Archaeological Adventures

by Forderz


Of Unscheduled Embarkments and Selfish Storms

The stars glittered above the two lovers, as the ocean spray around them sparkled like points of light closer to the earth.  Chocolate Kiss leaned in closer, ready and willing to open her mind, body, and soul to Torchlight.

“I always dreamed of this moment, ever since I was small,” she whispered, voice dripping with desire.

Torchlight nuzzled her gently before resting his head on hers.  “I know,” he whispered back.  He could feel their hearts beating in rhythm.  “There’s nothing stopping us from being together anymore.”

Chocolate Kiss gazed longingly into his eyes.  The stars behind him were faint pricks of light compared to the shining brilliance of his mesmerizing orbs.  “Nothing...”

She closed her eyes and leaned in clo-

A huge jolt shook the entirety of the train, knocking the book Rarity was reading off the bench she was sitting on. The small lamp she was reading with nearly followed, before Rarity caught it with her magic.

Rarity narrowed her eyes.  Nopony interrupted her trashy romance novels!  If we have to stop for another round of tartarus-damned repairs on that engine I’ll, I’ll... Well, she didn’t know exactly what, but it certainly wouldn’t be pretty!

Getting to her hooves, Rarity walked over to the door of her compartment and stuck her head into the hall.  Apparently the other passengers didn’t care enough about their own safety to bother investigating this latest shock.

She had barely taken a step when another loud bang caused the entire train to hop, knocking Rarity to the floor in an ungraceful heap.  “Goddess, that nearly took us off the rails!” she wailed, expecting somepony to at least investigate her cry.

Feeling a little bit annoyed that she seemed to be the only one concerned for everypony's safety, Rarity got to her hooves and ventured towards the engine car. She passed by the zebra compartment, where Zibius’s mate Halial was busy entertaining her two foals. Halial was the most brusque zebra Rarity had the displeasure of meeting, almost always keeping her answers to everypony short and terse. Not even Pinkie Pie could convince her to loosen up! Some of that could be attributed to her poor command of Equestrian, but Rarity had trouble seeing somezebra as genial as Zibius falling for her. Zibius himself was probably with Loose Lips, teaching her the intricacies of Farasi. He certainly is spending a lot of time with her, thought Rarity. She quickly reprimanded herself. You’ve read one too many sordid romance novels, Rarity.

The unicorn continued onwards. Predictably, the engine room was filled with purple smoke, a telltale sign that, once again, something was wrong with the toaster they called their arcano-generator. Rarity sighed and took a deep breath before venturing into the haze.

“Twilight? Mr. Socket? What’s going on?”

A hacking cough came from somewhere in front of Rarity. “I’ll tell you what’s wrong, miss. This generator just gave its last gasp.”

The billowing purple smoke made it impossible to see anything beyond a few paces. “What do you mean, last gasp?” Rarity felt a little silly talking to a pony she couldn’t see.

Another cough. “I mean, this generator just died on us. We’re coasting right now.”

Rarity took a few tentative steps forward and nearly bumped into Twilight, who was busy channeling a spell. The other unicorn’s eyes were closed in focus. From the smoke emerged their aged engineer, Spare Socket, wiping soot out of his eyes with a hoof.

Twilight stopped channeling, her horn going dark, and sighed. “You’re right, Spare. The stabilizers are shot and the valves look as if they’ve been welded shut.”

“You should’ve trusted my diagnostic. I don’t need any fancy spells to tell me when something’s broke.”

“Well, I do. and what’s wrong with independent verification?”

Rarity ignored the little argument going on in front of her. If the arcano-generator had failed, that meant the shield emitters weren’t getting any power. Residual energies might keep the barrier up for a few minutes at most, and that meant...

“Twilight,” she asked, interrupting the sniping going on between her friend and their engineer. “How long until the shield emitters lose power?”

“Probably about another forty seconds or so, why?”

“Because its raining outside and I very much doubt this train is waterproof.”

Twilight’s face went pale. “My scrolls!”

“My fabrics!”

Rarity turned towards her friend as the purple mare did the same. “My books!” they both yelled.

Twilight disappeared with burst of magic, and Rarity spun back towards the door. Heedless of the vision-obscuring smoke, she raced towards her compartment and her precious cargo.

-----

Twilight had managed to set up a localized force field around her compartment, protecting her literature until Rainbow Dash arrived with Twilight’s empty luggage containers. Rarity’s items hadn’t fared as well. The corner of the room she shared with Applejack dedicated to her fashion musings had survived unscathed, but her novel collection had been thoroughly soaked. Death by Chocolate and Another Mare’s Stallion were ruined, Love and Lust had suffered significant damage, and Mare in Manehattan enjoyed a continued existence only because it was a hardcover with a glossy jacket.

All in all, things could've been far worse.

“Well, seeing as how we’re on a double track, and the next three trains are all going towards Canterlot on the other rail, we’re not in any immediate danger of getting crushed by another train,” said Spare Socket to the assembled expedition. Dusty Ruin and Twilight had summoned everypony to the caboose to discuss their problem.

“That’s nice to know, but we can’t just stay here indefinitely, right?” asked Applejack.

Socket nodded his head. “I’m not sure what the itinerary is on that Blueblood fellow’s train is, but the next train on this track is coming from Canterlot and is due tomorrow night, around seven.”

That certainly wasn’t much time to get a train running again. Rarity didn’t know much about arcane technology, but she doubted it would be easy to find one in the middle of a forest.

Aquamarine, standing beside her, looked over to Fair Wind. “What happens if we don’t get this train moving again?”

The roan pegasus scratched his chin with a hoof before answering. “Depends on the train that hits us. If it’s a light passenger train, with only a few cars, it’ll probably be able to slow down enough to just wreck the caboose. We can clear out the wreckage, hopefully hook our tain up, and get pushed to Hoofington.”

Their interpreter raised an eyebrow. “And if it isn’t a light passenger train?”

Fair Wind grinned. “Then it’ll have too much mass to slow down. You ever see a full team of bruisers converge on a pony who’s too slow in getting rid of the ball? I doubt the other train would suffer anything more than a few scratches.” His eyes glazed over. “Damn that’d be a sight to see.”

Dusty Ruin cleared his throat. “Yes, very well. It is my dearest wish we don’t get to see that particular display of destruction.”

“But how in tarnation are we going to get this train moving? I think I might be up to pulling it, but I don’t think the rest of y’all have what it takes,” said Applejack, looking around the caboose. “No offense.”

Rarity had to agree. Earth Ponies were in short supply. Applejack was certainly qualified, and Pinkie Pie would give it her best effort, but Loose Lips looked a tad too brittle to stand up to the task of pulling a couple tons of weight behind her, and Spare Sprocket was far too old.

“If all goes well, we won’t have to resort to brute pony power," said Dusty Ruin. "The esteemed Raptor and Ms. Dash should return shortly, hopefully with some good news.”

Rarity looked through a boarded up window. The rain was coming down in sheets, and lightning arced through the sky. I don’t envy those two at all.

Applejack walked up next to her. “Suppose that RD and our griffon friend come back with bad news. What then?”

“I’m not sure. We could try to pull the train ourselves, but we’d have to lighten the load as much as possible.”

Applejack stared outside. “Ain’t no way I’m abandoning any of my apples out here in the woods, Rarity.”

“You think I’m looking forward to sacrificing my gems and fabrics?”

“Point taken.”

A large thump on the roof announced the arrival of one of their winged companions. A few seconds later, a very wet Rainbow Dash strode through the door, shaking herself dry and sending water everywhere.

“Well?” asked Twilight. “What’d you find?”

“Water, rain, pine trees and rocks. Waste of time.” Rainbow Dash grumbled and went over to a corner, sat down, and began preening her feathers.

A pall settled into the room at Rainbow’s words. Defeated by a faulty arcano-generator. An ignoble end, thought Rarity. Then again, that wasn’t entirely true. They were more than a third of the way to Stableside, and Aquamarine’s waiting ship. Having to abandon non-essential supplies, while a huge blow to morale, wouldn’t be the end of their journey.

“Cheer up everypony! I’m sure Brisket will have some good news for us!” Pinkie Pie was hopping around the room, trying to tease smiles out of everypony present.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to call him Brisket, Pinkie.”

“Oh, I know he’s a big softie at heart, Fluttershy!”

“If you say so...”

A few minutes later, a bedraggled Briskwind glided into the caboose. He walked over to Dusty Ruin, brought a talon up to his head in a salute, and stood at attention.

“What’s the status report, Raptor?”

“There’s a small village, complete with a manor house, just off the tracks a few kilometres ahead.” A puddle of water formed underneath him as he continued. “A quick sweep of the area revealed that our chances of there being a arcano-anything are slim at best. There’s also a dilapidated ruin about fifteen hundred metres off the tracks a bit further down. I’m not familiar enough with Equestrian heraldry to identify who lives in the manor, but the sigil is three trees filled with acorns on a white background.”

“That would be... Lord Pinesong. I met him once, a ball.” Twilight furrowed her brow, thinking. “I remember him being friendly, I think.”

“Hopefully Lord Pinesong has a tinker in his employ, or among his subjects,” said Rarity. “Even if there isn’t one in this town, there must be at least one among his holdings. It’s certainly better than staying here.”

“Failing that, we could probably pay to hire a team of ponies to pull our train as far as Hoofington.”

Dusty Ruin perked up at Aquamarine’s suggestion. “Good point! Who’s going to brave the downpour outside and head on over?”

Rarity raised a hoof, interested in meeting this Pinesong. She’d like a dose of small-time nobility to inoculate her against Blueblood’s oafishness. Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash shot their hooves up, no doubt just looking for an excuse to do something. Aquamarine said something about the day when she minded getting wet was the day she’d drown herself, and volunteered to come along. Finally, Greased Palm took it upon himself to be present for any financial negotiations required, and lined up alongside the other five.

Of course, there was no way Rarity would allow herself to walk out into a rainstorm without being properly attired. A quick detour to her luggage allowed her to don a snazzy purple raincoat, and her posh gilded umbrella. She had offered her a spare to anypony who wanted one, but all her companions had declined. Applejack had her hat, Aquamarine said this was “a sunshower compared to the storms in the Crossing,” Pinkie Pie had giggled at the very thought, and Greased Palm refused on account of the fact that “a true stallion would never wear a mare’s coat.”  Rainbow Dash, of course, scoffed at the idea of wearing anything that would slow her down.

Twenty minutes later, they were in the thick of it. Wind threatened to tear Rarity’s umbrella out of her magical field, and rendered it useless against the rain. She was quite thankful she had chose the jacket with a hood, as her hair would've been a complete mess by now if not for it’s protective cocoon. Her companions were less fortunate. Pinkie Pie’s usually poofy hair hung straight down under the weight of water, Applejack had lost the hairband in her mane, although her hat remained stubbornly in place, and both Rainbow Dash and Greased Palm had voluntarily grounded themselves.

It would've been impossible to get lost, even if they weren't following the tracks. The rumble of thunder was constant, and Rarity’s eyes had long ago stopped complaining about the numerous bolts of lightning that arced through the sky. They were frequent enough that Rarity had twice checked Pinkie Pie for a smuggled strobe light.

“Rainbow Dash, is all this thunder and lightning normal?”

The weathermare shook her head. “Not even close. Maybe closer to the Everfree or the coast, a wild storm might of formed on it’s own and collided with a scheduled storm, but we’re at least seventy klicks away from either!”

Another discharged bolt struck a tree not fifty paces from Rarity’s position, causing her heart to give a little flutter of fear.

“ You've been struck by lightning before, right?”

Her friend nodded. “Yeah. Not the most pleasant experience, that’s for sure. And I’m a pegasus, we’re made to handle stuff like that!” Rainbow Dash gave a little snort. “Oh boy, I’d like to see what would happen to you or Pinkie Pie. Your hair would be sticking out everywhere!”

“Your concern is heartwarming, Rainbow.”

“But, seriously. I don’t know what the weather patrol around here is thinking, whipping up a storm like this. They’d have to be weeks behind their moisture quota to justify this storm.”

“Perhaps you could bring it up to Lord Pinesong?”

“I think I will!

Rarity smiled through the storm. “Just remember to be tactful.”

“Rarity, I don’t even know what that word means.”

“It... just be polite.”

Ahead of Rarity, Applejack was chatting with Aquamarine. It was hopeless to expect to hear any of their conversation, so Rarity busied herself by trying to imagine a good design for a wedding gown for Applejack. Her friend said she wasn't looking for anypony right now, but that wouldn't hold true forever. She already had about a dozen different designs ready to go for Fluttershy, and triple that for Pinkie Pie. Rarity wanted to be ready with a hooffull of designs for any sort of wedding that her friends would want. Considering my recent track record with stallions, it's going to be a long while before my own wedding, Rarity thought grimly.

Aquamarine was acting the part of handsome groom, and the railroad track an imaginary red carpet. Applejack would almost certainly insist on a traditional wedding, and that meant a long train, a veil, a corset, and some beautiful shoes to waltz down the aisle with. Rarity was sure she was on the cusp of a fashion discovery when Applejack ruined everything by getting hit in the face with a tree branch.

“Ouch! What in Tartarus was that for, you stupid wind!” Applejack raised a hoof in anger at her invisible opponent.

Rarity strode forward, taking a peek at Applejack’s face. Aside from a small welt, everything looked normal. “You’ll be fine, Applejack. I’m surprised that we haven’t been pelted by branches before now, with all this wind.”

Applejack continued grumbling for a moment before stopping. “Come to think of it, you’re right. Why haven’t we been pelted with sticks and branches and small rodents?”

Pushing past them, Rainbow Dash shrugged. “Who cares? It’s making this trot a lot nicer than I expected.”

“Hold on a minute, Rainbow. Every time you whip up a strong shower for me, it blows out a few branches and leaves off my trees."

“So?”

Applejack glared at Rainbow Dash before continuing. “And that’s in my orchard, which I care for each and every day. This here is just general forestland, and it’s just after the Running of the Leaves. There should be all sorts of debris flying at us, but there ain’t.”

Looking around, Rarity saw that Applejack was right. There were no leaves on the ground at all, and none whipping through the air. Rarity would've bet her boutique that the branch that had just struck Applejack had been a recent break, too.

“Why the heck is this place so clean?”

A hoof poked Rarity on the shoulder. Turning around, Rarity saw Greased Palm glaring at her. “Could you mares continue solving this mystery about two hundred paces down the track? We’re almost there.”

Rarity squinted through the downpour and saw the lights of a window shining in the distance. “Certainly, sir! Come on girls, lets get dry!”

The railroad track they were walking on split, one track continuing to parallel it’s twin on the way to Hoofington, the other branching off towards a small stone platform in front of the manor house. A well-kept cobblestone path lead from the platform to both the village and the manor. Rarity didn't see any roads, so it looked as if this community was entirely dependent on the rails for transport. Assuming, of course, that there wasn't a large pegasus population nearby.

Pinkie Pie and Aquamarine were already knocking on the door, using a wrought-iron knocker forged to look like a bear’s claw. Rarity trotted up behind them, thankful to be shielded from the worst of the rain by the stone mansion. Aquamarine had already removed her mane from its bun, and, bizarrely, had stuffed much of it in her mouth.

“I hope he’s home! I really, really, really want to get out of this rain!”

Aquamarine spat out her mane to answer. “There are lights on, Ms. Pie. I’m sure somepony’s home.”

“Well then he sure is taking his sweet time in answering the door. Or should that be sour time? I know I’m getting a bit sour waiting out here for him!”

“How long have you been knocking?”asked Rarity.

“About a minute or two.”

Applejack looked at the building’s windows. “Maybe he can’t hear, on account of the storm stuck out here with us?”

“I’ll get his attention.” Rainbow Dash flexed her wings, trying to dry them off a bit, and darted up towards a second-story window that was lit. She knocked on the windowpane for a few seconds before gesturing down towards the rest of the group. After a moment, she nodded and landed back in front of the door. “He’ll be here in a minute.”

Sure enough, the door in front of them slowly creaked open, revealing a tired but stately-looking unicorn. His mane and tail were mostly white, but Rarity spied a few stray strands of orange hidden among the thick white fields. His coat was jet black, and his cutie mark was a orange arrow pointing sideways. “Can I help you?”

Rarity stepped forward. “Yes, you may, sir. My name is Rarity, and my companions and I need your lordship’s help.”

“Do you now?” He eyed the group, lingering on Rarity's fine raincoat and on the saddlebags Greased Palm had filled with bits.

“Yes. Our train’s generator has malfunctioned, and we were hoping that’d we find some help in fixing it.”

“Ask him if we can come in!” Pinkie stage whispered, loud enough to be heard over the wind and thunder.

“Hmm. I think you’d better come inside.”

“Thank Celestia!”

Rarity struggled not to roll her eyes. “Thank you for your kindness, sir...?”

“Raisin Tart.” he offered, stepping back into the manor house and opening the door for his guests.

Rarity stepped through the doorway into Lord Pinesong’s home. She was in what was undoubtedly the largest room in the structure, a grand hall lined with balconies,all of of which were carved and heavily-stained wood. A chandelier hung in the centre of the ceiling, large enough to almost touch the walls of the hall, and below it stood two massive tables running down the length of the hall, capable of sitting at least a hundred ponies. The effect of the rather impressive room was somewhat spoiled by the fact that the only illumination came from the small lamp Raisin Tart had brought with him. Rarity had a passing knowledge of architectural styles, gleaned from scouring design magazines, and knew that this style of manor was at least three centuries out of date.

Applejack gave a low whistle as she trotted in out of the rain. “Mighty fine place you got here, Mr. Tart.”

“It’s not mine, miss. I am only a humble servant of Lord Pinesong. Who I think I should fetch from his study.”

“He’s not asleep, is he? I’d hate to disturb his rest.”

Raisin Tart chuckled. “Oh, I think there’s little fear of that. Please, wait here.” The black-coated stallion left the hall through a small door on the right.

“Seems like a nice enough gentlestallion, eh Rarity?” said Applejack as she wrung out her hat.

Rarity didn't answer, instead watching Pinkie Pie as she bounced around the hall, looking at the wall scones. “What are these for?” the baker’s apprentice asked.

“Torches, I believe. This building is rather old.”

Greasy Palm nodded in agreement. “From the looks of this place, there’s not a whole lot going on here. I think our lordship here wasn't blessed with a particularly rich holding. What do they have a lot of here, trees?”

“Shh! Do you want to insult our best chance of getting back this expedition up and running again?” Rarity was surprised at Palm’s rudeness. You’d think a pony skilled in bribery would have a bit more class.

“Man! Look at this thing! There’s got to be a hundred of these crystal thingies in this candleholder!” Rainbow Dash had taken it upon herself to investigate the very expensive, very fragile chandelier.

“Rainbow Dash! Get down from there! You’re going to break it!”

Her friend dismissed Rarity. “Don’t worry about it, Rarity. I'm always careful.” Rainbow Dash continued to flit about, poking at the chandelier, causing it to sway slightly. A thousand small tinkling of glass touching glass filled the hall. “Awesome! Listen to that!”

“Rainbow, you've put more holes into the roof of my boutique than I can count!”

“Pfft. That’s when I’m trying out some new tricks. I’m in complete control.” The pegasus lazily circled the glass chandelier, hooves behind her head.

“RD, stop messing around and get down here,” said Applejack. “We want to make a good first impression.”

Rainbow Dash snorted. “Fine, I’ll come down.” The brash pegasus pumped her wings, displacing a gust of air through the chandelier. The entire ornament danced through the air, straining at the chain that held it to the ceiling.

Rarity held her breath as she watched the unquestionably valuable light fixture swing perilously close to the wall of the grand hall. She didn't exhale until the chandelier stopped moving.

“You two are always worrying about what’s going to happen next. You really need to chill out.”

Rarity shared a look with Applejack before turning back towards Greasy and Aquamarine. “Do either of you know anything at all about arcano-generators? I’m not certain I could tell two apart, unless one had started to rust.”

“One of my ships has a galley outfitted with a generator, but you’d have better luck asking my cook about that,” answered Aquamarine, as she examined a bust of a pony perched atop a small pedestal. Greased Palm just shook his head.

“Well, hopefully our friends will be able to make do with whatever we’re able to find.”

Applejack put a hoof around Rarity. “Worst comes to worst, we could always hire some strong-legged stallions to pull us to Hoofington, right?”

“You’ll find strong-legged stallions in short supply around here, I’m afraid.”

Rarity turned towards the door that Raisin Tart had disappeared into earlier. A short, well-muscled stallion in a perfectly fitted, but rumpled, dark suit walked into the hall, horn aglow with a flickering blue light. She would have considered him quite handsome, if not for the rather unattractive combination of his haggard features and sunken, bloodshot eyes. Raisin Tart followed just behind, the orange light of his lamp mixing with Pinesong’s glowing horn.

Remembering her courtesies, bowed her head at Pinesong’s entrance. “Greetings, my lord. I hope we did not disturb you.”

The chocolate-maned lord let out a dark laugh as thunder boomed through the stone walls of his manse.

“Believe me, madame, that’s not an issue you’ll find in abundance around here. But I digress. Who are you and what are your troubles?”

“Well,” began Rarity, stepping forward. “My name is Rarity, and my friends and I are en route to Stableside to take Aquamarine’s,” said Rarity, nodding toward the sea captain, “vessel across Eternity’s Crossing. You may have heard the Princess’s proclamation a few days ago?”

Pinesong slowly nodded. “Yes, I heard. My ‘betters’” he spat, causing Rarity to take a step back, “against a penniless band of misfits.” Pinesong moved down the hall, motioning for the group to follow.

“I am sworn to serve Lady Beachcomber, as my father served her mother.” Pinesong paused in front of a large painting of a well-groomed older stallion that bore more than a passing resemblance to his own visage. The blue light from Pinesong’s horn gave the painting a ghoulish hue.

“My father was a practical pony. He understood his place in the world and how best to go about his own business without disturbing others.”

Rarity was beginning to wonder what any of this had to do with getting their hooves on a generator.

“Hail Heart, Beachcomber’s mother, and my father Berry Bush always made time for one another, as infrequent as their meetings were.” Pinesong began moving forward again, leaving the picture of his father behind. “Beachcomber has not continued that tradition.” Rarity and the others dutifully followed, save for Aquamarine, who lingered behind at the painting.

Pinesong’s words surprised Rarity. Every foal in Equestria was taught at a young age how their nation worked. Every noble had obligations to both their superiors and to those beneath them. Failing to meet with one of your vassals was a serious breach of protocol. That also extended to the common pony through elected mayors and reeves meeting with a minor lord. Another loud peal of thunder startled Rarity into an involuntary hop.

“Beachcomber ain’t meeting with you? Why not?” The farmer, of course, had kept her composure despite the raucous storm outside.

Pinesong turned to Applejack and gave her a rueful grin. “She’s too busy playing politics in Canterlot to deal with the problems her pet projects have caused for some ‘backwater lordling.’”

“Is this pet project the reason why you look so awful?”

Rarity instantly turned onto her friend. “Rainbow Dash! Have some respect!” She quickly began to apologize for Dash’s insolence, but Pinesong waved her off.

“No, no,” he chuckled, shaking his head. “Your friend is right. Not having a good night’s sleep for a month will do that to a pony.”

“You haven’t slept right for a month?” Applejack asked, clearly remembering her stint of sleep deprivation.

“No, not soundly. This damned-” Another loud rumble of thunder interrupted Pinesong’s explanation. “Weather is making it rather difficult to rest, along with disturbing our harvests.”

Rainbow Dash zipped up to Pinesong. “What’s up with this storm anyway? Has it been like this for a month?” Rarity bit back an apology for invading his personal space.

“Nearly so, yes.”

The cyan pegasus propelled herself into the air and let out a cry of frustration. “That doesn't make any sense at all! Who’s the regional weather manager here? I've got to give her a piece of my mind!”

“Scented Breeze did an admirable job keeping the storm from affecting us too badly for the first two weeks. Unfortunately, there are few pegasi with the training and skill to deal with a storm of this magnitude, and our weather patrol teams are exhausted.”

“Why the heck didn't this Breeze put an end to the storm right away?”

Rarity cleared her throat. “I’m sure our host would have answered that question you would just give him a moment to explain, Rainbow Dash.”

Rainbow Dash grumbled, but she slowly lowered herself back to the ground.

“The problem, Miss Dash, is not with our weather patrols. Their handling of the storm has been somewhat hamstrung by its owner.” Pinesong paused before answering the unspoken question. “The storm originates over the castle of Lady Shock Treatment, of the neighbouring barony. My first letter of complaint to Lady Shock explained to me, in great detail, that her storm was not to be disturbed, by order of Archduchess Beachcomber. I soon received confirmation of that fact from Beachcomber herself.”

Applejack stomped a hoof in protest. “That’s terrible! Why in Equestria would you be forbidden from breaking up a storm like the one outside?”        

Pinesong let out a no-doubt long suffering sigh before raising his voice in pitch, clearly mocking somepony. “The safety and security of Equestria is dependant on the work being done by Lady Shock Treatment, and the storm is a required element of that work. You may tend to any stray clouds that enter your land as you see fit, but you and your subjects are not to disperse the storm itself.”

Another round of thunderous rumbling echoed through the hall.

“But that’s enough about me. What can I do for you?” Pinesong smiled tiredly at his guests.

Greasy stepped forward before Rarity thought to speak. “I’m terribly sorry to hear about your problems, but we’re in a bit of a jam ourselves. The generator on our train broke down, and we’re dead on the tracks if we don't get a replacement.”

“Hmm. That shouldn't be a problem. Nuts and Bolts, my resident gadgeteers, should have one or two lying around. Their last attempt at soundproofing necessitated a substantial amount of arcane energy. It didn’t work, but I think-”

Pinesong was interrupted by a clanging of metal on metal. Rarity turned around and was shocked to see a fully-armoured pony come bouncing into the hall, a familiar pink mane and tail sticking out of the champron and croupiere. On the flanchard, where Pinkie's cutie mark would be, the metal was engraved with three trees laden with acorns.

“Hi everypony! Look what I found!”

Rarity nearly fainted at the sight. “Pinkie! What are you wearing!”

“My grandfather’s armour for when he tried his hoof at the lists, I believe.” Pinesong frowned. “I’m certain the armoury is usually locked.”

Raisin Tart came into the hall from the same door Pinkie did, wheezing slightly. “I’m sorry, my lord. I looked for her when I noticed her missing and-”

Pinkie reared back on her hind legs and struck a majestic pose. “Bow before your savior and protector, dame Pinkamena! Rawr!” She landed back on all fours with a loud thump and the ringing of metal.

“I appreciate your enthusiasm for my family’s history, ‘Dame Pinkamena,’ but you should know it is a serious crime to garb yourself in another’s heraldry.” Pinesong studied Pinkie pie more closely. “At least you took the time to oil it before wearing it. I thank you for that.”

“No problem!” said Pinkie, before beginning to prowl around like a cat hunting prey. “Encased in her steel shell, the mighty knight is patient, willing to wait for the perfect time to strike.” She froze, ready to pounce with her tail twitching, staring at a blank spot on the wall.

Rarity looked at Pinkie, deep in focus, and then at Pinesong, who looked only slightly perturbed. She put herself in between the two before turning to the tired unicorn.

“I am terribly sorry, again, for the conduct of my friends, my lord.” Big smile, Rarity. That’s right. “I assure you Pinkie means no disrespect.”

Pinesong just sighed. “Frankly, I’m far too tired to get riled up about it.” The lord of the manor turned and walked towards a separate table at the end of the hall. “Just don’t scuff it up, I hate the smell of the polish.”

He settled into a cushioned chair, more of a throne, really, at the smaller table. Raisin Tart began to light some torches he had acquired and levitate them into the wall scones, brightening up the room considerably. Pinesong yawned and rapped his hooves on the polished wood of the table.

“Let’s talk about the generator you want.”

Rarity deferred to Greased Palm, who instantly began barraging Pinesong with questions about the arcano-generator they needed. Instead, she walked over to Pinkie Pie, still prowling around like a cat.

“Pinkie, what possessed you to break into an armoury and equip yourself in full plate barding?”

Far too silently for what she was wearing, Pinkie sprung back up to a normal posture. “Well,” she began, “First I was investigating those torches. I wanted to count them all to see how many it would take to light this whole place up, in case I wanted to host a party in here! That led me down a hallway where I found this super cool statue of an ancient pony warrior! I just had to know what wearing all that was like, but the statue wasn’t being very forthcoming with information. Not even cupcakes worked! She wouldn’t eat them or anything!”

“Pinkie, why would you try and bribe a statue with-”

“Hey! I wasn’t bribing! I was trading! Pastries for information! Anyways, after that didn’t work out I thought ‘Hey Pinkie Pie, what’s Twilight always saying about learning new things?’ and I knew, of course, that it’s all about research! And what's more researchy than finding a library? So I began my hunt, following the smell of old things, because books are old! But instead of finding books, I found a room full of cool old stuff like this!”

Pinkie held up an armoured hoof.

“After that it was a simple matter of remembering what you told me about putting on fancy outfits! Thanks, for that, by the way! I would never of been able to put this on without your help, Rarity!”

Pinkie Pie pulled Rarity in for a quick nuzzle, causing Rarity to smack her head against Pinkie’s steel champron. Dazed, Rarity stumbled away, nearly falling over her own hooves.

“You’re welcome, Pinkie.”

Rainbow Dash quickly took Rarity’s place, for which the unicorn was infinitely grateful.

“Wow, Pinkie Pie, you look awesome!” The pegasus poked her friend in the side. “No way anypony would mess with you wearing that!”

The pink mare tilted her head to the side. “Why would nopony want to eat with me while I’m wearing this?”

“Huh?”

“That’s what I’m asking!”

Applejack trotted in between the two, pushing them apart. “Drop it, girls. You’re just going to end up talking past one another again.”

“Applejack, I’m talking right at Dashie!”

“Stop acting so dense, Pinkie, and get rid of that armour.”

“But I like how dense this makes me! I feel like I’m invincible!”

“That’s not what I - Oh horseapples.” Applejack turned towards Rarity. “Do you want to deal with this?”

Rarity grinned. “I think you’re doing wonderful, darling.”

Applejack rolled her eyes. “Of course you wouldn’t want to get your hooves dirty,” she grumbled, before nudging Pinkie Pie forward. “Come on, lead us back to where you found this hunk of metal. I’m mighty curious to see more of it.”

Pinkie Pie let out a small cheer. “Sure thing, Applejack! Follow me and we’ll get you suited up in a jiffy!”

The two earth ponies continued to chat as they returned down the hallway Pinkie had appeared from. Rarity was happy to see Pinkie go, although she had to admit that her friend had looked rather dashing in the full plate barding.

“Sometimes I just don’t get Pinkie Pie, Rarity.”

Rarity turned her head towards her friend. “You and me both, Rainbow.”

“Preposterous!” Greased Palm’s angry shout drew Rarity’s attention to the copper pegasus. “Fifteen hundred bits for an arcano-generator you've already said you don’t need?”

“I haven’t gone deaf from all that thunder just yet, Mr. Palm. No need to shout.”

That doesn't sound good, thought Rarity.

“And while yes, it’s true I’m gouging you, I have to think of more than just what’s a fair price for my goods. This weather has ruined most of our berry harvesting for winter. It’s been so poor the granaries might not even have enough stored to feed ourselves, let alone to sell to others. We may need to import food to survive until spring. Think of how many meals fifteen hundred bits will buy.”

“Think about-” Greasy bit his tongue before continuing. “I understand your position, sir,” he said in a much softer, quieter voice. “But an arcano-generator isn't exactly a top seller. You probably won’t have another chance to offload one this year. You should take what you can get,”

Pinesong gave the negotiator a cold smirk. “I’m taking exactly what I think I can get from a group of ponies who won’t have a train if they don’t accept my offer.”

Rarity swore she saw a vein pop on Greased Palm’s forehead. “And I’m telling you, we can’t possibly afford to pay triple of what we would otherwise pay. Yes, we have the bits to afford this now, but we would be in danger of beggaring ourselves in the middle of Camelu if we gave in to your demands!”

Rarity was about to intercede when Raisin Tart appeared out of thin air, a platter held aloft in his magical field. “Would anypony care for some tea?” he asked, lowering the laden platter in front of Greasy and Pinesong.

Now there’s a stallion with impeccable timing. Rarity was impressed with his defusal of the escalating situation. If he still had all the colour in his mane, and was a few years younger, he’d be quite the catch.

In short order, both stallions were back to talking quietly. Rarity trotted over to Aquamarine, who was busying herself by looking at the various paintings adorning the hall.

“See anypony you like?” Rarity asked with a smile.

Aquamarine gave her a smile before turning back to the portrait. “I’m just imagining myself in one of these.”

“A bit vain, don’t you think?”

“If it was for me, yes.” Aquamarine stared directly ahead as she spoke. “But it wouldn't be. It would be for my daughters. Their daughters. And their daughters after that.”

Rarity raised a quizzical eyebrow. “I’m afraid you've lost me a bit, dear.”

“Look around you, Rarity,” said Aquamarine, eyes closed. “Pinesong knows who came before him, he knows his past. More than a thousand years of history is told on these walls.” She turned towards Rarity, deadly serious. “Do you know your ancestors?”

Rarity took an involuntary step back. “Well, my mother is a travel journalist, and my father used to be a hoofball player in his younger years. I know my maternal grandparents were servants in Canterlot, and my paternal grandfather was a geologist for the crown.”

“And before them?” Aquamarine pressed, bearing down on Rarity.

“I- I don’t know, to be honest. I never thought to ask,” she admitted.

“Then you’re still luckier than me,” said Aquamarine, turning back towards the painting. “My mother was an orphaned filly living in Canterbury, and I never knew my father.” Rarity knew what that meant about her childhood, and made a mental note to never ask Aquamarine about her parents.

“I grew up on the docks, learning from Union sailors what knots worked best for what tasks, from Neighponese sailors how to tack a sail, from Ib’exian sailors how to swear in ten languages. They drew from their shared histories and taught me everything I know.”

Sea-green eyes narrowed. “But I never learned my own history. I look at these walls and see ponies that have been dead for centuries, forever immortalized and remembered. I don’t know if my own grandmother is alive or dead.”

Rarity stayed silent, unsure of what to say,

“I want this more than anything, Rarity. I want what Pinesong has, what every noblemare or stallion has. I want a legacy,” Aquamarine whispered the word, and Rarity could see her savouring the mere mention of it.

The blue unicorn abruptly turned towards the table where two stallions sat haggling over prices.

“And I’m not going to see my dream die because of something as worthless as bits.”

Before Rarity could react, Aquamarine was boldly trotting up to Lord Pinesong, nearly shouting at him.

“Pinesong! Is there no way to bring down the price of that generator?”

The tired lord frowned in his chair. “No.”

“Even if we convince this Shock Treatment to quell her storm?”

Pinesong instantly brightened at that. “If you can get me a good night’s sleep, I’ll give it to you for free and throw in a basket of berries for the road!”

Greased Palm opened his mouth to object, but Aquamarine shut him down with a truly withering stare. I suppose one doesn't become a captain without a strong leadership streak.

“Rarity! Rainbow Dash! Find your friends and let’s go have a chat with this Shock Treatment.”

Suddenly feeling an irresistible urge to salute, Rarity gave in to the strange gesture. “Aye aye, captain!” Rainbow Dash copied her a second later. Speeding off down the hallway in search of Pinkie Pie and Applejack, Rarity heard Aquamarine’s response to one of Pinesong’s questions.

“Don’t worry yourself, my lord. I’ve faced down starving, mutinous griffons hungry for ponyflesh. I think I can handle one eccentric mare.”