//------------------------------// // Little Things. We Just Want To Help. // Story: Legacy // by NFire //------------------------------// Applejack awoke that morning, stretching out and wanting to cuddle with Crusader. She found the bed empty and didn’t think much of it, he was always wandering, looking at things. I gotta admit, she thought to herself, he’s a silly pony sometimes, but he grows on ya. With that thought she felt her heart skip just a beat, wondering if this was what it was all about. Well hay, never thought I’d like someone so much anyways, it’s interestin’ I’ll give ya that. She snuggled further into the pillows and comforter, smiling to herself and sleeping the morning away. -------------- Twilight, in all her years of friendship with Applejack, had never seen her sleep in. Not once, and here she was still in bed, whiling away the hours snoozing happily. Shaking her head, she wandered back down the hallway, making sure she didn’t wake her friend from peeking in the door. Setting herself at the kitchen table, she watched Spike making breakfast. Everything seemed to be okay nowadays, but that word Crusader had mentioned, Masada, did not reside in any books she could find. Even asking the Royal Canterlot Library came up empty. It was puzzling, nothing more she liked than puzzles. The look on her face must have tipped Spike, he set the plate of waffles down and waited as she got that ‘I’m thinking really hard’ stare. He was always attentive, but watching Twilight in one of her weird trances was kinda creepy: he didn’t think anyone ever mentioned it to her before. He wasn’t going to be the first. “Twilight?” “Twilight?” He reached over and poked her with the spatula, “Twilight?” “Huh? Oh, Spike, sorry. What’s up?” “Food. Eat. Now. Think later.” He gave it in the ‘cavepony’ monotone, ending it with a grunt. “Huh? Oh! Well you could have just said so.” She dug in with a fork lifted by her magic, chewing slowly as she got lost in her own mind. Spike sighed, rolling his eyes and poked her again, “Twilight, stop thinking and eat. What’s bothering you?” “I can’t figure out what Masada means, I’ve looked everywhere and asked Canterlot Librarians, nopony knows, it’s bothersome.” “When Crusader wakes up, just talk with him. He’s great to talk to, he listens really good. I’ve got to show him my comic collection one day, I’d think he’d love it!” “Wakes up?” Twilight thought back to the scene she had just come from, “He wasn’t in the room with Applejack.” “Huh..that’s odd. I saw him go outside last night before I went to bed, figured he’d come in.” “No, and that’s not like him. He’d never leave Applejack alone like that.” Her brow furrowed a bit; finishing her waffle quickly, she thanked Spike, reminding him of chores before he could go over to Rarity’s again today. She walked briskly outside, looking around the castle to see if maybe he’d wandered around it. He’d said he’d been interested in how it was made. Stepping off to one side she lifted a hoof, having stepped in something. Looking closer, she saw it was blood. -------------- I hear the mumbling of voices, some deeper than others, it’s hard to concentrate. One eye cannot open, I feel the blood encrusted on my face. A few teeth seem to rattle in my head as I try to wake up, but keep slipping into blackness. My ears can’t hear anything, it’s muffled, soft; like I am surrounded by cotton. Why was this happening? I have harmed nopony, I would gladly give anything if they needed it, why was this done to me? I feel a tingle in my head, something gripping, tightening, then nothing. -------------- Applejack was roused by an insistent Twilight, “Applejack, wake up, please, wake up!” Rubbing one eye she stared sleepily at the mulberry mare, “What’s goin’ on Twi?” “I was outside, looking for Crusader, I found this.” She raised her hoof, covered in blood from where she’d stepped into a small puddle of it. Leaving tracks in the castle she’d made her way to Applejack soonest. Maybe, just maybe it was something else and Applejack knew where he was. “What the hay?” “Where’s Crusader?” “I don’t know, he wasn’t here when I woke up a bit ago, ah just went back to sleep thinkin’ he’d be here soon.” “Something’s wrong Applejack, really wrong.” “I’d say!” She grabbed her hat and ripped off the covers, taking Twilight’s hoof and hurrying out the door, “We gotta find him, we have to Twi!” There was a note to her voice that Twilight had never heard before. Twilight put her back hooves down, skidding them both to a stop, “Wait wait, what’s wrong with you?” Applejack pulled on her again, but she was adamant, staying in place till she got an answer, “Applejack?” She let go of Twilight with a sigh, looking at her friend, “Oh ah know, I’ve always been me, just kinda workin’ my days away. But ya know what, he kinda grew on me Twi, guess...guess I love him right back y’know?” Twilight gave her friend a smile, “I think I understand.”. “We’ll find him, I promise Applejack.” She hugged her friend tight, pulling her to the kitchen where Spike was waiting. -------------- The voices almost get audible this time, I cannot understand what is being said. I try to clear my mind but something grabs hold, putting me back into the black. I’m weak, so weak, I can’t break my bonds or cry out. My body craves water and is so tired. My friends will find me. I have hope, I have determination, they won’t give up on me. -------------- “SPIKE!” “Geez Twilight, yelling at me already?” “Sorry...sorry. I need a letter sent immediately to Celestia. Crusaders missing, there’s blood outside the castle. We have to find him.” The little dragon’s eyes got wide, “Oh no..” He grabbed a quill and looked at Twilight expectantly. She dictated a quick and dirty letter, seeing it go up in flame and waiting a few moments. Her leg around Applejack as they both sat there hoping they’d get a reply soonest. If not, they’d gather everypony they could and go looking. Spike let out a belch, a scroll attached to the flame was caught in Twilight’s magic. She unrolled it, reading quickly. Twilight, Do whatever it is you have to, but we must find him. This is imperative for all of us. Celestia “That tears it Twi, we gotta round em up and get everypony goin’!” “I’ll hit Sugarcube Corner, you get out to Fluttershy, see if she can’t get her friends to help. I don’t know what happened but if Celestia says this, it’s important.” Applejack tore out of the castle, heading for Fluttershy’s house, Twilight took to the sky, looking for Rainbow before finding Pinkie. ------------- Voices arguing, good, keep themselves divided. I can’t break my bonds, I’m too weak. They give me just enough water to keep me alive, other than that, I am on my own. I listen with all I have, trying to find out who it is and why. I get nothing, they are too far away. I tilt my head one way, then another, but nothing is clear. I know you’re looking Applejack, you’ll find me. ------------- Great philosophers and wise ponies, have often said, “It’s the little things.” How true that was and still is, would be shown in Equestria. So many little things, some not so simple, had touched many lives in the short time Crusader had been awake. Earth Ponies were the caretakers of the land, growing what was needed, tending the rest to keep the land arable and fresh. To them was the honor of feeding the ponies of the land, stocking for the winters, making sure none went without. Crusader had given maps to the Apples, and then to any that asked. Detailed maps down to the hoof, that showed the best planting areas; irrigation solutions, things that made the land more bountiful than it had been before. All without taking too much from it. The harvests before and after Winter were deep. He asked nothing in return, answering questions patiently and kindly. The word spread, Earth ponies and their lands had become fecund in a way that helped all ponies everywhere, thanks to a strange pony. The word was a search was going on, that Crusader was missing. Of course the tale grew in some tellings, but was always the same. They had to find Crusader. Families hitched wagons and wains, harnessing themselves and pulling out of farms with food stocks piled high. Searchers needed to eat, and they headed out to Ponyville where the couriers said the search was to be conducted from. -------------- Pegasi had always been warriors, in the past they had been feared, dropping from the sky to pin an enemy to the ground. After the Great Ponyville Paint War, not only was Rainbow Dash given the award for the flag, but every pony that had been in the attack had been rewarded. A simple band, with a number on it, would clasp to the outside of an ear and stay there. A strange metal, it couldn’t be duplicated nor bent by the smiths. Pegasi wanted to be challenged, and this was something new, so they went to Crusader. He put them through their paces, you were tested and hard. You had to use every trick, everything you’d been taught, otherwise you’d just hear a chuckle and a calm voice telling you maybe another day. Of course rubbing quite a few new bruises as well. Going ‘Under the Gun’ was becoming a way to earn something; not as much as getting into the Wonderbolts, that was still top tier, but you could prove yourself. Ponies wanted that band badly and they learned how to really fly. You came back with one, and very few had been awarded yet, you drank for free in most bars in Cloudsdale. Word reached the Pegasi, a search was to be done, Crusader was missing. Foals, fillies and colts too young to go were turned over to caretakers and loved ones. Every pony who could take wing took to the skies, heading for Ponyville where the headquarters was said to be. --------------- Unicorns were always said to be clannish, well.. snobs really. They inhabited Canterlot in the thousands, the noble houses always peering down on other tribes as if what they received was their due. Everypony else just ignored them actually. A gift of books was given to Twilight Sparkle, making their way to the Royal Library and College. The thinking, the philosophies of these books was not very well liked by some older academics, stuck in their ways. But the younger Unicorns delved into them, reading them one after the other as they gained new insights into magic, life and the universe around them. From a race that had lived so long ago, their teachings created a stir. Creating magic was tough, making new spells tougher. But with the different avenues of thought these books opened up, younger Unicorns were finding a new way to think and cast spells. It was a tremendous boon that was spreading like wildfire throughout Canterlot. Older academics with open minds, took these books and applied them as well, making themselves think more than they had in years, it was refreshing. Word had reached the students and teachers a search was to be done. The pony who had gifted these books was missing and needed to be found. Bearded elders grabbed their robes, and side by side they entered the streets with their students, heading to the castle of the sisters to receive their royal highnesses commands. ------------- The Royal Guard had always been the first line of defense for many centuries. They were a force made of the best, and brightest of ponies. They took care of their own. Bronze Shield and Spear Point had come back broken, after the weapons test in the Badlands, they had been so shocked, they’d suffered damage to their psyche’s from what they’d seen. It had been overwhelming to say the least. The mares and stallions of the guard worried over them as they were sent to be treated. But monies had come in, getting the two Guardsponies the very best of care, their families taken care of so they had nothing to worry about but their loved ones. Even now, as they were happy and healthy, a stipend kept coming though no longer needed. Bronze and Spear gave this money back to the Guard, helping others as they had been helped. They knew who gave this gift, and never told anypony except their fellow guards. Word had come, the pony who was so generous was missing, he needed to be found. Every guard that was not on post, grabbed armor and headed to the castle of the sisters for their orders. Those on post warned local problem ponies, don’t do mischief, for when the rest of the guard got back, there would be a reckoning. -------------- Fluttershy was well known among the animal kingdom, a friend and healer, wildlife went to her for help. Now she needed theirs as she asked all of them to spread the word about Crusader, he needed to be found. The animals of the Everfree, knew who the pony was. He who had fought the killers to a standstill. Beating them back until they were nothing more. Many families of the wildlife had been saved from a gruesome doom because of the staunch defender. Their friend Fluttershy had been hurt, then healed and made whole by this pony, who also saved her friends. Bringing them out of dangers way when he didn’t have to. Word spread from squirrel to bird to beaver and beyond, find Crusader, he is needed. Bears stumbled down from their caves, eagles and falcons took flight. Fey creatures drifted among the twisted trees helping when they could. The monsters of the Everfree hid in the quiet places, staying out of the way of the packs of Grizzly’s and Dire Bears. Having been told in no uncertain terms, interfere in the search and we will bury you. -------------- Princess Luna had stayed up late that day, dealing with the usual round of stunningly boring paperwork, wanting to get some rest afterwards. She was standing at the balcony looking out into the courtyard, a somewhat perplexed look on her face. “ ‘Tia, have you said anything to anypony about the search for Crusader?” Celestia looked up from her desk, a quill floating in the air beside her, “No Luna, I thought we’d keep it small, and a bit quiet.” “You may wish to look at this.” Celestia rose from her seat, walking over to stand beside her sister. Looking outward from the balcony, into the amphitheater like courtyard, she saw row upon row of hundreds of Guardsponies, teachers and students arriving in the yard, with more coming in each second. “Oh my...” -------------- Twilight, was either having the time of her life, or was about to keel over, nopony was quite sure. Wagon trains started coming into town, unloading tons of foodstuffs, all the farmers would say is ‘We heard there was a search on.” That seemed to be the answer to everything. It shocked the peaceful town when they saw the piles of food, Unicorns suddenly popping in to cast preservation spells on them, while others were setting up tents for cooking and sleeping. It was beginning to look like a military camp. The Princess of Friendship had drafted anypony in sight, giving them directions and getting things set out neatly and orderly, making the incoming wagons easier to access and dump loads. The Cutie Mark Crusaders had dropped right in the middle of things, them and all their friends were now drafted as runners, taking messages to and fro as they skirted between the legs of ponies running around. If that hadn’t been enough, suddenly hundreds of pegasi were showing up, perching anywhere they could find. It was getting quite crowded on the rooftops as they all sat talking with each other, Twilight couldn’t figure out where they’d all come from. She corralled Rainbow in a corner real quick. “Did you tell all of these ponies what was going on?” “No! I swear! I just grabbed some friends, I’ve got no clue about any of this!” Rainbow was looking a bit frazzled as well, finding out why every pony in Cloudsdale had suddenly landed in Ponyville. Seems word had gotten around of a lost pony and everypony wanted to help. Twilight scratched her head and chalked it up to the Princesses calling for help, surely that was it. Grabbing a few lists in her magic, she trotted over to some Unicorns setting up a medical tent to see if they needed anything else. ------------- The ponies in the courtyard bowed low as the Princesses emerged, walking slowly down the stairs to confront the sudden crowd in front of them. Celestia leaned over to whisper at her sister, “Is that Faded Scroll? He hasn’t been out of his office in thirty years!” She received a shrug in return as they stopped in front of a group of elderly ponies, all of them skilled magic users and on the Council of Canterlot College. “Faded Scroll, may we ask why everypony in Canterlot seems to be here?” “Yes Your Highness. We have heard of the search and wish to help.” “I’m sure you can leave that to the younger colts Faded, you are getting on in years.” The older pony stamped a hoof on the cobbled stone, “I have sat in that office for thirty years going over the same old bunch of hooey and teaching it. I saw those books that were given to the school by Princess Twilight Sparkle, and let me tell you Your Highness. Revelations! A gift like that comes once in a lifetime!” He waved a hoof around, leaning on a cane with the other, “I may not live long enough to see the changes, but they are going to be wondrous I tell you! I’m not as spry as I once was, but this old pony’s got a few spells left in him!” “Yay for Faded Scroll!” “Stop that you whippersnapper! Bunch of hooligans.” He took on a bit more serious tone, “We heard the pony who gave these tomes to us was missing, well, we can’t have that can we? You’ve always taught, Your Highness; what happens to one, happens to all.” He chuckled behind the graying beard, “My students would never let me hear the end of it. So, this old pony came to help and brought a few friends.” Luna looked over the crowd, “It appears you brought the whole school Faded.” “Oh pshaw! Couple of those geezers are still back there getting dusty or something!” He cracked a brilliant smile, “Lead us Your Highness, tell us what you need.” ------------- I can hear the voices better now. Still arguing, keeping themselves divided buys me more time. I work at my bonds slowly, though I am still weak. They haven’t fed me, but I get a sip of water now and then. I keep my spirits up, remembering Pinkie, ‘Ponies know”. I know they do, and I hope they find me soon, my head feels very strange right now. ------------- Princess Celestia and Luna landed in a royal chariot, followed by hundreds of Guards who took up posts all over Ponyville. Every eye was upon them as they walked to the center of the huge camp, tents and makeshift kitchens crowding between the houses. It was all so very strange, it was neat, clean, and had a sense of waiting that struck the two royals oddly. The pegasi were watching them, hovering around or setting on rooftops. Ranks of Earth ponies were staring as they passed, not unkindly...just..waiting. Luna pointed out a few strange looking ponies, the Deep Rangers. Trackers who were by legend said to be able to follow a snowflake in a high wind. They were wandering around the crime site looking for anything to lead them. It appeared they were having no luck. Unicorns were scrying using spells of different sorts, having no results as well, consulting with the Rangers. Twilight came rushing up to the Princesses, “Oh I’m so glad you’re here! Did you have to send all these ponies? It’s really been something else to get everything set up!” The warm smile graced Celestia’s face, “Twilight, we sent nopony.” “But..but where did they all come from?” “From what it appears, word has spread of the search for your friend. Though we hadn’t realized that he had done so much for so many.” A chuckle escaped the alabaster mares lips as she stepped into the center of camp. Celestia waited for a moment, a commotion at the end of the camp had everyone’s eyes turned that way. Faded Scroll came huffing along with his crowd of Council Members, coming to a stop near the Princesses. “Sorry Your Highness, teleport spells are a bit tricky.” “It’s of no worry Faded, we are glad to have you here.” She turned to the crowd of silent ponies, smiling gently and enhancing her voice as she spoke. “Would anypony care to speak? We’d really like to know why you’re here.” An older Earth pony stepped forward, bowing low as he spoke, “Beggin’ yer Highnesses pardon, but we came ta help. We all heard ‘bout the search and knew you’d need food, so we came. What happens to one, happens to all.” Heads nodded everywhere, the farmer waited to speak again. “We been talking with t’others, they came to help too. Ah’m sure we’ve all heard tales in the tellin’, but it all comes down to looking for a lost pony. Wouldn’t do to let others know we’d let em get lost without tryin’ now.” Cheers were heard from the rooftops and beyond. The farmer waited politely again. “He gave mah family maps and advice on crops, alot of us got help, and stars above we done good so far. Ah’m not too educated, but he took time and taught me new things. We try to live by yer teachin’s yer Highness, all of us do. So we thought we’d give back what was given to us.” Luna looked at her sister, seeing the smile broadening upon her lips. “You are good and kind ponies, all of you.” The Princess of the Night spoke quietly. Celestia nodded, “Yes you are. Go and find him for us my little ponies!” The roar from the waiting crowd was deafening. They both watched as Pegasi took to the skies, shadows falling everywhere. Earth ponies and Unicorns formed groups to go out on patrol, everywhere ponies scrambled to do whatever they could. Messengers were sending letters and scrolls at top speed to all points of the land, burning through magic like water. Faded Scroll leaned in to speak to the royals, “Your Highness's, something is blocking our scrying, we cannot locate him.” A serious look crossed Celestia’s face for the first time today. “That is a bit troubling Faded, please, keep trying.” “Always Your Highness.” He bowed and went back to the group of elders, all of them concentrating upon the spell. The pure white mare leaned to her sister, “I worry Luna, I truly do.” -------------- I hear the voices a bit clearer now, they are discussing..money?...No..they are offering money..no..bidding..they are bidding on me. I am being sold. My head hangs loose upon my neck as the hit I took was far worse than I may have thought. I can hear the deep voices, shouting and fighting over what amount to give. Who is the auctioneer?