to give up Reivers' location to somepony with such a temper. Saving her life aside, it was clear Scott had his own issues that needed working out. Maybe she could help them both somehow, but that might be wishful thinking.
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Trotting back to her office, the nurse mare failed to see something detach itself from the file, the creature sliding silently among the shadows until it reached Scott's room, where the stallion was pacing angrily.
“Nag!” he cursed. “How dare she tell me I can’t see my own son!”
It’s not like she knows what's best for him.
“Exactly! She doesn’t know, and my wife certainly didn’t know how to raise the little twat! I needed a son, not a sissy!”
“But that's what you got, a pathetic sissy of a boy.”
“All because I left him with her, I should have taken him away with me. Raised him myself!”
“Why not do that now?”
“He’s a grown man, it’s far too late for that.”
“Is it? You saw the photograph, the nurse admitted it. Your grown son is a child again, you’ve got a second chance.”
“That's right! I can make sure to raise him right, make him a real man, not a sobbing baby.”
“Exactly, nice talking with you.”
“Thanks...wait, who's there?”
His answer was the fading reverberation of darkly familiar chuckle, and then he was alone, while iIn the space between space, something mused.
“I’ll introduce myself soon enough my friend, after all hw else will I enjoy the coming Anarchy!”
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Applejack sighed as she put down the phone, this was not the news she needed today. Redheart had just finished informing her about Scott’s discovery of Reiver. Little mercy he didn’t know where he was, now the farmer had to break this news to the colt himself. She had thought about keeping it a secret, like they had been doing so far, however, she decided telling him the truth was now necessary in case the stallion came looking for his son.
Exiting the farmhouse, the blonde pony took in the hive of activity at Sweet Apple Acres, as the Apple family, and a few local ponies, worked to repair the damage done by the storm. The farmhouse had taken the brunt of the damage after the waystone died, the stone itself had also been taken away for analysis by Twilight. A few trees had been toppled or uprooted and would need clearing, but the zap apples were still standing as predicted. The barn had suffered as the upper level had collapsed, spilling hay bales over the floor, while the animals' enclosures had suffered some damage, but that wasn’t irreparable.
Heading down the path to one of the fences surrounding the property, she spied Reiver helping Big Macintosh rebuild one of the broken fences, the pair were heaving a new gate into position before Reiver got to work screwing in the hinges. Soon the job was done, and the pair admired their handiwork as Applejack approached.
"Looks good you two," she complimented.
"Eeyup," was the simultaneous reply, getting a smile from each of them.
"Big Mac, mind if I borrow a Reiver for a second?" she asked. "I need his help with a job."
"That okay with you?" asked the stallion, Reiver nodding in response. “Alrighty then, when you're done come find me and we can rebuild the chicken coop.”
With a wave, Reiver set off with Applejack towards the barn.
"I need a hand in the Apple Cellar," she explained. "Some of the barrels tipped over and now there's Red Delicious all over the place! Your grip has really improved so I reckon we should be done in no time.”
"Okay, but why not get one of the Crusaders?"
"Because they are currently putting their treehouse back up," she explained, relieved the little chaos magnets weren’t close by. “I'd also like to check in with you, partner, everything that happened got me a little worried."
The conversation paused as they headed into the cellar, true enough, there were apples carpeting the floor from a collapsed stack of barrels.
"I was worried as well," replied Reiver, heaving one back upright. "I really was afraid I would become some sort of lab rat or get committed if anyone found out about me. But, I guess I should have had more faith in ponies, especially you and the Apples."
He turned to the farmer.
"I’m sorry for doubting, you kept me safe, helped me get better and stood by me, I’ve not had something like that for a long time. I can honestly say I've never felt more at ease or accepted by anyone."
He smiled up at the farm pony, who nervously rubbed her neck.
"Partner, there's something you need to know..."
"Yes?" he replied cautiously.
"It's about your father."
Reivers' world screeched to a halt.
"I'm sorry, but Nurse Redheart contacted me a moment ago, he's been at Ponyville General for the last few months."
"No...no, no,no,” the colt repeated as a mix of anger and panic welled up inside him. This was impossible, he saw him get vaporised when he was kicked from the car.
“I’m sorry I had to keep this from ya, but they weren't sure about who he was until recently.” She passed to swallow as a brick settled in her gut. “He’s been asking about you.”
"Asking about me? HA!" angrily scoffed the colt. "That would be a first! The man has never once asked about me, he’s an ass!"
"You're lucky Granny didn't hear that partner, though I’m inclined to agree, I've heard enough from you and Redheart about his attitude,” said Applejack. “Would you mind clarifying a few things, you told us how you got here in that car, thing, and that he was with you when y'all got sucked up into that vortex. What exactly happened then?”
Reiver sighed in resignation.
"Sit down Applejack, because I've got a story for you."
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The funeral had been a somber affair, even the weather reflected the general mood, dark clouds and rain pattering from the sky, which only got more intense as the service concluded and the coffin was slowly lowered into the earth.
Reiver soberly laid a single rose onto the pine lid, struggling to keep his composure as he adjusted the tie on his dark suit. He watched his grandmother as had to be excused, led away by his Aunty as she wept. Gran had always been religious, and mourned that her child would not see paradise because her death had been by suicide.
Reiver hoped that whomever was up there took her mental state into account, she deserved happiness after the anguish his father had put her through.
Speaking of the devil in question, Reiver watched as Scott, stoic and impassive, laid his rose before backing away. He's seen that look on his fathers face before, the one that he wore every time he had 'apologised' for a missed appointment or event, every time he felt Reiver had been 'acting up' or got 'too emotional', or when his mother was ‘hysterical’.
It was the one he wore every time he was at fault, but chose to blame others instead of himself.
Revier scowled, grinding his teeth in frustration, how dare he show his face. She had already been upset before the divorce, but it was his deplorable actions, both during and after, which finally pushed her over the edge.
Thank god they had a good lawyer and a sympathetic judge, as his need to leave her with as little as possible caused things to escalate.
Of course, that just left Scott in an even worse mood, because when he didn't get what he wanted, he actively sought to spoil it for others.
Thus, the court ordered reparations were slow to come, some having to be forced from him. He spread evil gossip about his mum, working to destroy her socially as he portrayed her as a greedy, scheming witch. As far as Scott was concerned, his wife had been neglecting his needs and spending his money.
Of course Reiver knew the truth was that she simply didn't love him anymore.
Back in the present, he watched as Scott remained alone, far from the mourners, a few glaring daggers at him. As time ticked by, they slowly filtered out of the churchyard, offering Reiver condolences as he stood by the wrought iron gates, ensuring everyone left safely. The rain was really pouring down now, thunder rumbling overhead as lightning flashed in the distance.
"Bugger it!"
Reiver was a few steps from his car when he heard his dad curse loudly. Turning, he saw Scott angrily hang up his phone and look around, his face lighting up when he saw his son, before briskly walking towards him.
He should have got in and left, but his fingers remained clenched on the door handle.
"Reiver! Mind if I come along? There's no taxis available to pick me up."
Reiver was silent as he tried to keep control, he should just leave him, make him walk back in the pouring rain for what he did. But, as a crack of thunder boomed overhead, he gave in. Scott had always been difficult to refuse, he always wondered if he was afraid of his father on some level.
In an awkward silence, Reiver pulled out of the parking lot and onto the road, the church was a bit off the beaten track, but the main road wasn't far, then he could drop his father in town and be done with him.
"Some weather," commented Scott.
Reiver grunted in response, not eager to speak with the man.
"I'll bet it continues like this all night," the man continued. "Probably flood a few places as well."
He remained silent.
"Come on son, talk to me. We haven't spoken since-"
"Since you walked out on mum," he finished, flatly. "There's a good reason for that."
"Come on now," protested Scott. "Don't be like that, we've got an opportunity for a fresh start."
"Only you would call mums death a 'fresh start'" Reiver scoffed.
"I know we haven't been close-"
"That's an understatement," he interrupted. "You were always away for work or some other excuse, as far as I was concerned, you became this stranger who would occasionally disrupt the peace mum and I had built for ourselves."
"That's hardly fair, without me, both of you never have any food or even a roof over your heads."
"As you kept reminding us at every oppertunity, of course I've got the house now."
"And how will you pay for it with that dead end job you have? I doubt you can afford the utility bills."
"Which is why I make and sell crafts, dad!" snapped Reiver. "I do livestreams and make videos, I even write short stories!"
"And how does any of that help! You hardly make anything on top of that part time wage!"
"You never did like my career choices did you?" he asked rhetorically.
"All I'm saying is if you gave up that nonsense and got a real job, then you could-"
"-spend my life wasting away in a cubicle at someone else beck and call, I get enough of that already, at least part time gives me freedom to pursue my interests."
"But you will never be successful!" finally yelled Scott, furious at the constant interruptions. "You have no ambition!"
"Better than having too much of it!" retorted Reiver. "You've always put your selfish needs in front of everyone else!"
"Don't you dare speak to me like that!" he thundered. "My 'selfish needs' put food on the table for you and your mother!"
"And yet you were never home for dinner!"
The blow was sudden, pain erupting across Reivers face as his head snapped left, the car swerving as he briefly lost control before slamming on the brakes.
The storm outside was in full swing now, rain lashing against the vehicle as thunder and lightning boomed overhead in a vibrant display of colour, the wind howling all around them like a banshee.
Although that felt like nothing compared to the storm inside the car.
Reiver never considered himself a violent man, he was quiet and reserved, normally choosing to ignore or suppress emotions like the one bubbling rapidly to the surface as he, almost disbelievingly, touched the bruise forming on his cheek.
"I should have done that sooner," muttered Scott. "Finally got you to stop talking back, maybe it would have made you less of a softie, but that's your weakling mothers fault. You couldn't even stop her from killing herself."
Something snapped.
Without warning, he grabbed his father by the collar and growled at him like an animal.
"You do NOT, get to blame me for that, you don't know me, you barely knew mum. You did this to her, you destroyed her!"
"She did that to herself, selfish bitch that she was."
Reiver threw his father against the dashboard. Surprised, Scott had no time to prevent his face meeting moulded plastic with a solid thud. Retaliating, he reached back to grab his son's tie and yanked it hard, causing the knot to tighten and almost choke Reiver, who had to release him to undo it. Recovering quickly, he gut punched Scott while he was still dazed.
Engrossed in their own conflict, neither of them realized the true nature of the storm that now surrounded the tiny vehicle, myriads of colours flashed all around them with each crack of thunder and lightning, the car’s shaking was ignored as blind rage drove them to beat one another senseless.
Wind and lightning suddenly struck the vehicle, shaking the pair out of their battle long enough to feel it lifted skyward by the tornado that now engulfed them, tossing the two like insects as Scott took the opportunity to punch Reiver in the teeth before he kicked out at his father, throwing him into one of the doors, which unexpectedly broke open to reveal a swirling rainbow of light and colour that Scott tumbled out into, his body evaporating as he fell.
River puffed and panted as the door slammed shut from a gust of wind, while the spinning rainbow of power that just swallowed his father got faster and brighter. A bolt of lightning struck the car and his survival instinct kicked in and he tried to brace himself as it spun through the air. Dazed as static crackled all around him, the last thing he remembered was a blue sky, the crack of splintering wood, then a solid impact, before darkness swallowed him.
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"I woke up in the Everfree forest like this," he finished, Applejack listening patiently. "You know the rest."
The colt was panting, having been pacing back and forth like a caged animal as his anger welled up.
"Did your pa beat you like that before?" she cautiously enquired.
"No," replied Reiver. "He was usually more mental with his 'disapproval'. 'You can't make a living like that', 'are you still doing that old thing?' 'No one will respect you like that'," his idea of parenting. Of course, I wouldn't have put it past him to hit me, guess I'm surprised it took so long.”
Applejack was quiet, this guy was definitely not suited to be around children, let alone Reiver, who signed and plopped down in front of her.
"What happened was a culmination of years of taking his shit and not talking back,” he spat. “Git had the nerve to blame mum, at that moment I just wanted him dead.”
"Partner, I'm not gonna say anything because I think it's completely deserved. He's been disrespectful to Redheart ever since he was brought in.”
She got down to his level and looked him in the eye.
“I want you to know. We'd been keeping him a secret from you because you were recovering, and given what we'd already heard about him we didn't want to risk you getting sick with worry."
She wrapped her hooves around him.
"He is not getting you, your practically family and Apple look after their family."
"Thanks Applejack," he replied, leaning into the hug. "I really want to be mad at you, but...I just can’t. You looked after me, your sister is my friend, I love doing crafts with Big Mac. I guess I trust you all more than I thought.”
The farmer smiled, looking at the foal in her hooves.
Come tartarus or high water, Reiver would stay with the Apples, they would make sure of it.