The Equestrian Odyssey - A Tale of Two Worlds

by Kamahido

Chapter 24 - Holiday Preparations (Part 3)

A short time later Arc and Rarity leave her back room together. She looks around before lowering her voice.

“Thank you for the talk, Arc. And I... I do hope my request is... permitted.”

Arc nods. “On my end, yes. However it’s up to Applejack and Derpy at this point.”

“I’ll call them both after you and the fillies leave.”

“Alright. Expect me back around dark.”

“Very well. Shall I call for the fillies?”

“Sure. Might as well get this plan moving.”

Rarity turns to the stairs and calls up it.

“Sweetie Belle! It’s time to go!”

The sound of hooves running down the hall rings out. A few moments later the fillies charge down the stairs to stand before Arc and Rarity.

“Now then, you be good for Arc, Sweetie Belle.”

“I will, Rarity!”

Apple Bloom claps her hooves together happily. “Day trip!”

“Where are we going, dad?!”

“I was thinking Baltimare.”

Babs appears confused. “What’s there?”

“A large shopping district.”

Rarity smiles. “Arc is going Hearth’s Warming shopping, and he needs all of you to help him.”

Sweetie Belle gasps happily as she trots in place. “Let’s go then!”

They head for the door and put on their scarves and hats. Arc walks over and opens a portal.

“Ready when you are.”

The fillies run through as Arc turns to Rarity.

“See you later.”

Rarity waves after him. “Have fun!”

Following the fillies through, Arc allows the portal to close behind him. The fillies look around, confused. Dinky is the first to speak.

“Dad? Where are we?”

“A park of sorts.”

Babs looks left and right. “It looks very well cared for.”

Apple Bloom nods. “And new!”

Sweetie Belle turns to Arc. “Can we play?!”

Arc shakes his head. “It’s not that kind of park. Now then, let’s be off.”

Leading the fillies toward the street, Arc motions toward the bustling city.

“Here we are. Baltimare.”

Dinky giggles. “I remember coming here before.”

Apple Bloom nods. “Right. We helped Miss Cerulean Skies serve the poor some supper.”

Sweetie Belle turns to Arc. “Do you think we’ll see her?”

“It’s a pretty big city, so I doubt it.”

Babs sighs. “Aw... she was nice too.”

“Yes well... that and she’s probably on her way to work now.”

Dinky shrugs. “That makes sense.”

Apple Bloom smiles. “So what are we here for, Arc?”

“Like Rarity said before we left, I need some very special help from you four in picking out some presents.”

Sweetie Belle grins. “Sure, Arc.”

“We’re going shopping for Hearth’s Warming gifts for the orphanage as well as Christmas shopping for the kids at the Farburg Orphanage.”

Babs appears confused. “Christmas?”

Dinky chimes in. “It’s the human version of Hearth’s Warming.”

“Right. The toys we buy here will be brought to the Little Hooves Orphanage by me. While at the same time Frank will be playing Santa Clause back at the Farburg Orphanage with his guys.”

Dinky giggles. “Just like last year, dad?”

“Exactly. But he’ll be doing it without our help this time.”

Apple Bloom raises an eyebrow. “Why’s that?”

“Because I’ll be spending Hearth’s Warming here with all of you this year.”

Sweetie Belle’s eyes light up. “Rarity’s looking forward to it.”

Babs nods. “We are too.”

Apple Bloom rolls her eyes as she smiles. “Applejack’s been talking about it non-stop.”

“Well, I’m glad that everyone’s so pleased to have me. So let’s see about buying some special gifts for your families.”

He leads the group through the streets. They enter a large toy store and walk the aisles with a cart. As they see things they’d like they put them in the cart. Babs holds up a toy train.

“This looks like fun!”

Arc chuckles. “Add it to the pile then.”

Apple Bloom raises an eyebrow. “Are you sure the orphans would like that though?”

Babs nods. “Yeah! Remember, I lived with them for years before meeting you, Apple Bloom.”

“Sorry. Sometimes I forget that.”

Sweetie Belle giggles as she walks over levitating a few toys in her magical aura. “It’s like you’ve always been here, Babs Seed.”

Dinky giggles as she too tosses in a toy. “Yeah. You fit right in.”

Arc smiles at them. “That’s a good thing though. Being able to adapt to a new life so easily.”

Babs looks happily at Apple Bloom. “Well, it’s not hard when you have a family willing and able to take you in.”

She sighs before continuing.

“But a lot of the foals I lived with back at the orphanage are still there.”

Dinky turns to her father. “Dad, is there anything you can do about that?”

Arc shakes his head sadly. “I’m afraid not, sweetheart. After all, you can’t force a pony to take someone in.”

Sweetie Belle appears hopeful. “How do they do things like this on Earth?”

“About the same way. A large building that houses all the kids.”

Apple Bloom’s ears droop. “That’s kinda sad.”

Dinky frowns. “Apple Bloom?”

“I mean not having a family. Applejack, Big Mac, and I were lucky the Granny Smith was able to take us in.”

Sweetie Belle nods. “And I’m happy that Rarity was willing to keep me after... what happened to her.”

Dinky grins. “My mom probably wouldn’t have been able to care for me if my dad hadn’t stepped in. Heck, I wouldn’t have even been born probably.”

Arc shudders. “It was really scary for a few moments back there, yes.”

Babs sighs. “I never really knew what it was like to have a family before coming to Ponyville. I mean, we orphans kinda stuck together as best we could. But it wasn’t anything like family though.”

Arc looks to Babs Seed as he speaks. “Things were like that when I was growing up too. Shelly was kinda like the den mother for everyone. And Frank was kinda the... enforcer. Anyone got out of line and he’d punish them.”

Dinky giggles. “Well, I’m glad we all were able to find happiness!”

Arc chuckles. “That we were, sweetheart. But I too wish we could do more for the orphans.”

Babs Seed smiles. “The others back there are still a lot happier here than they were back at the New Beginnings Orphanage though, sir.”

Apple Bloom holds up a set of wooden blocks. “We’ll still do our best to make them happy though.”

Sweetie Belle gasps happily. “The younger foals will love those!”

Dinky giggles as she levitates a few books into the cart. “And the older ones would love these!”

Babs reads the title aloud. “Huh...‘The Adventures of Daring Do’?”

Dinky nods. “Yup. They’re really popular.”

Arc smirks. “Are they now?”

“Mom told me they’re Rainbow Dash’s favorite, dad. So I picked one up from the library.”

Apple Bloom puts a hoof to her chin thoughtfully. “I think I remember my sister talking about that series.”

Sweetie Belle shrugs. “Rarity too. She doesn’t have much time for reading though.”

Arc looks to them. “Well then, how about we buy the whole set?”

Babs Seed giggles happily. “I’m sure the older foals would love reading them to the little ones!”

“Exactly my thoughts.”

Apple Bloom hops up onto the cart and puts a hoof above her eyes as if shielding it from sunlight. “Imagine going on wild adventures like Daring Do does.”

“My dad doesn’t have to imagine.”

“Right. I’ve lived it.”

Sweetie Belle picks up a book from the shelf. “Oh! Here’s the latest one!”

Apple Bloom looks at the cover. “It says ‘Daring Do and the Temple of Doom’.”

Babs tilts her head to one side. “What’s it about?”

Sweetie Belle turns the book over and reads aloud. “Get ready for a dark and damp adventure in a faraway land. Daring Do must follow Doctor Caballeron into an ancient temple and stop him from getting his hooves on a legendary artifact... the ‘Intuition Orb’. Joined by a new companion named Abagail whom is on a rescue mission of her own, can the pair stop Caballeron in time? Will they find Abagail’s missing friend whom is trapped somewhere in the temple? Find out in this issue of Daring Do.”

Arc chuckles as Dinky looks to him.

“What is it, dad?”

“Huh? Oh, nothing.”

Babs sighs dreamily as she looks at the picture on the back cover. “I wish I could meet her.”

Apple Bloom appears confused. “Who?”

Sweetie Belle shrugs. “Daring Do?”

Babs Seed shakes her head. “A.K. Yearling.”

Apple Bloom sighs. “But nopony knows where she lives.”

Sweetie Belle frowns. “Somepony has to know. After all, she does go somewhere to get these books published.”

Dinky turns to her father. “Any idea’s dad?”

“While I don’t know where she lives, I have met this mare before.”

Babs Seed grins happily. “You have?!”

“Yup. She was injured and I brought her to The Equinox for medical care.”

Apple Bloom gasps. “She was hurt?!”

“Nothing life threatening, but yes.”

Sweetie Belle appears hopeful. “But she’s okay, right?!”

“I’m sure she’s doing well. I transported her to the Crystal Empire’s hospital for additional care. Not that she really needed it, mind you. But it was her request.”

Dinky taps the cover with a hoof. “This book just came out, so she has to be doing okay if she’s writing again.”

Babs Seed sounds relieved. “I guess so.”

Arc turns to his daughter. “Dinky, would you please grab another copy of that book?”

“Sure, dad.”

Apple Bloom appears confused. “Just that one though?”

“You’re right. Get me two, sweetheart.”

“Oh?”

“One for a friend of mine and one for me.”

Babs Seed giggles. “I didn’t know you liked Daring Do, Arc.”

“Truth be told I’ve never read it before.”

Apple Bloom raises an eyebrow. “Then why...?”

“I want to check it for accuracy.”

Sweetie Belle frowns. “Huh?”

Arc chuckles. “Nothing.”

Sometime later they head up to the counter with their purchases. The fillies eyes grow wide as they see the massive amount of bits Arc hands the cashier. Their purchases are bagged and stored in Arc’s ring. Heading out the door, Sweetie Belle turns to Arc.

“Um...”

“Yes, Sweetie Belle?”

“Can I ask you something kinda weird, Arc?”

“Sure. What is it?”

“Are you... rich?”

“Well... that’s kind of relative.”

Apple Bloom raises an eyebrow. “Relative? Like somepony who’s your family?”

Arc chuckles. “No, no. It means that it’s a matter of perception.”

“What’s that mean, dad?”

“Wealth is more than just coins. It’s also the sum total of all your assets.”

Babs Seed frowns. “Assets?”

“Things you own. Property, a house, the items inside the house... things that are precious to you.”

Sweetie Belle puts a hoof to her chin. “But you don’t have any of that stuff, Arc.”

“That is true. However I see it as more than that.”

He kneels down before them and looks the fillies in the eye as he continues.

“In my case it’s also the friends and family I have as well.”

Apple Bloom points to her friends. “We’re assets?”

Arc shakes his head. “Not exactly, no. However just like the things I mentioned before, you four are precious to me.”

Dinky hops up and wraps her hooves around Arc’s neck. “And you’re precious to me too, dad!”

Apple Bloom giggles. “That you are, Arc!”

A familiar voice rings out behind them.

“Oh! Hello again, sir!”

Turning, they see Cerulean Skies walking toward them. She smiles as Arc looks to her.

“It’s good to see you and your friends, Arc.”

“Likewise, Cerulean Skies.”

Dinky grins. “Are you here to buy toys too, miss?”

“Oh, no. I’m shopping for Hearth’s Warming dinner.”

Apple Bloom giggles. “For you, or the town?”

“Everypony whom shows up, yes. It’s my last day off before the holiday, so here I am.”

Babs Seed smiles at her. “How is everyone doing?”

Sweetie Belle nods. “Right. There were so many there last time.”

“There are less lately, as the economy is starting to pick up.”

Arc grins. “That’s good. So the factories reopened?”

“Oh yes. They’ve been refitted to make supplies for the upcoming war.”

Dinky gasps. “War?!”

Arc sighs. “With the changelings, yes.”

Cerulean Skies shudders. “I’m hoping all the supplies being shipped out daily won’t be needed though. What do you think, sir?”

“While I don’t actually know what’s going to happen on that front, I’m planning to accompany Princess Twilight out there along with Princess Celestia when the time is right.”

“That’s reassuring.”

Dinky nods soberly. “My dad will show those beasts who’s the strongest!”

Sweetie Belle grins. “That he will!”

Babs Seed stomps the ground hard. “They won’t stand a chance!”

Apple Bloom grits her teeth. “He’ll make them pay for what they did.”

Cerulean Skies looks to Arc. “It appears you have quite the fan base, Arc.”

Arc grins. “That I do. But as long as you’re here, might I ask if you have enough money to buy a proper meal for Hearth’s Warming dinner?”

“It’s not going to be much better than what they normally get. Just slightly larger portions.”

Arc reaches into this ring and pulls out a bag of bits. Holding it out to her, he speaks.

“How about now?”

“But, s-sir...?!”

“Give them a nice meal. Something they’ll remember.”

Cerulean Skies nods as she takes the money. “I... I will! Thank you very much!”

Dinky walks over to her. “Miss?”

“Yes?”

“I was just wondering. Those mares and stallions you help feed.”

“What about them?”

“Do you think they’ll all find jobs someday?”

Cerulean Skies shakes her head. “There will always be those whom are unable to work, little one. Either from infirmity or old age. But I will always make sure they have at least one meal to eat a day.”

Apple Bloom smiles. “That’s very nice of you, miss.”

“It’s something I wish I’d had growing up. But I can’t change the past. Only help in the present.”

Babs Seed shudders. “I saw foals there last time. Do they go to school?”

“They do now. Previously, the school was overrun with vermin and falling down.”

She looks to Arc before continuing.

“However, somepony ordered crews to knock it down and build a new one.”

Dinky giggles. “I wonder whom did that.”

Arc shrugs. “Mysterious benefactor, I guess.”

“Well, in any case, thank you for all you did for Baltimare in the past, sir. Especially at the crisis.”

“You’re welcome. And thank you for all you do for the hungry here, Cerulean Skies. But we won’t take up any more of your time.”

“Take care, sir.”

They part ways and each continue on. Babs Seed looks to Arc.

“What was she talking about?”

Apple Bloom shrugs. “Some kind of natural disaster?”

Arc sighs. “Not... exactly.”

“Dad? What happened?”

“I’ll tell you later, sweetheart. But how about we get some lunch at a local restaurant?”

The fillies cheer and look around for a place to eat. Spotting a business emanating what they believe to be the best smells the group enters and takes a lunch break. They spend the rest of the day looking in shop windows for gifts to give their families. As the sun begins to set Arc turns to them.

“Is anyone hungry?”

Dinky shakes her head. “I’m still pretty full from lunch.”

Apple Bloom pats her belly. “And the snacks we ate from the food carts.”

Sweetie Belle burps. “Same here.”

Babs looks up at the dimming sky. “Looks like the sun’s going down.”

Arc sighs. “Perhaps we should be heading back then.”

“Yeah, dad. I’m sure mom’s waiting for us.”

Arc glances over at a small shop behind them. “Um... would you four mind if I bought something real quick?”

Apple Bloom nods. “Sure, Arc.”

Sweetie Belle sits down on her haunches. “We’ll just wait here.”

“Alright. Be right back.”

Jogging across the street they see Arc enter a small flower shop. Sweetie Belle grins.

“Looks like Arc wanted to buy Rarity some flowers.”

Apple Bloom giggles. “Maybe they’re for Applejack instead.”

Babs shrugs. “Or both.”

Dinky grimaces as she looks away. “I don’t think that’s what he’s doing.”

Apple Bloom grins. “Think maybe they’re for your mom, Dinky?”

“Not... exactly.”

Emerging a few minutes later, Arc rejoins the fillies. Holding a large paper bag he motions for them to follow.

“Let’s return to the park we started at.”

Walking, they come to the park. Arc leads the fillies over to a large stone monument. Turning to them he sighs.

“Give me a moment.”

Approaching the slab, Arc stands there and looks at it for a long moment silently. Eventually, he opens the bag and pulls out three objects. The fillies watch as he silently casts a small Flame Spell. Holding the flame to the objects they begin to burn. Seeing that they are candles, they watch as Arc sets the down in a row side by side. Pulling out three roses, he lays them down in front of the candles. Sitting there for a few moments Arc eventually pulls a small stuffed animal from his ring and holds it up as he speaks.

“Hello, Toola Roola. I’m... sorry for not visiting sooner. You’ll be happy to hear that the stallion whom did this was made to suffer for all he did. While it still wasn’t enough, I’ll find a way to put him in the ground permanently someday. And then... and then you’ll finally be at peace.”

He looks to the stuffed bear as he continues.

“I’ve been looking after your teddy bear for you. Just... just like you asked me to. He saw what I did to Decimus, and how he was made to feel some of the pain you did the night I found you. But... I hope that you and your parents are happy together. And I promise that I’ll make this right. Someday... somehow.”

The fillies slowly walk forward. Apple Bloom is the first to speak.

“What... is this, Arc?”

Arc gestures to the monument. “Have a look.”

Dinky steps forward and begins to read...

Babs looks to Arc, confused.

“What... exactly happened here?”

Arc sighs. “A very bad stallion, whom wanted to hurt my reputation, blew up the building that stood here.”

Apple Bloom gasps. “What?!”

Sweetie Belle’s eyes grow wide. “Why?!”

“He hoped I would ignore it an continue on my course. But I didn’t.”

Dinky nods soberly. “You stopped to help.”

“I ordered my crew to land in the street and set up a triage on the deck. We saves so many lives that day.”

He turns and holds up the teddy bear before continuing.

“But not all.”

Babs points a hoof at the bear. “You found that?”

Arc nods. “It was given to me by a heavily injured filly. Her mother and father died trying to protect her. However, before help could arrive, she... she passed away. One of the last things she said was that she wanted me to take care of her friend here. And I did.”

Gesturing to several large slabs of marble, Arc continues.

“Duke Carleon, with the blessing of Canterlot, built this memorial here at the site of the disaster. These larger stone plaques have the names of every stallion, mare, filly, and colt whom died here.”

Apple Bloom gasps. “But... there’s so many!”

Sweetie Belle’s lower lip trembles as she speaks. “Every one of these ponies... died?!”

Arc nods. “Yes. They’re gone... but not forgotten. Look around. Even now there are still those whom bring flowers to their loved one’s memorial.”

Babs spies a number of flowers and other mementos that line the slabs. “Even long after the event?”

Dinky bows her head. “Mom and I did that for my dad.”

Apple Bloom nods. “Applejack did so too.”

Sweetie Belle looks away sadly. “As did Rarity.”

Arc turns to Babs Seed. “You see... when a loved one is taken so tragically it’s harder to get over than if they had died from natural causes. You don’t get to say goodbye. One day they’re here. The next...”

Clenching a fist, he sighs and looks down at the burning candles and roses.

“...gone.”

“You did your best, dad.”

Arc looks at the plaque again. “True. But it won’t bring them back. Toola Roola won’t ever grow up and live out her life. She... she never had a chance.”

Babs sighs. “So what now?”

“Now I do the only thing I can. Honor them with this and remember that act so it doesn’t happen again.”

Standing, Arc looks to the fillies and smiles sadly.

“I’m sorry for making the end of this perfect day so somber.”

“It’s okay, dad.”

Apple Bloom puts a hoof on the marble slab. “Right. This is a part of Equestrian history.”

Sweetie Belle wipes the snow from a few of the names. “And we need to know about it to help make things right.”

Babs straightens a few mementos nearby as she speaks. “Miss Cheerilee always says those whom don’t learn about history are doomed to repeat it. I don’t want to see something like this happen to anypony ever again.”

Arc nods approvingly. “Very good.”

Dinky looks to her friends. “We should take a field trip here.”

Apple Bloom gestures with a hoof. “Right. Everypony should see this.”

Sweetie Belle nods. “Even if it’s sad, I’m still glad I know the truth about this place.

Babs bows her head. “Me too. But I think we should look at it from another angle.”

Dinky turns to her. “Huh?”

“A lot of ponies died, yes. However thanks to a lot of volunteers doing their part a lot were saved.”

She smiles at Arc before continuing.

“Rather than focus on those you couldn’t save, why not think on those that you did?”

Arc nods. “There is wisdom in your words. But I suppose this matter will stay with me for quite some time.”

They stand there for a time silently. Eventually Arc motions for them to follow.

“Come on. Let’s get you four home to Ponyville.”

Nodding, they fall into step behind him. A cold wind blows as the light from the candles dances over the marble, illuminating the name of Toola Roola and that of her parents for all to see.