Part II: The Mundane—Final
Chapter VI: Have a Heart
I gave myself the day off for the occasion. Ms. Cheerilee excused Sapph for the day to join me. I was able to disguise it as a father-daughter bonding day and doing a favor for Rarity. Rarity, Twilight, and Luna were the only ponies that knew the real intention for this outing.
“What about this one, Dad,” Sapphire asked, holding out an emerald the size of her hoof.
“Great! Put it in the bag with the rest,” I said, “But we still need the centerpiece and one more emerald.”
“We’ve been out here for three hours,” She groaned, “My hooves are getting sore.”
“Why don’t we take a break, then,” I offered. She immediately found a flat rock and plopped down on it even before taking her saddlebag off. We were about ten kilometers from the town boundary, so I figured that we could head back and have plenty of time to find the final gems.
“Rarity’s client seems pretty picky,” Sapphire said, rubbing her hooves, “Twenty emeralds and an onyx? That’s a difficult find.”
“Yeah, he is really picky,” I said, “If Rarity weren’t so busy today, she’d have gone herself. She has a better discerning eye than I do.”
“Ugh, she’s always busy,” Sapphire complained.
“Hey, it got you out of class,” I said and sat down next to her, “And it gives us a bit of time to hang out. There’s rarely any time for that anymore.”
“Sorry, Dad,” Sapph said with a frown, “I have been spending too much time with Scoots and not enough time with you and Mom.”
“Maybe tomorrow you can come with us on our picnic after the concert,” I said, putting my foreleg around her shoulders, “It’d be fun, maybe even bring Scootaloo with you.”
Sapphire smiled and nodded as she stared at the sky. She had become a lot calmer in the nine seasons we’ve been here in Equestria. Flight School and dating really made her mature pretty quickly.
“Y’know,” She said, watching a cloud stroll lazily across the sky, “It doesn’t seem like we’ve been here that long at all. I mean, it seems like just last week I came home from Flight School.”
“And feels like just last month we moved in with your mom,” I added.
We spent a few minutes silently reminiscing our stay in Equestria. After the fourth minute, Sapph broke the silence, “Think we can find a sapphire for Scootaloo while we’re out here? She’s been wanting to trick out her new scooter.”
“Sure,” I said, looking over to her, “How’s it goin’ between you two anyway, Sapph?”
She blushed and lowered her head, “Jeez, Dad, you don’t just ask that!”
I laughed, “I’m just asking, Sapph. Makin’ sure you’re happy an’ all that. Wouldn’t be much of a dad if I didn’t.”
She nodded and her face slowly returned to normal color, “We’re good. Things have changed a bit since coming home from Flight School. Sometimes I’m afraid I’m a little too pushy...”
“What makes you say that?”
“She’s too boyish to talk about feelings and all that garbage,” She explained while shining an emerald with her hip, “I am too, but she’s worse. I even caught her crying behind the school one time, and she got mad at me for asking what was wrong.”
I sat quietly nodding as she recounted several more instances. When she finished, I said, “Do you think she’s being bullied still?”
“Can’t be. Nopony will mess with her after they heard what happened at Flight School.”
“But you’re not around her 24/7,” I scratched my head with my forehoof, “And everypony knows Scoots is as stubborn as Cranky when it comes to asking for help.”
We sat in silence a bit longer before getting up and heading back towards town. When we found a sapphire, Sapph looked at it closely. Her name was her girlfriend’s favorite gemstone.
“Hey, Dad,” She said after putting the gem in her saddlebag, “You think I can pick a song for tomorrow’s concert to sing for Scoots?”
“I don’t see why not. Which one?”
“I can’t remember the name,” She said, “But it’s that one you sang for Pinkie last month when Big Mac dumped her for the umpteenth time.”
I smiled, “Sounds perfect.”
*
Sapphire went to say hi to Sweetie Belle as I chatted with Rarity. She took every gem and inspected them while she spoke, “These are marvelously picked gems. I don’t have to do much of anything to them.”
“How long until it’s ready?”
“Oh, about three days if I get lazy,” She said and levitated the onyx up to her eye, “My, my, what a lovely pick.”
“You have no idea how hard it was to find that,” I complained.
“And that’s your own fault, Dearie,” She said, “But I can’t think of a better labor.”
I smiled and she continued, “This will be beautiful, Darling.”
“In your hooves,” I said, “I don’t doubt it. I wouldn’t trust any other tailor in all Equestria with this task.”
“Oh, you flatterer,” She giggled and pulled the sapphire from the basket, “And what is this?”
“Sapph found that. She wanted to give it to Scootaloo for her new scooter,” I explained and she set it on her work bench.
“Well then I will just have to fix it up for her, now, won’t I?”
Sapphire and Sweetie Belle walked down the stairs together just as Rarity finished polishing the gem. Sapphire watched her as she made her final inspection before presenting the gem to Sapph.
“Wow,” She said, inspecting it for herself, “Thanks, Ms. Rarity.”
“Oh, it was my pleasure. No trouble at all,” Rarity said waving her hoof at Sapph, “Now, why don’t you three find something to do so I can start on this project.”
“Good luck. I hope the client likes it,” Sapphire said.
Rarity smiled, “Thank you, Dearie. I’m positive he will love it.”
We walked to the library to give Twilight and Luna the plan for the concert tomorrow. We had to all threaten Sweetie Belle with embarrassment if she told Scootaloo anything. It was to be a surprise. Twilight pulled me aside for a moment when Luna offered Sapph and Sweetie snacks.
“How’d it go with Rarity,” Twilight whispered
“It went well,” I whispered back, “In her speech, she basically told me it will be done by the time I need it tomorrow.”
“In her speech?”
“She said, ‘I could do it in three days if I’m feeling lazy.’”
“That’s Rarity,” Twilight said then pushed me toward the kitchen so as not to arouse any suspicions.
After a quick snack with Twi and Luna, we took off to Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack and Rainbow Dash had been foster parents for Scootaloo until she left for Flight School, and when she returned they full out adopted her. When Applejack and Dash got married, Dash built a cloud house that floated about three meters above the farmhouse, so this was where they all lived while Granny Smith, Big Mac, and Applebloom lived in the farmhouse below. Twilight had even cast a spell on the cloud so that it would allow any type of pony to walk on it along with Dash’s pet tortoise.
Sapph and Sweetie Belle ran off to find Applebloom and Scootaloo while I flew up to Applejack and Dash’s farm cloud. I knocked on the solid cloud door and Dash called out through what sounded like running water that she would be to the door in a moment. I heard the water sound stop suddenly a few seconds later, and Dash appeared at the door ten more seconds later with a towel around her neck, “Oh, hey, Shade. What brings you up here?”
“Sorry, I seem to have interrupted something,” I said, spotting Applejack walking by four meters away drying her mane.
“Nah, don’t worry about it,” Dash said, nudging my shoulder, “Come on in.”
She led me to a couch a few rooms away and started talking, “So, what do you need, my young protégé?”
“It’s probably gonna sound weird, but my daughter wants to dedicate a song to your daughter during tomorrow’s concert,” I explained with a smile.
“Done,” She said, making me feel like I was talking to a businessmare, “Which song?”
“That one we sang for Pinkie when Mac broke up with her last month,” I said.
Dash stretched out on the couch and lay on her stomach as she spoke to me, “Somehow I knew it was going to be a ‘cheer the heck up’ kind of song.”
“Why do you say that?”
Dash rolled onto her back with a sigh, “Don’t tell anypony I said this, but I’ve been kind of concerned about that little squirt. She was fine the first couple weeks, but now she’s just…depressing.”
“Any idea why?”
“Yes, I know exactly why. She came to me about it,” She stretched one more time then sat up straight.
“About what,” I pressed.
She sighed through her nose and hopped off of the couch. She walked over to the doorway to the room and checked the hallway and zipped the doorway. With no chance of sound getting through the rest of the house, she spilled the beans, “She gets picked on by those stuck-up twits at school. Silver something and Diamond something. She knows if she gets into another fight, she won’t be allowed back to school. I don’t know why she came to me because when I offered to do something about it, she got angry at me. She told me to not tell anypony, not even AJ.
“She’s a strong filly, but she looked so weak when she told me. After threatening me for the hundredth time, she went back to being all mopey. She didn’t want to go to Sapphire because she was afraid if Sapph found out, she would beat the living crap outta the two and then get kicked out of school herself,” Dash sighed and scratched her neck, “Not sure what to do with that kid.”
I sat thinking while Dash explained. When she finished, I said, “We can’t fight her battles. Did she mention the kind of things the girls would say?”
“Well…. Sort of. It was hard to get it out of her,” Dash said, “But she did tell me they said she should go die. They said she means nothing to the world. The rest was pretty passive-aggressive stuff that really doesn’t matter as much.”
I watched Rainbow Dash’s reactions as she told the story, and the more she said, the sadder she seemed, “Everything matters… Are you okay?”
“Screw this tough attitude,” She wiped her nose and looked as if she was about to cry herself, “I’m honestly really concerned about her. I’m afraid she’ll do the same thing Twilight’s sister did. Find the perfect time and just…”
“You know about that?”
“Yeah,” She wiped at her face again, “I was there. My dad was a Wonderbolt at that time, so I went to see him perform… I ended up watching a filly jump onto a bed of sharp rocks and my dad help clean up the mess.”
I cringed at the blunt descriptiveness, “I… see…”
“Maybe,” Dash said, “It would be best to tell Sapphire a bit about what’s going on. All Scoot ever talks about lately is Sapphire. It’s like she’s the only one keeping her going.”
“We’ll tell her after the concert, how about. That way she can stick by her at school the next day. I think the only real reason she won’t tell Sapph anything is from pride.”
“Screw Scoots’ pride. She’s too important to lose over a bit of pride.”
“She’s a gem…”
Dash nodded, “She’s a gem…”
*
Pinkie helped me set up the microphone and wouldn’t stop talking throughout, “Wowie, it’s awesome you keep getting to play these concerts. I mean I would like to, but everypony finds my music waaaaay too hyper. I don’t know why it—“
I blocked out her incessant rambling and made sure the rest of our little band had everything set. Pinkie squealed a good luck before bounding off the stage and into a space where she, Fluttershy, Applejack, and a small group of several other friends of theirs, but most importantly the Crusaders, who all now had their cutie marks, were gathered at the edge of the group. Sapphire stayed with them for now, since she would only take the stage during one song.
Dash called me over to her drum set just before I was about to speak. I walked over to her, “Shade, we’re gonna save the dedication for last right?”
“Yeah, why?”
She glanced at the small group of our various friends and family, “I don’t wanna be mushy or anything… but can I dedicate a song for AJ? I’ll sing and everything, since you know how to play drums and everything now.”
“Of course,” I said with a smile, “I’ll take over, just let me know what song, and we’ll play that before Sapph’s song.”
I went back up to the microphone, “Good morning everypony! I want to say thank you, as always, for giving us the opportunity to do this every other week. It’s a joy and a half, let me tell you.”
The crowd cheered their approval, “Let’s start with this one named ‘Breathe’.”
We started the song and the crowd leapt into the hard rock sound and the dark, eerie lyrics. Throughout the concert I tried to keep track of our little group of friends to make sure that Scootaloo did not suddenly run off, but the sounds drew her in, as we knew it would. The next two songs were also just as dark and eerie. The crowd ate it up. We lightened the mood with two other songs that were more rock-like, but still a bit eerie.
I laughed at the end of Crazy Train. It felt good to keep music from my world alive, especially the classics. The crowd’s cheer slowed and I stepped back up to the mic, “Okay, fillies and colts, this next one I am going to step away from the mic. Our wonderful drummer has a special message for her wife. Dash?”
Dash hopped off of her seat and I took her place. She tentatively walked up to the mic, “Hello, everypony.”
The crowd cheered her on, but I couldn’t tell her expression from behind, “Thanks, guys. I’ve been practicing singing this song for about two months now since I was introduced to it. I had no coaching, so I hope this sounds as good as I think. Applejack, this is for you.”
In the crowd I saw Scootaloo and Applebloom nudging and teasing Applejack. Dash cleared her throat and stepped up to the mic. Twilight and Luna looked a bit lost, so I started the beat and they caught on.
“I know you, who are you now? Look into my eyes if you can’t remember… Do you remember?” Dash’s voice spread through the crowd and they all sat in awe. Not only was her voice soft and beautiful, but she was singing a mushy rock song, “I can see, I can still find. You’re the only voice my heart can recognize, and I can hear you now, yeah!”
Her voice cracked on the last note, but the crowd seemed to overlook it, captivated by the sound, “I’ll never be the same. I’m caught inside the memories, the promises, our yesterdays, and I belong to you. I just can’t walk away. ‘Cause after loving you… I can never be the same.”
I almost lost my place in the music listening to the voice that just couldn’t belong to such a tomcolt mare. I was able to drag my eyes away from her to our small group of friends and family. All of their jaws were agape and hanging, especially Applejack and Scootaloo. After Rainbow Dash finished her song, she looked out over the crowd and stepped back from the mic as they all stamped their feet in loud applause.
Dash stepped back up to the mic when the applause died down, “There, I got that out of my system. Don’t expect any more mushy, emotional stuff for a while, Applejack.”
Applejack laughed with the audience. They’d been together for 33 seasons. Then it hit me today was their anniversary. Sapphire started making her way to the stage as RD and I swapped places again. Scootaloo stayed where she was, oblivious as to what was to come.
When I got to the mic, I tried stalling while Sapph made her way to the stage, “This last piece is one of my personal favorites. This song has been around since I was a young colt. A VERY young colt. Maybe not as old as Crazy Train, but you get the idea. Now, my daughter is going to sing this one with me.”
Sapphire made it to the stage and the crowd cheered. She set up her own mic while they calmed down, “Hello, everypony. I know my dad and Ms. Rainbow Dash are all sappy and whatnot when it comes to cheer-up and love songs, but I like to be more upbeat.”
The band took this as a cue to start the music and the crowd immediately recognized it, “This one is for my fillyfriend. I may just be a worrywart, but cheer up, ya big jerk.”
She took the next vamp to start singing, “Hey. Don’t write yourself off yet. It’s only in your head you feel left out, or looked down on. Just try your best. Do everything you can, and don’t ya worry what they tell themselves when you’re away.”
She winked at the group as I jumped in as background for the chorus, “It just takes some time, little girl, you’re in the middle of the ride! Everything, everything will be just fine—everything, everything will be alright, alright.”
I watched Scootaloo’s reaction throughout the song, and her reaction was far from what I expected. Instead of acting as if she was on a spotlight, she sat with a smile on her face and wiggled to the music like the rest of the crowd. Sapphire smiled and was enjoying herself, but kept her eye on Scootaloo as she sang.
The song finished and the crowd applauded. Within ten minutes the crowd had dispersed except for a select few. One white unicorn with a blue mane stayed back as family ran forward to congratulate us on another successful concert.
Fluttershy hopped on my back and snuggled up against my neck, “I think you’re sounding better and better with each concert, sweetie.”
I twisted my head and kissed her on the cheek, “Thanks, hun.”
Scootaloo and the other two crusaders tackled Sapphire. After they recovered from the dog pile, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle gave Scootaloo and Sapph some room.
“You’re a jerk, you know that, right,” Scootaloo accused with a smile on her face, “First a gem, now this?”
Sapphire grinned a Pinkie Pie grin, “I know. I’m the best.”
Scootaloo leaned up and kissed her and I looked away. Of course where I looked away to just so happened to be where Applejack was nuzzling Rainbow Dash under her chin, “Best anniversary present ever, Sugarcube.”
“Not many couples get this far,” Dash said with her foreleg wrapped around Applejack, “I figured it was worth the work I put into it.”
“Ah wish Ah’d known you had such a beautiful singin’ voice,” Applejack said, and I looked away again and was met with a white unicorn right in my face. I jolted back and the unicorn stepped back.
“Sorry about that,” The unicorn said, “Name’s Vinyl Scratch. If you got a second, I’d like to talk to you for a couple minutes.”
Fluttershy leaned into my line of site from her spot on my back, “Should I let you two be?”
“No, you’re fine,” The unicorn said, her speech fairly formal for her attire, “It’s not private, just making an offer.”
“Ms. Scratch,” I began.
“Please, Vinyl,” She stopped me, “or DJ, whichever works for you.”
“Vinyl,” I corrected, “If the offer is to join the band or anything, it’s not really a band, it’s just me an—“
“Not what I wanted at all, Mr. Shade,” She said with a grin, “You probably heard of me. I’m from Canterlot. My stage name is DJ Pon3.”
“Ah, yes, I have a couple of your records,” I said and held out my hoof, “Wow, nice to meet such a great musician.”
She shook my hoof and went straight back to business, "I heard the rumors that you came from a whole different world and at one time you were some creature called a ‘human’.”
“That’s correct. All this random information, I figure you’re going somewhere with it?”
“Yes, sorry, laying my cards out without faces,” She adjusted her sunglasses, “I have my own recording studio. I figured I would offer to record some of your top requested songs and make your own band record. I even thought up a title.”
I nodded slowly, “This all sounds… great, but I feel there’s a catch.”
“No catch at all,” She said and smiled, “I just love your music and want to spread it and make it popular outside of just Ponyville and Canterlot Castle.”
Fluttershy adjusted herself on my back and asked, “What did you want to name it, Ms. DJ?”
“Ah, that, yes,” She tapped her head, “I’m forgetful, sorry. I though perhaps ‘Purely Human’ would sound awesome. It would have your top seven tracks.”
“That sounds,” I looked at the floor searching for a word, “Awesome.”
The unicorn smiled, “Perfect. I will put you guys on my list. I’ll even bump you up a few spots in my recording line.”
“That doesn’t seem fair,” I said, shaking my head, “Just go ahead and put us at the end, we’ll still be here.”
“Your wish,” Vinyl said, “In that case, I’ll contact you in six seasons when you’re up.”
And with that she walked away. I turned around and noticed the rest of the group staring at me, “What?”
“You realize what just happened right,” Dash asked.
“Yeah, I met my favorite pony musician. She offered us a recording because she likes our music. Now I feel like I’m going to faint.”
*
When the hype about meeting DJ Pon3 dropped, I looked around nervously. Rarity sat outside her shop a few blocks down like she said she would when the concert ended. She rarely came to the concerts because she was more a fan of classical music with piano and strings.
I took a deep breath to calm myself because I realized I was sweating and my heart was beating faster than normal. I took control of my vocal chords and spoke to Sapph and Fluttershy, “Hey, can you two come with me to Rarity’s shop? Anypony else is welcome to go as well, but you two I want to be there.”
Fluttershy hopped off my back and stood next to Sapphire, “Sure, Sweetheart.”
Sapphire, who was nearly Fluttershy’s height by now, nudged her, “Any idea what he’s doing now? Always with the secrets.”
“Sapphire, I’m right here,” I said, “I can hear every word you’re saying.”
“I know,” She said with a wicked grin, “Was hoping you’d take the hint.”
I rolled my eyes and started walking towards Rarity’s shop. It turned out that everypony decided to come, sniffing the drama in the air and not wanting to miss anything good. When we got close, Rarity gave a subtle gesture to tell me that everything was ready to go.
We all piled into Rarity’s shop and Rarity beckoned me upstairs. I followed her and everypony else stayed where they were, “Shade, darling, you brought a crowd with you?”
“They kinda followed me here,” I said with a nervous smile.
“The more the merrier,” She said with a happy smile, “It will be beautiful, why are you so nervous?”
“Do you have any idea how nerve wracking just thinking about it is,” I asked, “Or knowing that now I have a crowd to deal with.”
“You will be fine, Darling,” She said with an encouraging smile, “You’re a dashing and courageous young stallion with a lot of heart. You can do anything!”
I felt my heart quicken, “Yeah, I know that’s supposed to be helpful, but it didn’t help any.”
“Sorry,” She said, “Well, get your flank down there and I’ll bring it down when you say the cue.”
I nodded and hobbled down the stairs on jelly legs. Nopony seemed to notice my nervousness, so that made me feel a bit better. I stood in front of Fluttershy and she looked up at me with question in her eyes.
“Fluttershy, remember yesterday when Sapph and I went out into the deserts to do a favor for Rarity?”
“Yeah,” She said with a confused look, “Seemed like an awful lot of work.”
“Well it wasn’t a favor,” I said and I waved my hoof as if presenting something, “It was for this.”
Right on cue, Rarity levitated a dazzling dress. It was a forest green and pink with two emeralds on each leg and on the neck. Ten more lined the bottom of the cape skirt. Then, right in the center of the piece, where the sternum would go, was a shining black Onyx—Fluttershy’s favorite gemstone. Words couldn’t describe the beauty of the dress. Fluttershy and the whole group stood with their jaws dropped.
“This, my dear Fluttershy,” I said with sudden confidence, “Is my gift to you as a formal invitation into our family.”
She cut me off before I could continue, “You’re going to ask me to marry you, aren’t you?”
I stopped, my words lost now. After a moment, “That was my plan.”
Color had drained from her face and she looked very, very pale. I kissed her on the cheek and lifted her left forehoof of the ground and kissed it too, “Will you?”
“Of course,” She answered without hesitation, “But…”
I felt my heart sink, “but?”
“Now it’s my turn to faint,” she said, and as if flipping a switch she collapsed into my forehooves. I pulled her in close. I guess I had put too much pressure on her.
Sapphire sat and shook her head as if not believing I had kept this secret from her and had her unintentionally help with my “wedding ring”.
The rest of the ponies all congratulated me even as I held Fluttershy unconscious in my grasp. Pinkie Pie suddenly jumped high in the air, “OH! I got a party to plan now!”
She burst out the door and bounced down the street to plan. Applejack came up and clapped me on the shoulder and watched Fluttershy slowly reawaken, “Don’ worry, Sugarcube. Pinkie did mine an’ Dash’s weddin’. She knows th’ diff’rence between that an’ birthday parties.”
Rainbow Dash clapped me on the other shoulder as well, “Welcome to the club.”
Fluttershy finally came to and jolted out of my grasp and looked around. Rarity walked up to her and pulled her along, urging her to try on the dress so that she could fix any mistakes. They went upstairs, even with Fluttershy’s reluctance, and I was left with the tons of talk.
“I’ll be honest,” Twilight said, hanging on Luna all of a sudden, “I didn’t think you had it in you, bro.”
I laughed, “Honestly. Neither did I.”
*
Celestia showed up to the ceremony. She brought not only her husband and brother-in-law, but also a few families who took up homes in Canterlot Castle that had become friends of ours due to our constant visits to Canterlot. Celestia herself ran the ceremony, and Twilight and Luna put up a barrier to keep any wandering eyes from seeing the princess and intruding but made sure we could still see the nature around us.
The ceremony was very similar to a human one. Each of us would give our promises, or vows I guess, to each other that we would protect and love each other. The major difference was that Sapphire was to take part in the ceremony to accept Fluttershy into the family. Since Fluttershy and I had no other family, the ceremony was quick and the party started. Sometime during the party, Celestia approached us.
“Enigma Shade, Fluttershy,” She said with a bright smile, “Congratulations. I am very happy for both of you, my young students.”
Fluttershy bowed her head with a blushing face and I answered for her, “Thank you, Princess. And thank you for coming and running this for us.”
“Anything for my faithful students,” She said, “I have a bit of news to discuss with you and the rest of my students on a later day in Canterlot. Perhaps we can set a date for this Saturday?”
“Of course, but for what,” I asked and Fluttershy regained her stature and color.
“Oh, I’d prefer not to ruin your special day with business,” She said and pointed at Derpy, “Let’s just say I’ve been studying a lot with your favorite mailmare over there.”
I looked over at Derpy—who was with Dinky trying to keep a young colt under control—and nodded, “Very well.”
“One more thing,” Celestia pointed at my suit, “You look rather handsome in that suit. And Fluttershy, you look absolutely beautiful. I must have a chat with your tailor.”
We thanked her and talked up our favorite and generous tailor. Celestia seemed surprised that another student of hers had been behind the wedding dress and suit. We all thanked each other once again, and she strolled off to compliment Rarity.
“What do you think that was all about,” Fluttershy asked. Vinyl had done us a favor and sent her wife Octavia and her band to play for the wedding party. The next song was a soft song with a romantic aura about it.
“Let’s take her advice and not worry about it,” I said. I leaned down to kiss her and held out my hoof to her, “How about we dance instead?”
She smiled and took my hoof, “An offer I can’t refuse.”
*
The nine of us boarded the train and packed into a single car. Luna had already gone back to Canterlot with her sister after the wedding, so that left Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Spike, Rarity, Pinkie, and my family going to Canterlot. We idly discussed why we were all being summoned to the princess’ side in such short notice, but we all made clear that we didn’t mind. The princess was like a mother to everypony in Equestria, so any chance to see her was taken as a gift.
Barrier and Sentinel were at the train station waiting for us. They didn’t say anything about the meeting, but greeted us warmly. Oddly enough, Barry even declined Dash’s challenge of a race, which was a tradition of theirs. This didn’t sit well with me. Even Barry was all business. Barry was always goofing off.
“Greetings, my faithful students,” Celestia said, her voice not warm at all, but cold and business-like. Luna stood behind her with an expression that could only be described as worry. Celestia waved us inside, “Quickly, we have much to discuss.”
We filled up Celestia’s study, the same room I met her in when I first came to Equestria. After a few moments, Barry opened the door and Derpy entered the room with us, “Hey guys!”
“Hey Derpy,” Most of us returned the greeting, and all of us turned to Celestia with questioning looks.
“Young Derpy Hooves has a marvelous talent,” Celestia said beckoning Derpy closer, “We have been studying together for the past six seasons since your letter about her, Shade. She could see your realm while I was clouded. After studying with her for a while, she helped me regain my sight into your world.”
“My handicap actually helped somepony,” Derpy said, obviously trying to hide her joy over the fact.
“Yes, indeed Derpy,” Celestia said, smiling and patting her on the head, “You are a wonderful student and a beautiful teacher.”
Derpy’s face was of utter joy and she laughed, “I’m so glad I could help.”
Celestia set her hoof back on the couch and returned her attention to us, “I can see your world again, Shade. I am sad to say, though, that it does not look good. Not in the least.”
“Is that all you called us here for,” Dash said, seeming to grow irritated.
“No,” Celestia said, oblivious to the irritation, “Please let me explain. Shade, there is one civilization of humans left in your world. They are slowly dying—running out of supplies.”
She shook her head and Derpy’s joyous face turned grim. She blinked constantly to keep her eyes from twisting. Celestia continued, “I started studying with other Alicorns and some very powerful unicorns. We found a way to send you back to your world.”
Before I could interrupt she cut me off, “I want to send a few of you to this war torn world and bring back the survivors. We won’t be able to bring you back for at least a season. We want you to help the survivors build the machine you did, Shade, and send them one by one here to Canterlot Castle. Shade, you are the only one who has to go, but anypony else is welcome to join him, but no more than five of you can go. I will need assistance here when the recruits come to help them get situated around Equestria, so not all of you can go. I’ll be sending a message through dreams to a couple survivors to warn them of your coming. We will send you all in two days.”
“I’ll go,” Twilight said almost immediately, “My magic will definitely help.”
“I’ll go as well,” Barry said with a rare serious expression, “They’ll need a guard in case things get nasty.”
Fluttershy spoke up, “I’ll go too. I can’t sit back useless while—“
“I’m not going,” I heard my voice say.
Everypony’s attention went to me. Celestia looked taken aback, “What do you mean?”
“I’m not going,” I felt angry now, like an ancient rage just bubbled to the surface, “What don’t you understand?”
“I thought,” She struggled for words, her weak side showing, “I... I thought you would go back to help your dying world.”
“A world that tried to kill me,” I said, incredulous, “A world that did nothing but shun me since my birth. A world that cared more for material possession and power over each other’s lives! A world like that can rot and burn in fucking hell for all I give a shit! That world has what’s coming to it.”
The room went silent for a few minutes. Sapphire refused to look at me. She knew this mood all too well. I could feel Fluttershy slip away from me and step down to the ground. She sat down in front of me.
“Shady,” She started, looking sad and defeated, “I remember a long time ago. Sapphire had just left for flight training. You told me about how the world first turned dark. You told me how your husband died. How you escaped because of him.”
I felt my shoulder slump and my anger leave me. She continued, “I felt terrible because you told me that even though it was a horrible world, you missed it. You missed home, and I felt selfish for wanting you to stay here with me. Now, you refuse your chance to save whatever’s left of it.”
My heart sank. She was obviously holding in the real emotion she was feeling, “Their only hope is you, and you are okay with letting them die? You start up a business to save the lives of victims, but you refuse to save another group. Why would you pass up a chance to save a life?”
By now, she didn’t hold back her tears, “I know you have a bigger heart than that. On the first day here in Canterlot, I asked if there were any good humans left. You said they all died, but remember what I said?”
I let out a shaky breath, “I’m still alive.”
She smiled through her tears, but it faded as quickly as it formed, “Don’t let him die now.”
She lowered her head onto the couch between my forehooves. I reached to pet her head but stopped myself. What the fuck was wrong with me? I looked up at the rest of the group who looked awkwardly at each other, but refused to look at me. All except Celestia who stared at me the whole time with tears in her own eyes.
“Shade,” She said after a few moments, “I saw what’s going on there. It’s… there’s not a word I can find to describe the horrors...”
I felt myself getting angry again, but not at Celestia this time. I was angry at myself. I made my own wife cry with my self-centered, abhorrent actions. I looked down at Fluttershy, who hadn’t moved a muscle, and lifted her chin up to kiss her on the forehead.
I looked back to Celestia, “I’ll go.”