> The Life and Times of Benjamin Inventor (Part 3)
>  by Bsherrin
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The Stray
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Stray

We, in the ages lying
In the buried past of the Earth,	 
Built Dagon with our sighing,
And Ontake itself with our mirth;
And o'erthrew them with prophesying
To the old of the new world's worth;	 
For each age is a dream that is dying,
Or one that is coming to birth.

“Poems for Mages and Mechanics”, The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge

Twelfth times the charm, I thought, then flicked the switch.
Fzzt.
“Blast,” I yelled through gritted teeth and reached for a hammer.  I raised it over the miserable device, then stopped myself.  I slowly lowered the hammer and then put it back on its wall pegs.  I stared at it a moment and wished again Fall was here and not a Journeymare at Smithson and Sons.  Thinking of her and the letters from the Smithson and Sons management at least made me feel better; she was their new star and the bosses couldn’t praise her enough.
My ears perked as Fall’s clock struck 11.  An hour until lunch, more than enough time for a Blessing Count.  I found Mrs. Grass doing that once after a difficult day at the Ponyville Martial Arts Academy and adopted the habit for myself.  After lunch I’d get in some piano practice.
I left the Hel-cursed magic collector for later and walked out to my spot by the gorge.  It was a wonderful Spring day, Sunny and just warm enough.  I stretched out, did some T’ai Chi breathing and started my Count.
One: It was 2nd of Fourth, Year of Celestia 1,104 and we’d just finished Spring Planting.
Two: I smiled as I thought of the greatest possible Blessing.  AJ was almost seven months along and carrying very well.  When AJ first got pregnant, she didn’t know it.  She was throwing up a little in the morning and thought she’d put on weight.  Granny guessed right away and had me check.  Sure enough, there was a tiny spark of life in my best filly.
Since AJ was the first of the Mane Six, the others went wild with joy and carried on like nopony’s business.  Once the Crown heard about it, Tia gave AJ an Exemption from her Protector of the Realm duties with the others.  AJ missed the excitement but knew the foal came first.  The due date was Midsummer’s Day.  I checked AJ each day, of course, and gave her daily massages, mane and tail brushings and long, hot baths.  I thought AJ ate copiously before but when she started eating for two, the farm had to trade for more food.  AJ insisted on working the farm, though, which was fine.
Three:  Fall had finished her Journeymare clock earlier this year and a fine one it was.  Steam powered with an animatronic dwarf and bell, it didn’t lose or gain more than a second or two a month.  The day Fall started it at noon sharp, I’d had a little ceremony with the Grass sisters and presented Fall with a Journeymare certificate.  When she realized she’d have to leave the workshop, she galloped off crying again.  I threw up my hooves but the Grass sisters chivvied her out of it.
At 17, Fall had grown into the most beautiful Earth mare any of us had ever seen, even prettier than her sister Summer who was a model in Manehatten.  She topped me by half a head, was a genius mechanic, carried herself perfectly, knew the art of conversation, how to dress, which fork to use, how to address a Duke, an Earl, a Baroness and so on.  When Ma Brickle saw her just before Harvest last year, she had burst into tears and gone on and on about “her little filly all grown up.”  An embarrassed Fall had rolled her eyes and begged Ma to stop as I chuckled.
Fall and I visited Smithson and Sons several times and when I’d written the shop asking if they’d take Fall as a Journeymare, the mechanics had leapt at the chance.  I saw a tearful Fall off to Hoofington just before Spring Planting started.  She’d fit right in as I expected and soon lost her homesickness in the work.
Four: The workshop had more orders than I could handle and I’d need help very soon.  Fall and I delivered the steam trucks, several more racers and Lord Cecil’s two LuluBelle’s before she left, but I had orders for a dozen more trucks to fill this year.  I’d revealed the aeroplane last Summer and it caused a sensation.  Lord Cecil just had to have one and several cities wanted one large enough to carry at least five ponies.  I kept the design to myself for the moment, though.
Five: This one made me smile even more.  The Dodge City sheriff had arrested Flim and Flam (one of their many aliases) on some scam or other and had confiscated the Super Speedy Cider Squeezy.  Those two lowlifes had tried to con us out of Sweet Apple Acres last year but AJ, the family, the rest of the Mane Six and I had sent them packing.  I’d filed a complaint, though, so they were marked unicorns all across Equestria.  Even more importantly, once I wrote him back and asked, the sheriff, an Apple relation, said I could have a look at the Super Speedy Cider Squeezy which had a working magic collector.  If I could copy it, no more renewing magic every month on the steam trucks or anything else.
Six: I had all sorts of duties as Hero of the Realm including settling quarrels out of court, disciplining the occasional malcontent (which I usually turned over to Maggie for “lessons”) and presiding at concerts, dances and beauty contests.  It amused Lady Magic no end.  Death and I talked once a month or so on the Astral and I’d finally suggested he get an Apprentice of his own.  He looked surprised, then thoughtful and said he’d consider it.
Family, work, play, status, Avatars.  All very good.  Well now, I did feel much better.  I still wondered about my Purpose but Lady Magic just said, “You’ll know soon enough, Guardian,” when I asked.  Sheesh, Avatars.  Can’t live with them, can’t live without them.
“Um…excuse me?” I heard behind me.
I stood and turned.  There stood a thin, ragged looking Earth pony with a tan coat, dark brown mane and gold-rimmed spectacles over his dark green eyes.  He was average height and had a three-gear cutie mark, one I didn’t know.  Chancellor had just published his four-volume Cutie Marks of Equestria and I’d bought a leather-bound set which he’d signed for me.  I was pleased my wizard hat and yin-yang symbol was one of the unique ones in the first volume; I suspected this stallion’s was the same.
“Yes, young stallion?  How can I help you?”
“Er…ah, are…are you, um…Mr. Apple?” said the Earth pony, stammering almost as much as Fluttershy.
“At your service, sir.”
“Oh, gosh, oh, wow, uh…well, it’s so great to meet you.  I mean, I love your work…those steam racers, they’re just…well, they’re…oh, gee…” he said, his left hoof behind his head and staring at the ground.
“Thank you.  Your name, sir?”
“Oh, I forgot to say, didn’t I?  Jon.  Actually, Jonathan Smithson…ah, sir,” said the Earth pony as he held out first his left, then his right hoof for me to shake.
“I see,” I said, taking his proffered hoof.  “Any relation to the Smithson and Sons in Hoofington?”
Jon jerked his hoof away from mine and looked away.  “No,” he said, abruptly.
Whup, sensitive subject, there.
“Very well.  What can I do for you, Jon?  You’ll have to wait a bit for a racer, I’m afraid; I have 12 in front of you.”
“Oh, no, Mr. Apple, I couldn’t possibly afford…well, not to say I wouldn’t want one…ah, well…actually…”  Jon ground to a halt and just stood staring at the ground, left hoof behind his head again.
He suddenly looked up and almost yelled, “Please, Mr. Apple, give me a job!”
There we are.  “Well, fine, Jon, let’s talk about that.  What are your qualifications?  Have you ever worked in a machine shop before?”
“Yes…I mean, no…I mean, I’ve been on my own for a good while now and…” Jon stopped again, left hoof in the usual place.
“Hmm, yes, well.  If you can’t answer such a simple question honestly, then I have no need of you.  And I don’t have time to train another Apprentice just now.  But thank you for stopping by, young stallion.”
I started to walk away.
“I’m not young!!  I’m 28!!  I left my Dad to start my own business and it failed, okay?  Is that what you wanted to hear, Mr. Apple, that I failed and failed and failed again and live in poverty and don’t have any prospects since nopony will hire me and I can’t go home since I’m too ashamed?  Is that it?!”
I turned to find Jon on his knees, tears running down his muzzle.  He choked out a couple of sobs, then stopped, head drooping.  I extended my healer senses.  Poor Jon was on his last legs.  His heart, lungs, and liver were barely working at all, he was anemic and he had a much reduced muscle mass.  He was starving to death just like Mrs. Grass when I first made a pact with her except worse.  Far worse.
“Up, sir!  Up at once!” I said, using magic to lift him to his hooves.  I looked into his hopeless, sad eyes.  I saw…Something.  Something grand.  More than grand, epic.  It was just a glimmer, the faintest hint.  And something further, something just for me and me alone.  What?  No idea.
Lady Magic?
You’ve already decided what to do, Guardian.
So I have, Lady Magic.
I heard Fall’s clock whistle sound noon, then the twelve strikes.
“Jon, I thank you for your honesty and realize how difficult it must have been for you to confess.  Now, then, let’s discuss this after lunch, shall we?”
Jon actually drooled, then wiped his mouth with a hoof.
“Um…thank you, Mr. Apple, I’m…really hungry.”
“With me, please,” I said, walking toward the kitchen.  I kept my healing sense extended since I wasn’t sure if Jon could make it or not.
He did, though, and I let him lead as we walked through the kitchen door.
“Mrs. Grass, we have a guest.  Could you please accommodate one more?”
Mrs. Grass turned and looked at Jon, then looked at him again very sharply.  Jon sort of shrunk into himself and I had to admit, he did present a sorry sight.
“The bathroom is upstairs and to your left, Youngster,” said Mrs. Grass, pointing imperiously.
“Yes’m,” mumbled Jon as he turned and went upstairs.
Mrs. Grass turned and gave me the same severe look.  “A stray, Mr. Apple?”
I had my right forehoof to my mouth, thinking.  I shook my head.
“I honestly don’t know, Mrs. Grass.  However,” I said, turning to her with a smile, “I’m sure you’ll soon set him to rights.”
“Really, sir,” said Mrs. Grass.  “He looks like somepony Maggie should deal with instead of me.”
I grinned, then turned as Jon came back downstairs, face and hooves clean.
We took our seats, gave thanks for the food and then started eating.  I’d been around Earth ponies for years and of course the Apples’ appetites were legendary, but I’d never seen a starved Earth pony eat before.  Jon started and with surprisingly good table manners ate all the food Mrs. Grass had set out for lunch, an amount which wasn’t small.  Mrs. Grass brought out the same again and Jon ate that while she and I just watched since we’d had our fill.
After Jon finished his second helpings, Mrs. Grass looked at him more closely than before, set her mouth in a grim line and started bringing out food as fast as she could carry it.  I got the paper and had another cup of tea while Jon ate platter after platter after platter.  Next came the pickled vegetables, then canned tomatoes, green beans, apples and so on.  When I looked up, every cupboard in the house was bare.  Mrs. Grass brought out one last jar of her famous pickles she’d set aside for me to take to Granny.  Jon looked at it and finally said, “No, thank you.  I believe I’ve had enough.”
Mrs. Grass beamed with triumph and snatched up the pickle jar.  “Tell me, Youngster, how long has it been...?”
But the minute he finished eating, Jon blinked, yawned and fell muzzle first onto the table.  Mrs. Grass’ answer was a snore.
“Poor, poor thing,” said Mrs. Grass, stroking Jon’s left ear.  Got you, Mrs. Grass, I thought.
“I’ll put him to bed in one of the new bedrooms, shall I?”
“Very well, sir.”
Mrs. Grass followed me with Jon’s glasses which she cleaned, then set on the bedside table; Jon had no saddlebags or any other possessions.  Jon wasn’t the cleanest pony but I didn’t worry about that.  I realized after I shut the bedroom door I felt…satisfied.
Seven: Jon arrives at the workshop, said Lady Magic, impishly.

Jon slept until the 5th.  I walked into the workshop as the clock struck 7 and heard Mrs. Grass upstairs.
“Don’t you argue with me, Youngster.  You get yourself in here and you stand under that shower!”
“Um…well, um…Mrs. Grass, I, actually, I can shower myself…” I heard Jon answer.
“Move!” said Mrs. Grass very firmly.
I heard water running, then the heated dryer as I got myself a cup of tea and read the paper.  Soon down came a clean and well-brushed Jon followed by a satisfied Mrs. Grass carrying a huge wad of brown hair.  Mrs. Grass threw the hair away, then pointed at the table.  Jon sat meekly.
I dipped a corner of my paper and leaned over.  “Just give in, Jon, and we’ll all have happier lives,” I said as quietly as I could.
“I can hear you, Mr. Apple,” said Mrs. Grass, her back to us.
I made a frightened face at Jon and he gave me a small smile.
Jon had another enormous breakfast, Mrs. Grass well prepared for him this time.  I ate some fresh mushrooms just to keep him company.  After we finished, Jon helped clean up the kitchen and earned a pat on the muzzle from Mrs. Grass, a sign of her favor.
I stood to head to the workshop.
“Um…Mr…Mr. Apple, I’d, well, I’d…” said Jon, and then just looked at the floor, left hoof over his neck again.
Uncomfortable with strong emotions, I thought.
“With me, if you please, Jon.”
Jon followed along behind me and I gave him a tour of the shop.  He said little, occasionally asking a question about socket wrench sizes or whether some tool or other was Hoofington make.  I finally reached what Fall and I had taken to calling the Annex.  There spread out before us were two disassembled steam trucks, both bound for Los Pegasus.
For the first time, Jon looked really interested.  He stepped out among the parts and asked advanced questions such as cylinder width and tolerances, steel purity and whether or not I used tapered bolts.  After a few minutes, he looked up at me.
“I can put these together for you, Mr. Apple, to pay for my food.”
No hesitation in his speech at all, I noticed.
“Well, Jon, that’s a fine offer.  Let me get you a manual.”
“I don’t need a manual, sir.”
What?
“Jon, these steam trucks have…”
“…546 parts, yes, sir, I counted.  A beautiful design, by the way.”
I was thunderstruck.  “Ah…thank you, Jon.  How long do you think you’ll take to assemble these two?”
Jon looked around the Annex.  “Oh, I should finish by this afternoon, Mr. Apple.  The first will go a little more slowly than the second.”
Two in a day!  I could do it with magic, of course, but it left me more tired than I liked.  Fall could do two in two days since she knew the design so well, but from just parts?  Well, no harm in letting him try, I suppose.
“Well, then.  I’ll work on some of the smaller jobs while you’re out here.  Lunch at 12.”  Not a chance he could do it, I thought rather smugly.  Not without magic.
I spent the morning on local orders including another one of those shoddy Fillydephia sewing machines of Rarity’s.  I finally duplicated every single part in titanium, then put it back together keeping only the case.  I stamped the Apple Manufacturing name and logo on the front so everypony would know Rarity had a sewing machine guaranteed for a lifetime.
Jon, Mrs. Grass and I ate lunch at 12, Jon talking very little.  He helped Mrs. Grass clean up, then went back to the Annex without another word.  Emerald and I looked at one another, then both of us went back to work as well.
I finished another barrel of railroad spikes to make it an even four when Jon came to get me around 3.  He walked into the workshop and said simply, “Ready, Mr. Apple.”
This I had to see.  I nodded, then walked with him back to the Annex.  There sat two complete steam trucks and not a single part left.  I started in astonishment, then looked at Jon.
Jon just nodded.  “A very nice design, sir.  Will you please fire the boiler so I can check the pressure?”
I did and Jon climbed into the first truck’s driver seat.  He ran a thorough check exactly as I would have done, then blew the safety.  He did the same to the second truck, then climbed down and looked at me.
“All set, Mr. Apple.  You know, it’s too bad you don’t have an MCU for the boiler,” said Jon, wiping his hooves on a rag.
“And what may an ‘MCU’ be, Jon?”
“Oh, I’m sorry, sir.  It stands for ‘Magic Containment Unit’.  If you had one, you wouldn’t have to renew the magic fire every month.”  Jon looked at the ground.  “I built one for my Mobile Apple Cider Extractor.  If I had that, I could…”
“Jon, a moment.  Did you say ‘Apple Cider Extractor’?”
Jon gave me that sad look of his.  “Yes, sir.  I put all my savings into it and these two goons stole it right out from under me.  That’s how I ended up broke in Fillydephia.”
I walked forward and gripped Jon’s left shoulder with my right hoof. “Jon, you can’t mean the Super Speedy Cider Squeezy?”
Jon nodded again.  “That’s what the Gadzinka brothers called it.  I called it the ‘Mobile Apple Cider Extractor #1’ or M.A.C.E. 1”
Yes!  Thank you, Lady Magic.
It wasn’t I, Guardian.  You have started to shape this World by yourself.
I squeezed Jon’s shoulder again, then patted it.
“Jon, Flim and Flam are on ice in Dodge City and your M.A.C.E. 1 is there.  What say you and I fly there tomorrow and have a talk with the sheriff?”
Jon looked stunned, then elated, then tears started down his muzzle.  I stepped forward and held him in my front hooves while he sobbed against my chest.  I could tell he didn’t cry often and didn’t enjoy it very much, either.  He gripped my left shoulder with surprising strength considering how weak he still was and held his glasses in his other hoof.
He didn’t cry for long, then pulled back.
“I’m sorry,” he said, wiping his muzzle with his hooves and putting his glasses back on.  “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”  Jon gave me that sad smile of his.  “You must think I’m some kind of lil.”
“Nonsense, Jon,” I said, handing him a handkerchief.  “Say, pull one of the new steam trucks around to the loading dock, would you?  We still have more than enough time to make some deliveries.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And Jon?”
Jon looked over at me as he climbed into the truck cab.
“Welcome to Apple Manufacturing,” I said, grinning.
For the first time since he’d arrived, Jon looked happy and returned my grin.  “Thank you, Mr. Apple!”

We loaded the four barrels of spikes, chained them down, then put the sewing machine and few other odds and ends in the carry box.  Jon took the wheel and drove like he was born to it.  I gave him directions and our first stop was the depot.  The yard workers offloaded the barrels and welcomed Jon to Ponyville after I introduced him.  He smiled and thanked them but didn’t say anything else.
Our final stop was Rarity’s.  I had Jon pull the steam truck around back, then we both went into the shop.  Rarity was in her “Inspiration Room” working on a new fashion line.
I waved to her and held up the sewing machine.  “Delivery,” I said.
“Oh, thank you, darling!” said Rarity, tossing down a ribbon and walking toward me.  “We’ve missed that one the last couple of days.”
“Well, it’s to the Apple Manufacturing standard now, Gorgeous,” I answered as Rarity kissed me on the muzzle and I kissed her back.  “And may I present Jonathan Smithson?  He started at the shop today.”
“Jonathan, a pleasure.  Benjamin’s so needed help since Fall left I know he’s thankful to have you!” said Rarity as she shook Jon’s hoof.
“Ma’am,” said Jon, returning the shake.  Jon was doing well and seemed to have shed his awkwardness.
“What do I owe you, dear?” said Rarity as she mounted the sewing machine on a sewing table.
“Eh, 10 bits.”
“Oh, Ben, you always undercharge me.”
“Oh, very well, Rarity, if you insist.  5 bits.”
Rarity giggled and handed me a 5 bit piece.  I flipped it to Jon who looked surprised but caught it deftly in his left hoof.
“A pleasure meeting you, Jonathan,” said Rarity, waving a hoof.
“Ma’am,” said Jon again.
I waved and Jon and I turned to go when we heard a commotion.  Pinkie burst through the curtain which separated the main area from the back.
“Rarity!  Do you have any more of that pretty pink fabric…?”  Then Pinkie noticed me.  “Beeeennnn!!” she yelled and I readied myself for her usual charge.
It didn’t come.  Instead, Pinkie was staring at Jon who was standing to my left.  Rarity and I braced ourselves for the “Welcome Song” at the very least, but that didn’t happen either.  Pinkie just sat and didn’t move.  Rarity and I looked at one another with identical amazed expressions, then back at Pinkie.
“Hello,” said Pinkie, still staring at Jon.
“Hello, miss,” said Jon, and held out a hoof.
Pinkie took it like a perfectly ordinary pony.  “Hello,” she said again, holding Jon’s hoof.
“Ah…Pinkamena Diane Pie, may I present Jonathan Smithson?  He started at the workshop today,” I said, looking from one to the other.
Silence.
Rarity and I looked at one another again and wondered what in the name of Equestria was going on.  Neither of us had ever seen Pinkie quiet for this long.  Then I Knew.  I extended my healing sense and could almost see the line connecting the two Earth ponies.
Love At First Sight.  Unusual but not unheard of.
I didn’t tell Rarity although from her ears shooting forward I gathered she’d already guessed.  Rarity slowly turned her head to me and raised her eyebrows.  I nodded.
“Well, then.  We’re on our way.  Pinkie, always a pleasure,” I said as I put a hoof on Jon’s shoulder.  He let go of Pinkie’s hoof and slowly lowered his own.
“’Bye,” Jon said.
“’Bye,” Pinkie answered, still staring although she did wave a hoof.
Jon backed up and most likely would have fallen off the back steps if I hadn’t steered him to the truck.  He fired her up, then seemed to come to himself as he drove back to the workshop.  I had him park the new truck back where it was.
“That’s enough for today, Jon.  Tomorrow is Dodge City and day after tomorrow we’ll stop by the Ponyville Bank and open an account for you, then arrange for a flatcar to take the trucks to Los Pegasus.
Jon nodded, then looked at me, his intelligent eyes no longer sad.  “Beautiful.  She’s beautiful.”
“Yes, Rarity is one of the most attractive…”
“No, sir, no, the other pony.  Pinkamena.  So beautiful.  Like a dream,” said Jon, staring off into space.
Dream?  Pinkie?  I knew Love At First Sight was potent, but still!
“Yes, she’s…most exuberant.  She works at Sugar Cube Corner.  We can stop by there on the way back from the train station or perhaps you can see her at the next dance?”
Jon’s focus snapped back to me.  “Mr. Apple?”
“Speak.”
“Thank you for this,” said Jon, waving his hoof at the shop.  “Thank you for everything.”
“Of course, Jon.  I’m delighted to have you.”
Jon nodded as we turned and walked to the kitchen.
“Don’t worry,” he said, walking next to me, “I won’t get all weepy over it.”
Mrs. Grass looked up with a smile at our shared laughter.
> Justice
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Justice

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of Sun-split clouds and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of
Wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager self through roofless halls of air...

“Poems for Pegasi”, The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge

“A unicorn may offer a challenge to another unicorn.  However, if a unicorn attacks without said challenge, she is in violation of the Second Law and will face the Council.  A unicorn may defend herself without a challenge if a mage opponent, either armed or unarmed, attacks her without provocation.”

2nd Law, “Mage Law”, The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge

3rd of Fourth Jon and I waved good-bye to Maggie and to Mrs. Grass, then took one of the new steam trucks to a long field outside of town.  I’d parked the plane there in a rather rickety hangar wrapped around with several magical protections to keep off the curious.  It was perfect flying weather, a blue sky with a few clouds and a light breeze from the South/Southwest, the way we were flying.
We parked the truck and I unlocked the hangar, then used magic to pull the plane out into the Sunshine.  She was enclosed, 24ft long with a 36ft wingspan.  Empty weight was 1,550lb and along with two ponies and the water, she'd carry about 2,700 pounds.  With a full load, she'd do around 110 mph, empty about 150 mph although that was pushing it since the frame started to buckle a bit.  The water would hold out for around 500 miles.  She was wood, canvas and a touch of magic.  I loved her.
I’d named her Apple Bloom which caused squeal of delight from my sister-in-law when I told her.  Of the Three Pests, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were actually pretty good pilots and Scootaloo was exceptional.  At least they had their cutie marks now, I thought, as I checked the plane for any problems.
Jon stood and admired her.
“May I touch, Mr. Apple?”
“Of course, Jon, she’s not made of spun glass.  Touch, probe, ask questions, whatever you like.”
Jon ran a reverent hoof over the fuselage, then looked closely at the wing.
“Oh, I see,” he said, pointing.  “With this shape, air flowing over the wing will travel a greater distance faster which causes a lower pressure area beneath and lifts the wing up.  That’s brilliant!”
I looked very sharply at Jon.  Twilight had grasped how the plane flew only after I’d spent half an hour explaining it to her.  Jon had got it just by looking.
“That’s exactly right, Jon.  Have a look at the engine, why don’t you?”
Jon did and made all the right noises about it.  One advantage of steam was you could reverse the propeller instantly and only needed about 100ft to land.
“Well, we’re off.  Climb aboard.”
Jon did and I fired up the engine, tested the throttle and taxied to the end of the field.  I took off in about 200ft since we were flying into the Wind.  Jon looked like a colt with his first sugar cube.  As I headed for Dodge City, I explained the joystick, how to control the flaps, rudder and stabilizers, the airspeed indicator, altimeter and water gauge.  Jon asked about connecting cables and a few other questions, then I turned the plane over to him.
He flew the way he drove the truck, like he was born to it.  He was a natural, sure enough.
It was a three hour train trip to Dodge City.  We made it in just under an hour, quite the time savings.  I missed my railponies and driving the hog, though.  I took the controls and put her down outside of town on a dusty road.  As always, we soon had a crowd of ponies wondering about the “new-fangled contraption”.  Several pegasi showed up, too, and were even more curious.  I’d done all I could to convince pegasi aeroplanes would never replace them but some were still dubious.
I was looking around for someponies to guard the plane while we went into town when along came Tin Star, the sheriff, with a couple of deputies.  Tin Star was actually Granny’s great nephew, so he considered me family.  I’d had a grand time with him at the reunions since he was a first-rate boxer and knew some judo as well.
We shook hooves.
“Tin Star, sir, good to see you again.”
“Howdy, Cuz.  Say, this here’s quite the machine!  Wanna couple o’ my boys to keep an eye on it while we’re at the jail?”
“Not that I don’t trust the good citizens of Dodge City, Sheriff, but I would appreciate it.  I’ll give several rides after we finish if,” I said, raising my voice a little, “there are those ponies here daring enough.”  Several who heard me looked very determined.
“Wouldn’t mind a trip myself!” said Tin Star.
“Sheriff, this is Jonathan Smithson, the stallion I cabled you about.”
“Howdy, Mr. Smithson.  I sure do thank ya for coming down today.  Your testimony will help us send these two rascals off to turn big rocks inta little’uns.”
Jon nodded.  “Anything I can do, Sheriff.”
We trotted to the jail and the sheriff took Jon’s statement.  I’d heard part of it but it made for a sad tale nonetheless.  I took a moment to ask if we could remove the Magic Containment Unit along with Sorter.  I hinted it wasn’t the best idea to leave both charged and Tin Star quickly agreed.  I had to sign for them and agree to bring them back for the trial but I told the sheriff I’d do it gladly.
The M.A.C.E. 1 was locked in a shed next to the jail.  The sheriff let us in and I let Jon go first.  He quickly looked over his machine and declared it in pretty good shape.  With a twist and after loosening some wingnuts, the removed a blue rectangular box along with what looked like a set of small scales with springs.  Jon nodded, then closed her up again.
“Sheriff, may I see the brothers?” said Jon after he’d put the MCU and the Sorter in the sheriff’s office.
“Why, sure, son, I suppose.  This way.”
Tin Star led the way to a small holding cell.  There they were, the two who tried to take my family’s farm and who had stolen Jon’s future.
Jon just stood, jaw set, until the twins noticed him.
“Weeelll, look who we hava here,” said Flam.
“Oh, it’s the inventor!  Thank you for the Super Speedy, inventor.  She served us well all thisa time.”
“And it’s the unicorn farmer.  You remember, Flam, the one married to that delectable Apple?”
I slowly turned my head to look at Tin Star.  He winked.  I looked back at the lowlifes and lit my horn.
Every single piece of metal in the jail started to ring with a strong, clear A flat.  The stone floor started a deep hum as well.  Jon took a couple of steps back from me but Tin Star just grinned and winked at Jon as well.
Voice reverberating, I said, “I find your challenge to my Sacred Honor offensive and I demand satisfaction or an apology.  Now.”
Both unicorns’ mouths dropped open, then both threw themselves onto the dirty cell’s floor.  They were screaming in some language I didn’t know what I assumed were apologies.  Both wet themselves, too.
After a few seconds, I recalled my magic.  Both unicorns looked up, their noses bleeding from the aftershock.
“If either of you ever speak of my wife again in such a way, I will not stop until you both are reduced to puddles of slimy goo.  Are we clear on this?”
Both unicorns gibbered.
“ARE WE CLEAR ON THIS?” I said, casting my voice around the jail.  Hah, I did it, I thought.  Just like Death.
Flam fainted and Flim just scrabbled his forehooves against the floor, sobbing.
“Well and good, then.  Thank you, Sheriff.”
“You bet, Cuz.  Johnny!” the sheriff yelled back toward the office.  A young Earth pony popped his head around the corner.  “Bring the fire hose.  We gotta clean up a couple of prisoners.”  All three of us exchanged grins at that.
Satisfied, Jon gathered up the MCU and the Sorter and we headed back to the airfield.  A few hardy souls had stayed and I gave them a turn in the plane.  Jon and I took Tin Star on a longer flight and waggled our wings at his wife and three colts.  The plane was quiet enough he could call to them out the window, too.
“Nothin’ like bein’ a daddy, Cuz,” said Tin Star, pulling his head back in the plane.  “You’ll see soon enough.”
“So I will, Sheriff.  I must say, I can’t wait.”
We landed outside of town and both of us shook hooves with Tin Star.  He said he’d let us know if he needed the evidence or if we needed to testify at the trial.
“I dunno, Cuz.  After your, ah, talk with them dopes, we may get a confession after all.”
“Oh, I think so, Sheriff.  If I must, I’ll bring Lady Astrid with me next time.”
“Whooo-eee, we could sell tickets,” said Tin Star.  “So long, Cuz, Mr. Smithson!”
We waved, shut the plane’s door and I let Jon taxi and lift her off.  We had a quiet ride back to Ponyville and the hangar.  I let Jon land and he did it as if he’d been doing it for years.
We hangered the plane which Jon said he’d service later, then loaded the MCU and Sorter in the carry box and headed back to the workshop.
Jon spoke for the first time since we’d left Dodge City.  “Could you have killed them, Mr. Apple?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Are you really powerful, then?  I mean, really powerful?”
“Yes.”
“Gosh.”
“I use my abilities to serve, Jon, you and all ponies.  And there’s always a price.”
“Yes, sir,” said Jon, then smiled.  “They wet themselves.”
We both started laughing and kept it up off and on until we got back to the workshop just in time for lunch.
After lunch, Jon showed me how the MCU and Sorter worked.  The MCU was so simple, I was stunned I hadn’t thought of it myself.  It was like a combination battery and refracting telescope, except for magic.  Incredible.
“Jon, I want to use this.  May the workshop license your patent?”
“Oh, I never patented this, Mr. Apple.  Or the Sorter, either.”
“What?!?  Why not?”
Jon looked at the ground, left hoof over his mane.  “Well, I just…well, I’m not too good with…”
“Oh, never mind, Jon!  Honestly!” I said, miffed.  “Can you draw?” 
“Yessir.  I won a couple of contests in school.”
“Well, then you spend the rest of the afternoon drawing out how these work with some instructions and then we’ll fill out the patent applications together.  We can’t use the MCU until we do, you know.”
Jon just nodded.   I set him up in my study with a pen, pencil and paper, then wrote out a note to Maggie to please get the patent forms ready.  Now, then, I thought, time to talk to the family about a cider factory.
I told Mrs. Grass I was heading to the farm, then stepped out the kitchen door.  I was only about 20 yards away when I heard thundering hooves.  I looked around and there was Bull Brickle running for all he was worth.
Bull slammed to a stop in front of me and would have fallen if I hadn’t held him up.  He was breathing so hard he couldn’t speak.
“The foal?” I asked.  I knew Spring was close but I thought she had another week or so.
Bull just nodded, still bent over.
“Wait here, Bull.  I’ll get the steam truck and we’ll head for the farm.”
I raced back through the kitchen, told Mrs. Grass where I was going, then fired up the other new steam truck.  Time to see how fast she’d actually go.  The answer was a steady 40 mph, poor Bull gripping the door the entire time.  We made the Brickle farm in 20 minutes, though.
“She’s in the side pasture, Mr. Wizard,” said a worried Bull as we both hopped out of the steam truck.  “She’s in trouble.”
I just nodded, pleased the Brickles had followed the custom of birthing outside.  I had a spot picked out in the orchard for AJ, too.  We moved at a good clip and in a couple of minutes I saw Ma Brickle and Winter.  Ma waved and I headed toward her.
I found Spring stretched out underneath a chestnut tree in the shade, a perfect birthing spot.  When she saw me, she held up a hoof.
“Hey, Mr. Apple.  Thank you for coming.”  Spring put a brave face on it, but she was terrified.
I nodded to Ma and Winter, then took Spring’s hoof while I extended my healer senses.  Breech.
“Hey, Spring, hon.  Can you stand for me?”
Spring rocked and tried to get up but was just too exhausted.
“No, Mr. Apple, I’m sorry, I can’t,” Spring said, in tears.
“No matter.  Spring, your foal is breech, alright?  We’re going to turn him.  I need you to go to sleep now, though.”
Spring dropped off at once.  I slowed her heart rate, then turned to the others.
“I’m going to lift Spring to her hooves, but I can’t do that and turn the foal at the same time.”
Winter stepped forward. “I’ll do it, Mr. Wizard.”
I looked at Winter and thought how like Fall she was when Fall was 13.  Winter was all legs and knees, now, and far darker than Fall with a charcoal mane and hooves, a dark chocolate brown coat and surprising blue eyes.  Winter was always very quiet but I did remember Ma mentioning she often brought home sick animals and nursed them back to health.  Winter also didn’t have a cutie mark yet.  She was old not to have one but it wasn’t that unusual.
I nodded.  “Very good, Winter.  You’ll need to reach into the womb, find the foal’s nose, grab the foals front hooves and turn the foal until the nose faces the vulva.  Don’t worry about breaking the placenta.  Ready?”
Winter nodded and I nodded back, then looked at Bull.  He signaled he was ready.
I raised Spring to her hooves and kept her steady which was harder than it sounds, even with Bull helping support Spring’s front.  Winter washed her hooves in a bucket of water, soaped up a forehoof and reached into Spring.  After about five minutes, I Felt the foal shift and finally both front hooves and the nose were where they should be.
“Well done, Winter!  That’s got it.”
Winter stepped back and Bull and I slowly lowered Spring, my chin and stomach dripping sweat.  Machines were far easier although I had no idea why.
“Spring, wake up, honey.  Almost finished.”
Spring blinked awake, then had a contraction.  Out of the vulva came a pair of hooves followed by a nose.
“Again!”
One last contraction and out came a beautiful palomino Earth pony colt.  I cleaned his nose and he started to wail.  Ma, Spring and Bull were all cheering, laughing and crying at the same time as I put the foal in Spring’s forehooves.  Winter just looked thoughtful, and then smiled.  I saw a flash of light and on her flanks appeared a caduceus cutie mark.  She looked at them, then at me.
“Mr. Wizard, will you teach me to be a healer?” she asked, smiling that tranquil smile of hers.
And right in front of me was the pony who would change the Equestrian medical profession forever.
Thank you, Lady Magic.
Not I this time, either, Guardian.

Blessing Count

Stage Two begins with the rupture of the placental membranes. With that rupture, all of the allantois fluids start to come out, and the foal should be presented at the lips of the vulva within three to five minutes.  Normally, one leg is seen first, with the other leg 10-15 centimeters behind the first leg, and then the head. The head and both front legs should show up within five minutes.
The mare usually lies on her side during this phase of labor. With each contraction, the foal advances through the vulva.  This stage is rapid, with normal delivery completed 15-45 minutes after the placental rupture.
…
Breech birth is when the two hind limbs are up underneath the foal and the rear end is presented first. To correct this, you must reverse the foal.  You must have the mare stand so you can repel the foal back into the uterus far enough so you can turn him around.

“Foaling”, translated from Ancient Equestrian, On Physick For Ponies

An old labourer, bent double with age and toil, was gathering sticks in a forest. At last he grew so tired and hopeless that he threw down the bundle of sticks, and cried out: "I cannot bear this life any longer. Ah, I wish Death would only come and take me!"
As he spoke, Death, a grisly skeleton, appeared and said to him: "What wouldst thou, Mortal? I heard thee call me."
"Please, sir," replied the woodcutter, "would you kindly help me to lift this faggot of sticks on to my shoulder?"

Moral: We would often be sorry if our wishes were gratified.

“Tales for Foals”, The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge

“HAHAHAHAH!  ‘…A GRISLY SKELETON…!’  AHAHAHAHAH!”

Death

I walked out to my spot by the Gorge.  It was a wonderful Summer day, Sunny and hot, the Sun warm on my back.  I ran through some T’ai Chi katas, then started my Blessing Count.
One: It was 1st of Seventh, Year of Celestia 1,104 and I was a new father.  On Midsummer’s Day, 20th of Sixth, Apple Bloom came bursting into the workshop to tell me it was time.  With Jon and Mrs. Grass calling good wishes, I raced back with Apple Bloom to find AJ lying on a blanket underneath our favorite apple tree, one of the oldest on the farm.  I checked her at once and found her contractions had started.
“Not long now, Hon,” I said.  “Any pain?”
“Nah.  Ready to get this done, though,” said AJ, breathing the way I’d taught her.
10 minutes later I was holding the most beautiful, perfect Earth pony filly in the history of the World.  She didn’t cry, just yawned and opened green eyes exactly like her mother’s.  She had a raven black mane and hooves (tiny little hooves!), a light brown coat and AJ’s freckles.  I passed her to Apple Bloom, a sobbing Big Mac and Granny who all had stood witness.  Each helped clean her, then I put her between AJ’s front hooves.  I rubbed my muzzle on AJ’s head.
“Well done, Mother,” I said, “very well done.”
“Airlie Red Apple, welcome to the World,” said AJ, then nodded off.
With my healing, AJ was up and about in a day or two and back to herself in two weeks.  In time-honored tradition, she carried Airlie with her when she worked the fields.  Everypony, and I do mean everypony right down to all four royals, had come to see the new baby but that was tapering off.
Two: Jon.  The perfect employee, Jon had caught up the shop’s backlog in two months and even earned us several new clients when he showed his expertise as a driver, mechanic, repairman, and dinner guest.  We delivered four of the racers to various nobility and Jon carried himself very well with excellent manners, a wide range of conversation and even some performances on the twelve-string guitar.  With regular meals and the Grass sisters’ attention, Jon had filled out and become quite the muscular, handsome stallion.  He was also smarter than Fall, Twilight and I put together.  And I do mean really smart.
I still knew nothing about his past and apparently neither did Pinkie.  Pinkie had become a frequent visitor to the workshop.  She’d ask Jon on picnics, take him on walks, play ball, drag him to parties and generally make him socialize.  Even an ordinary pony would have had a hard time getting a word in edgewise with Pinkie so Jon almost never spoke at all when they were together.  Pinkie asked him about his family once and just like with me, he’d muttered something and looked away.
A couple of weeks ago I’d been lying by the gorge meditating when I heard soft hoofsteps.  Pinkie came up next to me, plopped down and leaned against my right side just like AJ.  She looked at me and I kissed her nose, then went back to looking out over the gorge.  So did Pinkie.
“I love him,” she said, “and I mean really love him, not just the way I love everypony.”
“I know.”
“I took him to meet my family last week.”
“Mmm, I know, I gave him the time off.”
“They liked him.  They’ve never liked anypony I’ve brought home before.”
“Well, there was that stallion who kept getting the hiccups.  Oh, and that one with the strange fixation on jelly jars,” I pointed out.
Pinkie just giggled and shoved my shoulder, then became serious again.
“Yeah, well, Jon’s different.  I want to make a life with him.  Have his foals.”
I turned my head and stared.  “Who are you and what have you done with Pinkamena?”
“I know, I know, Ultimate Party Pony and all,” Pinkie sighed.  “I mean it, though.  Can’t you talk to him, Ben?  I really need to meet his family.  It’s important.  And Jon’s sad about it, I can tell.”
Point there, I thought, actually two points.  I nodded.
“I think I know a way, Pinkie.  Give me just a bit more time.”
Pinkie hopped up with her usual energy, then kissed me on the muzzle.
“Thanks, Mr. Wizard.  I love you, too, ya know!”  And giggling, she bounced away.  Yep, same ol’ Pinkie.
Three: Winter Brickle.  Winter showed up about two weeks after Spring had her foal, saddlebags on her back, and moved into Fall’s old room.  The Grass sisters were more than pleased to have another Brickle filly around and started in on her just like they did with Fall.  Winter enjoyed the attention but couldn’t have been more different than her older sister.  Serene, quiet, loving and affectionate, Winter would sometimes come downstairs when I was reading, curl up next to me and drop off to sleep.  She did the same to the Grass sisters and to Jon who treated her like a younger sibling.  They got along exceptionally well and Jon helped her with her cursive while she wrote down what I translated from some of the Ancient Equestrian medical texts I’d borrowed from Canterlot.  What ponies had forgotten in two thousand years was almost beyond belief.
Winter had helped me with four deliveries (two of which were pegasi including Wind Rider’s foal), six broken legs, canker sores, pink eye, pulled muscles, joint and spine adjustments and on and on.  She had a healer’s touch, sure enough, but I wanted her to get experience without my help.  I finally sent her by herself to ask the last old stallion doctor in town if she could work with him.  He was more than happy to teach her so she started learning herb lore along with some home remedies which worked well.  She wrote those down, too, and Maggie and I typed up her notes as she finished.
Four: Death.  I could move to the Astral almost at will now and spent many a pleasant hour with Death.  I taught him to play some card games including gin rummy, poker, hearts, crazy eights and blackjack.  Once he learned the game, he beat me at poker every single time although I usually took him at hearts.  We talked about mares, AJ and the other Elements, mares, the royals, Equestrian history, mares, Lady Magic and all sorts of other topics.  Once he got over his awkwardness, he was an excellent companion.  Occasionally he’d have to leave to retrieve a soul and I just waited until he got back.  He said he’d take me if I really wanted him to but that death was usually private, so I waved it off and told him not to worry about it.
I was relaxing in my study when I felt the tickle in the back of my head that was Death asking for me to visit.  He was good about waiting until I wasn’t busy, so I was more than happy to head to the Astral.
“GREETINGS, MY FRIEND.  YOU ARE WELL?” said Death as I shook his hoof.
“A little tired from the baby, Death, but she’s almost ready to sleep the whole night now,” I said, sitting in my favorite chair.  Death had built a whole house just for me and it was far more comfortable than an endless grey plain.
We visited for a bit and I noticed Death’s eyes were still sad but he didn’t look nearly as lonely.  Good, very good, I thought.
“BEN?”
“Yes, sir?” I said as I was reaching for the cards.
“I BELIEVE I HAVE FOUND AN APPRENTICE.”
“You have?  Why, that’s wonderful, Death.  Who is he?”
“A SHE, ACTUALLY.”
“Oh, ho!”
“IT IS NOT LIKE THAT, GUARDIAN,” said Death, smiling.  “OBSERVE.”
Death took out his scythe and in a gesture I never tired of watching, sliced open Reality.  There sat a pretty Earth pony mare around 35 or so, spoon feeding another very old pony.  She kept up a light conversation, wiped his mouth and then when he’d finished, tucked him in.  There were no nurses in Equestria (at least, not officially) but I recognized a caretaker when I saw one.
“Name?” I asked.
“MARCIA O’REILLY.  SHE TOOK THE NAME OF HER ADOPTIVE FAMILY.”
“Orphan, then.  Where is she?”
“MUNCY VALLEY IN APPLELOOSA.”  We watched as Marcia walked to a pleasant little cabin and made herself some lunch.  She reminded me of a younger Emerald Grass with that same calm demeanor.  Her cutie mark was a swatch of cloth.  In the background I noticed a floor loom and a table loom.  A weaver, then.
Death closed the rift.
“Excellent, Death.  What does she think about becoming Death’s Apprentice?”
Death looked embarrassed.  “I DO NOT KNOW.  I HOPED YOU WOULD ASK HER FOR ME.”
“No, sir, I will not.  This is for you to do, Death.  Tell you what, I’ll go to Muncy Valley, feel her out and if she’s amenable, introduce her to you.  How’s that sound?”
Death looked very relieved.  “THANK YOU, GUARDIAN.  YES, THAT WOULD BE A GREAT HELP.”
“Hmm, let me think about how to phrase it, then we’ll give it a shot.  Don’t get upset if she refuses at first.”
Death just nodded.  I shook his hoof and then found myself back in my study.
That was last week.  Death’s Apprentice.  How in the name of the Lord of Hel could you ask somepony if she wanted to do that?  I still wasn’t quite sure.  I wanted to ask Lady Magic but I hadn’t heard from her in a month or so.  Last time we talked she said I was doing well enough and she’d see me “later” which could mean 40 years on her timescale.  Eh, well.
Four: Rainbow Dash.  This one gave me lift, sure enough.  Last year right before Spring Planting, AJ walked into my study while I was reading.  She usually left me alone when I was in “the stallion cave” so I knew this was something unusual.  She took a seat in the leather chair I used for guests.
“Partner,” AJ, said, then stopped and looked down.
“Go ahead, Hon,” I said.
AJ looked back up, then put her left forehoof on my right forehoof.  “You know Rainbow Dash?”
“Yes, of course I do, AJ.”
“Well, I’ve gotten to know her pretty good these last few months.  She’s…well, she’s really lonesome.  She keeps talkin’ about that preenin’ we gave her that time.”
“Oh, that’s fine!  Invite her back for another one.  We certainly have room for her to spend the night now.”  8 bedrooms not counting the master where AJ and I slept in our custom made Princess Celestia model bed: “Endorsed by the Princess herself!”  It actually wasn’t, but I didn’t tell the salespony that.
AJ gripped my hoof a little harder.  “I’d like for her to stay with us.”
“That’s what I said, Hon, just…”
“No, Partner.  Stay…with…us.”
“Well, now you’ve lost me, AJ, I thought I just agreed…”
Wait.
Oh.
Oh!!
“Um…you sure, Lover?”
AJ colored slightly.  “Yeah.  We’ll keep it to ourselves, huh?”
“Souls of discretion, that’s us.”  I looked at AJ sideways, eyebrows raised.  “Well, well, aren’t you the daring pony?”
AJ stood to go.  “Actually, it was Rainbow Dash that suggested it.  I just sorta…well, I said I’d ask you, o’course, but I wasn’t…”
“…too adverse?” I finished for my best filly.
“Yeah, that,” said AJ as she walked out of the room with a tail swish.
Rainbow Dash had stayed with us a half dozen times since then and was coming tonight as well.  I grinned with anticipation.
A good life, a very good life.  All going well, fatherhood, home life, business, friends, Avatars.  Yes, good.  Fine.  Very fine.
So why oh why, I thought, was I so restless?

The dust choked my nose and made its way into my ears even though I was wearing a helmet with goggles and a scarf over my muzzle.  I put my head down and kept walking, the only sound the howling Wind.  All around was desolation; dead, twisted trees, abandoned houses, skeletons of ponies and other animals.  I looked down as I passed a badger skeleton with three much smaller skeletons around her.  This year’s kits, I thought.  The sky was a sullen red, the Sun obscured by the dust.
Soon I recognized the farm’s buildings, now half collapsed.  Old House, the barn, the hay barns, all abandoned.  All the trees dead, the pond full of scummy, black water which occasionally rippled from something unseen, something too horrible to contemplate.
“Benjamin!”  I heard somepony call me.  I looked through the dust and saw Princess Luna standing on the Homestead’s porch.  The Homestead was the only building strong enough to withstand the Wind but even it had started to wear; the Tower had a broken window and the porch sagged in places.
I made my way to the Princess of the Night.
“Your Highness!” I yelled so she could hear me over the Wind.  “What is this place?  Where are we?”
“This is a dream, Benjamin,” she answered.  I noticed she didn’t have to shout for me to hear her.  Then she pointed to the front door.  “Listen.”
I heard the sobbing and screaming of a pony in agony.
I looked away from the door and asked, “Who is it, your Highness?” But Luna was gone.
I walked in the front door and as it shut behind me the Wind cut off as if somepony had thrown a switch.  The sobbing was much louder now and I followed it down the dark, twisted hall to my study.  The study was mine but not, the bookshelves distorted and with red eyes peering out from the shadows.  I looked around.
Princess Celestia.
She was the pony sobbing.  She cried with no tears, staring out one of my study windows.
“Tia!  Tia, what is it?” I said, walking up to her after taking off my helmet and scarf.  “Tia!”
Tia stopped sobbing, then looked at me.  I involuntarily stepped back from her worn, ravaged face.
“Ben?”
“That’s right, OTL.  What is it?  What’s the matter?  Why are you crying?”
Tia looked back out the window, then put a forehoof against the glass.
“I did this, Ben.  I did.  I destroyed the World.”
“What?  How?”
“No,” said Tia.  “Noooo!  NOOOOOO!”  Tia’s tilted her head back and screamed.  I covered my ears and cringed, it was so loud.
When I looked up, I felt a stab straight through my heart since in Tia’s place, there was Sunny.
I couldn’t breathe for a few seconds.  My One True Love, back again.  I hadn’t seen her since Stableside.  I thought…well, I thought wrong, apparently.
I didn’t say anything, just took her in my hooves and gave her the most passionate kiss I could, everything in my life forgotten except being with her.
Sunny returned the kiss with equal passion, then gently pushed me away.
“Hey, Ben.  It’s good to see you again.”
I’d regained some of myself.  “Sunny, what in the name of the Lord of Hel is going on?  What happened to Tia?”
“She needs you, Ben, needs you desperately.  You’re the only one who can save her.”
“What did she mean when she said she’d destroyed the World?”
Sunny looked away from me and half-flexed her wings.
“Tell me, Sunny!”
“She killed the griffons,” said Sunny, looking back at me.  “They won’t survive another five years.”
“Wait, the griffon ambassador just visited Canterlot.  It was in the paper.”
Sunny shook her head.  “They’re dying, Ben.”  Sunny hesitated, then said, “She used Dark Magic on their land.”
My rear hooves buckled and I sat down hard.  “Say again, Sunny?” I said, weakly.
Sunny nodded sadly.  “She used Dark Magic.  Just before she left the Griffon Lands forever, she Cursed it.”  Sunny started crying and looked down again.  “She Cursed it,” Sunny repeated through sobs.
No.
NO!
“No,” I said in a whisper.  “No, not Tia.  She’s not a killer, Sunny, she’s not.”
Sunny raised her tear-stained muzzle to look at me.  “They killed hundreds, Ben, hundreds.  The Mad King ate ponies on the battlefield!  So did some of his followers.  When it was over, all Celestia wanted to do was destroy the griffons.  Destroy all of them.  All!!”
“Which spell did she use, Sunny?” I asked through a throat tight with fear.
“Maledicta Terra.”
So, then.  No counter, at least, none that I knew.
“She’s unbalanced the World, Sunny.  And destroyed herself.”
Sunny looked at me, her beautiful face contorted in a rictus of agony.  “She knows!  She KNOWS!! SHE KNOOOWWS!!”

I started awake, covered in sweat, my heart pounding, gasping for breath.  I stared at the moonlight on our carved bedroom ceiling for a moment, then looked to my right.  Rainbow Dash was between AJ and me, sound asleep, left forehoof over AJ.  I sat up.  Airlie!
I rolled out of bed and moved quickly to the baby’s room right next to ours.  There she was, sprawled out, sound asleep.  I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding and felt my ears flatten.  I’d crack this World to its core to protect my family, and the Lord of Hel take the hindmost.
I walked into my study, my perfectly normal study, and looked out the window.  Crops were doing well, my Earth pony senses told me.  Corn could use some water but we had a rain scheduled for tomorrow.  I could Feel the rich, healthy Earth, tended so lovingly by generations of Earth ponies.  And still, the dream kept haunting me.  I Knew what to do although it left me weak in the knees.
I heard a faint rustle and Rainbow Dash sat next to me.  I turned and gave her a light kiss, then exchanged a nose rub.
“Can’t sleep?” she asked, leaning against my left side and rubbing my foreleg with her muzzle.  Her head was right below my shoulder.
“Nightmare,” I answered, still staring out the window.  “I’m sorry I woke you, Rainbow.”
“Nah, forget it.  I was going to check on the baby anyway.”
I just nodded.
“Ben?”
“Hmm?”
“You’re going away, aren’t you?”
“How’d you know?”
Rainbow Dash gave a small laugh.  “Sleeping between you two is like flying through an electrical storm.  You get recharged and you also pick up this and that.”  Rainbow Dash paused and rubbed my shoulder again.  “When?”
“Next Third before Spring Planting.  I’ll need to the time to prepare, tie up loose ends and so on.”
“Are you coming back?”
I shook my head.  “I don’t know, Rainbow Dash, I don’t know.”
“Well, you just better!  I’m not about to take up the slack for you!”
That made me smile.  “Well, I’ll just have to do my best to get back to you and my family, then.”
“It’s…well, it’s just…I’ve never had…oh, just don’t die, alright?”
“Alright.  Back to bed?”
“C’mon,” said Rainbow Dash and led the way.
After looking in on Airlie, we climbed into bed.  Rainbow Dash fell asleep at once, her right forehoof across my chest and her muzzle next to my right ear.  I took comfort from her deep, steady breathing and enjoyed her warmth.  I lay awake a few minutes longer, planning what I had to do the next eight months.  It was time to tell AJ and others about Lady Magic.  And at least I know my Purpose, I thought, and part of the Price.  That gave me peace of mind and I slowly drifted off to sleep.
> Discussion and Resolution
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Discussion and Resolution

Some Cranes made their feeding grounds on some plowlands newly sown with wheat.  For a long time the Farmer, brandishing an empty sling, chased them away by the terror he inspired; but when the birds found that the sling was only swung in the air, they ceased to take any notice of it and would not move.  The Farmer, on seeing this, charged his sling with stones, and killed a great number.  The remaining birds at once forsook his fields, crying to each other, “It is time for us to be off to Lilliput: for this man is no longer content to scare us, but begins to show us in earnest what he can do.”

Moral: If words suffice not, blows must follow.

“Tales for Foals”, The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge

We all woke up together and had breakfast.  Rainbow Dash gave both of us a Pegasus Farewell, then shot into the air, in a hurry as usual.  After Rainbow Dash left, AJ put her hooves around my chest and chewed on my left ear.
“Thanks, Partner,” she said.
“My pleasure as always, AJ,” I answered back, holding onto her hooves with my right forehoof.
“I love you, Heather,” I added.  “Have I told you lately?  I’m sorry if I sometimes forget.”
AJ buried her muzzle in my neck.  “I love you, too, Maker,” she said in a muffled voice.  “So much!  I thank the Magic every day for you, for us, for the family and for Airlie.”
I nodded.  I was going to live my life to the fullest until next Third.  I wasn’t going to waste a minute and I was going to let everypony know just how much they meant to me, starting with Jon.
I patted AJ, and then leaned back for a deep kiss.  “Off to work,” I said, untangling myself.  Before I left, I went into the baby’s room and played with Airlie a few minutes, holding her close.
“Pthhhh!  Gaaaah!” said Airlie, giggling and waving her front hooves as I blew on her stomach.  A happy foal.
I kissed her good-bye, and then headed out the door.
I trotted along, enjoying the pleasant weather.
Guardian.
My Lady Magic!  And a good day to You this beautiful morning, my Lady.
Guardian, you…Know.
Yes.  I’m ready, my Lady.
Oh, Guardian, I’m so sorry.
Lady Magic sounded heartbroken.
Now, now, my Lady, none of that and no regrets.  I knew I’d have to pay the Price eventually.  Besides, I have more than enough time to get things settled.  Say, did You know Death has picked out an Apprentice?
I could feel Lady Magic’s sad smile.
No, Guardian, I didn’t know.
I filled in Lady Magic as I walked and told Her what my plans were.  She listened, not saying anything.
Once you begin, I can’t stay with you, Guardian.  I’ve done all I could to prepare the way for you.  You’ll be on your own.
I know, my Lady.  It’s what I’ve trained for all this time.
I love you, Guardian.  I…didn’t want to, at least not this much, but I do.
My Lady, haven’t You heard?  I’m…
…irresistible, yes, I’ve heard, you scamp!
I laughed, then quieted.  And I love You, my Lady.  Confidence is high.
Yes.  Confidence is high, Guardian.
And she was gone.

I got to the workshop a little after 7, greeted Mrs. Grass and Maggie, then joined Jon at breakfast.  I had tea and visited with all three.  We talked about Maggie’s lessons and Lauryn becoming her assistant, the workshop schedule and the week’s work.
“Jon, when you’re finished breakfast, may I have a moment?”
“Of course, Mr. Apple,” he said, in between carrots, his favorite.
When Jon finished and helped Mrs. Grass and Maggie clean up the kitchen, he and I walked out to my spot by the Gorge.  The Sun was well up and it was going to be another hot day.
I took a breath.  “Jon,” I said, “I’ve told you about Fall?”
Jon nodded.  “Yes, sir, your old Apprentice.”
“Fall just turned 18.  As a birthday present, I’m going to give her the aeroplane.”
“That’s most generous, sir.”
“I’m also going to let her license the patents on it, then give them to her outright in five years.”
“Mr. Apple!  Those are worth a fortune!” said Jon, stunned.
I just smiled.  “Nopony can keep a patent on an invention like the aeroplane, Jon.  In ten years, they’ll be 20 different workshops making some version of it.  But I want Fall to open her own shop and start making them first which will give her a leg up on the competition.  And I want you, sir, to build me a better version of Apple Bloom for Lord Cecil and then one for me, perhaps with an aluminum skin and hydraulic controls.”
Jon nodded again.  “You can count on me, Mr. Apple!”
“Can I now?  Can I indeed?  I’m not so sure, Jon.  You keep refusing to go to Hoofington.  I want you to come with me to deliver the aeroplane and to meet Fall.”
“No,” said Jon, looking away from me.
“I see, I see.  Your personal life is your own, sir, but refusing to deal with one of the finest machine shops in the World and leaving it all up to me…well, sir, your cowardly behavior is starting to effect my business.”
Jon’s head whipped around.  “What did you just call me?”
“Coward,” I said, standing and walking away from Jon.  I heaved a deep sigh and made “um-um-um” noises, pretending I was disgusted.  “A shame, really.  And I had such high hopes for you, Jon.”
I saw Jon out of the corner of my eye toss away his glasses.  Here it comes, I thought.
Jon grabbed my shoulder, spun me around and clipped me on the jaw, knocking me on my tail.
“Nopony calls me coward, you effete, pompous jerk, nopony!”
I jumped up.  “Well, well, it seems the coward may have a spark of courage in him after all.  Bring it, you miserable punk!”
Jon gave an inarticulate yell and swung at me.  He and I had boxed a couple of times a week for months now under Maggie’s training.  I’d improved greatly but Jon had honed himself into one of the finest boxers I’d ever seen.  He used his left like a pile driver and was amazingly fast.
He wasn’t holding back this time at all.  Most fights last 20 to 30 seconds, but I knew Jon’s tricks and he knew mine, so for a minute or so we exchanged blows, each blocking the other.  Jon’s one weakness was he would occasionally drop his right when he was excited.  He finally did and I gave him several rapid-fire punches in the ribs.
His breath exploded out of his muzzle and he staggered back.
“Hah!” I said.  “Had enough, punk?”
Jon suddenly became very focused, his dark green eyes full of fire.
Uh-oh, I thought, and braced myself.
Jon came at me like a whirlwind.  I defended myself as best as I could, but I knew I didn’t have much of a chance.  Soon enough, that left of his caught me under the jaw.  I saw stars, and then felt my back hit the ground.  I was dizzy for a moment, looking up at the blue sky.  Jon’s head blocked my line of vision, both of his hooves still raised.
“Who’s a coward now, you son of a khamer?!?”
I turned my head to the left, spit, then smiled with bloody teeth.  Then started laughing.
Jon looked puzzled, and then looked first at one forehoof, then at the other.  He looked appalled, then resigned.  He sat down next to me, reaching for his glasses and putting them on.
“I’ve done it again,” he said, ears drooping.  “I’ve ruined my life again.”
“Perhaps, perhaps not.  Tell me how you ruined it the first time,” I said, still on my back.
“I’m the youngest of four brothers.  I’d just turned 17 and was working the line.  My oldest brother came over and started criticizing the way I was doing something, I don’t remember what.  I lost my temper and popped him one.  He came at me, and I knocked him out.  Dad came running over and tried to stop us and I swung at him, too.  I just clipped his jaw, but the look he gave me!  I told him I didn’t need him or his miserable shop, that I’d succeed on my own and stomped out.  You know the rest.”
I looked over at him, then sat up, feeling my jaw.  Ouch!
“That’s it, Jon?  You mean to tell me you haven’t been back home and almost starved to death because you got in a fight with your brother and took a swipe at your dad?  That’s the reason?”  I started laughing again and shook my head.
“It’s not funny, Mr. Apple!”
“Oh, Jon, you sap, of course it isn’t.  But only because of the way you behaved, not because of what happened.”  I turned to face Jon, his ears still drooping.  “Listen, when I started Courting Mrs. Apple, I went to my first Apple Family Reunion.  The only stallion who knew me was Big Mac.  He, Turnip Truck, Braeburn and half a dozen others took me off into a field and came at me, first one at a time, then all at once.  I gave as good as I got and didn’t use magic once.  We beat the daylights out of each other, then they carried me on their shoulders back to the main group.  We shared a round of apple cider, cuts, bruises, black eyes, bloody noses and all.  And that was the end of it.”  I paused.  “Magic, AJ and Granny were furious!  But the other stallions knew I could take care of myself and would be an asset to the family.”
Jon looked up, his ears perking again.
I flopped back down and stared at a passing cloud.  “You were a teenage stallion, Jon.  And they’re family.  Of course they’ve forgiven you.  I’ll bet they’re worried sick, particularly your poor mother.”
“But, I…well, I shouldn’t have…”
“Enough, sir, enough!  You’re still thinking like a teenager.  You’re a grown stallion now and a partner in an extremely successful business.  Grow up, stallion!  And,” I continued, knowing this was the clincher, “a certain pink pony would like to spend the rest of her life with you and have your foals.  Family is very important to her, though, and she won’t take you unless she can meet yours.”
“Wait, you mean Pinkamena?” asked Jon, ears all the way forward now.
“No, the Mare in the Moon.  Of course Pinkamena, you dolt!  For such a smart pony, you’re awfully slow at times, Jon.”  I shifted and held out a hoof.  “Help me up.”
Jon lifted me to my hooves.  I shook myself off and started back toward the workshop, Jon pacing me.
“Well, shall we say Hoofington three days from now?  Let’s see, that’s 5th of Seventh.  I’ll go send a telegram to Fall, shall I?”  The swelling should be down by then, I thought with some amusement.
I realized I was talking to the air.  I looked back and there stood Jon, wide-eyed with shock.
“Mr. Apple?”
“Yes, sir?”
“Mr. Apple…did you just say ‘partner’?”
“I did, Jon.  I’m giving you half of the workshop; that is, if you’re through beating on me and we can get on with it.  I ordered the new stationery and crate covers for Apple and Smithson Manufacturing last week.  The logo is your gears over AJ’s cutie mark although we can change it if you don’t like it.  And we can get Adding Machine to draw up a contract if you think we need one.  I don’t ever read them, myself, but it’s up to you.”
“Mr. Apple…I don’t know what to say,” said Jon, hooves on either side of this muzzle.  “I...I’ve done it.  I’ve done it!!  I’ve…succeeded!”
“Call me ‘Ben’, Jon, now that we’re partners.”
Jon raced up to me, seized my right hoof and wrung it.  “Oh, thank you, Mr. Apple, er, ah, Ben, yes, thank you, Ben.  I can go back home now!  Oh, gosh, I’ve got to tell Pinkamena.  Can I go and tell her, Ben?”
“You may do what you please, sir.  You don’t work for me anymore but for yourself, so your hours are your own.”
“Back later!” said Jon as he waved and galloped off.
Heh, well, that’s done.  Hmm, ‘khamer’.  Yiddish for ‘donkey’.  ‘Effete’, was I?  Well, perhaps a bit.  At least Jon didn’t call me ‘bulvan’.
I walked into the kitchen and called for Winter.  Mrs. Grass turned and saw my swollen jaw.
“Land sakes, Mr. Apple, what’s happened to you this time?”
“Just trading some boxing tips with my new partner, Mrs. Grass.”  Mrs. Grass knew a week ago I was going to offer Jon half the shop and approved heartily.
“Oh, you two stallions, you’re worse than foals sometimes!”  Mrs. Grass made clucking sounds just as Winter showed up with the first aid kit and ice pack.  Winter just smiled at me and gently held the pack against my jaw.
“Thanks, hon.”  Yes, the week was off to a very good start.

5th of Seventh Jon and I boarded the Apple Bloom a little before 8, Jon as happy as I’d ever seen him.  We took off and flew toward Hoofington with about an hour’s flight ahead of us.  Hopefully Fall would fly us back on 6th, but if not we’d catch the train.
As usual, Jon was quiet.  He finally spoke.
“Ben?”
“Speak.”
“I asked Pinkamena to marry me yesterday afternoon after work.”
“Did you?  Why, that’s marvelous, Jon!  What did she say?”
Jon laughed.  “She bounced off of the walls, then raced outside shouting, ‘He finally asked, he finally asked!’  Then she threw a party which she put together in about twenty minutes.  About an hour later, she realized she’d never said ‘yes’, so she got one of the Weather Patrol to write ‘YES!!’ with clouds at Sunset.”
I laughed.  “I saw that!  So that’s what it was.  Sounds like Pinkie, sure enough.  When’s the wedding?”
“30th of Sixth.  We hoped you’d sing for us at the reception.”
“A pleasure, sir.”
Jon went quiet again.
“How’s the jaw?”
“Fine, fine.”
More quiet.
“I owe you everything,” he said after a few minutes, looking straight ahead.  “Everything.”
“No, Jon, you don’t.  I’m the one who has benefited most from meeting you and having you at the shop.  What you have, you’ve earned.”
Jon looked at me, and then quickly wiped his eyes.  “I’m not very good with…feelings.”
“Is that right?  Well, I’m so glad you’re around to tell me these things.”
Jon flashed me a quick grin, and then looked straight ahead again.
“Thanks, Ben.”
I leaned over and put a hoof on his shoulder, then extended my magical field around him.  He couldn’t feel it like another mage, but he certainly Felt something.
“You’re welcome, Jon.  And besides,” I said as I withdrew my field, “with Pinkie around, you can outsource your feelings to her and most likely never have to worry about them again.”
We shared a laugh at that.
We landed a couple of minutes after 9, not bad at all since we’d flown with a headwind.  There to meet us was Fall waving frantically with several more Earth ponies behind her.  I opened the aeroplane’s door and galloped to meet her.
“Fall!”
“Boss!  Boss!  Boss!”
We slammed into one another.  Fall picked me up and twirled me around just the way I used to do to her.  She kissed my nose, and then hugged me hard enough to squeeze the breath out of me.
“My filly, my beautiful, smart, wonderful filly!”  I heard myself saying and realized I was talking to Fall the same way I did to Airlie; I didn’t care, I was so delighted to see her.
“Boss, I’m so glad you’re here!  I can’t wait to show you my latest project!  Oh, and here come the Smithsons!” said Fall, foreleg draped over my shoulder.
Four Earth ponies had waited for me to greet Fall first were walking toward us.  I’d gotten to know the father Josiah Smithson pretty well over the last few years and often talked with Amos Smithson, the eldest, when I’d visited.  Now that I knew they were Jon’s father and brother, the family resemblance was very strong.
“Good week to you, Mr. Apple,” said Josiah.  “Be welcome!”
“Thank you, sir, a pleasure to be here,” I answered, shaking hooves.  “And thank you for taking such good care of Fall.  She rants about you and the others.”
“Oy, such a worker she is, all over the shop, into everything!  We can’t run the place without her now!”
Amos nodded along with his two brothers.  “It’s true, Mr. Apple.  She’s a gem, she is.”
Fall just giggled and waved a hoof.  “You guys!”  Her dimples were as fetching as ever, I noticed.
“Oh, and Mr. Smithson, I believe you know I’ve taken on a partner at the workshop.”
“We heard this from Fall, Mr. Apple.  Congratulations!”
“Yes, he is a wonder.  I believe you’ve already met?”
I signaled the plane and out stepped Jon.
For a few seconds, there was total silence, then pandemonium.  Jon may not have been good at expressing his feelings, but his father and brothers certainly didn’t share the trait.  They all shouted at once, then galloped over and surrounded Jon, each crying and laughing at the same time.  Mr. Smithson, Sr. kept yelling, “My son!  My son!  My son!” over and over again while Jon’s brothers kept shouting questions, some in Yiddish and others in Equestrian.  Jon embraced his father, then each of his brothers, tears running down his muzzle as he apologized and tried to explain at the same time.  Fall and I just watched, pleased at the reunion.
Finally the Smithsons sorted themselves out and came back our way.  When they got to Fall and me, Josiah reached out, took me in his forehooves and kissed both my cheeks.
“It’s a miracle you’ve brought me, Mr. Apple, a miracle.  We’d given up Jon for lost.  You’ve returned my youngest to me.”
“It was my pleasure, sir.”
“Come!  Everypony, come!  Today we celebrate!  Come!  No more work today,” yelled Josiah, waving his forehooves as he walked off and his sons followed.  Jon looked back at me and grinned.  I just waved and said, “You can introduce yourself to Fall later, Jon.”
“Oh, Boss, you’ve done it again!” said Fall, hugging my left foreleg.
“Who’s your favorite wizard, Punkin’?”
“You are, Boss,” she said cheerfully, rubbing her muzzle on the top of my head and hugging my leg even tighter.  “You are.”

And celebrate we did including all 50 employees of Smithson and Sons, uncles, cousins, friends, everypony.  It reminded me of one of Pinkie’s parties, it was so lively.  I danced a few traditional dances with the other stallions, then withdrew to have a little peace.  Jon’s mother, very much the matriarch of the clan, found me on a balcony overlooking the factory.
“I want to thank you, Mr. Apple.  Our Jon is back again.  And there’s more to his story than he’s telling his loving mother, I’m sure.  I’ll get it out of him eventually,” said Mrs. Smithson, her mouth a flat line.
“Jon has been invaluable to me, Mrs. Smithson.  He’s brilliant and a first rate mechanic.”
Slightly mollified for a moment, Mrs. Smithson’s gaze intensified again.
“And what is this about a pink pony?  Is it a filly he’s found?”
“Yes, ma’am.  It’s Libe Bay Ershter Derzen,” I said.
“Oy vey!  This I know only from the mare’s tales.  It’s true?”
I nodded.  “It is.  He asked her to marry him yesterday.”
“She comes from a good family?”
“One of the best and most respected, Mrs. Smithson.  He’s done very well for himself.  And she has all the, shall we say, liveliness our Jon sometimes lacks.”
Mrs. Smithson nodded.  “Been like that since he was a foal.  I used to worry, I did.”
“And Mrs. Smithson,” I said, looking over her ample frame.
Mrs. Smithson raised her eyebrows in curiosity.
“She’s a baker,” I finished.
Mrs. Smithson looked startled a moment, then smiled a broad smile.  “I can’t wait to meet her, Mr. Apple, I can’t wait.”
I smiled and gave a half bow as she headed back to the party.  A few minutes later, Fall found me.  She looked radiant in her new dress and matching bow.
“Fall, you’re more lovely than ever, I must say.”
An elated Fall gave me a dazzling smile, then wrapped her hooves around my left foreleg.  She kissed the top of my head just as I predicted she’d be able to do.  We both looked out at the factory, the storage areas and the finished products next to the rail line ready for loading in the morning.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” said Fall with a sigh of contentment.
“It is, Fall,” I agreed.  I reached into my pouch and handed her a bundle of papers.  “Here, I was going to give these to you later but now is as a good a time as any.  Happy 18th birthday, Punkin’!”
“What are they, Boss?” asked Fall, taking them.
“The patents for the aeroplane.  I’ve licensed them to you and in five years, they’re yours.  Oh, and I’m giving you the Apple Bloom as well.  You can use her as a model for what you’re going to build next.  You may want to subcontract to Smithson and Sons before you decide to open your own shop although that’s up to you.”
Fall stared at the patents, her eyes huge.  “But, Boss…these…”
“I’m your boss no longer, Punkin’.  We’re peers.  Call me ‘Benjamin’ or ‘Ben’ if ‘Benjamin’ is too long.”
“But Boss…er, Mr. Apple, I mean, Ben, oh, forget it!”
Fall dropped the patents, grabbed my muzzle in both her hooves and kissed me on the mouth.  It wasn’t a particularly good kiss since it was a bit too hard for comfort (lack of experience, I thought) but it was heartfelt.  I tasted Autumn leaves, sheaves of corn and cool, dry mornings, just like her namesake.  Brilliant mechanic she may be but Earth pony she was first and foremost.
Fall broke off the kiss but kept her hooves on either side of my muzzle.  She stared into my eyes.
“I owe you everything.  Everything!”
Déjà vu!  Well, same speech, then.  “No, Miss Brickle tertius, you do not.  What you have, you have earned yourself.  I was fortunate enough to help you from time to time, but it is I who have benefited the most from having you in my life.  I couldn’t imagine my life without you in it and I’ll love you like a daughter for the rest of my days in this World.”  I wrapped my magical field around Fall like I’d done with Jon, then pulled it back.
“Quit talking, Ben, quit!” said Fall, releasing my muzzle and wiping her overflowing eyes with both hooves.
“Still don’t carry a handkerchief, do you, Punkin’?” I said, handing her one.
Fall laughed through her happy tears, then wiped her eyes and blew her nose.
“I do have one last thing to teach you, Journeymare,” I said, handing her the patents she’d dropped.
“What’s that, Ben?” Fall said.
“Lean down.  Good.  Now, say ‘pruuuuuuuunes’.”
“Pruuuu…” Fall said, obediently.
I cut her off with a gentle kiss very like Ren’s, holding it for a couple of seconds.  After I pulled back, I tugged her right ear and said, “Now, wasn’t that better?”
Fall looked astonished, putting her left forehoof to her lips.  Then she smiled that wonderful smile of hers, tilted her head back and laughed.  She grabbed me up in her forehooves and twirled me around again.
“Yes, yes, yes, it is better, Ben!  Thank you, thank you!”
“I have to tell Mr. Smithson and the brothers!” Fall continued excitedly, as she put me down.  “I’ll see you later, Boss!”  And off she galloped, yelling for Mr. Smithson and waving the patents.
I grinned after her, then turned back to the factory.  Each day to the fullest, I reminded myself.  Not doing too badly, either, I tell you what.
I slid out of the party which was still going strong at 8:30 and looked to go on for some time to come.  Smithson Hall, built over generations, was four times the size of the Homestead but a cute maid directed me to my room for the night.  I fell asleep to the faint sounds of revelry.
I woke up at my usual 6, Sun streaming in my bedroom window.  I went through my morning ablutions, cleaned the room top to bottom (beautiful teak paneling), packed my saddlebags, put on my pouch and went in search of some food.  I made my way past the ballroom where we’d had the party last night.  There was all sorts of detritus including a few ponies passed out in various positions.  I didn’t see Fall or Jon, so I moved on.
I made my way to the lowest part of the mansion and found a huge kitchen.  The staff was up and working, so I asked another server if I could get some breakfast.  He pointed to a pony who reminded me of Steel Ladle.  I walked over and greeted him.
“Good morning to you, Chef.  Might I get a bite to eat this morning?”
“We serve breakfast at 7:00, sir” he said, not turning from the oatmeal.
I thought I recognized a particular accent, so I said, “`A`ohe lokomaika`i i nele i ke pâna`I” which translates roughly to “No kind deed has ever lacked its reward”.
The chef slowly turned around, looked at me and said in the same language, “And how is it some unicorn Other from the Outer Reaches knows the language of the Ponies?”
“I know Steel Ladle from working at the Palace in Canterlot.  Is he a Pony you know?”
“He is my Younger Brother.”
“A grand Pony he is.  He has Warmth in his Hale and Joyful Living in his Heart.”
The chef gestured to another pony.  As the other pony came over to stir the oatmeal, the chef said, “Eat with me.”
I nodded.  “You have my thanks and it is my honor.”
Without further ado, the chef brought out Summer squash, leeks, kale, spinach, some cabbage and some apples.  The apples were Airlie Red, too, which gave me great pleasure.
We ate in silence.  Finally the chef said, “I give you my True Name.”  What followed was a string of syllables which translated to “Keeper of Prosperity”.  “The Others call me Silver Ladle, though, if you wish to use that.”
“You honor me with your True Name, Keeper of Prosperity.  My family name is ‘Apple’, my first ‘Benjamin’ and my True Name is ‘Maker’.
“’Maker’?  Like in the foal’s tale?”
“The same.”
Silver Ladle let out a belly laugh at that.  “Truly?”
I laughed along with him.  “Yes, when I married into the Apple family, they gave me that Name.”
Silver Ladle smiled, and then became serious and switched to Equestrian.  “There is a geas upon you, Maker.”
“Yes, I know.”
Silver Ladle nodded.  “You are brave, Maker.”
“No, Silver Ladle, but I understand this is the Price.”
“Wise, too,” the chef answered.  Then his eyes rolled back in his head.  Startled, I extended my healing senses, but Silver Ladle was fine, just with a very slow heart rate.  Then he spoke in a voice not his own which sounded like it came from the bottom of a well:

Cursed twice is the land,
Cursed twice, but not by hand,
Cursed by hoof and twisted claw,
All life from the land to draw,
One chance to be undone,
One chance, the two made none,
By the blood of purest heart,
Given freely from the start.

I listened, eyes wide and ears perked; it gave me a shiver, it did.  Silver Ladle took a deep breath and then his eyes rolled forward.
“So.  It is for you to save us.  My father’s grandfather spoke of this time but we thought he was in his dotage.”
“Yes, it’s why the Authorities brought me here.  I am Guardian and the Magic of Equestria is my Guide.”
Silver Ladle nodded, and then smiled.  “I believe I’ll take some time and visit my homeland.  I’ll take my brother with me.”  He stood and I did as well.  He came around the table and embraced me, massive strength in his muscled forelegs.
“Save us,” said Silver Ladle as he pulled back.
“I will, I swear on my Sacred Honor or I will die trying.”  I Felt my magic pulse to the oath.
“E pili mau na pomaika`i ia `oe,” said Silver Ladle.  May blessings ever be with you.
“A hui kaua,” I answered.  Until we meet again.  “Each day to the fullest,” I added and the chef nodded and smiled.
He shook my hoof, and then went back to work.  I made my way outside through the rear entrance and walked around to the factory.  I slipped in a side door and worked my way through the foundry and to the project floor.  There was a brand new locomotive, a new design as well.  A 4-6-2 with four leading wheels on two axles, six powered and coupled driving wheels on three axles, and two trailing wheels on one axle.  She had a two-cylinder simplex engine around 220,000 lbs. with 79" drive wheels on long axle centers.  She'd run at 220 psi easy, twice that in an emergency.  Oh, marvelous, Fall, just marvelous.
“She’s a beauty, isn’t she, Boss?”
“That she is, Fall,” I answered without turning.  “She’ll run twice or even three times the freight and four times the passengers.”
Fall came up next to me.  “Amos and I designed her and Mr. Smithson told us to go ahead.  She’s magic fired, too, so no wood tender.  That means she carries four times the water.”
“Excellent, Fall, very well done.  Say, what are you doing out here?” I said, turning to her.
“Looking for you, of course.  Where else would you be?”
“You had breakfast?”
“I’m just heading that way, Boss.”
“I’ll keep you company, then would you fly me back to Ponyville?  I’m betting Jon will want to stay here for a few days to get reacquainted.”
“I like him; he’s nice.  And sure, I’ll fly you back.”
We turned and headed back to the main house.  Breakfast was very much a communal affair with the Smithsons although a number of ponies this morning looked the worse for wear from their revelries.  We sat with Jon, the brothers and Mr. Smithson.
“Ben, I think I’ll stay for a bit,” said Jon.
“I thought you might.  Shall I send Pinkie down?”
Jon nodded.  “Please ask her to come on 11th on the 8 o’clock out of Ponyville.  I’ll meet her at the station.  We’ll be back on 15th at the latest.”
“Consider it done, Jon.”
The rest of the conversation was on machines and Fall joined right in.  I just listened, pleased to have other like-minded ponies around me.  Fall did take a moment to ask about Winter and the baby and I told her both were fine.
Breakfast done, Mr. Smithson and Jon walked Fall and me to the aeroplane.  I shook hooves with both Smithsons while Fall warmed up the engine.
“You’re welcome here anytime, Mr. Apple, anytime.  And from now on, whatever you need, you just ask,” said Josiah.
“You’ve already given me your most valuable possession, sir, but I thank you for the offer nonetheless.  Jon, I’ll look after things until you get back.”
I waved, then boarded.  Fall was ready and we taxied, then lifted off into the blue sky.
> Preparation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Preparation

In a field one summer's day a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart's content. An Ant passed by, struggling to drag an ear of corn to the nest.
"Why not come and chat with me," said the Grasshopper, "instead of working so hard?"
"I am helping to save food for the winter," said the Ant, "and suggest you do the same."
"Why worry about winter?" said the Grasshopper; “We have plenty of food right now."
But the Ant went on its way and continued its toil. When winter came the Grasshopper had no food and found itself dying of hunger, while it saw the ants distributing every day corn and grain from what they had collected in the summer.

Moral: It is best to prepare for the days of necessity.

“Tales for Foals”, The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge

We talked a little on the way back, mainly about Fall’s new nephew which Spring and Bull had named Benjamin Brickle, thank you very much.  I knew Fall well enough to know how happy she was and she hummed along as she flew.  I listened a moment, then sang:

I love to go awandering,
Along the mountain track,
And when I go, I love to sing,
My knapsack on my back!

Valderee, valderah,
Valderee, valderah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha,
Valderee, valderah,
My knapsack on my back!

I love to wander by the stream,
That dances in the sun,
So joyously, it calls to me,
Come join my happy song!

Valderee, valderah,
Valderee, valderah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha,
Valderee, valderah,
Come join my happy song!

Overhead, the skylarks wing,
They never rest at home,
But just like me, they love to sing,
As o'er the world we roam!

Valderee, valderah,
Valderee, valderah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha,
Valderee, valderah,
As o'er the world we roam!

Fall laughed and joined me on the chorus, both of us shouting out the “ah-ha-ha’s”.
When we finished, I said, “That was your favorite song as a filly, Fall.  You used to sing it when you were putting something together.”
Fall nodded, pleased I’d remembered.
Nothing for it, I thought.  Telling Fall would be as hard as telling AJ and the family.
“Fall, I’m going away for a time next Third.”
“Where, Boss?”
“The Griffon Lands.  To fulfill my Purpose.”
Fall froze, then looked over at me, eyes wide.  “You’ll…you’ll come back, right?  You won’t leave me?”
I sighed.  “I’ll do my best, hon, I truly will.”
Fall turned back to the front window and set her mouth in an expression I knew well, looking exactly like her mother when Ma was exasperated.
“Price, Fall, Price.  We’ve talked about this.”
“Send somepony else!”
“Oh, Fall, don’t be such a numbskull!  You understand responsibility well enough now not to say such things.”
Fall drooped.  “I know, it’s just that…well, I don’t want you to leave, that’s all.”
“You’re a young mare now, Fall.  You know some of the World and how magic works.”
“Take me with you!”
“This is for me to do alone.  You know that, too.  Don’t talk nonsense, Punkin’.”
“It’s not nonsense, it’s not!  It’s just…” and Fall started crying.
I took the controls, reached into my pouch and handed her my last handkerchief.  Fall waved it off and pulled one from her own pouch.
“Well, at least you’ve learned something at the Smithsons.”
“You’re not funny, Boss!”
“Yes I am.  Knock, knock, Fall.”
“What?” said Fall, wiping her eyes and nose.
“Knock, knock.”
“Ah…who’s there?”
“Interrupting Cow.”
“Interrupting Cow, wh…?”
“Moooooo!” I yelled before Fall finished her question.
Fall started laughing and couldn’t stop.  “That was so dumb!  You’re so dumb sometimes, Ben!”
I laughed along.  Fall was a little better after that but still sad, of course.  We stayed silent the remainder of the trip, each lost in our own thoughts.
Fall landed on a dime right before 9, stopped the engine, then turned to me.
“Boss?”
“Speak.”
“Say ‘pruuuuuunes’.”
“Pruuuu…” I started.  Fall stopped me with a sweet, gentle, loving Ren kiss.
She pulled back.  “I love you,” she said.
“And I love you, Punkin’.  I’ll see you at Year’s End.”
“’Bye.”
“Good-bye, hon,” I said and shut the door.  Fall taxied and took off, flew over the field and waggled her wings, then headed back to Hoofington.
I took a breath and looked around.  It was perfect day, warm but not too hot.  I could Feel the ground under my hooves and the sky above me.  Yes, it was a good day to be alive.

I trotted to Sugar Cube Corner and the door signaled my entrance.
“Right with you!” I heard Pinkie yell from the kitchen.  I also heard her stop pedaling Fall’s kneading machine and I was glad it had survived Pinkie using it all this time.
Pinkie bounced out of the back, saw me and leapt over the counter to land with her forehooves on my shoulders.
“Ben!  You’re back!!  How’d it go, how’d it go?!?!”
“Very well indeed, Pinkie,” I said, holding her left forehoof with my right.  “Jon’s family welcomed him back into the fold and then threw a party even you would have appreciated.”
“Yay!  I knew you could do it, Ben, I knew it!  Mmmmwah!” yelled Pinkie as she kissed me on the mouth and started hopping around the room.  As always, she tasted like cotton candy.
Pinkie stopped in mid-air, then landed and turned to me.
“But what about me?  Do you think his family will like me?” she asked anxiously.
“They’ll love you, Pinkie, particularly if you take a dozen of those famous cream horns of yours for Jon’s mother Mrs. Smithson.  Fall, Jon and I all talked you up, too.  Jon asked if you’d please take the 8 o’clock on 11th.  He’ll meet you at the station.
“Oh, gosh, oh, gosh, oh GOSH, I’m going to meet his family.  What’ll I do, what’ll I do?!?” asked Pinkie, cramming her forehooves into her mouth.
“You’ll be yourself, of course.  Jon will help you, never fear.  We all must go through this misery when we’re engaged, you know.”
“You weren’t miserable, Ben.”
“Oh, really?” I said dryly.
“You weren’t!  AJ told us you loved meeting all her relatives.”
“Then I’m sure you’ll enjoy it as well, Pinkie, since you’re certainly more…sociable than I’ll ever be.”
“Hey!  You’re right!!  I am sociable!”  And with that, Pinkie hopped back to the kitchen, giggling all the while.
I’d turned to leave when she stuck her head out of the kitchen again.
“What day did you say, Ben?”
“11th”
“Okay, thanks,” and she vanished again.
I opened the door.
“What time?” Pinkie yelled from the kitchen.
“8 o’clock!  In the morning!” I yelled back.  Sheesh, what a ditz.  Lovable, though.
I trotted to the Post Office and visited with Summer Breeze a few minutes, then headed to the workshop.  Summer Breeze confirmed that yes, today was Derpy’s day off, so I thought I’d stop by and see how she was doing since it was on the way.
I knocked on Derpy’s door and she opened it.  She looked pleased to see me and started to invite me in.
“Who is it, Luscious?” I heard a resonant tenor call out from the kitchen.
“It’s Benjamin Apple, Spark,” said Derpy, calling over her shoulder.  “Please come in, Ben,” Derpy said, voice as pleasant as ever.
“I thank you, Miss Doo.  I just wanted to see how you were.  I won’t stay if you have, ah, company,” I said, arching one eyebrow and looking at Derpy sideways.
“Well, I…” started Derpy.  A handsome cream-colored pegasus stallion came racing out of the kitchen, bag of chips in one hoof.
“Hey, it’s that unicorn wizard everypony is talking about!  Hiya, Mr. Wizard,” said Spark, gripping my right hoof with a hoof covered in potato chip grease.  “Bright Spark’s my name.  Wow, it’s great to meetcha!  Storm, well, he can’t say enough about ya, Wind Rider, too and even Rainbow Dash and she don’t have much good to say about anypony, at least not until lately.”
I started to reply when Spark said, “Say, could you look at my left wing?  The base of it hurts somethin’ fierce.”  Spark didn’t wait for an answer, just turned so his left side faced me, tossing the potato chips bag to Derpy.
“Spark, I don’t think…” started poor Derpy.
“Of course, sir,” I said.  “If you’d spread your wings, please?”
Spark did and his span matched Storm’s easily; a beautiful set of wings.  No wonder he got the fillies.  Well cared for, too.
I extended my healing senses and found a very small muscle tear.  Spark’s wing muscles were so massive he could still fly although I bet he was in pain sure enough.
“Spark, you’re right hooved, yes?”
“Yessir, that I am.”
“You’re overcompensating on your left turns with your left wing,” I said as I fixed the tear and reduced the swelling.  “Try some strength exercises before you go back to aerobatics and make sure you stretch every single time before you fly.  In the meantime, nothing fancy for a week or so, all right?”
Spark flexed his left wing, then flapped both.  “Say, that’s great!”  He grabbed my right forehoof and pumped it up and down.  “Thanks, Mr. Wizard.  Oh, hey, I gotta go to work!  Good to meetcha, Mr. Wizard.  By, hon, love you!”  With that, Spark zinged off into the sky.
I looked over at Derpy.  Derpy stood holding that bag of potato chips, blushing a fierce pink.  I raised my eyebrow again and looked as bland as possible.
“’Luscious’?”
“He’s really very sweet,” said Derpy.
“Oh, yes, I’m sure, no doubt about it.  Most likely it was his gentle temperament and reserved personality which attracted you to him in the first place.”
Derpy giggled, and then really laughed.  I grinned right along with her, and then went to wash the grease off of my hooves.  While I was washing off, I called out to Derpy, using her Private Name.
“Mary Kate?”
“Maker?  What is it?  You sound sad.”  Derpy came up behind me as I stood at the sink and put her right forehoof around my waist.
Huh, leave it up to somepony as sensitive as Derpy to pick up on that.  I dried my hooves, turned, and then put my forehoof around her waist as we walked back to the parlor.
“I have to go away for awhile next Third.  I just wanted to tell you how much I’ve enjoyed knowing you and how much I appreciate our friendship.  I love you, Mary Kate, and am glad you’re in my life.”
“This is what you talked about that Winter morning, isn’t it?”
I just nodded.
Derpy reared, threw her hooves around me and buried her muzzle in my neck.  “You’d better come back, you’d just better!  I want you to deliver my foals and…and nopony else can preen like you, either!  You’d just better…come…” And then she broke down.  A day for tears, I thought, and held her tighter.
Derpy didn’t cry for long, then cleaned up in the bathroom.  When she came out, she was fine again.  We visited a little longer, then I went to leave.
“Each day to the fullest,” I told her, kissing her on both sides of her muzzle and touching her nose with mine.
“Each day to the fullest,” Derpy echoed, returning the Pegasus Farewell.  “Not a bad way to live, Ben.  Preen me later today?”
“Oh, ho, so I’m still good for something, am I?”
Derpy smacked me in the shoulder.  “You know better than that!  Do Spark, too, huh?”
I sighed, rolled my eyes up to the sky, then looked back at my beautiful pegasus friend.  “Yes, of course, Derpy.  I’ll see you this afternoon at 3.”
I waved good-bye and headed to the workshop.  Now, I thought, it was time to gather allies.

Alliances

Hence he does not strive to ally himself with all and sundry, nor does he foster the power of other states.  He carries out his own secret designs, keeping his antagonists in awe.  Thus he is able to capture their cities and overthrow their kingdoms.

“The Art of War”, Appendix B, The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge

An ecstatic Jon came back on 15th with an even more ecstatic Pinkie.  The visit had gone exceptionally well.  Mrs. Smithson said Pinkie was mishpacha already and Mrs. Smithson couldn’t wait to play with her little pink grandfoals.  The stallions adored her, too.
I thought Jon worked before, but now that he had his family back again and was engaged, he went into overdrive.  I helped him with the plane for Lord Cecil and we had it finished in a month.  It was about the same size as the old aeroplane but had an aluminum skin and frame, hydraulic controls and a more powerful engine.  We had her up 170 mph with nary a vibration during the test flight.  And she was exactly what I needed.  I also asked Jon to please get with the Lambert sisters to start planning the cider factory.
I talked to AJ later that night when she and I were getting ready for bed.
“Tomorrow morning, I’ll take Scoots up for couple of hours, then fly to Muncy Valley, maybe visit the family in Appleoosa, then turn around and head for Lord Cecil’s.  Depending on how long it takes Lord Cecil to learn how to fly, I should be back on the 28th or 29th, maybe 1st of Ninth.  I’ll send you a telegram if I’m going to be later than that.”
“’Kpllth,” said AJ who was brushing her teeth.
I heard AJ spit, then she leaned against the bathroom door.  “You gonna tell me what’s really goin’ on when you get back, Partner?”
I looked at her, then away.
AJ came and put a hoof over my shoulders.  “Whatever it is, we can face it together, Hon.”
I shook my head violently enough the tears on my muzzle flew off.
“Maker, what is it?” asked AJ, gripping me harder.
I cleared my throat, blew my nose, then said, “Are you a Level 6, Hon?”
“7.  So’s Granny.”
“What?  I didn’t know that.  Well, now, that does help.”  I took a deep breath.  “Yes, Protector of the Realm, I will tell you everything when I get back, starting with my arrival in Canterlot.  Then we’ll tell the family together.”
“Will I like it?”
“No, ma’am, you will not.”
“Well, we’ll handle it, no matter what it is.  C’mon, I’ll give ya the Special.”
I wasn’t about to turn that down.  But I knew I couldn’t delay any longer telling AJ and the family I was going to the Griffon Lands and wasn’t sure if I’d come back or not.
Each day to the fullest, I reminded myself as I lay down, each day to the fullest.

Scootaloo raced up on her scooter right at 7.  She was at the filly stage where she looked awkward but wasn’t.  I thoroughly enjoyed her company.
“’Morning, Mr. Apple!” she said, parking her scooter against the hangar.  “Is this the new plane?  Wow, she’s beautiful!”
“A completely different feel than the Apple Bloom, Scoots, but I think you’ll enjoy flying her.  Let me take us off, then I’ll had the controls over to you.”
Scoots was full of praise as we strapped in and ran through the simple checklist.  I taxied around and we took off.  I handed over the controls and let Scoots get a feel of the hydraulics.
“Hey, it takes almost nothing to turn now,” said Scoots, twisting the plane back and forth.  “Neat.”
“Ready to shake her down?”
“Yes, sir!”
“Give me a full 45º bank and circle, then.”
Scoots did, grinning all the while.
“Good!  Same, wing rock, left, right.”
Scoots got that one flawlessly as well.
“Crab the tracks,” I said, after looking down.
We flew along a good 20 minutes, Scoots keeping the railroad tracks dead center.
“Good, Scoots, very good.  Now get us some altitude, do a lazy eight and head back to the landing strip.”
We rose to 4,000 feet, did a lazy eight, then powered her down to as slow as she’d go.  She still didn’t stall at 45 mph but would at 40 which made her very sound.
We were about 10 minutes out when I checked my watch, then waved a hoof out of the window.
“Scootaloo, I want to congratulate you.  You’ve flown 150 hours and have earned your wings.”  I pulled some silver pegasus wings I’d asked Cutter to make out of my pouch and pinned them on Scoot’s vest.  “You’re now a Pilot.  You can teach others, fly freight and carry passengers, too.”
“Gosh, Mr. Apple, I…oh, wow, I can’t wait to tell the others!  Thank you, thank you so much!”
“WHOOOOO!  GO, SCOOOOOTS!” came from outside the plane.
Scootaloo stuck her head out the window and there was today’s Weather Patrol flying mightily to keep up.  They shouted congratulations and encouragement, then veered off after Scoots, grinning, shouted and waved.
“This is the greatest day of my life, Mr. Apple!”
“Take ‘er down, Scoots, and show me that landing.
She did, landing even better than Fall (and better than me, actually).  Scoots taxied to a stop, then shut off the engine.  We both unbuckled, then when we were outside, Scoots threw herself into my forehooves.
“I’m a pilot, I’m a pilot!”
“Yes, and I’m going to recommend you as a test pilot to Smithson and Sons when they start building planes.”
“Ya-hooo!” Scootaloo yelled, clapping her front hooves together.  “I know what I want to do with my life!!  Well, other than work with the Crusaders, of course.”
“Well, I’m off to deliver this one to Lord Cecil, but never fear, Scoots; Jon will build another just like her and when that’s ready, you can fly her whenever you like.”
Scoots hugged me again, then raced to her scooter.  “I’m going to tell Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle!  ‘Bye, Mr. Apple, and thank you again.”
“Yes, miss.  Oh, and Scoots…?”
“Yes, sir?”
I used a touch of magic and pulled off a hidden label on the aeroplane’s nose cone.
“May I present the Scootaloo 1?”
Scoots put both hooves up to her mouth and squeed, hugged me again, and then raced off on her scooter to tell her friends, the Three Pests no longer.  Heh, it was fun being a mechanic, it truly was.  I climbed back aboard, wound her up and took off for Muncy Valley.
It turned out to be harder to find than I thought.  I followed the rail line, pushing the plane as fast as she’d go.  I kept checking my water and stopped in Dodge City to fill up.  I visited with Tin Star, learned the lowlifes had confessed and were long since gone.  I had a quick lunch and Tin Star caught me up on all the family news.  That done, I asked directions to Muncy Valley.
“It’s about a five hour train ride from here, Cuz, on t’other side of Appleloosa.  If’n ya follow the tracks, you should see it.”
“Then I’m on my way.  A pleasure as always, Tin Star.”
I waved good-bye, then took off and headed for the tracks.  I wasn’t as good at crabbing as Scoots but I managed.  I waggled my wings at the Applejack making a freight run and Coal gave me a long blow on the whistle.  I do love those 4-4-0s, I thought.  I decided right then I’d buy the Applejack back from the railroad if they ever replaced her.  Hmm, I’d need to start a museum eventually.  Can’t have locomotives sitting in the front yard of the Homestead.
A little before 3 I found what I thought was Muncy Valley.  I circled it once, and then landed outside of town on a dirt road.  As I opened the aeroplane’s door and right on schedule, here came the local law, another sheriff with two deputies.
“Here, now, whaddya mean landing that contraption in the middle of the road?” said the puffing sheriff, a very portly Earth pony.
“Greetings to you, sir.  Benjamin Apple, at your service.  And as to that, well, I’m afraid I saw no other convenient place to land.”
“Saayyy, this is one o’ them flyin’ machines I read about in Mechanic Monthly, ain’t it?”
An amateur mechanic.  Excellent.  “It is.”
“Tell ya what, Mr. Apple, you take me for a ride and I’ll let you park your aeroplane wherever you like as long as you’re here.”
I held the door. “Welcome aboard, Sheriff!  The right seat, if you please.”
I took off and flew toward the sheriff’s house.  I banked the plane so he could yell down to his equally portly wife.
“Hey, you old mare!  Lookit me!  I’m a’flyin’!”
“Barnabas Brickle, you come down from there at once!” yelled the fat mare, puffing from the back yard to the front and shaking a hoof at the plane.
The sheriff pulled himself back in and laughed and laughed.  “You married, Mr. Apple?” he asked as we headed back to town.
“Yes, indeed, Sheriff, and well married, too.  Just a moment.  Are you any relation to Marguerite Brickle in Ponyville?”
The sheriff nodded.  “Ma’s my sister, Mr. Apple.  Hey, now, Benjamin Apple!  Of Apple Manufacturing!  You’re the one who gave my niece Fall her start!”
I nodded.  “Which proved one of the most fortunate and fulfilling decisions of my entire life.”
“Sure, I remember her talkin’ about you two years ago at the reunion.  I’d forgotten until just now.”
“She’s the star of Smithson and Sons now, Sheriff.”
“Well, ain’t it a small World!  Say, what’re you doing in Muncy Valley anyway?”
I had a story ready and it was actually true.  “The Ponyville Stable of Commerce is always looking for new trading partners.  I had the plane, so they volunteered me to come and visit here.”
“Hmm, don’t know about that.  We’s mainly retirees.  We have a filly who weaves some and a kinda strange stallion who reads them weird cards.  That’s about it.”
“I would like to meet the weaver, if I may.  My friend Rarity runs a boutique and values good material.”
I landed the plane a little closer to town.  The sheriff directed me and I taxied up a side road to a good sized barn, then I backed the plane into it.
“We have dances here twice a month but you can use it for your plane the next week or so.  We can lock the doors, too, just in case,” the sheriff said as we got off of the plane.
“Thank you, Sheriff Brickle.  That eases my mind.”
“You got a place to stay?”
I pointed back to the plane.  “I usually sleep in the plane.  It has a pull down bed.”
“Shoooot, why don’t ya stay with the missus and me?  It’s just us now that the fillies are gone.”
“Most generous, Sheriff, I thank you.”
“C’mon, I’ll introduce you to Marcia, then we can head home for supper.”
We walked down the dusty main street, turned right at the end and stopped by a small cottage.  I recognized it as Marcia O’Reilly’s.
The sheriff knocked but there was no answer.
“Eh, looks like she’s out tendin’ to some of her old ponies again.  Such a sweet filly.  Sits a death watch with’em, too, particularly if they’re alone and don’t have no relatives.”
I just nodded.  Death chose well but I still wasn’t sure how I’d broach the conversation he wanted Marcia as his Apprentice.
“Well, you can see her tomorrow, I guess.  C’mon, I want you to meet the old mare.”
And so I did.  Gwenn Brickle was decidedly grim about my taking her husband of 43 years up in “some flyin’ thingamajig” but I soon mollified her since I talked about Fall throughout supper.  Once I started, I couldn’t seem to stop.  I started with her building the racer, talked about our time with the aristocrats which caused gales of laughter and ended with my giving her the plane patents.
“Well, I Suwannee, Mr. Apple!” said Gwenn.  “Aren’t them things worth a pile o’bits?”
I nodded.  “Yes, ma’am, they are, but when you outsource…”
I was about to give some sort of explanation about cooperation between workshops when I realized it wasn’t true.  I also realized I missed Fall more than I ever imagined.
I used my handkerchief to wipe away a couple of tears.  “Apologies, Sheriff, Mrs. Brickle.”  Both nodded as I put my handkerchief away.  “The reason I gave Fall those patents is because I love her as if she were my own and I want her to succeed.  And because I miss her so, when she opens her own business, if she’ll work with me, I can still see her from time to time.”
Mrs. Brickle stood up and patted my muzzle, reminding me strongly of Mrs. Grass.  “We have fillies, too, Mr. Apple.”
We played a few rounds of gin, then went to bed around my usual time.  I thanked my host and hostess and both wished me a good night.  As I drifted off, I wondered what Fall was doing.  My last thought was of Airlie.

“Blood, pony.”
I looked around to see who was speaking.  There on a flat rock was a puma, her tan, muscled form stretched out in the Moonlight.
“I beg your pardon, Sleek One?”  Magnificent!
The puma licked her paw.  “The land needs blood.  Blood and magic.”
“The Griffon Lands?”
The puma sniffed.  “I know not what name you give it, pony.  I just know there is a sickness here that offends me.  You are a healer.  You must cure it with blood and magic.  That’s the only way.”
“Why blood?”
The puma gave the cat equivalent of a shrug.  “Magic A is magic A, pony,” she answered, and then was gone.
I called after her, then turned.
The full Moon shone on a vast, black plain.  There was no life there.  The soil was sterile and the anti-life was spreading.  It crept toward my hooves.  “Blooooood,” said the Wind.

I woke up, the rising Sun shining in the pleasant bedroom window.  Swell, another dream.  I ran through a T’ai Chi short form, then used the outhouse and washed off in the washbasin.  I opened the window, scrubbed the room, turned the mattress, cleaned the sheets, remade the bed and polished the paneling, floor and furniture.  I walked out to find both Brickles up and ready for breakfast.
“’Mornin’, Mr. Apple!  Sleep well?”
“As if I were in my own bed, Sheriff.”
“After breakfast we’ll try Marcia’s again.”
I nodded my thanks.
Around 8 we found ourselves in front of Marcia’s.  The sheriff knocked and in a few seconds Marcia answered the door.
“Why, Sheriff!  Good morning to you.  Is there some sort of problem?”
“Not at all, Marcia.  I just wanted you to meet Benjamin Apple from Ponyville.  He’d like a look at your weaving.”
I shook a size 5 hoof.  “Oh, of course!  Welcome to Muncy Valley, Mr. Apple.”
“A pleasure, Miss O’Reilly.”
“Please come in.  Sheriff?”
“Nah, I’m for work else the deputies slack off.  I’ll see you for supper tonight, Mr. Apple.”
“Thank you, Sheriff.”
I walked into a pleasant five room cottage, the room off to the side dominated by a floor loom.  Marcia had me wait in the living room and starting bringing out various swatches of fabric and some complete garments.  The quality was exceptional and even the dyes were impressive.  When I asked, Marcia said she used local plants where she could and imported the rest.
“I don’t suppose you have any capes for stallions, do you, Miss O’Reilly?” I said, half-joking.
“Oh, yes, sir.  Just a moment, please.”
Marcia went into a back room and brought out a black wool cape with a red satin lining.  I felt my ears perk forward and my eyes widen slightly.  It was a dream cape, exactly the kind I’d always wanted.  Marcia handed it to me and I used magic to swirl it over my shoulders and haunches.  It was a perfect fit and I admired myself in a full-length mirror in the living room.
“Miss O’Reilly?”
“Yes, sir?”
“I must have this cape.  I must.  I must!” I insisted, sounding like Rarity for a moment.
“Of course, Mr. Apple.  Let’s see, that one is 100 bits,” said Marcia, checking a list she had next to the loom.
“Sold!” I yelled, and wrote out a check for 110 bits.  Then I propped my left forehoof on a chair, raised an imaginary sword with the other and started the cape fluttering with magic.  I quoted from the Ancient Equestrian play Death and the General, a play where a mare Death comes to confront an arrogant general and ends up his lover.
“Let her come and find me,” I intoned.  “For I stand at the head of my troops.  What will Death do to me here?”
Marcia laughed and clapped her front hooves together, then raced into the back again.  She came out wearing a black cloak with a hood and delivered the next line in a voice half an octave lower than her speaking voice.
“So, then, General, do you think all your collected might, your slaves, your mares, your army will save you from my touch?”
Still acting the part, I shook my head and lowered my imaginary sword.  “Nay, Lady Death, but I would bargain with you.  I knew calling you thus would bring you to me.”
“What would you have of me then, mortal?”
“A game, my Lady.  I win, I get two more years.  You win, I come with you this very day.”
“A deal then,” said Marcia, swirling her cloak perfectly.  “Name your game and I will defeat you!”
We both broke out laughing then and collapsed into chairs.
“Wonderful!  Well done, Miss O’Reilly!”  I certainly did like this mare.
Marcia, still laughing, said, “I wonder if the real Death would enjoy that play?”
“He does, at that.  He’s actually played a few games in his time.  Don’t play him in poker, though.”
Whup.  I realized what I’d said only after I said it.
I looked over at Marcia and wondered if she’d run shrieking out the door.  But no, she just looked thoughtful.
“A grey alicorn in a white, three-piece suit?  Sad eyes?” she said, tentatively.
“You’ve seen him!” I said, astonished.
Marcia nodded, then stood and folded her black cloak.  “More than once.  When my old ponies die, I sometimes see Death come and retrieve their spirits.”  Marcia looked up at me.  “You don’t seem surprised, Mr. Apple.  When I’ve told a couple of other ponies, well…they just patted my head and said I was good filly for sitting death watches.”
I stood and took off my cape which Marcia folded for me.  “Miss O’Reilly, while I would indeed like for Rarity to look at your weaving, I came here for another reason.”  I took a deep breath.  “Death would like for you to become his Apprentice.  I volunteered to, shall we say, test the waters with you first.”
Marcia sat, my cape still in her lap.  “Death’s Apprentice.  What would I have to do, exactly?”
“Ah, well, unfortunately we never…”
“I WILL TAKE IT FROM HERE, BEN, SHALL I?” came a familiar voice.
I turned and much to my relief there stood Death.  I gave him a half bow, then said, “Miss Marcia O’Reilly, may I present the Avatar of Death?”
“Ohhh,” said Marcia, staring at Death with wide eyes.  “You’re so handsome!  You’ve come and gone so quickly before, I never got a chance to notice.”
Death actually blushed!  I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it.  Who knew Avatars could blush?  Of course, he had manifested on this Plain, but still…!  I will never, ever let him live this down, I thought gleefully.
“THANK YOU, MISS O’REILLY,” said Death, recovering.  “MAY I SPEAK TO YOU OF YOUR FUTURE?”
That was my cue.  “Exit, stage left.  Miss O’Reilly, Death, I’ll leave you two to get acquainted.  Miss O'Reilly, if you’d put my cape in my left saddlebag with the swatches?  Thank you.”
> The Earl and the Marchioness Again
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Earl and the Marchioness Again

The more, therefore, an aristocracy calls to its aid its innate forces, - its impenetrability, its high spirit, its power of haughty resistance - to deal with a crisis, the graver the danger.

“On Governance”, The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge

Fine clothes are a passport into good society, if with them one possesses a knowledge of savoir faire. We would not believe, or state that an elegant suit of clothes would make a gentlemare or gentlestallion of Patrick or Bridget, for there is something more required than the outer appearance; but we do know that a gentlestallion shabbily attired fails to make the same impression upon us, as one who is well-dressed. And also that the knowledge of being well-dressed -- not necessarily in a very expensive attire, but becomingly and suitably dressed, does give one an ease of manner, and an unconsciousness of self, which can never be obtained, when one is conscious of looking badly, i.e., dressed in clothing which is out of date, or fits very badly, or does not blend harmoniously with one's complexion, height, or figure.

“On Deportment”, The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge

I closed the door behind me and breathed a sigh of relief.  I thanked the Magic my Luck was still running since there was no other explanation for how well that went.  I had much of the day still ahead of me, so I trotted to check on the plane, then decided it was time and past time for me review my T’ai Chi katas.  I found a quiet spot and started, moving as slowly as possible.  When I finally broke concentration after kata 120, there stood the sheriff along with a good two dozen other townspeople who had gathered.  Some even had folding chairs.
The locals saw me notice them and started clapping, cheering and whistling.  I gave a T’ai Chi bow and somepony tossed me a towel since I was wringing wet.
“C’mon, Captain Mad, let’s go home and get some supper,” said the sheriff as he put a forehoof over my shoulder.
I just grinned as we turned toward his house.
The next morning, I cleaned my room again, had another very pleasant breakfast, then thanked my excellent host and hostess.  I stopped by Marcia’s but she wasn’t home, so I counted my duty done and retrieved the plane.  I flew over the town, then waggled my wings at the sheriff and at Mrs. Brickle before heading back up the tracks.
I landed in Appleloosa to a mob of relatives and ended up staying there until the 24th.  Everypony had to have a ride in the plane and since they were relatives, well, I was happy to do it.  I played with my young cousins, too, and found one who was an extremely promising future mechanic.  She was only 8 but had put together a rubber band powered plane of her own.  We flew it, I made a few modifications and then of course all the foals had to have one.
I waved good-bye the morning of the 25th, found the tracks and headed for Lord Cecil’s estate.  I made good time and got there right at noon.  I flew over the house, banked, flew back even lower and then landed on the racetrack.
I climbed out of the plane and was retrieving my saddlebags when the racer came tearing along and stopped next to me.  It was Lord Cecil and Lady Gabrielle, Fleur looking very fetching in her white leather helmet with matching goggles.  As they got out, I gave a half bow.  Both returned it, then shook my right hoof.
“By Godfrey, Maker, you’ve done it again!” said Lord Cecil, forehooves on hips while he stared in admiration at the plane.
“She is beautiful, Maker,” said Fleur.
“Thank you, Milady.  And only one of two, Milord,” I said, tapping on the aluminum skin.  “I’ll make one more for myself, then retire this model.”
“Scootaloo 1,” Lord Cecil read.  “I say, I remember that little filly from when I visited Ponyville.  Always tearing around with the other two.”
“She’s the best pilot in the World now, Milord.  She earned her wings just before I left and is qualified to teach others.”
“Well, I’m dashed!  Shame Fall couldn’t join you this time.”
“Oh, you’ll see much more of her, Milord, never fear, when she starts building planes of her own.”
“Well, then!  Lunch first, then a ride?”
“Delighted, sir.”
I sat in the rumble seat as Lord Cecil drove us back to the house.  There was Fabersham to greet us, as always the perfect head butler.  I asked about his youngest and he said she was working for Lady Astrid as a lady’s maid which was quite the position.  I told him I’d catch him up on Fall later.
We had a very pleasant lunch and I kept the conversation light.  After lunch, we drove back to the track and I took both up in the plane.  Fleur proved an excellent student and was flying by day’s end.  Lord Cecil was no slouch, either, and I thought another two days and both would be ready to solo or at least not crash the plane.
I did a touch-and-go, then let Fleur do the same.  Lord Cecil bounced us around a bit but recovered well; he had a cool head from racing.  We did that a half dozen more times, then I had Fleur land us for the day.  She coasted the plane to a stop, then gave us a grin of triumph.  Once again I reminded myself she was French after all.
I complimented both and then I showed them how to shut down the plane.  I’d included a custom made MCU with it and told both it would revolutionize the World once Jon started making them en masse.  Lord Cecil wanted me to tell him how it worked but I begged off citing a proprietary invention which wasn’t mine.  Like any good host, he was fine with that.
We drove back to the house and Fabersham showed me to my room.  I’d brought my tails and laid out my new cape with it; I thought I’d sweep it off as I walked into the dining room for a dramatic entrance.  I ran a shower, then sang Listen to the Mockingbird in it since I was missing AJ:

I’m dreaming now of my Halley,
Sweet Halley, sweet Halley,
I’m dreaming now of Halley,
For the thought of her is one that never dies

She's sleeping in the valley,
The valley, the valley,
She's sleeping in the valley,
And the Mockingbird is singing where she lies

Listen to the Mockingbird, listen to the Mockingbird,
Listen to the Mockingbird still singing oe'er her grave,
Listen to the Mockingbird, listen to the Mockingbird,
Still singing where the weeping willows wave

I finished it and sang snatches from a few other songs, then got dressed.  I opened the room door at 5 ‘til 6 to find Fabersham along with Lady Gabrielle and several of the other staff in the hall.  They all applauded and I made a half bow while swirling my cape.  My, that was fine, to swirl a cape at last!  I couldn’t wait for Lady Magic to see it.
“I did now know you could sing so well, Maker,” said Fleur, taking my forehoof so I could escort her into the dining room.
“We often sing in the fields, Fleur, when we’re close enough for a duet.  And of course we sing in the evenings, particularly during the Winter months.  AJ plays several stringed instruments and I can play the piano myself.”
“How wonderful!  Will you play for us after supper?”
“If I can warm up, Fleur; I haven’t been at a keyboard in weeks.”
After supper, we retired to the small parlor.  Fabersham whisked away a cover and there was a superb Steinmare, the finest I’d ever seen.  I used magic to tune her, then ran though some four-octave scales starting with C major and ending with B flat minor.  Lord Cecil and Fleur clapped madly when I finished even though I told them I was just warming up.
I played a few classical pieces including Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman, then insisted both sing the chorus of Listen to the Mockingbird, Nelly Bly and Goober Peas.  Both did, Lord Cecil in a tuneful if slightly nasal baritone and Fleur in a pitch-perfect soprano.  Fabersham asked permission for the staff to listen and they stood around the walls, all of them right down to the gardener.  I insisted they sing as well, so we had quite the choir.
I took a break after an hour and played while Fleur sang Ah, Les Crocodiles and few other fun French songs.  Lord Cecil begged off since he said the songs he knew weren’t fit for mixed company.  Next I sang some of the milder sea shanties including A-Roving and Drunken Sailor which caused much hilarity, nobles and staff alike belting out:

A rovin', a rovin',
Since rovin's been my ru-i-in,
I'll go no more a roving,
With you fair maid!

And

Way, hey and up she rises!
Way, hey and up she rises!
Way, hey and up she rises!
Ear-lie in th’ mornin’!

I looked around as I played, ponies noble and common laughing, clapping, loving life and was so moved I almost had to stop playing.  In between songs, I had to wipe my eyes more than once.  Only Fleur noticed and I saw her worried expression but pretended I didn’t.  I won’t let this end, I thought, I swear it as Guardian.
I played Tell Me Ma and used Fleur’s name as the “Belle of Canterlot” which caused her to blush even while she clapped and sang along.  My final number was Catch the Wind, a strange, haunting song and one of the few songs Jon liked.  It made me think of my promise to sing at his wedding and I almost lost my composure again.
I didn’t, though, and rose to take a bow to raucous applause and whistles.  The staff went back to their quarters or night duties and I wished my host and hostess a good night.  I rinsed off in the bathroom, brushed my teeth and sat staring out at the gardens again.  No moon tonight, so there wasn’t much to see but I found it soothing.
I heard a light knock on my door which I’d expected.
“Come,” I said.
Fleur slipped into my room with all her stealthy grace, then came and leaned against my left foreleg.  When she looked at me I kissed her nose and somewhat to my surprise, she kissed my nose back.  I thought of Rainbow Dash and did cry then, shaking but not making a sound.
Fleur just waited until I finished.
“Maker, what is it?  Will you tell me?”
I nodded and said, “Day after tomorrow, Milady.  You and Lord Cecil both.  It’s too terrible to talk about now and I want these next two days to be ones we enjoy.”
Fleur rubbed her muzzle under my chin, then said, “Very well.  Yes, let’s have a fine time, Benjamin.”
And she was gone.  I sighed, then said my mantra: every day to the fullest.

And so the next two days were.  We flew the plane, timed each other in the racer (Fleur won), galloped across the estate, went on picnics and had a splendid time.  The second afternoon we all galloped to a gazebo during a sudden rain shower, Fleur between Lord Cecil and me.  As we watched it rain, Fleur looked at both of us, one after the other.
“Je t'aime, mes beaux étalons,” she said, kissing Cecil’s muzzle and then mine.
“Je t'aime, ma petite pouliche” “Je t'aime, ma Dame” Cecil and I answered.
Finally, the second evening came.  As we rose from dinner, I asked if there were somewhere we could discuss a Level 6 threat.  Fleur and Lord Cecil looked at one another, then Fancy Pants led us to his locked study.  He produced a key, opened the door, let us through and locked the door behind us.
We all lay in front of the unlit fireplace facing one another, our bodies spokes in a triangle.  I took a breath.
“Lady Gabrielle de Rochechouart, I wish to invoke the Hand of the Council.”
Fleur nodded.  “The charge?”
“Violation of the Fourth Law.”
Both unicorns stared at that, but Fleur kept to the form.
“The lawbreaker?”
“Princess Celestia, Senior Ruler of Equestria.”
“What?!?”  Fleur was on her hooves, then backed away from me.  “Are you insane, Maker?”
Lord Cecil went pale, then looked very sad.  “No, he isn’t, Fleur.”
“Alistair, not you, too!  Don’t you, either of you, realize you’re speaking treason!?!  It’s the knife for both of you if Lady Astrid finds out.”
Fancy Pants sounded tired.  “She already knows, Fleur.”
“Cecil, what…?”
Lord Cecil interrupted her.  “Hero, you’re a 6?”
“Yes, Milord.”
“Now you’re a 7.  Only three other ponies - Princess Luna, Chancellor and Lady Astrid - know what I’m about to tell you and Fleur.”  Lord Cecil took a deep breath.  “The Princess hasn’t raised the Sun in over a month.  Luna’s been doing it for her although for reasons we don’t understand, Princess Celestia won’t admit Luna is helping.”
I nodded while poor Fleur stood with her mouth open.  “Dark Magic effects the mind as well as the body, Milord.  Soon she’ll begin to hallucinate.  And the Dark Magic infection was why she lost to Chrysalis at the wedding and why the changelings managed to tear through into our World as well.”
Lady Gabrielle collapsed next to Cecil.  “No!  It can’t be!  When?  When could she have used Dark Magic, and more importantly, why?”
“I don’t know, ma petite.  Hero of the Realm?”
I nodded and held out my right forehoof.  Lord Cecil’s and Fleur’s met mine and we merged.  In a few minutes, they knew all I knew.
After I released both, Cecil threw up on the hearth.  Fleur went a deathly pale but wasn’t sick although it looked like she wanted to be.
“The griffons!”
I nodded.  “And now I know my Purpose, Milady.”  I used my cleaning spell to take care of Lord Cecil’s vomit and he nodded to thank me although he was still shaking.
“Horrible,” Fancy Pants said.  “To kill a land.  To kill a World!”
“And yourself eventually, Milord, in the most terrible way imaginable.”
They looked at one another, then at me.
“What do we do, Hero of the Realm?” asked Lady Gabrielle.
I told them.

We left the study without speaking to one another, lost in our own thoughts.  I went to my room, bushed my teeth and sat staring out the window.  I was calm again now that my aristocratic friends knew and I suspected I’d stay calm from now on.  It was the way of things, I thought, and felt at peace.
I heard my bedroom door open.  Fleur ghosted to my left and Lord Cecil to my right.  Both slid their forehooves over my back and both were shaking, Lord Cecil crying without a sound like I did the other night.  I put my forehooves around both and held them as tightly as I could.  I wrapped both in my magic field and sent them reassurance.  I am Guardian, I sent, I’ll give my life for you.  I am Guardian, do not fear, I’ve trained for this, this is my Purpose.  Confidence is high.  Funny how that last phrase we’d used in the Guard always worked so well.
Soon both settled and we stared out the window together for a good 10 minutes, saying nothing.
“Call me Alistair when it’s just us and Fleur, Maker,” said Lord Cecil finally.
“You honor me with your Private Name, sir.  I thank you.  Alistair,” I continued, “I know how much you love Fleur.  Marry her and give her foals.  If I’ve learned nothing these past few months, it’s you must seize the day and live each day to the fullest.”
Alistair leaned forward at the same time as Fleur.
“Marry me?”
“I will, mon cher,” answered Fleur.  “I’d like a Midsummer wedding.  Will you sing for us, Ben?”
I pretended to be put out.  “Honestly, here I go, off to save the World, and you two plan a wedding right in the middle of it.  Will you at least put it off until after Sixth?  I have to sing at Jon’s wedding then.  Egad, I hate weddings and here I have to attend two in a row!”
Alistair laughed.  “I say, if you don’t save the World, you won’t have to attend either one.”
I joined in.  “Heeeyyy, that’s right!  I hadn’t thought of that.  Whew, a way out at last!”
Fleur, appalled, hissed at both of us as we doubled over laughing.  “What’s the matter with you two?  Stop that!”  That made us laugh even harder, of course.  Fleur never did join in, just looked annoyed and cursed us in French.
We soon sobered although it was genuinely funny.  “Ah, me.  Whoo!  Ahem, I’ll see you both in the morning, yes?  Alistair, if you could please fly me home tomorrow, it’s time for me to tell the family what I’ve told you.”
Both nobles nodded.  “Thank you, Maker,” said Fleur, and kissed me on both cheeks.
“’Night, my friends.”

The Price

Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.

“Poems for Mages and Mechanics”, The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge

The black plain again.
“Blood and magic, Brother-in-Law,” I heard.
I turned and there was Apple Bloom.
“Sister-in-Law,” I answered, then kissed her nose.
Apple Bloom kissed my nose in return, then held out her right forehoof.  In it was a single multi-colored apple seed.  A Zap Apple, a magic fruit which only Granny and Apple Bloom could grow and only under very specific conditions.
“Blood and magic, Maker,” she said, dropping the seed in my right forehoof.  Then she turned and pointed at a spot next to a dead tree.
“Was this is the place, Bloom?  Was this where she cast the spell?”
Apple Bloom just smiled, then slowly dissolved into black sand.
“Blood and magic, Maker,” the Wind whispered to me.
Of course.

I woke up, smiled to myself, then went back to sleep and enjoyed the soundest sleep I’d had in weeks.  After breakfast on 28th before I boarded the plane, I gave Fleur a French double kiss and she returned the same.
“I’ll do what I can, Maker.”
“Thank you, my Lady.  Likely I’ll lay low until the 10th of Third although I do need to talk to Ren and to Lady Astrid.”
Fleur nodded, then blew us a kiss as Alistair taxied and took off.
“Tough to do better than that, I tell you what, Alistair,” waving to Fleur as we passed back over the track.
“I know it.  You were right, Maker.  I should have asked her years ago.”
We talked of this and that on the flight.  Alistair had some of the funniest stories I’d ever heard in my life about his time in the Navy and kept me laughing until I had to beg him to stop.  I did some risqué Rodney Dangerfield jokes and he had to let me fly the plane until he could see again after wiping away the tears of laughter.
We landed at my field in Ponyville around 10.  I hopped off and shook Alistair’s hoof.
“10th of Third,” he said.
I waved a hoof, then shut the door.  I was back and it was time to face the family.  First, though, Rarity, workshop, a pair of old saddlebags…and some seeds.
I trotted to Rarity’s, donned my cape and slammed through the shop’s front door.  Using magic to make my cape flutter, I jumped into the middle of the floor, stuck a pose and yelled out, “Lo, the conquering hero comes!”
“Right with you!” I heard from the back.  Curses, foiled again!  No, wait!  I fetched one of the sissy chairs Rarity had out for customers, then took the same stance I did for Marcia.  When Rarity came out of the back, I delivered the line in a loud voice: “Let her come and find me for I stand at the head of my troops.  What will Death do to me here?”
Rarity laughed and clapped her hooves in delight.  “Yay!  Bravo!  Encore, encore!”
I grinned back, then used magic to flip my cape into her front hooves.
“Have a look, Gorgeous.”
Rarity knew fabric better than almost anypony in the World and she took her time looking over the cape.  After a few minutes, she looked up.
“Benjamin, this is wonderful, just wonderful!  Where in Equestria did you get it?”
“Muncy Valley.  Here, I brought some swatches.  The cape’s wool is from black sheep so there’s no dye, but Marcia makes her own dyes for her colored fabrics.”
Rarity put on her reading glasses and looked over the swatches.  I wrote out Marcia’s name and address while she did.
Rarity looked up and nodded decisively.  “I’ll take anything she can make, Benjamin, I don’t care what it costs,” she said, putting away her glasses.  “What did you pay for the cape?”
“100 bits plus a 10 bit tip.”
“I could get three times that in Manehatten.  Yes, I most certainly want to meet this weaver.”
“Before you die, you mean?” I asked.
“Well of course before then.  What a thing to say!  Honestly, Benjamin, sometimes you…”
“Knock, knock.”
Rarity stopped mid-rant and asked, “Who’s there?”
“Interrupting Cow.”
“Interrupting Cow, wh…?”
“Moooooo!” I yelled.
Rarity laughed in spite of herself.
I kissed her nose, retrieved my cape, swirled it up to the ceiling and let it fall across my shoulders.
“And so I’m away, Fair Maiden!”  I gave a sweeping bow, kissed Rarity’s hoof and she curtsied in answer.  I turned and raced toward the door, then struck a pose in the open doorway.  “Farewell!”
I galloped away, cape flapping in the Wind.  After a block or so, I took it off and trotted the rest of the way to the workshop.  I walked into the kitchen and Mrs. Grass welcomed me back with a kiss on the muzzle.  Jon and Winter were both out, so I told Mrs. Grass I was spending the rest of the day at the farm but would show up as usual tomorrow morning.
Mrs. Grass and I had a pleasant early lunch and I filled her in on my travels.  I waved good-bye and headed for the farm, pleased I could still hear Fall’s clock whistle noon when I was well on my way.
I got to the Homestead, I dropped off my pouch and saddlebags, then searched around.  Nopony was there which wasn’t unusual.  I cast around in the tack room and found exactly what I wanted, a worn but serviceable pair of saddlebags.  Next I went to the seed storage room.  The Apple seed storage was legendary throughout all of Equestria.  Granny did a brisk business trading and selling seeds and had not only fruit and vegetables but herbs, wild flowers and grasses, trees and even exotics like Dragon Fruit.
I walked in, grabbed some seed envelopes and a pen and then started.  I took the basics such as corn, squash, beets, kale and so on.  I also took apple, cherry and other fruit trees, second growth like walnut and hickory, then went through most of the wild grasses and wild flowers.  My final stop was a safe with a combination lock.  I opened it and took out two Zap Apple seeds.  I closed the safe and spun the lock, put the Zap Apple seeds in a special envelope, then repacked the right side of my saddlebag so the seed envelopes lay as flatly as possible.  I nodded with satisfaction, then closed the seed store door behind me.
Next, I went into Old House and found one of the small jars Granny used for preserves.  I tossed my saddlebags in the Homestead, then trotted to my tomato field, the one I knew best on all the farm.  I filled the little jar with dirt and made sure I got some earthworms with it.  I sealed it with magic, then trotted back.  I moved most of what was in my regular saddlebags into the old saddlebags (including the cape, of course), then hid them in my study.  I had no idea what reaction I’d get from AJ and the family but I thought it best I prepare for whatever happened.
I heard the family coming in from the fields and raced out to meet them.  All greeted me effusively and after kissing AJ, I picked up Airlie and swung her around as she giggled.  We had supper as a family in the Homestead which we did several times a week, then spent the evening star gazing.  I held Airlie until she fell asleep and caught AJ looking at both of us fondly.  Soon we split up and I handed off Airlie to Granny to babysit.  AJ and I had a fun romp to welcome me back home and then visited a few minutes.  After AJ dropped off, I silently rehearsed again what I was going to tell her in the morning, then fell asleep to AJ’s steady breathing.
Earlier than usual, even before the Sun was up, I got up and then woke up AJ.  We had a quick bite, then walked out into the cool predawn.  We made our way to our favorite spot under the old apple tree which gave us a wonderful view of the Homestead and the other farm buildings as the Sun came up.  I wrapped my magic field around AJ, took a breath and started talking.  I talked for an hour, leaving out nothing.
When I finished, AJ was still.  Then she stood up and walked a few feet away, her tail toward me. I pulled my magic field back to myself and waited.
“So,” she said, then paused.
“So, I was just a convenience to you, wasn’t I?” AJ continued.  “The Apple family was just…handy for you and for the Magic of Equestria.”
“No,” I said.  “No, that’s not true.”
“It is, though,” said AJ, still facing away and talking in a quiet, even voice.  “You used us to gain power.  Me, the Courtship, the Old Ways, all of it.  It was just so you could become an Earth pony and gain our skills.”
“No,” I said again, but I knew it wasn’t convincing.  “I had Free Will.  It was my choice, AJ.  Lady Magic chose you and so did I.”
“Why me, Benjamin?  Why not Carrot Top?  Why not Pinkie, huh?” said AJ, turning to me and raising her voice.  “No, you chose the dumb country filly, didn’t ya?  The one who’d never been with a stallion!!”
I had no answer, so I just looked at AJ and then rose to my hooves.
“Go,” she said, her expression stark.
“Applejack…” I started.
“Leave!” she said in a fury.  She switched on her Element, too, and the green of fresh, new plants surrounded her.
“Go away, Benjamin!  Leave!  Go away and never come back!!  I never want to see you again!!”
“I’m sorry, AJ.  I love…”
“GO!!”
I went.

I teleported to my study, slid my dirk into a hidden sheath, put on my packed saddlebags, made sure I had the seed packets, checked the dirt jar and then teleported to the shop.  I walked into the kitchen and the moment Mrs. Grass and Winter saw me, they knew something was very wrong.
“Is Jon here?” I asked without preamble.
“Yes, Mr. Apple, he’s in the Annex,” said Mrs. Grass.  “What is it, Mr. Apple?  What’s happened?”
“Maggie?”
“Yes, she’s upstairs,” answered Mrs. Grass, wringing her hooves.  “Mr. Apple, what is it?”
“Get her, would you?”
Without questioning, Mrs. Grass headed upstairs.  I turned to Winter.  “Winter, be so good as to call Jon, then all of you please come into the study.  There’s something I must tell all of you.”
I waited in the study.  The Grass sisters came in first, followed by Winter with Jon and Pinkie.
“Oh, Pinkie, you’re here, too.  Very good.”  They sat around me in a semicircle and I gave an abbreviated version of what I’d told AJ.
“…and so, Mrs. Apple told me to leave forever and to never come back,” I finished.
The mares made noises of distress.  Pinkie, tears rolling down her muzzle, stretched out her hooves to me.
“Ben, no!  She doesn’t mean it!  She loves you more than anypony!”
I shook my head.  “Jon, would you please look after the shop?  If I survive, I’ll contact you after Midsummer.”
“Of course, sir,” said Jon who looked worn and tired.  Both Grass sisters were crying and even Winter was wiping away tears.
“I love you, each of you, and thank you for the joy you’ve brought to my life.  Good-bye.”
I walked between Jon and Pinkie, then out the kitchen door.  I stopped for just a moment and took a deep breath.  That was it, then; family and work, both gone now.  I had one last stop before I went to gather the rest of my allies.

I trotted to town, smiling and greeting ponies as if my life hadn’t collapsed in a flaming heap.  I went around to the rear entrance at Rarity’s and walked in.  I heard Rarity send off a customer and when I heard the front door shut, I walked through the curtain separating the back from the front.  There stood Rarity, ringing up a sale.
“Rarity,” I said.
Rarity looked up with a joyful expression when she heard my voice.  It changed to one of dismay when she saw me.
“Benjamin, dear, what it is?”
“Close the shop, would you?”
Rarity didn’t ask any questions, thank the Magic, just flipped over the sign on her front door and led the way upstairs to her private apartment.  She had two bedrooms, a bathroom and a very pleasant sitting room with a fireplace.  I tossed down my saddlebags and pouch at the sitting room door, then stretched out in front of the fireplace.  Rarity came in behind me, shut the door and lay down next to me flank-to-flank.
“Merge, hon,” I said and extended my magic field.
Rarity extended her field and I asked for a Deep Merge.  Rarity, bless her, didn’t hesitate and I felt us become One.
About five minutes later, I pulled back my field and looked at Rarity.  She was staring at the empty fireplace, eyes huge, expression bleak.
“It was me.  You chose me first, not AJ.  It was the Magic of Equestria which kept us apart.  It wasn’t anything I did.”
“No,” I said.
A few tears dripped down Rarity’s muzzle onto the fireplace hearth and she didn’t try to stop them.  “I asked myself over and over again what it was I did that pushed you away after we were together that night.”  Rarity looked up.  “But it wasn’t me.  It wasn’t my fault.”
“No,” I repeated.
Rarity smiled through her tears.  “Oh, Maker, I’m so glad.  I can’t tell you how glad!”
I nodded and gave her a half smile.
Rarity leaned over and kissed me.  It was a kiss which contained all the frustrated passion of years, all the love and hope we once had and a promise of the future.  I tasted the familiar lemon sorbet.
“Stay with me,” said Rarity into my right ear after she broke off the kiss.  “Make love to me, give me foals, live with me forever.  I’ll never send you away like she did.”
I just shook my head.
Rarity sighed.  “I know, I know, you have to gallop off and save the World.  No time for little ol’ me.”  Rarity looked away again.  “And you still love her, even after all that’s happened.”
“Yes.  But I love you, too,” I said.
“I know, dear.”  And with that, the Rarity I knew so well was back.  “What will you do now?”
I got up, put on my saddlebags and pouch, then kissed her one last time.
“Gather more allies,” I said.  “So long, Gorgeous.”
“’Bye, Maker.  I lo…”
I didn’t hear since I’d already teleported.
I found myself on a stoop I’d visited only once before and I was glad I’d remembered it.  I climbed the steps and knocked on the front door.  In a few moments, Ren herself opened it.
“Maker!  You have come to visit me?  Quel merveilleux plaisir!” she said, smiling.
“Ho, Companion,” I said, and then felt myself falling into a dark tunnel.  I heard Ren shout, then knew no more.

The Wind had started to howl.  I looked up at the roiling clouds and watched the Weather Patrol try to control what was coming.  I saw two torn to pieces and another struck by lightning, but still they kept fighting.
I looked down at AJ and my two foals, Airlie and another little white Earth pony.
“We need to get inside and into the basement,” I yelled so they’d hear me over the Wind.
“We can’t do that, Partner!” yelled AJ as her hat was lost to the twister which set down next to us.
“What?  Why not?” I shouted as I wrapped my front hooves around AJ and the foals.
“Because you’re dead, Partner.  You failed.  You’ve killed us all.”  The Wind pulled AJ and the foals from my front hooves and they vanished screaming into the twister.
“AJ!!”

I started awake in a strange room, another pony asleep next to me.  Where was I?  I raised my head and looked around.  Ren.  Ren was the other pony.  I was at Ren’s house outside of Canterlot.
My head fell back down.  I was still a little nauseous from too much teleporting too fast, but my magic was returning.  I thought about what had happened in a day.  I wondered if the family would miss me at harvest and decided they probably wouldn’t, not with the four LuluBelles.  Harvest took three weeks last year instead of four with only three LuluBelles and the farm had done very well.  I wondered if the cider factory…
I stopped myself.  Not my farm or family any longer.  I still had my Earth pony senses, though.  Huzzah, Fluttershy Cheer for me.  Price, I thought, that was part of the Price and I’d paid dearly.  I yawned and stretched, then felt a gentle hoof fall across my chest.  I looked over into Ren’s kind, dark brown eyes.  I took her hoof in both of mine.
“Bonjour, ma chère.”
“Bonjour, mon ami,” she answered and gave me that gentle kiss of hers.  Without asking, we each extended our magic fields.  After the twin’s birth at Hot Springs it was no strain at all to merge.
Ren snuggled closer, eyes closed.  A few minutes later she opened them and looked into mine.
“I am sorry, Maker, truly sorry.  She is too young and too…slender-minded to understand.”
“Narrow-minded’, ma chère,” I corrected.
“Mais, oui, yes, ‘narrow-minded’.”
I sighed.  “Passionate as well, Ren.”
“As am I, mon amour,” said Ren as she slid under the covers.
I sighed and lay back.  Not like I didn’t see this coming since Hot Springs, I thought.

We had an early supper, Ren cooking since her two servants had the day off.  It was as elegant and delicious a meal as I’d had in many a day and the conversation was outstanding as well.
I cleaned up the kitchen with magic to Ren’s delight since it was a technique most unicorns didn’t know.  When I finished, we stayed at the kitchen table and watched the Sun set, not talking since we’d said all there was to say.
As the kitchen grew dark, Ren said, “Stay with me, mon ami.  Stay here until next Third.  I won’t ask you to leave as she did.  And I know you must leave then to save us.”
I shook my head.  “It’s too dangerous, Ren.  If Herself gets so much as a hint I’m going to confront her, she’ll sic the Guard on me or even worse, come herself.  Even infected she’s supremely dangerous.  No, Veronique,” I continued, using Ren’s Private Name, “I have to make myself scarce for the next few months.  I’d planned to lay low in Ponyville, but, well…”
Ren smiled and gave me a wink.  “No?  Not even for good food, good wine and good…company?”
I grinned back.  “Tempting, very tempting, Companion.  But, no,” I said, sobering.  “Not even your exalted station will save you if Celestia comes for me.  I’ll rest a couple of days, then go see Lady Astrid.  She’s the key to all of this along with Luna.”
Ren nodded, then sighed.  “And you still love her, mon ami, even after the way she treated you this very morning.  Eh, peu, you are so noble at times it makes me want to stuff your thick head in the toilet and flush it.”
I laughed.  “Not that noble, I hope.  I suppose I’m just not French enough.”
Ren stood and held out a forehoof.  “Let’s find out, mon amour,” she said as I stood and took her hoof.
We did.

I left Ren’s on the evening of 2nd of Ninth and walked the back streets to Lady Astrid’s.  I knocked on the back door and a young Earth pony maid opened it.
“Benjamin Apple, Hero of the Realm, requests a discreet audience with Lady Astrid.”
“Please come in, Hero.”
The maid led me to a sitting room.
“If you would wait here, sir, I’ll ask if Milady can see you.”
“Thank you, Miss Fabersham.”
The maid giggled.  “You’re welcome, Hero.”
I was admiring Lady Astrid’s exquisite collection of porcelain when I heard a gasp behind me.  I turned and there was Lady Astrid herself.  Juliette looked thin, stretched and worn around the edges but was still the most beautiful unicorn mare in the Kingdom.
“Maker?  Maker, what in the name of Equestria are you doing here?  And why didn’t you present yourself at Court?”
I gave a half bow which Lady Astrid returned.
“My Lady, forgive my unorthodox intrusion on your privacy, but the need is most urgent.  May we discuss a Level 7 threat to the Kingdom here?”
Lady Astrid didn’t question, just turned and locked the door, then cast a Level 3 Defensive spell.
“We’re secure now.  Ben, what is this?”
I sighed, then tossed my pouch and saddlebags on an elegant velvet settee.  I went and stretched out in front of the fireplace, then turned and looked at Lady Astrid.
“My Lady, I would ask you for a Deep Merge.  If you don’t wish to…”
“No, Maker, I’d…actually planned to ask you at Year’s End,” said Juliette, lying next to me flank-to-flank just like we always did.
“Were you now?” I said, thrilled and slightly aroused.
Lady Astrid’s ears and muzzle turned a delicate pink.  “Yes, well, it was time, don’t you agree?”
I grinned like a fox, then let it fade.  “I only wish it were under different circumstances, Juliette.”
Juliette nodded.  I reached out my magic field and she met it without hesitation.  We blended and became One.  A few minutes later, I felt Juliette’s field clench mine.  She started sobbing and I held her in my front hooves until she quieted.  I felt her heave, then held her mane as she threw up on the hearth.  I cleaned it up with magic just like I did Alistair’s.  Even her vomiting was elegant, I thought as I cleaned her muzzle.
“Maker!”
“I know, Juliette.”
“What can I do?”
I got up, went to my pouch and pulled out a list.
“I need these ponies to assemble the 10th of Third, Year of Celestia 1,105 at 6 o’clock in the evening in Celestia’s anteroom next to the Main Throne Room.  Likely it will take a Royal Summons from Princess Luna.  And Princess Celestia must not find out.”  I handed the list to Juliette:

Princess Luna
Princess Cadence
Princess Twilight
Lady Astrid Gräfin von Horsenberg
Brigadier General Shining Armor
General of the Army Louise-Renée de Kéroualle (Ren)
Lord Cecil Duncan Albert IV (Fancy Pants)
Lady Gabrielle de Rochechouart (Fleur-de-Lis)
Lyra Heartstrings (of Ponyville)
Pierre du Lac (same)
Chancellor

Lady Astrid read the list as I settled next to her again.  She looked up.
“These are the most important and powerful mages in Equestria, Ben.”
“I know.  I need them to bear witness.  And if I’m right, I can help Celestia, at least temporarily, before I head to the Griffon Lands.  But for that, I need some very intense firepower.”
“Why that date?”
“Spring Planting starts on 15th.  I hope to make the Griffon Lands at the height of it.”
Juliette nodded, then got up.  “Please excuse me,” she said, and I heard her rinsing out her mouth and then gargling in the bathroom.  She used to shut the door even to sneeze, so I thought we were making progress.
Juliette came back into the parlor, turned down the gas a little and settled next to me again.  We both watched the fire the way we always did and I took comfort in our routine.  Soon Juliette stirred.
“Ben?”
“Milady?”
“Say ‘pruuuuuunes’.”
“Pruuuu…” I started.  Juliette stopped me with a gentle kiss which went on a good while.
“Well, well, well!” I said, after she broke it off.  “Somepony’s been practicing!  With whom, I wonder?”
Juliette giggled and her ears went pink again.
“I’ll never tell!” she said coyly.
“Juliette, I have one last request.  Will you show me ‘Subsume’?  I know it but I can’t seem to get it to work.”
“Of course,” said Juliette, rising and turning the gas back up.  “Let me see you try it.”
I rose and did, getting nowhere fast.
“Oh, I see,” she said.  “Instead of this, try this.”
And there before me stood a perfectly lovely Earth pony with sapphire eyes, a dark blue mane and a sky blue body.  Her cutie mark was clouds and Sun which reminded me of Sunny’s.
Then Juliette was back.  “Now you try.”
I did and felt my magic shift to the back of my mind, there but hidden.  I felt my body change, too, and odd feeling at first, then settle in.
“Ptthhhh!” said Juliette, eyes huge and both hooves over her mouth.
“What?”
Juliette tried to stay polite but just couldn’t contain herself.  She doubled over laughing while I kept yelling, “What? What’s so funny?  What?” and half laughing with her.
Juliette flapped a hoof at me, wiped her eyes, then pulled a mirror out of the bathroom.  There staring back at me was a rakish looking Earth pony with a wild light tan mane, tan hooves, a dark brown body and eyes the palest possible blue.  He was taller and thinner than most Earth ponies with knobby knees and a long neck.  I smiled and the reflection smiled back.  Huh, at least the smile was a good one.  The cutie mark was what forest rangers used to blaze a trail.  Trail Blazer or Pionnier in French.
“G’day, M’lady!” I said, looking at Juliette.  “Fancy a lil’ canoodle?”
Juliette almost dropped the mirror and then had to lie on the floor, she started laughing so hard.  I tried out four or five other accents including Appleoosan.
“Why, I don’t see nuthin’ funny here, ma’am.”
“Oh, Ben, have mercy, please, please, stop!” gasped Juliette.  She finally stopped laughing and sat up.  “I don’t know what’s so funny, I truly don’t.  Perhaps because it’s just so different from you.  It’s a perfectly good Subsume, too.  Now, try and come back.”
Back was easy and I was myself again.  I looked in the mirror propped on the settee and stuck a pose.
“Behold the original!”
“Huzzah!” cried Juliette.
I nodded decisively twice.  “Thank you, Lady Astrid, Deputy Ruler of Equestria.  I’ll be on my way, shall I?”
“What?  You’re not leaving?”  Juliette actually looked distressed.
“The longer I stay, the more danger I bring on you, Juliette.”
“At least stay the night.  I have five bedrooms I never use.”
“Yes, all right.  Thank you, Milady.”
Juliette released the defensive spell, unlocked the door and rang for her lady’s maid.  Miss Fabersham (I couldn’t for the life of me remember her first name) came and showed me to a very pleasant bedroom with a connecting door and a huge bathroom, almost the size of the master at the Homestead.  I felt a brief stab of loss at the thought, then set it aside.
I showered, dried off, meditated, then climbed into bed, more tired than I realized.  I was soon asleep and knew no more until I woke up a little after midnight and had to take a leak.  I did, and when I got back I found Lady Astrid in my bed, sitting up clutching the sheets, eyes wide and body shaking.
“Juliette?  Couldn’t sleep?”
“I w…w…wanted…t…to…I wanted to…,” she started, teeth chattering.
“S…ss…ssorry, M…m…aker.  I…wanted…t…” she tried again, then looked away from me.
I silently cursed her dead husband and wished him to the Lord of Hel for all eternity.
“Juliette, I’m awfully tired from our magic lesson.  How about just a cuddle?  Is that all right with you?”
Juliette let out an explosive breath, then nodded and scooted over.  I got into bed and she snuggled against my side as I lay on my back.
Juliette gave one of those refined yawns of hers, her right hoof over my chest, her muzzle tucked into my chin right beneath my jaw.  We merged our magic fields, a wonderful way to get to sleep.
“I love you, Maker.  I don’t think I’ve ever told you before.”
“And I love you, Juliette.”
“Don’t die.  Please don’t die.  When you get back, come and live with me.  I’ll…I’ll be fine, eventually, and…and we can be together.  I’ll take good care of you, I promise, not like her.”
I patted her back.
She yawned and sighed again.  “You still love her, don’t you?”
“Are you staying with my fam…with the Apples for Year’s End?”
I felt her nod.
“Be good to AJ, huh?  And play with Airlie for me.”
I felt her smile, then her breathing steadied and deepened as she drifted off to sleep.  My last thought before I nodded off myself was yes, oh, yes, I do still love AJ so.
> Roaming
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Roaming

Overhead, the skylarks wing,
They never rest at home,
But just like me, they love to sing,
As o'er the world we roam!

Valderee, valderah,
Valderee, valderah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha,
Valderee, valderah,
As o'er the world we roam!

From Fall’s favorite song

I woke up at my usual time and Juliette felt me stir.  She stretched (which was a pleasure to watch, I tell you what), smiled, kissed my muzzle and then leapt out of bed.  I went through my usual ablutions, then came downstairs.  Juliette rang for breakfast and we talked of court gossip, who was with whom and other trivialities.  Lady Silver was now running a bank close to the Forbidden Lands, the worst possible assignment.  Juliette hadn’t heard the full story, so I told her how I’d staged a run on the bank and Lady Silver had abandoned her post, hiding in a cart until she could escape on the train to Canterlot.
Breakfast over, Lady Astrid showed me out the back door herself.
“10th of Third, Maker.”
“Until then, Milady.”
We gave each other a Pegasus Farewell and I turned and trotted toward the freight depot.  Between one house and the next, I became Pionnier, the roguish, wandering French Earth pony, raconteur and jack-of-all-trades.  As a Hero of the Realm, many ponies on the street recognized and greeted me, but now not a one gave me a second glance.  Oh, yes, I was going to enjoy this.
I got to the freight depot and checked the job listings.  Hmm, track walker, engine wiper, engine wiper, yard worker, no thank you.  Firepony, no experience necessary, Firepony, experienced, Asst. Engineer.  Now we’re talking.  Firepony should do well enough.  I turned from the job board to ask about the firepony job inside when I overheard Whiskers talking to the station manager.
“Dang it, Johnson, I gots to have a firepony.  I’m gettin’ too old to stoke and to run the engine without one.  Against regs, too.”
“I’m sorry, Whiskers, I am, I am, but there just ain’t any,” answered the station manager flipping through a clipboard.  “We’ll have one in from Baltimare tomorra, though.”
“Ah, I got t’ go in 20.  This freight has t’ get to Fillydephia today!”
Opportunity.  My Luck was still running even in this form.
“Pardon, Messieurs, for my dropping the eaves, but did you say you needed a firepony?”
“Yeah?  What’s it to ya,” glared Whiskers, suspiciously.
“I was a firepony on Le Cheval line.  Perhaps I can be of aider, non?”
Whiskers looked me over carefully, then pointed to his engine.
“Tell me about my hog.”
I walked over and pretended to look over the engine.
“This 4-4-0 is from the Smithson and Sons, non?  She runs at what, 150 psi?”
“That’s…that’s right!” said an amazed Whiskers.
I turned around and nodded.
“15 minutes to half steam, Monsieur, 30 to full.  She’ll pull at 100 psi, mais, oui, if slowly?” I said.
“Put yer gear in the caboose, Frenchie, and get her fired up.  You got yourself a job on the Equestria Line,” said Whiskers.  The station manager nodded, smiling.
“Merci, merci, beaucoup!” I yelled as I ran to the caboose.  I tossed my saddlebags and pouch in a locker, then raced back to the engine.  She wasn’t cold but had sat for awhile, so I raked the coals, tossed in some wood, dumped the ashes and checked the flue and dampers.  As I expected, Whiskers had her in perfect shape.  I kept tossing in logs until the steam pressure started to rise.  Whiskers, checking his watch, climbed into the cab.  I pointed to the steam gauge which read 98 psi.  Whiskers nodded, gave a double toot and took her out.
Thus began my association with the Equestria Line and I couldn’t have been happier.  I saw the entire country, many places more than once.  I stoked engines from the Frozen North to Hot Springs, got my first look at the North Luna Ocean when I stopped over in Van Hoover, loved the Smokey Mountains, saw Cloudsdale and Manehatten at night and during the day, had a canoodle in Los Pegasus, Canterlot and Baltimare and even spent Year’s End with Seamus Martin and his family in Ponyville.  Word gets around quickly amongst railponies and Whiskers made sure the others knew I was reliable and a good railroader.
I’d just helped put Seamus’ foals to bed when I heard the first news about myself.	
“Any word?” asked Whiskers.
“Nothing, Da, nothing at all.  We sure could use him.  That Earth pony who took over the workshop is good, but he just ain’t Mr. Wizard.”
I quietly took a seat.
“Mrs. Apple done run him off but good,” continued Seamus, shaking his head.  “The Apple family Shunned her for it.  Some other ponies aren’t too happy about it, either.”
Oh, really?  “Pardon, Monsieur Martin, what is the ‘Shunned’?”  I asked, pretending not to know.
“It’s something farmin’ families do, Frenchie,” answered Seamus, turning to me.  “When a family member misbehaves or makes a bad decision without consulting the family which affects the farm somehow, the other family members make her work and eat alone.  They won’t have nothing to do with her unless it’s about work and the pony Shunned can’t attend any family events like Year’s End.”
“C'est tout simplement terrible!” I said, and it was, too, particularly for AJ, one of the most social ponies around.
Seamus nodded.  “Most ponies can’t take it more than a few weeks, particularly if the family is a close one like the Apples.  Mrs. Apple has took it like a mare, and that’s the truth.  Some of us including Bull Brickle thought the family would lift the Shunning at Year’s End, but that old mare didn’t.  She’s a tough one, she is.”
I should have felt satisfaction that night as I stretched out on my canvas cot.  Instead, my heart ached for AJ and the family.
We were busy the next week with extra trains to return ponies home, then Whiskers and I made the last run North before Winter shut down the passes through the Crystal Mountains and across the land bridge to Griffonstone Station, the end of the line for the Northern track.  I took particular note since that was the way I planned to travel to get to the Griffon Lands.  After unloading freight, we headed back West, spent the night in the Crystal Empire and then made our way back to Canterlot.
Things quieted on the railroad after that and I didn’t have nearly the runs I had when I started.  That was fine since I stayed with the Martins and got to see my town through new eyes.  I enjoyed watching Jon make deliveries, often with Pinkie riding along with him.  I saw some of the Apples but never laid eyes on AJ.  I bumped into Fluttershy once when she was shopping.  I greeted her in French and flirted a bit, complimenting her wings and her color.  She giggled and blushed.  Always modest, Fluttershy.
Before I knew it, it was 8th of Third, two days away from the meeting.  I shifted my schedule so I’d land in Canterlot on the 9th.  I told Whiskers I had to return to France and I was pleased he was genuinely sad to see me go.
“You done good, Frenchie.  You ever need a place t’ stay, you just stop by my son’s and he’ll help you out.”
“Merci, Monsieur Whiskers.  I cannot thank you enough for the kindness you and your family have shown to me.  Until next time, Monsieur.”
I trotted off and headed for Roundhouse’s place.  I knew he was on the Baltimare run and wouldn’t be home until 11th and by that time I’d be long gone.  In between one alleyway and the next, I became myself again.
I found the key under the mat and went in.  The house had become as familiar to me as the Homestead, and I gave it another good cleaning before I settled in.  I lit a fire even though Spring was almost here and had some black tea which Roundhouse had started stocking for me.  I thought tomorrow I’d spend some time with the Guard.  That way I’d be in the palace for the meeting at 6 without arousing anypony’s suspicions.
So it was finally time, I thought.  I checked my magic which was stronger than ever.  I was also healthier and more fit than I expected.  Living as an Earth pony for months really did have its advantages, I tell you what.  Yes, I was ready.
I was drifting and wondering if I could sneak in a visit to Ren when I heard a knock on the door.  I answered it, still half asleep and ready to turn away whoever it was.
It was Applejack.
I froze in place, too surprised to even take a step back.
“May I come in?” asked AJ.
I stepped aside and opened the door all the way.
AJ walked in, put her saddlebags next to mine and then stood.  I gestured toward a chair and she sat down.
It was still light enough to see, but I lit an oil lamp anyway and looked AJ over carefully.  She didn’t look very good.  Her coat was unbrushed and had some patches, her mane and tail were tangled and she was far thinner than she should be.  Even her hat was dirtier than usual.  Without asking, I served her some tea which she drank.  When she finished, I took her cup and mine to the sink, then lay in front of the fireplace facing her.
“You look good, Ben.”
“Thank you,” I said.  “How is Airlie?”
AJ smiled just a little.  “Racing around and talking a mile a minute.  She misses her Dad, though.”
I nodded but didn’t say anything.
“May I lie next to ya?”
I turned around and shifted over, leaving AJ enough room.  She got off of her chair and stretched out in front of the fireplace about six inches from me.  I looked at her, then stared at the fire.
“Maker…” she started, then stopped.
I was still.
“Benjamin, I was…wrong t’ send you away and to treat you the way I did.  Lady Astrid, she was the only pony who’d talk to me at Year’s End.  She told me…well, she …let’s just say I understand now,” AJ finished, looking down at the hearth.
I said nothing.
“I’m leavin’ the farm, Ben.  I’m takin’ Airlie and we’re going further South.”
I just nodded.
“I…wanted to see you before…ya know.  I know you could never forgive me…”
“Oh, I forgive you, AJ,” I said.
“…but I didn’t want you t’ go without…what?”
I looked over at AJ.  Her green eyes, those marvelous green eyes, were huge in her too-thin face.
“I forgive you, AJ, of course I do.  You’re my best filly, after all.  All you had to do was ask.”  I stood.  “Say, are you hungry?  Roundhouse usually keeps a pretty well-stocked larder.”
I walked into the kitchen, pulled odds and ends out of the icebox and put them on a platter.
“How does Golden Delicious, cabbage and kale sound?” I called over my shoulder.
AJ didn’t answer, so I picked up the platter and carried it into the living room.
AJ had both hooves over her muzzle, eyes squeezed shut with tears leaking out and running onto the rug.  She was crying so hard her body was vibrating like a rung bell.  I put down the platter, slid in next to her, put a forehoof over her back, wrapped her in my magic field and held her next to me.
AJ really started sobbing then.  I’d never seen her like this since she wasn’t a crier and hated it when she did.  These were long, loud, heart-wrenching sobs, though, a release from six months of misery, crushing guilt and worry.  I sent her love, all my love for her which hadn’t changed at all and never would.  I sent her I was Guardian and I’d stop the World from spinning to protect her and Airlie.
AJ cried herself out in a couple of minutes, then collapsed into a deep sleep, most likely the first real sleep she’d had since I left.  I used magic to clean her muzzle, brush her coat, untangle her mane and tail, trim and polish her hooves (still wearing her silver horseshoe, I noticed), clean her ears and teeth and even to clean her hat.  I also fixed a few muscle pulls and straightened her spine; she always got out of alignment during Harvest.  I put her into Roundhouse’s bed and shut the bedroom door, then ate some of the supper I’d prepared.
Mares, I thought as I cleaned up the kitchen.  Who would be without them?

The Beginning

Where true Love burns,
Desire is Love's pure flame;
It is the reflex of our Earthly frame,
That takes its meaning from the nobler part,
And but translates the language of the heart.

“Poems for Lovers and the Well-Married”, The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge

I lay in front of the fireplace and it was so comfortable, I soon fell asleep.  Likely I’d have slept there all night if AJ hadn’t gotten up and scrabbled around in the kitchen for something to eat.  She woke me up, so I lit a lantern with magic and went to check on her.  I found her at the icebox stuffing food into her muzzle with both hooves.  She looked so guilty when she turned to look at me I couldn’t contain myself.  I started laughing and finally put the lamp down so I wouldn’t drop it.
“Ish hngry!” said AJ through a mouthful of cabbage.
“Oh, please, AJ, help yourself.  In the morning, we’ll go a few doors up and restock, then have breakfast at an all-you-can-eat about a block from here.”
AJ nodded and kept eating.  I snuffed the lamp and went back into the living room.  I stoked the fire, then lay in front of it.  I’d almost nodded off again when I felt AJ slide in next to me.  She reached out, flipped me over and jumped on top.  The lovemaking which followed was fierce, almost violent and left us both covered in sweat.  We got up without saying a word.  I scrubbed down AJ, then showered myself.  Both of us fell asleep in front of the fireplace, AJ’s head against my right shoulder in her favorite position.
We both woke up at 6 and it was if we’d never been apart.  We put on our pouches and walked to the open-air market, bought several sacks of Winter produce, then restocked Roundhouse’s icebox and larder.  I bought a paper from a newspony and around 7 we trotted to The Fanciful Pig.  The waitress who took our order squeed over meeting the famous Hero of the Realm and Element of Honesty, then kept bringing platters until AJ finished eating.  I had some apples, cabbage and mushrooms, then drank some oolong and read the paper until AJ finished.
Our waitress came back with the manager, chefs, kitchen staff and other wait staff behind her.  She had a copy of The Wizard and the Farmer, a little picture book the palace put out after my Hero of the Realm ceremony about how AJ and I met; some of it was even true.  AJ and I were Public Figures as well as a Celebrity Couple.  I had to ask Shining Armor and Cadence, also a Celebrity Couple, how to handle it at first.  Once I got used to it, I enjoyed it, although never as much as AJ who absolutely reveled in it since she loved meeting ponies.  We didn’t get much attention in Ponyville, but when we were together we’d draw crowds in Manehatten, Hoofington and of course Canterlot.  The downside was much of our life was on display.
“Hero, would you and Mrs. Apple please sign my copy?” said the pretty Earth pony waitress, blushing and holding out the book and a pen.  What a sweet filly, I thought.
“I’d be delighted to, young mare,” I said and signed.
I handed the pen to AJ and she smiled and signed as well.  She was in the pink again, positively glowing she looked so alive and healthy.
“Thank you so much!  Uh, Hero, uh, Mr. Apple, that is…well, we heard you and Mrs. Apple had split up?” asked the waitress.  I’d noticed a couple of reporters in the crowd behind her and had a statement ready.  You could almost hear the ears perk when I started talking.
“As you know, young mare, Mrs. Apple and I both serve the Crown.  At times our service is visible to all, but at other times we must perform a bit of a pantomime to accomplish our mission.  I’d never leave Mrs. Apple or the Apples.  After all, they’re family.  And Mrs. Apple is my best filly,” I said and I took AJ’s hoof.  AJ smiled and squeezed my hoof back with a strong grip, eyes tearing.
The crowd sighed and nodded.  The reporters scribbled furiously and I suspected we’d be above the fold tomorrow in a couple of dozen papers.  A photographer made his way through the crowd.
“Canterlot News and Record, Mr. and Mrs. Apple.  May I take a photo?”
AJ and I grinned like possums and then saw spots after the flashbulb went off.  Other cameraponies came out of nowhere and took pictures.  We rose to go, shook hooves with some in the crowd and made our way back to Roundhouse’s.  After packing our saddlebags, we had a much slower and more sensual lovemaking session in front of the fireplace.
Afterwards, resting on top if me, AJ said, “Don’t die, alright?”
“I have every reason to live, Heather,” I said and meant every word.  “Say, how did you find me?” I asked as we got up.
“You’re not the only one with contacts, Partner,” said AJ, eyes gleaming with mischief.
“You continue to impress and amaze me, Mrs. Apple,”
“Aw, shucks,” AJ said, blushing and scraping her right forehoof on the ground.
I laughed and kissed her again.  “Never change, Lover, never!”
We trotted to the train station and as Luck would have it, there was Coal running the Applejack to Hoofington with a stop in Ponyville.  We kissed in front of the cab, AJ’s right rear hoof popping and left forehoof holding onto her hat just like our very first kiss (something of a ham, my best filly).  We heard bulb after bulb pop and we both knew we had an Iconic Moment.  You only get one or two in your public life but when you get one, you know it.
After mugging for the camera, Coal hopped out of the cab and shook both our hooves.
“I knew it was all a big mistake, Mr. and Mrs. Apple, I knew it!”
“Take good care of her, Coal,” I said, returning the shake.
Coal grinned.  “Yes, sir!  Mrs. Apple has a ride on the best rattler on the line, Mr. Wizard.”
I put AJ in first class, gave her one last kiss and then waved good-bye as the train pulled out right at 9.  I made my way back through a cheering crowd, then stopped by Roundhouse’s one last time for a final clean-up including that rug which had a number of interesting stains.  So much for a discrete entrance, I thought, but I wouldn’t have missed it for all the tea in China.
I became Pionnier, locked Roundhouse’s front door and made my anonymous way to the palace.  I checked the job board on the kitchen loading dock, then asked one of the assistants if anypony had filled the temporary gardener job yet.  She directed me around the palace to the gardens and I spent the day trimming roses and preparing the beds for Spring.  We had a communal lunch and all the talk was how the Wizard and the Farmer had been playacting for a secret mission and of course they’d never break up.
I worked until quitting time at 5 and collected my 10 bits, not bad pay at all.  I showered off in the locker room, then took the service passageways to my old room.  I slid in, then changed back to myself.  I waited until 10 ‘til 6, then trotted to the service passageway next to the Throne Room.  After taking a deep breath, I walked out and went to the Anteroom.  Lady Astrid showed up at the same time as did Ren and Lady Gabrielle.  I held the door for all three, then followed them in myself as the clock struck 6.
Everypony on my list was there including Carl and Cadence who I never did get a chance to visit.  I waved to both, then took my place in front of the group.  I heard a commotion from a side room, then in came Princess Luna with Princess Celestia.
“…I was on my way to take a bath, Luna!  What in the name of Equestria is so urgent you…?”  Celestia noticed the assembled group, then spotted me.
“Why, Benjamin!  How marvelous to see you!  Are you back from Hot Springs?”
I’d expected some erratic behavior, so I wasn’t as surprised as some of the others.  I gave Celestia a half bow while Luna took several steps back.
“Yes, your Highness, I am indeed and we had a marvelous time.  Thank you so much for your generosity.”
“Really, Ben, 170 bits in tips?  Aren’t you a bit free with the Crown’s money?”
I rose from my bow and smiled.  This was the old Celestia, back for just a moment, anyway.  I started to speak, then Celestia’s expression changed to one of bewilderment.
“Ben?”
“Here, your Highness.”
“Ben, what are you doing?  Aren’t we supposed to leave for Stableside in a few minutes?”
I heard Cadence and Shining Armor gasp, the only two ponies in the room who would have known that reference other than Lady Astrid.
“Oh, yes, Tia!  There’s just one thing I need for you to do first, though.”  I beckoned her closer.
Tia leaned down and whispered, “What, Ben, what is it?”
“Go to sleep,” I whispered back.
Tia collapsed like a sack of grain.  I managed to catch her before her head hit the floor and lay her down gently.
I gave a full bow to Princess Luna, who nodded, then I turned to address the group.  Some ponies looked shocked, others sad and others terrified.
“What you just saw is a result of Dark Magic poisoning.  To save time, would all mages please join me in a merge?  Princess Luna, I would ask the same of you.  Chancellor, I don’t mean to leave you out but can explain more fully later if you’d like.”
Chancellor, who looked very old and tired, just raised a hoof.  “I know enough already, Ben.  It’s fine, go ahead.”
I held out a hoof.  Luna, Cadence, Twilight, Lady Astrid, Shining Armor, Ren, Fancy Pants, Fleur-de-Lis, Lyra and Pierre all extended a hoof.
Five minutes later, Cadence, Twilight and Lyra had thrown up and were all in different stages of grief.  Carl and Pierre looked stricken and even Princess Luna, the Black Marble Princess, looked tired and sad.  Lady Astrid, Fancy Pants and Fleur-de-Lis who knew everything already helped the others recover.
After five more minutes, I went through my usual vomit clean-up, then sat facing a distressed and very worried group of ponies.
“Please help her, Ben, please!” begged Twilight, wringing her hooves.
I nodded.  “I plan to, your Highness.  I believe I can excise the Dark Magic which has infected her, but I’ll need the combined efforts of this group to destroy it.  Also,” I went on, “while Herself will remain free of infection for some time, perhaps months, the infection will return unless I find the source and destroy it.”
“That’s what you’ve been up to, Maker,” said Carl.  “That’s why you’re going to the Griffon Lands.”
“Yes, General, and I intend to stop the Dark Magic there no matter what it takes.  If I succeed and survive, I’ll see each of you again, here, at 6 o’clock on Midsummer’s Day, 20th of Sixth.  If I succeed and don’t survive, Applejack will know, so seek her out after the 20th if I don’t return.  If I fail, Applejack will know that as well.  If I do fail, each of you must try next, either as a group or individually.”
Carl’s clenched his jaw, an expression I knew well.  “You can count on us, Major.”
I smiled at him although I didn’t really feel it.  “I know I can, General.  Now, then,” I continued briskly, “let’s see if I’m as good as I think I am.”
That brought a few chuckles from the stallions and Fleur; even Luna looked less intense.
I called my magic and drew a circle around Celestia who had stayed where I’d put her.  The circle’s ends joined with a slight ringing sound and once I heard that, I powered on my magic as strongly as it would go.  I heard the walls and floor start to hum in sympathetic vibration, but I contained every bit of it inside that circle.  Slowly I lifted the circle up from the floor and through Celestia.  As I hoped, my healing magic captured the Dark Magic like fish in a net.
Soon I had a floating circle full of a sickly green, writhing mass.  I closed the magic circle on it and squeezed it into a ball.  I damped down my magic until the vibrations stopped, then turned to the mages.
“Everypony, please wrap this ball in a Level 3 Defensive spell, and when I shout ‘NOW’, squeeze it for all you’re worth.  Is everypony ready?”
The mages nodded and lit their horns.  A low, steady HUMMMM filled the anteroom.
“Set? NOW!” I shouted.
The hum raised in pitch, then kept climbing.  I squeezed right along with everypony else.  The Dark Magic resisted for a few moments, then winked out like a snuffed candle.
“Hold it!”
Horns went dark.
“That’s got it, my friends.  I thank you,” I said as I wiped sweat away with a handkerchief.  I turned to Celestia who had slept through all of it as I intended.  I healed some internal organ damage and aligned her spine which stress had warped terribly.  There was some muscle wasting as well but my worst fear that the magic would have damaged her brain proved unfounded.
After I finished healing, I looked to Princess Luna.  She nodded, used magic to carry Celestia to bed, then came back to the waiting group.
“She’ll sleep for days, your Highness, then most likely have no memory of the last three months or so.  Perhaps a story of a brain fever?” I suggested.
“I’ll think of something,” said Luna.  “I thank you, Hero, for giving me my sister back.  The last few months have been…trying…on all of us.”
I nodded, then turned to Carl and Cadence.  “May I have a lift with you two tomorrow?  I’ll hop a freight in the Crystal Empire to the end of the line.”
Even as trying as the evening had been, Carl and Cadence both smiled.  “You’d be more than welcome, Ben,” said Cadence.  “Our special leaves at 8:30.”
I gave Cadence a half bow.  “My thanks to you, your Highness.  That’s it, everypony,” I continued. “Confidence is high.”
The meeting broke up.  I spent some time with Chancellor who looked slightly less tired, then talked to Twilight.
“Did AJ find you, Ben,” said Twilight, a little uncertain.
“Ah-hah!  So you’re the unnamed contact, your Highness!”
Twilight gave a tentative smile.  “She’d been so miserable, Ben, when she came to ask me I was more than happy to help.  It took me months to find you, though.  How did you avoid Pony Locator?”
I looked at her sideways with a raised eyebrow.
“Oh, Ben, you’re always playing the Mysterious Wizard,” said Twilight, smacking my shoulder.
“Look to tomorrow’s paper to see the results of your meddling, your Highness,” I said.
“I don’t med…wait, you’re together again?  Oh, how wonderful!”  Twilight grabbed me in a hug, then pulled back.
“Please be careful, Ben,” she said and kissed my muzzle.  “There are ponies who love you and want you back.”
“Always, your Highness.  And, your Highness?”
Twilight raised her eyebrows in inquiry.
“Pruuuuunes.”
Twilight giggled, then smacked my shoulder again.  “Quit or I’ll tell Carl!” she said, then waved good-bye.
I spoke to some of the others including Ren who gave me a very arch look as she left.  I grinned back, then accepted a quick kiss from Lady Astrid.  I thought I was the last to leave but Luna had stayed behind and was so quiet I didn’t notice her.
“Maker.”
I turned, startled.  “Apologies, your Highness.  I thought I was the only one here.”
“Maker, I want to thank you for all you’ve done for the Crown.  You are…a stallion of good character,” said Luna, then looked down and sighed.
“No, that wasn’t what I meant to say.”
“Your Highness, that is more than praise enough and I thank you.  You’ve done wonders holding the kingdom together these past few months.  May I suggest you take a Spa Day, or in your case a Spa Evening, in Ponyville?  No charge for royalty, you know.  Oh, and we have preening services now.”
Luna looked surprised.  “You would have me go to a spa?  With the state of the World as it is?”
“Your Highness, you’ve been under enormous pressure.  You must take care of yourself.  Besides, your Highness, if I’ve learned nothing these last six months, it’s to live life to the fullest and to seize each day.  You making yourself sick accomplishes nothing.”
Luna gave me a small smile.  “Spoken like a mechanic, Hero.”  She looked alarmed for a moment, then sighed again.  “Apologies, Hero.  I’m not very good at dealing with others.”
“Not at all, your Highness; I am a mechanic after all.  Perhaps you need to find somepony like my business partner did and let them do all the talking.  Still, I can think of no place you’re needed more desperately than when you’re surrounded by volatile, manic and emotional ponies.”
Luna looked surprised again, then thoughtful.  “I…hadn’t thought of it that way before.  I thank you again, Maker.”
I gave a full bow.  “Your Highness.  Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to turn in early.”
Luna nodded and I turned to go.
“Maker.”
I turned back.
“Call me ‘Luna’ when it’s just us or Tia and us.”
I gave another half bow.  “It would be my honor…Luna.”
Luna smiled and nodded again.  I made my way back to my room, tired but calm.  I will save this World, I thought, and with that dropped off to sleep.

I woke up at 6, refreshed and ready for the day.  I trotted downstairs to the officer’s mess and had the place almost to myself until the DC marched in two brand-new lieutenants.  He sat them down, then asked me if I’d quiz them on some of the basics and not make it too easy.  In between bites of their breakfast, I had them recite the Guard’s Credo, asked some questions about strategy and tactics, then had them stretch a bit on a couple of imaginary battle scenarios.  Both did well and I told the DC as much as I left.  Good stallions.
I activated Conceal and trotted toward the train depot.  On the way, I was very pleased to hear the newsboys call out headlines such as “Read all about it!  Apple Breakup Rumors False!” and “Wizard Says He’ll Never Leave Farm Family!”  I stopped by a newsstand and stood to the side.  In every paper above the fold was the picture of AJ and me kissing in front of the Applejack.  Coal was leaning out of the cab grinning down at both of us.  Not a bad shot of Coal, either, I thought.  That picture may make his career.  Sales were brisk, too.
I found the Crystal Empire Special and slipped into the trailing car.  The special had four cars including a bar and kitchen, a very nice bedroom, a bathroom with a shower and a parlor car which doubled as a dining car.  I tossed my saddlebags into the parlor, then made my way back to the bar.  Decidedly not the cleanest.  There was some dry rot in the bar itself, too.  I looked out the windows to make sure I didn’t have any company, then lowered all the windows and opened the skylight.  I removed all the dirt, dust and sticky spills and sent it out the windows, pulled all the glasses and bottles out from behind and underneath the bar, cleaned those, then cleaned the bar’s underside and storage which were a filthy mess.
I fixed the dry rot, then polished the wood, mirror and brass.  The car itself needed some work, too, which I did.  Shocking lack of maintenance both inside and out, I thought.   When all was clean, I put the glasses and bottles back in good order, keeping a 12oz bottle of 100-year-old Sweet Apple Acres apple brandy for myself.  I fixed a few of the windows and the seal on the skylight, then moved to the kitchen.  Somepony had cleaned it well, at least, so I just scoured the surfaces as usual and had a Golden Delicious as a snack.  I moved on to the bedroom.
Cadence and Carl had left it a mess as I expected; neither was much of a housekeeper.  The sheets reminded me of the rug I’d cleaned at Roundhouse’s, so I started with those, then did the mattress and the bed itself.  The floor needed all sorts of attention from loose boards to polishing, so I took care of that, then polished the bed and other furniture.  The bathroom was in such a state I had to use stronger magic than I expected but at last I could see the tiles’ original color and had the fixtures gleaming.  Unclogged the sink’s drain, too.
That left the parlor which was in pretty good shape.  There was the usual tiresome velvet hangings and so on, but I finished it far more quickly than the other rooms.  I felt the cars shift as the engine hooked up at 8, so I made sure I was out of sight of the windows as the engineer pulled the cars to the passenger depot.
Carl and Cadence boarded at 8:25 with a mob of reporters following.  I ducked back into a closet and signaled to Cadence as she came into the parlor.  She gave me a rueful smile, then she and Carl waved out the windows until the train was well away from the station.
I stepped out of the closet.
“Greetings, fellow Celebrity Couple!  I must say, you…oof!”
Cadence and Carl both raced over and hurled themselves into my forehooves.  Both were shaking.  I’d become so used to Dark Magic and saving the World I’d forgotten how frightened I was at first.  Carl and Cadence only found out about it yesterday and had put up a brave front until now.
I wrapped my magic field around both.  I felt their fields surge to meet mine.  Carl’s I knew as well as I knew my own but it was my first time with Cadence.  Her usually sweet and gentle self was terrified for her subjects and Carl was afraid for her and for the Crystal Empire; neither had forgotten Sombra, either.  I sent them the same reassurance I’d sent Alistair and Fleur.  I am Guardian, I’ll give my life for you.  I am Guardian, do not fear, I’ve trained for this, this is my Purpose.  Confidence is high.
Soon both stopped shaking but neither let go for a good while.  When they did, both wiped their muzzles on my shoulders.  Hmm, I see why the bedroom was such a mess.
“Please save us, Ben,” said Cadence, sounding worried and tired.  Carl just nodded in agreement.
“I have every intention of doing so, Cadence.  Oh, and I see congratulations are in order.”
“What for, Ben?” said Cadence, looking puzzled.
“Why, for the foal, of course,” I said, puzzled myself.
“What foal, Maker?” asked Carl, equally at a loss.
They didn’t know!  I pointed to Cadence’s stomach.  “Yours, doofus.”
Cadence looked down at herself, then at Carl, then at me, then down at herself again.
“You…you mean…?” she started, then screamed with joy and threw herself into Carl’s forehooves.  He twirled her around and around the parlor car, heedless of the furniture or anything else.  Both were laughing and carrying on and I laughed right along with them.
“You’ll love it, both of you, and you’ll be excellent par…oof!”
I found my forehooves full of my friends again.  Eh, well.
> The Griffon Lands
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Griffon Lands

“Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in that gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.”

General of the Army Louise-Renée de Kéroualle, translated from the French

We spent the rest of the morning catching up.  When Cadence would switch to talking about foals, after a few minutes Carl and I would pretend to die of boredom which irked her no end.  We had a light lunch at 12 which I fixed, then Cadence and Carl lay down for a nap since they hadn’t slept at all last night.  Cadence forthrightly invited me to join them for a nap and most anything else but I begged off since I wanted to plan my trip into the Griffon Lands.
I lay back on the velvet couch.  Let’s see, an extra set of saddlebags would give me about 15 days’ rations.  I could forage after that since I had my Earth pony senses and plant knowledge but it wasn’t much fun and would take time.  I planned to grow a good bit of food myself but even magically accelerated growth would take at least a month before any yield.
I really had only the vaguest idea of where I was going but I had Ren’s memories of the territory which were extensive.  I thought I’d head for the Last Battlefield since I guessed that was where Tia cast her Curse.  Hopefully I’d know it when I saw it.  I’d have to present myself to the griffons sooner or later.  And treaty or no, ponies weren’t all that popular in the Griffon Lands.
I decided I’d head straight South and hope for the best.  I was reviewing Ren’s memories for the route when I heard a familiar voice.
“BENJAMIN.”
I turned my head and there stood Death along with Marcia O’Reilly.  Marcia was wearing the same cloak she’d worn for our impromptu scene.

Will I meet him in the rain?
Will I meet him on a train?
Nopony knows if Death is nigh,
So keep your spirit flying high!

I quoted from the pegasus nursery rhyme as I rolled to my hooves.  I reached out a hoof and for the first time actually touched Death’s on this Plain.  He was warm just like anypony.
“Death!  And Miss O’Reilly!  How wonderful to see both of you!”
Marcia flipped back her hood.  She looked radiant.
“Hello, Mr. Apple.  We just wanted to wish you well on your journey.  We’ve enjoyed following your adventures.”
I waved a hoof.  “Thank you, but I’d much rather hear about Death’s Apprentice.  Are you…well, I suppose ‘enjoying yourself’ really isn’t the best way to phrase it.  How about, ‘Are you learning a great deal?’”
“Oh, yes, sir!  Death is so wonderful, sweet, compassionate and such a good teacher!  And I’ve seen most of the World, Mr. Apple, since wherever ponies are, Death can go.  I Reaped my first soul yesterday.”
“Well done, Miss O’Reilly, very well done.  Er…did you ever hear from Rarity?  I didn’t know if you could weave and do this as well.”
Marcia nodded.  “Since I can go home each night and have some days off, I haven’t fallen behind on my weaving at all.  And yes, Mr. Apple, thanks to you I’ve more than doubled my income.”
“If you’ve impressed the Element of Inspiration, Miss O’Reilly, working for Death should be peaches and cream.”
Death and Marcia both laughed at that.  With a fond look at Death, Marcia raised her scythe, waved to me, sliced open Reality and both stepped through.  Handy, that.
After the rift closed, I realized Death hadn’t said a single word.  He’s finally found somepony to do the talking, I thought.  I wonder if he could recommend someone for Luna?  And ‘sweet’?  Death?  I rubbed my hooves together in anticipation of bringing that up during one of our card games.  And no more Astral, either; if Death wanted to play cards or whatnot, he could come to me from now on.
I ended up nodding off myself and only woke up when the train pulled into the Crystal Empire station at 5:30.  I knocked on the bedroom door and roused Carl and Cadence.  Both yawned and stretched, then exchanged a passionate kiss once they remembered Cadence was going to have a foal.  There was a small entourage at the station since royalty was royalty.  They immediately surrounded Carl and Cadence with questions and waving papers, so I followed along behind as we made our way to their enormous palace.  I’d visited once before and much preferred the Homestead.  I privately thought Carl and Cadence did as well.
One of them eventually remembered me and one of the flunkies detached herself from the group.
“Mr. Apple, welcome to the Crystal Empire.  I’m Somerson.  Would you please come with me?”
Somerson showed me to a room on the second floor which would have held the cabin at the farm 10 times over.  I thanked her and she left me to settle in after telling me we’d have a late supper at 7.  I showered, then checked my saddlebags.  Dirt and seeds still there even after all these months.  I pulled out my tails and my cape and cleaned them with magic since I wasn’t about to pass up wearing either.
At 10 ‘til 7, I heard a knock and opened the door.  Somerson stared when she saw me.
“Why, Mr. Apple, I had no idea you’d dress for dinner.  How elegant!”
I bowed and swirled my cape.  “My thanks to you, Miss Somerson.”  That got a smile out of the rather grim unicorn mare and I congratulated myself I hadn’t lost my touch.
I followed her down to the “family” dining room which could seat 50 with no trouble.  I flipped my cape to a coatrack, then gave a half bow to my host and hostess.  We sat at the end of the table with Cadence at the head, me to her left and Carl to her right.  I was careful not to mention the foal since it wasn’t official yet and when it was the entire kingdom would have to know.  We talked and laughed, thoroughly enjoying ourselves and my trip never came up.
After supper, I found my own way back to my room and went to bed.  Early in the morning I felt a pony kiss my nose, then get in bed with me.  I felt another on the other side.  Later on, I woke to Carl on one side and Cadence on the other.  Cadence tended to sprawl, so I shifted her around.  She made some sleepy noises, then threw a hoof across my chest and fell into a deeper sleep, her muzzle next to my left ear.  My best stallion friend and his filly, I thought; reason enough to succeed.
I woke up alone and joined Shining Armor and Cadence for breakfast.  They had some catching up to do, so I told them I’d amuse myself until the afternoon.  I used the extensive library, then found a dusty, unused pharmacy.  The supplies included equipment for drawing blood, so I drew off four vials of mine, sealed them with magic, put them in with the seeds and then bandaged myself as best as I could.  That wasn’t good enough for Somerson, so when she came to get me in the library she bandaged me again and very professionally, too.  I asked about her background and it turned out she was a medic in the Army during the War, one of five and the only survivor.  I asked if she’d be willing to teach Winter and Somerson said she’d be more than happy.
We spent the afternoon running and playing outside.  Carl loved volleyball and barn ball, so we played that, then had some hoof races which Cadence, who was fast as the Wind, won.  We swam in the Royal Pool which was more like a shallow pond, then lay in the setting Sun to dry off.
“What’s this, Ben,” asked Cadence, pointing to my now wet bandage.
“I drew blood earlier,” I said, looking at it again, then taking it off.
“What?  What for?”
“Blood magic, Cadence.”
“Eewww!”
I grinned at that.  “It was routine in Ancient Equestria, O Princess of Love.  I looked up some of the references this morning and they matched what I’d found earlier.”
“Is it for your trip, Maker?” asked Carl.
“Yes.  I didn’t want to poke myself with a dirk or lancet in the middle of the wilderness, so I thought this a better solution.”
Both nodded, then Cadence sighed.
“Please come back to us, Ben.”
“I have every intention of doing so, your Highness.  And I want your foal to grow up and to play with mine.”
That earned me a kiss from Cadence and a back thumping from Carl.  We had a very merry supper, then I went to bed early since I was hopping a freight first thing in the morning.  My friends joined me again, wrapping me in their magic fields before they fell asleep.  It gave me great comfort and I hoped I gave the same in return.
The morning of 13th I checked my saddlebags, then went to the kitchen to get a second saddlebag full of trail rations.  The chef and staff knew something was going on and gathered around hoping for some gossip but I disappointed them when told them it was just a camping trip.  I ate breakfast with Carl and Cadence, then they escorted me to the back door closest to the freight depot.  A teary-eyed Cadence gave me a Pegasus Farewell, Carl gave me one of his stallion hugs and I was on my way.
I cast Conceal and hopped into an empty lumber flatbed.  The freight left right on time and three hours later I was at the end of the line.  I hopped off and trotted about a mile South before I dropped Conceal.  I kept up a good trot, stopped for lunch around noon and by 3 I found myself crossing into the Griffon Lands at last.
My first thought was amazement at the rugged, beautiful country.  I saw a herd of deer, rabbit, quail and all sorts of other game the griffons could hunt and wondered how they could possibly die out with such abundance.  Must be from something other than starvation, I decided.  The animals were wary of me so I didn’t have a chance to talk to any of them.
I camped that night next to a stream, had a dreamless sleep and rose with the dawn.  That was my pattern for five days.  I topped a rise on 18th and could just make out a griffon settlement about 10 miles away.  I also spotted a large circle of empty ground, maybe 10 acres.  I headed for it and got to the edge around lunch.  I put a hoof onto the barren dirt.
Nothing.  No life at all.
I nodded to myself, then trotted a little distance until I found a pleasant glade next to a spring surrounded by rock formations including one little cave which made an ideal shelter.  I made camp there, then unpacked my jar of dirt and a vial of blood.  I walked back to the lifeless area, tipped some dirt out onto it, then poured the vial of blood onto that while I used just a touch of magic on both.  Although I most likely didn’t need to, I recited a poem from one of Apple Bloom’s foal’s books she’d shown me once:

A little seed for me to sow,
A little soil to make it grow,
A little hole, a little pat,
A little wish, and that is that,
A little Sun, a little shower,
A little while -
And then, a flower!

The Sweet Apple Acres soil fizzed like seltzer water as the blood and magic hit it, then the combination slowly sank into the barren Earth.  Take that, Dark Magic, I thought, and made my way back to my campsite.  I knew I had a few days to wait, so I thought I’d explore a different direction each day.  I started walking South toward the griffon settlement and activated Conceal when I was about a mile away.  I peered over some rocks and got my first look at griffons.
They were large, much larger than ponies and of several different colors.  The most common color on their lion back half was the standard tawny brown although some were dark brown, black, grey and even a light yellow.  The eagle heads were usually white although I did spot some black and grey as well.  Their bills and foreclaws were universally yellow.  Wings were black or brown.  Formidable creatures, sure enough.  I watched for awhile.  The griffons seemed listless and dull to me although I had no frame of reference so I wasn’t sure.
After I’d gazed my fill, I headed back to camp.  I had an early supper, then meditated until I fell asleep to a light rain.
“Pony.”
I sat up.  I listened and thought I must have imagined it.  Then I heard it again.
“Pony.”
I stuck my head out of the shelter and there in the moonlight was the puma from my dream.  She was sitting on a rock outcropping across from my shelter, all four paws together, tail wrapped around front.  She was even more impressive than I remembered.  I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming again or not, but I decided courtesy cost me nothing either way.  I stepped out of my shelter and made a full bow.
“Good evening, Sleek Huntress of the Night.  You honor my camp with your presence.”
“Yes, pony, I know.  You’ve started healing the land, I see.”
“Yes, Huntress.”
She nodded.  “The Dead Land’s smell is better already.”  Then the puma raised a paw and pointed off to the East.  “A griffon lies dying not too far from here.  Heal him.”  The puma sniffed and looked disgusted.  “If he dies, his rotting corpse will foul some of my hunting ground.  This is unacceptable.”
“I will do my best, Huntress.  If I can’t cure him, I’ll use his corpse to fertilize the land.”
The puma nodded again.  “You obey well, pony.”
“I’m married, Lady Puma.  I’ve had all sorts of practice.”
The puma showed her formidable teeth for just a moment in what I took as a feline grin.
“If he lives, I will bring food for him for three days.  After that, he’s on his own.”
I bowed again.  “You are generous as well as beautiful, Huntress.”
“Yes, I am,” she said and then was gone faster than I could follow. 
I looked at the sky and saw the grey light of dawn.  I had breakfast, then took a bath in the spring after heating the water with magic; no sense in a miserable bath.
As soon as the Sun was up, I headed in the direction the puma had pointed.  After about a mile, I could smell the griffon myself and a couple minutes later I found him.  He was lying on his side in a pile of rocks.  I extended my healing senses.  Not bad but not good, either; broken right wing which at least was a clean break, broken right rear leg, some nasty cuts which were starting to get infected.  Worse than these, though, was some sort of internal bacterial infection which had worked its way to his inner ear.  I speculated that was what caused him to crash when he became too dizzy to fly.
I started with the infection which was pervasive.  I used the same technique I’d used on Tia to clear it and ended up with a circle full of yellow ichor.  I used magic to turn it to ash, then lifted the griffon up and moved him to a grassy area.  I healed the wing and the broken leg, then cleaned and healed the cuts.
Resting every now and then, I used magic to carry him back to my campsite and laid him out on a large rock.  I cleaned him up as best as I could, then fashioned a bucket out of birch bark so I could give him water when he was thirsty.  I left him asleep to accelerate the healing and then looked him over.  His hindquarters were silver and some of his white eagle head feathers had silver tips as well.  His wings were as black as night which made quite the contrast with his yellow bill.  He was thin and I could see his ribs in his hindquarters.  That was most likely from the infection stealing his appetite.
I took a nap in my shelter, then trotted to what Lady Puma had called the Dead Land.  Where I’d cast my healing spell was a circle about 30 feet in diameter and growing quickly.  I tested it with a hoof and found live soil, ready for planting.  A geometric progression.  Excellent.
I went back to the campsite.
“Wake up, griffon.”
The griffon’s eyes blinked open and two fierce silver orbs looked at me.  I used magic to get some water from the spring in my improvised bucket and offered it to him from a safe distance.  He opened his bill and I poured it in.  I did that six more times before he closed his bill.  He was too weak to stand, but I used magic to help him relieve himself next to my own latrine, then put him back on the rock.  Without a word, he lay his head down and went back to sleep, a natural sleep this time.
Well, that could have gone worse, I thought.  I decided I’d chance leaving him alone and trotted East.  I reached the end of the Dead Land after a half mile which meant it was smaller than I thought and far smaller than in my dream; it was still big enough, though.
Beyond the Dead Land the country was just as wild and rugged as the rest of it.  I trotted North, then back to the campsite.  I ate lunch, checked my patient, then foraged the rest of the day.  I found a pond with cattails and some other edible roots and ate them right then since I missed fresh food.
I returned to my camp at dusk to find Lady Puma was as good as her word and had left a small deer for the griffon.  He woke up as I trotted in, noticed the deer and devoured it.  I thought watching him eat would disgust me but his habits were neat and he wasted no motion.  When he finished, there was nothing left except a few spots of blood.  I gave him some water, helped him to the latrine, then used magic to clean the blood off of his beak and front claws.
I put him back on his rock and extended my healing senses.  He had remarkable powers of recuperation and was already much stronger than yesterday.  He was digesting the food well, too, so I withdrew my healing and left him to it.  He’d most likely make a full recovery in Lady Puma’s three days.
I settled across from my shelter and had some rations, then ran through some T’ai Chi katas.  The griffon watched me with those unblinking silver eyes of his.  When I finished, I took a bath, using magic to sluice the water over me, then climbed onto a rock still warm from the Sun so I could dry off.
I was half asleep when I heard, “Who are you?”
I looked up to see the griffon watching me.  “Who are you?” he repeated.  His voice was deep, a good octave below mine and had a slight rasp to it.
“Benjamin Apple, at your service, sir.”
“What are you doing in the Griffon Lands?”
“I’m here to heal them.”
The griffon looked skeptical, but asked, “Why did you help me?”
“My Lady Puma said she didn’t want your corpse to foul her hunting grounds.  That was how I found you.  She is the one bringing you food.”
The griffon looked even more skeptical than before.
“Pumas don’t talk.”
“Suit yourself,” I said.
The griffon tried to rise and almost made it.
“Not just yet, sir,” I said.  Using magic, I supported my patient while he got a drink, then as he used the latrine.  When he was back on his rock, he looked at me again, then away.
“If you knew who I was, pony, you’d have let me die.
“Perhaps, perhaps not.  Lady Puma was most determined.  And I am a healer.  I don’t let the sick die if I can help it.”
The griffon looked at me again, then slowly lowered his head and fell asleep.  I climbed into my shelter and slept the rest of the night with no dreams.
The next two days mirrored the first.  Lady Puma brought another deer and some sort of antelope I’d never seen before.  I never saw Lady Puma, either.  By the end of the third day, the griffon was able to walk.  I asked him to extend his wings and both were in good shape but could have used a preening.  I did what I could with magic.
The morning of the fourth day (the 22nd of Third according to my tally of days) it was time for me to start my planting.  The griffon and I washed ourselves in turn, then dried off.
“Can you hunt for yourself, sir?” I asked as the griffon spread his wings to dry.
He nodded.
I rose.  “Then I bid you good day, sir.”
“Silver.”
“What’s that?”
“You may call me ‘Silver’.”
“Then I bid you good day, Silver.  Fly well.”  I hopped down from the rock, put on my old saddlebags and started toward the Dead Land, hopefully dead no longer.
“Wait,” said Silver.  “What are you going to do?”
“Grow plants, Silver.  I am a farmer as well as a healer.”
“I want to watch.”
“I’ve no objection.”
Silver walked next to me as I trotted to where I’d first mixed the Sweet Apple Acres soil with the dead soil.  I tested it with a hoof and found soil every bit as good as my composted tomato field.  I used magic to lay out a small garden, then pulled the vegetable seeds from my pack.  I planted kale, cabbage, corn, beets and some other simple vegetables using magic to set the rows.  Next, I pulled out the tree seeds and trotted almost all the way around the circle, planting them randomly until I ran out.  Silver stretched out and watched me, leaving once or twice to hunt.  I watched him fly over and found his appearance striking; a very handsome creature indeed.
Finally, I pulled out the wildflower and wild grass seeds and walked to the middle of the circle.  I scattered the seeds using a touch of magic, then trotted back to my garden.  I took a breath, then called my full magic.  I pushed it into the Earth while using my Earth pony senses at the same time.  The seeds took root and started to grow, the grasses first, then my garden and finally the trees.  I stopped when the plants reached about a month’s growth since more than that would kill them.
I sat down rather heavily and surveyed what I’d accomplished.  Where before there was the Dead Land, now grass blew in the light Wind.  My garden should yield in another month or so and I could sense tree seedlings around the border.  The World would take over from here.  I still hadn’t found Ground Zero where Tia had cast the Curse but eliminating the Dead Land should weaken the Dark Magic considerably.
I’d forgotten to eat lunch and was very hungry from using so much magic.  I foraged a bit at the pond, ate some more roots, found some mushrooms in a damp patch of forest and ate those, then went back to my camp and had some rations.  My old saddlebag had some seed packets left in case I found any other barren areas and I still had plenty of dirt and three more vials of blood.
My silver shadow followed me back to camp and stretched out on the same rock he’d used the last few days.
“Why would you do this for us?” asked Silver as I splashed around in the Spring.  “Why would you help the griffons?”
“Because of the War, you mean?” I asked.  Time to get that out in the open.
Silver nodded.
“One of my people did a great wrong to the griffons after the Last Battle.  I am here to undo that wrong.”
Silver said nothing.
“Apologies, Silver, I’m very tired.  I’ll see you in the morning?”
Silver, grim as ever, nodded.

The Mad King knew his time had come.  He’d killed two of those who had attacked him, but two other ponies had finished the job with a sword through an eye and a spear to his side.  I Curse this place, he thought, and I Curse all for betraying me.  The Mad King’s last sight was a young silver griffon, face in a grimace of hate, raising a sword in both claws and bringing it down on his skull.

I woke up, then left the shelter.  The stars were very bright and the River of Time visible.  I named some of the Spring constellations to myself, used the latrine, then checked on Silver.  He was sound asleep.  I knew his story now since I’d lived it myself, not on this World, no, but on others.  The same story, over and over again, I thought, sadly.  This time, though, I had a chance, a slender thread of a chance, to heal the wounds, to end the bitterness of the Griffon War and to change their culture so no more Mad Kings could arise.  And it was time for me to face my own fears as well.  I lay down again and dropped off at once.
> We Face Our Fears
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

We Face Our Fears

The four steps we can take to deal with our fears is the same as how we deal with our enemies. Fear is of course an enemy.  So we should resist the effect fear has over us.  We determine what they are and then seek counsel on how to minimize this effect. Next we plan our lives as best we can to avoid or reduce the situations that cause the fear from coming about.  Yes, easier said than done.  Part of achieving this step lies in step three, to deal with the fear head on.  There are two choices, one to face it in one lump or to slowly ease our way to a full confrontation.  The worst thing is to believe there is nothing we can do and accept that we will have to deal with the effects of a particular fear for the rest of our lives.

“The Art of War”, Appendix B, The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge

I woke up a little later than usual to find Silver gone.  I went through my ablutions, then ate almost twice my normal rations.  Silver flew in as I was repacking my saddlebag, moving the vials and Zap Apple seeds to the top.
“And a good morning to you, Silver.  Would you like a warm bath?”
“Warm water causes a weakness in the blood, Benjamin,” said Silver.  Well, at least he knew my first name.  “Pony” was getting a bit old.
“Don’t tell me, you’re one of those who crack the ice and then jump into lakes in the Winter.”
Silver nodded, still dead serious.  “Most bracing.”
I thought my industrial size water heater at the Homestead which Mechanic Monthly had featured after the open house.
“Very well, Silver.”
Silver did clean himself in the cold spring water.  He bathed like he ate, without enjoyment but with efficiency and no wasted motion.
We both lay in the Sun to dry, Silver with wings spread.
“Silver,” I said, “is there a place next to the Last Battlefield where nothing will grow?  Perhaps in a circle?”
Silver nodded.  “On a bluff overlooking the battlefield.  How did you know, Benjamin?”
“Will you take me there?”
Silver nodded again.  “If we leave now, we should get there by midmorning.”
We both stood.  I put on my pouch, shouldered both my saddlebags and checked the camp one last time.  Silver started off back toward the griffon settlement.  We didn’t talk for the first half hour or so, then I took a deep breath.
“Shall I tell you of yourself, Silver?”
Silver looked over at me with what I thought was an inquiring expression; I still had trouble reading griffons.  I assumed it was and kept talking.
“You come from a privileged family, one with a long and honorable warrior tradition.  Your parents, particularly your father, were stern but fair.  You learned early the value of duty over pleasure and your father made sure you understood honor, both individual and collective.  He raised you as the perfect warrior.  You responded well to this and earned your parents’ and your teachers’ praise.”
I thought Silver’s eyes widened slightly.
“But something changed just as you came of age.  A strange griffon arose who spoke of glory, the glory of the past and how great the griffons once were.  If they could but rise to that level again, they could become splendid and rule the world.  He could lead the griffons there if they would follow him.  There was an enemy, though, an enemy holding them back.  Across the Celestial Sea, the ponies had much while the griffons had little.  It was their fault the griffons were so poor, so reduced to penury, so base.”
Silver froze between one step and the next.  I stopped and kept talking.
“More and then more griffons hailed the strange griffon as their savior.  You had doubts since what he taught contradicted what you knew about honor.  Your father, mother or both protested the strange griffon and one day were found dead.  Others who protested started to die or vanished until dissent quieted down.  The strange griffon, now king, gave long, convoluted speeches which said little but roused most of the griffons to a frenzy.  Soon, he launched an attack against the hated enemy.  Recognizing your value, he put you in charge of a large force of griffons.”
Silver seemed to shrink into himself.
“You thought the war absurd but your warrior ethos trapped you; if you didn’t fight, others would brand you a coward.  If you did fight, you fought for a cause you hated.  So, you compromised and fought honorably on the battlefield.  You looked with disgust and eventually hatred at the vile king and his followers who committed unspeakable atrocities with excuses such as ‘It’s war’ and ‘They aren’t griffons, they don’t matter’.”
Silver crouched and pulled in his head, reminding me of the two griffon statues at the entrance of Alistair’s estate.
“Soon you and others knew you couldn’t win the war; you were unmatched as individual warriors but the enemy fought in groups and overwhelmed you time after time.  The king refused to accept this and urged total war, last griffon standing and so on.  Others came to you, whispering of defeat.  ‘You are noble,’ they said, ‘you must kill the king and take his place to save us.’  You didn’t, though, since you thought it would leave you foresworn, a fate worse than death.”
“Then came the Last Battle.  Defeated, your soldiers demoralized, you gave in to all the hate and rage you’d repressed, took a sword and split the king’s skull.  The enemy hadn’t listened to the bugle call to cease and were slaughtering those griffons who tried to surrender.  But when they saw you, a griffon, kill the king, they stopped fighting.”
I took a breath.  “You saved your people from annihilation.  But you didn’t see it that way, oh, no.  All you knew was you’d killed the king even if he was practically dead already.  After you helped bury the bodies and the enemy had left, the others came to you.  ‘Be our king now,’ they asked, but you refused since you considered yourself dishonored beyond redemption.  Instead, you moved to the farthest griffon settlement and hoped all would forget about you.  The infection was exactly what you needed; since you couldn’t kill yourself, you hoped that would do it for you.  And then I came along.”
Silver, eyes wide, said, “I am foresworn.”
I stepped forward and smashed my right forehoof against both sides of his beak, once, twice.  He didn’t even flinch.
“You stupid young fool!” I yelled, then stepped back.  “Your first oath was to your family, your second to your tribe and then and only then to your warleader.  He betrayed you and your people.  You were not foresworn.  If you think so, then your definition of honor is far too narrow for me and, believe you me, Youngster, I know something about it.  You’ve used it as an excuse to escape and to hide, living your life in fear.”
I sighed, then turned and walked on.  Soon Silver uncoiled and started pacing me again.  He said nothing but that wasn’t unusual.
After about an hour, Silver led me to a small bluff.  I recognized the area from Ren’s memories; the Last Battle had been in the dell below the bluff.  Silver pointed and there was a black circle, about six feet in diameter.  It looked like a hole in the bluff and standing there would give a perfect view of the battlefield.  Yes, this was it.  This was where Tia cast Maledicta Terra.
I took off my saddlebags and pouch, then pulled out a blood vial, my tomato field dirt and the Zap Apple packet.  I looked back at Silver who had crouched about five feet away.
“Silver, if I die, please tell those who follow what I did so they don’t repeat it.”
Silver nodded.  “You are brave, Benjamin.”
“I am petrified, Silver.  But I know this is the Price.  Plus, just like you, this is what I’ve trained to do.”
Silver nodded again.
“Stay well back,” I said, then wrapped myself in a Level 3 defensive spell.  I walked onto the circle and immediately felt the Wrongness even through the spell I’d raised.  I walked to the center, then planted a hoof.  I opened a tiny hole in the barrier surrounding me.
Hate.
Cold, unfeeling, malice, like an evil machine.
Wait, kill the land as a ruse, yes, and wait.  Kill the griffons, slowly, slowly, so they don’t suspect.  Start with those closest.  Slowly, a boil here, an infection there, a stillborn cub over there.  Then a plague.  And when they’re all dead…
…KILL THE WORLD!!!
I sealed myself in my barrier again.  Clever, Tia, very clever, to subvert the spell that way.  But you forgot about yourself, didn’t you?  And had no thought for the aftermath.  Well, then.
I tipped out some soil, planted a single Zap Apple seed, then put the seed packet and jar back outside the circle.  I took a breath, let it out and poured my blood onto the soil and seed, using just a touch of magic.  I tossed the vial out of the circle, then stepped next to the seed.
The soil fizzed and the Zap Apple tree started to grow.  The Dark Magic sensed a threat to its existence.
Beware!  Warning!  Danger!
And then it attacked.
I had to protect the Zap Apple seedling until it was more mature.  The Dark Magic figured out what I was doing and slammed against my field.  I went into my T’ai Chi stance and started kata 6 which was strictly defensive; there wasn’t a punch in it.  I deflected the Dark Magic, then did it again.
And again.
And again.
The attacks came faster, the Dark Magic in a frenzy to get past me to the seedling.
I breathed, deflected, turning the attacker’s force against itself.
Again.
Again.
Breathe, just like I’d done a hundred, a thousand times.
Deflect, deflect, turn, deflect.
After a flurry of hits against my forehooves, one attack was slightly weaker than the one before.  As was the next.
And the next.
I paused for just a few seconds.  The Zap Apple tree was a good seven or eight feet now and feeding on the Dark Magic.  As I’d gambled, the Zap Apple tree didn’t care what sort of magic it used to grow as long as it was magic.
I watched the sickly green of the Dark Magic fight against the tree, then with a final sucking sound, vanish into the Zap Apple trunk.  There stood a Zap Apple tree, 20 feet tall or so, surrounded by green grass out to the circle’s edge.  I cautiously lowered my barrier and tapped into the ground.
Nothing.
The Dark Magic was gone.
I’d done it.  I’d saved the World.
After all the fear, the worry, the hiding, I’d done it.
“Well, Fluttershy Cheer for me,” I said, then knew no more.

The Two Kings

John Lawless: [singing]
Well well well, let's 'ave a drink on it,
as me father used to say!
When the truth is nobly spoken, it's respect ye've got to pay!
So fill yer cup an' lift it up and *clink*, here's how!
No shilly-shallyin', no dilly-dallyin', let's 'ave a drink on it now!

From the play “The Happiest Unicorn”

Feathers.
Warm feathers.
Sun on my flank, my head against warm feathers.  An odd, gamey smell.
“Rainbow Dash?  Storm?”  I opened my eyes.
I was between a pair of griffon claws, head against a griffon chest.  A griffon with silver-tipped feathers.  Silver.
I sat up.  Silver looked down at me.
“Benjamin.  Still alive, I see.”
I stood and stepped out from between the claws.  I stretched, then shook myself.  I looked around.  We were still on the bluff, the Sun shining, the Zap Apple leaves rustling in a light Wind.
“Silver!  How long was I out?”
“About an hour.”
“Well, that’s done.”  I picked up my Zap Apple seed packet, jar of soil and empty vial.  Pack out your trash, I thought, as I repacked them in my saddlebag.  I drank some water out of my canteen and had some rations.  About four days of rations left, I thought, then it’s foraging for me until the vegetables grow.  Or until I leave the Griffon Lands which I suddenly realized I could do.
“Help my people.”
“What’s that, Silver?”
Silver was standing, wings folded.
“Please help my people, Benjamin.”
“What’s this, what’s this?  ‘My people’, you say.  Why, you sound like a leader, Silver.  Or a king.”
Silver’s beak turned up very slightly, then he became serious again.
“You were right, Benjamin.  I was hiding.  The griffons in the village are sick, though.  We haven’t had a live cub born in almost a year.  Please, help them the way you helped me.”
“How many live there, Silver?”
“425 including my sister.”
Hmm, doable.  At least if the diseases weren’t too severe and I took my time.  What was today?  I pulled out my calendar.  23rd of Third.  That gave me, let’s see, not quite two and a half months before I had to get back to the palace.  One month should be more than enough time.
I looked up after putting away my calendar.
“Very well, Silver, I’ll stay a month.  I’ll need some food, though, particularly if I’m healing.  And no promises; some griffons may be beyond my ability to heal.”
Silver nodded.  Not a talker, Silver.
I put on my saddlebags and pouch.  “Lead on.”
Silver turned and we walked side-by-side toward the village which was about an hour away.  After about 10 minutes, Silver asked, “What was that fighting style you used back there?”
“It’s called ‘T’ai Chi’.  It’s almost completely defensive.”
Silver frowned.  “So you can’t win, just defend yourself.”
“The goal isn’t to win, Silver, it’s to not lose.  Use the attacker’s force against him and sooner rather than later you can walk away.  9 times out of 10 you can stop the fight before it starts.”
Silver kept frowning, then his face cleared.  He stopped, then looked at me in astonishment.
“Not to win, but to not lose!  Not lose, Benjamin!!”
I smiled at him, then slapped his shoulder.  I’d watched some of my students make the same leap.  It invariably changed their lives.
Silver actually smiled, an open beak smile this time, the first I’d seen from him.  “I understand!” he said enthusiastically.  “I truly understand!”
“Know that and know fear is the true enemy and you’ve learned all you need to know about combat, King of the Griffons.”
Silver shook his head.  “I’m not king yet, Benjamin.  This is just one of four villages not counting the capital.”
I waved a hoof.  “Bah.”
Silver actually laughed, a deep, booming laugh that reminded me of Death.
“So you can laugh.  I was beginning to think you had no sense of humor at all.”
Silver smiled that curved beak smile again.  “That’s the first time I’ve laughed since the War.”
“Well, it’s past time, then.”
We soon came to the outskirts of the griffon settlement.  The houses were much the same, single story mud brick with crude windows and flat roofs.  Silver walked up to a house isolated from the others and knocked on the door.  A few seconds later a female griffon answered.  She was in dreadful shape, her hide and feathers patchy from some sort of skin disease.  Her smell wasn’t too pleasant, either, and she had some weeping sores.  She must have been miserable.
She exclaimed something in griffon and Silver answered.  She noticed me and quickly stepped back out of sight until Silver motioned her forward.  The poor female limped out of the house and came toward me, Silver next to her.  In the Sunlight she looked and smelled even worse.  Mange, I thought, coupled with bacterial infection.  I braced myself.
The female stopped several feet away and wouldn’t look at me.
“Benjamin, may I present my sister Argent?”
“A pleasure, miss,” I said.
The female said nothing and still looked at the ground.
“Please help her, Benjamin,” said Silver.
“Miss, I’m a healer.  Please stand very still.  I promise I won’t harm you.”
I used my circle technique but when I started to lift it around her, she reared in alarm.  Silver said something sharp and she settled, resigned to her fate.  I pulled my circle up and through and ended up with mites and some very nasty infections it was a pleasure to burn to ash with magic.  She also had an infected right rear paw which I lanced and cured and pinkeye which I cleared.  Whew, what a mess!
Without the skin diseases, what remained was a smaller, more delicate version of Silver.  I regrew the hair on her hindquarters which was the same color as Silver’s, then did the same for her head and neck feathers.
“Miss, if you’d be so good as to spread your wings?”
She did and I regrew a number of missing feathers.  Her wing shape was rounder than Silver’s and I wondered if it was a gender difference.
When I finished, Silver nodded with satisfaction.
“There you are, miss.  Feel better?” I said.
Argent held out a wing, then turned and looked at her right flank.  She quickly turned at looked at the other side, then turned back to me.
“I…don’t believe it,” she said, wonderingly.  “I’ve been sick for so long.  Thank you, pony.  I…have nothing I can give you in return, though.”  Argent’s voice was low but slightly higher than Silver’s.
“I ask for nothing, miss, only your good will.  Perhaps you’ll tell others I’m no threat and have come to help them.  Silver,” I continued, “I’m a bit worn from the day.  I’ll head back to the campsite, shall I?”
“My home is here, Benjamin,” said Silver, pointing to house a little closer to the village than Argent’s.  “You may stay with me.”
Tired, I nodded.  Silver took me to his house which was one large room.  There was a pile of blankets in one corner and spare pallet rolled up in the opposite corner, some pottery to hold water and nothing else.  Silver spread the pallet for me.  The latrines were communal and one wasn’t too far from the outskirts where we were.  I thanked Silver and after he left I checked over the pallet.  No pests, but I cleaned it anyway.  The weaving was surprisingly good and I thought Marcia would appreciate it.
I ate almost two days’ worth of rations, had some water and then fell asleep.  I slept until late at night when I woke up to find Argent had wrapped herself around me and Silver had wrapped himself around both of us.  I learned later griffons never showed affection in public but were openly affectionate in private, particularly with family.
Thus began my time with the griffons.  Silver, Argent and I would get up together each morning.  They’d eat with the tribe while I ate whatever Silver, Argent or other griffons had managed to forage.  A cured Argent caused a sensation and at first griffons would show up just to see and to touch her.
We started on the far side of the village and went house to house, Silver, Argent or both flanking me.  I found all sorts of diseases including babesiosis, encephalitis, pneumonia, frounce, avian pox and some skin diseases I couldn’t identify.  Some griffons were fine while others needed intensive healing.  None, though, were as sick as Silver and Argent when I first met them so I made good progress.
Wary of a pony at first, after a couple of weeks the griffons grew used to me and would even seek me out.  After I’d help one, they would ask what they could do for me.  I suggested they forage or bring me vegetables from my garden, so I had more than enough to eat.  Occasionally a griffon would forget and would bring me a brace of rabbits or some such, but I thanked them anyway which I found was most important in griffon society.  I also became proficient at speaking Griffon, a sibilant language with a very simple grammar.
While the griffons were tribal and a warrior culture, most griffons chose a path other than warrior.  There were weavers, potters, builders and the one which fascinated me the most, hunters.  The hunters not only provided food for the entire tribe but also managed the game surrounding the village.  Griffons ate a great deal, so this was quite a feat.  I saw none go hungry, though.  There was usually a shaman as well but the tribe’s had died two years ago and none had shown up to replace him.
The griffons were casual about mating but there were some restrictions on having cubs to control the population.  I helped at two births after overcoming some hostility from the midwives.  Both cubs were fine and the entire tribe rejoiced to have cubs that lived.  The celebration for both went on for a night and a day with dancing, singing and storytelling.  Griffon singing sounded doleful to me and they laughed uproariously when I sang a few verses of Nelly Bly.  There was nothing for it after that but for me to sing to the griffons most evenings, sometimes to several hundred at a time.  I told stories, too, mainly about my life or from the “Tales for Foals” section of the Encyclopedia.  I’d get sighs, nods and laughter.  The Clock Incident was such a favorite I had to tell it several nights in a row.
The griffons got along well with one another but if two griffons did argue, there was a formal combat ritual to resolve it, usually fought to first blood.  I watched two, one with two males and one with two females and was amazed at their ferocity, particularly since they used no weapons.  Once the combat ended, the loser abased themselves to the winner, the winner touched the loser beak-to-beak and that was the end of it.
By the end of Fourth we had one very healthy and happy griffon village.  The griffons were lively and busy, a tremendous contrast to when I first saw them.  Many came to Silver and to Argent for advice or just to visit and both handled themselves well.  Several of the females asked for some alone time with Silver and several of the males did with Argent and both accepted happily.  I decided I’d leave the middle of Fifth and head back to Equestria.
I was sound asleep the 3rd of Fifth when Something woke me up.  I sat up, then slid out from between Argent and Silver.  I walked outside to a perfect Summer evening; a Moonless night, the stars looked close enough to touch.  All was peaceful.
I walked a little distance away from the village back toward the campsite, wondering what was bothering me.
“Pony.”
Lady Puma ghosted over a nearby rock ledge and then stretched herself out.
I gave a full bow.  “Lady Puma!  You honor me by speaking with me again.”
Lady Puma nodded.  “You’ve done well, pony, very well.  I name you Wizard of Balance and give you leave to travel my lands until the end of your days.”
Wizard of Balance.  I liked that, yes, indeed.  And I had a cape to go along with it, too.
I bowed again.  “I am your humble servant, Sleek Huntress, and I thank you for the honor you do me.”
Lady Puma gave me a quick flash of the feline grin again.
“You have one last chore, Wizard of Balance.”  Lady Puma pointed off to the battlefield.  “There is a Shade you must put to rest.”
So!  I thought there was something but none of the griffons would talk about it.
“The Mad King,” I said, nodding.
Lady Puma nodded as well.  “You know what to do, Wizard of Balance.”
“I will address the tribe tomorrow and Silver, Argent and I will face the Shade tomorrow evening.”
Lady Puma looked pleased, then turned to go.
“My Lady?”
Lady Puma stopped and looked over her shoulder.
“You are every bit as magnificent as you think you are,” I said.
With one last feline grin, Lady Puma was gone between one eye blink and the next.
I walked back to Silver’s in the predawn light.  As I walked in, Silver and Argent sat up.  In the predawn, both practically glowed.  Since I spent so much time with them, sometimes I forgot how beautiful they both were.
“Benjamin?” asked Silver.
“Silver, Argent, I just spoke to Lady Puma.”
Both looked alert at that.
“We must deal with the Shade of the Mad King.”
Silver and Argent looked at one another, then back to me.
“Do you trust me?” I asked.
“With my life,” “Completely,” were the answers.
“Then here’s what we’re going to do…”

After the morning meal, Silver and Argent went through the tribe and asked all to assemble at noon.  The hunters were the last to arrive and once all were gathered, I stood on the Speaking Rock and used magic to amplify my voice.  I spoke in Griffon.
“Do you see me, Tribe?”
“We see you, Healer,” came the answer.
“You know of the Shade which haunts the battlefield?”
Murmuring, then “Yes, we know.”
“It is the Shade of the Mad King.”
Some alarm but mainly sad resignation.
“His dying words Cursed you and this land, so his Shade remained.”  I gestured, then Silver and Argent joined me on the Speaking Rock.
“Do you see Silver and Argent, Tribe?”
“We see Silver and Argent, Healer.”
“Silver, Argent and I will face the Shade and banish him.  We ask some of you to stand as witness.”
Some roiling, some back and forth, then three griffons stood.  Two I’d cured and the third was one of the midwives.
“Do you see me, Tribe?” each asked in turn.  When the Tribe said they did, each agreed to stand as witness at Sunset this evening.
“I thank the Tribe for seeing and hearing me,” I finished, closing the meeting.
“What now?” Silver asked me as he, Argent and I walked away from the Speaking Rock.
“Now, my friend, we take the afternoon off.”
The griffons had several games, most for teams.  One was close enough to barn ball I could play it easily.  I played with Silver and Argent, then we all swam in a nearby river.  We dried ourselves in the hot Summer Sun, then I had a wrestling match with Argent which I lost dramatically.  Silver roared with laughter over that and it was funny enough Argent and I joined him.  We swam some more, then dried off one last time.
A half hour before Sunset, we went back to Silver’s.  I put on my cape, checked my dirk and then walked with Silver and Argent to the site of the Last Battle.  The witnesses met us there and we all walked a short way to a patch of dead grass.
I looked to Silver and to Argent and both nodded.  I picked up a stone and tossed it into the middle of the dead patch.
“Ho, Mad King!  You there?”
A black mist rose, boiling and writhing.  Out of it came a huge griffon, solid black with red glowing eyes.  We could see he was speaking but couldn’t hear anything.
“Look at that, it’s the Mad King everypony is talking about!” I said brightly.  “Say, you don’t look anything like your pictures!”
I pulled out the bottle of apple brandy I’d taken from the Crystal Empire bar car.
“Join me in a drink, Mad King?” I said and took a small sip.  Then I sang:

Well well well, let's 'ave a drink on it,
as me father used to say!
When a Shade is clearly loony, it's respect ye've got to pay!
So fill yer cup an' lift it up and drink, here's how!
No shilly-shallyin', no dilly-dallyin', let's 'ave a drink on it now!

Infuriated, the Shade raised a sword and brought it down on me.
It passed right through and vanished into the ground.
The Shade raised his sword again and again, chopping at me, then at Silver and Argent.
“Hah!” I yelled.  “What’re you gonna do now, Mad King?  You’re just a Shade!”
The Shade stopped swinging his sword and just glared.  He was speaking again but we still heard nothing.
I pulled out my dirk and handed it to Silver.  He nicked my right shoulder, then handed the dirk to me.  I made a small cut in his left shoulder, then handed the dirk to Argent.  She nicked my left shoulder, I nicked her right, then I cleaned the dirk on her flank and sheathed it.  Both moved until our shoulders touched, the blood mingling and running down both my forelegs.
“Time to go meet the Lord of Hel, Mad King,” I said, then called my magic and recited:

One chance to be undone,
One chance, the two made none,
By the blood of purest heart,
Given freely from the start.

Our mingled blood ran out in a thin line and encircled the Shade.  A red glow rose from the line and slowly rose to engulf the Mad King.  He reared, gave a soundless shriek and vanished.  The red glow went out and we were left looking at grass blowing in the twilight breeze.
I healed the nicks on Silver and Argent.  Silver took my med kit and bandaged my right foreleg then Argent did the same for my left.  I handed over the apple brandy to each and each took a small sip, then handed it back.
We turned to find the witnesses had abased themselves.
“Lead us, Silver.  Be our King.”
“Up,” said Silver.
The witnesses stood.
“I will be your King,” said Silver, “and will rule with Argent by my side.”
The midwife answered for all three and said, “I will tell the Tribe and we will spread the word.”
Silver nodded, then we walked on.
“How did you know, Benjamin?” asked Argent.
“I asked Death about Shades once.  He told me they were rare and the ones that did exist couldn’t harm the living.”
Argent’s silver eyes grew huge.  “You’ve spoken to Death?”
“Mmm, yes, and played cards with him, too.  Don’t play him in poker, Argent.”
“What are ‘cards’?  And what is…’poking’?”
“Poker,” I corrected.  Hmm, no playing cards in the Griffon Lands.  I sensed opportunity for Apple and Smithson Manufacturing.
We went into Silver’s, I explaining card games to both as best as I could without a deck.  Soon it grew dark and Argent curled around me.  She rubbed my head and muzzle with her beak, the strongest display of affection a griffon could show.  Silver did the same as he took his position.
“Thank you, Benjamin,” Silver said for both.
“My pleasure, O King,” I said, and dropped off to sleep.
> The Ending
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Ending

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal;
Love leaves a memory no one can steal.

Griffon blessing

In the morning of 4th of Fifth, after breakfast but before the griffons started their day, I stood on the Speaking Rock for the last time.  Many of the griffons gathered around.
“Do you see me, Tribe?”
“We see you, Healer,” came the answer.
“It is time for me to leave you.  I must return to my own people.”
“You have the gratitude of the Tribe,” came the response.
I waved, then hopped down.  Silver and Argent walked with me to the village border.  I shook claws with both and even that was stretching public affection a bit for a griffon.
“Farewell, both of you.  Here’s hoping to much better relations between our two peoples from now on.”
“Benjamin, I’m not King yet, but when I am, I designate you a Friend of the Griffons.”
Well, now!  That meant I could come and go as I pleased throughout the Griffon Lands, sort of like a roaming ambassador.
“You honor me, your Majesty.  My best to you and to the Princess Regent.”  Argent’s title didn’t translate well to Equestrian so that was the best I could do.
Argent nodded.  “From our Tribe and Family to your Tribe and Family, Benjamin, we send warmest greetings.”
I bowed to Argent.  “My thanks, your Highness.”  I stood and waved.  “Farewell!”
Both watched me until I was out of sight.  One last wave, and I was on my way home.
I covered familiar ground and soon was at my garden.  There was an abundance of vegetables as I hoped, so I loaded down my now almost empty saddlebags with whatever I could stuff in.  That gave me more than enough food to make it to Griffonstone Station with perhaps a little foraging.  Shame to leave the rest but there it was.  Perhaps they would grow wild and other ponies would use them in later years.
I kept trotting but drifted West; I wanted a look at the coast since you never knew when you’d have to teleport somewhere and, as eager as I was to see AJ and Airlie again, I had more than enough time before I had to show myself at the Palace.  I traveled for two days, then smelled the sea.  I came to the coast on the 7th of Fifth had a spectacular view.  The Celestial Sea was a good 100 nautical miles across at its widest point and I guessed that was about where I was.
I decided I’d see if I could reach the shoreline, so I turned North and looked for a way down.  I trotted for two more days with no luck, then camped in a small glade about a half mile from the cliffside.  I was sound asleep when I felt somepony gently nibbling on the tip of my left ear.
“AJ, it’s the middle of the night.  Go back to sleep!”
The nibbling continued.
“AJ…!”  Wait, I’m in the Griffon Lands.
I opened my eyes and found myself staring into dark silver ones.
“What ho, Guardian,” said Lady Magic, grinning like a fox.
I sat up, too amazed to speak at first.  I stared a couple of seconds.
“My Lady Magic!  You’re…You’re here!”
Lady Magic stood and so did I.  She leaned down and rubbed my nose with hers.
“Yes, Guardian.  Thanks to you and your successes, I can manifest on this Plain.”
“Oh, ho, can You indeed?” I said, grinning, looking at her sideways and raising an eyebrow.
Lady Magic laughed, the same pealing of bells I knew well.
“Now, don’t get any odd ideas, you rascal!”  Lady Magic sobered and looked at me.
“I’m so proud of you, Guardian.  You were both brave and clever.  You have saved the World.”
I smiled, then remembered.  “Wait, Milady, look!  Look, look what I have!”
I pulled my cape out of my saddlebag, threw it in the air and let it drift onto my shoulders, then struck a pose.
“What say You, Milady?”
Lady Magic laughed and clapped her front hooves together.  “You finally have the cape you’ve always wanted!  Wonderful, Wizard of Balance!”
“Yes, I…just a moment, how did You know…?”
“I must leave you now, Guardian.”  Lady Magic leaned over again and gave me Ren’s gentle kiss which I returned, tasting starlight.  “Very well done.”
“Thank you, Milady,” I answered with a bow.  When I rose, she was gone.  I repacked my cape, then lay down and went back to sleep until dawn.

The cliffs dwindled to nothing the next day and I finally found myself on the shoreline.  I could just make out the Southern tip of Trottingham and thought I was about a day away from Griffonstone Station.  I headed inland and camped early, then got up before dawn the 10th of Fifth.  I made good time and reached Griffonstone Station in the early afternoon.  There wasn’t a soul there but I checked the schedule on the station house.  There was a freight coming in tomorrow, so made camp in the station house after giving it a good cleaning.
The next day, I reorganized my saddlebags so the one I borrowed from the Crystal Palace kitchen was empty.  I swam in the river, lay in the Sun and rested until I heard the chuffing of a 4-4-0.  I hid in the forest and watched the railponies load logs, then hopped the lumber car as the train left around noon.  I didn’t even have to cast Conceal since nopony saw me.
I did cast Conceal about an hour out from the Crystal Empire depot, then hopped off as the train pulled into the station.  I trotted to the palace, slipped into the kitchen and hung the saddlebags back where they belonged.  I also put the remaining vegetables into the cold cellar; no sense in wasting good food.
That done, I used the extensive service passageways to make my way to the hall outside of the “family” dining room.  I was right on time since I could hear Cadence and Shining Armor settling and getting ready to ring for supper.  I slipped into a parlor, changed into my tails and cape after cleaning them and then dropped Conceal.
I starting singing in the hall as I walked toward the dining room:

Well well well, let's 'ave a drink on it,
as me father used to say!
When your friend has saved the World, it's respect ye've got to pay!
So fill yer cup an' lift it up and drink, here's how!
No shilly-shallyin', no dilly-dallyin', let's 'ave a drink on it now!

I burst into the dining room on the last verse, cape blowing in a magical breeze.  Cadence reflexively called her magic, then leapt up and screamed with both hooves protecting her unborn foal.  Carl called his magic as well and, almost faster than I could see, drew his dirk and took a fighting stance.  Whup, I didn’t realize both might be so jumpy.
“Easy, my friends,” I said, twirling my cape and tossing it onto the same coatrack as before.  “It’s just me.”
Silence, then both tackled me at the same time.
“You’re alive, you’re alive, you’re alive!” Carl kept yelling.
“What happened?  Are you all right?  What happened?” yelled Cadence equally loudly.
I laughed as I embraced both.  I also took a moment to check on Cadence.  She was carrying well and just starting to show.
“Yes, I’m fine, yes, I succeeded.  Say, what’s t’ eat?”
Cadence separated herself, then rang for dinner.  When the server showed up, Cadence joyfully asked her to bring an extra place setting.  While we ate, I gave a brief synopsis to both but said I’d rather wait until 20th to tell everypony what happened at the same time.  I watched both of my friends relax, the tension draining out of them.
After the meal, Cadence put her right hoof on Carl’s left.
“Maker, I know there’s nothing official we can do to reward you, but,” Cadence said, glancing at Carl, “we will give you whatever you ask of us that’s in our power to give.”
“Hmmm,” I said, pretending to cogitate as I leaned back, stared at the ceiling and tapped my front hooves together.  “My best friend, General of the Royal Guard and the Princess of Love, Ruler of the Crystal Empire.  What to ask, I wonder?”
Carl grinned like a lunatic and Cadence smiled as well.
“I know!” I exclaimed.  I put both hooves on the table in front of me and also put on my best grim look.
“I wish…to give you a massage and preening with Carl helping me, your Highness.”
I looked over to see Cadence’s mouth open.
“But, Maker…I’d have done that for you anyway,” she said, her guileless eyes huge.  “And that’s not a reward for you, that’s something for me.”
I leaned forward and took Cadence’s left hoof in both of mine.  “Cadence, Carl knows what I know; I’d have gone to the Griffon Lands for you and for your foal even if was to save only you two.  You and others like you are why Carl and I protect and serve this land.  So, spending time with you, Carl and the unborn foal is more than reward enough for me.”
Tears started to run down Cadence’s muzzle.
“Oh, Ben, that is so sweeeet!  No wonder Applejack is always so happy when you’re around.”
I released Cadence’s hoof, crossed my forehooves on dining room table and looked at Carl.
“Not bad, huh?”
Carl waggled his right hoof.  “Eh, fair.”
“Hah, like you could do any better!”
Cadence started laughing through her tears.
“Know how to preen, General?”
“Better than you, Major.”
“Unlikely, sir, but we shall see.”
And see we did.  We went into the sitting room next to Carl and Cadence’s master bedroom and I gave her a massage.  Carl and I swapped off preening and I enjoyed listening to Cadence’s dual tone hum.  We put her to bed, then Carl and I had a brandy while he told me of his experiences during the War.  I knew much from the Deep Merge with him, of course, but he needed to talk about it.  Tears ran unheeded down his muzzle at times since some of what he’d seen was so terrible, but when he finished, I could tell he’d come to terms with the memories at last.
Carl stood and tilted his head toward the bed.  We got in with Cadence between us and Carl and I merged our fields over her.  I am Guardian, I thought, as I drifted off, and these are my friends.  It’s good to have friends.

We rose together and after a fine breakfast, I took a moment to return the vials I’d borrowed from the pharmacy.  I dumped my blood down the sink from the remaining two, then cleaned the pharmacy until it gleamed.  I thought Winter might want to use it since I’d decided I was sending her the Crystal Empire to study as soon as I could.
Carl and Cadence saw me off out the same door as before, this time both excited and joyous about the future instead of apprehensive.  Both agreed not to mention my visit in any dispatches and even though I knew word would get around eventually, I hoped for a quiet month in Ponyville before I had to get to Canterlot on the 19th of Sixth.  I got very enthusiastic farewell kiss from Cadence and one of Carl’s bone-crushing stallion hugs before I left.
I was a boxcar tourist on the first freight heading South.  My Luck was still running and it was bound for Hoofington.  13 hours later it passed through Ponyville and I hopped off.
I cast Conceal since I wanted to see my family before anypony else.  I trotted through the Summer evening and noticed I had about two hours of daylight left.  Soon I topped a rise and there was the Homestead and Sweet Apple Acres.  I stood a few minutes savoring it, then walked down.  I stopped by the seed storage and emptied out the few remaining packets of seeds back into their bins, put the Zap Apple seed back in the safe then returned the saddlebags to the tack room.  I emptied the last of my tomato field dirt in the herb garden, then washed out the jar and put it back in the cupboard where I’d found it.  That done, I breathed a sigh of relief and knew that at last my mission was over.
I made my way to the kitchen door, dropped Conceal and went in.  The family usually worked the fields later in the Summer to take advantage of the daylight.  I checked and it was right before 7.  I put my pouch in the bedroom, then sat at the kitchen table and had an apple and some mushrooms.
A few minutes later I heard the sweetest voice in the World.
“Wash your hooves, Airlie, and then we’ll eat, alright?”
“Yes, Mother!”
I heard quick little hooves and Airlie raced past me without noticing I was sitting at the table.  She climbed on a stool clearly there just for her and started soaping her forehooves.  I watched her delightedly.  She was over twice the size she was when I was last home and looked wonderful.
Airlie washed (and very thoroughly, too), then turned to reach for the dishtowel.  That was when she noticed me.  She stopped, hooves dripping on the floor, and stared.
“Dad?” she said, still not quite sure.
“Hey, Honey Lamb.”
Then AJ walked in.  “Airlie, what’re you doin’, getting water all over the…” she said, then noticed me.
“Hey, AJ.  Looks like I survived.”
“BEN!!”
“DAD!!”
I rose and AJ gripped me as hard as she could and clung.  Airlie, hooves still soaking wet, grabbed me around the waist.  I wrapped my left foreleg around AJ and held Airlie with my right.  We just stood there, not moving, not speaking, for a good while.  I was home.

We had an excellent supper and I deflected any questions by asking Airlie what she’d been doing.  She told me all about her day, the little garden she and her mother had started, finding a bird’s nest, going to play in the pond and on and on.  I drank it in, only then realizing how much I’d missed it.
When we finished, AJ said, “Airlie, why don’t you run next door and tell th’ family your Dad is back?”
“Yes, ma’am!” said Airlie, leaping up and racing out of the kitchen.  “Uncle Mac!  Aunt Bloom!  Granny!  Dad’s back!!” AJ and I heard her yelling.
We exchanged grins, then stood to go next door.  AJ reached over and put my right forehoof on her stomach.  I extended my healing senses.
Life.  A little over two months along which would put it…
“…that morning at Roundhouse’s!” I said, thrilled.
“Yep, I reckon the same,” said AJ.
I kissed her then, as passionately as I could and she returned the favor.  I tasted the so-familiar cinnamon apples and salt from joyful tears.
“Welcome home, Partner,” said AJ as we broke for air and she wiped her muzzle.  “C’mon, let th’ family see you’re not dead.”
The celebration we had reminded me of when the family agreed I could Court AJ.  Poor Big Mac could hardly eat for breaking into tears at times.  Granny and Apple Bloom kept touching my shoulders as if they were making sure I was real.  AJ clung to my hoof under the table as I held Airlie in my lap.  The family asked no questions, just made me welcome.  We also finished the brandy I’d carried to the Griffon Lands and back.
Celebration or no, this was a farm family and early risers.  We broke up at 8:30 and headed for bed.  I kissed Airlie and tucked her in, then brushed my teeth in my own bathroom and got into my own bed with AJ.
“AJ, I’m going to spend the next few days typing up the official report for the Crown.  Would you let me read it to you and to Granny when I’m finished?”
“Sure,” said AJ, yawning.
“I’ll never keep anything from you ever again, Mother, I promise,” I said.
AJ reached out and patted me, then dropped off to sleep.
Never, I thought, and fell asleep myself.

Forgiveness

A Farmer's son by accident trod upon a Serpent's tail, which turned and bit him so that he died.  The Farmer in a rage got his axe, and pursuing the Serpent, cut off part of its tail.  So the Serpent in revenge began stinging several of the Farmer's sheep and caused him severe loss.  The Farmer thought it best to make it up with the Serpent, and brought food and honey to the mouth of its lair, and said to it:
"Let's forget and forgive; perhaps you were right to punish my son, and take vengeance on my sheep, but surely I was right in trying to revenge him; now that we are both satisfied why should not we be friends again?"
"No, no," said the Serpent; "take away your gifts; you can never forget the death of your son, nor I the loss of my tail."

Moral: Injuries may be forgiven, but not forgotten

“Tales for Foals”, The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge

The next morning Airlie jumped into bed with us and woke us up.  I wrestled with both her and AJ, then we got up and had breakfast.  I promised I’d spend the afternoon with Airlie but I needed the morning to write some letters and let a few others know I was back.  AJ happily agreed and headed into the fields with Airlie.
I went into my study and pulled out my typewriter.  I wrote Fall first, then wrote much shorter letters to Princess Luna, Lady Astrid, Ren, Fleur and Fancy Pants and Chancellor.  Carl and Cadence already knew and I decided I’d tell Twilight, Lyra and Pierre myself over the next few days.  I sealed the letters and used stamps since I didn’t want to alert anypony I was back by using my Hero of the Realm seal.
I put the letters in my pouch, then trotted toward town.  I cast Conceal, dropped the letters in a mailbox, then made my way to the back of Rarity’s.  I went in and waited, listening.  It was early enough nopony was in the shop yet which was what I wanted.
I dropped Conceal, then walked through the curtain.  I could hear somepony in the kitchen which was on the ground floor near the back.  I stood at the kitchen doorway and saw Rarity fixing herself breakfast.  She looked very good if a bit sad.
“May I have this dance, Gorgeous?” I asked.
Rarity spun and dropped a plate.  I caught it with magic before it hit the floor and put it on the counter.  Eyes wide as they would go, Rarity stood in place for just a moment, then threw herself into my forehooves.  As much as I loved Rarity, I knew she usually kept up a front for almost everypony, even me.  Not this time, though.  She buried her muzzle under my left jaw and sobbed, heedless of the tears and mucus.  I held her head with my right forehoof and waist with my left.
Eventually she pulled back, then looked appalled.
“Benjamin, just look at what you’ve done to me!  I’m a mess!”
She was, but I said, “No, you’re more beautiful than ever.”
“Please excuse me a moment.”
Rarity raced upstairs.  I cleaned myself up at the kitchen sink, then rooted around, found some mushrooms and ate those while I waited.  When she came back down, mane and tasteful make-up were perfectly in place as usual.  I had tea while she ate breakfast.
“So, Benjamin, did you save the World?”
“I did, and brought back a trade opportunity for you as well.  Did you know the griffon weaving as a whole is almost as good as Marcia’s?”
Rarity looked interested, then asked, “Have you been home yet?”
I nodded.  “Last night.  I’ll spend the afternoon with Airlie.”
“She’s so adorable!”
The rest of the breakfast we talked about local gossip, Rarity’s latest show and other mundane topics.  Finally, I rose to go.  Rarity saw me out the back door and kissed both sides of my muzzle.
“You came to see me first, didn’t you?” Rarity asked, right forehoof on my chest.
“Of course.  Where else would I go?”
Rarity laughed at that, then said, “I love you, Maker.  Please don’t do this to me again.”
I gave her a Ren kiss, then said, “’Bye, Gorgeous.  We’ll start rehearsing again soon.”
‘Bye, Ben,” she said and waved as I headed out.
I cast Conceal, then headed to the workshop.  I didn’t see anypony, so I dropped Conceal about half way there.  I was lost in thought about what I’d say to Jon and the mares when I noticed something in the road.  I got closer and saw a badger kit, I guessed around two months old.  She was crying.
I came close, then dropped a few feet away from her and tucked my legs under.
“Hello, little miss.  Are you lost?”
She looked up at me.  “Uh-huh,” she said, sniffing.
“I know where you live.  Would you like to ride on my back while I take you there?”
“Okay!” she said and stopped crying.  She raced over to me and clambered onto my back, using her little claws to hoist herself up my side.
“Here we go!” I said, then rose and started trotting to the badger den.
After about 200 feet, I heard Lady Badger and Reginald.
“Hortense!  Where are you?  Hooorrrteeennnse!”  Reginald sounded annoyed, but then again, he always did.
Hortense heard them as well and scrabbled up my neck to sit on my head.  Gripping my horn with one claw, the called out.
“Ma!  Pa!  Lookit me!  I’m riding a pony!  Ma!...eeeek!”
Hortense lost her grip right as Lady Badger and Reginald came into sight.  I caught her with magic and set her in the road.  She raced up to her parents.
“Ma!  Ma!  This pony, he found me, and, and, he let me ride on his back, and, and, he’s a nice pony, Pa…!”
“Hortense, shame on you, bothering Mr. Apple,” scolded Lady Badger as I walked up.  “And running away in the middle of the day!  What were you thinking?”
“But, Ma…!”
“Don’t you ‘But, Ma’ me, young lady!  I’ve half a mind to…”
Just then two other little badgers popped up out of the den and then raced towards me.
“I wanna pony ride!”  “Pony ride!” they yelled together.
Without waiting for me to kneel, one leapt through the air, landed on my side, dug his way up and ended up on my head chewing on my right ear.  The other was a little slower, climbed my left rear leg and started sniffing around my tail.  All the while, Reginald looked exhausted.
“Reginald,” I said, wincing as almost-weaned teeth bit down just a little too hard.
“Mr. Apple,” he said, wearily.
“You two get down at once!” said Lady Badger, firmly.  “Don’t make me count, Junior, Abercrombie!”
“But, Ma!  Sis had a pony ride and we want one, too!” said Junior, leaving off chewing my ear for a moment.
“Oh, Mr. Apple, I’m so sorry about this,” said a distraught Lady Badger.
“Not at all, ma’am.”  I lifted both little badgers down with magic and then went down on my knees so I was facing them.
“Listen, both of you.  If your mother and father give permission, I’ll gallop with you to where I found your sister, and then gallop back, all right?  But then you have to go back into the den until your parents let you out again.”
“Okay!”, “’Kay, Mr. Pony!”
I looked up at Lady Badger who looked even more exhausted than Reginald.  “Oh, very well, as long as Mr. Apple agrees.”
“Yay!”
I lifted both onto my back and, holding them on with magic, raced off back down the road.  I skidded to a stop, lifted both onto my head, then raced back.  Both little badgers squealed and giggled the entire time.  I skidded to a stop again, then lowered both from my head.
“Again!” said the one I thought was Junior.
“Now, young badger, you made a promise,” I said.  “Another time, perhaps.”
“Awwww,” said Junior but trundled his way back to the den.  Abercrombie followed and Hortense went last.  Hortense turned and said, shyly, “Thank you, Mr. Pony, for helpin’ me.”
“You’re welcome, miss.”
She giggled and vanished.  Both adult badgers gave tired sighs.
“Mr. Apple, thank you so much.  They’re at that age, almost ready to leave the den,” said Lady Badger, raising her nose for me to touch.
“Not at all, ma’am.  I have a filly myself,” I answered, touching her nose with mine.
Lady Badger waddled into the den with Reginald following.  I’d never seen him outside of the den before.  He was amazingly sturdy and was one, solid rippling mass of muscle.  Even a griffon would think twice before taking him on, I thought.
Reginald stopped, looked at me, then raised his nose.  I very slowly touched it with mine.
“Thanks, pony,” he said and followed Lady Badger into the den.
“Delighted, sir,” I answered but he was gone.
I trotted on, amused, then stopped in mid-trot, remembering my dream last year.
Lady Badger.  Three kits.
Well, they’ll live now, by the Magic!
I got to the workshop as Fall’s clock struck 9.  I could see heat rising from the magic-fired forge, so I knew Jon was up to something as usual.  I walked around to the kitchen door and went in.  There sat Mrs. Grass working on the accounts, paperwork neatly arrayed as usual.  She looked up, sucked in a breath, then stood.
“I’m back, Emerald.  It’s wonderful to…”
Mrs. Grass didn’t say anything, just trotted over, put both her forehooves around my neck and put her muzzle next to mine.  Old she might have been but she was still quite strong.  I held her around her waist until she pulled back.
“Mr. Apple, I’m so glad to see you!  We’ve missed you terribly.”
“I can say the same, Mrs. Grass.  Who is in the shop today?”
“Winter just left to help with a birth and Mr. Smithson is in the Annex.”
“I’ll just say hello, shall I?  I’m taking a few days with the family and should be back to work on 16th.”
“Jon will be so happy to see you, sir.”
“I’ll pass back through on my way out.  Say, how’s the workshop doing?” I asked, pointing to the accounts.
Mrs. Grass picked up a sheet covered in numbers.  “As of today, Mr. Apple, the workshop account balance is 112,345 bits.”
Great Scott!  That was more bits than I ever imagined!  I managed not to look too overwhelmed and instead just nodded and smiled.
“Very good!  Jon certainly has done well.”
“That he has, Mr. Apple,” said Mrs. Grass looking very satisfied.  Her World was back in good order at last.
I nodded, then trotted to the forge.  Jon was turning a piece of metal, oblivious to anything else.
“Howdy, Youngster,” I said in my best Appleoosan accent.  “Would ye sell me one of them racers?”
When he heard me, Jon squared his shoulders.  He wouldn’t deal with customers at all at first unless I was with him, but Pinkie and I had been helping him along.  He still dreaded it, though, and had Pinkie or me do most of it.
Jon put down his metal piece, lifted his shield, damped the fire and then turned with what I recognized as a fake smile.  When he saw it was me, he dropped the smile and his eyes widened.
“Ben!!”
“Ho, Jon!  What’re you making?”
Instead of answering, Jon raced over, grabbed my right forehoof and pumped it up and down with both of his.
“Ben!  You’re back!  You didn’t leave us!  I knew you wouldn’t!”
“Yes, Jon, you were right.  You and the others here were one of the main reasons I kept going, too.”
Jon pretended he had a speck of something in his eye and give it a quick wipe.
“How’s Pinkie?”
Jon raised his left forehoof, put it over his mane and looked at the ground.
“We’re getting married on the 30th of this month.”
“What?  That’s a month earlier than you told me before.  I thought you were getting married on the 30th of Sixth.”
“Yeah, well…we, uh…that is…”  Jon actually blushed slightly.
“What’s happened, Jon?  Is Pinkie…?”
Jon looked up with a sheepish grin.  “Yeah.  She just realized it a few days ago.”
“Well, well, aren’t you the stud?”
Jon laughed then and put his left forehoof back on the ground.  “Well, yeah.”
“Want me to check on her, Jon?”
Jon nodded vigorously.  “Please, Ben.”
“Of course!” I said, and shook his hoof again.  “Congratulations to both of you!  Ah…what did your mother say?”
“She’s over the Moon.  I thought Pinkamena’s family would be mad, but they’re thrilled as well.”
We talked shop for the next 20 minutes or so and I told Jon I’d be back on 16th.  The best news was the Lamberts were ready to start building the cider factory the 1st of Sixth along with the company housing.  When we finished, Jon shook my hoof again, then went back to the forge.  I walked out through the kitchen and arched my eyebrows at Emerald.
“I see Jon’s been…quite busy, Mrs. Grass.”
“Indeed, sir,” she said, eyes twinkling.
“See you on 16th, Mrs. Grass,” I said as I opened the kitchen door.
“I’ll tell Maggie and Winter, Mr. Apple.  And…welcome home, sir.”
I waved a farewell, then cast Conceal.  I trotted to Derpy’s but she wasn’t home, so I went on to Sugar Cube Corner.  I dropped Conceal and walked up the steps to the loading dock after making sure nopony saw me.  I looked into the storage room and there stood Pinkie, staring off into space, clipboard in hoof and hanging by her side.
“Eh, ma petite, you are the pink cupcake, yes?  Ooo-la-la!  Tres bien!” I said.
Pinkie came out of her daze, looked at me, dropped the clipboard and did just what Rarity did, grabbing me around my neck and sobbing into right neckline instead of my left.  I held her until she tugged for me to let her loose.  There was no jumping, no pouncing, no typical Pinkie behavior at all.
“I was soooo happy when I read about you and AJ in the paper.  I knew you’d never split up!”  Pinkie said, using a polka dot handkerchief to wipe herself off.  She handed it to me and I did the same.
“I hear you have some news as well, Miss Pie.  May I look?” I asked as I handed the handkerchief back.
Pinkie grinned, sat back and threw open her front legs.  I extended my healing senses.
Life.  Two lives.  And Pinkie was as healthy as ever.
I pulled back my healing sense.  “Congrats, hon.  Twins.”
Pinkie stuffed both forehooves in her mouth and squealed.  Then, very deliberately, she pushed both forehooves away from herself, slowly blinked her eyes and then took a deep breath.
“Wait’ll I tell Jon!  Hey, are you still singing at our reception?”
“Of course.  Catch the Wind and Turn, Turn, Turn are what Jon wanted.  Don’t tell me, Pinkie, you want Let Me Call You Sweetheart and Silver Threads Among the Gold?”
Pinkie nodded enthusiastically.
“I’ll be ready.  Do I have to go to the wedding?”
“Yes, Ben, you have to go to the wedding!”
“Oh, very well,” I sighed.
Pinkie put her right forehoof on my chest.  “Will you…will you deliver the foals?” she asked, shyly.  Pinkie acting shy!  Amazing!
I covered her forehoof with mine.  “Of course, Pinkie!  You don’t think I’d miss that, do you?”
“Hooray!  I knew you would!” she said, giggling, and the Pinkie I knew was back.
We visited a little more.  Pinkie wanted to foal sit Airlie which I told her was more than fine.  I said to check with AJ about dates and times, then waved good-bye, activated Conceal and headed back to the farm.
I dropped Conceal when I got back to my study and started typing out my official report.  Airlie came racing in at 12 and she, AJ and I had lunch.  Airlie was wild to spend the afternoon with her Dad and I was more than happy to play with her.  After AJ waved and headed back to the fields, Airlie and I got good and dirty at the duck pond, had hoof races, wrestled in the orchard which Big Mac enjoyed watching, swam in the pond above the dam, then took a quick nap while we dried in the Sun.  We went back to Old House and I dug out the Frisbee, then wore out Airlie tossing it as hard as I could while she ran after it.  I didn’t even have to use magic although I did use it later to support her in the air so she could learn to do back flips which for some reason she just had to know how to do.
We showered outside and then had supper with the family.  Airlie dropped off at 6:30, so I put her to bed and then had some very vigorous together time with AJ.  Afterwards I heard all the local and family news.  AJ was excited for Pinkie, too.
The next day was the same except this time I devoted the afternoon to AJ.  We ran in the woods, had a canoodle in our favorite glade, played barn ball which AJ played better than anypony and lay in our favorite spot not talking, just enjoying being together again.  I wrapped AJ in my magic field and she napped for awhile after making that purring hum of hers.  I also sang All I Want Is You to her and she giggled like a filly.
I devoted that evening and most of the next day to typing out my report.  The afternoon of 15th I read it to Granny and to AJ.
When I finished, Granny said, “So.  My Zap Apples helped to save the World.”
“That they did, Granny.”
Granny just nodded.  “I knew there was a reason they popped up all them years ago other than for the Apples t’ make jam.”
I delivered the report to Twilight’s castle the morning of the 16th before I went to the shop.  I walked to Spike’s office and knocked on the doorjamb.
“Mr. Apple!  I didn’t know you were back!  Welcome home, sir!”
“My thanks, Spike.  Here’s my report.”  I handed it over.  “Please classify it as Level 7 under Crown Seal.”
“Oh, yes, sir.  Herself should be back in a few days.”
“If she has questions, please send me for and I’ll be more than happy to answer them.  We’re still meeting on 20th and I’ll give a full report then.”
“Thank you, Mr. Apple.”
“My pleasure, sir.”
Spike was an excellent functionary, almost the level of Lady Astrid, I thought as I trotted to the workshop.  Twilight and I had argued over whether he was a Wizard’s Familiar more than once and finally agreed to disagree.  He was, though.
I trotted to the workshop and greeted Winter and Maggie who gave me strong Earth pony hugs to welcome me back.  Maggie headed to work and I had Winter follow me into the old workshop.  As I expected, Jon was at least a month behind on the small jobs.  While I got those sorted out, I told Winter about the Crystal Empire and the medical knowledge which was there.  She was eager to go, so I told her I’d write Somerson and that the workshop would pay for her room and board.  That earned me a sweet kiss.  I left it to Winter to talk over leaving with Ma although I told her I’d step in if necessary.
I spent the morning on the small jobs, then made the rounds which had accumulated as well.  One of them was to Brickleback and I got to see my namesake, a fine looking little stallion and very friendly.  I stopped by Derpy’s and she was even more effusive than the Earth pony mares.  I was also glad Spark was long gone since I enjoyed having her to myself; I knew it was selfish but indulged myself anyway.  I spoke to Lyra and Pierre as well and Pierre cried as he kissed my cheeks, he was so relieved.
I fell back into the pattern of my days as if I’d never left.  I got a joyous and tear-stained letter from Fall and wrote back I’d see her later in the Summer.  The others wrote back as well, all relieved.  Before I knew it, it was 19th of Sixth.  I kissed my fillies good-bye and deadheaded with Roundhouse to Canterlot.  I spent the night with him, then spent most of the next day working in the repair shop with him and some of the other engineers.  The big news was the railroad chose Roundhouse to get the new 4-6-2 (Cecilia 2) and he was going to pick her up in a month.  I asked for a lift when he swapped out so I could visit Fall and he told me sure.
I heard the station clock strike 5, so I said good-bye to the engineers, trotted to Roundhouse’s and changed into my tails and cape.  I cast Conceal, then trotted to the Palace.  I waited in Ballroom #1 until 6, then opened the door to the anteroom, cape blowing in a magic breeze.
“Behold!  As planned, I…”
That was as far as I got before I found myself in a pony pile of the most important ponies in the land.  Ren led the way followed by Cadence and Shining Armor.  Twilight wasn’t far behind and the others came behind her including Lady Astrid and Chancellor.  Luna watched it all with a small smile.  After laughingly greeting everypony, we sorted ourselves out and they formed a semicircle around me.  Celestia was conspicuously absent and I wasn’t the only pony who noticed.
“Gentlestallions and gentlemares, I’m pleased to report I was successful.  The Dark Magic is no more.”  I talked about an hour, leaving out nothing except my visit from Lady Magic.  Some knew most of it, of course, but all wanted to hear it from me directly.
“…so, I hopped a freight and ended up back in Ponyville.”
Ren had listened attentively.  “Silver,” she said, pensively.  “Yes, this one I do remember.”
“So do I,” said Carl.
“Conclusions, Benjamin?” asked Luna.
“Two, your Highness, and I ask Ren and Shining Armor to speculate with me.  First, Silver understands not losing after watching me use T’ai Chi against the Dark Magic.  This is a fundamental shift from the griffon warrior ethos and training.  I predict a century or so from now we’ll see a generation of warrior-monks who regard fighting as a failure instead of a preference.  In such a society, a Mad King isn’t possible.”
Ren and Carl both nodded along with me.
“Second, Silver insisted on ruling with his twin sister Argent.  This has never happened before.  Her example and perspective will change griffon society as well.  How, exactly, I can’t say, but change it shall and I think for the better.”
Luna nodded, then addressed the group.  “Any other questions for Mr. Apple?  Good.  I remind you this is a Level 7 briefing under Crown Seal.  The single copy of the report will stay in the Princess of Friendship’s archive for now.  Any questions?  Thank you for coming.”
We broke up but many lingered for farewells.  Ren came up to me first.
“My love, you have gone back to the mother of your foal, yes?” said Ren in French.
“I have, dearest.”
Ren gave that Gallic shrug which said, “I can live with that” and “That’s the way of things” at the same time.
“Such is life, my love.  But I will not forget,” said Ren, giving me a small grin.
“Nor will I, dearest, nor will I.  Will you visit us later this year?”
“I will.  I will see you then,” said Ren and away she went.  She exchanged a glance with Fleur who along with Fancy Pants was waiting to talk to me.  The glance said much; how the French did that was a mystery to us all.
“1st of Seventh, Ben,” said Fleur, holding on to a grinning Fancy Pants.
I gave a half bow.  “I wouldn’t miss it for the World, Fleur.  I’ll fly up on 30th.”
Juliette said nothing, just gave me that pleasant kiss of hers, then headed out.  Lyra, Pierre and Twilight said they’d see me back home while Carl and Cadence said they’d see me after the foal was born.  Carl turned back to me as they were leaving.
“Say, Ben, did you clean our rail cars the other day?”
“Of course I did, Carl, they were layered in filth.”
Carl sighed.  “I know, we’ve had all sorts of trouble getting staff to live that far North.”
“Hmm, let me talk to the Martins when I get back to see what I can do.  The railroad often retires workers who have plenty of life left in them.”
Cadence gave me a Pegasus Farewell, Carl shook my hoof and they were gone.
The Chancellor shook my hoof and smiled.
“I knew you could do it.”
“That made one of us, Clarence.”
He laughed at that and after he left I was alone again with Luna.
I turned and gave a half-bow, ready to leave myself.
“Maker…” she started, then took a breath.
“Maker, the Crown owes you everything although we can never acknowledge it in public.  However, we, Celestia and I, will give you whatever you ask of us that’s in our power to give.”
I rose and flipped my cape back, then walked slowly up to Luna.  I looked at her sideways with a raised eyebrow.
“Aaaannnyything?” I said.
Luna looked alarmed and even took a couple of steps back.  She swallowed, then braced herself and stared over my head, jaw set and mouth a grim line.
“Yes, Maker.  Anything.”
The poor thing didn’t understand teasing, I thought.  Celestia was awkward about it as well but at least she was better than this.
I gave a full turn, swirling my cape and ended up facing Luna again.  “Very well.  Luna, Princess of the Night, Co-Ruler of Equestria, you will…”
Luna swallowed again.
“…join me, my family and Lady Astrid at the Homestead for Year’s End.  You will let me and AJ preen you and you will spend one entire day at the spa.  Oh, and you can play a part in Captain Mad and the Hunt for the Lost Treasure.  Every year it gets more elaborate.  Apple Bloom insists on playing Captain Mad although I wanted Storm to do it because of his eye patch.  Lady Astrid is usually Queen Malice and Wind Rider of all ponies is her understudy.  Say, I know!  You could play the wise-cracking first mate!  Applejack tried it once and an actress she most certainly is not.  I usually direct and I’ve added two more musical numbers this year…”
“Maker!”
I’d become swept up in what I was saying and hadn’t noticed Luna’s expression.  She was caught completely off guard and for the first time I saw a spontaneous reaction from her.
“You could ask for anything in the kingdom and you ask for me to visit you?!?” Luna continued.
“Yes, Luna, I do.”
Luna stared.  “But why?  Why ask such a thing when you could ask for anything?”
“Don’t you want to visit us, Luna?  You seemed to enjoy yourself at the open house.”
“Well, yes, of course, but I…surely you can’t mean…yes, your family is…” and Luna stopped, still staring.
I took a step forward and held out my right forehoof.  Luna raised her left and I held it.  She was cool, cooler than Cadence and Celestia.
“Your Highness, I am a servant of the Crown.  I know you sometimes think that’s just Herself but it’s you as well.  I don’t know you nearly as well as I would like.  I think when I do I could love you easily; all I need is a chance.  Won’t you please visit us?”
Take that, Carl!  I thought when I finished.
Luna stared a little longer, then cast her eyes down.  Still looking at the floor and with a small smile, she said, “I’ve always wanted to be in a play.”
“Splendid!” I said, releasing her hoof.  “Please come with Lady Astrid.  We’ll put you in the Princess Room, at least if we can get the Crusaders out of it.  They like to play The Mare and the Wandering Prince, then race up the tower to do the tower scene.”
Luna laughed, a joyous, delighted laugh.  So, the Black Marble Princess can laugh after all.  That made me think of Silver for a moment, too.
She raised her head, then gave me a pleasant smile.  “Thank you, I’d love to come!”
“Then we look forward to seeing you, Luna.”
I went to bow again when Luna raised a hoof.
“Will you see Sister?”
I stood.  “Always.”
“She’s waiting in her sitting room.”
I nodded, then gave a half bow.  “Until Year’s End, Princess of the Night.”
I turned and walked down the hall to the sitting room next to Tia’s bedroom.  There were no guards, so I knocked, then walked in.  There stood my beautiful princess, staring out the window.  She looked wonderful and when I extended my healing senses I was pleased to find she was in excellent shape if very tired.
I gave a half bow, then rose.
Tia turned from the window, then slowly lowered herself to her knees.  She dipped her horn until it touched the floor, then spread her wings until they were flat to the floor on either side.
The Submission Posture.  Complete and total surrender of self.
“Forgive me,” Tia said.
Well, this wouldn’t do at all.
“Tia!  Stop that at once!  Up, Princess of the Day, up!”
I raised her with magic but when she was back on her hooves she still wouldn’t look at me.
“Look at me.  Tia!  Look at me!”
She did.
“Tia, I am your devoted servant.  You made a mistake and I did my job and fixed it.  It’s over.”
She started crying then and I reared so I could hold her head in my front hooves until she stopped.  I took a handkerchief and wiped her eyes and muzzle.
“You hate me...don’t you?”
“Don’t be absurd.”
“They hate me,” she said, meaning Luna and the others.
“No, they don’t.”
“Why not?” Tia almost screamed.  “Why don’t they?  Why don’t you?!?”
“I’ll always love you, Tia, you know that.  There’s nothing you could do or say to change it.  The others, particularly Luna, feel the same.”  I took a breath.  “You remember when I said you were a bad sport?”
Tia gave me a small smile and nodded.
“This is the same thing.  You’re so used to not making mistakes, when you make one, you have a hard time admitting it.”  I tried my best to imitate Ren’s shrug.  “Most of us make all sorts of mistakes all the time.  Sometimes our friends or families fix them, sometimes we fix them ourselves, then move on.  It’s over, Tia.  I and the others forgive you.  Now let’s get on with it.”
Tia nodded, then stepped forward and gave me a Ren kiss with a touch of magic behind it.  I returned it, then breathed a sigh of relief.  My monarch was back at last.

After a brief visit, I invited Tia to come to celebrate Midwinter with us.  She was thrilled and accepted, her cheerful self again.  I soon left her, saying I was tired since I could tell she was completely exhausted.  I saw her into her bedroom, stole one more kiss at the bedroom door, then slid out of the sitting room and into the service passage.  I made my way to the kitchen loading dock and out onto the street.
It was a warm evening and there were all sorts of ponies in the streets.  I had to stop and give autographs, pose for pictures with several of the new Smithson and Sons portable cameras and do some magic for foals although I thought the parents enjoyed it as well.  One very bold little filly held up her hooves and jumped, trying to fly through the air.  I lifted her with magic and whirled her in a wide circle over the pedestrian’s heads, she screaming with joy the whole time.  I heard the tell-tale pop of a flashbulb and knew I’d make the paper again, tails, cape and all.
Eventually I ducked into an alley and cast Conceal, then walked back to Roundhouse’s.
“Meetin’ over, Mr. Wizard?” he asked as I dropped Conceal and walked in.
“Yes, indeed, Roundhouse, and all is right with the World.”
Roundhouse shook his head.  “I’m mighty glad I don’t hafta deal with them gentry, and that’s the truth.  Drivin’ a hog for ‘em is about as close as I want to get.”
I laughed.  “So, then.  Spades?  Or perhaps chess?”  I asked as I packed up my cape and tails.
Roundhouse trounced me in chess twice, then went to bed.  I slept by the fireplace and had as deep a sleep as I’d had in some time.  We woke up early and Roundhouse was mightily impressed when I cleaned his house with magic.  I treated him at The Fanciful Pig which we had almost to ourselves.
We left The Fanciful Pig and made our way to the depot.  We passed a newsstand and there above the fold was a picture of me rearing and laughing, cape blowing in the Wind, while I levitated that Earth pony filly who was clearly having a wonderful time.  Ponies in the background were laughing and cheering as well.  The headlines were “Wizard Has the Common Touch!” and “Hero Plays with Foals”.  Finally, finally, non-magic users were becoming less afraid of mages.
Roundhouse was for the Baltimare run, so I wished him well and deadheaded with Whiskers on the 6:30 to Hoofington.  I waved good-bye as I hopped off in Ponyville.  Home, I thought as I trotted to the farm, and hopefully here to stay for quite some time.
> Another Blessing Count
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Another Blessing Count

A Wolf had been gorging on an animal he had killed, when suddenly a small bone in the meat stuck in his throat and he could not swallow it.  He soon felt terrible pain in his throat, and ran up and down moaning and groaning and seeking for something to relieve the pain.  He tried to induce every one he met to remove the bone.
"I would give anything," said he, "if you would take it out."
At last the Crane agreed to try, and told the Wolf to lie on his side and open his jaws as wide as he could.  Then the Crane put its long neck down the Wolf's throat, and with its beak loosened the bone, till at last it got it out.
"Will you kindly give me the reward you promised?" said the Crane.
The Wolf grinned and showed his teeth and said: "Be content.  You have put your head inside a Wolf's mouth and taken it out again in safety; that ought to be reward enough for you."

Moral: Be grateful for what you have and do not ask for more.

“Tales for Foals”, The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge

“Plans for today, Ma?” I asked as I finished the paper.
“I’m foal sittin’ Benjamin, Boss, so Spring and Bull can get some time together before the foal gets here.”
“Let’s see,” I answered, “she’s due in two weeks?”
“Yessir, that she is.”
I’d kept closer tabs on Spring this time.  “She’s carrying well, Ma, so I don’t think we’ll have any problems this go-round.  I’ll check on her next week, though, just to be sure.”
Ma breathed a sigh of relief.  “That’s good to hear, Ben.  Thank you so much.”
I folded the paper, then rose from the kitchen table.
“I’ll put out the ‘Closed’ signs, then, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yes, sir!  See you then.”
I trotted around and flipped the signs on the workshop and Annex, then trotted around the outside and ended up at my favorite spot over the gorge.  The Sun was about two hours up and I planned to spend most of the day with AJ and the foals but I wanted some time to myself first.  It was Airlie’s second birthday.  I’d missed her first since I was in Canterlot last year but I wasn’t about to miss this one or any which followed.
I did some T’ai Chi katas and then stretched out.  Time for a Blessing Count.  It was 20th of Sixth, Midsummer’s Day, Year of Celestia 1,106.
One: Emerald Grass had a good death.  It was hard at times to remember what a blessing that was, but I’d seen enough which weren’t to appreciate it.  It didn’t make me miss her any less, either.
10th of Third was just like any other day at the shop.  I’d left Mrs. Grass at the kitchen table working on the accounts after answering a few of the stranger letters which had accumulated including one asking us to build a time portal.  I went into the workshop and was in a brown study making railroad spikes when I heard a mare’s hoofsteps.
I turned from my bar stock and who should I see but Marcia O’Reilly, cloak, scythe and all.
I propped the stock on the workbench.  “Lady Death!  Why, how marvelous!  I haven’t seen you since the train.  Are you doing well?”  I’d played cards with Death a half dozen times when Marcia had some time off, so I hadn’t seen her.  Death also had a number of questions about living with mares and of course I answered them after teasing him mercilessly.
Marcia smiled, a sad smile but a heartfelt one.  “Hello, Mr. Apple.  I’m sorry, sir, but this isn’t a visit.  I’m working.”
“Eh?  What are you doing, then?”  But suddenly I Knew.
Marcia gave me that sad smile again, then turned.  I followed her into the kitchen to see Mrs. Grass at the table, head turned sideways and resting on her crossed forehooves.  I extended my healer sense.
Nothing.
I must have looked stricken since Marcia said again, “I’m sorry, Mr. Apple.”
I shook my head, flinging off tears.  “No, Lady Death, no.  I thank you for letting me know.”
Marcia nodded, then reached into Emerald’s body.  She stepped back and was holding the hoof of a very young Emerald Grass, I guessed about 20 or so.  Emerald looked at Lady Death, smiled, then looked at me.  Marcia and Emerald gave me equally dazzling smiles, then both were gone.  I smiled back through my tears, then gave myself a few more minutes to mourn before I went to get Jon.
Practically the entire town showed up for the funeral.  Fall came in from Hoofington and managed to avoid AJ.  She and AJ had quite the row a couple of years ago at Year’s End when Fall found out AJ had sent me away.  AJ ended up with two black eyes and some cracked ribs while Fall had a broken foreleg and lost a tooth; it took Bull and Spring together to separate them.  Mares.
I gave the eulogy and Jon spoke as well.  He wasn’t much for public speaking but did tell how he first came to the workshop and Mrs. Grass made him shower which got a good laugh.  I stood with Fall and she gripped my left foreleg while, tears running down her muzzle, she gave a short talk about all Mrs. Grass had taught her.  Winter, in from the Crystal Empire, spoke and her calm, gentle humor soothed all of us.
Later, we had a wake at the Homestead with plenty of food, drink, singing and dancing, all of which Emerald loved.  Maggie was more accepting than I expected.
“Eh, I know our time is short, Boss.  Live it up while ya can, that’s what I say!”
The next week, AJ helped us sort out the accounts, letters and orders although Emerald was organized enough there really wasn’t that much to do.  Jon and I looked at one another, though, and knew we’d need somepony pretty quick else we’d end up in a quagmire.  Neither of us was much for accounting and AJ had the foals and the farm, particularly since Granny was getting too old to work much.
“Well…” I started when we heard a knock on the kitchen door.
I answered it and was surprised to see Ma Brickle.  She didn’t come to the workshop often unless it was to visit one of the girls and usually they went to the farm.  Ma looked nervous.
“Ma!  Please come in.”
She did and Jon pulled out a chair for her.  She sat, then looked at each of us in turn.
“I’m glad you’re all here.  I’ve…been thinkin’ for awhile about retiring from the farm.  Bull, Spring and now young Ben can manage well enough without me.”
AJ, Jon and I exchanged a glance.
“Very good, Ma,” I said.  “What are you going to do now?”
“Well, that’s just it, Mr. Apple.  I…want to come and work for you and Mr. Smithson.  You’ve been so good to the fillies, and, well, now that Emerald’s gone, I just thought…”
I must have looked surprised; I know Jon did.
Ma continued in a rush.  “I can clean, cook, keep accounts, write in a fair hoof, grow food in a garden, sew, lay brick, pour concrete…”
Lay brick?  I held up a hoof and Ma stopped talking, looking even more anxious.
“Now, Ma, what I’m about to ask is critical.”
Ma nodded, several short jerks.
“If you come and work here, will you make me that mushroom pie of yours?”  By the Magic, that was worth eating!
Ma grinned and said, “Yes, sir, that I will!”
I shared a glance with a now smiling Jon and AJ, then stood and held out a forehoof.  “Then welcome to Apple and Smithson Manufacturing, Marguerite Brickle!”
Two: Foals.  Foals everywhere!  And I delivered several myself including my very own Sing-Sing.  I shook my head over that one.
We’d had a wonderful Year’s End Eve with snowball fights, snow forts, hot chocolate and ice skating.  Luna had a marvelous time getting rambunctious with the foals and was phenomenally good at ice skating, at least as good as Pinkie who just watched and cheered because she was close to term.  We rehearsed the play and Luna as Captain Mad’s first mate had a raucous scene with Juliette, both of them chewing the scenery.  It ended with a duet I wrote, You’re Just Plain Evil, Evil Queen and Luna’s coloratura soprano was as crystal clear as a mountain spring.  The cast members and I whistled and applauded after the first rehearsal since they were both so good and Luna’s ears and muzzle darkened to almost black from blushing.
We’d all adjusted our schedules so we could stay up later at night for Luna and so she could stay up longer during the day.  Year’s End Eve we stayed up until the Turning of the Year anyway, so we took naps to get ready for it.  I woke up to find Luna between AJ and me holding a snoring Airlie; apparently Lady Astrid had suggested Luna take her place and AJ and I certainly had no objection.
It was about half an hour before the Turning and I was leading a sing-a-long in the ballroom with everypony in the house.  I finished Nelly Bly and was about to play Yellow Rose of Bristol when a very pregnant AJ looked down, then up at me, then down again.
“Time, Partner.”
Whup, here we go.  “Gentlemares and gentlestallions, if you’ll please excuse Mrs. Apple and me.  All Apples, please come to the master bedroom.”
With good wishes from all and sundry, AJ and I headed to the bedroom while Apple Bloom roused Airlie and Big Mac retrieved Granny.  AJ settled on the birthing mat I’d set out for her and I heated the water I’d put next to it.  AJ joked and chatted with all of us, particularly a wide-eyed Airlie who was fascinated with the whole thing and kept asking very perceptive questions which AJ and I answered.
At the stroke of midnight, AJ gave a heave and out into my hooves came a pure white Earth pony filly.  Smaller than Airlie, she had sky blue eyes, a very light blonde mane and lustily told the World she had arrived.  The Apples helped me clean her up, Airlie giggling with excitement, and I turned to hand her to AJ.
Then time stopped.  Or at least became very slow for me and the newborn.
“Guardian.”
I turned to see Lady Magic.  I bowed as best as I could while holding a brand new foal.
Lady Magic didn’t say anything else, just held out her hooves.  Without hesitation, I handed over the foal.  Lady Magic kissed her forehead, then dipped her horn.  A small, white ball of light came out of her horn, landed on the foal’s little chest and vanished into her.
Lady Magic handed me the foal.  “Singing Water,” She said.
“Milady, it will be as You say,” I said.
Lady Magic grinned, kissed my muzzle and said, “Congratulations, Guardian!”
Then Singing Water and I were back.
I laid her in between AJ’s hooves and said, “Mother, please welcome Singing Water Apple.”
AJ nuzzled Singing Water, then looked at me somewhat askance.  We’d agreed I’d name this foal since she got to name the last one but I doubted she’d let me do it again.
“Hey, cutie,” said AJ, then dropped off to sleep.
I settled AJ and Singing Water (which quickly became “Sing-Sing”, a nickname her elder sister gave her) and then made the announcement to much merriment.  An excellent way to start the year, I tell you what.
Cadence was next.  I couldn’t be in two places at once but Winter was there.  Carl sent me a telegram on the 4th of First:

ALICORN FILLY BORN THIRD OF FIRST 1 AM STOP MOTHER AND FOAL DOING FINE STOP WINTER GREAT HELP STOP YOU ARE A DOOFUS STOP

SA

And Pinkie was after Cadence.  Her quiet sister Marble Pie had come to stay with her right after Year’s End and Marble came racing up to the workshop on a freezing cold afternoon on the 20th of First.
“Is it time, Marble?” I asked, putting down my latest project.
She just nodded.  Marble talked even less than Big Mac most of the time although they seemed to get along well.  Pinkie told me at Year’s End she’d like for them to date somehow and I answered they’d spend the entire evening sitting in silence.
I wrapped myself in a muffler and put on my cape which was perfect for cold weather.
“Let’s take a truck, Marble.  They have heated cabs.”
Marble followed me and got in the passenger side.  She looked around, wide-eyed and actually said, “This is amazing!”  Speech!  I just nodded, pleased she liked it.  Jon planned to give one to Pinkie’s family at Midsummer.
We made good time to Sugar Cube Corner, parked the truck in the back and raced inside. I flung my cape and muffler onto a coat rack, then followed Marble upstairs.  There was Jon holding Pinkie’s hoof and a huge Pinkie.
“Ben!”
“What ho, Jon?”
“Contractions are 3 minutes and 32 seconds apart.”
“Good!  Pinkie, any pain, hon?”
Pinkie tried a smile but was too nervous to manage much of one.  “Yeah, some.”
I extended my healing senses.  The first foal was turned slightly sideways.
“Pinkie, I’m going to shift the first foal just bit, all right?”
I started the shift and the foal kicked out.
“Ow!”
“Yes, these foals are ready to face the World, sure enough,” I said.  “How about now, Pinkie?”
“That’s…that’s better, Ben.”
“Pinkie.”
“Yeah?”
“Knock, knock, Pinkie.”
“What?” said Pinkie, looking at me.
“Knock, knock.”
“Uh…who’s there?”
“Interrupting Cow.”
“Interrupting Cow, wh…?”
“Moooooo!” I yelled.
“Ahahah!  Ow!  Hahaha!  Ouch, Ben!” laughed Pinkie with that snorting giggle of hers.
That distracted her enough, though, that when she gave her next push, the first foal made it most of the way out of the vulva.  Pinkie’s vulva was smaller than average, so I used magic to nick it just a bit and out slid a beautiful little Earth pony filly with Jon’s coloring.  The colt followed about five minutes later and was a carbon copy.  Marble, smiling and with tears running down her muzzle, helped me clean them, both showing good, healthy lungs.  I handed them off to Jon who put them between Pinkie’s hooves.
Pinkie nuzzled both, then looked at Jon lovingly.  “You gave me foals,” she said and fell asleep.  I cleaned her up along with the afterbirth and healed the nick I’d made.  I lifted her into bed with the two foals and covered up all three.
When I finished, Jon, every inch the proud new father, shook my hoof.
“Thanks, Ben.”
“You’re welcome, sir.  What will you call Frick and Frack here?” I said, pointing to the sleeping foals.
Jon laughed.  “No idea.  I think Pinkie has some names in mind.  We’ll talk about it as soon as she recovers.”
“Very good, Jon.  Back to the shop for me.  Come get me if Pinkie needs me again.”
“Thank you, Mr. Apple,” said Marble, then kissed my muzzle.
“A pleasure, Miss Pie tertius.
Let’s see, who else?  Spring of course, Fleur was due in four months, Derpy in three.  I sighed over that last.  Deep in my heart of hearts, I wanted to keep Derpy to myself and for her to have my foals and only mine.  It was impossible and wasn’t rational; I at least admitted that.  Maybe it was because she was special to Lady Magic.  Derpy had met and pair bonded with a polite, pleasant, well-mannered and very handsome pegasus stallion and AJ and I really liked him.  He and Derpy spent Year’s End with us and were wonderful company.  Eh, bien, c'est la vie.  If not this lifetime, perhaps the next.
Three: Ponyville and Apple and Smithson Manufacturing.  The changes in the last couple of years were astounding.  After talking it over with Mayor Mare and Bernie, Jon and I had gone to Fillydelphia and brought back six unemployed stallions to work the cider factory.  We selected married ones (Mayor Mare’s idea and a good one) and they’d lived in company housing until they sorted themselves out.  It had been a spectacular success, both the workers and the factory.  They adopted that falcon Rainbow Dash turned down as a pet as the company mascot.  They named him “Fat Bastard” and we even ended up using him on the label of a cider line.  He sat in the factory rafters a good part of the day and watched over production.
The first cider line was “Rainbow Dash Cider” with a tagline of “Spicy with a Hint of Sweetness”.  We had a small ceremony and Rainbow Dash was there for the first shipment as were Celestia and Luna, something of a surprise.  The business gave Rainbow Dash a 2% royalty on all the cider sold with her likeness and all the cider she could drink.  She drank it, too; AJ and I were both amazed at the amount.
Rainbow Dash had been one of the only ponies to stick by AJ a couple of years ago even though she disapproved of how AJ had handled me.  Afterwards, that made them even closer and when I got back…well, Rainbow Dash helped give me quite the welcome home.  Rainbow Dash still visited every couple of months and was wonderful with the foals.
The cider factory also earned me a new nickname.  One day AJ and I were arguing over production or somesuch.  AJ still had trouble working with others at times and blurted out, "That there's just a bunch of malarkey!"
I'd had enough, so I pointed to my privates and said, "There's your malarkey and may you never have a day’s luck with it."
Instead of getting annoyed, Applejack doubled over laughing and finally choked out "That's Little Malarkey and you're Malarkey!"  We both started laughing and, as sometimes happens to married couples, couldn't stop for a good 10 minutes.  So, she called me “Malarkey” most of the time along with “Partner”.  If she used “Benjamin”, I knew I was in for it.
The cider factory was seasonal, so Jon and I built a small factory to assemble the racers, steam trucks and most importantly the LuluBelles which we couldn’t make fast enough.  That kept our workforce busy the whole year and we slowly added more workers until we had a factory workforce of 20.  Jon left most of the personnel decisions to me and Twilight and I crafted a couple of spells to make sure the applicants didn’t have any dramatic character flaws.  None so far, I thought.  Good, experienced factory stallions and some wonderful mares and foals, just what stodgy Ponyville needed.  The company had excellent pay and even better benefits, a brand-new idea to Equestria.  And a healer on the staff, thank you very much.
Four: The Apple and Smithson Transportation Museum.  This one really did make me smile since it was my “rich stallion’s folly”; that was what the Lamberts teasingly called it, anyway.  Around the first week of Second Seamus Martin came by the workshop.  I invited him back to the workbench so we could visit while I finished a couple of iron signs for the print shop.  I’d invested 2,000 bits to become a silent partner and then suggested they print some oversize playing cards along with a booklet of card games to sell the griffons.  That took off like a rocket and the shop had just opened a new branch across town.  Made me a pile, too.
“Uh, Mr. Wizard?” started Seamus.
“Go ahead, Seamus.”
“Well, sir, it’s Da.  You were at his retirement party, remember?”
“Yes, indeed.  I enjoyed playing with your foals.  And your sister is quite charming as well.”
“Thank’ee, sir!” said a smiling Seamus, then he became serious again.  “Well, Da, he’s not one t’ sit around, and…”
“…he’s driving you and the missus to distraction, yes?”
Seamus let out a breath.  “That he is, Mr. Wizard.  Da and I almost got into it last night and we hadn’t done that in 20 year.”
And then I had it.   I Knew what to do, not just for Whiskers, either, but for Ponyville, the railroaders, the railroad itself, the workshop and even Carl and Cadence.
I put down the new sign.  “Seamus, is Whiskers at home now?”
“Yes, sir, it’s my day off so he can’t sit in the station house all day.”
“By the Lord of Hel’s black and hairy tail, I’ll bet you are going insane!”
Poor Seamus just nodded.  “The missus suggested I come to you.  She said since you were a Wizard and Hero and all, you could fix anything including Da.  The mares think you’re just the bee’s knees ever since they saw that picture in the paper of you a’playin’ with that little filly.”
That one shot had earned me more goodwill than any 10 titles.  Most suspected I was one of the most powerful magic users in the World but if I used magic to play with foals, well, not much to fear, was there?  I asked the News and Record for a print and hung it in my study along with the one of me and AJ in front of her locomotive.
I stood up from my work stool.  “Come along, Seamus.”
Seamus perked up.  “You got one of them ideas of your’n, don’t you, Mr. Apple?”
I grinned at him and he grinned back.  I got my cape and muffler, then fired up a steam truck.  I drove with Seamus to his house and, sure enough, there sat a surly Whiskers, the day’s unread paper hanging from one hoof.
“Mr. Martin Sr., a pleasure, sir,” I said as I walked in, using magic to toss my cape and muffler onto a coat rack.  Ponies loved it when I did that although I’d no idea why.
Whiskers perked up.  “Why, it’s the Wizard hogger!  How are ya, Mr. Wizard?”
Seamus and I sat in a couple of convenient chairs.
“In something of a dilemma, Whiskers, I must say.  But first, tell me how you are?”
“Ahhhh, I got nuthin’,” Whiskers said sourly.  “They retired me and scrapped my hog.”  Whiskers teared up.  “My beautiful hog.”
“Actually, Mr. Martin, that’s not quite right.  You see, I have some influence at Smithson and Sons.  When the railroad swapped out your 4-4-0 for one of the new engines, well…I asked Mr. Smithson, Sr. if he’d, shall we say, forget to scrap it for a time.”  I waved a hoof.  “’Just set it on one of the sidings for now, perhaps under a cover’.”
Whiskers sat up.  “What!?!  You mean my hog ain’t scrapped?”
“No, not at the moment.  Neither is the Applejack nor the Cecilia.”
Whiskers fell back into his chair.  “Well, I’ll be jiggered!”  He wiped his eyes and didn’t try to hide how relieved he was.
“Yes, but now my dilemma.  I have three 4-4-0s but no railroad.  I can’t park the engines at the workshop, you know.”  I leaned back, put my front hooves together and stared at the ceiling.  “What to do, what to do?  And Mrs. Apple asked why I couldn’t collect bottle caps like some ordinary stallion.”
Whiskers and Seamus both burst out laughing at that, then Whiskers looked thoughtful.
“I wonder if the railroad would let you use the old roundhouse, Mr. Wizard?”
“Say, that’s right,” said Seamus.  “One of my first jobs was fixin’ the roof and walking the track.”
“What’s this?” I asked although I already knew about it.
“There’s a roundhouse about 12 miles from here,” said Whiskers.  “It usta be the end of the line, but about 100 years ago when the railroad expanded into Canterlot, they built a new one there.  The railroad still keeps the old one, though, even though workers complain about workin’ on it every year.”
“Well, now, that sounds ideal.  What say we drive out and have a look at it?” I suggested.
Whiskers was up and out of his chair before I finished the sentence.  Seamus jumped up as well and soon we were in the truck cab.  I let Whiskers drive and he handled the truck as deftly as he did his locomotive.
Well outside of town we found a dirt road which led to the old roundhouse.  We walked in a side door and looked around.  The roundhouse was brick and in pretty good shape although the roof was rotted in places.  The table and tracks were still down and much of the maintenance equipment was still in place; most likely it was too awkward to move.  Whiskers raced outside and shouted to us.  When we joined him, he pointed to track heading back to town.
“This spur still connects to the main line, Mr. Wizard.”
We walked the track for about a mile.  The track itself was rusty but still sound.  If we used it, we’d have to replace most of the cross ties, though.  I nodded in satisfaction.
“This will do, Whiskers.  Do you think the railroad will sell it to me?”
“Eh, not sure, Mr. Apple.  The railroad don’t like to turn loose o’ property.”
“True, true.  Hmm, I’ll have to sweeten the deal a bit.”  I pretended to think, right hoof at my muzzle.
“Whiskers, Seamus, how many retired railroaders do you know who could use work?”
Whiskers and Seamus looked at one another, then back to me.
“Why, almost all of ‘em, Mr. Apple,” said Seamus.
“And most live in company housing in Canterlot, yes?”
“Yessir.”
“Do you think they’d move here and pay a nominal rent if I built housing for them?”
Whiskers and Seamus both lit up like railroad lanterns.  “Yes, Mr. Wizard, that they would!”
I nodded.  “Not just housing, either.  A community center, play areas for visiting foals, parks, gardens, a medical center.  A pleasant retirement community for old railponies; the Lambert sisters could design and build it.  And this,” I said, pointing back to the roundhouse, “would become the centerpiece of a museum.  A transportation museum.  The retirees could work there if they wanted.  I’ll bet the railroad would sell me this property for that.”
“Why would anypony want to look at hogs, Mr. Wizard?” asked Whiskers.
“They’re familiar to you, Mr. Martin, but not to some.  Besides, a century from now, ponies will want to see how their ancestors lived.  Say, we could lay some more track, too, depending on how much land is here.  Give rides, let the foals drive the engines, that sort of thing.”
“Do ya think ponies would pay for such a thing?” asked Seamus.
“Eventually, Seamus.  We’ll add steam trucks and so on from the workshop, too, maybe bring the M.A.C.E. #1 back from Dodge City.  I still have my first steam car.  And I’ll bet Fall would give us the Apple Bloom.  We could offer aeroplane rides as well.  Yes, indeed we could.  I’ll teach you to fly, Whiskers.”
Whiskers laughed.  “No thank’ee, sir, I’ll keep my hooves on the ground if it’s all the same to you.”
“So!” I said, rubbing my front hooves together.  “We have a plan and we have sponsor.  Now all we need is somepony to deal with the railroad and to organize it all.  Tell me, Mr. Martin, do you know anypony like that?”
Whiskers gave a long, loud laugh.  “That I do, Mr. Wizard, that I do.”
“Excellent, Mr. Martin, I thank you.  You have a free hoof although I’d appreciate it if you’d keep me in the loop from time to time.  I do have one request, though.”
“What’s that, Mr. Wizard?”
“Make the offer that any able-bodied retiree can work three months a year on the Crystal Empire line to pay for an entire year’s rent.  They’d get paid for the work, too, of course.”
Whiskers looked thoughtful.  “Huh, that shouldn’t be a problem.  The only real objection t’ workin’ that line is you’re away from your family.  These ol’ geezers wouldn’t mind that.”
“Then it’s done!”  I spit on my hoof and offered it to Whiskers.  “Welcome to Apple and Smithson Manufacturing, Dylan Martin!”
And so it came to be.  The railroad sold me 450 acres for 5 bits and Josiah sold me the three locomotives for 10 bits each.  An army of old railroaders swarmed over the site, repairing the roundhouse and track, then started building the retirement community.  I went out to the site from time to time, but the project had its own momentum now.  I shoveled bits to Whiskers and the Lamberts as fast as I could but none of it cost as much as I expected because of all the volunteer labor.  Yes, all very satisfactory.
I stood and shook myself, ready to spend the day with my fillies.
“Five:  An Avatar who loves me.”
I turned with a smile and there was Lady Magic.  I walked over and kissed her on either side of her muzzle.  She kissed me back.
“Five: An Avatar who loves me as much as I love Her,” I said.
Lady Magic put her right forehoof on my chest.
“Time for a rest, Guardian.  Live your life, raise your foals.  I’ll always be with you even if I don’t speak to you as much as I have before.  And when the time comes, I’ll be there for you again.”
I nodded, then stepped back and gave a full bow.  When I raised up, Lady Magic was gone.
On to my fillies!
I turned and trotted toward the farm.  A redbird sitting on a fencepost greeted me.
“Beautiful day!” he said, very chipper.
“That it is, Handsome Songbird, that it is!” 
And a beautiful life as well.


The End