//------------------------------// // Canto IX // Story: The Blue Rose // by Chicago Ted //------------------------------// When Thorn awoke from his long slumber, He found he couldn’t recognize where he was. It was a small room, cobbled from lumber– Was this a ship? Or really Quivett’s jaws? What was going on? Who dared to cumber? Thorn saw his torso, then wrapped in gauze– Covering a secret injury, stained with his life. Thorn had to question– was this the Afterlife? He glanced at the window to the outside– This was no Afterlife, this was an airship! High over Equestria, on yet another ride To a place unknown. Why another trip? Had Quivett’s defeat really been denied? But he saw that alliance, that friendship Between the dragons, gryphons, and pegasi– Was there more than what met Thorn’s eye? Fate answered him yes, take a look around. Thorn noted the oak-clad deck holding all Some angels two over the distant ground– Built sturdily, so that none shall ever fall. More questions than answers Thorn found: What mystery was this? Then, up on a wall, He saw a painting, depicting a zebra-herd. They stood where an airship was anchor’d. Then he realized something went missing. He checked his side– Tânadain was gone! The sword of which the dragons did sing– Lost forever, like the rose-red fingers of Dawn? From outside, Thorn heard someone voicing Something odd: “He’s naught but a peon.” And another: “What! Doth it even matter?” Thorn went to investigate such chatter. He opened the door, and on the deck found A dragon and a gryphon in conversation. The dragon turned. “What! Safe and sound!” Said he. “We thought you lost to your nation!” “Pray tell, what happened at the battleground?” Asked Thorn. The dragon said of the location: “With your vital help, Quivett is no more. Now all is as splendorous as all was before!” Thorn asked, “On what ship travel I now?” “The Mawingu doth travel on this airway!” These words were heard from the ship’s bow. The captain stepped forth, furred white as day, And black as night, striped– pray tell, how? This captain hailed from faraway Zebrabwe. “Hail!” said the captain. “I am called Ilifu, Captain of this vessel– what about you?” “I am Thorn,” he replied, “a hero to many– Have you not heard of the slaying of Quivett? The dragons tasked me to slay a fœ so beastly. So I descended into Tartarus, the black Pit. The monster, though– he tried to convince me That he was not the dragons’ troubles’ culprit. He had failed, obviously, that much is so– Thus, I am here. –I thought you would know!” “This news had not yet reached the furthest Corner of Equestria,” said the gryphon. “Once we land, there shall be the greatest Celebration that can be had by anyone.” Now, Pinkie Pie, the time for a feast is fittest. Come and join them in such festive fun! “After the fight,” said Ilifu, “the dragons say That this was dropped– which I now display.” What he showed was Thorn’s greatest surprise– The Blue Rose! It withstood the war intact, And had been recovered by his allies! “You survived the fight?” Thorn asked the fact. “That is correct,” it said. “But do you realize That you have extended your original pact? ’Tis not dragons only anymore, but the pegasi And the gryphons.” Thorn asked, “But why? “My guide told me it was only to be between I and the dragons– and you too are entangled? Such an alliance ’twixt three was unforeseen!” “You speak malice of this, Thorn,” it chuckled. “Why don’t you want the three to intervene? All it meant was that assistance was tripled! Come, let them recount the myriad of ways That you’ve helped them. –Sing him praise!” The dragon started, “Four days and nights Ago, you ventured forth into Dragon-Lands. Since then, you’ve waged the fiercest fights With Tânadain, and with the dragon-bands. We see you as one of our honorary knights For your noble task in the Tartarus-badlands. Quivett was a formidable fœ when faced alone. He dissolved when you pierced to the bone! “That test you faced, when first you came? There has been talk amongst us to abolish such! Once a thing of honor, we now see the shame Of misjudging one if his strength was not much. Each has their skills and flaws to their name; United, an ally proves itself to be a nonesuch! If any newcomer wants to make us better, Show us what they have, and we’ll consider.” A pegasus continued, “When us you did visit In Cloudsdale, we naturally assumed the worst. We’ve had dragons before in our time visit, But an earth-pony colt? That was a first! We saw you outside standing on a cloudlet, And, naturally, we thought you to be curs’d! We’d enough trouble with the Windigo-Craven Coming to Cloudsdale, calling it their haven! “But you? Ah, but you were a different case: You had a sword by your side, and some allies To your back. And so we tried to give chase. But we were stopped by dragons in the skies. You made the Craven disappear sans trace– Freeing us– and that was when we did realize That you were not a villain, but in fact a hero– And so were you, dragons– I say, cheerio!” “If I may?” asked Ilifu. Thorn so permitted. “I’ve heard of pirates ravaging over the seas. They’ll strike anyone, whether alone or aided. Fogbow told me of how Grizzle tried to seize The Halcyone’s cargo. However, you acted To save the ship– and, if I recall, with ease. No ship would be complete without her jack– Nor, I shall add, with her Thorn at her back! “If ever I need to cross the sky over the water, I’ll think of noöne else but you for security! You and the sword– What did you call her?– Tânadain! Aye! With that, you’d be able to free Us from the stranglehold of any pirate boarder! To my destination you shall be able to see me! Through me, Captain Fogbow sends his regards To the greatest of all of Equestria’s guards!” The gryphon continued, “We saw such bravery In Gryphonstone’s streets three nights ago. Even for us, Grøß and Grendel are too tricky To find and to capture. But you, though? Ah, but you proved to be as sly as can be! For finding them, this was what gryphons owe! As a master of trade, I say this was one of fate: We returned what you gave– a deed so great! “Grøß and Grendel now rot in a damp prison, Under the close, roving eye of King Grover! Quite like the conditions that his young one, Gesiþe, related to him– stuck there forever! With skill such as yours, you’ve already won From your quest’s start, as warrior rover! Thorn, I declare that you are destined for this: Great things you shall do– never to be remiss!” Again the pegasus spoke: “Our families grieved When our children were lost into the world. When that ship came that day, we were relieved That the diamond-dogs’ plans had unfurl’d. With deeds so many, our fates are interleaved, One into the other– a cloth knitted and purl’d. You assisted us, and then we so assisted you– Shall this be a Hearth’s Warming tale so new? “I heard that the others shall remain alone. But if what they say shall turn out to be true, Then, bless them!, the unicorns sit on a throne Worthy of Celestia through and through. Canterlot shall be the greatest city known! The earth ponies– they shall strike a new Wealth, greater than any could grapple: A rich, prosperous soil fit for any apple!” Ilifu then spoke again: “When last I had sailed Over Saddle-Arabia, I saw with mine own eyes That the sands of the desert below were veiled With great dark clouds pouring from the skies. Then a flash of red, and my sails nearly failed To catch the current. That’s when I did realize That the gates to Tartarus had been opened– ‘That Gatekey? Activated?’ I was stunned! “Then I heard news from a passing ship: That the bandit Grogar nearly robbed them Of their stores, but out of a nearby township, Their passenger, you, came and saved them From certain doom. Such a divine partnership Between colt and iron! What a sacred hem Is sewn betwixt you! Grogar stood no chance Against you and Tânadain in the circumstance!” “I confirm this,” the gryphon said once more. “I was aboard when those events took place. Grogar’s prowess had us on the sealess shore! But Thorn came back for us, so giving chase Against the bandit. Thorn, in the ensuing war, Cut off the horns, shattering him like a vase! What a coward was Grogar, without his horns. By far, worse than the weakest of unicorns! “The Hussár-swarm– that was far worse Than Grogar– small, yes, but quite powerful! They see and think as quick as they asperse Through a ship’s decks, from hull to hull! But, somehow, you overcame that curse! (We’ll know to use fire on them in battle.) Then we were told to leave. Gladly we did! Upon this terrible misadventure we put a lid!” The dragon finished their speech, like so: “We were growing more and more impatient. Had Quivett fallen? We thought you slow! For the last four days, you had been absent! The seal broke, since our bodies did glow With anticipation of battle in your hunt! We saw the portal open in Saddle-Arabia. We traveled in, leaving behind Equestria. “What a ferocious, fierce fœ you engaged! Quivett was as tough and strong as we feared. He was somehow blinded– definitely enraged, Because towards a mortal being he appeared. With us three together, on war was waged Against the monster. Still was his end neared; You did the bulk of the work, young foal. You had played the most important role!” “I greatly thank you all for your kind words,” Said Thorn. “But really, do I get all credit? I’m just one mere pawn moving forwards. It was you lot that had defeated Quivett! I’m naught but one of the earth-pony herds. Your grand deeds I shall not let you omit!” Applejack, pray tell, do you hear of this? Honest humility– that you should not miss! The Blue Rose spoke again, of more news: “Those aren’t all who have praise to sing. Come, their voices you should not refuse. What joyous lyrics these two do bring! Friendship is the greatest of many values. Now hear this from a lord and a king!” Two beings appeared, and Thorn saw Lord Gurun and King Grover. Such awe! Grover started: “Hero Thorn, when I had her, My daughter Gesiþe, again, she named you, An earth foal with a fire sword, as her savior. For this, five million bits seemed but so few! Œnomel streams shall flow forth in thy honor For thy work in Grøß and Grendel’s coup! Quivett’s fall again proved thy noble talent. I’ll think of thee first to go to the battlefront!” Gurun then said, “Had Tânadain done well? That would be my blessing, young pony-child! Only wise words could break my lava-spell. In battle, thou hadst proven not to be mild. Great warriors come and go– who can tell? But their memories live on.” He then smil’d. “Thorn, thou art the best that I have ever seen. I can never think of one better to intervene!” The two then faded away into nothingness. Ilifu looked outward to the clear blue sky. “There!” he declared. “There’s a bareness In yonder Everfree. To there we shall fly!” Once they reached it– thank the Princesses!– A large piece of ground Mawingu did occupy. The tethers were deployed around the hull. Afterwards, off the ship everyone did amble. The following festival was one to remember: “A toast,” said a dragon, “to the friendship Between all beings of Equestria– for-ever!” Thorn then raised his goblet up to his lip, Drank the contents down– no time better Than then– the very final leg of Thorn’s trip! But when Thorn set down his gilded chalice, He heard his bloomed guardian start to fuss. “What is it, master?” Thorn had to inquire. But its reply sounded weak, somber, and grim: “Thorn, the time has come. You I now require To deposit me within the forest. I have no vim. This journey is over; wisdom you did acquire From the four corners of Equestria passim.” “Wait!” said he. “There’s still so much more! Teach me of your grand ways, I do implore!” To Thorn’s shock, the flower went silent. But the foal still knew what had to be done. “Everyone,” he announced, “I must be blunt: Arawn has dropped on my guide his curtain. It shall say no more, it is no longer docent. The end of the end, my friends, has begun.” The merrymaking had been wholly muted. As Thorn went on, around him they crowded. The trees and the ground were freshly wet– Indicating that a recent rain had come through. Thorn said, “This bloom I shall never forget: A teacher so steadfast, and a friend so true.” “But Thorn! Thou and it have only just met!” “Yea indeed, though he is the greatest guru, Anything that has a beginning has also an end; Nothing one can do can forestall or append.” Near a familiar fallen tree-limb they halted. “Here,” declared Thorn, “is where I found My guide long ago. Here is where it appearèd Into our existence, without the slightest sound. And here is where this quest is to be ended.” Ceremoniously, he planted it into the ground Between the two stones in front of the oak. The bloom, seemingly for the last time, spoke: “May these memories of friendship never die– What three pony-tribes do, others can follow. Consider a good comrade a brother, not an ally, Who’ll stand by you against the strongest fœ, Who’ll stand with you, looking eye to eye, And from there, wisdom takes its root to grow. Never leave each other; rather, stay together, And your cordial pact will last you forever!” Once the Blue Rose kept an æternal silence, Everyone there gave it a solemn, reverent bow. It then closed its petals, and then its essence Faded into naught. Noöne still knows how. Once they were fully aware of its absence, One by one, they all left to keep their vow. Then the Everfree started to tear at a seam, At the moment Thorn awoke from this dream.