Respite in Gardenia
Within Ghastly Gorge…
The Battle Foals and Greensprout had finally emerged from the cave from behind the waterfall. The walk out was a little difficult given the earlier events, especially for Greensprout. Despite the consolation she received, the thought of finally discovering her origins under such dark circumstances weighed on her heart, and the foals could tell. Air Slash walked beside her, checking on her from time to time as they made their way out of the cave. Quantum kept the journal for them along with the resin samples.
“Wow. It’s getting late.” Fire Fight said, noticing that the sun was just about ready to set.
“We were down there for quite a long time, Fire Fight.” Shadow Shroud said.
“Yeah, but I just hope Meadow and all those monks aren’t too worried.” Fire Fight said.
“D’hen why da hell we just chattin’ he’e? Let’s go, y’all!” Turf War said. Shrapnel let the foals climb onto his back and jumped them to the other side of the river while Spiral Galaxy and Fire Fight helped Quantum Tech magically levitate her mech over there before continuing.
Quantum suddenly thought of something. “Kickback, I little surprised that you didn’t try to use one of those energy blasters in place of your guns.”
“Ah actually did try, Ms. Quantum Tech, but Ah couldn’t get the cotton-pickin’ thing to work. Try as Ah might’ve, the li’l varmint just wouldn’t say anything. Shy feller, that one.” Kickback said.
“Hmm….interesting.” Quantum said. “The Fallen that were carrying them were few and far between and garbed more glamorously than the rest. I wonder if…..perhaps they were some form of soldier or otherwise official that the blasters were each assigned to? Probably locked to their users somehow if that’s case.”
“Ah’m not too worried about that. Sound n’ Fury are the only guns Ah’ll ever need.” Kickback said.
Quantum giggled. “Of course they are, you brave, handsome knight.” She cooed. Kickback sighed heavily and rolled his eyes. When he looked away, Quantum quietly blew him a kiss.
“Greensprout, I hope you wouldn’t mind allowing me to examine your Gaia Root once we reach Gardenia.” Quantum said.
Greensprout slowly turned her head to Quantum. She smiled, but today’s events had taken their toll on her. “Of course not…” Quantum frowned at her with worry.
“You had a rough day today, Greensprout. Rest when we return.” Air Slash said.
Greensprout looked at him with a slightly stronger smile. “Thank you…” Air Slash could only give her an encouraging smile as he remained at her side. He knew that she was no warrior like he was, so he had to keep his pride on a leash when speaking to her, especially now.
Air Slash felt a little nudge on his shoulder. He looked over to see Spiral Galaxy nod and wink at him. “You’re doing good!” she quietly mouthed. Air Slash blushed a little upon reading her lips.
*****
The foals at last returned to Gardenia, and the sun had just about set. The golden rays of dying light coated the humble abbey in a dull shimmer. Kickback, Quantum Tech and Zebota found themselves pleased at what a peaceful-looking place this was. “Abbot Meadow?” Greensprout called out. “We’re home!” Strangely enough, nopony seemed to be outside. Sure it was evening, but it not quite that late. “Huh…The builders don’t normally stop this early.”
Shrapnel briefly sat down to scratch an itch, and Zebota immediately saw what was wrong. “Do not worry, my fair ponyfolk! Shrapnel is a tame beast!” he called out. A couple minutes passed accompanied by silence, but was broken when the good abbot slowly walked out of his abode and began carefully approaching the foals, keeping his eyes in the wooden titan.
“Don’t worry, abbot. Shrapnel is a gentle creature. Zebota is his master.”
Shrapnel loudly grunted as if to greet the elderly stallion. “He says ‘I come in peace, little horse’.” Crazylocks blurted. Shrapnel then yawned.
Seeing that he was not an immediate threat, the abbot eased up. “I-I see. Forgive me. I don’t believe you mentioned anything about a timberwolf.”
“Yeah….our bad, mah boy.” Turf War said.
The abbot cleared his throat. “Come out from your hiding spots, my friends. We are in no danger.” He called out. A brief moment after he did, the rest of the monks walked out of their house, calmly eyeing Shrapnel. Some were still shaking a bit, but decided to trust their abbot. Shrapnel lowered his head down to Meadow and gently nuzzled him. Meadow chuckled. “What a fine specimen you are.” He said as he stroked Shrapnel’s jaw. This put the rest of the abbey at ease, and they went to greet the foals. “Goodness! Where have you all been? We were getting worried!”
Greensprout held her head down. “We’re sorry, abbot. We went through a lot more than we’d anticipated…”
“Yes….especially her.” Air Slash said.
“What do you mean?” Meadow asked. Fire Fight explained the whole ordeal that occurred with the Fallen and the lost underground city, and finished by telling him about how they found her parents, leaving out the detail of her little rampage. Needless to say, Meadow was nothing short of shocked. “YOU FOUND YOUR PARENTS!?” he exclaimed. He then cleared his throat. “Forgive my outburst, Greensprout, but…..truly!?”
Greensprout sighed heavily as Quantum exited her mech suit and walked up to Meadow. She handed him the journal. “I believe this will explain just about everything.”
Meadow took the journal from Quantum and skimmed through it. When he got to the last few pages, he felt his aging heart sink. “Greensprout…..I’m so sorry, child.” He pulled her in to hug her. Greensprout lightly sobbed as her adopted grandfather embraced her. The surrounding monks gave their condolences as well.
“<sob>…Abbot……I…..I’m sorry too….” Greensprout said. She broke off and looked into his eyes with guilty sorrow in hers. “I…..weaponized the Gaia Root…..”
Upon hearing this, Air Slash immediately stepped in. “She did nothing wrong!” he declared. Greensprout looked up at him surprised.
“Now, now.” Meadow said as he waved his hoof at Air Slash. He then looked at Greensprout. “What do you mean you ‘weaponized’ it?” he asked her calmly.
Before Greensprout could say anything, Air Slash firmly but gently touched her shoulder. “I’ll explain.” He said. Greensprout eyed him for a brief moment in surprise, but nodded. Air Slash explained to Meadow how they found Greensprout’s deceased parents and let her see them. He then got to the part where they encountered the last horde of Fallen, but spoke highly of her on her rampage despite how dark things got. “Her emotions ran high, and she acted on them. It is not unreasonable why they would given the circumstances. If anypony is truly at fault, it’s us. We subjected her to something that we probably shouldn’t have, but she deserved to know the truth. She should not feel any guilt.”
Greensprout held her hoof over her heart as she gazed at her sword-wielding friend. “Air Slash….” She muttered.
Abbot Meadow’s calm, elderly eyes gazed upon the young samurai and Greensprout. Much to their surprise, he creased a gentle smile. “None of you are truly at fault.” He said. “It could not have been helped. Emotions are merely a natural part of us all.” He gently put his hoof on Greensprout’s shoulder. “But you mustn’t let them overtake your common sense.”
Greensprout sighed. “Yes, abbot…” she muttered. “Though, I have learned to let this pain be an experience rather than a scar.” Her tone became a little more confident.
Meadow chuckled. “Indeed. Experience is how we truly grow as living things.” He then looked at her mystical staff curiously. “Though, it surprises me that the Gaia Root could be manipulated in such a manner.”
“I plan to discern whatever secrets it holds from us. Greensprout has given me her permission, but would you kindly allow me to observe this artifact more closely for the sake of research?” Quantum Tech asked.
“So long as you promise not to take it apart, I see no harm. Your friends have told me that you’re quite the intelligent one if your machine there is of any indication.” Meadow replied.
“Oh, pfft! You’re all too kind. But worry not. I need only examine it with a few instruments. I wouldn’t dare damage such an incredible item.” Quantum said.
“I will help you.” Zebota said. “I sense that this Gaia Root is rich with natural energy, but it seems that I must commune with it in order to understand it.”
“I’d very much appreciate that, Zebota. I’m quite curious to hear what you’d have to say.” Quantum said.
“What ‘bout dat resin, homegirl?” Turf War asked.
“Not to worry. I have some analytical tests being ran on the samples I’ve gathered as we speak. I should have some desirably accurate result by morning.” Quantum said. “Oh! This will give me a chance to more closely observe how Zebota connects with these ‘spirits’ of his!”
“Pfft! Quantum Tech, you just want to study everything, don’t you?” Spiral Galaxy said.
“Well, I don’t see the problem with that, darling.” Quantum sassed.
“Just don’t y’all be startin’ to study us too closely. Hehe!” Turf War sneered.
Quantum quickly turned to and glared at him. “TURF WAR!” she exclaimed.
Turf War threw his hooves up. “Dang, my bad! Just sayin’!”
“<Ahem!> Anyway….Speaking of morning, would you let us stay the night before we set out in the morning?” Shadow Shroud asked.
Meadow chuckled. “Of course we will. You all have been through a great deal and should get some rest. We’re about to prepare dinner, and I’m sure you’re all starving after your unexpected adventure.”
“Absolutely! Do you need help in the kitchen? I’m a pretty good cook.” Fire Fight said.
“Fire Fight, you heard what he said. Let’s take a breather for once in our lives.” Shroud said.
“BREATHER FEVER! BREATHER FEVER! BREATHER FEVER! BREA-” Crazylocks was knocked out by Shadow Shroud before she woke everypony up before they even fell asleep.
“You especially…” Shroud growled.
Spiral sighed. “We better share a room with her.” she said. Shroud nodded.
“Yes. I suppose you could use the rooms we kept you in when you found you floating down the river.” Meadow said.
“Thank you, Abbot Meadow.” Fire Fight said. They all thanked him before retiring to their rooms. Shroud and Spiral shared a room with Crazylocks to make sure she didn’t randomly go berserk or anything, Kickback shared a room with Turf War, Fire Fight roomed with Air Slash and Zebota stayed outside with Shrapnel since he wouldn’t fit in any of the small abodes; the two went hunting so that Shrapnel could have a some fresh meat and managed to catch a couple deer for him to chow on before returning. Greensprout let Quantum stay in her room so that she could get to work on studying the Gaia Root before hitting the hay. Zebota came by when he got back from hunting.
The bell for dinner rang, and the foals gathered with the other monks to feast. Their meal was a stew consisting of fresh fruit, grilled mushrooms and wheat noodle, nothing too different than what they were used to Fire Fight cooking for them. However, they each were served what appeared to be some kind of tea. “What’s this ‘ere now?” Kickback inquired.
“Oh, that’s just some medicinal water I brewed from some of the vitablossoms and a little echinacea.” Greensprout explained. “I think you’ll like it. It’s very good for your immune system.”
“I imagine so with what a miracle worker a vitablossom can be.” Shroud said before taking a sip. “Hmm! A little bitter, but definitely satisfying.”
“Greensprout likes to experiment with the surrounding flora and make all kinds of herbal medicines for us. It has been a saving grace for us on a few occasions.” Meadow said.
“You’re an herbalist?” Quantum asked.
Greensprout nodded. “I suppose you could say that. I’d be happy to show you some notes I’ve taken later on if you’d like.”
“Absolutely! Although, I’d like to focus on the Gaia Root for now.” Quantum said. “And those resin tests should be done by the time we wake up tomorrow.”
“It is good to see another who is so respectful of nature.” Zebota said. Shrapnel grunted in agreement.
“Oh, yes. It must be fascinating being able to commune with Mother Nature herself.” Greensprout said.
“Aren’t you glad he’s not going crazy with it? I mean, he has a pet timberwolf for crying out loud.” Fire Fight said.
“He is not my pet, Fire Fight. He is my friend.” Zebota said. Shrapnel suddenly sniffing at the leftover stew curiously, and Zebota clutched his brooch as it began to glow. “Shrapnel, no! Get away from that!” Shrapnel’s eyes glowed as he lifted his head away from the food and yawned.
Turf War smirked. “Sure, dog.”
As they finished their meal and went back to their rooms, Greensprout pulled out the photo from her father’s journal and looked at it. Thinking about what they must have endured just for the sake of research and ultimately allowing her to live made her heart ache with both sorrow and gratitude alike, and seeing what the Battle Foals did for her down in those caverns made her realize just how much could be accomplished when you knew you had a purpose…
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Welp, guess its time to move on and leave Greensprout! After all, she has a home, a adoptive parent that loves her and she's not a fighter in the slightest. She'll never join the Battle Foals.
*nudge**nudge*
Also...psst! I got a special deal pal. Like...really good pal. I got errors. I got plenty of errors.
Something is missing after the word 'grunted' and 'to'. This sentence doesn't sound right.
Missing a 'her' after 'subjected'
The abbots took kindness!
Missing a 'you' after world
herbalist doesn't start with a vowel.
Also, spacing error at the start of the chapter.
8028159 Thanks, man.
However, 'herbalist' starts with a vowel sound; the 'h' is silent, and therefore 'an' is to be used.
8028211 Okay...so, what's next? We're obviously leaving Greensprout and then picking up four new earth ponies and one new unicorn, right?
8028216 You'll see, my friend!
8028263 Okay...I'll wait...NOT! RELEASE THE NEXT CHAPTER NOW!!!
Just kidding. Maybe...
Air Slash is definitely getting points here. Being the first fighter to protect her, the first shoulder to cry on, the first foal to defend her... If he keeps this up, he might even get to see the other side of the friendzone.
I jest, I jest. ...Hopefully.
Also, return of the gatekeeper... Nothing much has been slipping by Master Errorhunter, this is the most action I've seen in a while.
I'm guessing there's supposed to be a "one" between intelligent and if.
I think either the "with some" or the "with a few" needs to be removed.
8028442 Thank you, sir!
8028674 Thanks, sir. I do that myself from time to time on some chapters, but I appreciate having another set of eyes.
8028442 Darn. I'm having problems keeping my gate clear of intruders. Seems I'm a bit rusty right now. Thanks for finding those pesky errors.
8028709 Intersting. I didn't know that.
8028744 In other words, forced?
8028747 Mmhmm. I can understand violence being considered practically taboo but at the same time guards exist, as would police, and they have to come from somewhere. Those would be dead occupations if everypony reacted to views and tendencies like his with the same kind of shaming and ostracism. Perhaps you might consider spinning it as fear rather than disdain. After all no self taught foal in his early teens or something be able to fight like he does.
8028777 You'll learn in a later chapter that Fire Fight isn't totally self-taught.
Also, that's a really good point about fear rather than taboo.
8028790 The onomatopoeia effect is intentional. I thought that I could give the characters a more life-like feeling if I expressed their emotions through their dialogue rather than just narrating them.
I actually didn't know that about trains. Interesting trivia, sir.
8028824 There's major arteries on both sides of the neck. Big ones. Nick even one and you're in trouble. Outright cut 'em, dead in the time it takes your brain to suffocate while you spray blood like a garden hose for a few seconds. Unless you mean she just cut into the muscle toward the back of his neck.
8028858 Yeah, the muscle.
Will the Battle Foals go back to towns they already visted one day?
8028948 Not really, but I've got plans.
8029447 She does.
8029482 Thanks, dude. I got all the ones you've caught. Quick question: why does 'cosmic' better than 'cosmo' in the mentioned situation?
8029529 Thank you, sir! I'm pretty pleased with myself despite how much I suck at proofreading, lol.
8030036 I.....didn't. Damn.....thanks for letting me know. I got rid of that.
8030049 A word you might like is defenestrate though! It means to throw someone out a window!
8030068 HA! That's a fun one! Who knew violence could sound so elegant?
8030113 I'm already learning a lot from you. I thought a smirk was just a mischievous smile while a sneer was dialogue that followed. Thanks!
8030468 I wonder about that with a lot of the characters in the actual show. It's as if every parent in Equestria is just able to outright predict what their kids will grow up to be and name them accordingly.
8030476 Well that aside, also consider that it's just a hair from the power ponies villain Mane-iac. Just with... twice the crazy and a tenth of the hair puns. Plus it's also entirely possible ponies change their name slightly when they get their cutiemark if their name doesn't seem to fit them well enough.
Still loving this, and am excited to see what happens next. Also I had an idea about a new foal or problem to overcome. They stumble upon a thaumaturge who has done extensive studies on the combination of machinery, and magic, but they've been severely effected by warp. If it's a bad guy plot thing he/ she could be planning to unleash taint upon the world and if it's a foal, then the others help cure him and bring him on their journey as a guide to the unexplained
I can't help but think that someone living in the Meadow itself poisoned Gaia's Tree...
I also can't help but think the poison that one Fallen mentioned is the resin
Somepony poisoned the Tree...
8469498
And now our wayward heroes are carrying a sample of that poison with them across Equestria.