The attending medic shook his head sadly and Pip could only stare morosely at the sad figure of Tempest lying in his cot. Things just hadn’t been the same since Sal Palomino and Pipsqueak tried to understand why.
He’d barely known Tempest or Thorn for that matter, yet their deaths had hit Pip hard. He’d never seen a pony die before. It shocked him, shocked and numbed him at the same time. How could things like this happen? How could they be allowed to happen?
Pip didn’t enter the infirmary proper, but stood in the doorway as the squad bowed their heads in respect. Spear Tip, his beak still showing signs of recent treatment gazed sorrowfully at Tempest’s still form. There was no accusation in his stare, only a painful sadness.
With a motion from his horn the physician shut off the machine monitoring Tempest and with grave solemnity covered the pegasus with a white sheet. What surprised Pip most of all was there were no tears. No crying or wailing, just a quiet, respectful silence. Repose, Stave and the few others present all saluted.
“He was a good lad,” Repose broke the silence, his hoof still held at a salute. “Had his faults but don’t we all. He fell in the line of duty. Fell keeping Equestria safe and for that we honour him.”
There were several murmurs of agreement from the surrounding soldiers but the words stabbed Pip in the heart. The death seemed so pointless and stupid to him. Accidents that should never have happened. Tempest had just been in the wrong place at the wrong time, it could have been any one of them. It could have been Pip.
His thoughts chased themselves around and around inside his head. It was so unfair. The endless game of ‘maybe and could of done’ had gnawed at Pip for days now. The very foundations of his world had been shaken and now he doubted.
He doubted that their journey was really worth it, that these lithi were worth the price being paid for them. It was hard to hold to the distant notions of ‘for the good of Equestria’ when you saw the cost, the price paid in the lives of these ponies.
Pip started as he felt a hoof wrapping itself around his shoulders and looked around to see the worried eyes of Applebloom. She was so beautiful and the sad intensity of her expression only made her more so.
“Hi there Mr. I was doin the checkups on the engines and found ma number one stallion was missin,” Applebloom hugged Pip tightly and nibbled his ear, but he still felt an emptiness in his soul.
“We’re doing the right thing aren’t we?” Pipsqueak asked quietly.
“Yer kiddin right?” Applebloom snorted but paused as Pip continued to frown.
“No honey I’m not. Those ponies died, died Applebloom and for what?” Pip snapped far more harshly than he’d meant to.
He couldn’t take his gaze off the covered sheet. That was a pony that only a few days ago, one that he’d seen talking and smiling. Now it was just a lump of meat on a table. Where was the justice and goodness that Equestria stood for now?
The soldiers finished their goodbyes before leaving in ones and twos. They passed Pipsqueak, many giving him condemning glances. They didn’t say anything, they didn’t need to. Pipsqueak felt wretched and in some way responsible for the shrouded bodies in there. Finally only Repose was left still standing there, his expression impassive and Pipsqueak wondered how the unicorn did it.
A further squeeze pulled his attention back to Applebloom who watched him tenderly, “I know they have Pip. They died doin what was needed. It ain’t pretty and it sure ain’t fair but it is what it is.”
“And you’re okay with that? For Celestia’s sake, Applebloom, Tempest died because of arcane feedback from a mage-tech communicator. One that we made! how can you just accept that?” Pip was shouting now, the hurt gushing out like blood from a severed artery.
He’d been burying the trauma, putting off dealing with it and trying to ignore the pain. but the more he’d tried to ignore it, the more the hurt festered. Now, with time to think it had spilled out.
Applebloom looked angry now, “Of course I ain’t okay with it Pip, but breakin down and mopin about it ain’t gonna change what’s happened.” She broke away from Pip and he burned at the loss. The anger in her eyes cutting him even deeper, “Yer think yer the first pony ter lose someone? It’s what the world does, it hurts yer in ways yer don’t ever see comin but yer keep right on goin.”
Pip wanted nothing more than to embrace Applebloom, to never let her go. But the searing hole in his heart made it hard to think. Pip couldn’t feel the joy he longed to, that he was arguing with Applebloom just made it worse. He felt guilty, angry and hopeless.
“Now listen here my colt: First of all you ain’t ter blame fer them there bodies in that room. Accidents happen, yer can’t see em all comin and it don’t make you a bad pony because yer don’t catch em all,” Applebloom pointed a hoof at the tables and Pip forced himself to look.
She stomped her hoof angrily, “Second, what we’re makin is good. The world would be a far worse place if everypony just gave up and didn’t try! We can’t hide from discovery just because we might stumble now and then. If yer wanna blame somepony then blame the crazy people who cursed that desert in the first place.”
Pipsqueak stood stunned at Applebloom’s words, she was so forthright and straight to the point as always. It was one of the thing he loved her for. He felt a little glimmer of light in the shrouding darkness. When put like that he did sound pretty foolish, but even as his head accepted the assurances his heart didn’t follow suit.
“I’m sorry A.B, it’s just….” Pip began only for her to rest her hoof on his muzzle.
“I know Pip. It takes time ter get over seein things like that,” Applebloom came forward again and hugged Pipsqueak all the tighter, “I’ll be here for yer as long as yer stop mopin got it?”
Pip gave her a timid smile before holding tight, “Thanks Honey, I guess I was just scared for you and the little one. I know I shouldn’t fret, but I can’t help it.” He felt the tears starting but didn’t care, at that moment all that was important was that Applebloom was there for him.
They stayed there, drawing strength from the simple comforts of warmth and support until Applebloom finally broke free, “Right then, now we got that sorted we’re gonna make sure the engines are in top shape? It’s a long way to the far north.”
Pip nodded before noticing that Repose was watching them both with a little smile. Pip forced himself to smile back, mostly to hide the embarrassment before to his surprise Applebloom piped up, “So you’re the unicorn that kept ma Pip safe huh?”
“Repose at your service Ma’am,” He saluted and Pip felt a subtle shift in Applebloom’s stance. Looking to his wife Pip saw that she now had a thoughtful expression.
“I think we owe yer a dinner or summit. I owe yer for bringing ma hubby back safe if not sound,” Applebloom finally announced.
Pip felt his mouth go dry, “I...er don’t” He was all ready to put the sorry experience behind him, not have one of the soldiers around for a meal.
“I wouldn’t want to impose on you. I was just doing my job after all,” Repose replied in the same calm manner Pip had come to associate with him. It seemed nothing rattled this guy.
“Now I won’t take no fer an answer, before the week’s out we’re having yer round fer dinner. I’ve got a special bottle from Sweet Apple Acres that’s just askin ter be used,” Applebloom stated and Pip knew he’d lost.
“If you insist Ma’am,” Repose replied, still giving nothing away.
“That I do Mr Repose,” Applebloom said with finality before standing aside and allowing Repose past.
Pip watched him go and counted himself lucky. Applebloom was right, he really should be grateful to Repose. Feeling much better about things Pip gave Applebloom a brief kiss on the cheek, “Good call Honey.”
But Applebloom didn’t respond, she simply kept watching the corridor where Repose had left, “Least I can do, plus it’s far more cheery than what’s comin.” Pip cocked an eyebrow even as she glanced back at him, “I gotta talk with Big.D about Impasse.”
“Unless there are any other pieces of evidence then I’m willing to deem this matter closed?” Twilight asked as she looked to each of the other panel members in turn. The impromptu court fidgeted in their seats, none of them willing to meet Twilight’s gaze.
The circular room was heavy with melancholy and Twilight wasn’t surprised. The lingering loose ends of Sal Palomino were a nasty business, working out of the minor conflicts and fights that had broken out among the troops seemed to drag on forever.
She was thoroughly sick of the bare metal walls, the sterile tables and above all Twilight was weary of having to pass judgement on ponies who’d simply been trying to do their jobs under extreme circumstances.
But Equestrians had been hurt, by fellow Equestrians and so official procedures had to be followed. That wasn’t the worst of it. Every council member knew the worst was coming and none wanted to be there for that hard call.
“I don’t think I can take much more of this,” Bold muttered as the latest pair of soldiers were ushered out.
“I know how yer feel,” Applebloom groaned, “We all know it was them spells makin every pony act crazy.”
Twilight nodded as she rubbed her temples, “I know that and you know that, but the crew need to see we are taking their grievances seriously. Morale took a bad hit and we need to take steps to rebuild it.”
Bold visibly sagged in his chair, “Bad business. Your friends, your trusted brothers and sisters in arms turning on each other all because of some cursed stones.”
Applebloom sighed, “Yer know the crew are gonna want Impasse and Foresight thrown off the ship when we get ter the Crystal Fiefdom right? After what happened with Thorn no one wants ter be stuck on board with a lithi.”
Bold added his piece, “The crew were looking for someone to blame and inevitably they had found their scapegoat.“
“Exactly,” Twilight agreed. There was an awkward silence where both Boldstorm and Applebloom glanced at each other in a meaningful manner. Twilight caught their uneasy looks and returned it with a frown of her own, “I know you’re both thinking it so why don’t you just say it?”
It was Applebloom who finally replied. She looked Twilight straight in the eyes before folding her forelegs, “Twi, we think it’s in the interest of everypony both Impasse n Foresight are left at the Crystal Fiefdom. The crew is practically ready ter lynch em.”
The frown forced it’s way onto Twilight’s muzzle, it was a fair point. Although undoubtedly useful when it came to ancient ruins, Foresight was a terrible liability when it came to working with the crew. True she’d lead them to the Vault and had even saved Twilight in there but now?
Oracle had given them all it knew about curses and their cures. Everything Twilight had read told them to head north, further north than she’d ever gone before. They were heading over the Crystal mountains to the frozen tundras beyond. Oracle had pointed them to the land of the ‘Frost Rams’.
Twilight knew little of them, few ponies did. They were insular in the extreme, seldom leaving their frozen homeland and certainly had no love for other races. But when it came to dealing with malignant magic they were steeped in it’s lore. Foresight knew nothing more of them than any other Equestrian and Twilight was struggling to find a good reason to have her and Impasse come with them considering all the troubles they caused.
These were valid reasons to leave them behind, Twilight however felt she owed Foresight. They had only gotten this far with her help, yet……. A small cough was given by the guard by the door, “The last group are ready your highness, should I allow them in?”
Twilight glanced to the others who nodded grimly, “Yes let them in. We’re ready to begin.”
The tension in the room rose noticeably as the doors opened and Impasse walked steadily into the room. Twilight frowned, his already beaten body bore fresh cracks. He looked even more the monster from a story book. The blow Thorn had given him had almost shattered Impasse’ face.
The inside of Impasse’ jaw was clearly visible, several teeth were missing and Twilight couldn’t help but notice the jagged cracks that threaded his face. It turned her stomach to see such an injury. Had Impasse been ‘alive’ then no doubt the blow would probably have killed him.
Foresight also shuffled into the chamber, her head low and a resigned frown spread across her muzzle. She took up station beside Impasse as Twilight cleared her throat, “This hearing is to formally decide the consequences of Private Thorn Strike’s death.” Twilight’s face fell, “We need to settle on a suitable course of action.”
Twilight studied Foresight to see her reaction, but she simply continued to stare at the ground. “Please understand that this is not a murder trial, we are simply trying to establish…..”
“Oh save it will you?” Foresight whispered dangerously and Twilight was stung by the venom in her voice.
Foresight slowly raised her head until she glared at Twilight, “What does it take huh? What do we have to do to prove that we’re good? I trusted you Twilight. I thought that maybe, just maybe, somepony would look past the outside and see the true pony inside.”
Boldstorm tensed and Applebloom grimaced at Foresight’s sudden change in demeanor while Twilight fought down the twisting guilt in her stomach. The quiet crackle of frost forming accompanied Foresight’s words and Twilight thought she saw a shadow pass across her friend’s face.
“You asked me to give ponies a chance, that they were more accepting than I had come to believe,” Foresight continued to mutter darkly, “Well I have, I’ve smiled and been nice. I’ve even saved your life Twilight and still when the chips are down your ponies blame us.”
Boldstorm opened his mouth only for Foresight to silence him with a look, “Don’t even bother, I can see it plainly in your mind Bold. It’s just politics right?”
The buffalo froze in his seat, meeting Foresight’s glare with wide eyed fury, “I...that’s not….”
Foresight grinned humorlessly, “Don’t bother. Let’s just get this over and done with. Impasse and I will voluntarily leave at the next stop. We’ll save you all the trouble of throwing us off shall we?”
“Have you finished?” Twilight asked quietly. She’d feared something like this would happen. Foresight turned back to Twilight who simply stared her down before continuing, “I want you both to stay, but I need a mighty good reason to let you.”
Foresight tried to match Twilight’s gaze. She held it for a moment but eventually looked back down at the ground. Twilight took this as her cue to continue, “You have been a great help Foresight. We have come a long way and I even owe you my life, but even you must see that it’s terribly dangerous to keep Impasse aboard.”
Twilight wished things had worked out differently, but the death of Thorn had forced her hoof. With a painful sigh Twilight pressed on saying the words she dearly wished not too, “I can’t see him remaining on board, even if he’s confined to his container. I know it’s a poor fate for a hero such as he, but the risk is too great for everypony.”
Foresight was trembling and Twilight wasn’t sure if it was with anger or sorrow, both probably. But now she’d started Twilight had to finish, “I know it means a great deal to you having him here Foresight but unless you can give me a very good reason not to I will be forced to leave him in the Crystal Fiefdom.”
The frost around Foresight grew thicker and Twilight was sure she saw a few frozen tears tumble down, “It was my fault, I shouldn’t have convinced him to come with me into the tunnels. I would never have thought that place would make us turn on each other like that. I was so eager to have Impasse cured….I”
“This ain’t about blame Foresight. It’s about practicalities,” Applebloom said in a surprisingly understanding tone. “We all want the lithi fixed n until now Impasse’ box has been fine, but now somepony has been killed it’s gonna take a lot of time ter have things calm down.”
The frozen tears continued to tumble down, each one sounding unnaturally loud as it shattered and threw out little shards. Twilight felt each one hitting the ground like a blow to her heart. She swallowed the lump in her throat before continuing, “Impasse’ advice and insight have been invaluable and I dearly wish there was another way.”
Bold stirred from his shocked silence, “Do you have anything to add Impasse?”
They all stared at him, still standing motionless in the centre of the room. Impasse didn’t reply straight away but instead looked to Foresight. She returned the gesture with a pleading expression, “The board’s decision seems the most sensible one. I have been a creature of stone for centuries now and should you indeed find a cure in the north I can wait a little longer in the Crystal Fiefdom.”
“I don’t think I can keep going without you…” Foresight whispered, “You’re my anchor Impasse. If you leave then I’ll stay with you.”
Twilight felt tears of her own now, she didn’t need mind reading powers to see Foresight was besotted with Impasse. The fact wasn’t lost on Bold either, she saw his disbelieving expression and eye popping astonishment, “How could anyone love a...?”
“Then it’s decided. Impasse and Foresight will remain behind as we press on to the frozen north,” Twilight said, cutting off Bold’s question. “I will of course ensure that any findings will be passed back to you as quickly as possible and you will be in the bestest care with my sister in law,” Twilight felt the urge to smile for the first time since the meeting had begun, “She and my brother are both eager to meet you.”
Foresight looked horrified, “You’re not serious Twilight! You would let you own nephews and niece be put in danger by having us stay there?”
Twilight smile turned into a grin, “Oh I have full confidence that Cadence, Shining and their children will be more than safe. If there is anywhere in Equestria where they can see the ‘true pony on the inside’ as you put it Foresight, then it’s in their home.”
The radiant tower of Cadence’s home was like a glacial spear pointing towards the sky and the dancing corona that emanated from its peak filled the air with a rainbow of colours. Nor were the humble homes of the crystal ponies any less impressive for their small size.
The whole city shone in the sunlight, refracted light playing from one structure to another and filling the view with a dazzling array of hues. Everything about the city sparkled with an inner light and Foresight felt her eyes stinging from all the different lights and shades.
Despite this she felt a soothing feeling in her core. This was a place of light and happiness. Foresight could practically see the good feeling in the air and quickly came to the decision that the Crystal Fiefdom was by far the most beautiful place she’d ever seen.
Not just the sights, but from the warming glow of companionship and love that permeated the very air. Even from this height it felt like she was standing too close to a fire, burning yet welcoming at the same time.
“You like it?” Twilight asked with a small chuckle and Foresight realised her mouth was hanging open.
“It’s stunning. I’ve heard stories, but they don’t do it justice,” Foresight replied in a daze.
“So not a bad place to stop off for a while?” Twilight said with a grin.
“I think I could get lost here for years,” Foresight mumbled, the spectacle laid before her numbing her mind.
“There’s no place in Equestria quite like it. The Crystal ponies are by far the best example of love and good will in all the land. That reputation has only grown with Cadence on the throne. She’s been accepted by them as one of their own,” Twilight explained in a distant tone.
Foresight was inclined to agree. For the first time in years she felt a peace within her soul, a sense of total calm and safety that Foresight had long since forgotten in the difficulties she’d gone through.
She reached out with her senses and felt the effects on the crew. The tension and hurt was draining from them to be replaced with the same overwhelming feeling of contentment growing in Foresight’s heart.
“It’s the Crystal Heart,“ Twilight explained with a happy smile, “It amplifies the positive feelings of the citizens here and turns it into a force of magical protection.”
The giddy feelings of happiness continued to grow within Foresight as the Bloomberg circled the outskirts of the city. They had dropped low enough now for her to see the crystal ponies themselves trotting along the roads and byways.
They were just as dazzling as their buildings, seeming themselves to be made out of crystal. Foresight could almost hear the cheerful chatter and easy going talk of the ponies down there and to her surprise she frowned.
There was bound to be a catch here somewhere, no city was this cheerful and happy all the time. Where were the little disagreements? The secret resentments that lay in the hearts of every living being that Foresight had ever met?
She caught Twilight looking at her in a curious manner, “What’s wrong Foresight? I thought you’d be happy to be here? After that horrible desert I thought we could all do with a break and the Fiefdom is just the place.
“It just seems too good to be true Twilight. Call me cynical if you like but as nice as it is I keep looking for the bill,” Foresight replied, her feelings of paranoia fighting with the pervasive calm.
Twilight simply laughed, “Oh it takes a whole lot of effort believe me.” She waved her hoof to take in the city, “The ponies here have had their own shares of hard times, it’s what has made them so determined to see the bright side of life. They have learnt to cherish every moment and be the best they can.”
“If you say so Twilight. I guess I can give them a chance to see if my fears are unfounded,” Foresight replied her frown deepening.
Twilight looked at her as if she’d gone mad, “It’s nothing sinister I promise you. It’s a bit overwhelming when you first come here that’s all. The ponies here have their off days just like the rest of us.“
Foresight wanted to believe Twilight, she really did but suspected there was more at work here than that. No one was ever that contented in this would. Her gaze drifted up to the swirling corona above and suddenly felt very worried indeed.