//------------------------------// // 14. Renewal // Story: Of Coal and Diamonds // by Alaxsxaq //------------------------------// 14. Renewal "Yes? Hello?" A tall unicorn stallion said, bringing the phone up to his ear. Who could possibly need him at this hour? "Good morning, sir. I understand you are President of Apple Industries, correct?" A dignified voice asked in a clear Hoofington accent. "Yes I am. But I'm afraid that office holds little importance. If you need to talk to somepony in charge―" "That won't be necessary. My name is Jeffery, and I am calling on behalf of Mistress Applebloom, my employer. I've been instructed to inform you she will not be present today." "What?" The President said. "Why not? She said she'd only miss Friday. She promised she'd be here Monday." "Yes. The Mistress deeply regrets not being able to come in, but she is emotionally compromised and in no state to run a company." The President leaned back in his chair, rubbing his head. "I heard about the shooting...I'm so sorry." "I shall give your regards to Mistress Applebloom. In the meantime, she's putting you in charge again. She affirmed me that you know your duties in the case of her absence." "Um...alright." The stallion replied, not very excited for his new appointment. "Thank you for understanding. Have a nice day, sir." "You to." The President placed the phone back on its stand and held his temples. The title he had procured through years of service to the company did well to impress his in-laws, but in actuality he hardly ever got to do anything important. He became comfortable shuffling papers all day. But today, he had actual responsibilities, as one of his boss' most trusted employees. He nearly pulled out his mane Friday with all that went on. How did Applebloom deal with it? Back at Applebloom’s manor, after Jeffery had hung up the phone, the handycolt proceeded to attend to his own duties. Most of the guests had already left by train during the weekend. The rest stayed behind to look after those in the hospital. A few, however, remained in the mansion to keep an eye on Applebloom. For the past two days she had been locked in her study or bedroom severely burdened with emotions. Jeffery remembered the cringe worthy suffering of his dear employer, complete with bouts of binge drinking and fits of rage. While gathering up sheets and other linens, Jeffery ran into Sweetie Belle, who had just woken up. "Good...morning." She quietly said, rubbing her eyes. "Good morning, Miss Belle. Breakfast is on the stove. Forgive me, but I cannot serve you right now." "That'll be fine!" She said, bearing a smile. "But you really should've let me do breakfast again. You work too hard." "Please, you're guests. I cannot ask that of you." Sweetie Belle had cooked the meal Saturday morning. Jeffery only finished scraping the "food" off the stove last night. Sweetie Belle turned away to fetch her breakfast, but stopped before she made it to the stairs. Looking back at the handycolt, she became very serious. "How's Applebloom? I know she can be very...difficult when she's upset. We've all been trying to stay out of her way. It just seemed like...the best option. But you've had contact with her." Placing down the basket, Jeffery sighed. "I've been making it my mission to give her space when I can. I bring her meals but other than that no direct contact." The stoic expression he customarily wore faded to pain. "But...I can tell you she's more angry at herself than anypony. I don't think anypony short of Babs' parents are quite as distraught. I confess I've been eavesdropping every so often, to check up on her." "Has she said or done anything?" Sweetie Belle asked, tears starting to stream down her cheeks. "Yes. That first night after the wedding, I was awake well past midnight. I found that I could not sleep. While in the hall, I heard a noise from Applebloom's room. Placing my ear against the door, my heart sank to find out she cried herself to sleep that night...and every night since. "All during the previous two days, she's done nothing but drink. There must have been three bottles of whiskey she's taken into her study and emptied. Afterwards, she's so disappointed in herself that she throws the bottle at the wall. Had I not hooves, I'd surely cut myself on the glass. After her alcohol is done, Applebloom...rages. All the contents of the desk, she shoves off onto the floor. When there's nothing left to ruin or attack, she breaks down and weeps." Sweetie Belle could do nothing but hurt. She saw the same pain on the stallion's face. "I had to force myself to listen..." The white unicorn wiped her eyes. "Is there anything we can do? I...I can't believe we've just been ignoring her. She needs us more than ever." Just then, Jeffery got an all too obvious idea. He would kick himself later for not having thought of it sooner. "Actually...there is. You're right, Miss Belle. I should've done something all along." Standing up tall, he got a look of determination. "I'll deal with Applebloom. Please, enjoy your meal. Master Fancypants and Miss Scootaloo are already downstairs." Nodding in approval, Sweetie headed to the breakfast room for her meal while Jeffery ventured towards Applebloom's study. Once he was at the door, the handycolt reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a ring of keys. Magically manipulating the ring, he produced the particular key to the study. Taking a deep breath, Jeffery inserted the key and unlocked the door. Inside was the very same depressing sight he had seen for the past two days: a yellow red-maned mare in her bathrobe quietly sobbing on a desk. As the stallion inched closer, the more sorrow tugged at his heart. Documents, books, broken glass, and even a globe and chair were scattered across the floor; the only item on the desk was a tall bottle of whiskey. Hearing somepony come in, the mare lifted her head up to reveal puffy red eyes, glossy with tears. She lacked the strength or will to say anything in protest of his disturbance. Closing the door behind him, Jeffery stood straight and dignified, searching for the right words to say to his broken employer. Applebloom reached for the bottle to down whatever was left, hopefully to quell some of the pain. The unicorn however engulfed the bottle in his aura and confiscated it from her grasp. In a desperate and heartbreakingly pitiful display, Applebloom mindlessly stretched out her hoofs for it, like a foal for its formula bottle. Placing the whiskey on a small table beside the door, Jeffery looked Applebloom in the eye with a comforting sincerity. "Forgive me for this intrusion...but I cannot sit idly by anymore. I've respected your privacy long enough, but I cannot further allow you to subject yourself to such destructive behavior." Applebloom said nothing, and instead buried her head into her hooves, crying again. "Seeing you drink yourself into a stupor has been most painful for me..." His normally monotonous and stoic tone shifted to become emotional. "Your suffering has not gone unnoticed... Applebloom, please." The mare did not respond, but she was listening intently. "I know you're hurting... I know you feel nothing but sorrow and regret. I understand what it is like to feel such depression..." "How can you know?" Applebloom softly muttered. "Did I ever tell you of my brother?" She did not answer, but Jeffery could tell by the way her ears perked up that she was interested. "I once had a younger brother, back in Hoofington. We were...very close, and often played together during the summertime. I...I don't wish to go into details, but...a young mare broke his heart." His lip beginning to quiver, the handycolt continued. "None of us thought it was a big deal, honestly. But then...he turned to alcohol. I tried my best to stop him, but eventually he got into an argument with my parents. He found himself on the street, before I took him in. But that didn't stop his binges. I...I grew impatient one winter night, and lost my temper. I told him things...nopony should ever tell a brother... "I made him feel...simply awful. He went off for a walk, I thought. But...he didn't return the next day. Or the day after...or the next week." Jeffery wiped his eyes with a handkerchief. "I later found out, in his drunken state...he slipped on some ice, and fell into a river. He hit his head and drowned... I never....forgave myself for that... I haven't seen my parents since...I've been too ashamed." It took all the strength Jeffery had not to break down and weep. "So I devoted my life to serving others...so that I may help them when times are tough. Bouncing from various charities and households, I find myself your own helper. And you...Applebloom, are distressed and not well. "I won't let you destroy yourself...like he did...like I let him. I simply can't. I...I love you too much to let that happen." Moved by his story, Applebloom looked up, utterly speechless. "The situation has become dire. But you can't let it stop you. Babs Seed devoted her life to protecting the citizens of Manehattan, and keeping the streets clear of violence and crime. While you were building your empire, she put her life on the line every day. And now, gangsters and corrupt politicians and businessponies threaten all her work." "B...But what can...Ah do? They've...beaten me." "No they haven't. For the love of her, you cannot allow this. Not while Applebloom yet draws breath will they take the city. If anypony can do something, it's you. Why do you think they targeted you? They fear what you can become." For the first time in days, the mare sat up in her chair. "But they already have won! Ah can't do nothin' against gangsters! Ah abide by the law. They fight unfairly. I'd lose, and have nothin' show for it but another body to bury." "You know you're just making up excuses. This isn't the energetic determined mare I know. Come Hell or high water you'd stand your ground." Looking down at the mess of papers on the floor, Jeffery spotted a magazine Applebloom had kept from several years ago. In bold white letters read the name "Equestrian Entrepreneur". That particular issue was focused on the rising industrialist, something the mare kept near and dear to her. The stallion knew this well, and levitated it off the floor and placed it in front of Applebloom. Seeing her own picture, she looked up at nothing specific, and grew wide-eyed. He was right: this is who she truly was. Realizing her mistake, she rose from her chair. She recalled something another unicorn stallion told her; back when she was just an adolescent filly. "Ah...Ah...Ah have to do something! For Babs, for...everypony in Manehattan, for mah family, for mah friends. For...Equestria!" She looked fondly at Jeffery. "Thank you! You know, Ah ain't never heard you talk like that." The stallion just smiled. "Now get ready. I'll clean up here." Nodding vehemently with a wide grin, Applebloom practically bolted from her study. Racing through the house, she entered the breakfast room to find her best friends eating. Scootaloo took a bite of toast before noticing Applebloom. "Applebloom? Are you...do you feel better?" The pegasus asked, putting down her newspaper. "Y'all better believe it! Now, come on! Finish eating! We've got work to do!" Sweetie Belle burst from her seat and grabbed Applebloom in a hug. "You're back! We were so worried!" "Ah'm sorry. I was bein' selfish. But now Ah've got a new resolve." "That's fantastic to hear!" Fancypants interjected. "Ah know! Everpony, get ready! Take a shower, brush your teeth, and get dressed! Scootaloo!" She yelled at her orange friend. "Ya bring your service blues?" "Um...well yeah." Sweetie Belle looked at her strangely. "What? I had military functions to go to." "Good! Put 'em on!" As her friends finished their last bites and went to prepare, Applebloom gathered some food from the stove. She was starving and needed a good meal to start the day. As she sat down, Fancypants leaned in closer to her. "I must say, Applebloom. I'm positively enthralled with your new outlook." "Thanks. Ah guess Ah just needed a good perspective check." She replied, taking a spoonful of cereal. "What do you plan on doing?" The unicorn inquired. "Ah...Ah don't know. Ah honestly didn't think that through. But Ah have to do something, even if Ah don't know what." "I trust you'll figure it out. You always do." Looking at the time, he stood up. "Though I'm afraid I must depart soon." "What do ya mean?" "Fleur and I decided it was time to leave. She’s upstairs packing as we speak." Applebloom became disturbed. "But what if Ah need your help? I can't do this alone!" "And you won't. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle will be by your side. And you do have me. I'm going to Canterlot to see what I can do there. It's high time I did something about the corruption there. Even though we'll be miles apart, you'll still have my aid." "Ah can't even begin to say hope grateful Ah am to be your friend." He placed his hoof on her shoulder. "My sentiments exactly." He pulled her into his embrace. After he let go, Fancypants turned around to leave. Before he did, he looked back and smiled. "Remember: take your best shot, Applebloom. You only fail if it's your last." Within minutes the stallion and his companion had left, but his words stuck with that yellow mare. "Shot." That was it! That's what Applebloom was going to do! Fight fire...with fire! Devising her plan and calculating everything in her head, Applebloom finished her breakfast and went upstairs. All while she took her shower and brushed her mane and teeth, the filly muttered to herself. Had a group been around to listen, they would be polarized on what to think. Half would claim she was hearing voices, the other that she was a brilliant mind solving a great mystery of the cosmos. After drying herself, Applebloom returned to her bedroom and opened the wardrobe. She didn't have many different clothes, which made the search for her favorite ensemble all the more easier. She took the hanger in her mouth and placed it on the bed. A few short minutes later, Applebloom was donned in a black suit. Opening her drawer, she got out her trademark bolo and straightened everything out in a mirror. Satisfied with her appearance, she reached into the drawer again, this time pulling out her revolver. Ashamed after having used it, Applebloom hid it away. But now she needed it more than ever. Placing it in the holster over her vest, she also got out a few loaded clips to place in her jacket pocket. Diving into her closet again, she produced a fine metal gun case and set it on her bed. Unlatching the case revealed a rifle, seldom seeing the light of day. Applebloom was not messing around, and this weapon was the most powerful one in her arsenal. The semi-automatic clip loaded wooden stock rifle complete with bayonet was her tool of choice should everything ever go to Hell. Looks like it was the appropriate time. Slinging the rifle over her back by its strap, she headed downstairs. In front of the grand doors were her friends. Scootaloo was looking neat and official in her service blues while Sweetie Belle dressed warmly in her coat. The two were quite shocked to see what was on their friend's back. Looking awkwardly at each other, then at Applebloom, the pair thought for a second. Then, Scootaloo spoke up. "What do you have on your back?" "The model 10 .30 caliber semi-automatic gas-operated rifle. Ah got it just outside of Dodge Junction. I woulda thought you'd know that." Applebloom answered nonchalantly. "I know WHAT it is! I meant WHY do you have it? Why in the world would you bring it?" "Ah ain't gonna sugarcoat it for y'all. It's gonna be dangerous. There WILL be blood. But Ah've made up mah mind. You can turn back now; there ain't no shame." "I know nothing we do will stop you from getting yourself hurt. Count me in, whatever it is." Scootaloo saluted. Sweetie Belle however was very hesitant. She had done nothing particular gritty or violent. In fact she still felt the trauma of the wedding, albeit did her best to hide it. For a time she didn't respond, instead only nervously looked at the ground. Finally, Sweetie Belle made her decision. "You two are my best friends...I trust you with all my heart. Yes. I'll go." She said, hesitation heavy in her voice. Applebloom smiled widely. "Alright! We'll take mah automobile." The other two ran out into the cold snowy morning. Before Applebloom followed, however, she noticed her head was uncovered. A voice called out behind her. "I think you're forgetting something." Turning around, Applebloom saw Jeffery levitating her Stetson. Grabbing it, she looked at her handycolt. Immediately she threw herself at him, wrapping her strong forelimbs around his neck. Had she not been careful, he could've suffocated. But Jeffery didn't care. His employer...friend whispered into his ear. "Ah'm sorry about your brother." "Thank you, Mistress Applebloom." "Will you be fine here?" "I think I can take care of myself. I have a little something in my room for such an occasion. Now go!" Not thinking twice, Applebloom donned her hat and rushed off to meet her friends shivering in the cold in front of a black automobile. Cranking and starting up the engine, Applebloom placed her rifle on the seat and got into the driver's seat. Her friends quickly followed. "Alright..."Sweetie began. "Where are we going? Wait...you're not seriously gonna go headlong to the East End, are you??" Applebloom laughed. "No! We're gonna make a quick stop at the hospital, then to one of mah factories." "Factories? What do we need there?" "Scoots, if we're gonna deal with this crisis, we'll need ponies. And firepower." Flooring it, Applebloom drove full speed to her destination, the glow of determination restored in her heart. A shadow of doubt remained, but her confidence did well to suppress it. Applebloom made a choice then: to either save Manehattan, or die trying.