Chapter 3: The Honest Truth
Babs Seed eyed the bobbing ball of yellow light her cousin had conjured with a somewhat less than impressed expression. “That’s it? Ya summon lights? Ditzy Doo does that too. Thought ya said ya had somethin’ y’know… magic t’show me. Let’s see some wizard magic.”
The other filly scrunched up her muzzle in consideration. “Well… I have been working on my first spell spell.” Apple Bloom looked about the room with a thoughtful frown. “Clear everything out of the middle of the room.”
Her burly cousin set about the task excitedly. Bodily shoving the furniture away from the center of the room. “Izzat enough space?”
Bloom nodded. “Yes, I think so. Now let’s see…” Eyes closed and brow knit in concentration she began to softly intone the words of power. Babs’ eyes widened in excited anticipation as small motes of magic began to appear and dance through the air before an odd squelching sound reached her ears. A large puddle of… slick black grease appeared in the air splatting to the floor wetly.
Babs looked from the puddle to her cousin. “That’s it? Y’make a big mess?”
Apple Bloom sniffed indignantly. “I’ll have you know this is an excellent utility spell! If somepony’s giving you trouble you cast this and they slip and slide right out of the way.”
“Yeah then they get up and come back after ya. Why learn a lame spell like this?”
Bloom’s brows knit together in a frown. “It ain’t lame! Ah don’t see you summonin’ pools’a grease outta thin air with a few funny words, Babs Seed!”
Babs grinned suddenly. “Hey lookit that! Ya do sound like an Apple still.”
Apple Bloom’s mouth snapped shut quickly. “...Master says an aspiring magus has to sound intelligent and cultured.”
“...yer big fancy pants master don’t think we sound smart?”
Bloom shrugged. “I guess not.”
As if speaking of her could summon the mare in question, the door swung open as Twilight Sparkle herself entered, levitating a tray laden with food. “Good morning, Apple Bloom! I brought us breakfa-AAHHH!” Naturally the mare couldn’t see the large pool of grease currently decorating the floor and as soon as her forehooves hit the pool she went skidding across the cabin with a wail of alarm, slamming into the opposite wall with the tray of food splattered most spectacularly across her face and chest.
Both fillies stared at the scene with wide eyes as Twilight slowly picked herself up off the ground. Horn shimmering gently as she removed as much of the breakfast she planned to share with her apprentice as possible, her eyes drifted to the grease. “Did you cast this, Apple Bloom?”
Apple Bloom swallowed heavily. “Um… yes… ma’am?”
Twilight Sparkle stepped carefully around the grease pool, even as the enchanted fluid began to wave and vanish back into the aether it was spawned from. “That was a very well done conjuration. Clearly you’ve been studying diligently. I’m proud of you.”
Her apprentice’s mouth fell open. “Y--ya are?”
“I am. Your first true spell is a great achievement, and you should be proud of yourself too. The conjuration school is one of my favorites too. It has so many uses.”
Sensing the potential for getting in trouble passing, the fillies both began to relax. Until Twilight continued. “In fact… let me show you one of the first conjurations I learned. Celestia’s Snowball Swarm…”
---
“Ah want her off this ship, Braeburn!”
The Captain of the Harmony sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose in exasperation. “Applejack…”
“Don’t you ‘Applejack’ me! She threatened me!”
That caught Braeburn’s attention. “Threatened ya how? She slingin’ spells at th’crew?”
His cousin’s ears splayed. “Well no… but she said if Ah don’t tell ‘Bloom ‘bout what happened then she will!”
Braeburn’s eyes hardened. “And?”
“And? And what?! That’s a threat!”
“Applejack, Ah don’t think Ah need t’remind ya that we’re barely keepin’ this here tub t’gether. Now Miss Sunny is payin’ us a whole heap a bits t’get these good folks t’Ponyville. We need this money, Applejack.”
Applejack bristled at his tone. “Either she goes or Ah go!”
The pair locked stares with each other for a seemingly endless few minutes. It was Applejack who looked away first. “Y’know Ah can’t just letcha off anywhere. Yer in m’custody accordin’ t’yer fancy paladins. This ain’t th’first time me an you’ve butted heads. But it’s surely gonna be th’last. When we hit town yer Ponyville’s problem from now on. Not mine. They’ll have some kinda authorities fer me t’turn ya over to.”
Outrage flared in the mare’s eyes. “So that’s it?! Yer takin’ her side over mine? Over family?”
Braeburn’s calm, collected manner only further angered Applejack. “No. Ah’m takin’ th’side that’s best fer th’family an th’crew. More an more th’last few jobs you’ve been gettin’ more an more outta control, Applejack. Elysium knows what y’all went through a few years back was horrible. Ain’t nopony should ever have t’go through all that. Was my hope that gettin’ ya out an about, surroundin’ ya with friends an family would do ya some good. But it ain’t. It’s doin’ th’opposite.”
Applejack struggled to find a proper argument against her cousins even headed words, but as he spoke her shoulders sagged and her head lowered. “Ah’m just… mad… all th’time, Brae.”
“Reckon we’ve all noticed that by now, Jackie. It’s been a long time now. Fella who wronged ya is dead an gone by yer own hooves. If ya still can’t move on after all that, an all this time…” He shrugged helplessly.
Eyes shut tightly, Applejack struggled to quell the raging flame of anger threatening to fan into an uncontrollable blaze. “Ah’ll… talk t’Apple Bloom. She deserves t’hear it from me, not some stranger.”
A sudden squeal of foalish laughter drew their attention to the main deck. Gazing out the windows and down below they could see Apple Bloom and Babs Seed running and shrieking with delight as the Lady Twilight Sparkle chased after them, horn ablaze with eldritch light as she conjured what very much appeared to be snowballs out of thin air, pelting the fillies with numerous projectiles drawing more laughter from them all the while.
“Ain’t sure if Ah’d say she’s a stranger. Least t’Apple Bloom. Might wanna keep that in mind when yer talkin’ to either of em.”
Applejack couldn’t suppress a small chuckle as her sister balled up some of the snow and returned fire on her master. Watching the two play together brought a whole new slew of emotions. Mostly negative. That should be HER down there with Bloom, not some stuffy stuck up unicorn. “...Ah’ll keep that in mind. An… m’sorry Ah’ve been such a hooffull Brae. Y’all here on th’Harmony have been too good t’me. S’pose Ah can understand ya wantin’ t’pass me off.”
Braeburn watched the fillies scooping up snow and hurling it back at the unicorn magus. “Applejack Ah don’t blame ya for whatcha did. If it were me, I’da done exactly th’same. But he’s dead an gone now. Ya gotta let it go.”
Little sister forgotten, the mare rounded on her cousin. “Don’tcha think Ah know that Brae?! Ah’ve been tryin’! Every minute of every day fer th’last five years Ah try. Ah keep thinkin’ Ah’m movin’ on then… then somethin’ like them griffon brothers happens an Ah just go right back t’that dark place again.”
Braeburn didn’t look away from the impromptu snowball fight occurring on the deck of his ship. A fight that was growing more and more as other ponies joined in the fun. “Ah wantcha t’get off at Ponyville. Spend some time with Granny Smith. Getchur head on straight. Some time away from all this might do ya some good, Jackie.”
Applejack sighed. “Reckon ya might be right. Some time t’just… relax. Unwind. S’pose that ain’t th’worst idea. An Granny did say she wanted me t’visit.”
Crisis averted, the stallion finally relaxed. “Good. An Jackie? Talk t’Bloom. She’s gonna hear it from you, her master, or her Granny.”
Applejack returned her attention to the smiling filly on the main deck, finding herself unable to answer her cousin.
----
Ditzy Doo couldn’t remember the last time she’d had so much fun aboard the Harmony. She certainly didn’t expect it to come from the normally dour and straight laced Twilight Sparkle. She hadn’t served in a proper temple for some time, but she still had friends who kept her informed of various goings on across the land. Twilight ‘Starfall’ Sparkle was a frequent discussion topic.
Seeing the unicorn in person, her sardonic smirk very nearly on the verge of a real smile, Ditzy began to wonder if perhaps the rumors surrounding her were a bit exaggerated. Maybe all she needed was a good friend or two to help loosen her up. Watching the mare scoop up and levitate all the magically conjured snow over the edge of the ship, very effectively cleaning their mess, Ditzy was determined to be one of those friends.
Trotting forward confidently, she wasn’t quite watching where she was going and ended up stepping right in a pile of not-quite cleaned up slush, skidding along the deck and hitting the rail toppling over the side with a yelp. There was a moment of heart stopping terror before she recalled the wings growing from her sides, and snapped them open slowing her descent. The ship was rapidly moving away from her, but she was snagged in a shimmering magenta aura and bodily hauled back over the rail and onto the deck. Right at the hooves of an exasperated looking Twilight Sparkle. “Are you alright?”
Ditzy opened her mouth to reply, but was cut off as Applejack approached. “Normally Ah’d have an earful for ya about safety an what-not, but m’pretty sure Ditzy’s th’only one who’d go flyin’ over th’rail like that.”
Twilight tensed immediately. The last meeting with the confrontational earth pony hadn’t been cordial. “I apologize. I wasn’t thinking clearly.”
A sharp retort formed on Applejack’s tongue, but she swallowed it down. “No harm in a little fun now an again. ‘Fraid I gotta borrow m’sister if ya don’t mind, Miss Twilight.”
Feeling the weight of the mare’s words, Twilight shook her head. “Not at all. Apple Bloom, run along with your sister. I’ll finish cleaning the deck.”
Not sure why, but more than happy to allow her master to handle the clean up, Bloom beamed toothily. “Yes ma’am!” Before charging off after her older sister.”
Ditzy Doo got to her hooves, offering Twilight a warm smile. “That was nice of you. Letting them spend some time together I mean.”
Twilight watched the sisters disappear back into the ship. “...no it wasn’t.”
---
“Wooooooow… so this is your room?” Apple Bloom took in her sister’s cabin. Exactly as she pictured it. Clean, spartan, and utilitarian. Her armor arranged neatly by the door, a huge sword secure in its scabbard leaning up against the armor rack. A foot locker sat at the end of Applejack’s bed. Across from it was a plain desk that didn’t seem to see much use. “It’s uh… clean.”
Nodding once, Applejack moved to her desk sliding open the drawer and retrieving a bottle of her family’s finest whiskey. Taking a quick drink right from the source, she replaced the cap and slid it away. “We need t’talk, sugarcube.”
Hopping up on her big sister’s bed, Bloom nodded eagerly. “Sure! What about?”
Licking her lips Applejack ran through a million different ways to start this conversation in her head. She’d faced down monsters and brigands of all shapes and sizes the last few years. But looking into those huge adoring eyes of her little sister, she’d never felt so afraid. “About Mac.”
The delight in the fillies eyes grew brighter, as Applejack’s heart sunk lower. “Well it’s about time! Ah haven’t heard a peep about Mac in ferever!” A bit of her accent showing through in her excitement.
Applejack slowly lowered herself onto the bed next to her sister. “There’s a reason fer that, Bloom.”
Sensing the heavy tone of the conversation some of the young ponies excitement ebbed. “...what reason?”
“Me an Granny, we talked about it. Thought it best ya not hear til ya got a bit older. Reckon yer older now an it’s time y’heard.”
“Applejack… yer scarin’ me. Just tell me what happened.”
“Mac…” Applejack took a steadying breath. “Mac’s dead, Bloom.”
Apple Bloom tugged away from her sister in shock. “What?”
“Musta been… five years or so ago. Ah wasn’t more’n a year older than yerself. Just hit m’first growth spurt. Legs an ears two sizes too big fer th’rest’a me. Mac teased me somethin’ fierce about it too.”
Apple Bloom didn’t share her sister’s rueful smile. She only stared hard at the older pony. “Ah was his squire. Some’a th’higher ups made a big stink but our brother was somethin’ special y’know? Pony like him don’t come around everyday, an whoever he wanted fer his squire he got.”
“Applejack… what happened?” Bloom’s tone was firm. Demanding.
With a heavy sigh, Applejack began her tale.
---
Sir Macintosh Apple stood proudly on the walls of Lighthold Keep. Looking out across the lands he was awarded by the crown in recognition for his brilliant service. A faint smile found its way onto his face as he surveyed the ponies not too far off, working to build up their town. What had started as a trading post and road side inn was blossoming into a full blown town all of its own. Nodding in satisfaction he turned away from the scene and very nearly trampled the eager filly who’d somehow made her way to his side without making a sound.
Casting a disapproving glance to his squire, he snorted softly in displeasure. “Told ya to quit sneakin’ up on me Applejack. Especially up here on the wall. It’s dangerous.”
He couldn’t be angry for long. The Order had made a bit of noise about him taking his sister as his squire, they assumed he’d show her bias or some such nonsense. The numerous bruises hidden beneath her finely polished breastplate said otherwise however. Applejack was all legs and too-large ears, definitely in the awkward transition phase from filly to mare. Eager green eyes shined up at her big brother, mix those with her golden yellow hair and Mac had a feeling she’d be attracting attention of the stallion persuasion before too long.
Not a thought he was terribly comfortable with.
The filly huffed. “Aw quit bein’ such a baby Mac. Ain’t my fault yer so jumpy. B’sides Ah’m yer little sister, bein’ a pest is what Ah’m s’posed ta do.”
Some of her bluster faded from the stern look in his eyes. “You’re also my squire Applejack. That means y’show me a little respect, hear me?”
Suppressing another spectacular huff, the younger pony only nodded. “Yes, sir.” A hoof strayed nervously to the symbol of The Order hanging proudly from her neck as she took a steadying breath. “Sorry this’ all just, Ah mean it’s a little overwhelmin’. Here Ah am right where ma an pa used t’be. Kept this keep safe fer how many years?”
Mac looked back out across the landscape again. “Long time. Real long time. Keepin’ that sword of yours polished?”
Applejack nodded eagerly, drawing the gleaming longsword from it’s sheath. It was a deceptively simple blade, and one that had belonged to their mother. Enchanted to cut through nearly any substance effortlessly it had been in the Apple family for at least four generations. The massive broadsword strapped to Mac’s back likewise had family history, passed down from stallion to stallion longer than he could trace back.
“Looks good. Now let’s have fifty push-ups, then ten laps around the keep. See if that don’t get a little respect in you.”
“What?!” Slamming her sword back in its sheath Applejack looked ready to defy the order. But under Macintosh’s wilting gaze she slowly backed down, and got on her hooves starting the exercises.
Nodding in approval Mac turned and resumed his patrol along the wall. Word had reached the keep of some troublemakers on the road. Simple brigands for the most part, but he had the keep’s defenders on alert just in case. There was no telling when somepony would do something foolish.
His frown returned as he made the full circuit, and came upon his sister once again. The filly was standing stock still, staring off into space. Preparing to admonish her for shirking her duties again, he paused when he noted something strange. He could see her breath puffing into the air in front of her… even though it was a warm Spring afternoon. “...Applejack?”
Only years of finely honed warrior’s instinct and reflexes saved his life as her blade flew free of its sheath, narrowly missing his throat as she attacked in a lightning fast slash. “Applejack! What d’ya think you’re doin?!”
Then he saw her eyes. Blank and unseeing, like a corpses eyes. Fixed on him in an ironclad gaze that he was sure nothing would tear her away from. He hopped back as she pressed forward, her sword slashing the air hard and fast enough he could see the faint distortion trail as it passed. His first thought was a prayer to dispel whatever had taken hold of her, but such a prayer required a bit of time and focus and the way she was attacking he knew neither were something he had in abundance.
Saying a silent apology to his departed parents, he waited for Applejack’s next strike. Sweeping his still sheathed sword from his back he winced as both enchanted Apple family blades collided, though his sister’s failed to pierce the sheath of his own sword. As she recoiled he struck with an attack of his own, smashing the sheathed sword into her side bouncing her with bone jarring force off the wall and sending her slumping to the ground.
Nodding in satisfaction he began his prayer, only to have it interrupted by a yowl of pain as a quintet of magical bolts pelted into his side, staggering him back. Whipping around in the direction of the attack he saw a unicorn standing atop the watch tower nearest him on the wall. No sign of the guards who should have been posted within. It was a stallion with a slate gray coat and ebon mane. A curved and brilliantly glowing red horn swept back from his forehead as he glared balefully down at the paladin, lips pulling back into a feral grin exposing wickedly curved incisors.
Already the dark mage was preparing another spell, one that Macintosh had no interest in being on the receiving end of. Charging forward he vaulted into a roll just as the lightning bolt smashed into the wall behind him, spraying stone and dust into the air as the magical attack blasted through the wall and into the ground beyond. Smashing through the door he raced up the stairs without hesitation, barely catching himself before planting his hooves into the grease slick covering the stairs.
Grunting in annoyance Mac dispelled the simple magic trick and finished his climb. The unicorn was waiting patiently, wearing a confident smirk. “Sir Macintosh, this is truly a pleasure. You’ve made quite a name for yourself murdering my fellows.”
Now that he was close enough, Mac could see the small embossed cloak pin fastening the unicorns cloak about his shoulders. A solid black sphere surrounded by thorny vines. “Cult of the Nightmare? Didn’t think any of you’d be dumb enough t’actually come t’me in person. S’pose I should thank you for that at the least.” Mac’s blade came free of it’s sheath with a ringing note of power. Magical runes flared along the length of the blade from hilt to tip as he brandished his formidable weapon.
“Ahhh, the famed Apple family blade. I always did want to see it up close.”
Snorting Mac moved into an aggressive stance. “Well then, I’m happy t’oblige.”
The intruder made no move to dodge as Mac vaulted forward. The paladin felt a moment’s hesitation as the dark mage apparently made no move to defend himself, and switched to the flat of his blade at the last second. Instead of the weighty smack he’d been expecting, his sword passed right through the illusion and he nearly lost his grip as he met none of the expected resistance.
An ear flicked as Mac heard the intruder laughing behind him. Spinning he prepared another charge… before he nearly tripped over the filly who’d snuck up behind him. Almost on instinct he prepared an admonishment for Applejack, until he felt the cold steel of her sword slide smoothly through his breastplate, into his heart, and out his back.
Eyes wide with disbelief with the life already fleeing his eyes Mac toppled heavily to the ground and lay still in a growing pool of blood. Blinking rapidly, Applejack stepped back looking down at her bloodied hooves in confusion. Realization slowly dawned as she looked down at her brother, her sword still buried to the hilt in his chest. “Mac?” She knelt down nosing his cheek. “Mac… c’mon y’gotta get up…”
Tears welled in her eyes as her brother refused to respond. “Mac…” She fell to her knees at his side, ignoring the sound of pounding hooves coming from behind, and the dark laughter being choked off as the intruder was subdued by a number of the keep’s defenders. Applejack was heedless of it all, cradling her brothers head in her hooves and sobbing uncontrollably.
---
“Thank you for coming on such short notice, Lady Celestia. The sooner we can clear up exactly what happened the better for all parties involved.”
Celestia nodded once to the senior knight at her side. “Of course Sir Brightwind. No thanks needed naturally, I’m always happy to help an old friend.”
The pegasus stallion nodded, eyeing the purple unicorn filly trotting at Celestia’s side. The foal seemed content to ignore everything around her, levitating a book in front of her nose as she walked. The only unusual feature about her was the choker adorning her neck, one glimmering jewel amid at least twenty shined softly. “We want to be sure Squire Applejack had no hoof in the dark dealings two nights past. The town outside has no resident magi yet, so I hoped you’d send somepony from the Academy. I didn’t expect you to come personally.”
“These are Golden’s grandfoals, Brightwind. Of course I’d come personally.” The trio walked out to the walls, Celestia eyeing the blast sight from the lightning bolt. She was about to speak before she glanced down at her apprentice. Gently she nudged the filly’s book shut. “Twilight, what do you sense about this sight?”
Blinking owlishly the filly looked up at the adult ponies as if seeing them for the first time. She swallowed and looked about the sight slowly. “...three spells, master. An enchantment and two evocations.” She walked slowly around the blast site. “One impacted here, obviously. One...” She walked a few steps to her left. “The other evocation struck here.”
Frowning, Brightwind stepped to her side. “How do you know?”
Looking first to Celestia, at her master’s nod Twilight answered. “I’m very sensitive to magic. I can tell when a spell was cast within perhaps a week of its casting.” She moved a little ways down the wall. “The enchantment was cast here. A powerful one, maybe a domination?”
Celestia allowed a tiny smile. “Very good, Twilight. She’s correct, Brightwind. It seems Squire Applejack was the victim of a mental domination spell. She’s innocent in the murder of Sir Macintosh.”
Brightwind sighed in relief. “Good. I assumed so but in matters such as this, assumptions simply aren’t enough.”
Levitating Twilight’s book back to the eager filly, Celestia turned her attention to her old comrade. “Where is Applejack? She must be terribly distraught.”
With a nod Brightwind began walking again. “I’ll show you to her room. She’s been confined to quarters for the duration of the investigation. I’m sure a few words from you will help. You’ve always had a way with foals.”
Again eyeing the filly walking beside her, Celestia knew that Twilight’s feigned obliviousness was just that. To the casual observer it would seem that she showed no interest in the goings on around her, but the way her ears were perked, and her eyes would occasionally dart from side to side told Celestia that Twilight Sparkle was not only very much aware of her surroundings, but equally uncomfortable. It wasn’t too long ago that she was in a holding cell overseen by The Order of Light.
“I do my best. Speaking of, how’s your own filly? She’s about Twilights age isn’t she?”
Now Celestia noted a hint of pride in Brightwind’s eye. “Fluttershy’s doing well. She was hesitant at first, but she’s shown real interest in joining The Order.”
“Oh? I was so sure she’d be more interested in the healer’s art.”
The pride vanished in an instant, replaced by irritation. “She’s joining The Order, Celestia. I’ll thank you to respect that.”
Not wishing to press the issue, Celestia inclined her head. “Of course, Brightwind.”
Knight and magi entered the keep proper. “Squire Applejack’s rooms are right…” He trailed off as they rounded the corner. The door at the end of the hall smashed off its hinges and an unconscious armored stallion laying in front of it. Brightwind sucked in a breath. “The basement!”
---
Applejack tossed the heavy serving tray aside as the guard to the cells slumped unconscious to the floor. Trotting with slow, but confident steps she stopped at the cell furthest from the door. “...why’d ya do it? Why’d ya make ME do it?”
Inside was the unicorn. Chained and shackled, a heavy iron collar around his horn and neck suppressing both his innate unicorn magics, and his arcane spellcasting. He lifted his head at her approach, smiling toothily. “Why? A simple question. One I suppose that deserves a simple answer.” He leaned closer to the bars. “Because I could, and because I thought it would be funny.”
Applejack’s eyes widened and her nostrils flared in outrage at the simple admission. “...that’s it? That’s it?! Because ya could! Cause it’d be FUNNY?!”
“Hm hm hm. And you know what?” He chuckled again, deeper. “It was!” Then he began to laugh. Deep, immensely contented guffaws. As if he’d just told the funniest joke imaginable and was sharing a laugh with his fellows in the tavern.
Fur bristling, Applejack threw open the door to his cell and slammed him back into the wall. “Stop laughin’!”
This only seemed to encourage him further. His laughter coming out in louder, almost maniacal bouts now. Eyes wide the young squire slammed a hoof into his jaw. “Ah said stop laughin’!”
Reeling back, the unicorn slumped against the wall. Looking up at the filly breathing heavily… he grinned. Then he spit a tooth and no small amount of blood into her face, and began laughing again.
By the time Brightwind, Celestia, and Twilight arrived there was little left of the unicorn’s head. Only a bloody mess with a bloodied filly still stomping on it with her bare hooves, screaming in incoherent fury. Celestia acted first, a simple sleep charm laid itself over Applejack as she staggered and slumped to her side.
Brightwind took in the sight with a sad look in his eyes. Neither adult paid much attention to Twilight. Book forgotten the filly took in the scene with wide, open eyes.
---
“Killin’ a helpless prisoner, fer any reason gets ya tossed outta th’order. An Ah got m’self this here fancy tattoo.” Applejack touched the mark of justice against her cheek. “Stops me from pullin’ a blade fer any reason.” She chuckled ruefully. “S’posed to least ways.”
Apple Bloom didn’t seem to share her mirth, staring at her sister in wide-eyed horror. “That… that’s why Mac ain’t here? That’s why ya got a mark a’justice? Not only didja kill Mac than ya killed a helpless pony?!” Her distress was making it impossible to suppress her accent.
“Now hold on! Didn’t ya hear me? It weren’t m’fault! That unicorn made me kill Mac!”
Springing from the bed Bloom moved toward the door. “Spells like that don’t always work! They can be fought off. But ya didn’t fight it! Ya killed him! Ya killed m’brother!”
Growing angry now Applejack stood as well. “You watch yer mouth y’hear me! One more word an Ah’m gonna—”
Bloom didn’t wait to hear what Applejack was going to do. Throwing the door open she bolted from the room as fast as her legs could carry her.
Applejack walked slowly to the doorway, watching her go. “...well that went about as good as expected.”
---
Twilight Sparkle sat on the deck with Rainbow Dash, watching the ground pass below them. “Whoa. That is seriously messed up.”
Twilight nodded. “It was a tragedy. Even I heard of Sir Macintosh, everypony was sure he was going to be the next head of The Order. And his fiance… I can’t imagine how devastated she was.”
Dash blew a low whistle. “Jeez he was engaged too?”
Another nod. “To a princess no less.”
“Cripes, Twilight. That has to be one of the most depressing stories I’ve ever heard.”
The other mare only nodded slowly. “...one of, certainly.”
Both ponies looked to the stairs leading down into the ship as the sound of small hooves and a wailing filly reached their ears. Already knowing what to expect, Twilight stood and faced the doorway as Apple Bloom charged her way, throwing herself heedlessly into Twilight’s hooves. “She killed m’brother!”
Running a hoof along the filly’s neck and back Twilight murmured soft words of comfort. Allowing her apprentice to cry into her chest. A vague flicker of annoyance worked its way into her head as she realized she would have to clean her favorite robes, but that’s what a pony prepared prestidigitation spells for she supposed. “Shh… shh… she didn’t mean to do that, Apple Bloom.”
“It don’t matter if she meant to! She still did it!”
Twilight frowned gently, sitting on the deck with her apprentice. “Apple Bloom, do you know how I got my nickname?”
The sudden question took the filly by surprise, who could only blink in confusion. “Uh… no? Ah mean Ah heard a little bit but…”
Twilight let the grammar slip go again. “When I was a foal, perhaps a few years younger than you I lived in a tiny village called Shetland. There were a hundred ponies living there at most. I lived there with my parents. My older brother was away training to become a knight of The Order. I wasn’t a very social filly, but I had one friend. My next door neighbor. We were very close and did practically everything together. She was a unicorn as well and we’d often head out of town to practice our magic.”
A rueful smile found its way to the mage’s face. “Tried to practice our magic. Neither of us were very good just yet. Could barely levitated a few stones. That changed the day I earned my nick name. I experienced my first magic surge. For most unicorns this involved levitating the roof from their parents house, blowing out a wall. A few broken bones are the worst and that’s a very rare occasion. My surge was… different. I pulled down a star.”
Apple Bloom had stopped crying openly, though her eyes were still tear filled and she’d sniffle occasionally. “A whole star? All by yerself?”
“Yourself.” It seemed Twilight’s patience had run out. “And yes, all by myself. It landed on Shetland and… well, there were obviously no survivors. Only my friend and I who were outside the town, and my brother who was away at the time. I was in danger of pulling more to the ground before my master found me. She placed this around my neck.” Twilight ran a hoof along her choker. “It reduced my magic to a manageable level. As I master it’s use more of the gems will begin to shine. Once all are lit up, I can remove the choker safely.”
“So, after hearing the story first hoof, do you think ponies are right to be afraid of me?”
Apple Bloom considered the question for a quiet moment. “No. It wasn’t your fault what happened. You didn’t have any control over the magic. You’re wearing your choker now so that nopony gets hurt.”
Nodding patiently Twilight tilted her head toward the doorway leading into the ship. “And did your sister have any control over herself when she killed your brother?”
Bloom’s mouth opened, then snapped shut several times. “...no.”
“Can you imagine, just for a second what that must have been like for her? To realize that not only was her brother dead, but he was dead because of her. Somepony else may have forced her to do so, but it was her blade, her hooves that ended her loved one’s life.”
The filly lowered her eyes in thought. “Master, if it’s alright I think I’d like to go talk to my sister.”
With a gentle nudge toward the doorway Twilight smiled softly. “Of course it’s alright, Apple Bloom.”
As the filly hurried off, Rainbow Dash moved to Twilight’s side. “I’m sorry about your family.”
Nodding her thanks Twilight Sparkle returned her attention to the ground passing below them. “Thank you. It was a long time ago, the wounds have healed more or less.”
Dash settled on the deck beside her. “Still it can’t have been easy having everypony treat you like a monster because of something you had no control over.”
Twilight huffed softly. “No. It wasn’t. Celestia was always kind to me but rumors spread like wildfire. The other students and teachers were terrified of me. I was too young to fully understand why.”
The pegasus nudged the unicorn, offering her a small smile. “I’m not afraid of you. That spell you put on me in the fight last night? I’ve NEVER gone that fast. It was awesome. Wouldn’t say no to doing that again.”
Twilight Sparkle chuckled softly. “We’ll see if it can be arranged.” The two fell into companionable conversation. Talking about life in the academy and the temple and what they thought things would be like in Ponyville. A seemingly simple conversation between two mares, though to the mares in question who’d lived such solitary lives for so very long it was arguably one of the greatest moments of either’s life.