Cheerilee galloped to the hospital as soon as she heard what had happened, hoping that somehow everything would be alright. Luckily for her, Scootaloo was a much tougher filly than she looked, but that didn't mean that everything she heard was good news. As she was following the doctor from the front desk to Scootaloo's room, she was told something very strange.
“Since Scootaloo's going to be just fine, and there doesn't seem to be any permanent or significant damage, I suppose I should say congratulations,” Doctor Stable said as he stopped outside of the patient's door.
Cheerilee was relieved that Scootaloo was fine, but that didn't sound like something worth congratulating. “For what?” She peeked into the room, able to see Scootaloo laying on the bed, the sheets kicked off. On her flank, the new addition stood out from her orange fur. The surge of pride Cheerilee felt was undeniable. “She got her cutie mark?!”
Doctor Stable frowned, slightly confused. “She didn't have one yet? Huh, strangely late, but not actually what I was talking about.” He waited until Cheerilee was looking at him before he smiled pleasantly. “Scootaloo is pregnant. While it is rather early in her life, it is still something to be celebrated. After all, you're going to be a grandmother.”
Cheerilee's throat clenched shut at the words, ones any parent feared to hear about their little girl. Even though she wasn't Scootaloo's physical mother, she'd taken her in as a little foal, watched her grow, helped her learn, but this news... it brought a disappointment a million times worse than all those missed assignments. She held her composure, though, looking kindly at the doctor. “Could I talk to her?”
“By all means.” He stood back, offering her the open door and letting her enter.
Scootaloo continued to sleep soundly, though she had rolled onto her side since Cheerilee had peeked in. The doctors had said that her back had been scorched very badly, but looking at her, it was hard to tell. There was a bald patch where the fur looked short and charred, but the skin beneath wasn't even red. She barely looked injured at all.
And yet, Cheerilee was still worried for the young filly on the bed. She looked around the room, seeing that Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle had both fallen asleep in chairs, waiting for their best friend's recovery. She felt bad to have to disturb the lovely scene, but questions needed answering, and they needed it now. “Scootaloo? Are you okay, dear? Wake up now.” Her voice was sweet and soothing, gently rousing the three fillies from their rest.
Scootaloo turned over, laying on her back without so much as wincing and yawning like she'd just been roused from a normal night's sleep. “Cheerilee?” She rubbed her eyes, then sat up, smiling. “Am I glad to see you! Am I allowed to go home yet?”
Those weren't the words of a mother to be... those innocent little words just brought heartache to Cheerilee, but she kept it inside. There was one thing she had to find out. “Is there something you want to tell me, Scootaloo? Maybe something important?”
Scootaloo looked confused. “Um... Oh! I got my cutie mark! Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle did too, all on the same night!”
And that just confirmed it. “That wasn't what I meant.” Cheerilee walked over to Scootaloo's bed, sitting down next to her, her eyes filled with sadness. “How could you not tell me? How could you let me find out from a doctor after you did something dangerous? How long have you known?”
Scootaloo shied away, looking down at the bed in shame. A heavy silence hung over the room, finally broken by Apple Bloom. “I wanted ta tell ya two months ago when she found out, but Scootaloo told me not ta.”
Cheerilee looked at Scootaloo.“And why would you do that to me? Don't you know that I'll always be here for my little filly?” When the small pegasus remained silent, Cheerilee wrapped a hoof around her, pulling her close. “I don't think any less of you, I'm just sad because my little girl is growing up too fast and didn't think I deserved to know.”
Soon, Scootaloo's hooves worked their way around Cheerilee as well, making the hug tighter, as a sniffling sound came from the smaller pegasus. “I'm sorry Cheerilee... I just didn't want you to be mad.”
Cheerilee kissed Scootaloo on the top of her head, tears edging her eyes. “I'm not mad... I'm disappointed, but I could never truly be mad at you.” Scootaloo looked up, tears rimming her own eyes, and when their gazes met, the flood could no longer be held back. Both held each other close, one crying into her mother's chest, the other into her daughter's mane. The other two fillies in the room watched in silence, Sweetie Belle tearing up at the sight before she hugged Apple Bloom, who just felt like an awkward observer in this whole thing.
Eventually Cheerilee pulled herself together enough to ask her final question, one she hadn't even begun to think she'd ever have to ask before entering this room. “Who is the father?”
Scootaloo wiped her eyes. “Featherweight.”
“And do you love him?”
“We've been dating for a couple years now, and-”
Cheerilee stopped Scootaloo with a gentle hoof, making the young filly look into her eyes.“But do you really, truly love him?”
There was a very long pause, much longer than Cheerliee even expected, as Scootaloo took on the full weight of the question. She examined it from every angle, weighed the experiences she'd had, even those she was going through now, and came to a conclusion.“Of course I do.” Cheerilee looked concerned, but Scootaloo looked her in the eyes. “Really.” There wasn't a hint of doubt in her voice, and that made Cheerilee smile.
“Then tomorrow, we'll go talk to him and get things sorted out.” Cheerilee stood up from the bed, walking over to the door. “Tonight, though, the doctors want you to stay here. Even with your remarkable recovery, they want to make sure you're healthy before I pick you up tomorrow.” She then turned towards the two other fillies, still locked in an awkward, one sided hug. “And you two need to go home. Your parents are still anxious about your show, Sweetie, and I'm sure Applejack would be right here with me if she knew what was going on.”
“Okay, Cheerilee,” the two fillies said reluctantly, walking out the door and into the hospital hall.
Cheerilee stayed there after they left, smiling at Scootaloo, even though her heart still ached. “Get some rest, dear. I'll see you in the morning.”
Scootaloo nodded from the bed. “Goodnight, Cheerilee.” With that, the mare left, leaving a much happier Scootaloo to continue her bed rest.
The next day, Cheerilee picked Scootaloo up as promised, and they went straight over to Featherweight's house to 'sort things out' as Cheerilee said. However, when they got there, he wasn't home. They asked his brother when he'd be back, and he told them the news. Featherweight had moved out a few days before to go to Cloudsdale and become a journalist, and he wasn't planning on coming back. He gave Scootaloo a sorry look, saying Featherweight had made the decision a one night and just set off.
Scootaloo's heart broke on the spot, though somehow she made it home before the tears streamed down her face. She had wondered where he had been the last few days, or why he had seemed so flighty the last day she did see him, and now she understood. He had abandoned her, abandoned his coming child, and not just run off where he hoped she wouldn't follow: he had gone somewhere she couldn't. She never, in all of her years, had been able to fly. Fleeing to the floating city in the clouds without so much as a goodbye... it was a sure sign that he was done with his life with her.
Cheerilee stayed by her bedside, rubbing the broken filly's back as she cried out her tears. This was exactly what she hoped wouldn't have happened, her greatest fear in this situation realized. Still, she kept a positive front, suggesting Scootaloo send a letter to wherever Featherweight was staying. Maybe he'd realize his mistake and come back. Unfortunately, they didn't know the address, but when they explained the situation to Featherweight's brother, he too became driven to help, sending the letter himself.
The reply came back quickly. “Do not try to contact me again. I am not coming back. Good luck, and thank you for the memories.” It was a slap in the face. After all those years, after everything they'd done for each other, with each other... even after he had shown so much support for her, faked his caring for her in her state, he was really going to abandon her. And, what was worse, in the short time between the hospital visit and the letter coming back, she had started to show. It was subtle, but there was a bulge where previously it might have just been a little extra weight. He was going to leave that life behind, like none of it had mattered... that hurt much worse than the explosion.
Scootaloo became much more secluded after the letter came back, only going out in public to finish up her last year of school, and even then she could hear the whispers that flew around her. Ponies noticed the teacher's filly walking around town with a passenger on board, and some of the school ponies even teased her for her state. She was supported, though, from an unexpected source. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle obviously had her back, and Cheerilee punished whatever she could catch, but what ended up stopping the names and the snide remarks was intervention from Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.
They still made fun of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, still adventuring together even though their talents had been found, but when anypony else got too mean towards Scootaloo, they stepped in, defending the pony that had saved their lives. They played it off and still refused to be her friend, but it was a nice light for Scootaloo to carry with her during that dark time.
And she definitely needed it. Graduation came upon the fillies and colts of the school quickly, and every single one of them spent the days leading up to it talking about their future plans. Jobs, special schools, apprenticeships, traveling; every single one of them had something they were going to start doing right after they graduated. Every single one of them except Scootaloo. While the others talked excitedly, she could only look at her stomach, feeling the coming weight of responsibility grow every day.
Even Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom couldn't help her like they'd promised. After Sapphire Shores discovered Sweetie's voice, she was immediately scheduled to go to Manehattan and become a big star all her own. Sweetie desperately wanted to stay behind and help, and she cried just at the thought of being so far from her friends, but it was a huge break for her, something her cutie mark was calling for, and neither of the others were going to stand between her and her destiny.
Apple Bloom too had been sent a letter from the Canterlot School of Magic and Technology, interested after they heard about her alchemical works, mostly around Sweet Apple Acres. They believed she had a lot of raw talent, and they wanted to help cultivate it into something truly special. Even Applejack and Granny Smith were pushing her to accept, and they hated the thought of Apple Bloom going off to some city and never coming back. If they were telling her to go, this was something she couldn't pass up.
The weeks passed, they graduated, they celebrated, parties were held, and then, before they knew it, it was time for the Cutie Mark Crusaders to go their separate ways. They held one final meeting, exchanging contact information, talking about the good old days, and promising that this wasn't the end. Even if they weren't together, they had a bond that could never be broken.
The next day, with two tearful goodbyes at the train station, Scootaloo was alone.
She remained in her room for the remaining months, barely coming out, only eating what Cheerilee brought up to her, and drawing concern from a lot of ponies. She knew they were worried, but she knew she had their support, and that alone was enough to keep her from doing something rash. She wasn't sitting idly, though. She was just thinking things through carefully, lest she make a mistake she truly regretted.
Finally the happy day arrived, and Scootaloo gave birth to a beautiful pegasus filly, with a purple mane and eyes like hers and white fur like her father's. There were no complications, no worries for the foal's health, and even fewer worries for her mother. But, as Scootaloo spent her first week at home, feeding her foal and looking into those beautiful purple eyes, she realized what it was she wanted. Only now could she make her decision.
A month after the foal was born, just after she was put to sleep in her cradle, Scootaloo called Cheerilee into the kitchen. “What is it, dear?”
Scootaloo smiled at her, giving her a loving hug. “Cheerilee... I am going to ask you to do something that I know you can do, but I know is also a terrible imposition. But, I put a lot of thought into it, and... I think it would be for the best.”
Cheerilee looked confused, unsure of where this topic was coming from. But she could hear the conviction in Scootaloo's voice. “What do you want me to do?”
Scootaloo looked Cheerilee in the eyes, her face solemn. “I have finally figured out what I want to do. Ever since the night I got my cutie mark, it's been calling for me, but so many things were blocking its voice... But I can't wait any longer. I am going to join the Royal Guard.” Cheerilee nodded, but remained silent. Her eyes were confused still, and Scootaloo planned to fix that. “But... if I were to go to Canterlot and do this by myself, I couldn't hope to take good care of my foal. Even if they let her into the barracks, I would be gone all day for training, unable to feed her or make sure she's safe...”
Cheerilee understood, sounding concerned. “So you want me to take care of her for you while you're gone?”
“Almost. I...” The words caught in Scootaloo's throat, the tears just behind her eyes. This was the point of no return, and it was the hardest decision she would ever make. “... I want you to adopt her, like you did me.”
Cheerilee's eyes widened at what she was being asked. “Scootaloo, I can't! I couldn't possibly take your daughter away from you, or leave her without her mother.”
“But that's just it! She wouldn't be without her mother. She would have you, from the day she was born, guiding her every step of the way.” Scootaloo reached across the table, taking Cheerilee's hoof. “What kind of role model would I be? I had the best guide in the world, and still I ignored her, put myself in so much danger and did so many stupid things...” She shook her head, tears starting to edge her eyes. “I started off with nothing before I had you... If I'd been yours from the start, maybe things would have been different. I want to give her that chance.”
Cheerilee was in a similar state to Scootaloo, her heart touched by what was being said. “But I can't... I won't... I couldn't hide the truth from her.”
“What would there be to hide? Even if I stayed here, you would be just as much her mother as I, maybe even more so. You are a wonderful mare, one who cruelly never had a foal of her own... but now you can. And, really, at my age... I'm just a big sister. Only biology stands in the way of that.”
“Scootaloo, you can't expect me to-”
“Which would you rather grow up knowing? That your mother couldn't take care of you, abandoning you to follow her own dreams and leaving you in somepony else's care, or that your mother loves you very much and has been right there with you your entire life?”
Cheerilee stood up, trying to get her message across. “You aren't abandoning her! She came at a very difficult time in your life, and it's not easy for you, but she is your daughter. You'll see, she'll be the most important thing in your life. You'll find a way to make it work, and in the end-”
“Please, mom, don't make this harder than it is.” Tears were streaming down Scootaloo's face. She had never called Cheerilee 'mom' once in her life, but if she ever was before, she needed to be now. “I've thought it through for so long, fighting with myself, with who I am and who I want to be... I want to do what is best for us. For all of us, and I truly think that this is it. And it hurts me to even think of leaving her, of thrusting her upon you, but... I can never be the mother she deserves, and I know, because I have experienced it, that you can. So, please... promise me you'll take care of her.”
Cheerilee could see the pain in Scootaloo's eyes, growing with every moment she was put in this position and every tear that fell. It was not something she was asking lightly. Like that question of love answered so many months ago, deep thought had gone into this. Cheerilee wouldn't let that be a mistake a second time. Even with all the trepidation she felt, all the anxiety and unease brought on by this sudden responsibility given to her, she smiled softly through the tears on her own face. “Like my own daughter.”
She leaned forward, kissing Scootaloo on the cheek gently, causing the younger pegasus to break down, crying on the table. “I'm going to make you proud, mom. When all of this is over, I promise I'll make you proud.”
At hearing Scootaloo's words, she didn't have to lie or respond with falseness. “You already have.” She knelt beside her crying daughter, keeping her close, comforting her like only a parent could.
The next day, just before sunrise, Scootaloo woke up and packed her things. She was going out on the first train to Canterlot, or she feared she'd lose the resolve and never leave, no matter how loud her destiny called. She got up from her bed, looking at the room she'd lived in for so many years, still lined with Wonderbolts posters and painted the same color as her hero. When she was younger, she'd promised herself that she would follow in Rainbow Dash's hoofsteps, wherever that would lead her. And now, she too was going to serve her country... but she was leaving much more than friends behind to do it.
She walked over to the crib where her foal lay sleeping, leaning down and giving her a tender kiss on her tiny forehead.“Cheerilee is the best mother in the world, you'll see. Better than I could ever be. But I'll still be with you, whatever happens, even if you think I'm just an overprotective sister. You are the light of my life, bringing me joy in my darkest time...”
Scootaloo choked, tears beginning to roll down her cheeks, but she wiped them away, putting up a strong, if watery, smile. “Even if I'm not by your side, mommy will always be here for you, trying to make the world a better place for you. My precious Silver Lining.” She rubbed her foal's mane gently one last time before walking out the door, into the start of both of their lives.
The month following the news of Ink Well's return was harrowing for Flora and Rose. This was mostly due to the various extremely nosy ponies skulking around their house and shop and snooping in their business. Unsurprisingly, being hounded by paparazzi, conspiracy theorists, and mercenaries trying to 'do good for the Equestrian way of life' was incredibly annoying, making both of the mares practically lock themselves in their home, only leaving to go to work or visit the greenhouse. Neither of the mares let the distractions get to them though, Flora visiting her plants daily in defiance of all of the rabble and Rose returning to her work with a dedication unseen since Ink Well had left. Just because a few pushy ponies were trying to make life difficult didn't mean the plants stopped growing.
Of course, some of the intentions of their pursuers were less than kind. On two separate occasions stones were chucked through the dining room windows, scattering glass across the floor, and on the second time something was done about it. It had been three weeks since the night of the Gala and Rose had had enough. Enough harassment, enough property damage, she just wanted her life to get back to normal. Despite her anger, she very calmly wrote a letter to Princess Twilight detailing what had happened, and was pleased when the letter was responded to personally. It was delivered by two royal guards, who stealthily stationed themselves outside the house. After a week of them running interference and two arrests made, one on a pony getting ready to throw another rock and the other on somepony wielding a can of spray paint, the matter finally settled enough for the guards to return to Canterlot, believing the lack of harassment ended their job. If only their job was actually done...
It was getting towards afternoon, and with the upcoming weekend Rose had decided to treat herself by doing something that brought joy to Flora's heart. She was in her garden, weeding the overgrown patch of soil and rescuing the poor strangled plants that clung to life there. It was slow going with very heavy shears, but it was getting near fall, and Rose had expressed interest in entering the Fall Flower Festival this year. “With how few contestants there are,” she said over the dinner table the night before, “I might even place. And it's about time I challenged you for first prize again, don't you think?”
Flora had smiled smugly, but deep down she was overjoyed to hear that confidence in her mother's voice again. Seeing her out in the garden again was simply the sweetest icing on that cake. While Rose's special talent might have been scent, not flowers, the ones she grew were truly beautiful, and to see her calm enough to return to her happy place after work... That was worth its weight in gold.
As much as Flora would've liked to stay and watch the rare sight, she had her own plants to attend to, and so she grabbed the keys to her greenhouse and made her way to the building a few streets over. When she went to unlock it, however, the door slid open under her hoof. Immediately she knew something was wrong. She always made sure to lock it behind her, ever since the year one of her flower pots was stolen and used against her in the Flower Festival. She had still won, but once the plant was returned to her she'd never left it unlocked again. It was her own personal laboratory, her private sanctuary, and nopony was allowed except her.
And it had been broken into. She fumed inwardly, cautiously opening the door and ready to unleash the full wrath built up over the last month on whatever was waiting inside. It was at times like these when she wished she had clear walls, not the opaque white ones that kept her privacy so well, but it was a fleeting thought, something only visible in hindsight. Nothing seemed to be out of place at a glance, so she stepped slowly into the building, taking a careful look around.
The plants were all in order, everything was where it had been left, there wasn't even a bent leaf or missing flower to be seen. For a moment Flora wondered if she had been imagining it, or maybe been absent minded the day before. Walking up the crystal rose bush growing in the center of the room, she thought perhaps Lily had finally made good on her threat to get a spare key and find out what Flora was doing in there, but that was when she noticed something odd. The light from the door hitting the crystal plant wasn't as bright as it usually was. Almost as if something other than Flora was also blocking it.
She started to turn her head when the rope looped over it, falling around her neck and tightening rapidly. She gasped in a breath of air, one hoof rushing up to the lasso as it was tugged on, blocking her air and pulling her back. Even if she wanted to call out for help, she couldn't get anything out with the rope around her neck, so she yanked and spun, trying to get a little leeway and a glimpse of her attacker.
The stallion had on a black trench coat, with his face covered in black cloth as he worked. It was something out of a horror novel, not an afternoon stroll, and the grim determination in his eyes only brought out the panic in Flora's movements. She twisted and pulled, trying to knock him off of his hooves, but only managing to make the rope tighter as she was dragged out of the building. “Stop struggling!” the assailant said in a gruff voice. “I don't want to hurt you, I need you for bait.”
Flora probably would have pointed out that there were ways to get her help without all of this mess if her heart wasn't pounding in her throat, but since it was, she was in no position to stop fighting. She moved the hoof from her throat to the knot, stopping it from getting any tighter, though unfortunately it didn't help her breathe any better. Her vision was starting to blur at the edges, her hooves losing ground as the rope was reeled in. With her lungs on fire, she changed tactics, charging forward, aiming to ram her attacker.
He wasn't new to this game, however, and he managed to sidestep, pulling the rope taught as soon as she passed and squeezing it further around her neck. She could feel it biting, her vision continuing to fade as she stopped pulling away. She waited as he got closer, but not close enough, keeping a safe distance and a steady tension as he waited for the rope to take full effect. With her heart pumping in her ears now, he wouldn't have long to wait.
Just as she feared she was doomed to whatever fate he had planned for her, she heard her saving grace in the form of a grunt behind her. She turned her head slightly, seeing the familiar green mane of Jazz popping up over the attacker's head, his hooves wrapped around the neck of the pony in the trench coat. The assailant lost his balance, taking two steps too far forward, and with the rest of her reserves, Flora reared up and bucked him straight in the chest.
Immediately tension left the rope around her neck as her attacker and her savior both flew through the air, crashing hard in the dirt on the other side of the yard. The pony in the trench coat rolled onto his hooves surprisingly quickly, trying to gallop away until he was blindsided by a silver blur, smashing him into the dirt once again. With a pained groan he flopped into the earthy crater, while the pegasus standing on him kicked him once for good measure.
A few feet away, Jazz pulled himself together, reeling a bit from the blow he'd gotten and being landed on, but otherwise fine. “Boy, am I glad I went lookin' for ya today! If Silver hadn't spotted ya when she did, shoot, I dunno what I woulda done.” Flora nodded appreciatively, not saying anything. “Still, that's some kick ya got there. I'm surprised my trees're still standin'! The zap apples'll hardly know what hit 'em!”
Flora nodded again, feeling very loopy as stars appeared at the edge of her vision. She weakly pawed at the rope still around her neck with one hoof, the other searching for Jazz's shoulder. He was looking at Silver and the attacker, surveying his work, before he felt the weak tap and looked back, finally realizing what was going on. “Horseapples! I'll have that offa ya in two shakes of a pony's tail.” With a skill at lasso knots only passed down through generations he had the rope untied in moments, letting Flora gasp and cough and rub at her painfully raw neck.
When finally she had her breath and her coughing fit was over, she smiled weakly at her best friends. “Thank you for that. I tried to fight him off, but I didn't have it in me.”
“What'd this guy want with you anyway?” said Silver, trotting over to Flora while Jazz went to work with the rope. “I mean, most of the ponies creeping around your house ditched out after the guard showed up, right?”
“Most of them, but he either didn't get the note or was waiting for them to leave.” Flora continued to rub her neck, the adrenaline leaving her system, slowly being replaced with the fear it had been hiding. What might have happened to her if they hadn't arrived? If he'd actually taken her away? He'd said he wanted her for bait... “I think he was planning to hold me for some kind of ransom to get at my dad...”
“That ain't fair what's happenin' to you just because 'a yer kin'! Ya got nothin' to do with that! An' if we hadn't been here, you coulda been Celestia knows where by tomorrow mornin', and who knows if that was all he had planned?” Just the thought made Flora shudder, and she sat on the ground, shaken after the ordeal. Seeing this, Jazz tightened the final knot he'd put in the rope, trotting over from the now hogtied attacker. He sat down next to Flora, leaning against her and wrapping her in a reassuring hug. “I'm here for ya. Ain't no way I'm losin' ya when I just found out what I had. Even if ya've been hidin' in yer house for a month, it don't change a thing, right?”
Flora smiled slightly, leaning into the comforting form of Jazz. “Right. I'm glad it still counts, after all of this mess.”
Jazz smiled back. “'Course it does. An' one a these days, I'll figure out how ta prove it to ya.” He got up, walking over to the captured attacker and placing the gift wrapped criminal on his back. “Now, I'm gonna go take him to the author'ties, but when I get back, I'll have that chat I was meanin' ta. See y'all soon.” He then turned and walked off towards the rest of town, leaving Silver Lining to comfort Flora if she still needed it.
However, when he was out of sight, Silver turned to Flora, frowning a little. “You're a real lucky mare, ya know that?”
Flora was just getting up, and nodded at the statement. “Yup. It's a good thing you two showed up when you did.”
Silver rolled her eyes. “Well, yeah, that too, but I was talking about landing Jazz. I've had a crush on him for years! Helped out with the weather, ran errands for him from time to time, made sure he never had too much rain or sun... And he asks you to be his special somepony.” She sighed. “Story of my life.”
Flora blushed, shying away a little. “Oh... How'd you hear about that?”
Silver smirked. “Because you just told me. But it was pretty obvious the way he's been asking about you since the end of Apple Buck Season. After he saw the story about your dad coming back, I told him about what happened when he left... Jazz hadn't heard that whole saga.”
Flora frowned, both in being tricked and because that story had been spread without her. “Mom and I try to keep to ourselves, if we can.” She nudged at the dirt, wondering what had happened to send this day into quite this strange spin. “Anyway... have you told him how you feel about him? I mean, we've only really had one date, and you're such an attractive mare, I'm sure-”
Silver leveled an accusatory hoof at Flora. “None of that talk, Flora! You're beautiful and you know it.” With a shrug, she put her hoof down. “Besides, I've hid it for, like, four years now hoping he'd notice. I know when I'm beat, and you two make a way cuter picture anyway.”
Flora opened her mouth to say something, and nearly had it filled by Silver's hoof as she rushed towards her. “You don't breathe a word of this to him, okay? And if something happens and you two break up, you don't stop me from taking a shot. Deal?”
Flora took a step back, getting her personal space back before she answered. “Deal, but only if you promise that if we don't break up, this won't do anything to hurt our friendship.”
Silver looked shocked at the implication. “What? Of course not! Crusaders to the core, ain't nothing breaking that bond.” The two of them bumped hooves, a smile appearing on both of their faces. “Anyway, you need anything? I could fly a message to your mom, or get a cloud if you need to wash up or something.”
Flora shook her head. “No need. But, could you stand guard? I'd like to do the rounds in the greenhouse and I'm a bit paranoid at the moment.”
Silver saluted. “I don't blame ya. I'll be right outside if you need me.”
“You're the best.” Flora gave her friend a hug, then went into the greenhouse, glad Silver knew her well enough to not even ask to come inside. When the door was closed, she slumped to the floor, shaking from the whole ordeal and letting her emotions out. She was too strong a mare to cry, but the violation, the pain, the fear... it took a lot of heavy breathing and shaking to let it go. When she was finally empty, she picked herself up, starting her rounds with the crystal bush and getting herself back in her routine.
Flora finished checking her plants' progress and was filling up the watering can when she was called outside into the presence of her smiling friends. “Don't worry about that creep,” said Silver, “Jazz says he's getting locked up for a long time.”
“Eeyup!” said Jazz. “The low-down snake was part a some seedy mercen'ry group, ‘n he was the last one on the lam. Tryin' to use the bounty on yer pa for bail, if I had ta guess.” He shrugged, then beamed at Flora. “He's gettin' shipped off ta Canterlot, so it shouldn't be a problem anymore. Though... if what happened is weighin' on yer mind, I guess this next bit wouldn' work anyway...”
While Flora was relieved that there shouldn't be any repeat abduction attempt, the immediate defeat that appeared in Jazz's voice caused her to frown. “What wouldn't work? If it's something to do with the zap apple harvest, I am still ready for it, I just haven't been able to see any of the signs, so I don't know when to be ready.”
Jazz shook his head. “It ain't that. The second sign only happened yesterday, so I think we got three more days if I was readin' Granny's notes right.”
Flora dropped into thought for a moment. “The second sign is the leaves appearing, which always occurs on... Yes, three days. Well, two and a half now.” She received a quizzical look from Silver and returned it with an offended one. “What? I pay attention.” Silver just shook her head and shrugged.
Jazz chuckled at the whole display. “Right, well, since Apple Buck Season went so well, an' since the first sign was takin' its sweet time ta show up this year, Mac got started on cider season early, which was a good thing, 'cus we got an emergency order from Jennydale. It's not far past Whitetail Woods, 'n I was wonderin' if you'd like ta come along.”
“Come on a delivery? Won't that slow you down? Or if I'm with you and somepony tries to pull the same thing they did here...” After what had happened, Flora had a strong inclination to go home and curl up in bed for the evening, maybe study up a little more on zap apples and let the world go back to normal. She was looking forward to actually getting her hooves on a zap apple seed, since last time, by the time she'd thought of it, the apples were either gone or already jam.
Her friends had other plans for her evening. “Oh, puh-lease, Flora!” said Silver, putting a hoof over her shoulder and leaning against her, flexing a forehoof. “If somepony tried anything, me and Jazz would be on 'em like ugly on a diamond dog. And you know he'd go slower trudging on his own than in the company of his two best friends.”
Flora smirked, looking at Silver sidelong. “Oh, you're coming too?”
“She was hangin' in one of the trees takin' a nap this mornin' when I got the news. It was her idea ta make it a road trip an' get you outta the house.” Looking over at the gouge in the dirt where Silver tackled the assailant, Jazz's smile faded slightly. “Guess it was a good thing we did, huh?”
Silver and Flora's gaze both fell on the spot as well, and just its presence dampened the mood slightly. Annoyed by that, Flora looked from Jazz to Silver, her smile growing at the care from her friends. Maybe, after a horrible month culminating in that, getting out was exactly what she needed. “Sounds like the best plan I've heard in weeks. Count me in!”
Jazz immediately perked up, beaming as he spoke. “Really? Great! We'll meet ya outside Town Hall in a hour.”
Flora faltered. “Wait, we're going now?”
“Nah, in a hour. Gotta go get ready. You comin' Silver?” Jazz was already at the garden gate, well on his way back to the farm.
Silver nodded as she took off from Flora's side. “I need to go tell mom what's up, then I'll meet ya at the farm. That work?”
“Eeyup! See ya there!” Both of them shot off in separate directions, leaving Flora with her mouth open, slightly confused by what had just happened. However, even if she had misread the situation before, one thing had been made clear: she had an hour to get ready for a road trip.
When the realization hit her, she galloped back into the greenhouse, grabbing the watering can and giving water to each plant as quickly as she dared. And then there was fertilizer and trimming and notes for the next day, and all of that was before she even started on the crystal bush, making sure it was getting what it needed and making adjustments based on...
There was just too much to do, and with a frustrated grunt, Flora came to the conclusion that the plants would live if she skipped a day. She tilted the remaining water into the container beneath the crystal bush, put the watering can back in its place, locked the door, and sprinted home.
Rose was still in the garden as Flora came running up to the house, and though Rose was surprised to see her daughter back so soon, she waved, only to be completely ignored by the young mare rushing past her.
Flora went inside, threw her key in its spot on the rack, and bounded up the steps to the washroom. It was probably silly to want to get clean right before walking for any length of time, but she and Jazz were going to be going out in public somewhere, and for what little time she actually spent out in public, Flora liked to not look like a dirty mess.
One whirlwind shower and mane washing later, Flora stepped out of the washroom with her bandanna between her teeth as she went to check the clock. After all of that, she still had twenty minutes to get to town hall. That was just enough time to grab a bite to eat and- “Flora, what's that around your neck?”
Flora stopped at the bottom of the stairs, noticing Rose standing in the dining room doorway, a worried look on her face. Flora hadn't gotten a good look in the mirror, but she did recall seeing a glimpse of red around her neck where the rope had been. She dropped the bandanna from her mouth into her hoof, going to tie over the mark, but was stopped by Rose doing an examination of the mark. After a moment, Rose looked up into her face, worried. “Are you alright? Did something happen while you were out?”
Yes, I was attacked in my own greenhouse by some horrible pony with a lasso looking for dad, but after seeing you happy earlier, the last thing I want to do is worry you now, especially if I think I'll ever get to Town Hall on time. Flora took a step back, smiling to show nothing was immediately wrong. “I'm fine mom. It was just a little accident. I'll tell you about it when I get back.”
Rose peaked an eyebrow, mostly wondering what kind of accident wrapped around a pony’s neck. “Back? Where are you going?”
“Silver and I are going with Jazz for a delivery. They sprung the idea on me today, and it sounded like fun. But apparently they're leaving in... Eighteen minutes.” Flora's smile was slightly strained, trying to say as politely as possible that she needed to be moving and all questions should be held for later.
Whether or not Rose got the message, she ignored it. “Ah. What is he delivering? And aren't you three a little old to still be crusading? You already got your cutie marks.”
Flora sighed in exasperation, but it was done dramatically and lightheartedly. “You can take the crusader away from crusading, but you can't take the crusading out of the crusader, mom. Just because we got our cutie marks doesn't mean we can't still go on adventures together. This one takes us to the town of Jennydale to give cider to its wanting inhabitants.”
Rose smiled. “Ah, well then you're going to be gone all night. Would you like me to pack you some food, or just fill a canteen?”
You're so good to me, mom. Flora hugged her mother, smiling back. “I didn't even think about a canteen, so that would be great! But knowing Jazz, he's probably got food covered.”
Rose hugged Flora back, then started towards the kitchen. “Alright. But be careful out on the road. It should be safe, since you're going through Whitetail Woods, but 'should' and 'is' aren't the same thing. Be mindful of wild animals and other ponies.” As she reached the doorway, she stopped. “I had made us up some tea, but I guess you'll just owe me a chat some other day.”
“I'll make a note of it.” Flora said, wondering why Rose had sounded so concerned as she described the road's dangers. She followed her mother as she went into the kitchen, stopping when she saw the two freshly poured cups of tea sitting on the counter. Flora picked hers up, drinking it as Rose filled the canteen. It wasn't a snack, but it was a lot more soothing, and it was just the thing to calm her down and get her in the right mindset for the trip.
She stayed for a little while, as one cup of tea turned into two and her mother caught her up on the state of the garden, but eventually she really couldn't wait any longer, and so she said goodbye, took the canteen, tied on her bandanna, and headed for Town Hall.
Flora sprinted through town to make it to the meeting, and unfortunately she still arrived a few minutes late, and for her troubles was greeted with the sight of two carts loaded with cider crates, Jazz harnessed up to one and Silver to the other. While she had been expecting to merely go on a trip and chat with her friends, actually helping Jazz out was something she was more than willing to do. She slowed down as she approached, looking for a third cart, but it was nowhere to be found. “Alright,” she said as she got closer. “Where's mine?”
Silver, who had been waving while Flora had been distracted with her search, punched Jazz playfully in the shoulder. “See, I told you she'd want to help.”
Jazz took the hit in stride, his smile not lessening at all. “I was planning on takin' it all on my own, but Silver had none a that, so we split it to two. She tried to split it to three, but after the whole mess earlier, I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea for you to rest a spell.”
Flora frowned as she walked up Jazz's cart, hopping onto it and immediately settling in among the boxes. “Well, you thought wrong. You act like I can't do an honest day's work.” She tutted and shook her head, then looked at Jazz flatly. “We're just going to have to switch out as we go along. Now, sorry to keep you waiting. Let's go.”
Jazz looked a combination of sheepish and about to complain, but when he actually turned to speak to Flora, he saw the smirk sitting on her face and decided against it. “If ya say so. Silver, let's move out.” It didn't take very much effort for either of them to get the carts rolling, with Silver having a little more difficulty than Jazz, and soon enough the two cart caravan was on its way out of town and into the woods.
Almost immediately the three ponies started chatting, catching up on things and talking like they were picking up on a paused conversation. There really wasn't much to report on Flora's end, what with being cooped up in her house and being tight lipped about her plants in the greenhouse, but Jazz and Silver had done rather a bit more.
The farm was going well, and apple sales from this years harvest were as strong as ever, which was always a good sign. This was about the time of year when there would have been some kind of family get together traditionally, but since that hadn't really been an option for ten years now, Jazz and Mac had once again found themselves out of things to do. Starting cider season early was a good way to get a jump on things, as it always became a struggle to produce enough for demands by the end of it. According to Jazz, it had been mighty amusing to watch Mac test the first batch of hard cider, which had come out far too strong and sent the strong stallion stumbling through the barn barely an hour later. With some careful watering down, it might not be the very best cider batch, but it would certainly do in an emergency like this one.
Sweating a little harder than Jazz as they made their way through Whitetail Woods, Silver kept herself distracted by talking about the weather. For some reason it was being rather wet over the Everfree, which was making it quite easy to collect rain for Ponyville, giving her time for a special assignment from the mayor. Since there were so few ponies in town this year, the Running of the Leaves had been canceled, and Silver had been placed in charge of removing the leaves for fall. They had all started changing about a week ago, and as pretty as the trees they were currently passing were, the leaves had to go.
She was going through the idea for the mini tornado she was going to have to create, getting the two earth ponies completely lost in the theoretical air currents, when they came to a fork in the road. Flora stopped them there, switching places with Silver while Jazz brought out the apple crumble he'd been making when the order came in. Splitting it between the three of them, and with Flora sharing her canteen since Silver had come unprepared, the trio took a short break in blissful silence, enjoying the cool afternoon air, the colorful leaves, the sounds of the forest, some fantastic cooking, and the company of friends.
When all three were happy ready to move again, Flora harnessed herself up to Silver's cart, letting the remarkably light pegasus rest in the back as she pulled the load with ease. After walking a fair bit in silence, Flora turned to look at Jazz, who was still going strong beside her. “So how far away is it? I don't think I've ever been to Jennydale.”
Jazz shrugged. “Ain't surprisin'. The town's just a tiny dot on the map, if ya got a map big enough ta see it. It's got a lot a donkeys, a tavern for travelers, an' not much else, but it's a nice enough place once ya get there.”
“Oh?”
“Eeyep. I go out for a deliv'ry a pies an' a cider barrel or two every year, but I guess the tavern's runnin' low an' some other supplier ain't makin' anythin' anymore, so they asked us for a special run.”
Flora frowned at the news. “The other supplier stopped making stuff? Why would they do that?”
Silver chimed in from her seat among the crates. “It probably has something to do with the army mobilizing again. After Ink Well's escape got 'em worked up and recruiting like crazy, I've been hearing news that they're advancing on the Republic borders again. And pushing in, last I heard.”
“So you think the supplier got picked up in the draft?”
“If it was the battlin' that got him, it was either the draft or his own conscience tellin' him to be out there.” Jazz looked thoughtfully at the ground slowly rolling under him. “Some ponies just can't stay idly by anymore an' watch their friends leave. The war's been goin' on for twelve years now, an' everypony wants ta see the end of it.” He sighed. “I feel a bit low for comin' in on sompony's business if that's true, even if they are competition, but I can't just leave the town in need. Somepony's gotta be on the front lines, an' the rest of us gotta make sure they got homes to come back to.”
As if the woods were listening to their conversation, the path turned a corner, and beside the road appeared a small bundle of thirteen fresh lilies in a vase with a little bronze plaque. The stark white flowers stuck out against the earthy tones of the rest of the forest, a small clearing in the canopy high above seeming to shine a beam of the warm late afternoon light directly on the spot. Jazz tilted his head as he got closer. “Huh... that weren't there last time I went through.”
Since Flora and Jazz were harnessed in, Silver jumped out of the cart, walking over to the vase and examining the plaque. “A flower for the fallen who called these woods their home, lest we forget their happy memories.” She took a step back, gazing at the vase. “Thirteen flowers...”
“I wonder how many are from Ponyville...” The scene was beautiful, but the moment it had come into view, Flora had sensed the sadness. She had still been helping out in Lily's shop when the first orders had come in for the departed. The war always seemed so strange, so very far away, but even out here the effects were with them every single day.
As the light continued to fade and the beam highlighting the flowers moved, Jazz spoke up, breaking the long silence the group had held. “We better keep movin', we got a long way ta go.” Silver decided to walk beside the carts as they set off, none of them in the mood for talking, each seemingly lost in their own thoughts.
Flora was the one to break the silence first, getting the trio talking about school ponies and time gone by, but it was halfhearted, and though none of them admitted it, the question she had asked stuck in the back of their minds.
The sun was going down by the time the trio got out of the woods, immediately greeted with the sight of a small town nestled in the dale below. They made their way down the hill, watching the sky turn crimson, then fade slowly to its deep blue as a few lanterns were lit by the figures moving between the buildings.
It took a little longer for Flora, Jazz, and Silver to reach the town of Jennydale, marked only by a very small sign with a lantern hanging over it, and once they moved along the main street, it was hard to imagine anypony actually living here. The town was silent, almost all of the windows dark, with no movement on the street, which was only barely wide enough for the two carts to go side by side. The crickets in the grass had more life, though even the silent stars above could have given the town a run for its money.
Jazz pulled his cart into the alley beside the tavern, instructing Flora to do the same as he made his way inside the quiet building. It was nearly the biggest one in town, and one of the very few with lights on. None of the rooms were lit, just the main bar itself, almost a ghost light as it spilled onto the street.
When the cart was in place and Flora was unharnessed, she and Silver went inside as well. The interior was as somber as the exterior despite the warm lights and the gently crackling fire. The room wasn't full, but there were a fair number of ponies and donkeys occupying all of the tables, a drink in front of all of them, a heavy, unspoken agreement for silence hanging in the air. The only thing that broke it was Jazz at the bar, talking quietly with the bartender. The old donkey had a sour look on his face, a mug and a wash cloth sitting on the counter as he and Jazz discussed the delivery. He glanced at the two young mares that had just entered, but paid them no mind, giving Jazz the instructions quickly.
When Jazz had them, he came over to Flora and Silver, the atmosphere of the building getting to him as he moved with a more heavy stride. “He wants us ta drive it around back while he opens up the cellar. We get ta unload 'cause he has ta stay out front, but he's givin' us all one for free ta cover it.”
They did as they were instructed, moving the carts around and carrying the crates down into the dark, well kept cellar. The stores in there were a little sad, with most of the shelves half empty, apart from the completely void cider section they were refilling. But, once it was done, they all went into the bar again, getting a bag of coins and a drink of choice for their troubles. After seeing the stores, they all ordered a cider, deciding they might as well partake of their work.
As they waited for their drinks to come, Flora looked around the room, noticing a few things as she did. The patrons that weren't completely listless or lost in their alcoholic haze all seemed to have their eyes firmly fixed on the three young ponies at the bar. She had felt the intensity of it before, and while she thought it might have been something against outsiders, she'd seen the exact same sadness in similar aging eyes. These were parents, grandparents, friends, all waiting on those they watched go to the war front. The sign of youth, of warmth and life, that had just walked in the door only reminded them of what they missed each day at home. What they waited for with bated breath, hoping the pony to one day stand at their door was the one they'd sent off, not their commander with a black lined envelope.
Flora turned back to the bar as her drink arrived, feeling the oppressive mood grow heavier still as she looked to her friends. “We should probably leave after this one. As long a trip as it was, it might not be a bad idea to start back early.”
Silver nodded, her wings and ears drooping under the weight of all the expectations and wishes thrown her way by the patrons. “It won't take as long with the carts empty. Jazz said we'd be out 'till morning, but we could probably make it back a little after midnight if we hurry.”
Jazz took a long drink from the mug placed in front of him, placing it down purposefully when he finished. “We'll head on back soon, but we can't make it back 'fore midnight without a lot a runnin'. We'll be back by mornin', with plenty a time ta rest, if we do it right. Gotta be ready for the zap apples, after all.”
Flora was glad they were all in agreement, already starting to plan out her next day to keep her mind off the atmosphere and make up for what she had skipped to come here. As she did, though, she saw Jazz call over the bartender, talking quietly to him. By the time she actually was listening in, all she heard was “...if it would be okay” followed by a nod towards the corner of the room. The bartender shrugged, and then Jazz got up, walking quietly outside.
Without him there, both Flora and Silver were a little more uneasy in the unfamiliar town, nervously glancing at each other and taking quick sips of their drinks, but Jazz came back soon enough, a long, thin wooden box in tow. He neglected his drink and the ponies he came in with, going to the corner he'd indicated earlier, where there was a raised platform of wood that could almost pass for a stage if the place was full of drunk revelers. Since it wasn't, it was merely an amplifier for their attention, all eyes shifting from the two young mares at the bar to the upstart walking onto the stage.
He remained cool and collected under the judging gaze, opening up a latch on the side of the box and flipping it open, revealing a velvet interior. From inside he pulled out two curved metal tubes, attaching them together and spinning a bolt to keep them in place, before sliding a third tube over one of the others and working it a little, forming an 'S' of metal with a bell at one end, a mouthpiece at the other.
Flora couldn't believe what she was seeing, but Jazz was standing on stage with a trombone. She wanted to call him down from there and ask him to stop bringing attention to himself, but her own morbid curiosity wanted to see this through to the end. Though, even if she had started calling then, it wouldn't have mattered, as Jazz closed his eyes, tapped a hoof against the wood, and then began to play.
The sound didn't slice through the bar or bash into the silence like a hammer, but rather seemed to flow out of it, starting low and sweeping through a few sad notes before picking up the song in full. The music moved and swung, quickly growing in tempo and bringing with it a driving rhythm, and yet it never grew upbeat. Though the beat never stopped or faltered, it always felt like it was forlorn, waiting for something.
The solitary horn continued to sing on stage, resonating through the room and pulling even those long lost to the drink back to hear its call. After a while, the song slowed, feeling as though it came off the stage to move between the tables and chat with those there. There was something hauntingly familiar in the tune, even though Flora was sure she'd never heard it before.
As she watched Jazz moving the slide, not a hint of effort on his face as he made the music surrounding her, the trombone began to wail. It never lost the notes, or the harmony it seemed to be making with itself, but it was no longer talking to the patrons of the bar. It was crying with them, demanding right alongside them for something it could only dream of longingly. And it realized this, calming, returning to the original theme, but something had been lost along the way.
The music ended on a note that hung in the air for a few seconds: low, sad, a cry unfinished and a call unanswered. When finally it ceased, there was silence once more, filled only with the memory of that final note resonating in the room. Jazz lowered his instrument and opened his eyes, beginning to take apart the trombone once more, as though it had never existed in the first place. Around him, many of the patrons were crying at their table, or stopping their sobs with pulls from their drink, while those not moved to tears applauded. It was quiet and understated, but appreciative beyond raucous noise or words.
Jazz picked up his case and calmly walked to the bar, taking his seat beside his friends as though nothing had just happened, though both of them looked at him, stunned. “That was amazing,” said Silver, not really having too much to say.
“Thank ya kindly,” said Jazz, finishing his drink.
Flora looked at both Jazz and the case, feeling the dampness at her eyes that she fought back and wondering just how much she didn't know about her lifelong friend and new special somepony. She knew he was musical, and she'd heard him play the piano once or twice, but that... that was something else. “Where did you learn that tune?”
“I didn't. I was just playin' what came to me.” He stopped for a moment, looking at his empty mug and tapping the bar thoughtfully, the beat the same he'd been playing at. “There was a band for a while in Ponyville, 'n we improvised almost everythin' we did, but I stopped a couple years ago. Not many ensemble songs ya can play with one instrument.” There was definite sadness in his voice, and Flora could hear why. That had all come from the heart, a call from his instrument to his fellow musicians, wanting them to come home so he could play again like he used to.
Flora finished her drink, hearing the silence descend once more. “I didn't know you played trombone. I thought you played the piano.”
Jazz looked down at the instrument in question, shrugging. “I woulda played my trumpet, but I musta left it in the barn. I only learned the piano 'cause Granny Smith wanted somepony to play it at Hearths Warmin'. Though, if I didn't learn it, I might never a learned the horn or found my cutie mark, so I can't complain.”
As Jazz finished his explanation, the trio noticed that the other patrons in the bar were moving. More than one came up and thanked Jazz for his music, and soon a drink was placed in front of him, a gift somepony had bought him. It was followed by two more, which Jazz was kind enough to give to his friends, and then those were followed by the bartender attempting to give him some bits that a customer had tipped Jazz specifically.
Jazz refused the money, thanking the bartender for the opportunity, before he was suddenly hugged from behind by an elderly jenny. She looked at Jazz with shining eyes and thanked him for reminding her of her grandson, and his two friends she had known well. “May they rest in peace.” After that, she left the bar, and Jazz stared into his drink. After he finished it, he said “that's three,” and left it at that, the image of the vase springing into Flora and Silver's minds.
Eventually the tavern was nearly empty, and the three ponies from Ponyville figured it was time to leave. They went out back, placing the trombone case in Jazz's cart before Flora harnessed up to it, insisting. Silver took the other cart, and, with nothing left to do, Jazz climbed up with his instrument, sitting behind Flora. He looked uncomfortable, but after pulling a cart all the way here, he was going to get some time off on the way back.
They were quiet as they went out of town, though what held each of their attentions was a mystery. For Flora, it the warmth in her heart that she was helping her special somepony go home in comfort. She even smiled a little wider as she heard a gentle snore come from the cart, glad the chill of the night air wasn't disturbing the fantastic musician, lulled by the gentle rocking of the cart. Soon Flora could see Silver starting to nod off as well, the tired pegasus' endless energy seeming to finally have run out. Each step took Silver's cart weaving, yawns almost constantly escaping her. It didn't take long for Flora to stop her, hooking both carts together in a train and letting Silver sleep in the empty one.
Even though she now traveled alone, she didn't mind, her thoughts on Jazz's performance. His music on stage had spoken loudly, it had cried out in memory of the dying town they left... A cry, she feared, all of Equestria was in danger of sharing. She herself had experienced law trying to break down around her just today, and as the music had gone on, she could see so many faces missing from their Ponyville... Thirteen lilies seemed like such a large number of missing ponies, and even that was a drop in the bucket... How many more would be lost before it was all over?
A particularly loud snore brought her thoughts to the real world as she peeked behind her, seeing Jazz's face dappled by the moonlight filtering through the leaves above. It was easy to focus on what was lost, but that wasn't where the future lay. As hard as it was sometimes to remember, she had to be grateful for those she had with her, not sad for those she couldn't see. After all, it was up to those left behind to make a home worth fighting for.