//------------------------------// // stuff goes down! // Story: Lemon Pies and Chess: Lemonade // by Lemon Pegasus //------------------------------// "So, sorry guys, I can't help ya." Maple told Lemon and Citronella, "the trip has been planned for months, I have to go, this could mean big things for Sweetest Lemons once I've got my qualifications!" Lemon was not convinced. "But, there might not be--" "Leave it, Lemon." Citronella cut the foal's words short, worried he may get carried away and say something possibly harmful. Maple continued "Its only our own fault we forgot, with all this stuff going on with dad," Lemon was reminded of his father, a colt he would likely not see for sometime, at least this was one of his shorter trips. "I don't blame you. But, you two can still protect the farm, right?" Maple looked down at his younger brother and crouched beside him, hoping a few choice words would spark Lemon's enthusiastic spark. "After all, no builders can get past you, can they Lemon?" The thought of some builders believing they could just build on Lemon's family's property was hitting Lemon, his brother's words did in fact spark something in him, but it was not enough. The foal just gave a subtle nod and a timid smile. Maple sighed. The red pegasus looked up at his mother, who returned a faithful look: Maple would just have to try some more to inspire his brother. With these new building plans for a track to be built through the orchard, and with Maple and Citron away, Lemon would certainly have to help somehow. He just needed a little push. "Lemon, you like living on this lemon orchard, don't you?" "Yeah yeah!" The yellow pegasus was quick to respond to his sibling, "its great! I love it!" Maple gave him a serious look, his eyes suddenly appearing to show lacklustre. "What if... Say," he then spoke up, "some ponies tried to take over? And we lost the farm?" Lemon looked shocked, his head looking down at the ground, his innocent brown eyes showing worry. "Then what?" Wow. Lemon thought to himself. So that's how its gonna turn out if I do nothing... "...that won't happen." The foal spoke with quiet confidence, reinforcing Maple's faith in his ability. "Why not, kiddo?" Lemon's spark had ignited, its fuel the building plans. "Because I'll stop them! No train line is being built through the orchard because I won't let them!" He was a cute foal, though any grown up caught speaking like this would look rather out of place... Yes, he was showing strength, but both Maple and Citronella felt like there was little Lemon could truly do, despite his desire and drive. However that was no reason to not get him hyped and at least try and get him doing something that might help the farm’s odds of staying in business despite this whole “hey, there’s a railway line being built through the farm” drama. “There ya go!” Maple roughed up his brother’s mane. “Now, as soon as I leave, I want you to discuss with Mum how you and her are gonna protect the farm, okay? " Lemon nodded with enthusiasm. "Sure!" He raised a hoof in request for a hoof bump, a request which Maple answered by bumping hooves with the yellow foal, I know , weird, right? "When will you be back?" "Very soon!" The red pegasus reassured, "four days at most!" Maple grabbed his saddlebags and Citronella helped him get them on, securing the belts. He nodded in goodbye to Citronella before giving farewell to Lemon with one of the most stereotypical lines imaginable. "See ya, sport!" With the sound of a door opening, a couple of hoofsteps and a closing door, he was gone. Lemon was now alone with his mother. Right, Maple asked me to discuss with her! He thought to himself, remembering his brother's request. "So, Mum! Farm saving!" He sat down clumsily, taking on a position similar to a small dog's. "...uhm.. how... if the building plans are already there, we'll have to do something pretty noticeable to have those plans cancelled..." Citronella informed her child, sitting in a similar way. "...any ideas?" Lemon asked her, pondering. "...make a catchy song?" She suggested in response. "Mum, we can't just break out into song and dance in the middle of town!" Lemon chuckled. "Why not?" Citronella unplatted her mane, letting it flow free. "A group of ponies were doing it the other day, ponies just joined in, they don't care!" Unconvinced, Lemon shook his head. "We need something better…” Suddenly, three knocks disrupted the conversation, the noise lifting Lemon’s and Citronella's ears with curiosity. As Citronella rose, stumbling to the door, Lemon sat and played with his hooves, not expecting anypony he knew to be at the door. “Lemon, it’s for you.” The foal’s head shot up. He got to his hooves and turned around, a blue unicorn foal was at the door, Lemon quickly recognised him as Sky. “Sky!” He slowly and enthusiastically approached the door. The foal did not look his usual self. Sure, a few hours ago, he looked shocked after his first time flying, but by now the shock should have left him. Something else must have been bothering him. Lemon quickly figured this out. “I’ll just be out quick, Mom” Lemon joined Sky outside, Citronella closing the door behind him with a nod of understanding. “So, what’s the problem, Sky?” Lemon asked his friend. Nothing. No reply whatsoever. This was unlike him. Some small words arose from Sky’s mouth. Spoken with honesty and fragility, they were the words of a foal who had endured more than somepony his age should have to. He refused to cry, though his eyes were bloodshot with the effort of holding them back. Gently, with great care as if his friend was as fragile as glass, Lemon sat Sky down so he rested upon the Super Tree. The yellow foal then left his friend leaning on the great trunk as he -with consideration - slowly approached his home and entered, his brief eye locking with Citronella and his posture quickly allowing his mother to deduce that something was wrong. "Sky..." Lemon spoke slowly as if broken, "h- he needs a place to stay." Citronella looked at her foal, puzzled. "Why, what's happened?" She asked as Lemon held the same facial expression, the same dull lips and eyes, looking down at the floor. "His... parents, were... well, their house was... broken into." Lemon's words were trembling as his innocent mind tried to comprehend such a cruel act. "The... attackers... k- killed the mother..." He swallowed. "The dad fought them and... accidentally... killed one of the attackers in the process." He sighed. "Sky's dad is in prison right now... and, Sky saw the whole thing." Citronella stood, frozen. She did not know Sky all that well, a few quick meetings being their only times seeing each other. What she did know was Sky's age. He was the same age as Lemon. Only a foal. Still in primary school. She also knew of Sky's close relationship with her son, and it wouldn't take a genius to work out that if one of the two is in despair, the other will likely share his distress. "...and now Sky needs to find some place to live..." Lemon nodded. "Yeah... So... Can he..." "Yes." Lemon's ears pricked up. "But he's sharing your room!" Lemon didn't seem to care, he was too happy to hear his best friend would be living under the same roof. "Bring him in." "Sure! Sure!" Lemon was about to rush outside, letting his excitement fuel him, until Citronella called to him, stopping the foal. "Lemon," Her son faced her, "don't be hyper! Remember..." "Oh, right!" Remembering the whole 'Sky's mum has died and his dad is in prison' thing, he stepped outside with the same careful posture he walked in with. "So?" The more potent red shade controlling Sky's eyes made it obvious that he had been crying, though he would certainly deny it if Lemon asked if he had been. "Mum said yes, so..." Lemon lowered himself, kneeling beside his damaged friend. "You should come inside." Sky nodded. "Looks like we're roommates!"