//------------------------------// // Chapter Eleven, The Calm // Story: Nocturne // by Pony Boy //------------------------------// Nocturne Chapter 11 The Calm It was morning. The rain had subsided finally; the clouds have disappeared for now. It smelled of rain and mud and sorrow. Birds were flying around, reconstructing their nests. Rabbits, snakes, and other subterranean creatures were outside their burrows waiting for them to drain. Luckily, no trees had fallen, no-pony had been struck by lightning, town hall’s repairs had held up, and all was fine. In twilight’s library, everything was quiet. Every pony was awake, just in silence. “How long do you think she’ll be in there?” Rainbow Dash asked silently. “Ah’ don’t know, the way she threw Spike out made it seem she wanted to be alone for quite a whiles.” Apple Jack replied in a whisper. There was a subtle clicking of locks, a doorknob turning, the creaking of hinges, and the sounds of hooves hitting the ground slowly. Twilight was looking down when she exited the room, when she looked up, she had the look of despair. Every pony sat in the room silently and motionlessly, waiting for Twilight to move, make a sound, something. She burst into tears just like last night and embraced all of them. “It’s all right, sugar cube.” Apple Jack tried to comfort Twilight. “No, it isn’t,” she yelled between sobs, “Nightmare Moon… has… Shining Armor!” She began to cry even more forcefully, she could not even speak. Pinkie Pie began to cry, herself. Rarity started, “Don’t worry, I’m sure that we will be able to rescue-“ “And how long would that take? Weeks? Months? Years, even?” Twilight yelled out. “I don’t know how long, but we will save him.” Rarity consoled. Twilight sat up and regained her composure. She wiped the tears from her face. “I’m sorry…,” she said with one final sob. “Don’t worry, darling…” Rarity said. “I know this isn’t exactly the time to be asking this, but when you girls think we should start heading out to find the other elements?” Rainbow Dash asked. “I’m not sure, but I think we should leave at latest by tomorrow.” Twilight said after finally calming down, eyes still red with tears, chest still empty of the heart that was torn from her chest. “How will we locate the Elements though?” Rainbow Dash returned, a question for all in the room. “Well, let’s think; who out there would we think can locate very beautiful and priceless pieces of jewelry?” Rarity asked aloud. “Umm… pirates?” Rainbow dash answered “Oh, Rainbow, don’t be so ridiculous like that.” Rarity replied, almost condescending. “I don’t know Rare, if there is any pony in the world that would know where something the likes of the Elements, it would be some pony that travels a bunch.” Apple Jack replied, agreeing with Rainbow Dash. “Ooh! I know some pirates!” Pinkie yelled as she jumped into the air. “Are these actual pirates or just some ‘pirates’ that go around exotic places?” Rainbow Dash asked suspiciously. “Considering that they have a big ship with a black sail and a smaller flag with a skull and cross bones on it, I would call them pirates!” Pinkie replied just as enthusiastically. “Well, do they stay in port anywhere near here?” Twilight questioned. “Yep! Just a few miles east of Dodge City, there is a port that is very close to their home base on the Mareibean!” “That settles it, we’re goin’ to Dodge.” Apple Jack said with certainty. “We should leave tomorrow and prepare today.” Fluttershy spoke. “Remember to say any goodbye’s today, girls. We don’t know how long we’re going to be out.” Twilight said. “Oh, hay…” Apple Jack said as if she forgot something, “What is it Apple Jack?” Twilight asked. “The Sisterhooves social is in a week, Apple Bloom is going to be devastated that I can’t compete with her.” Apple Jack said rubbing her forehead. “Oh, that’s right,” Twilight said, “There’s always next year, right?” “Yeah, I suppose… That’s what I said last year when Rarity competed with Sweetie Bell.” Apple Jack said. “All I know is that it will take more than a week to do all of this.” Twilight said. “I’ll tell Apple Bloom.” Apple Jack said disappointedly. “Alright, let’s all get ready every pony. Remember, we have a long road ahead of us, but we aren’t walking it alone.” Twilight said with confidence. “I don’t want you to go, Apple Jack, the Sisterhooves Social is in a week!” Apple Bloom cried out indignantly as she clung to Apple Jacks left hind leg. “I don’t like it any more than you do, Apple Bloom, but I have to do this.” Apple Jack replied. “You said we would do it this year, last year!” Apple Bloom cried out almost crying. “I know I did, but this is really, really important.” Realizing that Apple Jack could not stay, Apple Bloom released her vice grip from Apple Jack. “Hey, when I get back, I promise we will do whatever you want to do together.” Apple Jack said trying to comfort her younger sister. Apple Bloom looked up and smiled sadly up at her sister. The two embraced and Apple Jack took her leave, full saddlebags on her back. “I know this is short notice Angel, but I don’t know who to leave in charge.” Fluttershy said as she flew back and forth, to and fro, hither and thither, filling her saddlebags with supplies for the road. Angel Bunny just sat in the middle of the room, forearms crossed, glaring. “I know, but I just don’t want to leave you alone. Oh! How about Spike watches you? He did such a good job last time.” Angel’s face changed several times to surprise, fear, into a ponder, and then he shrugged into indifferent agreement to Fluttershy’s suggestion. “Good, I knew you would agree.” Fluttershy said as she lifted up Angel, hugged him, and brought him along back to the library. “Mom, Dad, I’m sorry to push this on you, but I need you to look after Opal while I travel.” Rarity said. “Oh, it’s alright.” Her father said. “I agree. I’m sure Opal would be just as happy as we are to take care of her.” Her mother said as she lifted up Opal and held him. “Opal is a boy, Mother.” “Oh, well I’m sure we can take care of him just as well.” As she said that, Opal pried free from her grip and hid under the rug. “Uh… Right… I’m going to head out now. Good bye.” “Bye sweetie!” Her father called out. “Have fun!” Her mother called out. “Gummy, you’ll be ok with me leaving you with Mr. and Mrs. Cake, won’t you?” Pinkie asked her alligator. In reply, Gummy blinked and moved his eyes independently. “Great, I knew you would understand!” She hugged Gummy and placed him on her bed. “Tank, you be good, alright? Don’t cause any trouble.” Rainbow Dash said to Tank. Tank slowly nodded and smiled. Rainbow Dash hugged tank quickly and raced back off to the Twilight’s house to ready up one last time before heading on the most grueling adventure these six have ever faced.