//------------------------------// // Cataclysm // Story: Horseshoes // by Peter Yellowhammer //------------------------------// Two hours after the search party for Twilight and her friends set out, the frustrated ponies had to return to Ponyville without a single one of them. No sign of them whatsoever could be found either. Even with Big Macintosh, the search continued for two days with nothing to show for it, and so the efforts for progress from all sides were disheartened. The temporary groups that had formed in the name of improving ponies' lots in life met unmanageable conflict from its own members. Shopkeepers found themselves lashing out at assistants, with or without cause; salesponies were enraged at the slightest attempt to compromise in future pricing; and any close friends of the missing six were losing themselves in their own worry. Most significantly, the preliminary talks for an amicable balance between the elite and the commoners regressed into rehashing the past for no reason other than to relive it, detail by apple-bucking detail. All involved agreed the outlook was bleak... And that was when the world around them ignited. The ground split open and twisted on itself. The skies broke apart, slipping in and out of all imaginable colors. The animals grew fierce and raved with piercing voices and claws at the ready, senseless of friend or foe. The clouds twisted into meaningless monstrosities that rained lightning and shot water wherever they pleased. Ponies found themselves pitted against friends and family in fits of insanity. It was a cosmic free-for-all, and Equestria was afraid. The spells trying to control it were merely consumed by the greedy upheaval. Not content to surrender, the unicorns funneled their strength together to keep as many buildings together as possible. Rich and poor alike huddled together in the strongest abodes and braced themselves for cruel and inexplicable end. The earth groaned and shrieked, the air thundered its demand for appeasement, and so the last unscathed ponies summoned from within themselves one desperate bid to pray for their deliverance as sudden as their catastrophe. The prayer was thrown into the howling winds as the last stronghold against despair. Death seemed to be near as the physical madness reached its peak... And then the sun rose over it all, shining its golden light to calm the world and its children. A magnificent chariot descended from the golden orb: the six prodigal ponies and Spike had returned to Ponyville with Princess Celestia. The busy ruler immediately gathered the residents to assert that, even though great forces had re-shaped their world, everything was going to be fine. The crowd gawked at the sight around her and the homecome ponies...but ultimately was mollified. They wholeheartedly shouted and cheered for the end of the end. Caramel's voice caught in his throat. It was terrifying to think about the opportunity he had...and so he discarded it. He knew she didn't have the time, anyway. The returned ponies joined the town to assess the changes: the ground was jagged and fallow, and the winds were unpredictable...but beyond that, only a few structures were demolished. Evidently, the raving of the world was intent on frightening rather than destroying its many communities...although the effects were indeed lasting. Other damages were repairable, and so the town was relaxed. It was time to resume the business of before, as well as it could be done. After the crowd dispersed, she granted the Mayor and her administration by royal decree the power to deny future business expansion to non-local entrepreneurs. Those that decided to become local would have to commit to the community of Ponyville, with all that implied. So knowing their time was up, many of the myriad businessponies sacked the scene to seek opportunity elsewhere. But in the meantime, they saw fit to organize plans for the future as they stayed trapped in the shaken valley. Some of the recent building additions to Ponyville were also ditched, whereupon the Mayor decided to temporarily house the foreign competitors for the Jubilee. After all, the messy fight Twilight and friends had to wage left the normal travel methods upheaved until order could be restored. The former rabble rousers against Big Macintosh found themselves grateful for their temporary hosts and contrite for how they were deserving of something decidedly less comfortable. The upshot of the decree was the Orange Family finally returning to Manehattan (once they were able) and dropping the claim to the acreage. Out of the kindness of her heart, Applejack agreed to keep a percentage of the orange crop, “But jus' keep in mind that they'll be grown on Sweet Apple Acres!” That having been said, they had to focus on making sure anything would grow in the dilapidated soil. Little Clementine said nothing. She just smiled and joined her parents in the Homestead building as they stayed their last days. The Apple family plus one returned to the smaller, more familiar barn they called home. The old hay reserve barn was slated to be completely rebuilt when time permitted. The water bucket was trashed. When it was time to discuss Caramel's career, he shared how his attempt to organize the rowdy ponies during the various kerfuffles shook his confidence. Not being able to contribute himself just diminished his credibility too much, which seemed like a sign of things to come. Fancy Pants, however, said he had no problem with this once all was made calm; “You just have to remind them of their own abilities!” Both him and Macintosh stipulated how important this was now that the world had changed; ponies needed themselves now more than ever. But this also meant Caramel was needed now more than ever, for several different things. So after a promising interview (and an extremely cautious signature), he was set to share his experiences with downtrodden denizens and potentially influential enterprisers across Equestria. To achieve this, he was accompanied by several unicorn guides who did their best to make the terrain navigable; but even with that, travel was painfully slow. It took fifteen minutes in one instance just to figure out how to get past a hill without getting torn to shreds. But funnily enough, it turned out that Caramel's 'talent' for breaking things down was not too big or too small to help them diminish the needles...if he was careful. He readily agreed to smooth out terrain as they went, the sight of his hooves' ironic labors splitting him between outrageously happy and weirdly depressed. It was like if a pony with a malformed face were being used to frighten away burglars. But he trod along in determination to make the most of it, a chance he never truly had before. It turned out he was the most proficient at small groups in low-key places, which worked very well for advising the refugee groups around Appleloosa, for one. Several families had been uprooted when the bulk of the working force relocated to Ponyville, leaving far too little to keep the town running. Once the stored food was swallowed by the earth, the only ponies left in Appleloosa were those too stubborn to leave or those who claimed to be able to still live there (which was mildly persuasive in that the apple saplings miraculously seemed unharmed by the cataclysm.) The worst part of it was that a good percentage of the former workforce seemed hesitant to leave... “Y'all can't give up,” he told them. “Y'all are the hardiest ponies anypony knows! You can outlast this hardship until the apples are ripe; I know you can. It's all about making the most of your environment and staying the course for that. Yes, your loved ones are gone. Yes, it shouldn't have happened...but I know firsthoof that it doesn't end there. You have to keep going and reap the fruits of your patience. “Ponyville isn't about to let you starve; we'll aid you how we can if you ask for it, and no mistake. But I can tell y'all don't want that. And why should you? Y'all raised that town out of the dirt, and it's that same dirt you'll hone with the buffalo all through the summer! Y'all won't go down now or then or whenever doubt would have you fear! T'AIN'T OVER 'TILL Y'ALL SAY IT'S OVER!” The haggered families roared with pride as they set about restoring their land. Caramel saw their eyes alight with hope once again...and was struck with inspiration. While Fancy Pants' advice seemed to work, he decided to carefully press his hooves against the more twisted plots of land. When the blackened knots diminished...the cheers he received were almost deafening. He was useful. For once in his life, ponies needed him. It was like he had dreamed his troubles away. Big Macintosh, unfortunately, had to finish reviving the fallow fields as well as assisting in the reconstruction of the ruined buildings, so he wasn't able to see Caramel bolster his cousin's hometown. Braeburn, however, did accompany the speechmaker in order to return to the community and help them endure. Plus, when he thought about it, the cause of the refugee camp wasn't something he wanted his boyfriend to witness firsthoof. The busy farm pony would just have to wait for his return...whenever that was. Next was a stark contrast: speaking at the devastated capital of the country of Paint. It was bad enough that the massive clash made air travel, teleportation, and the terrain for trains and taxi relays unsafe...but this was ground zero. What used to be a bustling international trade center bordering Equestria and Equuleus couldn't even conduct business. Fancy Pants's job for Caramel was to start the revitalization of the country on a good note. It was incredibly nerve-wracking...but that was no reason for him to give a bad speech. “This isn't just a trade center opening today,” he bellowed from behind the dais, “this is an entire country. The future of this nation – and its partners – will be determined by the actions of all of you gathered here today. So what do y'all have to do? “It's simple...create a home. It's just a matter of making your own from this mess around us. I had to make a home for myself when I had none, fighting against my inabilities day after day...but y'all have the best and the brightest on the job, and from all corners! “Ponies, griffons, dragons...what we have here is the chance to better our relationships to each other, to show the world we won't be deterred by even the earth and sky falling apart. We'll prove that Paint will venture forth in strength and harmony! So buy low, sell high, and make everywhere a better place to live!” The speech made him very visible to the movers and shakers within Equestria; Equuleus, however, was fine with their own ambassador's usual diplomatic visits. Caramel had to admit the prospect of giving business advice didn't sit well with him, so he avoided that as much as possible. He did ask Applejack for a basic picture of the workings of finance, which helped a little. Despite this, his charitable appearances were becoming fairly popular, and Fancy Pants for one was all too eager to ship him off and send the promised bits to the Apple Family. Big Macintosh counted the pay: it was enough to renovate all of their barns and stockpiles as well as finally get the hip surgery for Granny. He secretly hoped Caramel would be so gracious, as he deducted a fair sum for the room and board they gave him. Good lumber wouldn't be easy to find, after all... The rest of the speaking events were quickly becoming a blur. He talked to underprivileged ponies in major cities: “Being poor made me realize just how much I depended on others. I used to hate it, but then I realized that we all depend on each other in some way. That need for community, for companionship is something we all have, and we should never neglect it. Especially not when y'all have to fight for what you have. I can already see y'all trying to make something out of nothing in each other. You've made it this far in spite of it all; just know your strengths and keep at it. Some ponies have no idea how powerful it is to be able to do that. Y'all are special, you know? You know what it's like to be without. There's comfort in that.” He talked to disfigured and ill ponies in various hospitals: “I used to think my body hated me. No matter how I tried, there was nothing I could do to earn my keep, to just feel a little normal. But even with my situation, I now know it's not an end...just a challenge. And it's the same for you, if you accept that challenge. The love of friends, family, and even strangers is keeping y'all with us. Even if you're alone, you're not alone...just reach for hope with your best character and the strength you know you have deep inside. I'm begging you...don't give up.” And he, significantly, talked to wealthy types waffling as to how to address the new suffering around them: “They're not asking you to surrender your livelihoods for their sake...they're asking you to be amazing, wonderful ponies. They're asking for nothing short of generosity, and y'all are capable of showing them that generosity. That way, the less fortunate get to make it through another day; y'all can be satisfied in your good character, regardless of others' opinions; and y'all can confidently assert that relationship with them. It won't be a slippery slope if you don't let it be, and there's no shame in that. Just be good ponies. Don't worry about anything else.” Although it wasn't the last one he did (that being some choice words to put an end to a interregional insurrection force), the charity inspired by that speech made the organizations sponsoring it overwhelmed with bits. They were able to reduce the poverty populations across the major cities by roughly twenty percent, even if it might have been just temporary. The success allowed the speechmaker to return home for a couple of weeks to a very patient Macintosh. Caramel's motivational talks had become well-known enough that, once travel was finally completely restored, ponies from across Equestria came to Ponyville for his semi-biographical pep talk meant to liven up the usual Summer Sun Celebration. He noticed (once Mac left him alone long enough to look) that even with a large percentage of the visitor ponies returned to their true homes, the population of the town had easily tripled compared to long before. Adding a few hundred guests made the situation problematic, to put it mildly. Because of that, they had to hold it outside, but Twilight and Caramel both made a persuasive argument to use the stadium; they pointed out that it was very, very big and nopony was using it. The same coalition of colors on the day of the Cup swayed and merged with newcomers. The night sky glimmered patiently as Caramel stepped shoe by shoe up to the podium. Not being able to use electronic equipment, Twilight volunteered to magically project his voice. It was a nice change from having to throw his voice. “Hello, everypony. I'd say Good Morning, but that's just what we're waiting for.” The crowd chuckled. “It's just...awesome to see all y'all here. I mean it. It's been...good gravy, three months since I started this, and it just makes me so happy that I could have inspired so many ponies. Eeyup, I even recognize some of y'all out there. Hey, Starshine! Wait, no, if I start naming names, we'll be here 'till Nightmare Night.” The crowd laughed in earnest. “But seriously...thank you, thank you so much. Helping so many ponies across the country – and even beyond – with getting through the Shock and whatever else is incredibly satisfying for me. For so long, it seemed that nopony was able to help me: not doctors, not teachers, not my parents--” Something glinted from the corner of his eye. He couldn't help but turn his head and look. “--N-Not anypony, really. But in a funny way, being able to help all those ponies helped me. It made me realize that...that I wasn't helpless. I have so many friends who understand what it's like to deal with difficulty, and I've seen firsthoof how they all helped each other. There's always a way to make yourself useful, even if it's not ob-OB-WHOAAAAAAAA!” He had wobbled on the shoes so severely that he fell backwards. Twilight scrambled to catch him with a spell, but she was pelted by a catapulted shoe. Big Macintosh scrambled to catch him, but Caramel tumbled at high speed behind him...straight into the astroturf. Within a split second, it formed a deep crack that was already spreading. It tore the false ground in twain...then in quarters...then into pieces. A massive cloud of powder rose up from the epicenter, which pegasi frantically maneuvered to redirect skyward, lest everypony there get blinded or at the least need medical attention. The black cloud was swept away without any trouble. Everypony, especially Caramel and Macintosh, sighed a weary sigh. And that was when the stadium shifted. The now loose ground refused to hold the massive construct aloft. Everypony screamed as they hurriedly made their way to the center, most of them trying to get on top of Macintosh, much to his (and Caramel's) dismay. Twilight summoned an amazing amount of power to levitate every single pony there, apart from the pegasi; they were fazed at how their rescue efforts were rendered unnecessary. Hundreds of hovering ponies just watched as the stadium slowly sank into a massive pit. A pit made by one pony. The crowd was shaken, but unharmed and thankful they were standing far enough away from the perimeter. Macintosh was shaken and worried as to what would happen next. Caramel was shaken with a strong headache...and an undeniable terror. He got off of his boyfriend before he continued: “It's okay, I'll pay for it...hah hah...But y-y'all can see why getting past that sort of thing would be important to me.” The crowd laughed nervously. And then the murmurs started... “Let me make myself absolutely clear,” Caramel pressed, “when I say I'm not afraid of what's gonna happen next. I've seen so many overcome their troubles, and I plan to see the same for so many others. This...condition...is unfortunate like other problems we all have. Let's start fixing them on the right note! Let the Summer Sun Celebration begin!” After an unbearable pause, a few ponies started to clap...then a few more...then it spread quickly to the rest of the crowd. As much as they tried, the clapping couldn't mask what they had just witnessed; it literally couldn't be ignored. Caramel's few nightmares in his travels showed him similar travesties destroying everything he had set in motion, which he shrugged off in the confidence that he could make it past any mishaps. But after something that big actually happening...no wake-up call...no fading memories... He knew it was coming to an end. Fancy Pants came up to give his sympathies after everypony else had moved on to the celebration. He, Caramel, and Macintosh discussed how they were going to go about the next speeches. Ultimately, Caramel decided he wanted to do something low-key to minimize any damage, to his career or to the site. The other two agreed. Unfortunately for all three of them, the sight of the stadium falling to pieces spread quickly across the country and beyond. As other ponies learned of what exactly transpired, it was clear that Caramel's name carried a smear. Future arrangements for speeches were being terminated due to the guilty aversion ponies had to seeing Caramel. To put it bluntly, it was just painful to think about, and they knew they would think about it when he was there. And that just didn't make for a motivational rabble-rouser, it just didn't. Struck with sudden brilliance, Caramel decided to seek out the demolition workers that turned him down before...to see them do it again. Even when he discussed the matter with them in private, they categorically refused to take him up on his renewed offer. In fact, they were denying any assocation with him whatsoever. He later explained to an outraged Apple Family that the destruction caused was too wild to be controlled, and since there was no telling when it would happen again, it was too risky to be employable. Even though that wasn't what they told him. “We're not takin' any demo work that's evil.” Big Macintosh comforted his fallen friend as best he could. After Caramel had recovered from the shock, both he and the rest of Ponyville insisted (some not insisting nicely) that the disaster pony appeal to the Princess. After a harsh internal battle, Caramel found himself complying with the demand. On the bright side, he didn't have to try very hard to get her attention: she was waiting for him outside of the library. Princess Celestia was radiant as she examined the crestfallen pony. The hum of golden light softly tore through his ears, echoing against his skull as if pool balls were clacking every bone. She told him the condition was related to his talent, which to her credit he didn't even consider. But other than that, she told him what those doctors told him several times: there was nothing she could do. It was clear she was disappointed in her prognosis...but even if she weren't, Caramel would not have been angry with her. He was done being angry. He was done, period. Fancy Pants sadly agreed to end their contract and allow Caramel to remain in Ponyville without an agenda. It was clear there was no way they could overcome the circumstance. He recommended that the former speechmaker take the small fortune he had amassed and spend it conservatively. Caramel didn't feel like spending a single bit of it, apart from helping the Apple Family. Big Macintosh had to be goaded by his family members to take a small portion of it for necessary improvements, even though what he really wanted to do was stow it away with Caramel and never look at it. Seemingly at a loss for any word of comfort, Fancy Pants gave Caramel the restored medals with a sad smile. The ribbons were smaller than before. Caramel had Macintosh take them, not wanting to ruin a parting gift from his employer. Mac and Mel spend a few days together, lying next to each other quietly, playing shoes, nuzzling, playing shoes, napping, playing shoes...It was the most beautiful lie they created together, to sit in the summer sunlight in a dream of no responsibility. They wanted that dream to last. They wanted to do anything if it meant not submitting to what they knew they had to do. It was the only thing they could do; they wouldn't let themselves escape it. Caramel stood up on the last of those days, and the dream ended. And so everything slowly returned to how it was before: the two stallions had to find a way to deal with Caramel's complete inability to work, with professional help being worthless. They had exactly one lead, and they had only a vague idea of how to pursue it yet. Everypony else was content to leave them to their experiments, not wanting to witness just how crippling the condition made the pony that used to inspire them so much. At least a good field was available, and Applejack and her friends were there, too. But throughout the entire collapse of his career, Caramel kept turning back to that day when it ended. He could have sworn he saw a hammer and nail cutie mark in the crowd. But it might as well have melted into the fading dream.