//------------------------------// // Home Sick // Story: Why is life? // by Daxisle //------------------------------// " Dear Princess Celestia, It's been six days since I had last written to you, and I apologize for my tardiness. The less than hospitable Citizens of South Equine have caused me a momentary grievance; however I am past that now thanks to the comfort of my friends. We've left the compound and began traveling north again, the skeletal and basic plains have become more hill country and cold has fluctuated in severity. More investigating has lead to my personal discovery of the Centaurs nation that lies at the northern most point of the continent. And, the more I dwell on it, the more I believe I should have known something about them. Prior to our arrival here, I had no Idea the race even existed. (Details of hear-say will be included in the follow up report) We just left another in ground compound. This one holding: Ponies, Diamond Dogs and even griffins. They seem to get along well enough, though one astonishing realization is that they insult each other almost constantly. According to them it's all in "good fun" and "comedy". (Details of this also included in a follow up report, discretion is advised) However, compounds aren't giving me much to work with in terms of actual culture or habitual behavior of the citizens. Once we reach North Equine, I hope to give more detailed and extensive reports. ---- OPN (On a Personal Note) Applejack and Macintosh asked me to write to you in hopes that you could reply with notes from Granny Smith and Applebloom. Both have been missing them terribly. Rainbow would also appreciate it if you could check up on Scootaloo for her, she's "too cool" to admit it, but I know she worries about her and Tank. (Who should be with Fluttershy right now). Pinkie also requested that a check up on the Cake's and their foals, she's been rather discouraged lately (by the constant tension of travel in the cold or lack of sweets... Probably both) and could use some warm thoughts and memories. Ace told us that we are almost at the border, though, supposedly there will be high security that we would have to sneak by and he isn't sure our group would be able to make it as big as we are. Sin sends his regards to you and Princess Luna, and Star Shade... In his own words "I hope you both rot in the fiery pits of Tartarus and become sex slaves to the Demon King..." "Discord Rules you!" With love, Star Shade. P.S. Suck it long and Suck it hard. Star Shade laughed as Rainbow Dash rubbed her head and cursed him for moving just in time for her to slam into a tree. "Send it dragon boy!" Shade yelled tossing the scroll to Spike, with a chuckle that indicated his amusement of the situation, the aforementioned blew and the scroll turned into a fine magic dust before scurrying off to be read by royalty. "SPIKE!" Twilight wined, causing Shade and himself to burst into another fit of laughter. "That's it, you are dead!" Rainbow yelled taking flight again. Shade blew a raspberry and darted away from the enraged mare. Her rainbow streak quickly catching up to his black one. Twilight tried to lecture her former assistant, though her annoyed glare and tone only served to further fuel the dragon’s mirth. To her surprise, Applejack, Pinkie and Macintosh soon joined in. "GIRLS!" "Ah'm sorry sugarcube, but tha look on yer face-" Was all the blond mare could get out before her mirth overtook her again. Pinkie only mentioned that laughter was her element and re-joined her friends in merriment. Twilight rolled her eyes, but smiled before she ventured away from her friends and walked to Sin and Ace whose eyes were both glued to the rainbow and black streaks in the clear, noontime sky. "I'm telling you Sin, she's faster than he is." Ace said, all three of them tilting their heads as the chase shot to the left. "Nah, as long as I've known Shade, he's never been outdone by anybody." Twilight's ears perked as the angry voice of Rainbow Dash became clearer. She squinted to see her cyan blue coat quickly following a black blurred figure, coming quickly into view. Realizing the two were heading right for them, the three ponies ducked. They felt the wind push against them as the two speedsters flew over head. "Bring it Crash, you ain't nothing to me!" After they deemed it safe, they all cautiously stood up to see Rainbow quickly gaining on the object of her displeasure. "Well, at least he's back to normal... SHADE!" Sin yelled, prompting the bat pony to come to a screeching halt mid air, Rainbow Dash shooting by his unexpected stop. Shade quickly made his way down to his associate and landed with a forced grace. "Sup boss?" "What exactly did you say in that letter?" Shade shrugged. "Oh you know, the usual." The pegasus let out a grunt after a rainbow swooshed by, and slammed him into a tree. Sin looked at Twilight. "I'm sorry for your loss." Before the lavender mare could ask what he was talking about, Spike burped out a new scroll, garnering the attention of everyone around. He unfolded the scroll and began reading aloud. "Dear Star Shade, I'm not your mother last night. With Love, Luna?" "WHAT?" Shade barked throwing his athletic adversary to the side. Ace and Sin began chuckling as the insane pony grabbed the letter and read it himself. "Beast gon pay fo' momma." "What did you say to her?" "It doesn't really matter." Ace asked still chuckling from Shade's eye twitching. "It's obvious the Princess won this round." Rainbow and Ace fell on the ground cackling maliciously. Sin did his best to wipe the tenacious smirk from his face, though in the end he just chewed his lips to avoid the wrath he knew to come. Spike rolled his eyes before letting out another belch and producing another scroll. He read aloud and announced that Princess Celestia would personally attended the matters requested herself. The girls cheered at the knowledge they'd found a way to communicate with their families again. Two days after word had been sent to Celestia to check on his loved ones, Macintosh had grown increasingly anxious. Why hadn't they heard back by now? Were Granny Smith and Applebloom ok? How about Winona? Applebloom was taking care of her, wasn't she? Did they hire enough farm hands to run the farm properly? The questions kept buzzing as the stallion trudged on. The days here were unpredictable in terms of temperature and precipitation. Just the other day it had to have been almost freezing, and the day before that was cold but bearable for travel; and today, it was almost nice. He grew to miss the forecast that the pegasi in his home town would bring him, foretelling of how the weather would be was a lot better than waking up to find he'd become a damn mare over night. "Big Mac?" Twilight called, he looked over to her concern ridden lavender eyes. "Are you ok?" The stallion gave her a reassuring smile. The two had grown closer, much to the dislike of both Applejack and Spike, ever since the incident that the mare labeled 'first contact'. A nuzzle here and there, a peck on the cheek after helping her out with lifting a particularly stubborn root or plant. (After the little incident with Sin and the potato, he'd been rather hesitant to join her in any kind of activity.) "Eyup" he smiled. Mac couldn't say he really minded the stallions offer to switch places with him, matter of fact, he couldn't have been happier about it. Twilight's compassionate and curious nature was a heavy and welcomed contrast to AJ's constant stubbornness and chiding. "Jes' thinkin' 'bout home." Applejack working with Sin, now that trade off had defiantly left the young N. Eqinite with the shorter half of the stick. Sin's recipes for stew and salads hadn't exactly coincided with his sisters, and he felt that today would defiantly be the day that Sin's patience would finally kill over and the two had it out. In a sick kind of way, he found himself looking forward to it. "I know what you mean." Twilight said, her gaze turning down wards and her ears falling. "I hope my parents are alright, and Fluttershy is taking good care of Owlicious and Pee Wee." Mac observed her expression with a frown than nudged her playfully, causing the librarian to stumble. "Hey!" She called with a playful smirk pushing him back. The two shared a laugh and climbed the hill where the train of ponies began to group. Mac gaped upon seeing an unprecedented and magnificent landscape of lush green grass and trees healthy enough to be mistaken for those on the farm. Small, clear blue streams of water flowed with out the familiar white and dirt of tainted ice, ponds sparkled, reflecting the light of the clear blue sky overhead. Wait a minute. How was this possible? The landscape looked as though it hadn't been touched by winters icy grip, nor autumn’s death before it. Had he judged simply by the serene and tranquility of valley before him, he'd have thought it the middle of spring. "The Vale?" Sin asked dumbfounded. "The what?" Twilight asked, obviously just as infatuated as big Macintosh was. "The Vale." Sin repeated turning to address the Equestrians. "It's the heart of the entire Federation. It isn't known how, but this plot of land is always in a state of complete and total serenity in terms of nature." "The weather is always pleasant, the worst precipitation it will allow is a light drizzle." Ace chimed in. "Before you ask, no; Sin's absolutely right. Even the Centaur haven't a clue as to why the Vale acts the way it does. It just does." "You talk about it like it's a living thing." Twilight said in a half question. Ace nodded and further explained that the Vale was a perpetual paradise on the planet, forbidden to be settled upon by any one of any race, ordered by the Centaurs and up held by the Senate. If nothing else, than just to preserve one of the most magical of natures gifts to the nations Citizenry. "Can we go into it?" Pinkie asked a excited to get out of the cold weather. To her dejection, Ace answered in the negative, claiming that the wide valley was protected by a large all encompassing border patrol. Apparently, immigrants from Zeborica had found the land mass to be an excellent place to attempt settlement, considering the fertile soil and the numerous herbs that it held. This information piqued Twilight's curiosity on what happened to those that were found. Ace told of the penalty that such an illegal activity wrought death by public hanging. News of the steep penalty didn't sit well with the rulers of Zeborica, once word reached about how their people were treated and relations with the Zebra nation and the Federation had only been growing more tense for it. Mainly due to the fact that the Federation had taken an Isolationist stance and wouldn't even bother to hear the Chieftains plights nor the War Chiefs threats on if the killing of their people weren't stopped. The Equestrians each verbalized their distaste for such barbarian tactics to maintain order. Capital punishment was an extreme rarity in Equestria when it was legal, and now was completely non-existent. Ponies could still be held for life in rehabilitation, though that was a very unique occurrence. Needless to say the prospect of public killings was far beyond anything they could comprehend. As Sin and Ace conversed about how they had arrived at the border of the Vale instead of the border of N. Equine; Spike let out a belch that brought forth a long awaited scroll. Rainbow Dash eagerly told Spike to pick it up and tell them how their families were doing, hope of her request going being obliged firm in her voice. "My faithful student: Twilight." Spike began. "Are you in a secure position where nopony can see you? Please respond on this sheet of parchment?" He tilted his head and re-read the note before flipping it over. The Equestrians looked at each other than deduced the relevance and reason for such a question before receiving a nod from Ace. Spike shrugged and wrote a simple "yes" before he sent the message off once more... Though, the puff of magical smoke acted differently than it usually did. Instead of flying directly off to the castle, it seemed to explore the area directly around it. And as quickly as the strange behavior came, it had gone, leaving the ponies more dumbfounded than the initial question it brought, Twilight and Spike most of all. What little Mac knew about dragon magic and the mystical properties their flames had, he had never seen a letter bound to the princess act in such a way. It made him uneasy, to say the least. After a few awkward moments passed, another belch and scroll erupted and, as before, the young wyrm opened it and read the single word it contained. "Hello?" Suddenly, a bright golden glow shined and blinded the ponies for a moment, a split second later a crack could be heard adn the light faded to nothing. Opening his eyes Mac couldn't believe what he was seeing. "Princess Celestia!" Twilight cried bowing before latching herself into an embrace with the now present Alicorn. Celestia addressed her charge and returned the embrace, after which the unicorn gave her respectful kneel and most of the Equestrians, save for obviously Shade, followed suit. "It is good to see you all again." "Likewise, Princess." Applejack said happily. "Say, what'cha doin' here?" Celestia's smile brightened "Firstly, I came to see the Federation." she looked around. "I've never been allowed in here bef-" Her words caught in her throat upon observing the valley in the distance. "Oh my." She smiled taking in the heavy contrast of the serene landscape in the distance against the immediate deadwood around her... After she had her fill of observation, the princess re-addressed her subjects and told of the second reason for her coming. Small sounds of disappointment escaped them upon hearing that she hadn't any news of their families or friends, though, they were quickly replaced with gasps of hope when she offered to take them home to visit. "Really?" Rainbow asked, excited as a school filly being asked out by her crush. "Yes Rainbow Dash." The sun goddess nodded. "You all have been away for a month; I figured I would see if you would wish to see your families. You are on this journey on my request after all." "YAY!" The girls all exclaimed in unison before beginning to talk about how things were back home. Mac smiled at the prospect of seeing his grandma and sister again. He also looked forward to seeing how the apple business was doing without him for all the time he was gone. Even if his sister was there, he had always been the mathematician of the family ever since... "Princess." Sin called garnering Celestia's attention away from her subjects. "If I may request that you also take Ace and Star Shade." Both of the aforementioned gave surprised looks to the stallion before arguing against the request. "Look," Sin deadpanned. "The less of us that cross the border, the less of a chance we have of getting caught. I've done this a few times, and if only I'm caught than only I will face consequence for it. Besides..." He smirked before mentioning how the two could rest, eat good food, and relax for a while. Finishing up with the reiteration of the fact that crossing the border out of S. Equine would be easier done alone. "Err, you won’t be alone." Celestia interjected causing all three of the stallions to look at her. "I can only teleport to a location I know of. The scroll that Spike received and sent gave a magical beacon of sorts that I needed to transport to. Without that, I can't tell where anypony's location would be." Spikes enthusiasm wavered, "So... That means-" "I am sorry Spike." Celestia said sadly. "But I need you to stay here to give me the basic area on where to teleport." The drake's eyes lost a bit of life at that moment, "NO!" Twilight yelled hugging her unresponsive charge. "I won’t leave him." "And I'm not going either!" Shade proclaimed turning to face Sin. "I already hate them enough here, I'm not going to be stuck in a palace with them." "Discord will be there." "TAKE ME WITH YOU MYSTICAL HORSE LADY!" The insane pegasi demanded latching onto the the surprised Alicron's leg. "My god needs me." Sin shook his head and observed Spike and Twilight, he couldn't make out their words exactly, but the facial features and movements made it seems as if the dragon were reassuring his former caretaker. "Sin?" Pinkie said drawing his attention. "You'd better make it work for the three of us, ‘cause I'm staying too." She said firmly. Shaking nodded in the negative, the stallion recalled the party mare finding him in the woods in a rather compromising position. After that, she wouldn't let him out of her sight. Even when everyone else was asleep and he so little as stirred in the night, he could feel the Pinkie's scrutinizing eyes upon him. No matter how much he tried to convince her that he only extended the discomfort from his static wings, she always gave a distrustful "so you've said". Deciding it best that she leave for not only his agenda, but her own well being, he played the database of information he had against her. "Pinkie," He whispered with a smirk. "You really should go with them. You haven't had anything cavity inducing in days. Not to mention Gummy and all the... Missed birthday parties." His ploy onto her psyche hadn't gone over as he planned. "Gummy's fine silly," Pinkie chirped happily. "And there will be more birthdays and I can wait on eating the yummy," Pinkie's eyes widened. "Delicious" a small bit of saliva drooped from her mouth, electing a smirk from her opponent. "Scrumptious..." The mare shook her head, breaking free of her thoughts. "Snacks and cakes I've eaten before. Maybe I can ask Twilight to get me some on her way back!" The survivalist's smirk faltered. "Come now Pinkie, that isn't fair." He chastised earning a confused tilt of the head. "You could spread so much more laughter and happiness in Equestria than you can here. There's no reason for you to miss out on the fun and love of your friends and family." "I think we both know that there is a reason I can't go home right now." Pinkie calmly replied. Her voice didn't hold any aggressive sternness to it, though the unwavering matter-of-fact-ness of her words had sent a chill up Sin's spine. He dismissed that he had no idea what she was talking about, praying silently that the mare wouldn't bring up the incident a week prior. It was at that point that Sin had denounced prayer, since she had done just that. Albeit in a more euphemistic way, though, it was clear she knew what he was doing. "Look Ms. Pie. The more ponies I bring with me, the more of a chance Spike and I have of being caught. There is no need to take more of a risk than we already are." Pinkie mused over the notion. Sin wasn't afraid of many things in this world, though, the next few words to come from Pinkie's mouth made him sweat internal bullets. He didn't want to hurt her, and he knew she would try to stop him if she found out, but it had to be done... His need for it was beginning to make him physically ill. Guilt can make you do and feel some pretty stupid things. He knew it was irrational, he knew it was stupid, mechanistic, and dangerous but it was the only way to silence that nagging in the back of his head. That damn shame educing voice that wouldn't let him sleep until the ritual was done. Not to mention the fact that she was an absolute liability at this current point in time. "Alright." Pinkie said happily. 'wow, that was easier than expected,' "On one condition." 'Of course there is.' Sin motioned for her to named the terms. "You have to Pinkie Promise that you won’t stretch your wings while I'm gone." Sin gave a questioning sound and she recited the sacred bond educing ritual that was the unbreakable swear. She eyed him expectantly, to which sin just stood and stared blankly at her. "yea, I'm not doing that." Pinkie gave a small pout. "Well, if you don't do it, then I guess I'll have to stay." She said firmly. The former senator sighed in defeat. "Alright... Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a pastry in my retina er, whatever." A look from the mare prompted him to do it correctly, though with a great deal of begrudging, and satisfied her enough to leave him be. He saw her smile and open up her forelegs for a good bye hug. "Spike." he called, interrupting an embrace that the drake and Twilight were sharing. As well as Pinkie’s advance." I need to have a word with you real quick." Spike smiled to Twilight before venturing away. Once the two were far enough to speak privately, Spike asked what he was called over for. Sin cleared his throat. "I'm not going to blunt here Spike; I need to know if you are ready to kill to protect yourself." "WHAT?!" Spike yelled taking a step away. "Spike, we will be crossing the border from South Equine to North Equine. The wall that separates the two is guarded, and I can't guarantee either of our safety." He stated before taking a calming breath. "And if we are caught, we may have to kill border patrol agents to avoid arrest." Spikes retinas constricted at the notion. He would have to kill somepony... HE would have to knowingly TAKE a ponies life! Sin killing was one thing, but could he; the beloved though at times mischievous and sarcastic dragon, end a life? The very thought of it was enough to make his stomach churn. Why? Why would he have to kill? It wasn't right, nor was it fair. Though, if what Sin said was true, there were far worse consequences if he didn't. Sin took the blank stare and silence as his turn to speak again. "Should you wish to return with them, I will not think any less of you. And neither should you, yourself. Ending a sentient life isn't something that should ever come naturally to anyone. Should you choose to leave, I'll understand." "I-" Spike began. "I don't know." It might not even come to that though! If he was quick and stealth-ful enough, the two could get through virtually unscathed. No death required, but what guarantee of that was there? How could he be promised safety and restraint? The border couldn't be that fully guarded right? Surly there must be some way they could cross without being caught. But why did he want to stay? Why was he even considering this whole venture? Oh right, the same reason they agreed to come here in the first place; their friend. "I'm sorry to rush you. But I think your friends are getting ready to leave." Spike broke from his train of thought and looked to his associate innocently. "Are you willing to kill to defend yourself?" Senator Thornberry wondered out of the Senate chamber into the Lobby, her spirits were a bit higher today than they had been in a while. Even if she just stomped all over her principals for the last few days. A couple of Lobbyists gave her a smile and a nod of the head, to which she replied with a sad smile. After the unicorn had exited the capital building she sighed and turned around to take in the view once again. Light grey and white marble walls outlined the impressive structure cylindrical, complimented by a thick golden ring that circled the middle of the building all the way around with a crest of one of each of the races that inhabit the country embedded within a large bright gold coin on the front. The emblem of the Federation. Tears began to grow as she thought about the first time she had ever observed the structure. It was over a year ago, she had foretold of her desires to ascend from local politics to that which encompassed the entire country. Truth of the matter was, she wanted both a higher pay grade and a higher status among society. She remembered how excited she was to be here, Unitas, the Capital of the entire country. Even if her first time in the city was with one of the most somber and melancholic, stallion she had ever met. Though, to be fair, he was the reason she did get the job. And the only one who gave her good, albeit depressing, advice the entire duration of her time in office. His words began to echo in her head. "I warn you Thornberry: Being a Senator here is a great deal different than being a Mayor." Even though the two had known each other for a few years, Islander was younger than Thornberry, and as such, she dismissed his warnings as lack of experience. She'd handled a lot during her time as mayor of Northwoods: political corruption, a cartel of griffins shipping Vexsium, and ordered a task force to help clean up the gangs in town. Surly she could handle what ever the Senate threw at her. Heh... How wrong she was. "If you ever do get into this pig den, remember this: Cut all relationship ties with everyone you know. Your friends, family boyfriend, husband, fiancé; what have you. Do them and yourself a favor, forget them. She protested, why would she want to do that? Why would she want to be alone? She wanted friends and family and love, who didn't? Everyone needs love in their lives. Well, almost everyone. There are those who will use your loved ones against you. None are safe from it. In a sad revelation, it all suddenly made sense to her now... She always wondered how a stallion with such youth and in his prime would recluse from society. At first she thought it was due to politics and his family background; can't have a Senator going to wild parties and having stupid fun and what not. Though, now she understood it. She tried to stand by her principals, and her father was found dead the next day by "suicide". Thornberry knew her father was a happily married and retired stallion with her mother, he wouldn't kill himself. Her suspicions were confirmed the day after the event when the same individual from when she refused to throw away her principals before, approached her with a knowing grin. His words of conviction made her want to throw up and kill him at the same time. How could he sentence her parents to death? How could he be so smug about it? What did they do to deserve what happened to them? "Here, if you stand by your principals, you will pay for it. One way or another." And now her Windmane was in his masters hands. That same pony from before who seemed to relish in her agony invited her to a meeting where she would find out where her beloved was. It wasn't fair. Her father hadn't done anything and neither had her mother. They were good ponies, followed all the laws, helped out neighbors when asked, and ever even started a charity for returning lost younglings to their parents. Though, as unfair as it all was, it was reality. These were her real problems. A dead father, a hurting mother, and now a lost loved one. At least he was alive, or so they claimed. The unicorn mare's train of thought was broken by two minotaur passing by, discussing the economic crisis of N. Equine. Whether it was by dreadful mistake or happy rudeness, the two left her with a feeling of sobriety. It was easy to forget about the actual point of your job when you have to think and scheme just to keep your life in tact because of it. She called a donkey drawn cab and sadly filed in. Luckily she knew the driver; so she wouldn't need to say anything, he'd know where to go. As she sat back in long red booth of the car, her mind began to wonder. She had done as he requested, how long until he kept up his end of the deal? The cab came to a slow halt, and a wave of confusion enveloped the ponies mind. That was far to short a distance to be at her apartment, why did they stop? Suddenly the door to the cab swung open, an all to familiar earth stallion walked in, his smile cynical, and his presence menacing. "Good afternoon Senator...”