In the midst of Order 66, Jedi Knight Kaleb Taymar is transported to Equestria. Starting a new life, he becomes friends with the Main 6. However, the Force has awakened in Equestra, and their lives will never be the same.
In the midst of Order 66, Jedi Knight Kaleb Taymar is transported to Equestria. Starting a new life, he finds friendship and solace with the Main 6. However, the Force has awakened in Equestria, and their lives will never be the same.
PLEASE LOOK BEFORE READING: The tag for suicide only applies to chapter 9. There is no attempt shown on the page but suicidal thoughts are referenced a few times.
It was night on the planet of Corusant, but the brightness was piercing, making it difficult to sleep. The hum of ships and cruisers echoed as they flew through the sky, weaving through skyscrapers. Everyone is moving constantly, their faces obscured in covering or the neon lights and shadows. It is in these lights that a figure is walking at a steady pace, wrapped in a robe of blue.
For Kaleb Taymar, the noises of the planet were something that he could never get used to. As a Jedi youngling, he was raised in the Temple, a pensive and quiet place where he trained. Or it used to be. The Clone Wars changed everything, moving training to a battlefield. This proved to be a challenge for the new apprentice at first, but he grew as did his abilities. Three years later and at 19 years old, the effects of the war had taken its toll.
Kaleb knew something was wrong as he was finishing patrolling the streets. The relative peacefulness and relief that had swept the planet after the safe return of the Chancellor took over at first, but the anxiety had moved back over. Looking over at the HoloNet news, it broke that Master Kenobi had killed General Grievous. Kaleb smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. He knew that the war would soon be over. As he walked back towards the general direction of the Temple, the time passed from evening into night, and it was almost a half hour later that something caught his attention. The Jedi Temple was caught in a fury of lights and blaster fire. The explosion that followed set the temple ablaze.
Running towards the struggle, Kaleb jumped and entered the Temple through the broken window to find the dead at his feet, many only younglings. Shock took over his mind, freezing him in place as his instincts took over. Visions of the slaughtered flashed through his mind, remembering the carnage of the innocents he had tried to protect. He knew that if remained any longer, the assailants would kill him as well. Running towards his quarters on the 1st floor he grabbed a bag from the shelf that contained a Data tablet with maps of star systems and an offline library of information from the Archives. Hesitating at first, he quickly bagged the Jedi Holocron that contained various teachings and ran. Taking a left, he came across a large atrium that contained Clone Troopers scanning the area.
“Hey! This is Kaleb Taymar, Jedi Knight. What’s happening?!”
The troopers turned around, the fire reflect in their helmets. They raised their blasters with deadly intent.
“Execute Order 66.”
Kaleb reacted quickly, using the Force to knock down a statue that blocked the blasters. He sprinted through the hall, the flames licking at his feet. Igniting his lightsaber, he made his way through the hallway, illuminated only by the blue light that cut through the smoke. Jumping out of an open window, he ran towards one of the Jedi Starfighters that lay untouched by the devastation. It was a Delta-7B, an older ship but a good one. Quickly jumping into the pilot’s seat, he closed the hatch and stared the engines. The roar of his heartbeat cancelled out any noise out there, and ship took flight. A million thoughts raced through his mind.
“I need to focus…Who did this? Those younglings were not killed by blasters… Focus…Did anyone escape…Trust the Force…Trust the Force.”
The Republic ships followed him, racing towards the Starfighter. With the grace of a dancer, he avoided fire of the oncoming ships, flipping and firing on the troops who fought side by side with him for years. Tears welled up in his eyes as he remembered who he was firing upon. The explosions that rocked the sky did not sway the ship’s path, entering space at a 45-degree angle. The Republic fighters behind him continued to follow into space, firing with the intent to kill. Kaleb went to send a distress signal, speaking faster than he ever had before.
“This is Kaleb Taymar, Jedi Knight, the clones have turned against us. Is anyone there…Damnit!”
A blast hit the ship, sending Kaleb’s head into the control console. The communications had been knocked offline, and the surface of the wings had caught on fire. There was no astromech droid to make repairs. Despite the throbbing pain in his head, he tried to get a clear thought.
“The only chance I have is to jump to hyperspace. If I can get away, I should be able to hide...,”
But before he could finish the thought, a portal of purple light appeared, sucking the Starfighter towards it. It was reminiscent of the old smuggler’s routes that he heard from General Skywalker. The light blinded Kaleb, reflecting off the metal of the ship. He did everything he could to get out, but the engine and electronics would not turn back on. The portal shielded him from the oncoming ships, before disappearing into the darkness of space.
Dropping him in the middle of the night sky, the portal vanished as quickly as it appeared. The ship dived into a sharp descent, the only sound was the whistling of the wind. Kaleb tried to start the engines, but they must have been affected by the portal.
“At least I’ll see my master again.” Kaleb thought. It was the swooping skies of the night that happened to be the last thing he saw as unconsciousness took hold.
It was in that moment that the royal guards of Canterlot took notice to the object falling in the sky towards the grounds.
“Alert Princess Luna at once. We...”
Luna had already taken flight, heading towards the object approaching the Castle grounds. Slowing it down with magic, she approached the ship, putting out the fire that nearly spread to the cockpit. Smashing the glass, Luna took the creature from the cockpit and soared through the air. The ship hit the ground in the gardens, but with not as much force due to Luna’s magic. Guards ran towards the scene, looking perplexed as they saw the cockpit was empty. Luna had the creature, using magic to let it float beside her as she flew in the direction of the castle. She called out to the guards.
“I’m taking the creature to the infirmary. There is not much time. Alert Celestia and tell her to meet me there”.
The guards immediately sprinted towards the castle. Luna glided through the open window of the infirmary and landed, setting the creature down on one of the empty beds. A few moments later, Celestia entered through the doors quietly, walking with a fast pace with a medical team behind her.
“Luna, what’s going on? The guards alerted me… What is that?”
The medical team worked quickly, and Luna indicated for her sister to go onto the balcony. The two sisters left them to do their work. Luna spoke, telling her everything that had happened.
Celestia spoke first. “As far as I know, this has never happened in Equestria’s history. I was performing a spell from the archives, one of Starswirl’s design, but I had no idea how powerful it was.”
“You cannot be certain this was the cause, but you need to be more careful. As for the creature, we should wait until it awakens before we figure out what’s going on. It is not certain what intentions it has here.” Luna reassured.
Celestia nodded. “I should be more cautious. I’ll approach the creature with kindness and friendship, but I should be prepared just in case.”
The doctor joined the two on the balcony. “The creature’s alive; breathing slowly but still alive. As far as I can tell, the injuries are minimal and its vitals are stable. The head is bruised slightly, but the swelling has gone down.”
Both sisters breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you. I know it’s late but thank you for your time”. Celestia replied. “In fact, it’s almost sunrise. Luna, get some well-deserved rest.”
Luna gave an expression of thankfulness to her sister and flew towards her bedroom. Celestia turned to the medical team who had joined her.
“I will look after it and alert you if there is any emergency. I think there is quite the story to tell”.
The medical team nodded and left her on the balcony. Celestia took a breath and began the process of a new day.
The sun flowed through the windows, filling the infirmary with natural light. The slow and steady chirping of birds created a constant flow of sound. Kaleb stirred as the light hit his face, but his body seized as his eyes opened. As he breathed heavily, his eyes darted around to see the beds around him. A sense of uncertainty and panic washed over his mind as he tried to think.
“What…where am I? My ship…How am I still alive?”
Ignoring the pain in his aching body, Kaleb sat up and observed the room. He was alone in what appeared to be a medical center; it was small but unlike anything he had seen. The design lining the walls was simple yet elegant, feeling more in place in a palace than anywhere else. The doors at the far end were glass that appeared to lead to a balcony as opposed to the thick wood that made up the larger one with small carvings. Kaleb found himself relaxing but still wondering where he was and how he ended up here.
The doors quickly began to glow with a yellow light and they opened, the noise echoing throughout the chamber. Startled, Kaleb instinctively reached for his lightsaber, finding it was not there. The creature who walked in appeared to be an equine, but it was unlike any that Kaleb had seen. The short white fur shined in the sunlight, with being almost a mix between realistic and something out of a children’s HoloNet show. Its wings were like a bird except for the fur, and there was an image of the sun on the flank. Glowing, the tail and the mane were waving through the air, with shades of blue, green, purple, and pink shimmering unnaturally. Upon the head lay a large horn and a golden crown with a jewel of deep periwinkle. There was a look of relief and curiosity upon her face.
“Thank Faust, you’re awake. Can you understand me?”
Kaleb looked stunned, then quickly realized he was staring. “Yes. Sorry about that, it’s just, when you came through the door…it was glowing…wait, why it was glowing?”
“Magic.” The creature looked slightly amused seeing his reaction of shock followed by a string of questions. “It seems you have a lot of questions. Let me introduce myself; I’m Princess Celestia and right now you’re in the infirmary of Canterlot Castle.”
Kaleb eyes widened and he tried to bow. “Your Royal Highness, I’m sorry I had no idea...”
Celestia waved the air with her hoof. “No harm done, please call me Celestia. Tell me, what is your name?”
Kaleb thought for a moment then spoke. “I’m Kaleb Taymar. How did I get here? The last thing I remember, my ship was caught in this purple vortex that shut down the systems and I blacked out as it was falling through the sky.”
“My sister rescued you from the wreckage as it was falling and took you here. Your vehicle crashed into the Royal Gardens, but it looks intact. I had the medical team look you over, they said the swelling in your head had gone down by that time. How do you feel?” Celestia asked, looking concerned.
Kaleb’s hand moved to the head. “My head feels fine. I’ve endured far worse from Jedi training in the Republic.”
“What is a Jedi and this Republic that you speak of? I’ve never heard of it.” Celestia asked, sitting down in the chair next to Kaleb.
Looking confused, Kaleb responded. “Wait, you never heard of the Jedi or the Republic?”
Celestia nodded. “What about the Confederacy of Independent Systems, the Sith, the Trade Federation, Chancellor Palpatine, the Force, the Hutts, Coruscant, Mandalore, Naboo?” Kaleb listed, confusion turning into panic.
Celestia was just as confused. “I’ve never heard of any of those things.”
His expression was one of disbelief and then sorrow. Celestia put a wing on his shoulder, easing his breathing. “I’m sorry Kaleb, I think that you must be from a different world, and this may be my fault that you’re here. I was researching an old spell created by my mentor Starswirl to travel between dimensions. Something must have gone wrong with the spell and created the portal, and I can’t try again because it destroyed the book.”
Kaleb’s face was expressionless as he took in the situation. After considerable thought, he sighed. “It’s okay, it is just going to take time to adjust. My master taught me that we must learn to adapt to new situations, even when things are difficult to understand.” He smiled as his eyes watered slightly before blinking. “The question remains now that I’m in this world, what am I going to do?”
Taking her wing off his shoulder, Celestia added. “You can start with having dinner tonight with Luna and myself if you want, only if Dr. Bluejay sees you fit. I just have one more question: What is a Jedi?”
After thinking about phrasing, Kaleb began to explain. “It’s difficult to explain, but I can give you a short explanation. The Jedi Order keep peace throughout the galaxy, giving aid to those who are in need and fighting only if there is no other option. Their set of rules, known as the Jedi Code, emphasize peace and harmony with knowledge. They worked with the Republic government, but are separate from them."
Celestia looked intrigued. “They sound very similar to groups of monks in Equestrian history. I would love to hear more about it at dinner.”
“I accept your invitation, and I can’t wait to meet your sister,” Kaleb said enthusiastically. As Celestia began to walk away Kaleb thought of something. “Wait, if you had no idea who I am, how did you know that I wouldn’t try to harm you?”
Celestia looked back. “I find that using kindness and friendship is the best way to welcome new creatures. They usually return the favor. Also, I would try to move your legs a little around here, it will help the flow of blood.”
“Thank you, I should start moving them”. The moment that Kaleb tried to stand, he legs forcefully pulled themselves together as if an invisible rope lassoed them, and his body became as rigid as a board. He fell, landing on his face softly.
“You knew that would happen, didn’t you?” Kaleb asked, sounding both amused and annoyed with his head tilted to the side.
Celestia looked at him with a smile. “Like I said, almost all of them return the favor. Also, I wanted to see what would happen.”
She lifted the spell, allowing Kaleb to get onto his feet before walking out of the infirmary.
Kaleb walked over to the window overlooking the gardens, squinting to see the world where he landed. The gardens were neatly organized, with rows of sunflowers neatly organized along the path, along with a hedge maze with sculptures nearby. The small wooded area had plenty of undergrowth various creatures and he could just make out a small nest with robins. The buildings that Canterlot held looked straight out of Naboo, with the designs being just as elegant as the castle, even the smaller houses and apartments that littered the castle grounds and the city had a sense of history to them. Kaleb had been so caught up with the view that he failed to notice the door opening as a blue Pegasus with a light brown mane and beard that were graying entered the vicinity, striding towards Kaleb.
"Enjoying the view? It's alright but nothing compared to Luminescent Gardens."
Kaleb turned around to look toward the pony. "It's nice. I'm assume you're Dr. Bluejay."
The doctor nodded, an intrigued look in his eyes. "And you must be the creature everyone's talking about. Kaleb right?"
"Yes, it's nice to meet you." Kaleb responded, walking towards his bed.
Bluejay indicated for Kaleb to sit on the bed, and he grabbed a bag from the corner table, taking out a stethoscope. Kaleb breathed as he moved the stethoscope around his chest and back. Putting it back, he pulled out a blood pressure monitor and put it around Kaleb's arm. He squeezed the bulb, causing the device to constrict and then loosen. Taking a flashlight from his coat pocket, Bluejay shined the light into Kaleb's eyes, watching them track the movements.
"Heart rate and blood pressure are good. You have no signs of a concussion which is my main concern. Any pain or swelling in the head or any other body parts?
Kaleb shook his head. "Other than some aches in the back and muscles, I'm fine. Noticing the patch on his jacket with a medical cross with a shield, Kaleb asked, "What is the patch on your jacket?"
Dr. Bluejay looked down at the patch and back at Kaleb with an intrigued look. "Before I was the head doctor of Canterlot Castle, I spent eight years as a field medic in the Equestrian Guard. I was nicknamed Snake by the other guards because of the scar on my wing and my ability to work fast under pressure." He opened his wings, showing Kaleb the scar that was shaped like a cobra. "Equestria isn't all sunshine and rainbows. There's still danger if you know where to look."
Kaleb nodded. "There always is." Turning his head quickly, he felt a sharp pain in his neck and swore under his breath.
Touching Kaleb's neck, Dr. Bluejay examined the area. "Looks like you have whiplash. I'm not surprised, it usually happens with crashes. When you hit your head, did your neck move forward rapidly?" Kaleb said yes. "I would try to lay down for the rest of the day. I can give you some cooling and heating wraps for the pain along with some basic pain medication with a low dosage. I'm not sure how much your species needs, but it's not addictive so don't worry about that. Luckily, it's minor so you should be okay to go to Celestia's dinner, just try to stretch and not put any strain on your neck." Pulling out a newspaper from his saddlebag, he handed it to Kaleb. "Speaking of Celestia, told me to give you this, she thought you'd like something to read."
Kaleb took the newspaper and set it down on the table. "Thanks for the advice. I'll try to keep that in mind." As Dr. Bluejay was packing up, Kaleb remembered something. "You mentioned there was a great view somewhere."
The doctor looked back and Kaleb saw him crack a small smile. "Ah, yes there is at the Luminescent Gardens. As you can guess, the flowers light up at night, switching colors depending on the season. It's in a smaller, quiet area of the city, and some say that you can see all of Equestria from the view on the cliff." Moving towards the entrance, he waved. "I'll see you around, Kaleb." Heading out, he closed the doors behind him.
Walking out of the infirmary, he followed the directions that Celestia had gave him with the newspaper. The castle was almost a labyrinth in some ways, with different wings and ponies walking in and out of rooms, but the layout was simple. Kaleb found the dining room and opened the door. It was smaller than he had expected, but elegant with light passing in through the windows highlighting the tapestries on the wall. There were two tables; one was a side table with a cake decorated with fruit, and the other was the dining table, which was rectangular, and Celestia was sitting at the head of it.
“Kaleb! Please have a seat.” Celestia welcomed, beckoning him to sit next to her. “How was your afternoon?”
Kaleb moved, sitting down and felt his mouth tingle with anticipation. “It was quiet. I mostly rested, but I did get to read a section of the newspaper.” His eyes wandered towards the tapestries. “So, what are we having for dinner?”
“We’ll be having an assortment of food. I didn’t know what your diet is, so please forgive me if you don’t like it,” Celestia spoke.
“It’s okay, I’m an omnivore, so I should be alright. Are many ponies herbivores?” Kaleb wondered.
Celestia thought for a moment then responded. “Most are herbivores, but there are other creatures in Equestria who are omnivores and carnivores. “
The door opened gracefully and a pony with dark blue fur and a moon cutie mark walked in. She was like Celestia, but her mane and tail had shades of blue and purple.
“Hello, sister. Kaleb, this is Princess Luna,” Celestia introduced, as Kaleb took a sip of water.
He stood up to greet the princess. “Thank you for saving my life, Your Majesty.”
Luna looked surprised and thoughtful. “It is no problem, Kaleb. Tia, I can set the meal.”
Using her magic, Luna summoned a medium sized cart that contained silverware, napkins, and plates with what appeared to be a fish with rice and fresh vegetables. All the while, a bowl had begun to toss salad by itself, evenly dividing the salad into three smaller bowls that were set to the sides of the plates.
“Are you familiar with salmon?” she asked. Kaleb responded by eagerly nodding.
As the three ate dinner, Kaleb learned more about Equestrian society, finding it odd that cutie marks determine your path in life. Although Celestia and Luna were royalty, they seemed in touch with their subjects and cared for their safety and well-being. However, he noticed that the two sisters seemed distant from each other, with Celestia being a welcoming presence and trying to include Luna and her feeling uncomfortable.
“You mentioned earlier today that the Jedi follow a code. May I ask what the code is?” Celestia inquired, finishing off her rice.
Kaleb took a sip of water and began. “As I said earlier, the code focuses on the idea of harmony and peace with all lives being prescious. At the center of the code is the Force, our guiding principle. It is an energy field that surrounds and connects all living things, allowing us to be a part of a larger universe. In a way, it’s a sixth sense. Either you are born with this sense or it comes later in life, but you need to train. It gives us abilities that can be used to keep peace.”
As soon as he had finished, Kaleb held his arm up, his hand outstretched. The tone of the room had changed. Celestia and Luna could sense something powerful, but they could not control it. The hand moved upwards, and the cake on the side table lifted into the air and floated. He set the cake down gracefully on the table.
The sisters looked stunned, and after a few moments came to their senses. Celestia started “I could not sense it, but something felt different and powerful. I can detect magic being used near me, but I felt nothing. What was your training like?”
Kaleb struggled to respond, remembering the events of the past three years in a whirlwind of sounds and voices. His heart began to race in his chest, and his eyes darted around. Luckily, Luna came to his rescue.
“Tia, I need to raise the moon and get to the night ahead. Perhaps Kaleb can come with me to get some fresh air.” Luna looked back at Kaleb, her eyes expressing concern.
Kaleb's panic quickly turned into surprise. "Wait, you can raise the moon? How is that possible?"
Celestia looked at Kaleb with an amused expression. "We use our magic to raise the moon and the sun. Surely you noticed our cutie marks?"
Kaleb had a moment of realization followed by awkwardness. "Oh, right. There are some things that I need to get from my ship."
Celestia looked confused, but nodded to her sister. “Alright, just be sure to meet me back in the infirmary afterwards.”
Luna got up from her seat and walked out the door with Kaleb following. As they walked through the hall and down a small flight of stairs into the gardens, Luna indicated to the right. “The ship is over this way, it’s not a long walk."
The two began to walk at a steady pace towards the garden in silence. Kaleb’s eyes were focused ahead, breathing deeply. After a few minutes had passed, he spoke. “I’m sorry. That question brought back memories that are painful to relive.”
“We all have stories that we would rather not tell, and those emotions can be overwhelming, from personal experience.” Kaleb looked confused. “I’m sure you have noticed the tension between the two of us. We may be sisters, but are different as day and night. I became bitter when I saw ponies enjoying the day but ignoring the night, and my emotions took over. One day, I refused to lower the moon and my dark magic took over, transforming me into Nightmare Moon. Celestia and I fought, and she was forced to use powerful magic to banish me to the moon forever.”
Kaleb looked in disbelief. “Wait, she banished you to the moon? But she’s your sister…”
“She had no other option. After one thousand years, I returned to take over Equestria and bring eternal night. However, I was stopped by six extraordinary ponies who defeated Nightmare Moon and brought me back. Celestia embraced me in open hooves to rule together. Even after we made up, there is still some distance between us. But she still tries hard to include me.”
They had finally arrived at the wreckage, which was still intact. Kaleb rushed to the cockpit, pulling out a backpack that he put on the ground and his lightsaber. Hooking it to his belt, he started making his way back with Luna.
“You’re very lucky to have a sister who cares for you that much. The Jedi Code forbids attachments to others and possessions. My master said that it clouds your judgement and mind. It’s just that almost everything I know is gone and I don’t know what is going to happen.”
Luna turned her head toward Kaleb as he saw her horn glow and the moon begin to climb into the sky. “Everyone needs friends, Kaleb. In the darkness, they can be a guiding light to find your way. Celestia may not understand I need space sometimes, but she listens and tries to help me. You can consider me and Celestia friends.”
Kaleb stopped walking for a moment and turned to Luna with a raised hand. “Friends.” As he shook her hooves he noticed that the lanterns in the garden began to glow. They continued walking, with Luna pointing out the highlights of the high towers as the moon illuminated their path. Walking through the castle quietly, they made it back to the infirmary, where Dr. Bluejay reexamined Kaleb to find that, other than the whiplash, he was healthy.
"Here are a list of exercises for the neck that I want you to do every morning for the next three weeks. Keep up the wraps and medication and you should be fine." As Dr. Bluejay left, Celestia and Luna came back in through the door, with Celestia wearing a pink bathrobe and slippers.
“Kaleb, I’m sorry if I pushed you too far. I know this has been a long and emotional day, and there are some subjects that I should not have asked,” Celestia apologized, her eyes filled with remorse.
“It’s okay, I can tell that I'm the first of my species to arrive and I understand you need to ask questions for security reasons." Kaleb sighed and looked at them with worry. "I just don’t know what's going to happen now.”
“Actually, Luna and I have a suggestion.” Celestia replied, turning to Luna before looking back at Kaleb. “My best student has recently moved down to Ponyville, where she became the town librarian and made friends with others. She is more than happy to give you a place to stay.”
Kaleb looked surprised. “Really? Where is Ponyville?”
“It’s a small town southeast of here, only a few hours away. I thought that you would want somewhere quieter than here.”
Kaleb thought about the new opportunity being presented. A quiet town could be refreshing and a good change of pace, and it would give him a chance to embrace a new experience. On the other hand, he had no idea how other ponies would react to him. Wrestling with his thoughts for a few minutes, he gave his final answer.
“Tell your student that I kindly accept her offer and looking forward to arriving in Ponyville. Would you be able to keep my ship in storage up here?”
Celestia smiled in excitement. “Excellent, I will let her know. I can store it in one of the storage units, where only you will be able to open it. Tomorrow there is an early train going to Ponyville at eight in the morning. There are methods to get to the train station so you won’t be mobbed. “
“Thank you, I don’t want to cause a fuss. I should probably get some sleep if I’m catching the train.”
Celestia nodded and turned to go out the door with Luna. “Goodnight, Kaleb. I’ll send someone to wake you up at six thirty, we’ll leave at seven.” The door closed, leaving Kaleb alone in the infirmary.
Sighing with relief, Kaleb collapsed on the bed and waited for his dreams to take over.
Kaleb had already awoken and was stretching by the time the small alarm clock on his bedside table went off. Walking over to the small bathroom, he stepped into the shower, letting the water and steam soak into his muscles. Dressed in the same tunic and robe, he grabbed the bag and reluctantly hooked the lightsaber to his belt. Following the sentry who waited at the door, Kaleb found himself in a small study on the ground floor, with green walls and a desk and bookcases made of oak. A small window let in sunlight, and Celestia stood waiting, walking over to him with a smile.
“I thought you would appreciate something to go,” she greeted him, handing a travel cup of coffee with the steam rising high. Kaleb took the cup with a thankful nod, sipping the beverage and looking around the room. Celestia turned her attention to the bookcase on the left, slanting a volume on its spine. The creaking of hidden mechanisms was audible throughout the space. Finally, the bookcase became a door and swung open, revealing a stone incline leading into darkness.
“Of course there’s a secret passage,” Kaleb remarked with both surprise and sarcasm. He followed her into the passage, the door closing in behind them.
From there it was a slow walk down an incline until the hit the main passageway, with both of them holding onto the handrails. Once they hit the main passageway, Celestia guided the way through the labyrinth of tunnels, each with a weathered look that had been carved out of the rock. Although Kaleb was slightly comforted by the lanterns hanging on the walls, it did not help his claustrophobia. They walked in silence for a while before Celestia turned to him.
“Kaleb, are you alright?" Celestia asked as they walked, looking concerned. "You seem tense."
“I’m fine, I’m just not too fond of dark tunnels or tight spaces. How long do these tunnels go on for anyway?” Kaleb asked, trying not to hit his head on the low ceiling.
Celestia thought for a few seconds and replied. “I believe in total it’s about eighty miles. These tunnels were built early on as mines for the precious gemstones. After the supply was exhausted, the mines were sealed but the tunnels were kept open as escape routes in case of an emergency with new ones being built over time. Canterlot had been attacked before, so it only made sense. There are various entrances stretching across the city. Our city rests on a mountainside, so they lead downward out of the mountain.”
Kaleb nodded. “Having an escape route is always a good idea. I noticed there aren’t any maps or signs on the walls. How do you not get lost in here?”
“It’s difficult to make out, but there are arrows on the walls which are color coded to match entryways,” Celestia explained while looking ahead. “Ah, we’re here.”
They stopped at a smaller entrance with a wooden door with a red train painted on. With what appeared to be a secret knock, the door opened and Kaleb moved forward. The train station was mostly empty except for a few ponies who were sleeping on cushioned benches or reading the newspaper. The janitor looked at Kaleb for a second than went on cleaning the floor. Light was streaming through the windows, reflecting on the shiny floor. Celestia handed Kaleb his ticket and storage key, telling him that it was the express line. He followed her, looking around the station. A busker tuned a guitar while talking to the attendant at the coffee bar. Finally, they arrived onto the platform, where the train was waiting. He chuckled; even the railroad cars looked like sweets.
“Well, I guess this is goodbye for now. Once again, I thank you and Luna for the hospitality,” Kaleb stated eloquently despite the caffeine not kicking in yet.
“It was our pleasure. A word of advice before you go: Friends can be found in the most unexpected of places.”
Kaleb nodded. “I’ll take that into consideration. Thank you.” Waving farewell, he boarded the train and found a seat in an almost empty carriage. The ponies around stared at the new creature before them with interest, and Kaleb meekly smiled trying to appear friendly. A few smiled back while others simply ignored him. Sitting down, he found that he could fit in the seat well without having any worry of hitting his head of the ceiling. The car lurched, and with the whistle of an engine, the train began to move.
The journey was relatively fast for Kaleb, fully awake and looking out at the landscape. The sunny fields and forests reminded him of Naboo, yet there were mountains to the west and deserts in the south. Reading a magazine in the pocket near the window, he found that Equestrian society had limited uses of transportation through trains, airships, boats, bicycles, and carriages. The same went with technology, although it appeared to be from a combination of different eras. Although the magazine was interesting, it did little to distract him from the anxiety that plagued him. Noticing the tension in his muscles, Kaleb relaxed, taking a few deep breaths to calm himself, and tried to find peace with his situation.
A few hours later, the train eventually came to a stop, with the conductor informing everyone that they were at Ponyville. Stretching, Kaleb grabbed his pack and began to walk towards the door that was fully open. Making his way onto the platform, he began to look around at the surrounding countryside. The rolling hills surrounded the station with the sound of a windmill near it, and there was a relaxed state of mind unlike Coruscant. It wasn’t long until he heard a voice nearby. “Kaleb?”
He turned around to find a purple unicorn heading towards him. Holding a checklist and quill with her magic, she had an expression of friendly determination on her face.
“Hi! I’m Twilight Sparkle and it is my pleasure to welcome you to Ponyville. ” She held out a hoof and Kaleb shook it.
“It’s nice to meet you, Twilight. Thanks for giving me a place to stay.”
“It’s no problem. We have a big day ahead of us, it’s all on the schedule for the Welcome to Ponyville Tour.” She handed him a second clipboard from her saddlebag containing an itinerary for the day. Kaleb looked over it quickly, handing it back to her impressed. The two walked out of the station onto the packed dirt path that led to Ponyville.
“So, why did you end up moving here? ” Kaleb asked awkwardly, trying to keep up with Twilight’s strides.
“As Celestia’s student, I am living here to study the magic of friendship. Originally, I was here to set up the Summer Sun Celebration, but then Nightmare Moon came back and my friends and I had to defeat her with the Elements of Harmony,” Twilight replied with accuracy.
Kaleb’s eyes lit up with recognition. “Luna told me that six extraordinary ponies saved her from Nightmare Moon. I never imagined that I would get to meet a local celebrity.”
Twilight chuckled slightly. “Well, we’re not really celebrities. Other than Celestia and Luna, nopony knows that we used the Elements. We all have other jobs; I’m the town librarian, for instance. Celestia mentioned that your species is new to Equestria.”
Kaleb nodded. “My species are humans, and I've never heard of ponies or Equestria until I crashed here. What exactly are these Elements of Harmony?”
Twilight thought for a few seconds then replied. “To my knowledge, they’re the most powerful magical artifacts known to ponydom. The orbs each represent an element of harmony: honesty, kindness, laughter, generosity, loyalty, and magic. The six of us embodied these traits and they magically turned into necklaces that when worn gave us the power to defeat her. Ah! We’re here!”
As the two entered the town, Kaleb noticed the architecture: small houses no more than two stories high made of timber and thatched roofs. Ponies moved along about their day, but he was thankful that nobody was staring outright. There was a charm to the small town that Kaleb felt that put him in a state of relaxation. Following Twilight, Kaleb’s eyes widened with amazement when he saw the building right in front of him.
The building appeared to be an old oak tree, with windows built into the trunk and lanterns hanging from the branches. The leaves bristled slightly with the wind, giving it a sense of motion. The windowpanes echoed the curves of the branches, and the deck on top had a telescope. The sign next to building had a book with the words Golden Oaks Library on the cover in golden font.
“Impressed?” Twilight gave him a look of amusement. “You should see the inside.”
Shaking his head, he entered the library. The bookcases were carved into the tree, leaving room for various paperbacks and hardcovers. The table in the center contained an intricate bust of a pony head, and next to it was a ladder.
Twilight set her saddlebag down and headed over to the desk. “I have a room for you already set up. It’s upstairs and the first door to the right. Brunch should be ready in a few minutes.”
Kaleb followed her instructions, heading up the stairs and opening the door to a simple guest room. Laying his bag on the bed, he sat down, taking in the view from the window. As he began to unpack his belongings onto the bookshelf, he heard a different voice followed by several hoots and crashes.
Poking his head out of the door, he headed towards the voice in one of the small rooms. He entered the room to find a small dragon and an owl balancing a stack of books that were on the brink of tumbling down.
“Relax, Owlowiscious, we got this. We’ll show Twilight this is not too many books to take down at once. All we have to do is not to make any sudden moveme-AHHHH A MONSTER!”
The dragon saw the intimidating figure of Kaleb in the doorway and jumped suddenly, causing the books to begin to topple over and fall to the ground. Outstretching his hand, Kaleb reached with the Force and stopped the movement of the books, holding them in midair for a few seconds before dropping them gently to the ground. The dragon and owl looked bewildered at what they just witnessed, looking back between the books and the stranger comically.
“I assume you’re going to need help with those books,” Kaleb said, looking amused.
The dragon huffed at the remark. “In our defense, we were pretty close till you sneaked up. Owlowiscious, you up for trying again?” The owl gave a stern look to the young dragon. “Okay, we could probably use your help. Are you the creature Twilight was talking about?”
“Yep. I’m Kaleb, by the way. Next time you do that, I would suggest putting the heaviest ones at the bottom.”
The dragon reached out his claw and they shook. “I’m Spike, Twilight’s number one assistant and best friend. This is Owlowiscious, my friend and fellow assistant to Twilight.” The owl hooted and waved a wing in greeting.
The three picked up the scattered books and went downstairs, where they worked quickly to organize and sort the books to their respective shelves. By the time they were finished, they went to the kitchen where Twilight had already laid out an assortment of food for brunch.
“Ah good. I see you’ve already met Spike and Owlowiscious. Have you two finished the sorting the stack upstairs?”
“Relax, Twilight, it’s already taken care of. Besides, we had Kaleb to help us,” Spike replied, winking at him as he dug into the scrambled eggs.
Kaleb had laid out a plate of scrambled eggs with a side of homemade hash browns with a slice of toast and a glass of orange juice. As he began eating, he noticed that Twilight was sneaking glances at the clock on the wall, realizing that they were on a schedule.
"So, I was wondering if there is someone who is able to repair clothes in town?" Kaleb asked as he took a sip.
Twilight finished her scrambled eggs before replying. "I already have it covered. In general, I thought I would give you a chance to meet each of my friends, one of whom is a fashion designer. It's all on the schedule."
"Yes, it's all on The Master Plan for the day." Spike interjected, piling on the sarcasm with each word.
Staring at Spike for a few seconds, Twilight slowly turned to Kaleb with a smile. "How would like to hear the story of Spike's hatching? It's very cute and sweet." With those words in particular, she turned her head towards Spike, who was now blushing furiously.
"Totally not fair! You can't use that as leverage," Spike argued.
With both of their gazes aimed at Kaleb, who thought for a few seconds before replying. "As the presiding judge of this brunch table, I will allow it."
While Spike put his head down on the table, Twilight began. "When I was a filly, I was facing the entrance exam for Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. The task was to hatch a dragon from its egg. I was struggling with the magic, when all of a sudden, my friend Rainbow Dash's Sonic Rainboom caused an uncontrollable release of magic, having Spike grow into a mature dragon. Celestia had to step in herself to stop the magic."
Kaleb looked stunned. "That magic must have been very powerful. Spike, I think that it's an amazing story. You shouldn't be ashamed of it."
Spike looked up and smiled at him as they started to clear the dishes. "Don't worry Twilight, I can handle the library for a few hours." Twilight sighed and they walked out of the library.
Ponies were staring at Kaleb as they walked into town but in general they seemed more welcoming than in Canterlot, even waving and smiling to him. The two walked out of town they went to a large apple orchard where the trees were still filled with the green leaves of summer, but the apples were in full capacity. The tree shook as an orange earth pony charged at the tree, kicking it with the back hooves and watching the apples fall. Seeing the two approaching, she wiped the sweat on her hat and went over to them.
“Hey Twilight, just finishing this tree before it gets too late in the day. This darn tree won’t budge with the apples up high.”
Turning to see the creature next to Twilight, who was looking at the apple tree with curiosity, took of her hat to get a better look. "Whoa there! Who and what are you, partner?
Kaleb smiled, trying to appear friendly. "Hi, I'm Kaleb and probably the first human to arrive in Equestria. Twilight offered me to stay in Ponyville."
Twilight looked back at the pony, noticing her raised eyebrow. "It's okay, he's a friend. Celestia suggested that he would stay with me. Kaleb, this is Applejack."
Applejack looked back at Kaleb. "Well, any friend of Twilight is a friend of mine. Pleasure to meet you, sugarcube."
Kaleb and Applejack shook, and he spotted all of the trees. “This is a great orchard you have here. What else do you grow?”
Applejack beamed with pride. "Here at Sweet Apple Acres, we grow the finest variety of apples and make the best apple products. We also grow grapes, corn, carrots, and are known for our hospitality. Here! Have an apple on the house.”
She tossed an apple from the bucket, and Kaleb plucked it out of the air with precision. Kaleb ate it quickly, complimenting Applejack on her toss. She went to the tree and with a running start, sprinted towards it and bucked the trunk with all of her strength. A blue pegasus with a rainbow mane fell from the tree and--unfortunately for Kaleb, who was looking at the corn fields in the distance --fell on him, along with a pillow and blanket.
Applejack raised an eyebrow and pointed a hoof to the rest of the trees in the row. “Weren’t you supposed to help me get the rest of these apples?”
“Hey! I was going to get to it eventually. I could clear that orchard in ten seconds flat,” the blue pegasus complained, looking annoyed and shaking her head so that the mane retained its spikiness. “How do you expect to perfect my Sonic Rainboom if I can’t rest. Besides, at least I landed on something soft.”
“Thanks. I’ll take that as a compliment.” Rainbow jumped as the thing she landed on spoke, and Kaleb stood up, rubbing his back. “I’m Kaleb, by the way. And you are…”
Rainbow jumped, raising her hooves in a fighting stance, preparing to punch. "WHO and WHAT are you? If you hurt my friends, I swear to Faust..."
Twilight was the one who saved his skin. "Wait, Kaleb's a friend and the first human to arrive here. He's living in Ponyville with me. Celestia suggested it."
Rainbow looked at Twilight with a hint of disbelief then turned to Kaleb. "Really? Well...I'm still keeping my eye on you, pal. You may be fast, but I'm still faster."
Kaleb met her gaze and replied. "Good thing to know. I'm Kaleb, by the way, and you must be Rainbow Dash."
“The one and only. I'm the fastest flier in all of Equestria and a future Wonderbolt.” Rainbow used her hoof to fist bump Kaleb, who reluctantly went along with it. Rainbow Dash laughed, flying high into the air, performing several loops before coming back down.
“That was some impressive flying, especially on those loops. How about to aid with your training, you can race Applejack with collecting apples. It should improve your mobility and precision that is essential for the Wonderbolts.”
Rainbow Dash smiled as she thought of the competition and the thrill of a race. Turning to Applejack, she replied. “Oh, it’s on. Nothing like a good competition to warm up the wings.” Kaleb looked at Applejack and winked. Applejack, with a thankful nod to Kaleb, turned to Rainbow Dash and they began their race.
Twilight turned to Kaleb, looking surprised. “That was well done. I’ve never been able to get Rainbow to help.”
Kaleb looked at her. “I’ve had some experience with mentoring. Sometimes all you need is a little bit of fun for motivation. Also not the first time I've nearly gotten punched.”
Heading away from Sweet Apples Acres, they headed back near the center of the town, going through the marketplace. Kaleb gazed at the various produce and homemade goods, making a note to try some of those free samples later. Walking across a small bridge, they made their way to a wide, elegant building that looked like it came out of a fashion show. The carousel theme was a pinnacle of the building, with each horse having a fancy design that made it unique. Purples, creams, and pinks accentuated the building with a pop, with a red flag on the very top of the design. A sign with the carousel horse hung over the door with the fancy purple lettering reading Carousel Boutique.
Twilight paused before going in. “Luckily, my friend Rarity is the best fashion designer in Ponyville. She’ll be able to help you.”
They entered the boutique, with Kaleb looking at the elegant design in the window. A white unicorn emerged from behind one of the pony-shaped mannequins around the shop, carrying a pair of tape measure with her magic and a pencil that was held in her purple mane.
“Oh Twilight, my dear, this is simply not a good time. I am working on a very important piece for a client and I do not have the time-OH MY GOODNESS WHAT IN HEAVEN'S NAME IS THAT!” Rarity exclaimed, pointing at Kaleb.
It was Kaleb this time who responded. "Hi, I'm Kaleb and I am probably the first human to arrive in Equestria. I'm a friend of Twilight, who was asked by Princess Celestia to give me a place to stay."
Rarity, now looking curious, walking up towards Kaleb and Twilight "It's nice to meet you...OH MY GOODNESS WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR CLOTHES?! THESE ARE ABSOLUTELY RUINED! THERE MUST BE SOME WAY TO SAVE THEM!"
Kaleb looked slightly stunned but not surprised. "I actually need these to be repaired, along with a new wardrobe. I hear you're the fashion expert to got to."
Rarity, now realizing the overdramatization of the situation, slowly backed away a few steps, blushing. “Oh, well, I am terribly sorry about that Kaleb, I really do not know what went over me. I’m Rarity.” The two awkwardly shook hand and hoof.
Twilight looked at Rarity with exasperation and said, “I know you’re busy, but is there any way you can fit Kaleb in?”
“Of course, Twilight, I am always generous enough to lend a hoof,” Rarity replied, gathering supplies.
Rarity beckoned for Kaleb to come over to the podium, instructing him to stand with his arms and legs outstretched. She mumbled to herself while talking his measurements, writing everything down on a notebook on the side table. Kaleb stepped down as Rarity was frantically calculating the amount of cloth. She handed him a form and a sample board with different fabrics to decide on the type of fabric.
“Well, it is a large order but nothing I cannot handle. I should have it ready and delivered within a day. Now then, I’m going to need you to undress and leave the tunic and pants with me. This will be a challenge, but it should be ready within a week.”
Kaleb sputtered with disbelief with what he just heard. “I can’t leave them here and walk out without them. Otherwise I would be without clothes.”
“Nonsense, dear you do notice that not many of us wear clothes? You’ll be fine. Why would you think otherwise?”
Kaleb facepalmed as he thought about the best way to explain this. “Well for humans, my species, when we’re naked…well… you can see… you know… down there.” Kaleb indicated below his waist.
Rarity, now realizing what he meant, turned a bright scarlet. Clapping her hooves together to clear the air, she coughed uncomfortably as she began to speak. “Well, now I see. It is no problem, you can hand me the tunic and pants when I deliver the clothes. Anyway, I hope you have a nice day and enjoy the sunshine while it is still out.” Grabbing the finished form from Kaleb, she went back to her work station as Twilight grabbed him and left.
They walked in silence across the bridge and back over the square. Twilight spoke first. “Well, I’m sure you’re glad to know we’re almost finished with the tour today. It’s nearly time for dinner. I need to stop at Sugarcube Corner to grab a dessert for tonight as an apology to Spike after what happened at brunch.”
Kaleb, who was looking slightly mortified after the interaction, chuckled and ran his hand through his hair. “Well, I have been in worse situations. Let’s just agree that never happened and move on.”
Twilight nodded. “Sugarcube Corner is one of the best places you can be. Pinkie Pie is one of the best bakers I've ever seen. Just to prepare you, Pinkie Pie is, well, Pinkie Pie.”
Kaleb looked towards the bakery. “What do you mean by that?” Twilight did not respond.
They walked up to the door, only to hear a small thud that shook the door. Looking at Twilight with confusion, Kaleb looked back at her and she shrugged. Together, they made their way into the bakery. In some ways, it was like a normal bakery to be expected, with the glass display case filled with delectable desserts and a kitchen in the back, with the interior looking like a gingerbread house. But today, there were birds on makeshift branches in the front window, singing a song that was unrecognizable to Kaleb. A crash could be heard from the kitchen, and a pink pony bounced out of the doors, with her poufy mane bouncing along with her body.
“Hi there Twilight, I was just-TWILIGHT, why didn’t you tell me you were bringing a friend?!” From there, the pink pony grabbed Kaleb’s arm, shaking it up and down with excitement. “Hi there, I’m Pinkie Pie, party planner extraordinaire, baker, and lover of comedy and all things fun. What’s your name, how did you meet Twilight, are you a monk, do you like parties…?”
Kaleb chuckled at the energy Pinkie had, feeling the sugar rush just through the vibrations and bouncing. “Hi, Pinkie I’m Kaleb, and I do enjoy parties and desserts. In fact, Twilight’s looking for one to go with dinner. “
Pinkie looked at Twilight with enthusiasm. “Well, you came to the right place. Sugarcube Corner is your one stop shop for all your sugar satisfactions. What will it be?
Twilight thought for a second and then decided. “I’ll have the small dark chocolate gemstone cake please."
“Okay, coming right up!” Pinkie replied, taking one out of the display case and putting it in a box. “Today’s been busy. I’m working on small birdseed cakes for the songbird choir over there, who are having great rehearsals in the front window. So Kaleb, what are you exactly? You're tall and walking on two legs, so you could be a giant."
Kaleb chuckled as he answered the question. "Nobody's called me tall before, so thank you for that. My species is human, most likely new to Equestria and Twilight is giving me a place to stay."
"That's very nice of Twilight. It's always fun to meet new friends, especially when you get to share desserts. " Pinkie handed Twilight the cake and took the bits from Twilight’s hove. “In fact, I’m trying a new delivery system for small treats that will please every filly and foal in town: Pinkie Pie’s Party Planning Dessert Delivering Cannon!”
Pinkie quickly removed the tarp from the object on the back counter, revealing it to be an actual cannon. Kaleb now understood what the sounds were outside of the bakery. Twilight and Kaleb slowly moved back into the corner.
“Yeah, you should probably do that for safety. The target is set up onto the nest back there,” she replied, watching them.
Twilight began to speak. “Pinkie, I’m not sure this is exactly the right place…”
Pinkie struck a match and set the fuse on fire. “FIRE IN THE DONUT HOLE!!!” Pinkie shouted loudly covering her ears.
The cannon ironically fired quietly and the birdseed cakes along with the plate were projected into the air. Kaleb saw that the aim was off and the cakes would never make it into the nest. Reaching out to the Force, he jumped closer with his legs, the outstretched arm trying to slow down the cakes before they hit the birds. Another pony flew down grabbing the plate, and reaching as well to catch the cakes, trying to shield the birds. As all of the cakes were caught on the plate, Kaleb grabbed the plate and both of them landed on their feet softly. Kaleb looked up at the pony who grabbed the plate.
A yellow pegasus stared back at him, the long pink mane looking slightly alarmed. Her eyes were a bright turquoise, reflecting in the light of the bakery. Breathing heavily, her ears were twitching slightly. Staring at each other for only a few seconds, they realized they were still both holding the plate with the birdseed cakes and how close they were. Both blushing, the yellow pegasus handed over the plate to Pinkie and trotted over towards Kaleb.
“Uh, hi, thank you for saving the birds. What’s your name?" the pony said quietly.
Kaleb paused for a moment, then shaking his head to clear it off. “I’m Kaleb. What’s your name?”
The pony responded quietly, almost in a whisper. “Fluttershy.”
Kaleb smiled back at Fluttershy, extending a hand. "It’s wonderful to meet you, Fluttershy. Your songbird choir sounds wonderful.”
The two shook and Fluttershy indicated for the birds to follow her. "Thanks. It's nice to meet you, Kaleb." Taking the now wrapped plate of birdseed cakes, she exited the bakery, waving goodbye to everyone.
Kaleb stood frozen, staring at the exit. He sighed, grabbing the box from the counter. “Anyway, thanks for the dessert, Pinkie; it looks wonderful.”
This seemed to snap Twilight and Pinkie out of their frozen states as well. “You're welcome Kaleb! I hope you have an exciting day of smiles!” Pinkie said, her smile stretching to an unnatural length. Twilight and Kaleb exited the shop.
Heading back to the library, the two walked in silence at first then went into conversation.
“That was incredible! I didn’t know you could do magic,” Twilight exclaimed, her eyes filled with excitement.
Kaleb looked back at her. “Actually, that wasn’t magic. I can tell you more about it later.”
Twilight looked slightly disappointed but then realized how tired he was. “You can tell me tomorrow. Celestia wants me to interview you on your world. So, what did you think of your first day in Ponyville?” she asked, as Kaleb carried the dessert.
“It was wonderful, Twilight, and thank you for all the work you put into the tour,” Twilight smiled and the two of them walked back into the library.
It was a quiet dinner for the most part, other than Spike attempting to cook a banana bread that was slightly crispy on the outside. The pasta with fresh tomato sauce tasted wonderful, with a tossed fruit salad and the dark chocolate gem cake for dessert, which Spike especially enjoyed. As the evening became night, Kaleb turned in for the night, saying goodnight to Twilight and Spike, thanking them for the hospitality.
After washing up in the upstairs bathroom with the spare toothbrush and toothpaste that Twilight had, Kaleb closed the door. He finished laying the objects in his bag onto the bookshelf, and sat down on the bed. The meditation began with focusing inward, repeating a mantra that was taught to him by Master Yoda and slowly shut out the outside world. Eventually after centering himself, he began to fully meditate, feeling the connectivity of the Force sending shivers from his spine.
I don’t know if you can hear me, Master Johanna. Part of me believes that you can, despite the Jedi saying that it was not possible. Part of me wants to believe that what happened on Coruscant was all a dream that I can wake up from. The Force has a presence here, lying beneath the ground. This new world is unfamiliar, yet I am lucky to have fallen into the hands of kind individuals who call themselves my friends. The Jedi Code says that all lives are precious and compassion is the Jedi way. Yet, you always taught me to be wary of these attachments for they can also lead you down a path to the dark side. This code and everything I carry on my back is all I have left of the Jedi Order. My path here is clouded, but I must trust the Force to guide me, as it always has. I am one with the Force, the Force is one with me.
Kaleb awoke from his meditation and sank softly into his bed, falling into the sleep’s deep embrace.
Kaleb eventually began to wake, sitting up in his bed as the light from the window poured in. Stretching his arms, he took a look at the alarm clock only to realize that he had slept through the alarm as it was 11:00 am. “Blast!”
Struggling to get his boots on, he eventually managed to figure out the lock on the inside handle and open the door. Kaleb rushed down the stairs into the library to find it was relatively quiet. Twilight was at the central table, writing down what appeared to be a list. She looked up, smiling as he breathed heavily. “Good morning, Kaleb! Did you sleep well?”
Running a hand through his messy hair, Kaleb replied after catching his breath. “Yeah, too well by the looks of it. My alarm was set for seven, but I must have been more tired than I anticipated. Sorry I kept you waiting on the interview.”
“No, it’s okay. We can just do it after a light breakfast,” Twilight stated, using her magic to bring a large package in front of him. “Rarity dropped your clothes off earlier. She said that you could leave your tunic here and she’ll pick it up this afternoon. Head upstairs and wash up and we can meet in the kitchen for breakfast.”
Kaleb nodded thankfully and taking the large package into his arms, walked back upstairs. The door was already open as he put the package on the bed, closing the door and opening it to find the clothes that Rarity had made for him. There were several sets of pants in beige, black, brown, gray, and navy blue, each having pockets and belt loops that fit the two belts that were in the package. The shirts had more of a variety of colors, with the long sleeves having a more trimmed feel than the tunic. Each one had a set of three buttons in the top center near the swooped neckline. The underclothes were all white, with the t-shirts, socks and underwear packaged together. Along with the clothing, Rarity had provided a razor, shaving cream, aftershave, deodorant, shampoo, and conditioner from the small market in town.
Dressing in the blue pants and the heavy white shirt, Kaleb looked in the mirror as he stood up. The clothing was based on what he wore when he was on undercover missions, but he pushed that thought out of his mind. Sighing, he hooked the lightsaber to the belt with a small clip he attached to it and went into the restroom. After washing up, Kaleb walked downstairs into the kitchen to find Twilight having a slice a toast with strawberry jam.
“There’s a few slices still left in the toaster if you want them. I wouldn’t touch Spike’s gem flakes though, he’s protective about those.”
Kaleb grabbed the remaining slices of toast along with an apple from the fridge and pouring himself a glass of orange juice sat down. “Thank you for making breakfast. I can do the dishes afterwards if you want.”
Twilight smiled as she replied. “That’s very considerate of you. Today is Spike’s day to wash the dishes, but he’s at the mayor’s office organizing the historical files. I’m trying to create a shared archive on Ponyville’s history similar to what Canterlot has. Speaking of history, I wanted to talk to you before the interview. I thought that if we could lay some ground rules, it could avoid any awkwardness.”
Kaleb nodded, thinking for a second before replying. “That’s a good idea. What were you thinking?”
Twilight responded almost immediately. “Well, I was thinking last night and Spike said just not to make it seem like an interrogation. So, I was thinking it would only be two hours per day, with five days so I have time to check my notes. You can guide where the interview goes and I’ll just adjust my notes accordingly. It will be just like a conversation. Anything you want to add?”
Finishing his first slice of toast, Kaleb wait a few seconds before he spoke. “Yes, actually. Upstairs, I have a pack of objects that I had when I crashed here that I can show you. Some of these objects are very delicate in nature, so I would say there’s a no touching rule. The other rule I have is complicated to explain. Simply put, while I’ll try to explain as much as I can, there is some knowledge that I cannot tell you. The Jedi Order has many secrets that were only for them, and I want to maintain that trust. Also, some of that information is personal.”
Kaleb struggled on the last sentence as he tried not to remember. Twilight got up from the table and put her dishes in the sink. “It’s okay, anything that you could tell me should be good. I still need to get ready; how about we meet in the basement in half an hour? There’s a door near one the F bookcase that leads down there.”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you then.” As Twilight left the kitchen, Kaleb sighed and got up from the table. Quickly eating his last slice of toast, he began to busy himself with washing the dishes. After all of the dishes were washed, he grabbed the apple and, after grabbing the pack from upstairs, approached the door near the bookshelf, opening the cracked door and going down a set of spiraled stairs.
The basement was surprisingly well lit by a few well-placed candles that brought out natural grooves in the wood but also, unfortunately, the clutter as well. Various devices were placed among the wall, including projectors and a projection screen, book carts, folding chairs, and a phonograph whose large brass bell created an eerie shadow across the wall. There was an antique wooden table with various cushioned chairs around it, the fabric being a faded green. Twilight was sitting at the other side of the circular table, preparing a quill by dipping it in ink. She waved and he sat down, the chair creaking slightly to his weight.
“Sorry about the mess. It’s a nice basement but still very small; the previous owner was a bit of a collector, as you can tell. Some of the older equipment I’m thinking about bringing up into the library.”
Kaleb looked up at the ceiling, noticing the light cast on it. “It’s okay. At least I’m not bumping my head on the ceiling. I’m ready to begin.”
Twilight used her magic to bring a stack of papers onto the table and casting a quick spell on the quill, which jumped to life and stood near the first paper, ready to go. “I’ve cast a spell on the quill so that it records what you and I are saying so I don’t need to worry about keeping up. So, what was the world where you lived on like?”
Kaleb answered as he brought out a metallic sphere the size of his hand. “Well, my world wasn’t exactly the only one. We were able to travel between planets, moons, and various star systems with a push of a button.” With that, he pushed a small button on the sphere and light projected out of the top. Twilight gasped as what seemed to be thousands of different specks of light appeared in holographic form before her eyes. “Each of these specks of light represent a planet in my galaxy, each with its own climate, culture, and government. It would take forever to talk about them all, so I will focus on the planet where I lived.” With that, he turned off the device, leaving a noticeable emptiness inside the room.
Twilight was still looking in awe up in the air when she finally addressed him. “That’s incredible! What was your planet like?”
Kaleb brought up a flat, rectangular device with a clear glass in the middle that had buttons and joysticks on each side of the gray handles that spanned the entire sides. With a push of a button, he turned it on, the clear screen suddenly filled with various folders. Choosing the planetary index and entering a quick passcode, he selected the planet. The holograms that were projected included a planet with red-orange lines that created patterns and millions of specs of light on one side of the sphere and another which showed a massive skyline with millions of buildings going high into the sky.
“Coruscant is considered to be one of the Core Worlds, just meaning that it’s significant for its stature and wealth. Galactic City covers the entire planet, and it is home to the Galactic Republic, a government that covers various star systems from across the galaxy. Each system would send representatives to the Senate they would elect the Supreme Chancellor, who would lead and be limited to two terms depending on the circumstances. “
Twilight thought for a second and then asked a question. “Wait, so Coruscant is made up entirely of a city, right? So, there would be separate districts similar to any other city.?”
“Exactly. As well, Coruscant has separate levels based on both wealth and altitude. The highest levels go up to six thousand feet. It’s known as a major industrial center, and there are districts known as the Works and CoCo Town where a lot of hard-working laborers live and work. The underworld of Coruscant is deemed uninhabitable because of the toxic fumes, but many live down there and major crime families have their operations based there. Other than the government districts and the Jedi Temple, the only other major one that I could think of is the Uscru Entertainment District, which is where a lot of the nightlife in Coruscant is with gambling, opera, and nightclubs. All of the levels are assessable through massive ventilation shafts that serve as passageways for ships.”
The quill reequipped itself with ink as Twilight prepped a new set of pages and checked the time. “Wow! Time really flies when you’re learning, I guess. If you could talk about one more subject, I should have enough, actually, so we won’t need any more sessions. Perhaps you could tell me about the Jedi?”
Kaleb seemed to be caught off guard. “The Jedi? Right. So, their main responsibility was to serve as guardians and peacekeepers to the Republic as we have for over a thousand generations, only using violence when there are no other options. While not a part of the government, we worked closely with the Republic on diplomatic missions and with local police on cases. Younglings, or foals as you might say, are raised and trained to become padawans, or apprentices. After their trails, they become Jedi Knights, and they can eventually become Masters with padawans of their own.”
“Fascinating. You know, the Jedi remind me of an ancient group of Equestrian monks, except without the peacekeeping. They kept many levels of knowledge that is still being discovered to this day,” Twilight added, shifting her position in the chair.
Kaleb looked slightly amused at the last statement. “You know, Princess Celestia made the exact same observation. Like student, like teacher, I suppose,” Kaleb said, seeing Twilight chuckle slightly. “The main philosophy is the Jedi Code, which focus on peace, harmony, knowledge, and serenity. At the center of all of this is the Force, which connects every living thing in an energy field that surrounds us. Those who are Force-sensitive have the key to open up many abilities, one of which you witnessed in Sugarcube Corner. The Living Force, which is what connects all living things feeds into the Cosmic Force, binds the entire galaxy together.”
Taking his lightsaber from his belt, he placed it onto the table and replaced a device on the table with a twelve -sided polyhedron made of crystal and metallic materials. Indicating to the lightsaber, Kaleb coughed before continuing. “The lightsabers are the weapon of the Jedi, which produces a plasma blade that can be used for offensive and defensive purposes. The blade can come in a variety of colors, but this one is blue. It is a weapon that takes great skill and training to master, especially when paired with the Force. The other object is a Jedi Holocron, which contains information relating to the Jedi and the Force. This one is my own, but very few Jedi are allowed to keep them even though I was. Only someone who is Force sensitive is able to open it. ”
Twilight looked at the objects on the table with great concentration before double checking the notes before deactivating the spell. “Excellent! This one interview has enough information to keep it at one. Thank you, Kaleb, for all of this information. I can’t wait to tell Princess Celestia in my next letter to her.”
Kaleb nodded, looking at the clock to notice it was 2:00 pm. “You’re welcome, Twilight. I think I’m going to go for a walk around town to explore a little. I should be back in a few hours.” Twilight asked if he could help her organize some books when he got back, which he said yes to. Standing up carefully as to not hit the low ceiling, he put away the lightsaber and Holocron before heading back upstairs.
It had only been a short time since Kaleb left the library on his walk and yet he felt like there was nowhere left to explore. Remembering the market yesterday, he had tried several free samples and promised the vendors that he would buy their product as soon as he had any bits, which he discovered was Equestria’s currency. As he walked around the outskirts of Ponyville, he felt the Force calling out to him, though it was very faint. Turning toward the call, he found a large forest, balancing between the daylight and the wild untamed nature. Following the sounds of the birds, Kaleb walked into the forest, finding that it was not as intimidating as it appeared.
The echoes of a stream could be heard, along with the various chirping of birds, whose nests rested on the branches of the giant trees. Sunlight poured in, making every detail of the woods as crisp as the leaves of late summer rustling in the trees. A slight breeze was present, making every plant and flower flow as if they were alive. After a few minutes of walking Kaleb stumbled upon a clearing, with moss-covered rocks populating the point near the small stream which flowed through.
“Well, this is as good a place as any to meditate,” Kaleb thought, sitting down on the soft grass. “If anything, this is more relaxing than the library.”
Reaching out to the Force, Kaleb began to meditate, beginning at first to use a mantra to calm himself, and then listening to the sounds of nature around him. He could feel the Living Force in every plant, flower, bird, and any other creature wash over him, observing every move, thought, and feeling they took. Many of these creatures were new, yet their presence was as strong, almost as if they were in the clearing at this very moment. It was at this very moment he heard scurrying near him and he opened his eyes.
A family of chipmunks had gathered around him in a semi-circle, looking up at him eagerly as he broke the meditation to look around. Kaleb looked half amazed, half amused as he gazed at them. Master Johanna had always teased him about his ability to communicate with animals through the Force, but it had been useful in several situations.
“Well, looks like I’ve gained a small class with me today. Hello there, I’m Kaleb and you must live around these woods. It’s wonderful to meet you.”
The chipmunk in the center of the group squealed quietly, signaling the others to move towards him, crawling onto his legs and allowing themselves to be petted. The center chipmunk then squealed to Kaleb, pointing towards the stream and then to his left hind leg, which had been injured.
“Yes, of course I can help you, crawl onto my hands,” Kaleb said, kneeling down and opened his palm to the injured creature. Slightly hesitant, the chipmunk slowly crawled onto his hands. Carefully standing up, he walked slowly towards the stream while the other members of his family rode on Kaleb’s shoulders, who explained that his leg was recovering well, it was just a day longer before he could scurry to the stream. Kneeling down, Kaleb set his hands at the stream, allowing the chipmunk to drink the water while being careful not to let him fall in. After receiving the chipmunk’s signal, Kaleb moved away from the stream and following the family’s directions, set him down near a burrow farther away from the stream. The injured chipmunk issued a sound of thanks.
“It was my pleasure to help you. I’m glad to hear your leg's almost healed.”
As the chipmunks disappeared into the burrow, Kaleb sighed and stood up, noticing the small wildflowers the surrounded the burrow. His fascination with these was only broken by a familiar voice. “Thank you for helping Mr. Chipmunk. I was just coming to check up on him.”
Kaleb jumped, looking startled and turned around to find Fluttershy standing behind him, looking at him with relief. “Hi, Fluttershy, it’s no problem, I was just passing through. Out of curiosity, how much of that did you see?"
Fluttershy blushed slightly. “Well, I kind of saw all of it. What were you doing all the way out here?”
Kaleb rustled his right hand through his hair as he answered. “I was looking for a place to meditate, actually. It seemed quiet and peaceful out here, so when I found the clearing I knew it was the right place. I never expected that chipmunks would ride on my shoulders today, but it seemed that they were glad.”
“They would have a nice view of the area,” Fluttershy replied, looking over at the clearing as she stood by him.
Kaleb looked in the same direction. “I guess they would. You could call me Kaleb, chipmunk whisperer and observation tour gui-AHH!”
The pain in Kaleb’s seared as he was moving his neck to face her. His hand reached up to support his neck. Fluttershy moved towards him with alarm and concern. “Kaleb! Are you alright!?”
Kaleb’s voice was filled with pain as he spoke. “Whiplash. Got it from my crash here. I must have forgotten to stretch this morning…”
“I have ice packs back at my cottage. It’s not a far walk. Try not to move your neck.” Fluttershy grabbed his hand and slowly led him out of the forest and within two minutes they were at her cottage.
From what Kaleb could make out, Fluttershy’s cottage was built into the landscape, with the roof being made of a heavy grass. Various birdhouses surrounded the cottage as well as the house itself, including a tree near a small bridge crossing over the stream. There were small burrows everywhere, probably for the animals the she took care of, and they all came out as they stared at Kaleb. Moving into the cottage, Fluttershy guided Kaleb to a comfortable green couch. “My first aid supplies are in the kitchen. I’ll be right back.” She moved out of the living room.
Kaleb took this opportunity to look around the cottage, or at least glanced with his eyes. The wooden walls were cleaner than the library, with the built-in shelves and birdhouses that housed books and birds looking more ornate with small wooden designs. A large turquoise carpet decorated the floor, which had several beds and burrows for the animals that lived with her. There were several pictures of butterflies on the wall, including a painting of a type of butterfly that Kaleb had never seen before.
Fluttershy came back, carrying a flexible icepack that could easily wrap around his neck. “Please hold it on your neck for a few minutes; hopefully the swelling should go down. I’m making some tea; would you like some?”
“Tea would be lovely, thank you.” Kaleb said with relief, holding the icepack to his neck. It was at this moment when he was able to slightly move his neck that he saw a rabbit sitting in a miniature chair on a side table facing him. The rabbit was giving him the most intimidating stare that Kaleb had ever seen and he couldn’t escape it due to the limited range of motion in his neck. It was at the end of the most uncomfortable three and a half minutes in his life so far that Fluttershy came in with a teapot and two teacups.
“Angel Bunny, do you mind moving out of the miniature chair please? I’m worried that you might fall off the table.” Angel pointed at Kaleb and then back to himself. “It’s okay, this is Kaleb, he’s a friend. How about if I give you a slice of carrot cake for dessert tonight?”
Angel thought for a second then nodded. Moving off the table, he pointed a paw to Kaleb and then to his eyes. Throwing the chair with so much force over his shoulder that Kaleb nearly ducked to avoid the projectile, Angel hopped up the stairs and was out of sight.”
“Sorry about that, he isn’t normally this irritable. I wasn’t sure if you took anything in your tea, I have sugar and honey on the coffee table.”
“Sugar is fine, thank you,” Kaleb said graciously, extending his hand to grab to teacup with sugar as Fluttershy sat down in the armchair opposite of him. Sipping his tea in one hand and holding the icepack with the other, Kaleb took in the silence for a few moments before speaking.
“This is a very nice cottage, Fluttershy, especially with all of the paintings of butterflies. So, you’re the caretaker for all of these animals?”
Fluttershy stirred the honey into her tea as she answered. “I help care for them when they’re sick or injured, but I always try to look after them. This cottage is a safe refuge for them, no matter the circumstance. They have always...uh...been.”
“Comforting. Like when no one else understands,” Kaleb added, shifting the ice pack slightly. Fluttershy nodded. “They’re always there to listen and to help, even if the circumstances are dire.”
Fluttershy paused and continued. “Uh, yes…I guess so,” Looking slightly surprised at his insight, she continued, indicating to her cutie mark. “They changed my life in a single moment…it was when I was a filly, when I lived in Cloudsdale.” She handed a photo of the city from the side table next to her to Kaleb.
Kaleb looked stunned. "A city made entirely up of clouds. That’s amazing… Sorry, but how are you able to live up there if it’s clouds?”
“Only pegasus ponies can walk on the clouds without falling through. I never saw any unicorns or earth ponies, but I’m sure there are ways. The other pegasi made fun of me because I never could fly as fast or as strong as them.”
Setting down his tea onto the table, Kaleb looked at her with sympathy. “I’m sorry.”
Fluttershy continued. “Thank you. Rainbow Dash also was from there, and she was the one who came to my defense and challenged them to a race. One of them knocked me accidentally off of the clouds and I fell but was saved by a group of butterflies that brought me down to the ground. I had never been down there before, so I didn’t know what to expect.” She paused, remembering the moment with an expression of nostalgia. “I was so struck by the beauty of the forest and all of the animals that I began to sing. There were just so many wonders that I saw for the first time. When Rainbow Dash did her Sonic Rainboom, they were scared so I comforted and told them that everything’s okay. I found that I could communicate to animals at a different level, and my cutie mark appeared.”
Kaleb leaned forward, looking at her. “That’s a very touching story, Fluttershy. Well, I suppose that I should tell mine.” Collecting his thoughts, he pushed through the anxiety to remember. “I grew up in place similar to a monastery, in a giant city. Even though the Jedi Temple was in the middle of it, there were still small, quiet gardens used for meditation and thought. One day, when I was a youngling, I was out by myself, meditating in the garden when found a bird resting in the tree. In that moment, I climbed the tree, resting on one of the branches nearby, yet it didn’t fly away. As I reached out to the Force, I could feel every feeling and thought it had. There was almost…a mutual trust we had, and it climbed onto my hand. For a few moments, we communicated before it flew away, sensing danger. I could not sense that danger, at least before the branch snapped and I broke several of my fingers. Because of my discovery and not knowing better, Master Yoda just told me not to climb unstable trees.”
Fluttershy looked with fascination then confusion. “It looks like both of us falling made us discover. What is this Force, exactly?”
Chuckling, Kaleb cast a hand over the table, setting the scene. “Imagine a river, always flowing no matter what the season is. Every stone and pebble are touched by it and is connected by the flow of the water, moving downstream. The water is the Force, an energy field that connects all living things, each pebble and stone. No matter where you are in the forest, that river is always flowing and can sometimes be heard. I’m sure you sensed something yesterday in the bakery.”
“I did…there was something powerful that I couldn’t see…”
Kaleb nodded. “But it was there. The Living Force is a tributary that flows into the Cosmic Force, which binds the world together.”
Fluttershy nodded. Kaleb set down his tea cup and sighed. “To be honest, I’ve never told anyone else that story before. Twilight interviewed me this morning on my world, and it wasn’t the most comfortable experience. I don’t know…it's…”
“Difficult, when you are adjusting to this new world to talk about your own,” Fluttershy finished, looking at him with sympathy.
He brought his hands to his knees, trying to steady himself. “There are these moments I get panicked when I try to remember. Some things are easy, but others are clouded in this mist that I can’t break through. Brief moments, but still impactful. Being out in the forest today calmed me, bringing me back to that bird in the tree.”
Fluttershy went over to the couch and sat next to him. “The forest helps to calm me as well, along with the animals. You can go into that forest anytime you want, and if you need someone to talk to, I’m always here, Kaleb.”
Kaleb reached back over for his tea and turned his head slightly towards her. “Thank you. Meditation there is going to be a lot calmer there than in the library.” The small clock on the wall struck its bells as it said it was 5:00. “I should probably be going. Twilight wanted me to help her sort out some books before dinner.”
The two got up from the couch, with Kaleb handing Fluttershy the icepack and she went back into the kitchen. Stretching, Kaleb finished his tea and looked outside where he saw the animals basking in the late afternoon sun. Fluttershy came back and they went outside.
“Thank you for everything. It was very kind of you, Fluttershy,” Kaleb said as she smiled slightly.
“Well, I am the element of kindness after all. You’re welcome and remember what I said. Also, I could always use some help with the animals if you need something to do.”
Kaleb smiled back and spoke. “I’ll take that into consideration. Have a nice rest of the day.”
The two waved as Kaleb began to walk back towards town. Looking around, he saw two baby otters playing in the stream, now noticing the small alcove that had been dug underneath the bridge for their burrow. Smiling, he paused for a second watching them before heading back towards the general direction of the library.
It was about twenty minutes later when Kaleb got back and closed the door behind him. Twilight was at a small desk, reading when she looked up at Kaleb.
“Hey, Kaleb. How was your walk?”
Kaleb sat down on a chair and smiled. “It was good. I explored a little bit more of the town. How was your afternoon?”
“It was quiet but good. Spike’s upstairs taking a nap; he was so exhausted from today but I’m proud of him. Also, Applejack came by looking for you. She should still be…”
“I’m around Twilight, don’t fret.” Applejack came out of the kitchen, looking around till she found Kaleb. “Howdy, Kaleb! I was just looking for you. Sweet Apple Acres always needs help this time of year with the harvest and I was wondering if I could offer you a job.”
Kaleb looked surprised. “A job? What exactly would I be doing?”
“Mainly helping out with the apples. There are a lot that need to come down, and now that my dear sister Apple Bloom is starting school again, I need your help. Also, there’s a bunch of apple products we make that need to be produced. It’s only early September, but things are going fast. You would be paid, of course, seven bits an hour and you don’t have to work on the weekends except when we really need you.”
Kaleb thought about it for a few seconds and replied. “I accept your offer and I look forward to working with you and your family. I can start tomorrow if possible.”
Applejack nodded. “Sounds good. You can come by around ten and I’ll give you a tour before feeding you lunch and then putting you to work for a few hours.”
The two shook on it, and Kaleb waved as she left the library. “Well, looks like I have a job now. Where are the books that need organizing?”
Twilight pointed him towards a stack on the corner desk and he quickly got to work.
The sun had already reached the sky as Kaleb walked down the lane towards Sweet Apple Acres. Wearing a bright red shirt and jeans along with his boots-- an outfit that fit the job description, he took in the landscape with an outfit that fit the job description. He stopped to catch his breath as he took in the sights. The leaves were still green but had started to turn to brown, yellow, and red, and there was a cool breeze in the air. Focusing his breathing, he looked up towards the sign up on the entrance that had an apple on it. Chuckling, he opened the small half-door and strode through it.
Although he had seen parts of the orchard yesterday, he had yet to see the rest of the farm. The barn had a fading red façade, but still stood tall and featured paisley decoration done in a rustic gold. Nearby, an old well stood with the bucket and rope swinging in the wind. The clucking of chickens could be heard through the henhouse as well as the muffled oinks of pigs from the other side. Kaleb had just been looking around when he saw the doors to the barn open and Applejack stepping out.
“Howdy, Kaleb! How are you doing this morning?”
Looking at her with a friendly smile, he responded. “I’m good, got a little less sleep than I wanted to but otherwise I’m good. That’s a really nice barn you have over there.” He pointed towards the entrance.
“Thanks, sugarcube. Though that’s actually the house. There’s a smaller storage section down there, but we live upstairs.” Applejack waved off Kaleb’s apology. “Come on, I’ll give you the grand tour.”
Walking towards the field of corn, Applejack pointed to another barn, this one less decorative than the other. Eventually making their way to it, she pushed the door open and they walked in. The smell of sawdust infiltrated the senses but added to the rustic theme. “That’s where we keep all of our farming equipment, buckets, and where all cider production is based. Each barrel is made by hand, using an old press that’s been that barn since Granny Smith was a filly. Anything you need, you’ll probably find it over here.”
Kaleb looked around, impressed. The press was made of solid iron, with a vat for putting in the apples and a giant tap for filling the barrels. Despite the rust that had surrounded some of its parts, it still shined in the sunlight coming out of the windows from above and made the logo of an apple with old-fashioned lettering underneath with the name of the farm. The handles were the only thing that looked new, with the wood of a sugar maple being used.
“This is amazing,” Kaleb exclaimed, his eyes widening as he looked at it. “How many barrels can it fill?”
Applejack chuckled as they walked over for a closer look. “’Just one at a time. Because it’s iron, it can be very tricky to handle to start cause of the weight. But once it starts, you’re in for a ride. We built secondary presses made out of wood for travel and harvest season, of course. You won’t need to worry about this now since it’s early in the season, but later on we’ll need everyone working with this. The cider is our best-selling product.”
Kaleb began to look around at some of the other objects in the barn, including a large vat, several giant caldrons the size of a small child and a bunch of small carts including a larger wagon. “I imagine that vat is for the grapes and those carts are for deliveries. What are the caldrons for though?”
Applejack had a look of astonishment when she answered him. “That’s spot on, sugarcube. The caldrons are for making jam, jellies, marmalades, and that sort of thing. It’s mostly used for our famous zap apple jam, but we use it for our grapes as well as any limited-time deals we get from other farms, such as citrus fruits.”
Walking out of the barn, they made their way to the carrot field, with the corn right behind it. Applejack began to explain. “Here’s the fields for the corn and carrots. Although not as popular as the apples, they are still important and are harvested this time of year. The carrots grow especially fast, so we’re always planting more.” Eventually, they made their way over to the animal houses, where Kaleb could now see the various chickens, pigs, and sheep out in the daylight.
“Although we primarily focus on produce, we do keep a few farm animals around. We get eggs from the chickens, and we keep the pigs and sheep for a few livestock farms outside of Ponyville that don’t have the same resources,” Applejack said, her voice loud and clear over the calamity of the animals. “You won’t need to worry about taking care of them, that’s mostly my younger sister Apple Bloom and my older brother Big Mac’s job."
Kaleb nodded as they went on towards the apple orchards. He noticed that among the usual reds, yellows, and greens, there were also particular apples that had the colors of the rainbow in stripes around it. They sun reflected off these particularly well, creating a golden glow around them. “What are those rainbow-colored apples?” He wondered, turning towards her.
Applejack pointed towards the trees and smiled with pride. “Those are the famous zap apples which we use to make zap apple jam. They grow all over the farm and in the Everfree Forest. Each of the sections is sorted by variety of apple, and I can give you a map in a little bit so you won’t get lost. Come on, there may not be enough time for lunch but I want you to meet the family.”
He followed her back to the house, and going through the barn door, walked up a small set of stairs leading into the main room. It was a simple but cozy, with green walls filled with family pictures. A red-brick fireplace stood near him, with a place to put a pot over the fire. The furniture had an old-fashioned feel to it, as if it was right out of an antique store. Hoofsteps echoed on the plain wooden floors, and Kaleb found himself face to face with a large red stallion whose head reached the top of his chin. He had a heavy wooden brace just around his neck and a giant cutie mark in the shape of a green apple.
Applejack turned and smiled. “Big Macintosh, this is Kaleb, Twilight’s friend I told you about. Kaleb, this is Big Macintosh, my big brother.”
Kaleb smiled, slightly alarmed by the size of the stallion, and raised a hand to shake. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Eeyup.” Big Mac’s deep voice echoed through the room as he shook Kaleb’s hand strongly. Although he could sense that he was shy, there was a calm, easygoing manner to him that assured his friendliness. The two made eye contact for a little bit before slower hoof steps were heard.
“Now what are you two going on about?” an elderly voice echoed as somepony new walked in. An older earth pony walked in, with a green coat with a cutie mark in the shape of an apple pie. Her mane was white, but her eyes still had a sense of youth in them, a tired steadiness but still as sharp as anything else. She sat down in a rocking chair near the fire and looked at the three with a look of curiosity.
Applejack, looking slightly nervous, spoke first. "Granny, this is Kaleb who I was telling you about yesterday. Kaleb, this is Granny Smith.” She indicated for him to sit down on a chair near her, and he sat quickly, looking up at Granny Smith. The old mare’s eyes studied him with curiosity with just a hint of alarm but also amusement. They sat in silence for a moment before she spoke.
“I’m sure you’ll do a good job today, young feller,” she said, her eyes on him. Slowly, her hoof extended for Kaleb to meet it. “Welcome to the family, Kaleb. Applejack, be sure to keep on eye on him.” Her voice held wisdom yet a sense of amusement. “Now, get back to work! Shall we!” she snapped slightly but with a wild sense of fun.
“Sure thing, Granny,” Applejack replied and left with Kaleb, who waved at them before going back out. Grabbing a map from the corner, she set it down on the table. “Now, the apple orchards really need the attention, so I’ll have you working there today. Do the gala apples first, followed by the golden delicious and the fuji, which is the new one we’re planting this year. You may not get to all of them but try to get an equal amount of each.” She handed him the map. “I’ll be working with the carrots here and getting the soil fertilized so that new seeds can be replanted. Don’t be afraid to ask any questions.”
Kaleb nodded. “I’m sure I’ll be okay, thanks.” He waved back at Applejack as he set of towards the direction of the apple orchards.
For the past several hours, Kaleb had been collecting apples from the trees and carrying them back to the main barn where Big Mac had been storing them to make various products as well as sell them as is. Since Kaleb could not buck the trees as a human, he had been using a ladder Applejack lent him from the barn, setting it against the tree and tossing apples down into the bucket. On occasion, he used the Force to set them down gently and to pick the ones that his arms could not reach. He had decided that it was best to use his power sparingly because of respect of earth pony traditions that Twilight had told him about before he left.
It was tedious work, and it was not so much the act itself but the repetition that exhausted him. Before he arrived in Equestria, Kaleb had been away from the battlefield for a few months which left him slightly out of practice when it came to endurance training. Mostly affecting his arms, legs, and back, there was a general soreness that drained the energy from his limbs. Stretching his arms, he massaged his neck gently. “I need to be more careful, the whiplash is still there,” Kaleb noted to himself. Although he had done the exercises this morning, there was still a stiffness that was there, even with the medication. “I suppose these things take time to heal. As long as I’m careful, I should be fine.”
It was the muffled hoofsteps in the distance that caught his attention. Staring out into the trees, he could hear voices whispering though could barely tell due to the rustling of the wind. Suddenly, he saw small shadows moving in the distance, their running fast and light. It appeared to be ponies, but he could barely tell. Slowly getting up, he crept slowly and quietly, using the trees as cover to discover the source of the commotion. He counted the seconds between the noise, with the soft wind replaced with his heartbeat.
Going about 250 feet, he came across a large a small area that was mostly the same as the one he had been working in, except for a small detail. There was a giant pile of leaves that covered the ground, taking up all of the space, the light reflected off of the multicolored leaves, creating a dazzled, attractive effect of color. He noticed that in the center of the pile, there was a slight hole curving downward, and he realized that there must be an animal burrowed and trapped down there.
Stepping carefully into the pile of leaves, he treaded softly on his toes, making sure he did not accidentally step on the creature. Looking at the ground the entire time, he used his peripheral vision to spot anyone else who was here, but except for a slight rustling in the bushes, there was no one here. Approaching the center, he stepped on a long twig, creating a loud snap. As quickly as the snap ended, he felt himself being lifted into the sky by a hidden net that had been disguised among the leaves, carrying most of them with it.
Three feet off the ground, Kaleb began to panic when he realized his situation. Using the mantra to calm himself, he tucked his knees into his chest and began to look around. He reached for his lightsaber, only to remember he had left it safe and hidden in his bedroom. All of a sudden he heard a young voice say with excitement, “Yay! We caught it!”
Out of the bushes, three young fillies came running out to see what they had caught. The earth pony who came first had a red mane with a bow in it and a pale yellow coat. She was followed by a pegasus with a spiked purple mane and orange coat with small wings. A unicorn with a purple and pink highlighted mane with a white coat and a small horn quickly ran back to one of the bushes and then joined her companions. Each of them had no cutie mark and together, they jumped up and said, “Cutie Mark Crusaders monster hunters!”
Looking slightly annoyed, Kaleb spoke up. “I’m sorry to ruin this moment, but could you please get me down?”
They looked up at Kaleb, who was three feet off of the ground, and the pegasus spoke up. “Not a chance! You’re just going to eat us like my other classmates said you would.”
Realizing how young these ponies were, Kaleb realized that this could be a teaching moment. Although it had been a long time since he looked over any younglings, he still remembered what to do. “And may I ask, what else did your classmates tell you about me?”
It was the unicorn who spoke up this time. “They said that you are being controlled by a giant mouse in your head whose goal is domination over everything.”
Kaleb chuckled. “Well then, I don’t believe I’ve met any of your classmates, but I can assure you that none of those things are true. How would they know that if they never met me?”
The trio was at a loss for words. The earth pony finally spoke up, her voiced filled with embarrassment. “I’m sorry about all of this. We saw you with Twilight yesterday and we didn’t know what to think.”
Kaleb nodded, realizing that they had learned their lesson. “Don’t believe everything you hear, and judge someone by their character, not how they look. Now then, I believe you were about to get me down.”
The earth pony ran to the various bushes around the trees, and cut the ropes that was cleverly camouflaged with the trunk of the tree. The ropes went loose, and the net fell to the ground, bringing him with it. Standing up with a newfound enthusiasm, he stretched quickly before sitting down to talk to them. Looking at the earth pony, a hint of recognition lit up inside his mind. “You’re Apple Bloom, right? Applejack’s sister?”
She nodded. “Yep. I assuming she told you about me."
The other two fillies stepped forward. “I’m Scootaloo,” the pegasus said, followed by the unicorn, who said “I’m Sweetie Belle.”
Kaleb smiled as he learned their names. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Kaleb, and Applejack hired me to work here for the season. As you can probably tell, I’m not a pony but a human, the first only one in Equestria. Twilight is giving me a place to stay here in Ponyville.”
Sweetie Belle had a look of realization. “That is absolutely fantastic! Although it looks like we did not get our cutie mark in monster hunting, the Cutie Mark Crusaders will never give up!” The confused look on Kaleb’s face was noticed by Scootaloo, who spoke with enthusiasm.
“The three of us try different things to get our cutie marks, and no matter whether we succeed or fail, we always do it together!” The trio said those words in unity and jumped up the air.
Realizing how much this idea meant to them, Kaleb held back his usual witty remark. “One day, I'm sure you will. I’m still on the clock for doing work and there are a few more trees that I need to get before the day is over.” The trio nodded in perfect synchronization. Kaleb got up and asked them one more thing. “Before I go, there is one thing I’m curious about. How did you set up the net?”
Apple Bloom answered. “I brought the net from a spare barn and covered it with leaves and hooked a few ropes to the wooden loop on the corners and tossed it over the branches. Scootaloo was the one who you saw running and Sweetie Belle was in charge of timing and bringing the fourth rope up using magic. We all thought it up together.”
Kaleb looked impressed. “Most impressive. You have great talent, just try not to trap anyone in a net next time.”
As the trio left he chuckled, brushing off the dirt from his pants before going back to finish off the final row of trees.
The bell rang out as it was 5:00 pm and time to head out for the day. Kaleb was already moving his last bucket of apples to the barn where Big Mac was working the cider press. He was careful not to overwork the muscles in his shoulder by constantly switching hands and taking small breaks no more than a few seconds. With a wave of gratitude to Big Mac, who merely nodded as he worked the press, Kaleb headed towards Applejack as she was organizing the carrots into crates.
“Thank you for your help, Kaleb! We could not have gotten ready for the market tomorrow in time without you. You were working as hard as Winona fetching a stick.” On cue, a dog with brown and white fur with a red collar came running out of the barn towards Applejack and then came to Kaleb. He chuckled as the dog licked his hand and in turn he petted her head.
“It’s not problem, just happy to help out. On what days do I get paid?” he asked, rubbing his back.
“I’ll pay you for today on Monday, and from then on it will be every Friday. Also, I was wondering if you could make a few deliveries before you go back to Twilight’s? I had Big Mac work on this cart for you with a few adjustments.” She pointed over to a cart over near the corn with two wheels and a small cargo area for crates. There were two wooden poles on each side but they had smaller handles on the inside with grips that would make it easy for hands to lift. Kaleb thought for a few seconds before replying.
“I could make a few deliveries, but I’m still recovering from the whiplash got from the crash. I was careful today not to overexert the muscles.”
Applejack looked at him with sympathy. “I hope your recovery is short, sugarcube. I can have you do two deliveries: the carrots to Fluttershy and the apples to Twilight. You could just leave the cart at Twilight’s and I’ll let you know whether you’ll need it for whichever day comes up.”
Kaleb gave a nod of thanks and loaded the carrots while Applejack loaded the apples. Gripping the grooves on the inside handles, he lifted the cart with relative ease and moved it to the road.Waving to Applejack, he used an open palm to point to her hat. “Since I’m part of the family, does that mean we get matching hats?”
Applejack chucked. “Not a chance, sugarcube.” Kaleb lifted the cart and began walking down the road, the dust trails moving behind him in a swirled manner.
Kaleb was surprised how smooth the cart handled on the dirt road. The inside handles made it easy to handle even though he would have to stop at some points to change direction when there was a major curve. Near the end of the road into town, he noticed there was a noise coming up behind him. All of a sudden, two foals ran up behind him, shouting at each other as they passed a ball. The noise startled him as he jumped suddenly and gripped the handles so tight that his knuckles started to turn white, releasing them suddenly and dropping the cart. As the foals continued to run farther from him, he leaned against the cart and put his hands to his head, feeling the sweat that poured down his face and the headache that persisted with the moment of panic. Taking a few minutes sit and calm down, he watched the leaves in the tree rustle gently.
“They probably startled me because I’m tired from the day; my senses are exhausted from the work,” He thought to himself, trying to believe it. Stretching slightly before going back to the cart, he made sure that the produce wasn’t damaged and lifted the cart, using the Force slightly to take the burden from his back for a second. Shaking the fogginess from his head, he headed into town.
It was a relatively quiet walk into town, with Kaleb only having to rest once due to the strain of the cart. As he went down the lane leading to Fluttershy’s cottage, he noticed the freshly planted flowers on the ground near the bridge. The wind carried the scents of the flowers and the soil to him, and he breathed it in. Noticing that the cart was too wide to go over the bridge, he set it down, and took the crate of carrots out and carried it over the bridge. Approaching the wooden door, he knocked and waited patiently. A few moments later, he heard scurrying that he recognized to be Angel and immediately backed up a few steps. When the top half of the door opened up, he was relieved that it was Fluttershy who greeted him. “Carrot delivery?” Kaleb said with a sly grin.
Fluttershy smiled as she let Kaleb in. “It’s great to see you! Though usually Applejack or Big Mac delivers the carrots.”
“Applejack offered me a job at Sweet Apple Acres for the season. Today was my first day and, along with helping in the orchards, she wanted me to run some deliveries as well. Where do you want me to set the carrots?”
“Over here is fine,” Fluttershy said and pointed Kaleb to a small table where he set them down. “I hope your whiplash is better today?”
He rubbed his neck slightly as he answered. “The stretches help along with the medication, but I think the cure is time. I had to be careful not to strain the muscles, and I used the Force when it was necessary.”
Fluttershy nodded, looking at him with sympathy. “For those injuries, time is often the best medicine. I was, maybe, uh, wondering if you wanted to have tea sometime next week? I know with the job your schedule must be very busy but it would be nice to see you, maybe help out with the animals a little?” She blushed slightly but covered it up with a cough.
Kaleb thought for a second and then answered. “That would be nice. My work schedule is long but maybe if I took my lunch break later in the afternoon, then that would work. I’ll talk to Applejack about it over the weekend and let you know, but I would love to, Fluttershy. There are still some teas that I’ve always wanted to try.”
“Well then, I’ll be sure to get a wide variety.” Fluttershy replied, with a slight voice of amusement.
As Kaleb walked towards the door, he remembered what he saw at the bridge. “I noticed that that there were some freshly planted flowers by the bridge. Did you plant them?”
Looking slightly surprised at Kaleb’s observation, she replied. “The flowers by the bridge are goldenrod. It’s a fall flower and it’s good for the honeybees, providing food and habitat. I’m hoping to get back into gardening and improve my garden for the animals.”
Kaleb smiled. “You’ll have to show me sometime. I’m unfamiliar with some of the plants on this world, but I would be happy to learn.” Fluttershy said goodbye as she went to take the carrots into the kitchen and Kaleb walked out of the cottage toward the cart.
Lifting it up, he took the cart with the remaining apples and headed in the direction of the library, where he was sure Twilight and Spike would want to hear about his experience.
The sun was shining through the closed window, warming the room despite the cold temperature outside. The autumn wind rattled the window slightly, as leaves of red, brown, orange, and yellow blew past, some of them sticking to the windowsill. Kaleb sat cross-legged on the floor, his hands turned upward as the wrists sat on his knees. His eyes were closed as he was beginning the meditation, reciting the mantra before reaching out to the Force, clearing his mind and focusing on emptying the emotions that lay on his consciousness.
He had done this many nights, with the moments of panic now attacking him in his sleep as well as during the day. Pondering why these attacks were coming to him now had offered no results, as they were clouded in mystery by a mysterious fog that crept over his mind every time they occurred. The deeper he went into the meditation, the more difficult it became to decipher the meaning. Sighing, he finished the meditation before opening his eyes and getting up the ground.
It had been six weeks since Kaleb had arrived in Equestria, and he was already getting used to the idea that this was his home. It helped that he had set up a familiar routine that kept him busy and, in some cases, out of trouble. Waking up at six every morning, he meditated before getting dressed and went out to exercise. Usually this consisted in the form of a run, with Spike occasionally tagging along despite his tiredness in the mornings. Kaleb and Spike got to know each other better because of these runs, and their bond became closer. After running, Kaleb would shower and have a breakfast consisting of multigrain toast with jam and an apple with coffee.
He would then go to Sweet Apple Acres, where he would work out in the apple orchards or wherever Applejack needed him to go. The harvest was in full swing, and they needed all of his help to get everything organized for the big harvest festival they had coming up in a few weeks. Kaleb usually broke for lunch later in the afternoon than most of the Apple family, though he did take short breaks to get water and hear one of Granny Smith’s stories. He would walk from their farm to Fluttershy’s cottage using an old backroad that avoided the business of town where they would have tea and sandwiches with biscuits. This became a triweekly event for them, where they would discuss the day’s events and other musings, with the occasional story from the past. Fluttershy was careful to avoid discussing Kaleb’s past, and he was grateful for it. While he was there, he often took the opportunity to meet with the animals, helping with a small problem on occasion. They both enjoyed each other’s company and were becoming close friends. After that, Kaleb went back to the farm, where he would work before heading back to Twilight’s for dinner and spending time with her and Spike, often engaging in work at the library or the biweekly board game night, before going to bed.
However, this morning Kaleb chose to shower first and then get dressed and have breakfast before starting the day. Wearing a blue fall jacket and a gray long sleeved shirt with jeans, he took a long bag from the corner that was almost his height. He put it around his shoulder using an adjustable strap, with it sitting diagonally on his back just barely touching the ground. Kaleb walked out the door to face the windy fall day, with the dark gray clouds covering the overcast sky. He walked at a brisk pace, going his usual route into town and in the direction of the Everfree forest, except he took a shortcut that led him through the forest and into the clearing by the stream. Setting the bag down by the tree, he opened the bag and took out a staff that reached from the ground to his chin. He had found it while in the apple orchards one day and had kept it, waiting a good day to use it.
Kaleb walked into the middle of the clearing and reached to the Force, clearing his mind so that no emotions could interfere. Feeling every creature and movement around him, settled himself in a stance, holding the staff with both hands as he pointed it toward the trees. Taking short steps, he walked all around before whipping around and moving the staff to hit an imaginary opponent. He twirled the staff around, blocking and deflecting their blows, while occasionally offering a wild winded attack with a controlled strike. Moving quite often, he ran around the clearing, gaining momentum and incorporating jumps along with his attacks, bouncing off the trunks of the trees at five feet in the air or just leaping into the air. After the final jump, he returned the staff to a starting position and after a few moments, set it back in its bag.
Kaleb took a small meditation break before continuing. After calming his breathing, he walked back to the center of the clearing and unclipped his lightsaber from his belt. Gazing at the hilt for a second, he ignited it, the blue blade cutting through the fog of the overcast day. He took up a similar fighting stance as before, except as his left leg leaned forward and is right bent to take the weight, he moved the lightsaber to the level of his chin, pointing it in the direction that his left arm stretched out, the hand in a downward open palm. Moving slower than before, he made his ways through the forms, focusing in particular on the defensive aspect.
“Form three, Soresu. Focus on the defensive, tight motions, maintain calm in the eye of the storm,” Kaleb muttered under his breath, going through the motions of the forms. “Go faster, close the distance.” The movements became faster, and he found himself using a deflective slash to close the distance and block the oncoming fire. Moving rapidly, Kaleb imagined deflecting the blaster and trying to go into a moving meditation. His concentration eventually broke, and he paused for a second.
“Combine with Form four, Ataru. Go on the offensive NOW!”
He became more aggressive with his attacks, eventually using the same technique he did with the staff to gain momentum to jump. This time, he added in more acrobatics with flips, kicks, and spins to attack and evade. Kaleb could only keep this up for a limited amount of time, for within a minute he returned to the previous form while still maintaining the speed.
He kept up this battle pattern for several more rotations, eventually going back to Ataru to finish the match. Drawing on the Force, he ran at an unthinkable speed, jumping up to meet several trees that were oddly close together. Planting his foot on the trunk eight feet into the air, he twisted his body and turned around, jumping into the air and aiming for the center of the clearing. Bending both of his knees to bring calves inwards, he raised the lightsaber with two hands above his head, adapting the Falling Leaf position.
All of a sudden, the moment of panic came, blinding all of his senses and making him tense up as a roar of sound hit him. Kaleb immediately turned off and dropped his lightsaber, the hilt landing in the grass with a dull thud. Hitting the ground hard, he did a front roll that diverted his impact. Beads of sweat hanged on his face, new from the panic and Kaleb felt tears in his eyes. Immediately running to the edge of the clearing, he lay in the grass, waiting for the ringing in his right ear to stop. Eventually, the sound went away, and Kaleb tried to calm his shaking limbs by watching the movement of the stream and keeping his eye fixated on a leaf that had been caught on a rock. Watching it struggle against the tide, he felt an urge to hold it back and to place it on the ground but the tide got the better of it and swept it downstream. Taking a deep breath, he stood up and steadied himself against the tree trunk.
What’s happening to me and why, Kaleb thought to himself, wiping the sweat and tears from his face. I should be better than this. A Jedi should have control over their emotions. There is no emotion, there is peace. There is no chaos, there is harmony. This emotional chaos is taking over my mind.
Kaleb’s thoughts were interrupted by a movement near him, and he found Fluttershy right next to him, looking concerned. As if he had read her thoughts, Kaleb spoke first. “I’m okay, I just think I got a tension headache from that last movement. I’ll be fine as long as I lay here for a few minutes.”
Fluttershy nodded. “I had no idea Jedi could fight like that,” she said timidly, looking at Kaleb with hesitation and a small ounce of fear.
Kaleb realized that he must had scared her. “Only as a last resort. I have always tried to avoid unnecessary conflict. I’m sorry if I scared you, I didn’t intend to.” He finished that last line with a hint of anxiety, worried about how she might react.
Fluttershy looked at him with understanding. “It’s okay, I know a little bit from Twilight that the Jedi were more than fighters.” She rummaged through her bag and took out a muffin wrapped up in parchment paper. “Cranberry muffin?”
Kaleb smiled; the first time he had done so this morning. “Thank you. It looks delicious.” He took the muffin from her hoof and began to eat. Fluttershy looked at the ground, her eyes fixed on a pair of grasshoppers. He put the parchment paper into a pocket when he was done and turned to her.
“Kaleb, can I ask you a question?” Fluttershy asked. Kaleb said yes and she hesitated. “I was wondering, if your species, uh well, with their diet…” She trailed away.
“You want to know whether my species eats meat,” Kaleb finished. She nodded. He readjusted his position. “Humans are omnivores, so we can survive on both meat and plants. There are some who do not eat meat called vegetarians. They believe that they should not cause an animal to suffer just to satisfy their hunger. Vegans go even farther, believing that they should not consume anything from an animal.”
“Are you a vegetarian, or do you…” Fluttershy trailed away, trying not to think of the alternative.
Sighing, he put his hands on his knees. “I tired to avoid it unless I had to. Often times, we had to eat what was available, especially during times of food shortages, which occurred regularly. Although I hated it, I had to keep my strength and stamina up.” He turned to Fluttershy, his eyes filled with honesty. “I swear Fluttershy, I never ate any animal who I communicated with, and I ate the smallest amount I could. Ponies' diets are different from humans, so Dr. Bluejay has been communicating with me so I don’t end up in the hospital for lack of protein and iron.”
Fluttershy paused for a moment and then spoke. “Oh dear, I hope you work something out. I guess that must explain the amount of beans and lentils that Twilight has in her pantry, along with the nuts and whole grains.”
Kaleb nodded with a hint of amusement in his eye. “The amount of vegetarian cookbooks Twilight has in the library often help along with the suggestions he’s been making. They don’t go into too much detail, so a lot of it is experimentation.”
“You’ll have to make those recipes for me sometime. I’m sure they must be really good.” Fluttershy replied.
“I will,” Kaleb said as he looked at the pocket watch Twilight had lent him. “I should probably be going. Since Applejack isn’t going to be at the farm for long, I need to ask her what else needs to be covered.” He got up along with Fluttershy, and he picked up the lightsaber and started to put the bag over his shoulder. “Tell Princess Celestia I said hello and that I wish I could be at the brunch. I’ll probably see her tomorrow since she’s staying overnight. Are we still on for tea this afternoon?”
“We are, I can’t wait to see you then. See you, Kaleb!” Fluttershy said enthusiastically as she waved. Kaleb started out of the woods and back up the road to Sweet Apple Acres.
It was a few hours later when Kaleb made his way into town to stop by Sugarcube Corner, walking at a brisk pace. Opening the door, he found that the place was empty and that many of the decorations had been put down. The bag containing his staff bumped against the doorframe as he walked in and it was set against the wall. Mrs. Cake was busying cleaning up and nearly dropped an empty platter when Kaleb caught it with his fast reflexes.
“Thank you, Kaleb. Do you mind helping me carry the rest of these dishes to the kitchen if you have time?”
“Of course,” Kaleb said as he piled on the remaining dishes from the table and walked to the kitchen, setting them down near an open sink. “I’m assuming the brunch wrapped up early.”
Mrs. Cake set her dishes down and wiped the sweat off with a towel. “Yes, the Princess had a meeting with the mayor that she had to attend. Everypony left early.” She indicated for Kaleb to follow her, and they walked to a table where the few leftover sandwiches were wrapped up in saran wrap. “I’m sorry that most of the food was taken before you had the chance, but please feel free to take the rest.”
With a nod of gratitude, Kaleb took the small club with tomato, lettuce, and brie along with setting the bag on his back. With a wave to Mrs. Cake, he exited the bakery and walked to Twilight’s to pick up his pack and drop off the staff. “Since Spike is fixing this bookshelf, I should probably clear my stuff at least. “Kaleb thought, taking the straps to his shoulders. “He’s still young and a lot of the equipment is delicate.” Closing the door, he walked back downstairs and walked back outside, heading in the direction of Fluttershy’s cottage.
Walking at a brisk pace, he made the journey is less time than he had anticipated. After crossing the bridge, he came to the door and knocked. There was no response. “Fluttershy, it’s me Kaleb…”
Before he could finish the sentence, the door opened to reveal Angel, who dragged him in quickly before shutting the door. Fluttershy appeared to be tending to a bird who appeared to be sick. Most of the bird’s feathers were gone, and the few that remained were in random locations all over her body. The coughs shook her, and appeared to be shivering, sending spasms all over her aching body. Fluttershy had taken a thermometer and was reading the temperature. “Oh my, you poor thing. You’re burning up. Kaleb!”
Walking over, Kaleb knelt down at the bird’s level and looked at it. “How long has it been like this? I’ve never seen a bird get this sick before.”
“I don’t know,” Fluttershy responded, looking at Kaleb with concern. “Philomena was like this at the brunch, and I took her afterwards when Princess Celestia left.”
Kaleb looked confused. “Wait, Philomena is Princess Celestia’s bird?” Fluttershy nodded. “You did tell her that you took Philomena to look after her, right.” She didn’t respond.
Before Kaleb could let out another word, she appealed to him. “I couldn’t just leave the poor thing there. Since the princess is obviously too busy to care for her, I thought I would do it as a favor. I have to try, even I don’t succeed.”
Pausing for a moment, Kaleb thought while Philomena’s coughs rattled the small bed she was in. “I will try to help you any way that I can. Applejack gave me an extended break today for working during the brunch, so I have plenty of time.” Kaleb raised his hand to his forehead and gave a salute with two fingers. “Kaleb Taymar at your service.”
Fluttershy chuckled a little despite the seriousness of the situation. “Right. Mostly, I’ll just need you to just check up on the animals around the area, especially since the weather’s getting colder. There’s a box of blankets with a list for the animals who need them. You won’t need to go too deep into the Everfree Forest, just around the cottage and the clearing.”
Kaleb nodded. “I’ll get right on it. Send Angel if you need me.” Fluttershy’s ears twitched to indicate she had heard him. Rising up, he headed over to the small table by the door to find the carboard box with various blankets and quilts. Many of them were old, done in a patch pelt style of various colors and sizes. He grabbed the box and headed out of the back door to the backyard. Taking a look at the list, he set off around the yard, heading in the direction of the forest.
It was not difficult to check up on the animals, but it took a long time to figure out how to place the blankets. Mr. Chipmunk and his family were happy to see Kaleb again, but it took some thinking of where to place the blanket so it would not block the burrow, which presented a similar challenge to the beavers, hedgehogs, rabbits, beaver, badgers, and snakes. Even for Kaleb, he was a little bit intimidated by the bear who resided near Fluttershy’s cottage and just decided it would be best to place the blanket on the ground in front of him before slowly backing away. Since the birds flew south for the winter, he didn’t need to give them blankets but checked up on them anyway, making sure that they were ready for the journey that they would soon be going on. Often, he would use the birdseed from the shed or earthworms to make sure they had enough food. It was difficult task to find the earthworms but ultimately rewarding for the birds.
After completing the list, Kaleb made his way back to the cottage through the backyard. Opening the door, he closed it quietly to find that Twilight had arrived and was talking to Fluttershy in a hushed but worried voice. He stayed back in the kitchen, listening to the conversation.
“I’ve tried everything, Twilight: medicine, homemade soup, Hummingway, humidity, aromatherapy, a warm bath, ointment. I thought it would be easy to nurse her back to health, but she’s worse than ever.
“This is bad, Fluttershy. I know you had good intentions, but you have got to return the Princess’s pet.”
Fluttershy protested softly but then sighed with realization. “You’re right. Okay let’s go.”
Twilight clapped her hooves together. “If we hurry, we can put her back before anypony realizes she’s missing…”
She gasped before she could finish the sentence. There was a fierce knocking at the door which opened to reveal two of Celestia’s guards, dressed in their armor looking serious. Before the guards could look around, Fluttershy threw a blanket on top of Philomena’s bed.
The first guard spoke followed by the second. “We were told we could find Twilight Sparkle here. We regret to inform you, miss, that the royal pet has gone missing.”
Twilight looked around nervously, with Fluttershy pretending to cough to cover Philomena’s own. “Really? You don’t say! Wow, this air is even drier than I thought.” She continued coughing while they turned their heads.
“Miss, may we ask what is under…” The guard was cut off by Kaleb speaking as he walked through the living room.
“I think I can explain,” Kaleb said as he stopped in front of the two guards. Drawing on the Force, he adapted a casual expression and voice as he waved his hand. “The princess’s pet is here, but you will not remember that when you leave this place.”
The guards became dreamy eyed and repeated in a voice of wonder. “The princess’s pet is here, but we will not remember that when you leave this place.”
Kaleb continued. “You will continue searching until dusk, but you will not remember the royal pet is here until tomorrow morning when the Princess awakens from her sleep.” The guards repeated the information in that same tone. “Move along.” With a nod to Kaleb, the guards left the cottage, going back across the small bridge in the direction of the town.
Twilight and Fluttershy both stared at him with looks of confusion and amazement. Fluttershy removed the blanket to reveal Philomena. It was a moment later that the confusion turned to anger from Twilight. “Kaleb, are you mad! You have no idea what the princess is gonna do if she finds out that you did…whatever…to her guards or that Fluttershy took her pet. What if she banishes you to Equestria? Or throws you away in a dungeon. Or banish you and then throw you in a dungeon in the place that she banishes you to!?”
Kaleb held up a hand. “Please, I can explain to both of you. I’m sorry that I did that unannounced but I may have an idea.”
Twilight waited, nodding while Fluttershy looked at him with a curiosity. “Fluttershy, you said that you have tried everything and he’s still sick, right” She nodded, whispering a small response. “What Philomena needs is more time to rest and recover, so that time might be what cures this sickness or that Fluttershy could have more time to figure out what is the cure. Since Princess Celestia is staying in Ponyville overnight, she can pick her up in the morning.”
Fluttershy and Twilight both looked with understanding but still looked concerned. “What did you use with the guards? This isn’t one of our chess games, Kaleb, this is real life.”
Kaleb coughed before continuing. “That was a Jedi mind trick, which influences the thoughts of the affected. It is often used to solve conflicts in a non-violent manner. I do not like using it on the guards as much as you do, but the beliefs I was taught said that the only reason it should be used is if it is to serve the greater good.”
He walked over to the small bed where Philomena was lying down, and knelt down, reaching out to her with the Force. His outstretched hand trembled, and it was only like that for a few seconds before he stood back up and looked back at Fluttershy and Twilight. “She really is in a bad condition. My fear is that if we move her now, she will become worse or might not survive the journey. It is better to leave her to rest than to rush the recovery, so that she will feel as little pain as possible. I will not allow an innocent animal to come to harm.”
The moment of panic came with this thought, and Kaleb was ready for it, burying it deep in his mind. Although his body and breathing did not indicate the attack, his eyes felt the usual tearing sensation and he blinked to hold it back. Fluttershy, looking concerned, whispered something to Twilight whose eyes turned to sympathy.
Twilight walked towards him. “I’m sorry Kaleb, I had no idea her condition was this bad. Still, I don’t feel comfortable lying towards the princess.”
“I understand, Twilight. I don’t feel comfortable either,” Kaleb responded. “But I’m just trying to do what’s best for Philomena. When tomorrow morning comes, I will take full responsibility for my actions.”
With a nod, he allowed both of them to come up and hug him quickly. Even though they were close, he still felt farther away. Checking his pocket watch, he looked out the window and thought before speaking. “I have to get back to Sweet Apple Acres to start my shift. We’re going until dark because of the harvest festival. Fluttershy, I’ll return here to check up on Philomena before I head back to Twilight’s if that is okay with you? I’ll have to leave my pack here as well.”
“Yes, of course you can. I might need your help since Angel is going to be tired from today,” Fluttershy assured, her eyes looking determined. “Besides, I might need to check your neck again since the work at the farm is more intensive now.”
“I can stay here for another half hour before returning back to the library.” Twilight added, wiping her mane out of her eyes.
Kaleb began to walk towards the door, looking back at them gratefully. “Thank you! I should really go but I’ll see you both sometime tonight.” He tied the laces of his boots before walking out of the door.
With a grunt and a heave, Kaleb moved the handle of the large iron press, causing the cider to flow easily into the barrel. Pausing for a moment, he waited for Big Mac to put a cork on the top and flip it, rolling the barrel to the other side of the barn. After he got the next one ready, he put his hands on the handle before Big Mac put his arm down, shaking his head to indicate he would take over.
For the past several hours, they had been producing the cider when night rolled in, using the apples picked from the day. He saw Applejack heading towards him, sweat on her forehead as well with a look of exhaustion. “Thank you again for staying late to help. We could not have gotten this much done without you.”
Kaleb breathed heavily before responding, still catching his breath. “You’re welcome, Applejack. You know, I could stay for another hour or so before heading out.”
Applejack shook her head. “You’ve done enough for the day. Besides, Rainbow Dash told me that the last big thunderstorm of the season is going to be tonight, and I don’t want you walking back in it.” She shuddered as the windows rattled from the wind. “Try to get back quickly. You shouldn’t get caught in it.”
Kaleb put on his fall jacket before looking back at her. “It will have to be faster than this to catch me.” Waving to Big Mac, he walked through the door and out of the farm gates before starting to run. Choosing the backroad path, he had always taken to the cottage, he ran at a moderate pace. The wind howled in his ear as he jumped over the occasional tree limb that had broken off. Soon, it began to rain and it drenched him to the point of absurdity, with the combination of rain and wind blowing the sweat off of his face.
He started faster when the echoes of thunder started to roar, nearly to the point of sprinting trying to get to Fluttershy’s house. The good thing about the adrenaline of running was it kept the panic at bay, long enough for him to get to the cottage in time. A flash of heat lightning illuminated the cottage against the night sky, and Kaleb ran over the bridge to the front door. He knocked desperately, and it was opened by one of the beavers he had encountered earlier, who rushed him inside and slammed the door. It indicated to a bookcase underneath the stairs, that revealed a set of stairs when the right book was pulled.
Closing the bookcase behind him, he went down the stairs slowly to find a large carpeted room with hundreds of spools of yarn. The craft tables were littered with various objects and designs. Philomena lied down in her small bed near one of the tables, and in the center was a tent made up of sheets and held aloft by rope connecting to hooks on the wall. Although the room was dark, he could see most of the objects due to the light emulating from the tent. Kaleb knocked on the ground and a small voice said he could enter. He opened the flap to find Fluttershy huddled underneath the mass of pillow and blankets, reading a book using the light from a flashlight that was in a shape of a lantern. Kaleb’s pack was also one of the corners.
“Kaleb! Thank goodness, I was beginning to worry,” Fluttershy exclaimed quietly, indicating for him to come in. “I thought Applejack would have let you out before it was dark. How is your neck holding up?”
Kaleb took off his jacket and left it outside. He entered the tent and crawled his way to the opposite end facing her. “It’s holding up well for now. She let me out an hour early because of the storm. It started getting really bad by the time I was nearly halfway here.” She handed him a towel to dry his face and some of his clothes. He took one of the blankets and wrapped himself with it.
“She’s doing okay.” Fluttershy began, seeing Kaleb’s eyes wander toward the side of the tent. “Her fever is going down and I finally managed to get her to sleep. I had her take some mild fever medication, so that helping. Hopefully she should be okay by tomorrow. The beavers are sleeping down here as well because their dam might get flooded by the rain.”
“If anyone can help her, Fluttershy, it’s you,” Kaleb responded, seeing a smaller glimmer of pride in her eyes. “But I have to ask; what’s up with all of the yarn?”
Fluttershy chuckled quietly with amusement. “Well, I discovered the room when I bought the house and it’s where I do my secret hobby, not secret to you anyway.” She blushed as she spoke, getting quieter with every word. “I call it, uh, the Chamber of, um Extreme Knitting. I’ve worked on over eighty projects down here.” Her ears twitched with embarrassment.
Smiling, Kaleb found the name fitting. “The name certainly fits the room, and knitting is an impressive hobby."
Before Kaleb could finish the sentence, a loud clap of thunder boomed from the sky, appearing to shake the room just by the sound. Fluttershy jumped and hid under the blankets, and the moment of panic that Kaleb had been trying to hold off hit him like a stone wall. The sweat poured down from his face as his heart began to beat faster in his chest. His upper body began to shake with the worst tremors appearing in his hands and arms, the breathing becoming faster and more restricted. Pain roared through Kaleb’s mind as the cracks of lightning that followed reverberated in his head.
Fluttershy had reappeared from under the blankets and the moment she saw Kaleb, moved towards him slowly. “Kaleb, you’re okay. I know you’re upset right now, but you’re going to be okay. The storm is not going to hurt us. Look at me, follow my breathing,” She assured in a soft and gentle voice. “Is it okay if I hold your hand?”
He nodded and she took it with her hoof, feeling it tighten around her. “Just look into my eyes and follow my breathing. Breathe in and out, in and out, you’re doing good. You’re with me right now, nothing can hurt you.” She continued reassuring him, breathing in and out slowly with him and held his hand while the tremors lessened in severity. It took about ten minutes before the tremors stopped completely and his breathing calmed to it’s normal rate. It took a while for the tension in his hands to go down and finally they let go of her palms. They sat in silence for another couple of minutes before Kaleb finally spoke.
“Thank you. I’ve always been afraid of thunderstorms, since I was young. That must have triggered the panic attack along with the fogginess. I don’t want to talk about it any further.”
“Whatever makes you feel the most comfortable,” Fluttershy responded gently. “I’ve seen animals have panic attacks, and I’ve learned how to support them during it.”
Kaleb nodded, coughing into his sleeve. “That’s very kind of you, I’m sure they’re very glad,” He looked at Fluttershy, thinking before continuing. “I think we both need to get our mind off of what happened. When Twilight interviewed me, I showed her a few things I had with me that helped her with the information. I could show it to you. It would calm me and there’s somewhere I want to show you.”
“I would love to,” Fluttershy answered, shifting her position towards the left side of the tent. “I’ve always been curious about your world. It might be easier if you could sit next to me.”
Kaleb obliged after grabbing his pack and moved from the one side of the tent to the other, sitting to the right of her. Taking his pillow from where he was, added it to the other pillow, reclining to feel more comfortable and match Fluttershy.
He took out the rectangular device that held the planetary database first, turning it on. The hologram added a blue light to the tent that matched the lantern. “This device contains a planetary index of most of the planets discovered in my galaxy. When I arrived in Ponyville, the countryside reminded me of a planet that I visited a few times,” Kaleb began as he chose the planet and entered a quick passcode. “I would like to welcome you to Naboo.”
Fluttershy gasped as the hologram jumped up. It showed a planet with green, tan, and blue patches scattered throughout, while various pictures began to load. Kaleb brought up one of the images, which showed a giant meadow surrounded by giant waterfalls that flowed into a small lake and eventually a river. The water was a clear blue-green that shined in the sunlight which surrounded smaller islands that had formed in the lake that were no more than twenty-five to fifty feet each in length. Among the meadow, various rocks and animals roamed, along with a stunning aurora of wildflowers, each color standing out.
“It’s beautiful,” Fluttershy whispered, in amazement of the sight on the screen.
“The Lake Country in Naboo is one of the most stunning things you can witness. I’ve been there a few times and every time it was like seeing a brand-new experience. You always catch a glimpse of something new,” Kaleb explained, stifling a yawn. “Some other time, I’ll have to show you more sights including the capital city and the Gungan kingdoms. I have one more thing.”
Turning off the screen, he placed the device back in the pack before taking out a metallic sphere, holding it in one hand. “It would probably be easier to see this if I turn out the lantern if that’s alright.”
Fluttershy nodded, and Kaleb put the tent into darkness with a flick of a switch. Pressing a small button on the sphere, the light poured out of the top, showing thousands of different specs of holographic light. Her gasp was quieter, but her expression was one of sheer awe. Kaleb adjusted one of the settings from a small control panel on the side that he opened, and the scale adjusted to fit the tent.
“Every speck of light you see is a star or a planet, each planet having its own unique way of life. There are thousands out there.”
He glanced over to see her eyes closed as she drifted to sleep. It was in that moment that he realized the effect the map reader held on the tent. It was like a private night sky, with the stars twinkling as if it was real. The lights had a dappled on Fluttershy’s fur, illuminating her pink mane in a dozen of tiny stars. Her wings stretched slightly with every breath. Kaleb pulled the blankets over her with care and carefully moved out of the tent, taking the map reader with him.
Setting up a pillow and blanket with care near one of the piles of yarn, he laid back and looked at the ceiling. He thought about how Fluttershy was worried and helped when he had the panic attack, and then how she had responded. Rotating the map reader in his hand, he realized the way the light had reflected in her eyes, highlighting the turquoise in them. Eventually closing his eyes, he soon fell to sleep.
Kaleb woke up earlier than usual due to his light sleep and looked around the room to find Philomena still asleep in her bed. Fluttershy was still resting as well, and he was careful not to disturb her slumber when he crept up the stairs into the living room. It was still relatively dark out when he looked out of the window, and he grabbed some honey wheat cereal and poured a bowl for himself, taking an apple and beginning to eat at the small table in the kitchen. It was a quiet ordeal, but a refreshing change of pace. About a half hour later, he heard steps coming to the kitchen, and Fluttershy emerged with Philomena resting in a blanket.
“Oh dear, her fever’s gone down but she still doesn’t look very well. I’m sure that the Princess will be understanding,” she cooed as she set her down on the basket in the living room.
Kaleb walked up to Fluttershy, his eyes in a sympathetic gaze. “Well, at least you did your best. She will be grateful. Want me to keep an eye on her while you get breakfast?”
“Thank you, Kaleb,” Fluttershy yawned, as she headed toward the kitchen.
Sitting down on the opposite the basket, Kaleb kept his eye on Philomena while eating the rest of his apple. A few seconds later, he decided this would be a good opportunity to test his conversational skills. “So, living with the princesses must be nice. Though, they must be as different as day and night.”
Philomena burst into flames.
Kaleb grabbed a towel that was hanging on the staircase and tried to beat the fire out, only realizing that the bird was now in ashes. He knelt down on one knee in shock, only to see Fluttershy enter the room and drop her bowl. She walked slowly towards the basket where the ashes were and began to cry, her choked sobs echoing through the cottage. Kaleb put a hand on her shoulder and comforted her.
“It’s okay, you did your best, it’s a part of life.” He said gently, offering her a box of tissues from the side table. In that moment, Kaleb heard a knocking on the door and opened it to find Princess Celestia staring back at him.
“Princess Celestia, I’m sorry, Fluttershy did…”
The princess held up a hoof, making Kaleb go silent. He let her in as she looked at the ashes and began to speak. “Oh, stop fooling around, Philomena. You’re scaring Fluttershy and Kaleb.”
In that moment, the ashes began to rise in a swirling motion and they began to glow red hot. In a mini burst of heat, Philomena was born anew, squawking as she landed gracefully by her side. Fluttershy wiped the tears from her eyes as she gazed at the healthy pet. “How? I don’t understand.”
“She’s quite a sight, isn’t she? Nothing unusual for a phoenix. Isn’t that right, Philomena?”
The bird trilled in response, flying back towards Fluttershy and Kaleb and setting herself on the table.
“You see, a phoenix is a majestic and magical bird. While it appears healthy and happy most of the time, every so often it must renew itself by shedding all of its feathers and bursting into flame. Rather melodramatic, if you ask me. It then rises from the ashes, fresh as a daisy. All just a normal part of the life cycle of a phoenix. I'm afraid mischievous little Philomena here took the occasion to have a little fun with you, Fluttershy.”
Philomena let out a guilty squeal, looking at her with apologetic eyes.
Fluttershy petted her gently. “Apology accepted. I suppose I should apologize as well. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions and next time I’ll ask before taking matters into my own hooves.”
“I would like to apologize as well, Princess. Looking back, using the Force was an overreaction and I should have considered things more carefully before acting,” Kaleb added, rubbing his hand through his hair.
“Both of your apologies have been accepted”, Celestia replied calmly, calling to Philomena to perch on her shoulder. “Kaleb, it looks like Ponyville suits you well. Speaking of which…” She took a small envelope out of her small bag and handed it to him. “I forget to tell Twilight to give this to you at the brunch. I know it’s a little last minute, but I do hope you’ll be able to make it.”
Philomena squeaked at Kaleb. “My jokes are not that bad,” Kaleb responded.
Celestia chuckled. “I don’t know, Kaleb. That joke you told her wasn’t exactly original. I appreciate the effort but try to be more creative in the future. I must be going now, but I hope you have a nice day.”
Kaleb and Fluttershy waved as the princess left the cottage. They both grabbed their bowls of cereal and went back to the living room. Collapsing on the couch, they both stared at each other waiting for the other to speak. Finally, Kaleb broke the silence.
“I suppose I should open this envelope from her. I have no idea what it could be. Any ideas?”
Fluttershy held back a look of amusement as she probably knew what Celestia had given him. “I’m not giving anything away.”
Chuckling, Kaleb opened the envelope to find a golden ticket. Printed on high quality paper, it contained a number in fancy lettering, along with the words Grand Galloping Gala. “What’s the Grand Galloping Gala?”
“It’s one of the biggest royal balls in Canterlot. There’s plenty to do, but the highlight for me is the royal gardens. The flowers in Canterlot’s private garden only bloom on the night of the event, and there are so many birds there that I would just love to meet.”
Kaleb looked intrigued just hearing about the excitement. “That sounds wonderful. It looks like Rarity is going to have to fit me for a suit. Hopefully a week’s notice is enough time.”
Fluttershy cleared both their dishes after insisting that Kaleb relax for a few minutes before he left. As he was lacing on his boots, she approached him with a look of kindness.
“I cannot thank you enough Kaleb for everything you did to help Philomena. It was very generous of you to lend your time. I really enjoyed your presentation last night, but you need to show me more when I’m not so tired.”
Kaleb smiled. “I would do it again in a heartbeat. Same time for tea?”
“As always,” Fluttershy replied as he waved goodbye and left. Crossing the bridge, he made his way into town, taking his time to look at birds leaving early for the winter.
The library was relatively quiet this late afternoon with Spike sorting books downstairs while writing down a list on a piece of parchment. Dressed in a fancy tux with a red bow tie, he had been doing this now for several hours. Going as fast as his claws could in order to get everything done before the clock struck six thirty, he was glancing at the door anxiously.
Meanwhile, Kaleb stood in the upstairs bathroom, trying to get his hair under control for the evening ahead. It always had a tendency to stick up or separate into two sides, as the curly brown hair proved to be a challenge to brush. With the help of the stallion’s mane products, he managed to get the hair to stick down, running the paste upward through his hair so that it would have some resemblance of height. He wore a dark navy-blue suit with a white dress shirt and a matching blue bow tie, which he adjusted slightly. Rarity had told him that blue was clearly his color and had constructed a suit and matching bow tie in only a few days, which he had opted for instead of a tuxedo. The shoes had taken longer, as they had arrived yesterday from a shoe store in Manehattan who them had custom made. Kaleb walked out of the bathroom, wincing in pain with every step.
At least these are only for tonight, he thought, taking his time down the steps. I can’t imagine abandoning my boots for these. I suppose they must more time to break in. During his meditation that morning, he took particular care to clear his mind of emotions so that the moments of panic would not happen tonight, at least he hoped so. They had remained the same the past week, and Fluttershy was kind enough to give him tips to deal with it. None occurred when she was around, but mostly it happened during the quiet moments with Twilight and Spike along with while he was working in Sweet Apple Acres. Walking into the library, he sat down in the chair opposite to Spike.
Spike looked at Kaleb with anticipation. “I think we should head over there now. It would be a great surprise for them if we arrive early.”
Kaleb shook his head, checking his pocket watch. “We still have half an hour before we meet them in front of Carousel Boutique. Trust me Spike, we’ll be on time, they’re probably getting ready anyway. We should not disturb them.”
“I know, I just want to give them my list for the evening. Honestly, I don’t understand all the fuss with getting dressed up and fancy. It’s only for a few hours anyway.” Spike huffed, setting down his quill.
“It’s a special evening for them, you can’t blame them for dressing up a little. Besides, you would want to look your best tonight, since Rarity is going to be there,” Kaleb replied, looking at Spike with a small smirk with amusement. Spike mockingly threw a pillow in his direction, which he let hit him. “Okay, I probably deserved that. What’s on your list anyway?”
“Only the best places in Canterlot to go to. I have the crown jewels for Rarity, Princess Celestia’s golden apple tree for Applejack, and my favorite donut shop for Pinkie.”
Kaleb looked with interest. “That’s really cool that you’re doing that for them. Speaking of which, it’s nearly time to go. Have you brushed your teeth yet?”
Spike looked like he was going to argue for a second, and then went upstairs. Chuckling, Kaleb went over to the mirror in the kitchen to give himself a look over. Straightening his bow tie, he went back to the chair, breathing and beginning a shorter meditation, which was mostly just giving positive affirmations. Finishing up, he saw Spike coming back down and stood up. Checking his pocket watch, he and Spike walked out of the door toward the library, with Spike taking care to lock up the library. It was only a short walk towards Carousel Boutique, with the both of them taking care of where they stepped to avoid ruining their dress clothes. The cool air ruffled Kaleb’s hair slightly, and finally they made it to Carousel Boutique with only time to spare. Looking around, Spike pointed toward the entrance to find an impressive sight.
A carriage in the shape of an apple was standing there, with fancy gold ornamentations and two stallions ready to pull it. Even more impressive than that, were the mares that were assembled near the carriage. Each of their dresses matched their own personality and colors, that Rarity had done an amazing job with, from Twilight’s blue midnight starry dress to Applejack’s western cowgirl dress. Their manes had been redone to boot, with Rainbow Dash and Pinkie’s mane styles matching the dresses as well with some accessories. He saw Rarity wave to them, the tiara on her head moving slightly, and with a nudge to Spike, they walked over to meet them.
Kaleb walked over to Fluttershy, being able to take a look at her for the first time all day. Her dress was a simple green with a base layer and two layers of sheen with turquoise and yellow flowers near the bottom of the dress, with a turquoise stripe with white feather patterns in it at the middle. The dress reached up around her neck, clasped with a turquoise broach of a butterfly. Turquoise, yellow, and white flower decorations adorned her mane, along with a butterfly mane clip. As she blinked her eyes, the turquoise in them reflected in the hair clip and mane. At a loss for words, Kaleb just stared for a few seconds before running his hand through his hair.
“Fluttershy,” Kaleb said quietly, truly at a loss for words. “You look, uh…beautiful.”
She blushed as she heard him, smiling gently before responding. “Oh my, thank you, Kaleb. You’re very handsome as well.” Her smile turned into a look of amusement. “Truly at a loss for words, right?”
Kaleb blushed as he deciphered the meaning. Before he could respond, Rarity called out. “You look remarkably handsome, Kaleb, I knew that blue would look right on you. But darling, I think that you would have looked even better in a tuxedo.”
“You’re probably right, but I wouldn’t have to have the blue as the only option,” Kaleb responded, both he and Fluttershy walking a few steps toward them. “The other option would have been matching tuxedos for me and Spike.”
He expected Spike to run into the boutique and throw another pillow at him, but Spike shrugged. “Actually, that’s a good idea. There’s nothing more dapper than matching tuxedos, right?”
Before he could respond, Rainbow Dash let out a groan and threw her hooves in the air. “Come on, are we going to stand here all day? The Gala is not going for wait for us you know.”
Twilight checked the time on the clocktower. “We probably should be going. Princess Celestia is going to be expecting us soon.”
As they began to walk into the carriage, Kaleb saw Spike head towards the driver’s seat, jumping up and using his arms to pull himself up. Heading towards him, he looked at Spike in an earnest expression. “You know, I could probably drive if you want. Sorry you’re not in the carriage.”
Spike waved a hand. “It’s fine, Kaleb. I agreed to this beforehand with Twilight. Besides, I don’t think you can fit in this seat. Also, I get the best view of Canterlot from here!” Saying that with too much enthusiasm, he whipped the reigns and got angry stares from the stallions who had agreed to pull the carriage.
Opening the door to the carriage, Kaleb climbed in and took a seat between Twilight and Pinkie. With a sudden lurch, the carriage began to move at a fast but steady pace towards Canterlot, taking the road that led straight there. The mares began to talk to each other in excited voices while Kaleb mostly stared out of the window, taking in the scenery. Under the moonlight, he could see that parts of the ground were frosted, the white patches of grass shining.
It was a quiet journey with him for the most part, occasionally interjecting in a conversation and staring out of the window. Once in a while, he and Fluttershy would find themselves looking at each other, every time resulting in quickly looking away as though they were trying to hide it. Rarity was catching all of this, unknown to the two of them, hiding a small smile. Closing his eyes, he began to once again use the short meditation as he did before in the library, trying to calm his emotions in the midst of all the chatter around him. He sat there for a more than a few minutes before jumping in his seat slightly, as the carriage lurched suddenly to a stop. They were all staring at him confused, with Fluttershy having a hint of concern in her eyes. Looking out the window, he realized that they had arrived and were in a line with other carriages awaiting their grand entrance.
“I must have dozed off for a few moments. You can stop looking so shocked, I was only trying to think of a joke,” he said, looking directly at them. “Celestia challenged me when she gave me my ticket to try to come up with a more creative joke than what I originally told Philomena.”
Pinkie looked excited, her mane popping as she turned her head towards him. “As Ponyville’s laughter and comedy crackerjack, I would love to hear it and give you my rating.”
Clearly not expecting this, Kaleb thought quickly of the joke he had written down earlier in the week. “Okay here it is: When we get to the Gala, there will be a set of rules. Rule number one is that there must be a mandatory song and dance number that is choreographed. Just imagine me trying to get some appetizers and then having the fruit from my kebob fly off as my arms move around.”
The looks he got back were confusion, with even Pinkie Pie looking confused, grimacing and moving her hoof around. “Eh, I’ll give you a 5.8 out of ten. While not bad, it’s still very confusing and awkward.” With this statement, the carriage began to move and finally came to a halt. The door was opened by Spike, and as the mane six began to climb out, he couldn’t hep but staring a little bit. Kaleb got out of the carriage and took in the surroundings.
The castle looked absolutely stunning in the night sky, with hints of purple illuminated by the fireworks that went off grandly. The horns announced their arrival as they stared at the red carpet leading into the castle. With Twilight leading the way, Kaleb walked down the path, getting silent stares from many of the Canterlot ponies. Their stares were not hostile, but simply curious immediately diverting their eyes when he stared back. Looking at the mountains that surrounded the castle, he saw the Wonderbolts flying through the sky, twisting and turning through the air as they performed for the ponies, barely acknowledging the cheers that graced the ground below. Both he and Rainbow Dash were impressed, with her staring at the sky with the biggest eyes and smile he had ever seen to that point.
They reached the entrance, and Spike tried to speak but then was interrupted by each of them going their separate ways. The young dragon looked confused and then a little sad. Kaleb saw this and looked with reassurance. “Hey, it’s okay, I’m sure that they’ll be back soon. I’m going to try and find an old friend, but I’ll try to be back soon, okay?” Spike nodded and with a new bounce in his step, entered through one of the side rooms to follow Twilight.
He turned around to see that Fluttershy was still there. “At some point tonight, I’ll try and meet you in the garden. You could show me all of the plants and animals.”
Fluttershy nodded with an expression of happiness and then concern, her voice quiet so no one else could hear it. “I’ll be in the private gardens where most of them are hidden away from the other guests. If you have another panic attack, don’t be afraid to find me.”
“Thank you, that will make this party much easier,” Kaleb said, seeing that Fluttershy was already following the sound of a meadowlark. With a sigh, he entered the party through one of side staircases, taking care in marveling at the craftsmanship of the railings. “Who knows, maybe I’ll find an old friend here.”
Following the sounds of the voices, Kaleb found himself in a side room, where many of the Canterlot ponies were discussing amongst themselves. Occasionally letting out a loud laugh that one could only describe as for the rich, they paid no attention to Kaleb whatsoever. Walking up to a table full of appetizers, Kaleb took a cucumber sandwich, and ate it in a few bites, moving on to the other tables around the side room. Eventually, he just decided to walk among the ponies, putting his arms behind his back and clutching his hands. As he began to move, his feet became silent, to the point that no one could realize that he was there unless they looked. The voices became to blur together, and in a matter of a few seconds, an image formed in Kaleb’s mind. Although he could still aware of his surrounding, the image was the one thing his mind he concentrated on, and eventually it began to move.
Soft music from a band played in the background as the various members of the elite moved around, each engaged in their own conversations with one another. Some were sitting at tables while others were standing, each of them speaking with confidence and rigor. Dressed in the latest fashions of the time, they laughed as they took the drinks and foods offered on tables and from others. One could describe this lavish party as a party for the ages, that so many would do anything to be invited to, just to be around those with great influence and power that could change their fate forever.
On the highest levels of Coruscant, the droids serving the refreshments often moved smoothly, each with their own beeps or voices, communicating to each other and to the senators and ambassadors of the Senate whether they needed more from the kitchen or a special request was made. It was rare in this time of war that any request would be made, knowing that the shortages had hit even the highest of levels. The walls were a muted red, with gold ornamentations and wide windows that showed the views of the city below. Each level save for the lowest ones were visible, and even in a time of uncertainty the night life was constantly moving, creating a fun persona that was illuminated in a bunch of colors and lights with just the hint of muted sounds.
Kaleb Taymar stood by one of these windows, looking out at the city. Dressed in a full Jedi tunic of beige and a robe of navy blue, he tried to keep his focus on the party rather than the view that stared back at him. His padawan braid was draped over his right shoulder, and a tired expression graced his face as the reflection stared back at him. Sighing, he moved from the window and back into the party, adapting the position of having his hands clasped behind his back and moving silently. In these troubled times, it was common for a Jedi to guard and patrol the parties, but it was usually in small groups. Tonight, he was alone in patrolling the perimeter, with strict instructions on how to guard and to keep out of the way of the various senators and ambassadors that talked.
As he went about the patrol, he found his mind occupied by one the various thing that kept him up at night. All of a sudden, his mind shifted to find that a platter was slipping from a droid’s hand, in the path of a senator’s plate. With a sneaky but fast movement, Kaleb slipped passed many of the other senators and caught the platter and plate before they fell to the ground. Breathing heavily, he handed the platter back to the droid and held out the plate to the senator. “I believe that this is yours.”
The lone senator by the window turned around, and Kaleb realized that he had just saved the plate of Padme Amidala. Wearing a simple ensemble of maroon and white, she gave him a thankful glance. “Thank you, Padawan Taymar. We cannot afford to waste food when many others are starving, looking for the same benefits and privilege as we are.”
Kaleb looked stunned. “You’re welcome, Senator Amidala, but I don’t believe we have ever met. How do you know my name?”
“Master Johanna has guarded me a few times when you were on other missions, and she speaks highly of you. Also, I’ve seen you a few times when you were with Master Kenobi and General Skywalker,” Padme responded, her gaze of recognition turning into curiosity with a hint of concern. “How is Master Johanna? I heard that she was injured…”
“She is still recovering from her injury but is getting stronger every day,” Kaleb responded, his voice having a tone of pride. “She should be ready in a few weeks, it’s just that these injuries take time to heal.” He noticed that she was gazing out at the Jedi Temple, her expression with a hint of anxiety underneath a calm demeanor.
Thinking for a moment to remember the announcement, he began to speak. “Many of them are still entangled in sieges in the Outer Rim. I was instructed to guard here because of the small numbers on Coruscant. I hear that a few are returning for the time being sometime in the early morning.”
Padme spoke in an undertone that was difficult for Kaleb to hear. “Let us hope they return safely.” She switched back to her normal voice. “So then, I hear that you are currently in the middle of the Jedi Trials.”
Kaleb returned to a serious expression. “You know that I cannot talk about the Trials. However, what I can tell you is that they are nearly over and going well according to Master Johanna. I just hope this war is over soon. Has there been any word of a possible cease fire in the Outer Rim?”
“Not that I know of, and you know that I wouldn’t be able to tell you if there was. The Separatists do have a political system, but it is marred with corruption on a more frequent basis than here. Politics is a tricky game to play, Kaleb. You never know what you are getting into, and it can be difficult to get yourself out when you are too deep.”
“This is why I’m not a Senator,” Kaleb responded, allowing his sense of humor to come forward. “I swear it’s the hardest game of Dejarik and Sabbac combined, with the best players in the galaxy.”
Padme let out a small laugh, allowing for her serious demeanor to be broken for a moment. “I would say that is an accurate description.” All of a sudden, a small beep went out near them, and she reached for her commlink only to realize that it had come from Kaleb’s. “What does it say?”
Kaleb looked at her then back at the commlink with a look of shock. “It’s from Master Johanna. She’s out in the lobby outside this room and wants me to meet her there. It doesn’t say why, but it appears I’m relieved from guard duty.”
Padme shared that same expression. “Well then, you should probably not keep her waiting. But first, I insist that you not leave empty handed.” Leaving Kaleb’s sight only for a moment, she returned with a bag containing a bit of everything from the various tables and platters. “Tell her that I hope her recovery is quick.”
Kaleb looked amazed as he stared at the giant bag of food she was holding. “Thank you, Senator, but you know I cannot accept this. There’s a rule against taking food from these engagements.”
Padme responded with an amused expression. “It’s a rule that everyone breaks, Kaleb. I’ve seen other padawans do it and even Master Johanna on occasion when nobody is looking. Now then, I order you to take this food and go meet her.” She thrust the bag into his hands and walked away with a friendly wave. Sighing, Kaleb made his way to the door and out into the lobby.
Gasping, Kaleb realized that the image had faded away and he was back in the middle of the center ballroom in Canterlot, his hands still behind his back. He knew that scene that played in his head was true and felt the lack of fogginess. Slowly backing away, he bumped into some of the Canterlot ponies that were near the center.
“Hey! Watch where you’re going. You could have knocked both our plates over with your clumsy movements,” the center pony said, his monocle amplifying the anger in his eye. “Do you know how much this china costs?”
Kaleb looked both panicked and apologetic as he tried to figure out what to say. “I’m sorry, I didn’t see you.”
This did not help the situation, with the others in his group agreeing with him. “That is the worst lie I ever heard! You did that on purpose. I’m going to report you…”
“You will do no such thing,” Kaleb immediately recognized the voice, as he saw Dr. Bluejay walk up and stood right next to him, returning the gaze. “It was simply an accident. My friend here would never do anything to ruin your evening. Please, let it go and enjoy the rest of the gala.”
Kaleb winced as he saw the anger increase in the Canterlot stallion. “I swear, it’s the same thing with all of you. There are some guard ponies who should be fired for not being able to keep on their own hooves, and I’m sick of it. The same goes with every member of the Equestrian Guard!”
Dr. Bluejay’s face revealed lines of anger staring back at the pony, and his voice sharpened with a quiet, intense rage. “I want you to consider your next words carefully. I am Doc Bluejay of Equestrian Guard Company Seven Platoon Five. Those ponies you’re talking about happen to be my friends and officers who have saved countless lives including mine, so that you can live your lives without fear. They deserve your respect and understanding. Unless you want to me to personally escort you from the party, you will apologize. Now.” He said the last word in a commanding bark.
Livid, the stallion immediately apologized and backed away along with his other companions. Dr. Bluejay indicated for Kaleb to follow him back to a quieter section, where there were barely any ponies except for the one who passed through, and they sat at a table. The anger on his face disappeared as he took a chocolate covered strawberry from a waiter. “Eat this, you’ll feel better.”
Kaleb ate the strawberry and felt the weariness of the situation pass. “Thank you, I didn’t know what I was going to do. I must have not been aware of my surroundings, and my mind…”
“Felt like it was somewhere else, perhaps in a different place and time all triggered by an image that comes to life and eventually fades away,” Dr. Bluejay finished, his voice indicating familiarity. Kaleb nodded. “Kaleb, when you were with the Jedi I’m assuming you went on missions. Were there some missions where the situations were grave?”
Kaleb tried to answer without the panic. “I went on many missions, but I can’t remember. Much of these missions are still a blur, and whenever I try to remember, there’s always this moment of panic followed by a fogginess. I know however that many were bad, I just can’t remember to what extent or any of the details. How do you know about the Jedi anyway?”
The blue pegasus looked at him with understanding. “I read the interview that Twilight gave to Princess Celestia. It was quite interesting, by the way.” He paused quickly, making sure no one was there before continuing. “The brain has many defense mechanisms that it has to protect itself including the ability to block memories from being accessed. It buries them deep into the subconscious. These are called repressed memories, and certain triggers can bring them back including being in a place with a certain look or smell.”
Kaleb nodded. “The Gala must have brought me back to that place.”
“This action of the brain repressing memories is caused by events that are severe enough to cause physical or physiological harm to the victim, including abuse, grief, stress, and trauma. I’ve seen the same symptoms you have in my other brothers and sisters who came back home after their time in the Equestrian Guard. My question to you is if you were ever in an environment that caused the repressed memories? I’m not asking you to tell me about these experiences in detail, I just need to know.”
“Please, I don’t want to talk about it.” The panic hit Kaleb harder than it had a week ago, and he used the breathing techniques that Fluttershy had taught him to calm himself down, though not very affectively.
“It’s okay, I’m not going to force you to talk if you don’t want to. Often times, forcing people to confront it before they are ready makes it worse. All I’m telling you is that this won’t be the last one and they will probably be either different or similar depending on the situation. If and when you’re ready to talk, please contact me.” For the first time, he felt genuine concern and worry coming from him.
Kaleb nodded. “Thank you, you’ve given me a lot to think about. Anyway, let’s move on. So, should I still call you doctor or is Doc the correct term?”
“Doc is the title given to a field medic but after my time I earned my medical degree so you can keep calling me doctor,” Dr. Bluejay explained. “Before my post here, I trained field medics in the Equestrian Guard Academy so many still call me Doc.”
Kaleb gazed out of the window, realizing that he could see Fluttershy out in the garden, calling to many of the animals with no success. “Sorry, I just saw my friend in the garden, I was just looking and seeing what she was doing,” he stammered, trying to cover up his tracks. Before he even thought about what he was saying, the words came out of his mouth. “Her dress is very pretty.” He swore silently.
Dr. Bluejay, clearly not oblivious to what was going on, chuckled. “I see. Princess Celestia told me how you helped her with Philomena and that was very kind of you to do. The one thing I’ll tell you is that if you’re ever up in Canterlot again, go and see the Luminescent Gardens. As I’ve said before, it has the perfect view of the rest of Equestria from Canterlot, and it’s a great place to bring company, especially a special somepony who is a close friend.”
Kaleb could only nod before looking at his pocket watch. “I promised that I would meet her at some point tonight. Sorry to cut this short, but I have to go.”
Dr. Bluejay waved a hoof. “It’s okay. Don’t keep her waiting. Just remember what I said earlier.”
Leaving the room, Kaleb entered the main ballroom as he saw Pinkie Pie dancing to her heart’s delight. Careful to avoid both her and Rarity, who was with someone he didn’t recognize, he slipped down one of the side staircases and went out a door that went to the garden. It was a short walk, but he could not find Fluttershy. Deciding it would be best to wait, Kaleb sat on the edge of an old fountain, staring up at the stars. He thought about what had happened this night, and tried to make sense out of it. Before he could stop himself, another image began to form in his head and play.
Walking out of the room, Kaleb entered the lobby where he found Master Johanna waiting for him. Her hair was a bright gray, flowing down to her shoulders and almost reflecting against her white skin, slightly tanned from missions. Her right arm was covered with white bandages that in turn was covered by her sleeve. Wearing a Jedi robe and tunic similar to Kaleb’s, she saw him coming and signaled for him to follow her into the elevator. Entering into the elevator, she closed the doors and pressed a button that would bring them down to the access level where many of the maintenance ships would be, usually departing to fly around the city picking up supplies.
“Senator Amidala sends her regards,” Kaleb began, holding out the bag to her. “She did not want us to leave empty handed. I rejected the offer at first, but she persisted.”
Johanna took the bag and looked at it’s contents. Taking out a berry tart, she observed it before starting to speak. “She knows that I enjoy these, I will have to thank her, Kaleb. I can only imagine that she was very persuasive.”
“Well, the negotiations were short. If there were any at all,” Kaleb said, a sly hint of amusement echoing in his voice.
Johanna looked at her apprentice with a mindful expression, with a small smile forming on her face. “I see that Master Kenobi’s influence has rubbed off on you, a little bit too much perhaps.”
“Well, only his sense of humor. The other half of it is from you. But if you don’t mind me asking, why are you here?”
Her expression turned into one of seriousness. “There’s been an emergency transmission from a small village on Lothal, just outside the reach of the main capital. We do not know what is happening, but it can only be guessed that it has something to do with the Separatists. Intelligence suggests that they have a particular interest in it but it is unknown why. Lothal has been largely ignored at this point, but the famine and drought have could have caused them to become an easy target and these villages are the best way to go unnoticed.”
“That’s a possibility. But why would you need me to go with you? There are other apprentices and I cannot go because of the Trials. Also, you’re still injured which could put you at risk,” Kaleb said, looking at her arm.
Johanna responded quickly. “The Jedi are spread thin because of the battles in the Outer Rim and the other apprentices need to guard the temple. I may be recovering, but I can still fight just as well if I adjust my style. While normally apprentices who are in the middle of their Trials are not allowed to go on missions, the war has made it necessary to void those rules. I have already cleared this with Master Yoda so it won’t count against you. Also, your skills with communicating with animals could be useful. I have a plan.”
Kaleb’s eyes widened as he finally understood. “Loth-cats, and loth-wolfs for that matter. They could lead the villagers out of harm’s way, into the mountains. The Separatists would never be able to find them.”
“Spoken like a true Jedi Knight and my apprentice who I’m very proud of at the moment,” Johanna beamed, her eyes filled with pride, before switching back to a serious manner. “There’s a small support crew who’s going to be with us, but they’re only providing reconnaissance from the air, so we’ll be the only ones on the ground.”
The elevator stopped at the maintenance floor and opened to reveal a small loading bay with a small, unmarked low altitude freighter with several clones double checking the engines, wearing the uniforms that indicated they were pilots and flight crews. When they saw the two approaching towards them, the saluted, with the pilot beginning to speak. “General, the ship is ready to go. It will not take long to get to Lothal, but I suggest that we hurry to avoid suspicion.”
Johanna indicated for the pilot to fall at ease. “Thank you, we should be leaving now. Are you ready, Kaleb?”
He nodded and entered the ship through the doors on the side. As the other troopers closed the doors behind him, the engines began to roar, and the ship took off, going into the night.
“YOU’RE GOING TO LOVE ME!!!” Kaleb jumped from where he was sitting, the loud voice snapping him out of the flashback. He realized that tears were flowing down his eyes and that he was shaking mildly, looking up at the stars. Turning around, he saw Fluttershy like he had never seen her before: angry. She looked frazzled, with scratches on her fur and dress, her mane sticking up wildly in some places.
After that statement, she immediately saw who she was yelling at instead of the birds. Gasping, she ran towards Kaleb, and slowed down when she saw his state. “Oh my, I’m so sorry about that Kaleb, I didn’t mean to, it’s just the birds…” Her voice trailed off at a loss for words, still with a frantic nature.
Kaleb indicated for her to come closer, and she sat down next to him. They sat in silence for a few moments before he began to speak. “It looks like this night isn’t going the way the both of us thought it would.” The silence lingered on, with both of them looking up at the stars, trying to find some answers. “The constellations here are similar to those on some other planets where I was. Just different enough to show it’s another place, but similar enough…”
“To be familiar,” Fluttershy finished, looking at Kaleb with concerned eyes. She thought carefully before asking a question. “Kaleb, do you miss it? Your galaxy, the Jedi, the Republic? Anything at all?”
Kaleb paused before continuing. “It’s complicated. For so many reasons that you don’t understand.”
Fluttershy continued to look at the stars, trying to feel content with the answer he had given her. “When I was a filly, my parents would take me out at night, onto the place in Cloudsdale where the clouds were the highest. They taught me about the night sky and the constellations, which was a time for all of us to become closer as a family. Cloudsdale moves on a regular basis, so I never get to see them that often now. But when I look up at the stars, I feel comforted that they’re looking at the same sky as I am. We’re close even though we’re far away.”
Kaleb listened, turning away slightly before looking back at the stars. “I never knew who my parents were. I never even met them.” Fluttershy’s eyes widened, realizing that for the first time she had been with him, he was talking about his past. “They died shortly after I was born. The Jedi took me in at a young age, sensing that I had a small connection to the Force. They raised me, training in their ways and teaching me that there is a greater purpose in life.”
Kaleb stopped looking up at the stars and turned his gaze to her. “When I came to Equestria, I brought more than just myself. Everything that I carry on my back and in my mind are what’s left of the Jedi. The Jedi Code is the only thing that I have left of an order who was the only family I had. I have to cling onto these old ways and traditions, otherwise they could be lost forever.” He let out a sigh, trying to bury his emotions deep down, wishing that he could forge this burden.
Fluttershy moved closer to him. “The thing is Kaleb, you’re not alone. You have me, and Twilight, Spike, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie. We’re your friends, and friends help each other through the difficult times. This burden is not yours alone.”
“It is mine to bear and I shall,” Kaleb said with certainty but with a hint of frustration. Choosing a gentler voice, he sighed. “Fluttershy, there are some things that I cannot tell you about, things that I have seen with my own eyes. There was much good in the galaxy, but also darker times of hardship, chaos, and hatred. Please try to understand that for my own good, I have to bury these emotions and try to find peace my own way.”
Fluttershy, looking solemn, nodded. “I’ll try, Kaleb.” She perked her ears up as she heard the speakers on the side of the castle cracked as the band strike up a moderate waltz. “Music,” She said, looking up at the speakers with wonder.
Clearing the past conversation from his mind, he thought carefully before proceeding. “This night may not have gone the way we expected, but that does not mean it should be wasted.” Kaleb stood up, walking to be in front of where she sat before bowing with his right arm in front of his sternum and his hand in a slightly open palm, while his left arm was behind his back in a similar position. Extending his right hand to her, Kaleb spoke. “May I have this dance?”
Fluttershy blushed, saying yes in a small voice. Taking his hand, she got up as they went took small steps to be slightly away from the fountain. Nervously, Fluttershy shifted her hooves. “You’re taller than I am, on top of having two legs to stand on, I’m not sure…”
“Just take my hand and follow my lead,” Kaleb said calmly. “Try standing up on two hooves, just slightly. Put your legs on my shoulder and my waist and I will support you.”
She stood up on two hooves, wobbling a little before feeling Kaleb’s support on her shoulder and lower midsection. She placed her legs on his shoulder and waist, and they stood there for second.
Kaleb began to move back and forth to the music slowly, gazing both at the night sky and the turquoise in Fluttershy’s eyes. After a few moments, he began to speak. “You know, I just noticed now that the broach that Rarity designed is the same color as your eyes. It really pulls the ensemble together.”
She chucked, glancing down at it. “It does, doesn’t it. I see you have an eye for fashion.”
“Mostly for design in general, but there is something about colors in general that I enjoy,” Kaleb responded, leading the dance in a small circle around the fountain. Fluttershy used her wings to support this this movement, occasionally letting them flutter. “So, I imagine that it must have been quite the view from Cloudsdale to look at the stars.”
Fluttershy’s eyes turned to an expression of nostalgia. “It was one of the most stunning views I have ever seen. Sometimes, I would dream of flying among the night sky, with nothing but the sound of the wind to hear and nothing to worry about.”
“I have, though not with wings but with starships on Naboo,” Kaleb reminisced, taking care not to trigger the moment of panic. “I can confirm that the view is breathtaking, it’s just something that cannot be described in words.” The waltz began to slow down, and Kaleb knew that the song was ending. “And now for the final move, one that will score points with the judges. Take my right hand and use your wings to support the spin. I’ll catch you.”
Fluttershy looked uncertain, but there was a sense of adventure in her eyes that said otherwise. Grabbing her right hoof, he spun her around in a slow motion, noticing the sheer layers of her dress floating due to the support from the wings. Kaleb caught her and they moved slightly as the dance ended. They froze there, both of then unsure what to do next.
With a small hint of amusement, Fluttershy spoke. “I think the judges would rate that an eight out of ten, certainly making up for your joke earlier this evening.”
Kaleb chuckled. “You’re probably right. You know, it has been said that even though two have looked at different stars, the stars both tell the same stories and reflect onto both.” It was at this point that Kaleb realized how close he and Fluttershy were together as she had collapsed slightly against him. They both blushed, but Kaleb could not stop looking into her eyes, the turquoise drawing him in. They moved their heads closer together, so close that he could smell the scents of wildflowers in her mane, in return she could see how the front of his hair curled upwards and fell onto his forehead. They both felt like they could never let go…
“That unchivalrous prince! Thinking that he could not pay for a lady’s food, how ridiculous. At least I managed to get away from him…” Rarity walked towards the fountain, turning her head to see the position Fluttershy and Kaleb were in. Rarity turned a bright scarlet and coughed awkwardly as they both jumped apart from each other, with Fluttershy ruffling her wings and Kaleb putting his hand through his hair. “I’m terribly sorry, I didn’t see you two there. The ballroom is in such a commotion and Princess Celestia said to run. We’re meeting up at some donut shop outside of the castle.” She turned away before setting off at a decent pace.
Fluttershy and Kaleb both looked at each other, breathing heavily and trying to think of something to say. Shaking his head to clear it, Kaleb spoke. “We should probably go if the Princess is telling us to run.”
She nodded and they started at a fast pace, trying to keep a little more distance from each other.
The donut shop was small but had a certain style to it, with a checkerboard pattern of turquoise and white that made Kaleb feel uncomfortable. He saw Spike sitting on a stool at the counter, with a grizzled look in his eyes, arguing with the server.
“Another donut. Extra sprinkles! And another hot chocolate while you’re at it.”
Kaleb sat on the stool next to Spike. “Spike, I’m going to tell you something that I hope you never hear in the future, but you’re cut off. “
The earth pony looked at him. “So, you must be his friend that he was talking about. I expected you to be older for all the wisdom you have.”
Kaleb gave him a look of seriousness. “It’s not exactly wisdom, just knowing what you’re looking at. I’ll take a hot chocolate to go, please.”
At that moment, all of the others came in including Princess Celestia, who was talking to the others.
“That is why I was thrilled you were all attending. I was hoping you could liven things up a bit. And while the evening may not have gone as you planned, I'm sure you'll agree that in the end it didn't turn out so bad for this group of friends.”
The others nodded in agreement, as Twilight put in an order of two dozen donuts to go. Kaleb walked away from the counter and saw Princess Celestia indicate for him to come closer, towards the other end of the shop. Moving forward, he heard the princess with an apologetic voice. “I was told what those ponies said to you and Dr. Bluejay. I would just like to personally apologize and assure you that they will not be invited to any more gatherings at the castle. I talked to him and told him the same thing.”
Kale nodded. “Apology accepted, and I appreciated your actions. By the way, you might want to ask him about helping with catering. The vegetarian recipes he’s been sending me have been absolutely wonderful.”
Celestia chuckled. “He’s always had an interest in cooking, and his dishes have always been good when the regular chef can’t take over. I’ll talk to him about catering some other events in the future.” Waving to Kaleb, she walked out of the shop, and Kaleb waited for a few minutes until the donuts were accounted for and they finally began the walk back to the castle.
He held back some distance from the group, trying to wrap his head around everything that occurred that evening. Thoughts of the repressed memories kept him occupied, trying to use them to remember anything else but to no avail. His thoughts were interrupted by noticing that Fluttershy had slowed down until she was at his side.
She hesitated, trying to think of where to start. “Are you doing okay? I know with Rarity that must have been…”
“Awkward,” Kaleb finished, looking at her. He sighed. “This has been a long night, with a lot to unpack emotionally. It’s going to take a lot of time. I just hope to forget this night and move on.”
Fluttershy looked at him with sympathy, but also with comfort. “I’m sorry you feel that way, it’s been a long night for me too. But it wasn’t all that bad.” She waved her hoof at the castle as they were walking towards the entrance where their carriage was. “I saw a lot of animals that were new to me, even though I never go to meet them. There was a nice gardener who I had a conversation with, who told me about the flowers. Plus, I really enjoyed dancing with you. It just brought something out that I haven’t felt in a long time.” She let out a small eep after that last sentence, realizing she didn’t mean to say it aloud.
Kaleb faced her, his expression one of astonishment. “Even though we finished it a little bit too… theatrical.” On that word he waved his hand around, emphasizing the point.
Fluttershy laughed, blushing slightly. “I think we must have scored the points from the judges on that move. But in all seriousness, it was a good time. When the weather is warmer, perhaps in a few months, I could show you some of the constellations. Ponyville has some hidden spots for stargazing.”
“That sounds wonderful,” Kaleb said realizing that they had fallen behind. “We should do that.”
As Fluttershy rushed to catch up with rest of the Mane Six, Kaleb held back, taking his time to look at the castle. The moon illuminated the castle, and he took his time to take one last look before he went, taking note of the statue garden to the side. Just as he was about to leave, he saw something in the corner of his eye and turned. There was a statue of what could only be described as both sinister and disturbing. It had body parts of various animals combined and appeared to be either in a state of pain or laughter, though it was very hard to tell.
Kaleb could sense there was something off about it, as if there was something lying beneath the surface of the sculpture that screaming, yearning to escape. The small bit of magic he could sense had a chaotic nature, but still extremely powerful. Kaleb began to take a few steps back when he heard Spike yell after him.
“Kaleb! You should hurry and get in before all the donuts are gone. What are you staring at?”
Shaking his head, Kaleb muttered to himself in an unsure voice. “It’s probably nothing.” He rushed back to the carriage and closed the door behind him.
It was a cozy afternoon, with the library being a source for warmth as the winds picked up. Kaleb was in the kitchen, reading a book as he sipped on a hot chocolate made from a small stove. Engaged on the page he was on, Kaleb didn’t notice Owlowiscious fly in, landing on a small perch on the table. The owl pecked at a small bowl close to the perch.
It had been a week since the Gala, but the week had gone by slowly for Kaleb. He had replayed the memories in his head many times, but to no avail could he figure out the context. Fluttershy had been helpful in giving him support, often trying to keep his mind off whatever was troubling him, even though she did not know. The afternoon teas have been relaxing, and his work at the farm had paid off. The rest of the Apple family was at a harvest festival in a nearby town, with Applejack staying on the farm looking over everything. She had given him the day off, and he was going to take advantage of it.
Setting the book down, Kaleb sighed and went over to the library, seeing the books that need to be put away. He took the ladder and set it against one of the shelves, moving up and reaching out to the Force. The books levitated into the air and Kaleb caught them, setting them onto the shelf. It was a simple yet satisfying task. With the harvest being done for the most part, Kaleb had stepped up and assisted in the library, often helping with whatever needed to be done.
He looked out the window, looking at the frost on the ground, his eyes moving toward the sky and eventually settling on the Everfree forest. In an instant, he felt the Force reach out to him, but there was something different. An unsettling chill went into the air, and with it came a malicious feeling, one that resonated with darkness. Startled, Kaleb leaned closer onto the ladder, with his nose almost pressing up against the glass. There was a voice, nearly a whisper that spoke to him, with an element of hatred in its veins. When it called his name, Kaleb jumped, falling backwards onto the floor as the ladder went with him.
The large crash spooked Owlowiscious, who immediately flew towards the noise and gazed over him protectively, like a mother looking over her young. Kaleb groaned as he moved back up and gazed up at the window, trying to figure out what just happened. “I’ve never had that happen before, not even during meditation. There’s a disturbance in the Force, but it appears there’s also a shroud of mystery.”
Owliowiscious hooted, pointing a talon to the kitchen. Kaleb looked at him with a bit of annoyace. “It’s not like the book. And besides, the culprit always makes their clues obvious while whatever this is hidden in shadow.” He felt guilty for snapping at the owl, but it helped cover up any anxiety to an extent. He heard a furious knocking at the door, and he heard a familiar voice of Bon Bon at the door. Opening it, he heard a rush of hoof steps as felt her close the door quickly with force.
“There are clouds made out of cotton candy raining chocolate milk. Giant bunnies, singing corn, weighted apples…” She talked, faster and more in a panic than anyone else, handing him a library book.
Kaleb looked at her with disbelief. “It’s okay, I’m sure everything is fine. Probably Pinkie playing giant Candyland again, Twilight said that the spell usually wears off…”
She was gone before he could finish and left the door open. Kaleb looked outside with curiosity and could not believe what he saw. It looked like something out of a children’s book, with cotton candy clouds raining chocolate milk, and giant bunnies roaming across the town, their thin legs stretched out so that they even towered over Kaleb. There were balls of corn tumbling across the ground, leaving their kernels lying in piles as they fell apart. The sun had begun to be obscured by the pink clouds, casting a pink film of light on the ground. Before Kaleb could take it all in, the Mane Six all ran towards the door, forcing him to jump out of the way as they immediately entered the library with Spike closing the door behind them, locking it.
“Kaleb, could you make sure that the locks on the windows are secure? Especially the balcony door on the upstairs balcony and in the bedrooms?” Twilight asked, her eyes filled with concern.
Kaleb nodded and without haste ran up the stairs two at a time, taking care to quickly sprint to the balcony to lock it. The tumbleweeds of popcorn were assembled on the balcony like giant beachballs and were soaked with the chocolate milk. Quickly running to the other rooms, he closed the windows and grabbed his lightsaber from his nightstand on the way out, hiding it in a small leather pouch that he had custom made. It made it very easy to conceal from plain sight, but still able to be drawn in a moment’s notice. He went back down to find everyone huddled together speaking in hushed voices, each having their own worry and concern.
“All of the doors and windows on the second floor are locked,” Kaleb began, eyeing Twilight with curiosity. “Do you have any idea what’s going on? This is weird, even for Equestria.”
Twilight shook her head. “My magic has no effect on what is happening. Even if it did, I have no idea what…”
All of a sudden, Spike began to cough and sniff rapidly eventually getting to a point where he could no longer hold the sneeze back. Jumping slightly into the air, he sneezed out a jet of green fire and along with it was a scroll of parchment with the royal seal on it. Applejack caught it with her free hoof and handed it to Twilight. She gasped as she broke the seal and opened it.
“It’s from Princess Celestia!” Twilight exclaimed as she quickly began to read it aloud.
My dear friends,
I have sent this letter to Spike in hopes that it will reach you in time. It is of great importance that you read this. An old foe of mine who I thought I have defeated a long time ago has returned. His name is Discord, the mischievous spirit of disharmony and chaos. Before my sister and I stood up to him, he ruled Equestria in an eternal state of unrest and unhappiness. Luna and I saw how miserable life was for all ponies of Equestria alike, so after discovering the Elements of Harmony, we combined our powers and rose up against him, turning him into stone. The spell must have been broken since Luna and I are no longer connected to the Elements, so it is you who must wield them against him. However, I have discovered that the Elements, which had been in Canterlot Tower, have gone missing and the spell that protected them has been broken. You must find the Elements and defeat Discord. I have faith in all of you. Faustspeed my little ponies.
Celestia
Everyone froze in the room as Twilight’s voice drained out, the color almost draining out from their faces. It was a minute later that Spike spoke up. “Whatever happens now, we have to find the Elements. If Discord gets to them first…”
“We’ll send him right back into that stone prison where he belongs!” Rainbow Dash chimed in, her hooves up to punch an imaginary foe. “With our awesome powers, he’ll be toast in no time.”
The others nodded in agreement. Twilight thought for a second before speaking up. “We should stick together. It should be that simple, but something’s not right. If he has the Elements, then he could defeat us in less than a second. Why hasn’t he done so yet?”
Kaleb was the one who answered. “He may be trying to draw us out into the open, with what is happening outside being the distraction. He’s certainly powerful enough as is, why he would need the Elements is beyond me. The question I have is how he is able to do all of this.”
“The questions that you’re asking no longer make sense. For what fun is there in making sense?”
All of them turned whipped around the room as they heard the disembodied voice speak. There was a mysterious scurrying around the room that increased, with the occasional small movements of books. A giant outline of what appeared to be a snake was seen, but it was nearly invisible with a clear sheen that was meant to indicate movement. Blending in like a chameleon, the body whipped its way around the room, stretching to a length of over one hundred feet as it coiled around them and made its way up the ceiling, stretching upside down as they the nearly invisible head slowly made its way down. “I must say, being trapped in stone for over a thousand years is very lonely, but then again, it does give you time. Time to think but also to plot your revenge. Things in Equestria have become quite boring since then.”
Fluttershy instinctively inched towards Kaleb, who had his eye on the ceiling. The rest of the ponies had their eyes at various spots around the room, trying to comprehend what they were seeing. Finally Rainbow Dash broke the silence. “Show yourself, or are you afraid of us?”
“Very well, Rainbow Dash.” With a shimmering movement, the body became clear to reveal a mishmash of various animals, with the fur of a bear and the tail of a dragon. The head was dangling upside down, revealing what appeared to be a donkey’s head with a dragon’s tooth sticking out of its mouth with two types of horns. As the body began to shrink back down to normal size, it revealed the legs were from a goat and a dragon, with the arms being from a griffin and another creature. The red pupils in the yellow eyes widened as the head moved a full 180 degrees up into its correct position, and the neck shrank to normal proportion, revealing the creature to be around nine feet tall. “It’s so good to be able to stretch after being in that position for so long.”
Twilight turned her serious gaze to the creature. “What have you done with the Elements, Discord?
With a snap of his fingers, the chair in the corner grew in size, and walked over towards him as he sat down. “Oh, trust me, the Elements are perfectly safe, Twilight. I must say, you are not quite as impressive in person than I thought you would be.”
Applejack looked confused. “Wait, you know us?”
“Of course, I know who you are, Applejack. Being frozen in stone for a thousand years, you do overhear a lot of conversations. Rarity as the element of Generosity, you as the element of Honesty, Rainbow Dash for Loyalty, Fluttershy for Kindness, Miss Sparkle for magic, and Pinkie for laughter, my personal favorite of course.” Discord then proceeded to laugh, but it was one that echoed with the screams of other creatures and animals fitting for a chaotic spirit.
The others looked down at the ground uncomfortably, but Kaleb held is head high. “Stop stalling. We know that you have the Elements.”
The legs of the chair twisted violently as Discord turned to face him. “And then there’s you. Kaleb, right? You know, I must say that you would have looked better in a tuxedo than a suit at the Gala. But what am I saying? Say I do have the elements with me, but what fun would there be in just letting you have them.”
Kaleb raised an eyebrow, and then began to play along. “For a spirit who prides himself on chaos, you sure ask a lot of questions. If you’re not using them now, then I assume that they are to bait us?”
Discord formed a small smile. “Well, my favorite letter of the alphabet is Q after all. Finally, one of you is playing along. They were not to bait you out in the open, I could find you no matter where I go, but simply to fool with you. I like to play with my food before eating it.”
The others began to look up at Discord, casting confused glances at each other. Rarity began to speak up. “So, you want us to play your game?”
Discord clapped his hands as the chair began to randomly float off the ground. “Yes! My challenge to all of you is one of twists and turns, oh so many of them are my master plan. Just make sense of this change of events, and you’ll find them where you began.”
Twilight looked at the others, discussing the challenge in hushed voices that not even Kaleb could hear. Turning back to Discord, she responded tactfully. “We’ll play your game Discord, as if we have a choice.”
Frowning slightly, he moved his head and gazed at them all. “I would hope that you would be more enthusiastic that I’m sparing your life for now, Twilight but no matter. You’ll all start to have fun in no time.” With a snap of his fingers, the library before them turned into thousands of playing cards which scattered in the wind, leaving a barren wasteland where all of the buildings in town had turned into playing cards and scattered among the wind. They twisted and snaked around the group, forming a barrier that they could not see out of or leave, with only the sound of the wind and a creepy song playing out of an old music box that was floating and dancing around. Eventually, the music slowed down and with the breaking of strings, the cards vanished into dust to reveal what lay in front of them.
A giant hedge maze had been formed, with walls up to ten feet high and appearing to stretch across the vicinity of the town. It appeared to almost go on forever, with the ending appearing to be a little bit into the Everfree forest. There were gray clouds forming in the sky, blocking out all sunlight, appearing to fit the mood. A mist formed over the top of the hedges, obscuring the maze itself.
“Nothing like the twists and turns of a maze for a great game. Nothing special really, just something inspired by the labyrinth of hedges that I started at for over a thousand years. Speaking of which, I may have just given you a clue for our first rule. Just look around.”
Kaleb heard the screams of terror as he realized what Discord had done, nearly fainting himself. The horns of Twilight and Rarity were gone, along with Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash’s wings. Each pony looked paler than before, and Fluttershy moved closer to Kaleb, leaning up against him. Kneeling down slightly, he looked at Fluttershy, seeing how faint she was but also on the verge of panic. “Just breathe with me and keep your eyes on me. You’re going to be alright, we all are. We just need to stick together.”
She nodded and followed his breathing, keeping her eyes on him as he gently said that she could hold his hand if she wanted. She did, and they did that for several seconds before she let go and indicated that she was okay. Getting up, he turned to face Discord as Twilight was now.
“Give us our horns and wings back!” Twilight glared, the anger in her voice seething.
“You’ll get them back in good time, I simply took them to make sure there’s no cheating. You see, this is the first rule of our game: no magic or flying. I couldn’t figure out what to do with you, Kaleb so I grouped you in Applejack and Pinkie.”
He must not be able to sense the Force, Kaleb thought, being careful to keep his expression blank. I must keep it hidden.
“Rule number two: you must all reach the end of the maze to win. After all, that is the meaning of friendship? Being able to do things together. The maze ends in the Everfree forest.”
Fluttershy spoke up to address her friends, coughing slightly. “Like Twilight said, as long as we stick together, we should be fine.” The others agreed with enthusiasm, their cheers echoing out among the air.
Discord smiled slightly as his mind began to turn. “But you know, true friends should be able to find each other no matter what. Rule number three: you’ll all have to start at different locations and find your way from there. And the final rule: Everypony has to play or the game is over and I win. Best of luck to you all. By the way, you might want to watch out for the sleeping flowers.” With a finger snap, he vanished.
“What does he mean…” Twilight began, but then an orange gas was omitted by the flowers which had formed around them in a perfect circle. The gas was spraying fast, and Kaleb could feel his vision getting heavier as the urge to sleep become clearer. He could see the outline of the maze through the orange mist, which was the last thing he saw before collapsing onto the ground with the rest of his friends.
Kaleb awoke slowly, with him seeing the green that surrounded him. Jumping up to his feet, he found himself in a corner of the maze, seeing the hedges that surrounded him. There was a relatively wide path that he could make out, seeing the grass underneath the mist. He began to walk slowly, looking around at the hedges, and began making turns. He wandered around aimlessly for a few minutes before pausing to think.
I need to have a strategy or else I may never get out of here. It appears that the sun is still in the sky. Maybe I could use it as a guide to make my way out of the maze. But what if he’s replicating the sky and it’s a trick? I don’t know enough about magic to make that decision. One thing is for sure: I need to find Twilight and the others.
He continued to wander through the maze, following the sun and using it as a guide. The Everfree forest was south of Ponyville so his best bet was to try to figure out which was south. Drawing on the Force, he felt its presence and outstretched his hand, trying to read the landscape to detect the animals of the Everfree. Although it was nearly the end of autumn, there should still be animals present and active in the forest.
Kaleb felt the presence of the Everfree, along with the birds, squirrels, chipmunks, beavers, and many others who had stayed. Their voices were strong, but Kaleb detected something else. There was worry and fear among the animals, some of whom were fleeing the forest trying to get away from what was bothering them. Those who stayed were hiding in their dens, the fear present in their voices. At first, he assumed that they were trying to get away from Discord’s magic, but nothing they spoke of was of disharmony or chaos. The main emotions they spoke of were terror, suffering, anger, and hatred.
He could not realize what he was hearing, unsure what was power was bringing out these emotions. All of a sudden, he felt the presence of a power which he had felt in the library call out to him, saying his name as clear as day. The negative emotions in the voice rang like a bell in his mind, and a chill crept down his spine to the core, with a small voice in his soul almost agreeing with what the power was saying. Kaleb was knocked off of his feet by the power and just like that it had vanished.
Coughing, he tried to regain the wind that was knocked out of his lungs as he tried to make sense out of what just happened. Getting back up on his feet, he realized that at least he knew which direction to take, and began to follow it, hoping that it would lead him south.
I’ve never heard of animals having those feelings so strongly. Some left, while others were left with those negative emotions. I don’t know who or what is calling out to me or causing this type of distress with the animals but one thing is for sure: that is not Discord’s magic.
His thoughts were interrupted as he heard a voice and saw that Twilight was running towards him. As they met in the middle of the hedges, he saw that she had a look of doubt but also relief. “Thank Faust, it’s you. I thought I would never find you or anypony else in here.”
Kaleb met her gaze as she gave him a small hug. Accepting it for a few seconds, he ran his hands through his hair and looked at her, realizing that her mane had become slightly gray. “It’s good to see a familiar face as well, Twilight. Have you found any of the others?”
Twilight’s face fell in disappointment. “I have but Discord must have done something with their minds. They appear to be the opposite of their personalities and all traces of what made them suitable for the Elements are gone. I don’t know how to reverse it.”
He thought for a moment before responding. “Discord said that the Elements are hidden at the end of the maze. If somehow, we could get the rest of the group to the end of the maze, then maybe the Elements can help restore them to their former selves. Discord may be a spirit of chaos, but he appears to be strict on outlining and following rules to his game. I would expect some twists and turns, but he will not lie on this matter.”
Twilight had a look of amazement on her face. “Of course! The Elements have many powers, and their magic may just be powerful enough. Good thinking on that one. I’ve been following the sun to go south towards the Everfree.”
Kaleb nodded. “I thought of that as well, but I’m unsure whether the sun is real or an illusion conjured up to trick us. I don’t know enough about magic to know whether that’s possible or if he has that type of power.”
Twilight thought for a second before responding. “The sun is real. Although I don’t have my magic, I know enough about the conjuring of illusions to tell if it’s fake. A sun illusion may look like a sun but it cannot generate any type of heat or cast a shadow. Since you can probably feel the heat and there are shadows casted by the two of us, I can verify that it’s real.”
Kaleb heard distant voices calling out at the end of the path, and he realized that four out of the six were there. “How did you manage to get them to come with you?”
“It’s just a matter of persuasion. You really have to know them and their strengths emotionally to appeal to them. I found them progressively as I was going south, so Fluttershy should be nearby. I’m just worried about Spike.”
Kaleb turned to look at the four ponies, who he realized had had lost the color in their mane and coats. “Since he isn’t linked to the Elements of Harmony, I imagine that he’s fine I’ll find Fluttershy along with him and meet you at the end of the maze. By the way, I discovered that Discord can’t detect the Force, and I still have my lightsaber. That may be to our advantage.”
Twilight breathed a sigh of relief.” I’ll see you at the end of the maze, Kaleb!” As she was leaving he called back to her. She turned around, curious about what he was going to say.
“There’s something else, Twilight. Something else is at play here, something powerful that I sensed. There’s an overwhelming power coming from the Everfree Forest, and I can tell you that it’s not Discord’s magic. I can’t describe it, but I urge you to please be careful,” Kaleb said, his voice quiet but still with urgency and a sense of alarm.
“Thanks, Kaleb. I’ll be sure to keep an eye out.” Waving, she turned around and went back towards the others, who followed her as she continued on south in an eastward direction.
Kaleb sighed as he got up and began to walk southwest. He moved with urgency, but also with delicate care, as to avoid alerting anything to his presence. For the next twenty minutes, he moved this way, his senses on edge looking for any signs of danger. Eventually, he brought his hands in front of him for balance and kept them close to the ground to detect any signs of movement. As he adapted this familiar position, he saw an image forming in his mind and before he could realize what was happening, the image began to play out.
The small freighter moved through the atmosphere well enough, but it still wasn’t perfect. Kaleb felt the shaking of the walls as the storm billowed through the sky. Each small gust of rain and wind felt like a gale and with each clap of thunder then entire ship would shudder and groan in pain, as if getting ready to fall apart. The only lighting besides from the lightning was from small emergency lights on the walls, which flooded the ship with both a blue and red light. Often times, they would flicker causing a strobe effect, with each one fighting for control of the other.
The stream of emotions that Kaleb was going through right now were just as conflicted as the lights. There had been this anxiety that had plagued him over the past few months, appearing after an undercover mission. Although he had had anxiety in the past, it had never been this consistent, nor had it ever conflicted with his meditations. His anxiety and worries began to increase, and although it had been difficult at first, he sought Master Yoda’s help in improving his meditations, learning how to bury the emotions to find harmony and balance in the Force. This helped to an extent, but not as much as he hoped. There was still trouble concentrating and sleeping at night, along with difficulty remembering certain things that had happened on his missions. It was almost as if steel walls had been placed in his way so that he could not see, and with each push came a fogginess and a feeling of panic and depression.
Sighing, Kaleb put on his navy-blue rain equipment that would blend into the night. The poncho was customized to be similar to a Jedi cloak, with a normal-sized hood. Due to time constraints, this was all that Master Johanna brought him, and although it was not ideal he would have to adapt. The thunder shook the ship, and the cockpit door opened. Closing it quickly, Master Johanna sat down across from Kaleb, the hood of the rain cloak not being up. She looked at him with a quiet concern.
“I’m not to fond of thunderstorms either, if it makes you feel any better. This was the only ship that they had available in a short time.”
Kaleb was still looking at the floor. “Just next time, get a ship that’s less cramped. I’ve never been fond of small spaces, especially in the dark.” He looked back up at her. “I’m sorry, I guess I’m just letting this anxiety get to me.”
She waved a hand. “It’s okay, I can’t blame you. This mission just came up out of the blue.” Looking around to make sure that they were alone in the main cabin, she sighed before talking again. “I know things have been rough, Kaleb, especially with the volume of undercover missions. How have your meditations been?”
“Master Yoda has helped a little. I’ve been focusing on going back to the basics of the Code, trying to embrace the balance and harmony of the Force while not acknowledging these emotions. He says that it is the one way to find inner peace and balance.”
Johanna frowned slightly. “He and I have a slight difference of opinion on that. Then again, I’m not on the council. Anyway, this is something that I will be talking to you about later. Just try and clear your emotions and thoughts, maybe go through some of the breathing techniques I taught you.”
Kaleb looked up at her, surprised about the harshness in her tone. She realized what had happened almost immediately. “I’m sorry, I should not be putting my frustrations on you. I think I may be more nervous for this mission than I realized.” She softened her tone even more, reflecting sympathy for him. “Things will be easier when you become a Jedi Knight. There won’t be much of a need for undercover missions anymore and hopefully this war is over soon.”
He offered her a small smile. “I may have fought with a staff more often, but it feels good to be back to a lightsaber. Let’s just hope that a peace treaty is closer than we think.”
The cockpit door opened, and one of the crew members stepped out. “General Johanna, Kaleb, we’re approaching the drop zone. This storm has let up a little to give us a short window to drop you twenty feet to the ground. From there, we’ll patrol around the area to make sure it’s secure from any Separatist reinforcements. Just give us the signal when you’re ready to be picked up.”
Getting to their feet, both Jedi brought themselves toward the landing doors, hanging on to a support handle from the ceiling. The doors opened revealing the darkness below, as small lights beneath the ship went on to reveal grass. Kaleb jumped followed by Johanna and as soon as they landed the lights went off and the ship flew away. Catching their breath for a moment, the storm had died down to where it was just a light rain. He heard her voice sharp as day in the darkness.
“I’ll head west toward the village and scout out any droids that are guarding the village along with hostages. You can go east and find the Loth-wolves and see if there are any civilians that can be taken to the mountains. Communicate through the comlinks.”
Kaleb nodded. “Master Johanna?” She turned back to him. “May the Force be with you.”
She smiled and replied in kind. “And may the Force be with you too, Kaleb.” Slipping into the shadows, she disappeared in the tall grasses. Kaleb moved quickly, keeping himself low to the ground and having his arms towards the ground. Sprinting in short bursts, he eventually found his way to a small pile of rocks which he rested himself upon and looked. He saw a group of twenty villagers huddled together, many of them clutching small items. Looking around, he saw that there were no battle droids in sight, and he revealed himself to the group, to the result of many aiming their small to medium sized blasters at him.
Taking a knee on the ground, he slowly took off his hood and moved his cloak to reveal his lightsaber. One of the women signaled for the group to put down their blasters and moved toward him. “Thank the maker, it’s a Jedi!” She exclaimed quietly. “I didn’t think that the Republic would hear our distress call.”
“We did, and I’m going to get you to safety. How many do you have here?” Kaleb asked, scanning the group.”
The woman responded quickly. “We have twenty here, eight of which are children. We managed to escape the worst of the attacks and fled up into the hills, but they’re still holding six hostages. Do you have a ship?”
“My master is currently moving towards the village and she has a plan to get you out of here. I know that this is going to sound crazy but you’ll have to trust me. There’s a risk of Separatists combing the skies, so I’m going to get you transport up into the mountains where they can’t follow.” Without delay, Kaleb extended his mind into the Force and cast a wide net, searching the grasses by the mountains for the transport that would save the villager’s lives. In a span of a few seconds, he found a pack and reached out to them in urgency. At first, the leader was hesitant and mistrusting due to the attacks but saw that Kaleb would not hurt them or the villagers and they began to make their way there. In the meantime, he did a headcount and administered any type of first aid that he could, often trying to comfort the children by making the laugh.
It was a few minutes later that the pack of Loth-Wolves arrived, with the great surprise and alarm of the villagers. After assuring them that they had his word as a Jedi that they would be safe, they reluctantly agreed to let the wolves take them to safety. Although some were a little mistrusting of the wolves, they changed their minds when they saw that the children took joy in them. Once all of the villagers were loaded onto the wolves, Kaleb handed the woman a distress beacon from his belt.
“They’re going to get you as far away from here as they can and just press the button. The Republic should pick you up.”
The women thanked Kaleb, and the wolves started to sprint across the plains towards the mountains. Once they were out of sight, Kaleb breathed a sigh of relief and started to make his way back. He had only taken a few steps when suddenly he heard a crash and saw that their ship had been blasted out of the sky. Realizing that it was an ambush, he started to run only to find himself surrounded by thirty battle droids with their guns aimed at him. All he saw was the flash of the blaster before igniting his lightsaber.
Kaleb snapped back into reality as he heard a familiar voice. “Kaleb, stop, it’s just me, Spike!”
Spike was being held down on the ground by the Force, as Kaleb was standing over him ready to lunge. He held his lightsaber in his hand, ready to ignite the blade at a moment’s notice. Realizing what he was doing, he immediately released Spike and put the lightsaber away. The sweat from his forehead drenched his face, and the panic had come on stronger, now affecting his actions around him.
“Spike, I’m really sorry about that. I must have been on high alert and not noticed you,” Kaleb explained, trying to keep calm in front of the young dragon. “I don’t know what happened, I swear I was there a second ago and…”
Spike reached for Kaleb’s arm, pulling down to get him to kneel down to his level. “It’s Discord’s magic, isn’t it? Everypony is being affected by it in some way. I know you would never do anything to hurt anypony or kill them in any way.”
Kaleb nodded, pushing back the memories that had come into his mind and deciding to go with Spike’s story that it was Discord’s magic that would cause this. “You’re right, it must be his magic that is affecting me. Or at least to some extent. I ran into Twilight and she told me that the plan was to continue going south to the end of the maze. She has found Rarity, Pinkie, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash. I told her that I would find Fluttershy.”
Spike’s eyes widened with recognition. “I know where Fluttershy is! She’s not far from here, but I haven’t been able to get through to her. Discord’s magic has really affected her.” Dragging Kaleb along, Spike led him through the maze, running through various corners and paths that seemed to go on forever. Finally, after a few minutes of running, they arrived at a small circular clearing with a fountain and a bench. There was a pony facing the fountain, and it turned around as Kaleb and Spike entered the courtyard.
The first thing that Kaleb noticed was that the color from Fluttershy’s coat was gone, or at the very least diluted into a layer of gray mixed in. This change correlated with her mane and her eyes, which had an expression of indifference, but also anger as she looked at the two. Stomping her hooves on the ground, she trotted towards them with a glare.
“Oh, look what the dragon dragged in. A mess of a human who can’t even use magic to save his friends,” Fluttershy began, her voice filled with malice and intimidation. “No wonder you look like you’ve just seen a ghost.”
Kaleb paused for a moment, thinking about his words carefully. “Not a ghost, but a shadow. I know that the real Fluttershy, my friend, would never treat her friends this way nor turn her back in their time of need. Discord’s chaos may have a hold on her, but I know that she is still in there, somewhere.”
Turning quickly with a snap, Fluttershy’s tail hit Kaleb in the chest, with such force that it drove him back several steps, nearly catching him off balance. “Oh, boo hoo! This is something even you in all of your stupid wisdom can’t fix. Just go back to your miserable planet and whine to your parents. Oh wait, you can’t because they’re dead.”
Her words hit him more than any brute force did. Tears began to well up in Kaleb’s eyes as he fell back onto the bench, trying to rein in his emotions. Spike came up to him, looking concerned. “She’s not herself, Kaleb. She’s trying to get to you, you can’t let that happen.”
Taking a few short breaths, Kaleb nodded. “It just feels so real, especially with the voice. Twilight said the key is to understand them emotionally and hoping that will get them to listen. I have an idea, but I’ll need your help. Be supportive but keep your distance. I’ll do the talking and you do the nonverbal cues. Okay?”
Spike nodded, before starting to speak in an undertone. “Whatever you do, just be careful. Fluttershy is really sensitive, and I don’t want to see her hurt in any way.”
Standing up, Kaleb moved slowly to where Fluttershy was staring at the fountain. Spike hung back at the bench, watching with intensity. Stopping just a few steps short of where she stood, Kaleb spoke in a quiet voice. “You’re right, my parents are dead. They died shortly after I was born, and the world appeared just as hopeless now as it was then.”
Spike looked confused, but Fluttershy began to take up an interest, moving to face him with a satisfied look in her eyes. “The Jedi should be ashamed of what they turned out.”
“But they also taught me something, something that I learned from years of experience. No matter where you are in the universe or what stars you may see, they can lead you to the one place where you never forget: home.”
Spike nodded and gave a friendly smile towards Fluttershy as she began to look not with malice, but with a neutral expression, with her eyes giving off an expression of wonder, sitting down on the grass. Kaleb continued. “There are millions and millions of them out there, each burning red hot, being born and living their lives before dying out in a blaze of fury. Even the stars whose fires have gone out still leave a trail to guide anypony home, no matter who they are. You told me that your parents would take you up to the highest place in Cloudsdale and taught you everything you know about the stars and constellations. Even though Cloudsdale is far away, you feel close to them by looking into the night sky.”
Without hesitation, for he knew that any doubt would cause failure, he drew on the Force and knelt down in front of her. Casting his hand over her forehead, he found her mind and her conscious, feeling the immense power that Discord’s chaos magic had on her. Kaleb closed his eyes. It had appeared that she had been taken over by force, trapped by the powerful magic. I can’t and won’t force Discord’s magic to disappear, it will cause her pain. Whatever happens, I cannot add to the trauma. Perhaps… Kaleb thought to himself, now realizing that he could no longer hear the maze around him.
Kaleb could feel another mind that he realized was Fluttershy, although it was faint. Knowing that he did not have much time, he quickly began to speak. “Fluttershy, it’s me, Kaleb. I know that you can hear me despite whatever magic Discord put on you. Remember what I said about the stars: that two people can look at different stars but they tell the same stories; ones of the lost finding their way home. The stars that your parents showed you can lead you back, but I cannot be the one to break this barrier: it has to be you.”
The magic surrounding Fluttershy’s mind began to stretch and strain. “That’s it! You can do this because your friends believe in you, your family believe in you. And I believe in you, because you are stronger and braver than anyone I’ve ever met. Your kindness will change the world.”
Discord’s magic broke, and the impact drove out Kaleb from her mind. Physically, the wind was knocked out of him as he was knocked a few feet into the air and landed hard on his back. Spike ran towards him, looking with confusion and concern but an overwhelming anger. “What did you do to her!? If you did something I swear…”
Kaleb simply propped himself up looked at what was happening, pointing Spike in that direction with both of their expressions in amazement. The color on Fluttershy’s coat had begun to come back, with a faint light resonating from her cutie mark. It spread at a relative pace before restoring all the color, allowing the cutie mark to stop glowing. She started breathing, and both Kaleb and Spike moved towards her, with Spike staying slightly behind him. Kaleb saw her wings begin to flutter slightly as she awoke, and her eyes opened with confusion and alarm as she saw both of them.
“Oh my, what happened? I…” Her voice trailed off as she saw Kaleb staring back at her with a small smile.
“Welcome back to the land of the not-brainwashed. Where there are actual stars you can see.”
Fluttershy did not laugh initially, but immediately launched Kaleb into a tight hug, He could feel her chocked sobs of laughter, as she held onto him closely for a few seconds before releasing. She quickly ran over to Spike and gave him a quick hug as well, before standing to face them. “Thank goodness, it’s wonderful to see you. If I may ask, how was I able to hear you? I thought that Discord’s magic was too powerful.”
Kaleb thought for a second before answering. “Discord may be able to suppress unicorn magic, but he mentioned that he grouped me in with Applejack and Pinkie because he didn’t’ know what to do with me. He can’t sense the Force, so wasn’t able to take it away. As for speaking to you, I used the Force to go into your mind. I’ve never used this ability before, so I don’t know how I did it, but I just knew. I tried to be as gentle as I could since you were going through enough, so I did not nor would I ever force you.”
Fluttershy took in the information, examining him before speaking. “I trust you, Kaleb, and I know that you would never force anything against my will. Thank you for respecting those boundaries and those words of encouragement. Also, thank you Spike for helping out and finding me.”
Spike to a mock bow before looking at the maze nervously. “We need to get going to meet Twilight and everypony else at the exit of the maze. Kaleb, do you think you could do that again with everypony else that was affected?”
“I don’t think I’ll be able to; both because I don’t know them as well and it took a lot of energy out of me,” Kaleb explained as they began to walk south towards the end of the maze. “I should be fine as long as I don’t have to do that again.”
The three followed the sun as they went deeper into the maze, confident that they were close. Kaleb noticed that Fluttershy was back to her normal self but was still unsteady on her hooves as she walked. Spike led the way as he went back to walk at her pace, allowing her to rest on his arm. It was about fifteen minutes later that they finally arrived at a large circular clearing with two other paths leading to it, arriving to find Twilight and everypony else waiting for them. Pinkie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Applejack all argued with each other in a corner, with Twilight running towards them.
“Thank Faust you’re alright, I was so worried about you,” She exclaimed, giving each of them a short hug. “I knew you all could make it. Now all we need is the Elements. How was Fluttershy able to break free from his magic?”
“I’ll tell you later,” Kaleb explained, craning his neck as if he was searching for something. “For now, we need to find Discord and get the Elements.”
Calling out to the sky, Twilight raised her head high and spoke with authority. “Discord! We played your game and all of us have made it out of the maze together. Give us the Elements!” With a flash, Discord appeared in a floating throne, hovering slightly off the ground. He studied them for a moment before he spoke.
“My, my, it looks like you have completed my game. I must admit, it was entertaining to brainwash the five of you, but it appears my skills have been bested, beaten. Very well, you may have the Elements.” With a snap of his fingers, an ornate wooden box appeared, floating down and set gently upon the ground. Twilight ran to open it, with even the brainwashed members of the group looking with interest. The box opened, and Twilight gasped as she discovered that the box was empty.
“What are you playing at, Discord! You promised as soon as we finished your maze, you would give back the Elements!” Twilight yelled with anger.
“I did, didn’t I? Well technically, I said that when you finished my game I would give them to you, and the maze was simply the first part. The final challenge is a race back to the Elements, with the clue to the location being given by my riddle,” Discord replied with a smug look.
Twilight thought for a moment, speaking to herself. “Find them where it all began… of course! They’re back somewhere in the library! “
Discord smiled. “Exactly! I believe you will be needing these.” With a snap of his fingers, Discord brought back the wings and horns that the pegasi and unicorns were missing. “However, with this final stretch, there’s a rule that even I did not know until today. More specifically a power.”
Twilight and all of the other ponies looked confused. “It spoke to me a few months ago at first, but it was so tempting that even in a weakened state it could still reach me. The power it holds is unimaginable in that it could take over all of Equestria, and yet can give the user so much control over others, that no one can be able to stop me. Fear, aggression, hatred, rage, suffering are the most powerful emotions we have, so why not use them?”
Kaleb’s mind was racing as Discord spoke. What he had felt today, with the Force was not normal or natural, but yet had that same sense of power that was being described. Every creature he had encountered was affected by it, either by running away or with the hatred filling their mind. A look of horror and shock emerged on his face as he realized exactly what Discord was talking about, much to his pleasure. “So then, the young Jedi does know what I speak of? You know, I knew about your powers but allowed you to keep them so that everything would fall into place.”
Kaleb slowly looked at him and spoke with a quiet intensity. “Listen to me: you do not know what that power will do to you or others around you. Just as much as it will harm every creature in Equestria, it will harm you, corrupting your mind and body and using it. You do not know the power you are dealing with.”
The Mane Six along with Spike each had a look of shock as Kaleb spoke, confused but both equally as scared with the tone that he used. Fluttershy moved towards Kaleb and asked quietly. “What do you mean by power, Kaleb? Please, you’re scaring me.”
Discord interrupted Kaleb before he had the chance to speak. “So, you haven’t told them? Do you feel it, Kaleb? The call of darkness, just answering the light that came when you crashed here? Equestria will fall under my combined powers and it will be a better place.”
“From a certain point of view, one that does not truly know the powers of the Dark Side of the Force,” Kaleb stated with that same quiet intensity, not allowing Discord’s words to get to him. “What you speak of is suicide, what makes you think that it will not kill you as well?”
“Because it will take you with me!” Discord snapped and slowly out of the ground a coldness emanated, more powerful than anything Kaleb had felt. Twilight, Fluttershy, Spike, and the rest of the Mane Six began to shake in fear, the coldness surrounding their minds as well as their bodies. Even for Pinkie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity, their minds have appeared to be free from Discord’s magic as they jumped in alarm and all of them huddled together in fear. The clouds had turned pitch black and blocked out all sunlight, seeming to lose any hope that was left in the sky. The winds began to blow at a high speed, tearing away the maze, which vanished from thin air and was replaced by the remains of abandoned building, where many residents hid away in their basements. Discord spoke almost in a whisper snapping his fingers. “Let there be darkness.”
With a snap of his fingers, Discord’s eyes turned to black as the red pupils stayed, showing a fire that was present. Dark wisps of magical energy formed around him, turning into a tornado that surrounded him, one that projected voices of anger, rage, and hatred that only built the longer it was there. A large bang sounded over the high winds, and Discord was gone, leaving only the sound of the trees bending and snapping with fury.
Twilight moved forward to Kaleb with the others behind her, still shaking with fear. “Kaleb! What do we do? I can’t stop this!”
Kaleb looked at the fear in her eyes that were reflected in his. “Whatever you do, do not succumb to the emotions it presents, not matter how tempting it may be. Remember the power of friendship, the Elements.” He knew that control over oneself in the face of the Dark Side was the key to defeating it. “I know it may sound derivative, but it’s…”
He stopped speaking as he heard Fluttershy scream, pointing to the Everfree Forest. The others huddled together in fear as they saw what was approaching them. It appeared to be a creature, but unlike any other they had ever encountered. It stood at around Kaleb’s height, taking the exact same form as a human. Made out of the dark wisps of smoke that had surrounded Discord, with the smoke moving at a high speed creating a blurred effect that kept it’s face obscured. All that could be seen of it’s face were two eyes glowing orange the color of lava. It moved at a fast pace, sometimes launching itself on the ground on all fours like an animal. Kaleb stood frozen, feeling the winds of darkness hit him like a storm, trying not to be caught in their power. The moment of panic he thought would come did not, and he realized what was to happen.
Turning back towards them, Kaleb spoke in the same quiet intensity, this time with an edge of fear in his voice. “Go. Get to the Elements. Find Discord and defeat him. I will handle this.”
Turning back to face the creature, he saw out of the corner of his eye that they were transfixed with fear, frozen and unable to move. “NOW!!!” Kaleb barked, turning himself towards them as they snapped out of it. As each of them ran towards the library, Fluttershy flew towards him, giving him a hug that was quick yet intense before going as fast as she could with the others.
Kaleb never took his eyes off of the creature, watching it charge before it stopped before him. It snarled as it faced him, the winds buffeting them both.
“You will not take over this world, creature of the Dark Side, because I would rather die than watch that happen. I am a Jedi, like my Master before me, and I believe that the light will overcome the dark. I’m giving you one last chance to stop this now, to go back into the shadows where you dwell.”
A distorted voice came out of the creature, which Kaleb recognized as his own. “Kaleb, you think you know everything but you know nothing. I will make you suffer before you go on to the next life. Or you could join me and we will be unstoppable.”
Kaleb took his lightsaber out of his belt, holding the blade out in front of him. “I would rather die than join you. I will do what I must to protect my friends.” He ignited the blade, adapting a Soresu fighting stance, the blue light being the one source from the darkness.
The shadow charged him at an inhuman speed, taking out a lightsaber with the hilt made out of the same smoke and igniting the blade of red. Dodging it with all of his might, Kaleb moved quickly out of the way and parried the blow.
They each began a series of attacks against each other, but Kaleb noticed that this was no normal duel. His defensive fighting style was not going to hold up long against the series of barrages that the shadow was bringing against him. With the shadow pursuing him, Kaleb ran into the Everfree Forest, trying to find some advantage in his surroundings. Slowing down, he rested against a tree, thinking for a moment before he was out of the shadow’s sight, but he was mistaken. The shadow emerged from one of the branches, jumping and knocking Kaleb down, releasing its hold as he slid to a stop. Kaleb got up, his lightsaber in his right hand.
“I know you better than you know yourself. Every move, every thought you take are mine,” The shadow jeered, stalking back and forth like an animal.
“I don’t know why you take the form of myself, but I know that it is a trick. The power of the Dark Side will not tempt me.”
The creature snarled as it turned off the red lightsaber, the glowing orange of its mouth. Kaleb moved but was not fast enough. It jumped up to the branches above and then jumped down to tackle him. Kaleb moved in kind, moving towards a tree trunk but was held down by its hand grabbing his leg. Kicking it off, Kaleb just barely made it to a branch and climbed over it, turning off his lightsaber in the process. Jumping from branch to branch, he watched as the creature to his dismay continued to catch up to him with every jump. Before he could turn it back on, the creature tackled him and they both fell twenty-five feet to the ground where they both fell in a clearing away from each other.
Kaleb ignited his lightsaber as he unleashed a barrage of Ataru forms, switching to the offensive. The creature reignited its lightsaber and returned them in kind, managing to block them all and moved around him to avoid detection. Once the creature built up enough power, it jumped on a tree trunk, adapting the familiar Falling Leaf attack which Kaleb went to dodge. But the creature moved out of the position quickly and moved the blade down low, spinning as it did so.
Kaleb howled in pain as the red blade caught his ankle, the skin burning as the wound cauterized. The creature took this opportunity to pin him down, holding him so that he wouldn’t move. Kaleb was breathing heavily as he spoke each breath bringing pain to every word. “How…you know…everything.”
The creature spat as it spoke, making Kaleb feel the heat coming from it’s mouth. “I know you, I am you, I know the darkness inside of you.”
Kaleb spat back in defiance. “I have no darkness in me, and I will not be tempted.”
“The demons of your darkness haunt you in the place where you had them buried. The past.” The creature put his hand above Kaleb’s forehead faster than anything Kaleb had seen and he felt the images play out in his mind.
Kaleb ran towards the abandoned building in the underbelly of Mandalore, keeping up with the speed of his assailants as he pursued them, wearing his undercover gear and carrying a staff on his back. As he approached the building, he saw the families trapped inside the cells inside the building, their screaming loud as they banged on the glass. Kaleb ran towards them as all of a sudden, the building exploded into a fireball, sending shrapnel into his way. Ducking for cover, he ran into the burning building to see that the mother and father were dead, as the children screamed for their parents to come back to them. Kaleb jumped towards the container, but it fell through the floor onto the level below. The screams of the children were silenced as he heard the glass break and saw the red staining the floor.
Geonosis’s winds whipped around as Kaleb held his position in an armored convoy that made its way through the desert. From up above, the engines roared of Separatist bombers that came out of nowhere, dropping explosive devices that were triggered by the convoy’s movements. The bombs went off, exploding as the speeders in front of him were destroyed leaving only him and Rogue, the clone who Kaleb had been with for two years as an informant. They tried to swerve to avoid it, but it flipped the armored land speeder, sending them both in the same direction. When Kaleb landed, he saw the giant piece of metal that had entered Rogue’s leg and tried to shield out the screams with no avail. The clone begged to end his life, for there was no communications for a medical pickup. With tears rolling down his face, Kaleb buried the lightsaber deep within Rogue’s chest, seeing the coughing of the blood and the blankness of the eyes as he stared down at his dead friend. There was no burial, only a pyre and the darkness of the night with no stars to light the sky.
He heard only darkness, as his vision was obscured as he heard the sound of families of slaves being separated, the children begging for their parents to come back as they were taken to various transports. The babbling of mothers and fathers who might never see their children again, brothers and sisters being torn apart all came to him. The sound of the scuffling of feet came along with screaming from the slavers as one of the mothers shouted something as she ran to protect her children from the hands of the whip. He heard a shot from a sniper rifle, followed by an unnatural silence, and a scream as the body was torn away and the children were pushed onto that ship. Yet he did nothing as he sat in the silence waiting for orders of when to move.
Kaleb pushed off the shadow and stood up, his whole body shaking as he whipped around the forest, feeling the panic stronger than ever. He could not trust his senses which felt off, and all he could hear were the screams of those he could not save, along with hundreds of other memories. He tried running only to find that even though the bleeding in his ankle had stopped, there was no way to escape the forest. He saw the shadow moving towards him, and with a several hard-hitting blows, managed to hold it off with his lightsaber, but just barely. The shadow had conjured up smoke which formed a barrier around the circle of trees, with various voices adding into the wall of sound in his mind. This created a distraction, and the creature to tackle him again, this time the image playing out before it even hit him.
Kaleb ignited his lightsaber and jumped up high into the air as the battle droids began to fire. They appeared to come from every direction, which made it difficult to see in the tall grasses of Lothal. Every time he would take one down, there would be more coming in his direction, which made it extremely exhausting. The various voices and buzzes of the droids created an electrical storm of sound in his mind and felt it slowing. With a crack of lightning in the sky as the rain began, the droids circuited out and fell to the ground.
Sprinting as fast as he could towards the village, he could still hear of blasters and cannons being fired. As he approached the village he saw many of the homes being burnt, and spotted the hostages in the center of the village, laying dead as the fires illuminated their faces and fatal wounds. There was a sound of a Separatist ship approaching the village, and as it landed Kaleb prepared to strike, seeing Master Johanna being held captive. But as he was about to move, he felt an invisible force go over him, not allowing him to move nor speak, but just simply to stay there, hidden away in the tall grass.
The doors of the ship opened, and he heard a cough that sent a wave of fear into his stomach as he saw the cyborg walking down the platform into the village. General Grievous was wearing a white robe, which reflected the shadows of the bodies due to the fires and put his shadow on the bodies as well. The red cape was soaked in the fresh blood that was from the pile. He walked over to where Johanna was kneeled over, a look of disgust on her face.
“General Johanna, such a pleasure that you got their distress signal,” Grievous began, his cybernetic voice filled with malice. “As we speak, the rest of the villagers are being hunted down by my best battle droids and will be eliminated along with your apprentice.”
Johanna looked up at Grievous with defiance. “You will never get to them. I have full confidence that my apprentice would have saved them before they were found. You have lost.”
Grievous let out a laugh which then transpired into a cough, which left Kaleb with an unsettling chill. “It is you who have lost, general. By this time tomorrow, the people of Lothal will be in fear of what I can do and will surely panic, allowing chaos to rule their minds.”
A battle droid handed Grievous a lightsaber, which Kaleb recognized to be Master Johanna’s even at this distance. “Another fine addition to my collection. I have killed many to build it, for their blood is on the blades even though it cannot be seen.”
“What do you mean? Why are you doing this?” Johanna asked, her voice courageous, but Kaleb could see the fear in her eyes. Through the flickers of the fire illuminating the village, he thought he could see Grievous’s other arms reaching into his robes.
“The master should always die at the hands of their blade first!” Grievous roared and, igniting the green lightsaber, stabbed her in the chest before using the other blades to stab as well.
Kaleb screamed but could not move nor make any sound, as he screamed silently in his head, wresting with the restraints to no avail. Grievous walked into his ship along with the rest of the droids and the engines of the ship started as the it took off into the night. Kaleb found himself able to move again, and ran into the village, jumping over to where the body of his master was. Tears streamed down his face as he buried his head in her tunic and choked sobs came out uncontrollably. The rain and thunder of the thunderstorm rained down, washing the blood away, and soaking Kaleb as he laid next to the body. There were no stars to be seen on Lothal that night.
Kaleb found himself giving in to the anger, the hatred that billowed in his veins, the fear of these memories as he pushed the creature off with all of his might and reignited his lightsaber. These blows were full of anger, hatred, and malice as Kaleb rained down upon the creature, his emotions taking over and engaging as the shadow began to weaken, each block from its lightsaber becoming weaker every second of this battle. Every blow that Kaleb struck was for Johanna, and how he would use his anger to strike this shadow down, to make Equestria a better and safer place to live. Anger drove him over the edge, with his lightsaber forms becoming more aggressive, inching to similarity to those of Darth Maul and his method of Juyo, one of unpredictability. Finally, Kaleb pinned the shadow down. “I will kill you now if you don’t surrender.”
The shadow laughed maliciously as his eyes glowed. “Good. Feel your anger, your hatred, your fear, let it flow through you. Don’t hesitate, kill me now. Just as the one who killed them all.” With this, the shadows surround the trees began to move, each going in an opposite direction as they began to form an image that was bathed in red. Although Kaleb knew it was from his past, he was aware it was happening and this image became a diorama.
He found himself in the Jedi Temple, seeing the red sky against the windows, and looking down at the horror below, dropping his lightsaber as he confronted what lay in front of him. There were hundreds of dead Jedi, whether men or women, young or old, humans or different aliens, all of them dead. Kaleb immediately felt a panic attack that hit him harder than anyone of them had before. He could hear the sounds of the sirens, of the clones executing their orders as the blasters fired and the screams of the Jedi were heard. Looking to the ground, he found that there was blood at his feet that was on the floor, and he realized the full scope of what happened. It was as if he was the one who killed them all and it was in that moment that Kaleb realized the full power of the darkness.
“No, no, no, no, this can’t be real, no, no, I did not do this…” Kaleb babbled, looking at his hands as he felt the waves of shock, panic, and terror flood his system. He knelt down on the floor and felt the tears flow and the tremors that hit his body. He looked at his hands, seeing the blood that was now on them.
Just as he was looking down at them, he felt himself being lifted into the air by the Force, his body choking before being slammed into the ground. As he hit the ground, he did not feel the blood but the forest floor and it was not the Jedi Temple that he saw but the Everfree Forest. Kaleb realized that the shadow was standing over him, its red lightsaber close to his beating heart.
“Say hello to Master Johanna for me,” The shadow said quietly but with so much cruelty and malice that he did not know it was possible. He saw the blade moving fast and found his life flashing before his eyes, reliving the full scale of the traumatic events that had happened over the last three years.
It was unknown to Kaleb what happened next, but he saw a shock wave of light with colors of the rainbow, which disintegrated the shadow and everything that came with it. The brightness made it impossible to see, and he shielded his eyes toward the ground as the wave came. It was a few moments later that he could feel the light of the sun resting upon him.
Kaleb was lying down on the ground for over an hour or two before he got up, feeling the gash on his ankle swell up as he began to walk. He felt nothing for a few minutes as he walked: no emotions good or bad, just emptiness that filled his mind and soul. Then, the emotional pain came back: the memories, the panic which felt like it would never go away, and a sense of alarm that any threat could be there at any moment. Taking a break from walking, he sat on a tree stump and tried to calm down but to no avail.
Then came the sense of guilt which drove all other emotions to the side. As it began to set in, he was able to think. “I had no idea how close to the Dark Side I was, or what I would have become if it would have taken over. I failed; I failed the Jedi Order, I failed Master Johanna, I failed Master Yoda, Master Kenobi, Master Skywalker. I failed Fluttershy, Twilight, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle. I’m sorry, I’ve failed you all.”
Kaleb looked out at the bird nest near him and felt that same sense of nothingness that occupied it. “My attachments have brought me close to danger, to letting everpony that I know here die, because I did not follow the Jedi Code. I let my emotions and attachments influence me too much. I have to dive into the Force, for only with it am I no longer a danger to anyone else. I must go into isolation, for it is the only way.”
With this final thought, Kaleb let everything go; every attachment, memory or emotion that was formed in his time in Equestria so far. Beginning his vow of silence, he walked out of the forest, taking a last look at the ponies celebrating before moving on.
The cold winds of winter came earlier than expected, rattling the windows of the library and covering all of Ponyville in a blanket of snow. It was the first major blizzard of the season, and the cold crept into every corner and crevice until the fireplaces and stoves came to life. However, the structure of the library did not allow for the heat to creep up into the second floor, forcing the inhabitants who lived there to layer on clothing and blankets, still shivering from the cold. There was one room where the door had been closed, one where the cold reflected the emptiness of the soul.
Kaleb was up late on this night, deep in his meditation. It had been over two weeks since Discord had stolen the Elements of Harmony, having been stopped by the Mane Six with the help of Kaleb and Spike. Two weeks since darkness returned to Equestria, and although the shadow did not kill him, the scars of the past were brought to the surface, forcing him to let go of all attachments so that those around him would no longer be in danger.
He barely left his room for these two weeks, only going downstairs for meals, which were eaten quickly and in silence. Afterwards, Kaleb would go back upstairs, locking his door and continuing to meditate for long periods of time or often just laying down in silence. The reactions to this drastic change were varied. Twilight, Spike, Applejack, and Rarity knew whatever he had encountered in the Everfree forest changed him, and decided it was best to give him time, although they kept a close eye on him. However, many times Pinkie or Rainbow Dash would try to make him laugh or threaten to kick the door down, it remained shut. They had visited a few times over the first week, but were shooed away by Twilight, making them promise to give him time.
Fluttershy was the one pony who visited often, trying to talk to Kaleb about the animals that she was taking care of or trying to get him to talk about what happened but with no avail. Over the past few days, there was an edge of frustrations and anger in her voice as she tried to get any response from him. Her emotions boiled up in the last encounter a few days ago, resulting in words that echoed through his mind which were accompanied by sobs as she ran away, slamming the downstairs door behind her.
“I know that whatever you’re going through is rough right now, but don’t you have any consideration for how worried we are about you? Just say something for Faust sakes! You’re not the only one who was affected by what we saw. I don’t even know who you are anymore. Goodbye, Kaleb.”
He could feel her emotions of frustration and anger, but there was also a sense of fear that occupied her mind most of all. As she ran away, Kaleb felt tears in his eyes as his emotions burned and the senses of terror began to take over. Although he had tried to empty himself of all emotions, it had been extremely difficult to let go, for his mind was trapped in a circle of hell that would not let go.
The panic attacks had become more persistent, happening on a daily basis and becoming more severe by the day. Along with this anxiety, there was a paranoia that took hold that changed his habits. Kaleb found himself checking the locks on the doors and windows every few minutes and looking out of the windows, staring out at the snow. A few times a day, he would have flashbacks that would take him back to the war, either having the image play in front of him or in dreams where he would wake up in a fright, having that same feeling of panic or even shouting out, reaching for his lightsaber. Soon, the hallucinations came, both auditory and visual. He saw those who he watched die, those he killed, and those who suffered while he did nothing. They asked him why he did not save them or why did he kill them. While some spoke to him softly, others screamed out in anger and pain, their voices multiplying, forcing him to lay on the floor and wait for them to stop. Despite all of this, he tried to bury these emotions, doing his best to embrace the Jedi Code.
In his meditation, Kaleb could feel the Force, the stream of consciousness echoing all throughout the area, with each living creature having a heartbeat. As the meditation continued, Kaleb felt it calling out to him, the first time this had happened since the two weeks had passed. Reaching out to meet it, Kaleb felt the chill being multiplied and the winds picking up around him.
Opening his eyes, Kaleb found himself in the middle of the Everfree Forest, the darkness of the night surrounding the tall trees. Jumping to his feet, he looked around, immediately reaching for his lightsaber to find that it was not there. There was no panic that reached his mind, but instead felt a familiar presence in the darkness, watching him. Kaleb looked around before hearing a voice that brought recognition.
“Kaleb, you must go to the Everfree Forest, to a cave where the cold winds cannot reach. Follow the light which have guided so many. May the Force be with you.”
“Master Johanna?!” he exclaimed, not knowing where to look. “I don’t know what you mean. Where are you?”
“You must go….” The voice echoed, and the vision began to fade in darkness.
“MASTER!” Kaleb yelled as he awoke from his meditation, jumping up from the bed and reaching out to the Force for his lightsaber. He ignited the blade and stood in the darkness for a few seconds, panting and looking around wildly. Eventually, he turned it off and looked around before collapsing onto a nearby wall, trying to regain his thoughts as they raced through his mind.
That was real, I felt the Force reaching out to me, that was Master Johanna, Kaleb thought as he caught his breath. That couldn’t have been a hallucination, they don’t have the Force within them. But I don’t understand, why me? Why at this time, and how was this possible if she’s dead?”
Feeling the nearby bookcase for support, he made his way to the bed before sitting on it and sighing. “Even though I felt the Force, there are many unanswered questions. It could be a trap but I did not feel the dark side. If it is truly Master Johanna, then I must go. There has to be a reason.”
Pondering his decision for a few more moments, Kaleb got up and put on his cloak, which was hanging from a hook on the wall. He hooked his lightsaber to his belt, securing it in its leather case before grabbing a flashlight from his nightstand, which was made to look like a lamp. Unlocking the door, he slowly crept out of the room, closing it behind him as he made his way down the stairs. Once in the library, he turned on the lantern to find the library empty and as quiet as he could, crept to the door. Reaching his hand out, he silenced the bell that usually rang when someone entered the library and opened the door. The winds howled as he quickly stepped out of the library and closed the door before walking off into the night.
The snow was falling at a steady pace as Kaleb walked through the village. It crunched beneath his feet with each step and landed on his hair. Putting the hood over his head, he held the lantern even higher as the winds began to pick up, the howling reaching a moderate volume. It was slow going, but he eventually made it into the center of Ponyville, pausing for a moment to catch his breath as he leaned up against one of the posts in the town square. Setting the lantern down, he shivered as the coldness crept into his hands, bundling them in the robe. I should have brought gloves with me, maybe I should turn back, Kaleb thought as he brought his arms in close to him. In the distance, he could make out a shadow approaching the center, moving slowly towards him.
“Who’s there?” Kaleb called out squinting into the storm. “Reveal yourself.” His heart began to beat out of its chest as the paranoia began to set in. Moving closer under the building, he began to reach for his lightsaber. The shadow began to run, moving at a great pace, as a voice in Kaleb’s mind began to scream at him. Grabbing the lantern, Kaleb began to sprint away from the town center, moving in whatever direction he could, just away from the shadow. He ran for what was several minutes for anyone else but hours for him. Not being able to see where he was going, he moved his hands in front of him wildly, trying to feel any obstacles in front of him. Tripping over a stone covered with ice, he landed on the ground, the lantern flying out of his hand and skidding on the ground to a location several feet away. Kaleb looked around wildly but found that there was no one there.
Getting up slowly, he moved his way to the lantern, where it continued to glow like a beating heart in a sea of death. Fluttershy’s cottage was in view as he moved it around, realizing that the stone that he had tripped over was where the otters would sunbathe as they took a break from the water. He brought the lantern upward, gazing into one of the windows for a solid minute before looking back into the direction of the Everfree. Sighing, he began to walk at a moderate pace, keeping his eyes ahead but his senses alert for any signs of danger. He reached the tree line and entered the forest.
He walked for what felt like hours, not sure of where to go or how to get there, only relying on his senses and lantern to guide the way. The crunch of the snow soon began to fade away as his footsteps became silent. Kaleb held his head up high as he made his way through the forest, shooting glances around him to make sure he wasn’t being followed. There was still a sense of dread and foreboding that plagued him, as if something bad was going to happen. The enemies that chased him could still be still be out there, lurking in the shadows. His mind began to flash back to the fight with the shadow, hearing its snarls echoed in the wind that made its way through the trees. There was no trace of the dark side, only his mind and the labyrinth of his memories.
The trees stood like sentries in a silent night, obscuring the view of the sky except for the pale light of the moon that would light the way. It found its way in the forest just as everyone else did, creeping onto the ground and peeking out through the branches. It created a dappled effect on the ground, but it appeared to be restricted to only a portion of the ground.
Kaleb paused as he began to think. Follow the light which has guided so many. Maybe she was referring to the moon, it looks like it has formed a path, a small one but still a path, Kaleb thought, looking down at the ground. I must trust the Force.
Readjusting his direction slightly, he began to follow the path that the moonlight created. The twists and turns it created reflected in the ice on the ground, creating a sparkling affect. Time began to pass more quickly along with his pace and he found that the forest had begun to space out, the trees being wider apart than usual. Within a matter of what he thought was half an hour, he stumbled upon a clearing where the moonlight fully encapsulated the ground, and a mouth of a small cave stood. It still remained in darkness, but there was light that paved the way.
Kaleb walked slowly towards the entrance of the cave, where he brought up his lantern and entered the mouth. It was smaller than he had expected, more similar to an alcove than an intricate system of tunnels going beneath the ground. There where a few rocks on the ground, along with a small log. Kaleb stood for a few minutes, looking around, unsure of what to do.
“I am here, as the Force has willed me,” he began, looking around. A small sense of resentment began to stir within him, brining an edge of it into his voice. “Why have you brought me here if you’re just going to waste my time? I should have never some here.” He whipped around furiously, beginning to walk away.
“Patience can be difficult to master, but what you find is its own reward.”
Kaleb whipped around as he heard the familiar voice. Illuminating the darkness of the cave, Master Johanna stood, her face containing the same wrinkles of wisdom and humor that he had known for years. Clothed in her Jedi robes, she appeared to be untouched by age or injury. There was a blue sheen that surrounded her, emitting a glow that slightly illuminated the cave.
“Master Johanna...” Kaleb pondered, his voice trailing off. His legs began to wobble, and he fell to his knees, his face still in an expression of shock. “But how, I don’t understand…”
“You may rise, Kaleb. Please, sit down.” Johanna implored, moving her hands toward the log. Slowly, Kaleb found his way toward the log, sitting down as she sat next to him, facing him slightly. “It is through the Cosmic Force which I am able to manifest myself, using a technique passed down from Master Yoda. It is a journey which you will go on someday, I am sure.”
Kaleb looked at her, and simply felt the emotion pour into his mind and voice. “I’m sorry Master, I’ve failed you.” Tears began to well up into his eyes. “I failed you, the Jedi Order, the Force, and so many others who I cannot remember…”
Johanna interrupted him in a voice of authority but also reaping with compassion. “You did not fail me, Kaleb, nor did you fail the Jedi or the Force. It is I who have failed you.” She indicated for Kaleb to hold out his right hand, and he did. “You have changed in some ways, but you still remain the same.”
“The Dark side of the Force, I fought against it but there was something inside of me that awakened,” Kaleb explained. “It brought out the emotions of the Dark side but made me vulnerable to it. I nearly died along with those who I have met along the way. The attachments made me weak, they caused me to fail.”
“Your attachments do not make you weak, they make you stronger than you know,” Johanna stated, looking into his eyes. “Do you know what exactly you fought in this forest?” Kaleb shook his head. “The shadow represents the Dark side, but also the darkness within us. No matter how far you run from it, it still is there. The friends you have made here made the light within you strong, Kaleb. You nearly sacrificed yourself to save them. The shadow lies within our subconscious, where the mind cannot reach. It is a part of the Dark side, and as Master Yoda put it, fear leads to anger, which leads to hate, and suffering. Your experiences and trauma has been hidden from your mind until now.”
Kaleb sat in silence finally speaking with an edge of anger in his voice. “Well, that's what happens when you send a child into a warzone.” As Johanna began to speak, he interrupted and jumped to his feet to face her. “NO! YOU DON’T GET TO SPEAK ABOUT THIS, not MY experience. I was fifteen, just a few days from turning sixteen when this war started. I was still a child, but instead of having a normal birthday, I was sent into battle. You may have called it training, but it was a living hell for me. Through all of my missions with you and other Jedi, including these undercover missions, do you know the amount of people that I had to watch die, that I had to kill myself. Or how about the times when I had to hide myself, only to hear innocents being tortured and killed. But did you know what I did with all of that emotional trauma? I buried it, just like you and all of the other Jedi told me to. Just like the Code told me.”
Johanna sat in silence, taking in Kaleb’s words, finally speaking as her face was filled with regret. “The Jedi Code was flawed, even though it tried to be perfect. Do you know why I was never on the council? There were some parts of it that I did not believe. You should not suppress your emotions, even the ones that tempt the Dark side, because it would be even more harmful to you. They build up and can explode all at once. I’m truly sorry, Kaleb, that I did not see nor hear your emotions. My mind was clouded in the movement of the war, and not in your emotion well-being. I did not realize it until it was too late. If I had survived after the mission on Lothal, after your Trials I was going to take you out of all combat and take you somewhere that would have been able to help you.”
“I still think about that mission along with many others. About how many I could have saved,” Kaleb lamented, the emotion draining form his face until a paleness remained. “I saw you die in front of me, stabbed by your own blade in the hands of a murderer. I could have saved you, but something was holding me back. I couldn’t even scream aloud, it was just silence.”
Johanna shifted her position slightly, thinking about her words carefully. “I was the one who restrained you in those bushes with the Force. Whatever happened, I could not let you die under my protection. It was my time to go on, and even though I was fearful, knowing that you would live to see the many years of your life to come gave me strength.”
Kaleb moved closer to the log, not sitting down. “Did you ever think that maybe I wasn’t ready for you to die? I thought that we would have so many other experiences together for the years to come. Side by side, as Jedi Knights.” He paused, thinking for a moment before indicating to his back. “I still have the scars, you know. From that place. All of their faces are blurred, but the tortures that I endured still haunt me to this day, along with hundreds of other memories. Every time I think that it is the end, another memory comes back and its more pain to bear. Every time I look around, I feel that I’m going to be attacked or that someone is watching me in the distance. The visions and voices of the people whose deaths I am responsible are always there, speaking to me. They blame me for their demise. This burden is too much to bear.” Kaleb began to walk away to the mouth of the cave, intent upon giving into the darkness.
“Ending your life will not take your pain away, Kaleb,” Johanna called out, her words stopping him in his tracks. “It will only cause more pain for you and those who have known you. Think of your friends, and the grief that they will endure. Even in death, your trauma will still be there.”
“I just want this pain to end, I just want it to go away,” Kaleb sighed, moving back to the log and sitting down. “This burden is one that I bear alone. The future of the Jedi, all falls on me since they are dead. I am the last Jedi.”
Johanna immediately talked. “You are not the last Jedi. There are many who are went into hiding, and they are still alive and well, ready to train the next generation. This burden is not yours to bear alone but shared by many. Including your friends. Think about what you have shared with them: joy, laughter, generosity, loyalty, honesty, and kindness. They care for you, and they can help you. Also, you have shared one of the most powerful things: love.”
Kaleb raised his eyebrows and spoke quickly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about there. Since when did you take up an interest in the romance of others? Besides, it is against the code.”
“Many have broken the code because they loved someone, it is simply a part of life, including myself. There was someone who I loved, and we carried out in secret for many years. It was almost discovered, and we had to stop it because it was a forbidden love, where we could not express it freely. I would have left the Jedi Order in a heartbeat for her if I could, but I was torn. My point is that love, along with these other emotions, are normal and should not be buried for the sake of finding inner peace in the Force. You must find that your own way, even some parts of the Jedi Code must be broken. As long as you carry out the values of peace and harmony, of course.”
Kaleb and Johanna sat in silence for a while as he took in her words. “I don’t know what to do now. I feel as lost as a leaf in the wind. Without you here, I feel that I may never get back to where I was. Things have been changed forever.”
Johanna thought for a few seconds before speaking. “Things may never go back to being as they were, but that does not mean that you cannot continue to live your life. It will be difficult for you, you path has always been. But the scars do not define you. They are a part of you and although they remain, they can be healed slightly. Ever since you came to this place, the Force has awakened, not only the Dark side but the light. There will be those who will need guidance when the Force has awakened within them, and they will need a teacher. Although I am uncertain of the challenges you will face, I know that you succeed because you are strong and I am proud of what you have become.” She paused as she pointed in the direction to Ponyville. “Your friends will help you get through this, Kaleb. Trust them, and you will never go wrong.”
Kaleb stood up, wiping the tears away from his eyes. “How will I know you’ll still be there? What if I am in need of your guidance?”
Johanna smiled and began to laugh softly before moving closer to him. “Trust me, Kaleb. I will always be with you. Just look up to the stars.” She embraced him in a hug, and he held on as he felt her form disappear into thin air. Kaleb stood alone in the cave, with the only light emanating from the lamp. Taking the lamp, he walked out of the cave and away from the clearing.
Although he was unsure of his direction, he walked back towards Ponyville, with his head spinning from what he just experienced. It was ten minutes later when he felt the presence of creatures stalking him, the Force alerting him to their presence. Turning around, he looked around wildly in all directions, trying to see what was stalking him but to no avail. As the moonlight shone, he saw what was moving towards him and his mind filled with fear.
A large pack of Timberwolves had come out into the moonlight, revealing their large bodies which stood ten feet high. The wood that made up their bodies was scarred from battle with other predators, and the green eyes glowed menacingly as they growled. Kaleb began to back up slowly, reaching for his lightsaber. “Stay back! I’m warning you!” he shouted loudly, trying to not let the fear creep in. He tried to ignite his lightsaber but found that the tremors in his hand prevented it. It dropped to the ground.
Collapsing against a tree trunk, Kaleb felt the surge of panic flow through him as the Timberwolves moved closer, their jaws snapping. The light from the lantern began to flutter as he saw only them only through the strobe light effect. They began to charge, moving with a ferocious speed. Kaleb began to hear the voices of his torturers and he screamed as if a hot iron was being forced onto his back.
It was in that moment where he could nearly smell the breath on them that they suddenly stopped, their eyes focused on something up ahead in the treetops. They slowly began to back away as figure in a cloak that covered its body and face began to fly forward towards them. The figure continued to advance and soon after what appeared to be a few harsh words that he could not hear, they ran away. The figure flew towards Kaleb and landed right in front of him, gasping with shock. All Kaleb saw was the gasp coming from a pony with a pink mane and turquoise cloak before he felt the fear being turned into a physical coldness and going unconscious.
Kaleb stirred as he found himself in somewhere warm, feeling a heat source coming from somewhere. Opening his eyes, he found himself staring up at the ceiling and with a turn of his head found himself near a fire. The layers of blankets that were on him kept him covered, and he discovered that his robe had been removed, leaving him with his long-sleeved shirt and pants. The boots were also gone, along with his socks. He sat himself up on the multiple pillows to look at his surroundings.
He was in a room which he did not recognize at first but would soon. He was on a cot nearby the fire, in a room filled with spools of yarn, which reflected in the light of the fire, the shadows dancing on them. Among the piles lay various knitting needles and tables filled with papers that had designs on them. A small clock on the wall showed the time, which was around four in the morning. The only light that emanated from the room was from the fire.
Kaleb heard soft hoof steps coming down just as he tried to sit up, and then heard a soft voice. “Try to stay down, please, in the blankets. I need to take your temperature.”
A hoof forced him to lie back down on the bed as he saw Fluttershy come up him and put a thermometer in his mouth. She took it out a few seconds later and looked at the results. “Ninety-five degrees. Thank Faust, it’s only mild. Are you feeling drowsy or out of breath?”
“No, but I’m shivering a lot.” She let out a sigh of relief, muttering to herself that it was a good sign that he was shivering as well as being able to talk without slurring.
“You were the one who saved me? Back in the forest against the Timberwolves?” Kaleb asked hesitantly, not knowing how to greet her.
Fluttershy nodded. “Angel woke me up, saying that he saw a figure walking into the Forest. A lot of time had passed, and I was out there about an hour and a half later in my cloak. I saw the flickering of your lantern and flew towards it. By the time they ran away, I flew towards you and you fell unconscious. Angel and I carried you back here.” She paused, looking at the clock before continuing. “You should probably try sitting up. Tell me if there’s any numbness in your hands or toes. Tingling is also a good normal.”
Kaleb sat up on the pillows, going into a sitting position, but still careful to recline a little. He felt a little numbness in his hands and toes along with tingling. “There’s a little numbness and tingling.” Sighing, he continued. “I’m sorry, Fluttershy. I know that you’re angry at me, and you have every right to be. I was a horrible friend, and I shut you out along with everyone else.”
Fluttershy moved towards him. “Maybe I am a little angry at you, but I’m also scared. You wouldn’t talk to anypony for two weeks. I felt so useless and afraid when I spoke through your door because I got no response. Those words I said when I blew up at you were only because I felt frustrated and afriad. I saw that thing too. We all did before we went to find Discord. Can you tell me why you were out in the middle of the Everfree Forest tonight?”
Kaleb nodded, thinking in silence. Maybe I should tell her, but I don’t know how she will react to it, or any of the ponies. If I don’t, this is only going to get worse. Pondering on this for a moment, he made up his mind, praying to Faust to give him strength.
“It’s a long story, a very long story,” Kaleb began, feeling his heart rate speed up slightly. “What I saw in the forest two weeks ago brought back a lot that I had forgotten, where they were buried deep away where I would never able to think about again. I’m not sure if you want to hear this.”
“I do, Kaleb. Please, I hate being in the dark,” Fluttershy said, grabbing a chair from nearby and sitting down to face him. Her voice softened with a hint of compassion. “I know that this may be difficult for you to talk about, but I’ll be here to support you.”
Kaleb nodded. “Okay. Just hang on.” He gathered his thoughts and uttered a quick prayer before proceeding. “As you know, I was raised by the Jedi Temple since my parents died and I had a connection with the Force. I began my training with Master Yoda at a very young age, before being introduced to Master Johanna, who became my master when I was a Padawan. She was the closest thing I had to a mother, we trained together for years. But things changed when I became older. I was only fifteen, close to turning sixteen when it began.” Kaleb paused, blinking heavily for a second.
Fluttershy gave a nod of encouragement, moving her chair a little bit closer. “What changed then?”
He thought before continuing. “At the time, there were tensions between some of the systems in the Outer Rim against the Republic. To summarize, the systems formed together, partnering with the remnants of the Trade Confederation. A Jedi by the name of Sifo-Dyas had ordered the creation of a clone army, the reasons why were unknown. Several of the Jedi were captured by these systems and taken to a planet called Geonosis and were nearly killed. The Jedi along with the clone army stormed the planet and a battle began. I was a few days away from turning sixteen when the Clone Wars began, and training moved to a battlefield.”
Fluttershy’s eyes widened in shock and horror. “Oh Faust,” she exclaimed quietly, one of her hooves going to her mouth.
Kaleb caught himself tensing and tried to relax his muscles. “Three years. That was how long it lasted. As a Padawan, I went on various missions with Master Johanna, who became a general, and some of the other Jedi. As the war became more taxing, it was clear that they needed more help. I began to take on undercover missions, abandoning my lightsaber for a staff, which wouldn’t give my identity away. I trained with the Temple Guards for weeks before going, “ he paused, closing his eyes as he felt the panic go through him. “Those missions changed me, in so many ways.”
He coughed, shivering, but it was not from the cold. Fluttershy hesitated, but he nodded. She grabbed his hand, and Kaleb followed her breathing, trying to calm himself down.
“There were hundreds of missions. On Mandalore, there was a family trapped in a building. I ran trying to catch the assailants, but the building exploded. I heard the children screaming as their parents were dead. I sprinted to reach their cell but the floor collapsed. They were screaming until the cell hit the ground, I saw the red on the walls.” Kaleb spoke faster and faster, trying to get through the memories as he held Fluttershy’s hoof. Her eyes were streaming with tears as she listened silently, but her expression was one of horror and sadness. “Once, I had to hide and wait for orders, but it was near a place where families were sold into slavery. There were children screaming as they were torn apart from their families. One of the family members tried to escape with her children. I heard the sounds of the struggle but I also heard the sounds of the sniper rifle being shot. The children were taken away as they screamed…”
Kaleb could no longer hold back the panic and felt the tremors taking over. Fluttershy embraced him in a tight hug, as the tears flowed down his face. The tremors went on for a minute before calming down “You don’t have to do this, Kaleb. If it’s too much…”
“No, I need to do this,” Kaleb emphasized in a quiet voice. “I’ve never told this before. I just need somepony to listen. But, damn, it’s painful.”
“I’m here, and I’m not leaving. I can listen, no matter how long it takes or how difficult it is for the both of us.”
He nodded. “Sometimes, I made friends with the clones. There was Rogue, who had so much talent and determination. Whenever Master Johanna would take me on missions, he would always be there. We were close, often sharing food or stories, but our main bond was music. He was also my informant on undercover missions. We were like brothers, and with Master Johanna, it was like we were a family. For the time it lasted.”
“What happened between you two?” Fluttershy asked, her eyes red but with encouragement.
“I will never forget what happened. We were on Geonosis, on a patrol with a convoy. There were Separatist bombers flying overhead, and they spotted our convoy. They hit the speeders in front of us, leaving only him and I. We tried to avoid the speeders, but it flipped us over, with us being sent in the same direction. Rogue had a piece of metal in his leg, and there were no communications for a medical pickup. He told me that the pain was unbearable, that he wanted me to be the one…” Kaleb paused as fresh tears streamed down his face and Fluttershy took his hand. “I ignited my lightsaber and put him out of his misery. He coughed up blood and he stopped breathing. There was no time for a burial, only a pyre.”
Kaleb sniffled as she handed him a tissue. “Jedi are taught that they must bury their emotions to become one with the Force. I did this because I thought it was the right thing, it was in the Jedi Code. These missions continued, and I was silent. Later in the war, battles raged in the Outer Rim, and sometimes we would guard the Temple or the various Senators. Master Johanna had recently been injured and I was at guard duty alone at a party. I got a message from her saying that she was in the lobby. As it turns out, there was an emergency transmission from Lothal, one of the villages had been attacked. At the time, I was in the middle of my Jedi Trials, or tests for becoming a Jedi Knight. I wouldn’t have been allowed to go on the missions but the war had changed that.” He paused, coughing with force.
Fluttershy was hesitant to ask. “What happened on Lothal?”
“We had a small flight crew who took us in a freighter and dropped us off. They were going off to patrol for Separatist bombers. Master Johanna and I split up because of her plan. She went into the village while I went to contact the Loth-Wolves who would take the remaining villagers to safety. I found twenty of them hidden, who managed to escape. Eight of them were being held hostage in the village. I got the villagers to ride on the wolves and got them to safety. But then, our ship was blasted out of the sky and I was ambushed. The rain managed to damage the droids, but I ran to the village to find the hostages dead and Master Johanna captured. A Separatist leader came, one who I can’t remember at the moment.”
Fluttershy held his hand as he felt the tremors and the tears roll fresh. “I was frozen and I couldn’t move or scream. He took her weapon and said that the master should die at the hands of their blade first. He stabbed her, first with her blade and then with his other lightsabers that he took from the Jedi he killed. As soon as he was gone, I could move and ran towards her. I stayed with her for several hours.”
Fluttershy cried with Kaleb and held him in a tight embrace. “The Jedi Council decided that I passed the trials and I became a Jedi Knight. The only thing left of her is the Holocron which they allowed for me to keep. But that was not the end.”
Fluttershy wiped the tears from her eyes. “Is this about how you crashed here?”
Kaleb nodded. “Please, I don’t know if I have the strength to do it. Keep holding on.” Fluttershy held on tight.
“Several months after Lothal, there was an attack on Coruscant where the Chancellor was kidnapped, and a battle raged in the sky. I did not participate in that battle, but I guarded the Senators. It was only a few days afterwards, or it could have been weeks. I can’t remember. I was on patrol in Coruscant and heading back to the Jedi Temple when I heard an explosion. The Temple was in flames. I immediately ran into the entrance and found a sight that I will never forget.” Fluttershy’s grip tightened on Kaleb’s hand. “It was a massacre. There were hundreds of dead Jedi, not even the children were spared.”
Fresh tears rolled down his face as he recalled the moment. “I knew that whatever had killed them all would come for me. I ran and found a group of clones. They turned their guns on me and said the phrase Execute Order 66. I ran, as fast as I could, grabbing a bag that contained the Holocron, offline library, and map reader. I jumped out of the open window and took the nearest Jedi Starfighter I could. When I was flying through the atmosphere, I had to fire on troops who I fought with for three years. Every time I fired on them, I thought of Rogue. As soon as I was in open space, I issued a distress call but they fired on my ship, forcing my head and neck into the control panel. Before I knew what was happening, a portal opened up and sucked me in, causing the electronics to shut down. I blacked out as I was falling through the atmosphere. The next thing I knew, I was in the infirmary in Canterlot Castle.”
Fluttershy was wiping away tears from her eyes as she chocked back muffled sobs. Kaleb moved around and sat on the edge of the bed. “Fluttershy, for three years, I was in a warzone. How many people do you think I had to watch die? How many did I have to kill, and how many suffered because I did nothing? This pain, it doesn’t go away, it stays with you, it haunts you.” Kaleb began to take off his shirt, starting slowly at first as if he was in pain but brought it up over his head and set it down on the bed. Fluttershy gasped as she saw his back. There were various scars, places where the muscles had been damaged and torn, and burn marks all over. It was only in a whisper that he said that word. “Torture.”
“I still hear them and see them, the people who I interacted with in the war. The voices, the shadows are unbearable, torturous to live with day and night. I went out to the Everfree Forest this night because the Force called me there, and I answered.” Kaleb hesitated, deciding not to tell her about Master Johanna. “If it wasn’t for that call, I would have gone into that forest for a different reason. To the gorge by the Castle of the Two Sisters, and I…” Kaleb cut himself off. “I just wanted the pain to end. They’re all dead, and it’s my fault.”
Fluttershy was staring at him, her tears wiped away. She was not crying, but still had an expression of sadness on her face. She moved towards him with a blank expression at first, then spoke in a quiet tone filled with kindness. “It’s not your fault.”
Kaleb looked confused. “What do you mean?”
She repeated it again, choosing her words carefully. “It’s not your fault that they died. You’re not alone, Kaleb. I’m here.”
With that final statement, Kaleb felt the full force of the emotions go through. Kaleb fully began to cry, his sobs coming in at full force. His body began to tremble and shake with the force, and Fluttershy jumped out her chair to hug him. Her wings wrapped around his body, and they stayed that way as she embraced him. She held on tight, listening to every sob, and feeling every tear. She began to cry as well and he held her tighter. They stayed that way for what seemed like hours, with Fluttershy whispering comforting words into his ears. The two were inseparable for that time, and they seemed to share every emotion, every tremor, every tear, and every heartbeat. After what seemed eternity, Kaleb let go, with Fluttershy holding his hand, and she spoke.
“You matter to me and to everypony else. No matter what you are going through, I will still be here for you.” She paused and hesitated before asking. “Does anypony besides me know the full extent?”
Kaleb shook his head, but then hesitated. “Dr. Bluejay took me aside at the Gala when I first had the repressed memory revealed. He told me what they were, but at the time I wasn’t ready to talk about. So, technically, you’re the only one who knows at the moment. Please don’t tell the others, at least not until I’m ready.”
Fluttershy nodded. “You have my word, on a Pinkie Promise.” She repeated the promise, doing the hoof motions along with it. “Kaleb, if he knows what you’re experiencing, then maybe he could help you.”
Kaleb thought for a second before replying. “That’s a good idea. I saw one of his business cards, and along with being a former field medic, he also has training in psychiatry. I think I need to go to Canterlot. If I stay here any longer, the symptoms are going to get worst. But, I would be away from you.”
“I’ll be fine, Kaleb,” Fluttershy said, her eyes showing encouragement. “I’ll take care of myself so your pain won’t affect me. I will be there every step of the way. The only thing is I’m not sure what I am going to tell the others.”
“Tell them that what I faced in the forest brought back some emotional trauma that I had to deal with. That should give them enough without the entire truth. I’m not sure if there are even trains going there today.”
Fluttershy thought for a second, then her eyes lit up with recognition. “There’s an eight o’clock train that goes to Canterlot in the mornings. You should be able to make it. Can you walk, or…?”
“I can walk, I think. Just keep close.” Kaleb stood up, and after putting on his shirt and boots, began to walk with Fluttershy by his side. She held his hand as she went up the stairs up into the living room. Kaleb looked around and grabbed his robe, which had been hanging on a coatrack and moved towards the door. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door and they walked out into the winter, with Fluttershy closing it behind her and locking it. They went slowly over the bridge and began the walk to the train station on the other side of town.
It was a mildly slow walk, with Fluttershy taking great care to make sure that no one would spot them as they went through town. They took the scenic route, admiring the view as Kaleb mostly stayed silent. Each step led them closer to the train station, and time moved slowly until they finally reached their destination. The train station was quiet this morning, with only a few other ponies who paid no attention to either of them all reading a newspaper.
Kaleb reached into his robe to see if he had any bits, but Fluttershy shook her head, promptly paying for the ticket. Together, they sat on a bench and waited for the train to arrive, looking at the scenery with her pointing out the winter birds that come here in the season. The minutes passed by slowly until the familiar sound of the train arrived, still at a distance.
“When I get to Dr. Bluejay, I’ll send a letter to you and send it through the express mail,” Kaleb said as they watched the train move slowly into the station. “He may want to write it, but it will let you know that I’m alright.”
Fluttershy nodded. “Thank you. Also, I’ll send a trunk full of your clothes and possessions to the return address. Along with anything else you might need.”
The train stopped and the doors began to open as the other passengers began to file out. Kaleb and Fluttershy stood up as they waited for the doors to clear. As soon as they were, they faced each other and hugged tightly, remaining that way for a few moments before separating.
“Thank you, Fluttershy, for your kindness and support. I don’t know what else to say.”
Fluttershy held onto his arms as she looked into his eyes. “Kaleb, I’ll give you all my compassion even though I don’t know the full scope of what you’re going through. I will never leave or abandon you. You matter, and no matter how long it takes I’ll still be here and so will you.”
The conductor began to alert the station that the train was leaving, as the whistle began to blow. Quickly hugging again, Fluttershy let go of his arms, and Kaleb began to walk to the railway car, as she began to say something but the whistle obscured her voice. The doors closed quickly, and with the huff of a whistle, the train began to move. It soon picked up speed and made its way out of the station before moving towards the mountains that led to Canterlot. Fluttershy stared at the train and repeated what she said in a quiet, warmhearted voice that was close to a whisper.
“I love you.”
Dr. Bluejay’s office was small but still offered a nice view of the gardens, even though it was situated on the first floor. Kaleb had gotten through to the Castle okay, stating that he needed to see him right away. Standing in front of the door, he looked through the crack and saw a view of the office and of Dr. Bluejay writing something down on a piece of parchment. Letting out a breath, Kaleb knocked on the door.
“Come in.”
Kaleb walked in silently, closing the door behind him. The pegasus looked up from his parchment, looking surprised. “Kaleb! Please come in, sit down. Wait…why do you need to see me?”
He sat down into the chair, sighing before replying. “It’s a long story. I don’t know where to start.”
“It’s okay, I have plenty of time,” Dr. Bluejay said, looking at him with curiosity. His eyes switched to concern and worry as he saw how pale Kaleb’s skin had become noticing how his eyes darted around the room. “You don’t need to speak now, but just nod or shake your head. I will need you to be completely honest with me.”
Kaleb nodded. Dr. Bluejay cleared his throat and began. “Did you have other memories that came back? In the form of flashbacks, nightmares, hallucinations?” Kaleb nodded. “Did you isolate yourself from others, keeping to yourself from long periods of time?” He nodded.
Dr. Bluejay took down a few markings on a sheet of paper and looked back up at him. “You’re doing good, Kaleb. There’s just one more thing I need to ask you. It is crucial that you must answer this one honestly.” He cleared his throat before he began to speak. “Have you had any suicidal tendencies or thoughts, or have had plans or made any attempts?”
Kaleb paused, finally nodding quickly. Dr. Bluejay took down the markings before putting his legs on his desk and leaning forward slightly, staring at him. “You’re going to be okay, Kaleb. Nothing here is going to try to hurt you in any way. I’m going to do everything I can to help you, along with a few other ponies. You’re not alone in this. I just need you to cooperate to your fullest extent. Is that okay?”
“Yes, thank you,” Kaleb croaked, realizing how parched his throat was. “I think I’m able to talk about it. I just don’t know where to begin.”
“Begin when and where you feel most comfortable,” Dr. Bluejay responded, and Kaleb began to speak.
The room was brightly lit, with a soft blue color filling the walls which made it a relaxed environment. There were chairs arranged in a circle, with different ponies each sitting in the chairs. The looks in their eyes were focused, as an earth pony with a blond mane spoke. Among the ponies was Kaleb, sitting in the chair almost across from the earth pony, whose name was Thunder.
“It’s difficult, when I try to get through the day,” she said in a small grunt, shifting in her chair slightly so to lean forward. “I barely get any sleep due to nightmares during the work week, and I just collapse any chance I get. On top of trying to raise two colts, no less. I feel like I can’t be there for them because I’m so exhausted and half of the time I get alarmed with the loud noises in the city.”
The other ponies nodded. Dr. Bluejay addressed the group as he adjusted his reading glasses slightly. “All of us have our limits in terms of energy and how we are able to spend our time. Thunder, these nightmares seem to take away a lot of sleep. I can’t imagine how it feels for your children, and the exhaustion must be stressful to you and them.”
Thunder nodded. “They get worried about me, and often try to cheer me up. They even made me breakfast in bed one time. Though that kitchen was a real mess.” Everyone chuckled. “I just don’t know how or why to tell them that I can’t spend as much time with them.”
Kaleb raised his hand slightly, and both she and Dr. Bluejay indicated for him to speak. “Young ponies often have a difficult time understanding these issues, but they do see them. It seems they’re concerned for you and possibly trying to reach out. Have you tried talking to them?”
Thunder waved her hooves in the air slightly. “I often play the conversation in my head, but I always see it going wrong. Either they get more anxious, more depressed, or just angry and try to act out for my attention.”
“Maybe you can try to make them feel like they’re part of the process as well. Being honest about what is going on, while not going into the specific details of the nightmares. Putting it in the simplest of ways while also teaching them. I would also say stress the fact that you still love them no matter what, and that you’re just trying your best every single day. If your children are that determined to make you feel more relaxed, then they will hopefully understand.”
There was a glimmer of relief in her face, though it was not given away easily. After Thunder thanked Kaleb, Dr. Bluejay clapped his hooves together softly. “Exactly. Those around you will react in different ways, but in most cases, they will hopefully be supportive. Thunder, thank you for sharing today, along with the rest of you. Our session has ended so you can go. Please feel free to help yourself to some coffee on the way out, and I hope you all have a good Hearth’s Warming.”
Everypony filed out of the room, leaving their folding chairs in the same formation to get the free caffeine. Kaleb stood up, stretching before starting to put away the chairs into the small closet. It was a relatively short task, since including him and Dr. Bluejay, there had been only eight other ponies in the group. As he finished putting away the chairs, he saw the doctor holding a cup as well.
“Thanks, that was really nice of you. Today was a good session, I could feel it. Either that, or the coldness of the room.” Kaleb chuckled slightly before letting out a sigh. “You did really well today, Kaleb. I know that it’s tough for you, sharing in front of other ponies, but you listened well and offered support. It seemed that Thunder really appreciated your advice.”
Running his hand through his hair, Kaleb coughed slightly. “I don’t know, it’s just that I get anxious in front of groups, even ones as small as this one. Probably just a little to personal, I guess.” He paused before speaking again. “It’s been six weeks since I arrived here, and things are going slow. Even with the medications, therapy, and the low stress environment, I still feel like I haven’t made enough progress. The Jedi taught me to be patient but I find myself being more restless.”
Dr. Bluejay nodded, taking a sip from his coffee. “I can understand that. I know that it seems slow, but you have some big steps in a good direction. This is something that can be with somepony for years, maybe even for the rest of their lives. You’re doing better than you give yourself credit for. The Paxil seems to be working at a good dosage, and the individual therapy with Lyra seems to be going well from what you told me. The relaxing activities seem to help create a low-stress environment for you, which was the main goal. Even the project you and Celestia are working on helps, which is that learning to look at things in a different context and helps deal with the memories. Though, it did cost a perfectly good garage door.”
Kaleb smiled slightly at that last sentence. “True. Maybe I have been a little hard on myself lately. Things have gotten better, especially in the past week. It could be the medication has started working, which is a relief. Although I still have the flashbacks, mostly in dreams and occasionally when I’m awake. That’s something I still need to work on.”
“I’ve been meaning to talk to you, actually,” Dr. Bluejay spoke quietly. “I’ve been looking over your progress and talking to Lyra about how you are doing.Things have been going well, so she and I were thinking about maybe asking you about the next step. Essentially, you would head back to Ponyville and continue there but you would come into outpatient therapy once a week with Lyra. She has an office there so you won’t have to come up to Canterlot. I’ll just need to do a final assessment on Monday to approve.”
A look of surprise went over Kaleb’s face. “Really? That’s wonderful, but I’m not sure how that’s a next step exactly.”
“It’s more of being able to adjust getting back into you daily life, using the skills that you have learned here to help you. Along with your progress: two of my big concerns have been addressed. Your suicidal thoughts are gone and you know how to deal with them, as well as the Paxil has begun to work with no sign of serious side effects.” Moving a hoof as to clear the air, Dr. Bluejay set a casual look back on his face. “So, do you have any plans for this afternoon?”
He thought for a moment. “Well, I was planning on going out into Canterlot if that’s okay. Mainly to look around at the holiday decorations in the stores. Also, I need to stop by the theater to pick up a ticket for the Saturday night play. You know, I thought that Princess Celestia or Princess Luna would be able to get me a free ticket.”
Dr. Bluejay chuckled. “It’s fine, Kaleb. Even for royalty, the ticketing system for the theater holds no exceptions. It sells out pretty quickly, but there are usually a few tickets left for the show. They may not be the best seats in the house, but at least you’ll be there. Trust me, Manehattan’s ticketing system is a lot worse. That’s the show your friends are in, right?”
Kaleb nodded as he began to walk out of the room. “I’ll take your word for it. I’ll see you Monday.” Moving out into the hallway, he paused before thrusting his way through the door to meet the winds outside. It was a longer walk going from the small building to where the theater was, but he appreciated it. It gave him time to think.
Shivering in only his fall jacket, he looked around at the other ponies who had their winter clothes on, with some fillies and colts playing in the snow. They built snow ponies and made snow angels, with a few occasionally trying to hit each other with snowballs. Kaleb kept his eyes on them as he saw the snowballs flying, tensing up in case any were to go his way. Focusing on his breathing, he tried to relax as he told himself that there was no danger. Kaleb looked straight ahead and focused on the journey as well, moving his hands into his jacket.
I should probably get some winter clothes while I’m up here, but I don’t think I have the bits to spare, Kaleb thought, trying not to step on the patches of ice that lined the sidewalk. I should be able to manage until Monday, but it won’t be a pleasant experience. I swear, everything up here is so expensive, it could give Coruscant a run for its money. He paused as he saw the theater ahead of him. All I need to do it get through the next few days before hopefully going back. It should be an easier experience with my friends around. With that thought, Kaleb walked straight ahead and entered through the theater doors.
It was a grand venue, with a marble staircase leading into the main theater and twisting its way around to the various wings above. The red carpet on the floor reflected the royal touch, as did the mosaic murals of productions past lining the wall, each made out of various pieces of marble and gemstone. The wood that made the furniture was a bright oak, with golden ornamentations in scripted into it and cushioning that was the same red as the carpet. Kaleb walked towards the counter where the sign indicated that there were tickets, but nobody was there. Ringing the bell, he waited a minute before calling out to see if anyone was there.
That’s strange, I could have sworn they had someone here yesterday. Maybe if I wait here, someone will be along, Kaleb thought as he sat down on one of the couches. He sat in silence, taking in the exquisite artwork lining the walls, ranging from murals to paintings of various theater owners and donors. There was one painting that caught his eye. It showed a garden featuring a night sky, with the most beautiful flowers surrounding the walkway. They seemed to glow, lighting up the path as a filly and a colt walk together through garden. Each of them both have a curious look in their eye, eyeing the flowers with amazement, but the filly also was sneaking a glance at the colt, trying to head closer to him. The sky seemed to stretch on forever, creating a horizon that seemed to show the ends of the land. I wonder, could that be…
Before he could finish his thought, he heard a noise coming from the doors leading into the theater, along with a hum. Getting up, Kaleb made his way up the staircase, seeing that the doors were slightly open, leading him into the main theater. The lights were on, and Kaleb could see the grand chandelier that towered above him, made of thousands of crystals. The private boxes along the sides created optimal space for viewing, along with the balcony with the seats on the second floor. Kaleb wandered down the aisle, looking for the sound of the noise. Moving his attention to the stage, he saw that Rarity was there, trying to pin up poinsettias to the green curtain, but she was having trouble getting the curtain to stay up.
“Yes, come on Rarity, you can do this. It’s only a simple flower, I just have to hold up the curtain while trying to move the flower.” She tried once more to pin up the flower, but the curtain was not having it. With a clatter, the fabric began to fall, putting the rest of the decorations at risk for being smashed into pieces. Rarity shrieked, scrambling to use her magic to hold up it up.
Kaleb reacted quickly, reaching his hand out to use the Force. Rarity managed to grab one end with her magic while Kaleb took the other. They both managed to pull the curtain back up, reattaching it to the hooks. Rarity had a look of confusion on her face, trying to figure out where the extra help had come from until she heard a familiar voice.
“You might need a helping hoof to finish those decorations, or hand in this case.” Rarity turned around quickly, gasping in shock as she screamed his name. She began to run towards him, with Kaleb staggering into one of the seats. “Wait, stop! Don’t run, please walk.” Slowing down, she walked up towards him, and Kaleb stood back up.
“Is it okay if I hug you?” She asked, looking concerned. Kaleb nodded, and she pulled him into a hesitant hug, with Kaleb indicating after a few seconds to let go. “I’m terribly sorry about that, Kaleb. I didn’t know how to react. What are you doing here?”
“It’s okay, it’s just I can’t have any sudden movements or noises coming towards me. I came here actually to buy a ticket for the play on Saturday. They apparently sold pretty quickly, so I came over here as fast as I could. I see your putting the finishing touches on the decorations.”
Rarity nodded. “The curse of being a designer is always trying to get it just perfect. I’m trying to get these things done before Saturday so I don’t have to worry about it then. I actually have a ticket for you that Twilight bought. I was going to drop it off at the castle.” After giving him the envelope with the ticket, she paused and hesitated before she spoke again. “We’re all supporting you, no matter what. Fluttershy told us what happened and why you left. I hope I’m not crossing any boundries, but why did you come here precisely?”
Kaleb thought for a second before replying. “Well, there was someone else I met up here after I crashed who saw some warning signs at the Gala. He’s trained in psychiatry, so it only made sense. I’ve been doing a variety of things to help, and they seem to be working. I can’t tell you anything else right now, I’m afraid.”
“No darling, it’s okay. I’m glad that whatever you are doing is helping you. Speaking of which, I need your help with a few things, including getting this last flower onto the curtain and helping me with the bouquet orders for all of the cast. I filled them out partially, I just need your help with the colors. It should be something that reflects the season while also showing the importance of friendship.”
She led him to the front of the stage, and he saw that the curtain was still dangling slightly. Using the Force, he held the curtain steady while Rarity secured the final flower. With her help as well, they secured the final ring on the corner to its hook on one of the tracks, closing the latch on it so it would not fall again. She then handed him the order form for the florist, which was on a clipboard along with a quill. Kaleb began to fill out the colors, taking into consideration Rarity’s words. He chose the traditional colors of red and green, along with some grand colors of silver and gold for the tissue paper they would be wrapped in, which were for the ornamentations against the darker green background. He handed back the form to Rarity, who handed him a glass of water. “I did my best with it, but you are more of the expert.”
“I guess so,” Rarity said, looking over his color choices as he began to take a sip. “But your choices are good. I like the use of red and pine green for the flowers, along with the silver and gold for the tissue paper. But I would change the pine green to something else, since it would be too dark to show the ornamentations. Perhaps, a turquoise should suffice. It does match Fluttershy’s eyes.”
Kaleb spluttered, choking as the water went down the wrong pipe. Coughing, he responded as he put his hand to his mouth. “Sorry, did you just say…it matches Fluttershy’s eyes?”
Rarity formed a small smile. “Yes, I did. You know, I knew you had quite the eye for color. So, how long have you had feelings for her?”
Kaleb looked confused with an edge of annoyance in his voice. “I don’t know what you are talking about. Actually, I admit that was clever with the water, catching me off my guard. But I have no idea.” He felt his heart rate start to go up slightly.
“You know, I saw the way you two were looking at each other. Both in the carriage and in the gardens. That was quite the dance.” Rarity explained, softening the tone of her voice slightly. “It’s okay, Kaleb. Your secret is safe with me. Now, can you please be honest with me? For your friend?” She unleashed her look of sadness onto Kaleb.
“Okay, those eyes are very effective. Perhaps I do have feelings for her,” Kaleb sighed, his cheeks slightly red. They both sat down in the front row. “I like her a lot, more than just a friend. It was the night of the last big thunderstorm, when I was helping her out with Philomena. She helped calm me when I was having a panic attack, and she took my hand. I showed her a device called a map reader, which projects the various stars and planets into the sky. She fell asleep as I was explaining, but I saw the way the stars reflected in her eyes and dappled her mane. I don’t know why, but in that moment felt something I had never felt before.”
Rarity wiped away a small tear from her eye. “That’s a wonderful story, Kaleb. Love is just more than a physical attraction, it’s as if someone who understands you emotionally and can be whether the storms no matter what. Some say that it’s the most powerful thing in the world. I’ve read a lot of stories with love and romance, as you can tell.”
“You don’t say,” Kaleb said with a hint of amusement, before sighing and speaking with a conflicted tone. “It’s complicated, for reasons that I can’t go into. But other than those reasons, what I can tell you is that I’ve never had these feelings before for anypony or anybody. What if she doesn’t feel the same way, or what if I say the wrong thing at the wrong time? I’m getting most of my advice from this from the films that I’ve borrowed from the Princesses along with a small projector.”
Rarity looked at Kaleb with wisdom in her eyes. “I think she feels the same way about you, and even if she doesn’t, you still have a friend. You will know when the right time is, that I can only tell you. And some of those films can be a little unrealistic at times, but they are fun and sometimes show what love is. Honestly, the best advice I can give you is to talk to her and be honest. Communication is essential, and a little goes a long way. Also, dressing the right way as well can add to the moment.”
Kaleb shivered a little. “As you can tell, I’m barely prepared for the winter as is, and I don’t have the bits to buy any winter clothes. I’ve managed to get by in my fall jacket by layering, but just barely. Everything here is so expensive.”
“I can take you shopping for the right clothes, both for the weather and for Saturday night,” Rarity exclaimed, a look of ingenuity forming on her face. “I will pay for everything, and don’t you even dare suggest otherwise, darling. By the time we’re done, you’ll have the right clothes to sweep her off her hooves!”
Kaleb smiled with a look of surprise. “Thank you, that would be very much appreciated. But I don’t think a tuxedo or a suit is right for me. At the Gala, I felt really constricted and uncomfortable. I was hoping for something a little more comfortable, while still being dressed up and appropriate for the evening.”
Rarity thought, looking at Kaleb and muttering some things to herself. “I have an idea for your look. It will reflect the season and the event, while being a little more comfortable for you. It’s a risk, but throwback designs are becoming more and more popular. Tell me, how would you feel about this…”
Kaleb walked up to the doors of restaurant, making sure that the address was the same that Rarity had given him along with the time of their reservation, for which he was running late. It was supposed to be a small meal, just the Mane Six and him, before the show started. The restaurant was right by the theater so they would just walk over to the back entrance to get ready while Kaleb would go in through the front doors.
He admired his look in the mirror, reminding himself to thank Rarity for the amazing ensemble. He wore a dark blue winter jacket that was the same shade as his robes, which had a faux fur lining on the top which surrounded his neck and shoulders. Under that, he had a beige turtleneck, which matched the lining, with a dark blue vest over it. That kept it from hanging down too low. The pants were also the same shade of blue, which paired nicely with his brown boots, which had been recently polished.
Pausing, Kaleb took some calm breaths before entering the restaurant. Rarity had assured him that the food would be okay for him, and that she would pass on the message about sudden movements or noises. He winced in pain as he felt his right-hand throb, the bandages covering the injury swelling up slightly. As long as I take some pain medication before dinner, I should be okay. I’ll need to change these bandages as soon as I get back. At least the burn isn’t too bad, but I should really be more careful next time. He entered the restaurant to find a hostess who immediately led him back to a table near the fireplace.
Twilight, Spike, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie all waved at him as he found his way to his chair next to between Rarity and Applejack. Taking off his coat and hat, he set them on the back of the chair and sat down.
Twilight spoke up first. “Kaleb, we’re so glad to see you. Thank you for joining us, and like Rarity said we are all your friends and are supporting you no matter what.”
“Thank you, for being so thoughtful,” Kaleb began, addressing the table. “I can’t tell you how much this means to me. I know that you all have questions about what has been happening, and I’ll say what I can. Things have been getting better slightly, through a combination of methods including a low-stress environment. While some things may never be as they once were, I am still doing fine and still the same person. But please, this evening isn’t about me, it’s about all of you and all the hard work you have put into this production which I am looking forward to. Speaking of which, where is Fluttershy?”
“She had an emergency with Angel and is running a little bit late,” Rainbow Dash chimed in. “Don’t worry, she said that she should still be here in time for dinner, in like ten seconds flat. What happened to your hand?”
He noticed that the others were staring at the bandages. “It’s nothing, really. I just had an accident a few days ago. There are some scars from the burns, but it’s just healing right now. I can assure you that I won’t need any assistance, I can use the Force if necessary.”
The waiter came and brought over small bowls of salad with dried cranberries and walnuts, along with small slices of pears. Kaleb used the Force to lift his fork and began to eat the salad, looking out at the window as the various conversation began. Rarity saw what he was doing with great interest, and they began to talk in a small voice. “I have an idea. When Fluttershy gets here, I’m sure she would want a piece of the pear. You can lift one up using the Force and send it her way, and she will catch it on her fork That would be so romantic.”
“But a little cheesy, don’t you think?” Kaleb countered, fixing her with a look of amusement. “It’s like talking about how you don’t like sand on a date. It’s more awkward than romantic.”
Rarity nodded. “True. But I guess you can make anything sound romantic.” She saw how uncomfortable he was becoming with this. “I’ll stop, but you’re going to be fine. Just be yourself.”
He continued to listen to the conversation as the main courses were delivered. The restaurant specialized with pasta, and you could customize your order. “I ordered for you Kaleb, I hope you don’t mind,” Twilight called out as the server was moving around. “The meatballs are vegetarian, I checked.”
“Thanks Twilight! These truly indeed look delicious.” Kaleb replied as he smelled the fresh smell of the tomato sauce cooked and seasoned with various hints of oregano and basil. The server came by with some freshly grated parmesan and grated a moderate amount onto his plate, which was more than usual. Well, since this is a special occasion, I might as well indulge a little.
For the next twenty minutes, he listened to the mares telling stories about the work that they had put into the production, much to Kaleb’s interest. He often asked questions about what went into the work behind the scenes, including memorizing lines and cues along with the background sets and scenery. As Kaleb listened, he found himself grabbing his hand as it throbbed, realizing that he had forgotten to take the pain medication. Realizing there was no waiter in sight, he excused himself from the table to go to the restroom.
As he was getting up from the table, another pony was approaching the table, and Kaleb realized that it was Fluttershy. She was wearing the turquoise cloak that he had seen before, along with a small scarf. They both stared at each other for a moment, with Fluttershy giving him a small smile, and Kaleb’s only response was a small hello and a wave. Kaleb stood there for a second, then he snapped out of it and began to walk to the restroom.
After taking the medication, he rejoined them where dessert had been served, much to Pinkie’s delight. It was a cake in the shape of a log, with chocolate buttercream wrapped around it, and decorations made to look like naturally occurring objects around a tree like mushrooms and small branches, along with fresh berries. The frosting had been made to look like bark. Everypony took a slice including Kaleb, who found himself enjoying the conversation and beginning to relax even with Fluttershy at the table. They occasionally exchanged small glances at each other, with each glance resulting in a small blush. As they left for the theater, Rarity had remarked to everyone that Kaleb seemed to have really enjoyed dessert.
The play had been a smashing success, as the many ponies filed out of the theater, and Kaleb waited for his friends at the entrance. He was enthralled with the level of skill and production design involved, and having never heard the story before, was fascinated with all of the history between the different types of ponies. The Mane six exited through the doors a few minutes later, and they spent some time together discussing how much fun they had, holding their bouquets in hand.
Finally, noticing that many of them were yawning, Twilight clapped her hooves together. “We should be getting back to our hotel, but it was great to see you Kaleb, and all of us look forward to seeing you back in Ponyville soon.”
“It was my pleasure, Twilight. You know, I though that Princess Celestia would let you stay in the castle.”
Twilight waved her hoof. “Unfortunately, she has so many guests visiting from all around Equestria this time of year, that it can be difficult to spare any rooms. It’s okay, it’s a really good hotel on the other side of Canterlot.”
Kaleb smiled, but then swore under his breath as he felt his hand begin to throb. As the others began to leave, Fluttershy whispered something to Twilight and handed her the bouquet. Twilight nodded and waved as she and the others left, leaving only the two of them. Fluttershy approached Kaleb, indicating toward his hand and took it gingerly as he nodded.
“Oh my, what happened to your hand?” She asked, looking concerned. “I was worried that something may have happened…”
Kaleb responded in a reassuring voice. “It’s okay, nothing like that happened. It was just an accident that happened when I was working on something for my treatment. Dr. Bluejay bandaged it right up. It just hurts a lot, and they need to be changed.”
“I can help you it if that’s okay. I just need to make sure you’re okay.”
He nodded. “I have bandages back where I’m staying. It’s not that far of a walk from here.” They began to walk towards the castle, side by side as they exchanged glances with each other. Finally, it was Kaleb who broke the silence. “So, I hear that you had an emergency back in Ponyville. Is Angel okay?”
“He just has a little bit of a cold. Poor thing, probably got it playing outside,” Fluttershy responded, looking around at the decorations in the windows before looking back at him. “There’s no fever, but he does have a nasty cough. He was in bed resting.” She hesitated before asking. “I got the letter from Dr. Bluejay, but it didn’t explain what was happening in detail. I know you’ve been through a lot, so if you don’t want to talk about what’s been happening with you…"
“No, it’s okay. I can talk about it now,” Kaleb explained quickly, looking back at her. “Talking about it always helps, like it’s normal. Dr. Bluejay says that I have something called post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD for short. There are many who have it, including those who have been through combat or any other traumatic experience. It often involves reliving the events through flashbacks, whether it be through nightmares or hallucinations, as well as a sense of paranoia.”
Fluttershy nodded. “At least you are not alone, or the only one who has it. Is there any type of cure or treatment?”
“There is no definite cure for it at the moment, but I have been receiving treatment,” he said as they arrived at the castle grounds. With a nod to one of the guards, the gate was opened, and they walked through with Kaleb leading her around the castle. “I’ve been taking medication, which can help with the symptoms including the hallucinations and anxiety. Therapy also helps, and I’m going to two different types: one individual and one with a group of others who have been in combat. Just in general, trying to keep a low stress environment has helped. Ah, we’re here!”
They had arrived at a small bunker, which looked more like a garage on the outside than anything else. “Trust me, it’s a lot better than it looks.” Producing a small key from inside of his jacket, he unlocked the door and held it open for Fluttershy as he followed her inside.
The inside had more of a feeling of a small apartment than anything else. There was a small living room, with a few chairs and a couch with a bed that folded inside of it. There were various books on the end tables, along with more than a few film reels with a projector on the main table in between the chairs and tables. On the other side of the room, there was a small wall the separated the two sides, and it held a small kitchen area with a sink and cabinets, with a door leading to the bathroom and another leading into another room. The small table held a jigsaw puzzle that was nearing completion.
“It looks nice, I suppose, but I still don’t understand. Couldn’t Princess Celestia give you a room in the castle?” Fluttershy asked, raising her eyebrow a little.
“She initially offered me a room, but after talking about it with Dr. Bluejay I though it wasn’t a good idea. There were so many ponies coming in and out of the castle every day that it would have been difficult to keep my treatment a secret. Also, there are a lot of noises in the halls that could trigger flashbacks. This is not too isolated, but it’s a little quieter.” Kaleb opened a cabinet and brought out the bandages along an antibiotic ointment. “I just need to run cold water again and reapply the ointment before rebandaging.”
Fluttershy nodded. She turned on the water as Kaleb removed the bandages, wincing a little at the pain. Running it through the cold water, he dried it quickly before putting on the ointment. She wrapped the hand in bandages tenderly, making sure that it was staying properly with her hooves lingering on it. Looking at the hand, she had a satisfied smile on her face. “There we go, that’s all better. Part of me is starting to like this place, it must be very cozy. Although, the pile of film reels is starting to match the yarn in my knitting chamber.”
Kaleb chuckled as he ran unbandaged his hand through his hair. “Most of them are borrowed from the castle. It’s nice to have some entertainment other than books, and there was nothing like this in my universe. I love the stories that these movies tell, of adventure and drama and romance. They really tell you something about Equestrian history.” As he put away the bandages and ointment, he indicated towards the door leading into another room. “There’s something that I want to show you in there. It’s something that me and Celestia have been working on as part of my treatment. You just have to promise not to tell the others, especially Rainbow Dash. If she knew what I had in there, I would never hear the end of it.”
“Oh my, it must be something really special,” Fluttershy replied, looking perplexed. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep it a secret. I would love to see it.”
“As you wish.” Kaleb smiled as he pointed his open hand toward the door. She giggled, blushing slightly. Opening the door slightly, he waited for her to get out of her chair before moving into the dark room. Once she had closed the door, he turned on the lantern on the side of the wall, which lit up the whole room.
The ship had a large length at around twenty-six feet, with it standing at around five feet and spanning twelve feet, leaving only a yard around it to maneuver. It was triangular in shape, with a navy-blue coloring on the wings and cockpit, with a space left for an astromech droid in font. Raised slightly, the cockpit had glass showing off a variety of switches and buttons, with a fin going off of the back. The two sides of the ship were lowered slightly at an angle, and there was a symbol of the Republic on the left side from where they were standing. There were four cannons, two above the hull and two underneath it, along with a variety of exposed wires and switches from the panels which were propped up on the other side.
Fluttershy gasped in amazement as she stared at the ship. “Is this the ship that you crashed in?”
Kaleb nodded. “This was the ship that I took when I was fleeing Coruscant. Although not the exact same one, this was the starfighter that I flew during the Clone Wars. It’s a Delta-7B Aethersprite light class interceptor, with a flight time of around five hours without refueling. It was capable of lightspeed travel.” He noticed her confused look. “That means going faster than the speed of light. Although, to go lightspeed you would need a hyperspace docking ring which would hook up to it.”
“This is amazing, and in really good condition for being crashed,” She exclaimed as she flew upwards around the ship, circling it before coming back down. “I’m just a little confused. How working on this with Princess Celestia therapeutic?”
“Princess Luna managed to slow down the ship enough to stop any major damage from occurring from the engines, but it was battered from the impact and the damage from the cannons that fired at it,” Kaleb explained, pointing out where some pieces were dented and scarred with burn marks. “Princess Celestia and Dr. Bluejay came up with the idea of fixing this as a way to keeping my hands busy so that I could focus my thoughts, but also as kind of a metaphor for myself. It may look fine on the outside, but there was a lot of damage on the inside. By fixing what is inside, those repairs will help on the outside and make it whole and working.”
Fluttershy pointed hesitantly towards the cannons, her voice reflecting that in the same. “That’s a good method. Do those cannons actually work?”
Kaleb paused for a moment, and then laughed. "I can say that they do in fact work. When I was first working on this, I was disconnecting some of the wires in the cockpit and connecting a few to see if the systems would work. I must have connected the wrong wires, and the cannons fired and the blasts hit the garage door. The force of it drove it right off its restraints and blasted it into the air landing around ten feet away. Dr. Bluejay was furious at first and thought it was irresponsible that there were no precautionary measures taken when designing it. He forced me to put a safety switch near the trigger so that it wouldn’t happen again.”
“Well, that’s certainly good to remember,” Fluttershy said, laughing softly at the story. “Do you think that it will be able to fly, or even go into space?”
Thinking hard for a moment, Kaleb pondered the question before answering it. “Into the air; maybe but definitely not into space. I would have to wait for the winter to die down before attempting any type of flight especially with the winds. There’s a seal between the cockpit and the rest of the ship that keeps it airtight in space. It could have been broken with the crash. Princess Celestia and I have repaired it enough so that it will be good in the air, but I would not want to try to go into space in this thing. Besides, I have everything that I hold dear to me right here in Equestria.”
Fluttershy nodded, blushing slightly at that last sentence. “All of us are leaving tomorrow for Ponyville, so I don’t have much time to spend with you. Maybe we can wander around Canterlot a little on the way back to the hotel?”
Kaleb paused for a moment before exclaiming with joy. “Of course, I would love to. There’s this one place on the way that makes fantastic hot chocolate. We could stop by there.”
“That sounds wonderful. I’ve never explored much around Canterlot, so it will be a bit of an adventure.” As Kaleb and she walked back into the main room, she added something under her breath. “A wonderful adventure.”
It took a few minutes for Kaleb to sort out some things, but it was not long before they departed the bunker, with him locking the door before going out. With a nod to the guard, they stepped off into the night, taking in the night sky as they strolled down the lane. It was a beautiful night for an adventure, with the celebrations of Hearth’s Warming in full swing. The lights in the stores were open, their displays full of decorations and gifts waiting to be bought. The street lamps held wreaths and garlands twisting their way down the poles. The street and was slightly empty but still had their fair share of carriages being pulled and pedestrians trotting across the square.
Kaleb and Fluttershy stared at all of the displays as they walked, in awe as they took in the excitement. Once in a while, they would bump into each other. This resulted with a muttered apology from Fluttershy and Kaleb accepting it, the both of them blushing in what could be debated because of the cold or something else. Arriving at a crosswalk, they crossed into a smaller section of Canterlot, away from the richness of the main street and into a smaller and more homely section. They stopped several times to admire the view of a particular display in the window of a home or the performances on the corners of the streets or on the stoops of the buildings.
There were two performances that they stopped for. One featured a pony with an afro and sunglasses wearing a black winter coat playing a red trumpet along with a saxophonist, guitarist, and drummer with a snare and bass drum backing him up. A sign was propped up in the trumpeter’s case that said Feed the Starving Musician. They listened to the performance for a little bit before putting in some bits and moving by. The second performance was by a group of young ponies singing in a chorus with the familiar songs of Hearth’s Warming. Dressed in coats with scarves and hats, their voices were heavenly, and Fluttershy was transfixed by the angelic sounds of the choir. Kaleb looked around the crowd and saw that Thunder was among the ponies, beaming with pride at two colts which he realized must have been hers. Smiling for a moment, he focused his attention back to the colts and fillies and they finished their song to a round of applause.
They eventually made their way to the place where Kaleb was talking about, a small café called The Cloud Café in a small square with a fountain. There were small lights strung from strings attached to the streetlamps and to hooks on the striped awning, combining with the light from the streetlamps and from inside the café to create a cozy atmosphere. There were tables outside and inside where ponies were sitting, and some were dancing to the music playing from several speakers propped up on a table with more going inside. These attached to a record player which spun the vinyl inside near the wall of the small entryway an earth pony waved over to Kaleb, and began to move towards him, his pale-green coat reflecting in the light. “Kaleb! It’s good to see you. And I see you brought somepony here!”
Kaleb chuckled and embraced the pony in a hug, clapping him on the back before releasing him a few moments later. “I thought I heard your voice from a few blocks down. Fluttershy, this is Solar, he’s the owner of this café and a very supportive friend.”
Fluttershy said a small hello before hesitantly shaking his hoof. “It’s nice to meet you Solar. This is a really great café that you have.”
“It is. I got it all dressed up for Hearth’s Warming, with the lights and everything,” Solar explained, pointing out the small decorations in the windows along with the strings of lights. “It’s nothing much really, just something to make it even more cozy. So then, what can I get for you?”
Kaleb looked at Fluttershy, who said something in a small voice to him. He cleared his throat before speaking. “We’ll have two small hot chocolates with whipped cream, please.”
Solar clapped his hooves together. “Sure thing, that will be two bits.” Kaleb handed him the coins and he put them in the pocket of his coat. “I’ll have those out in less than two minutes!” He trotted away quickly. They waited and looked at the surroundings around them, taking in the atmosphere and the mood. In only a few moments, solar was back out with the hot chocolates in white travel cups with lids, each decorated with red and green patterns of the season. “You two enjoy! I’ve been telling him that this was a great place to bring a date.”
Before either of them could react, he went back into the café. Kaleb chuckled, coughing to hide the fact that his face was burning up along with Fluttershy’s . “He’s been saying that for a while, I guess this must have made his night.” He raised his cup in her direction. “To friends and adventure?”
“To friends and adventure,” Fluttershy replied, touching their cups as they took a small sip, leaning against a small half wall. There was a moment of silence between them she spoke. “I love the season of Hearth’s Warming. From all of the traditions to the performances and the snow, nothing is able to top it. This reminds me of what my family would do when I was a filly. We would all have hot chocolate together, in mugs that my mom would make. She’s an artisan who does pottery along with so many other arts, selling them in the market. We would gather around the tree and sing carols or sharing storing and admiring the tree. We would then make our way up to the point in Canterlot that I talked about and stargaze, admiring all of the winter constellations and the Northern Star. My dad would tell Hearth’s Warming stories that came from those stars. Did you have anything like Hearth’s Warming?”
“There were various traditions on different planets with some cultures, but none were widespread beyond their home world,” Kaleb recalled. “Your family sounds wonderful, and it seems like they have their own traditions.”
Fluttershy nodded. “My brother can sometimes be a little overdramatic, but I’ve learned how to deal with him. My dad works at the weather plant where they produce the weather, and he’s always talking to us about the formation of the clouds as a supervisor. It’s honestly fascinating, and he is hoping to retire in a few years, or at least step down and become a tour guide because of his knowledge.”
The music stopped for a moment as Solar switched out records and a new song began to play. This featured a mare beginning to sing slowly and softly, singing about the season of Hearth’s Warming, including the winter and the snow, and how a fireplace blossoms and brings ponies together. Kaleb set his hot chocolate on the ledge of the wall and walked to stand in front of Fluttershy, holding out his bandaged right hand. “The night is still young, and alive with the sounds of Hearth’s Warming. Mademoiselle Fluttershy, may I have this dance?” He bowed slightly on the last line.
Fluttershy blushed and set down her hot chocolate. “I would love to, Monsieur Taymar.” The both of them giggled slightly as they walked to the dance floor. They assumed the same position as they did in the gala, but instead of waltzing, they swayed slowly along to the music, staying mostly in one place. The change in style made it so they were closer then they had been before. Fluttershy noticed this change. “This change in dancing styles really brings us closer together than our previous dance.”
“The judges may give us less points on style, but more points on emotion,” Kaleb joked softly. “If I may say so, you are a fantastic dancer.”
“Thank you,” Fluttershy replied, looking into Kaleb’s eyes, glancing at something that he could not see “Before the Gala, no other pony has ever asked me to dance with them before. I was always to shy to ask, and the others always thought my dancing was strange.”
Kaleb look with sympathy and then with kindness. “Strange? You are one of the best dancers I have ever seen, Fluttershy and never let anypony tell you otherwise. Dancing with you is…”
He didn’t get to finish that compliment, as he and Fluttershy both looked up. Snow had started to fall, and he saw her face light up in the biggest smile he had seen all evening. She batted playfully at the snow as they continued to dance, with Kaleb smiling as he saw her joy. The song ended a few moments later on a major chord with the strings, and they slowed down until they were simply standing there, unsure of what to do next. Solar clapped and walked over to them. “I see that the spirit of the evening is alive and well.”
Fluttershy had with a hint of amusement in her voice. “It truly is, and I can say that this date is a success.” She winked at Kaleb, who chuckled, rolling his eyes slightly. “Thank you for adding more to this evening. I was just wondering where the gate leads to over there, near the two buildings?” She pointed it out to him, where only streetlamp and the two hanging lanterns illuminated the entryway.
Solar smiled. “You seem to have discovered a hidden secret of Canterlot, Fluttershy. That is the Luminescent Gardens, where the view of Equestria cannot be put into words. It’s usually not that crowded this hour.”
Kaleb’s eyes widened, remembering what Dr. Bluejay had told him. His thoughts were interrupted by her. “Kaleb, is it okay if we go? I would love to see the view.”
Taking a few seconds to think, he responded in a small, nervous voice. “Yes, of course. That would be lovely.” Fluttershy had to literally take his hand, leading them towards the gate as he saw Solar looking at the two of them, laughing and shaking his head, Kaleb took deep breaths and tried to calm his thoughts as they approached the gate. It’s okay, remember what Rarity said. Just be honest and tell her how you feel. Though, it is part of the adventure after all.
Slipping through the entrance, they walked in silence as they both took in the sight, guided by the lanterns on each side of the path. It was a slow walk, with flowers appearing to be blooming even in the middle of winter to both of their amazement. The colors were indicative of the season, with various shades of red, green, gold, and silver appearing in the colors, defying all expectations. It seemed that all logic was out the window, and that imagination and adventure had taken hold.
Kaleb began to notice that she had moved closer to him, almost leaning on him as they strolled slowly, only breaking to catch a snowflake. His heart began to beat in his chest loudly, and he felt a feeling that he had only felt before when they had finished dancing at the gala. Breathing deeply, he decided that it would be best to embrace this feeling and began to enjoy the moment.
The two came upon a bench near where the path was closest to the edge, and they sat underneath the wooden arch which had a small roof on top of the ends. The crisscross pattern of the walls was filled with vines with flowers that appeared not to bloom. Once settled, they looked out at the view, and Fluttershy gasped with astonishment. The winter sky was as clear as any view from the highest point of the castle, and showed a vast landscape of Equestria, with every peak and valley being visible. The sky was more than the black that Kaleb was used to; it was a dark blue with hints of lighter blues and various shades of purple, maybe with a hint of green or yellow. Millions of stars twinkled in the sky, creating a sparkling effect that added to the canvas of the night.
Kaleb look equally as astonished. “I’ve been to many sights, but I have never seen anything like this in my life.”
Fluttershy turned back to him, wiping back tears. “It’s just like the stars near Cloudsdale, Kaleb. This is one of the greatest Hearth’s Warming gifts I have ever gotten. Thank you.” She hugged him tightly, wrapping her wings around him as he returned the favor. They held on tight for several seconds as the snowfall began to increase, and then let go.
Kaleb looked and saw the snow in her mane and fur, along with those turquoise eyes staring back at him with compassion. So, this is what it feels like, Kaleb thought, remembering what Master Johanna had told him about how she felt for that person. “This has been a great adventure we have had together, with a journey filled with mystery, adventure, and dancing.”
“Just like some of the movies you’ve watched,” Fluttershy responded, looking at Kaleb as she softened her voice. “I had a book when I was a filly, that was one of my favorites. It had all of these wonderful places in Equestria, places with so many animals and creatures that can open any imagination to the world. I used to escape all of the teasing, and I swore that one day I would visit all of those places. I dreamed that the stars would be my guide and take me there.” Her voice added a hint of sadness. “My shyness and fears have always gotten in the way, even though I enjoy being an introvert. But then something changed, and I began to feel that sense of adventure once again.”
He nodded. “Destiny can be a funny thing. The stars can lead us to many places, and the stories that they tell can be amazing.” He hesitated, wondering if he should say it. “The spirit of the stars twinkles in the eyes of everyone, no matter who they are. I see that same sparkle every time I look in your eyes.”
Fluttershy let out a small eep, blushing as she smiled softly. “That’s the nicest thing that anypony has ever said to me, Kaleb. I don’t know what to say.” She paused as she gathered her thoughts. “Maybe there are more adventures that I could go on.”
Before Kaleb could get a chance to respond, a clock sounded, the bell tolling loud throughout the garden. All at once, the flowers around them began to glow, their colors of the season fitting together like the tones of bells combined together to create a chorus of harmony. Both of them gasped at the same time as the flowers on the walls of the arch began to bloom, not only bringing their colors to life but releasing buds around them that glowed a pale gold. The buds seemed to float in the air around them like stars, surrounding them in a cocoon of light. Right above them, they saw something else begin to glow, or perhaps it was just the buds surrounding them. A plant was hanging, with pointed leaves and red berries.
“What is that plant?” Kaleb wondered aloud, looking up before looking back at Fluttershy. “It seems so familiar, but I can’t remember…”
“It’s mistletoe,” Fluttershy responded quieter, smiling. The two of them moved closer together, drawn in by the lights surrounding them. “There’s one adventure that I have always wanted to go on, but never had the chance until now.
Kaleb’s heart was thumping fast, as he breathed in shallowly. He took her hooves and found himself staring back into her turquoise eyes and seeing that there were snowflakes in her mane and coat that almost seemed to sparkle in the light. Yet, he found himself calming down as he stared back at her, following her breathing as his heart rate calmed. “What adventure is that?” Their faces were only inches apart, and Kaleb could only see the pools of turquoise that drew him in.
She whispered her response. “Take me to the stars.” And with that, their lips met.
The kiss was like something out of a dream, which took Kaleb out of all reality. He felt the passion of the moment and embraced it. She smelled like wildflowers, and her wings wrapped around the both of them, bringing them closer. It only lasted a few moments, but felt like it could go on forever, passing on emotions. They released, and Fluttershy folded her wings back, as they both stared back up at the stars.
Kaleb was at a loss for words at first, before shaking his head to clear it. “Wow…that was wonderful…I can’t even put it into words. But I think we both need to talk about this, just so that we’re on the same page. I don’t mean to ruin the moment, but this is…a lot.”
“It’s okay, I know it is. It just happened in the moment,” Fluttershy responded, looking back at Kaleb. “A lot has been said without words. I think it’s clear that the both of us have feelings for each other, more than just friends.”
“I have those same emotions as well. How long have you had those feelings? I’m genuinely curious, that’s all.”
Fluttershy thought for a moment, a gaze of nostalgia and dreaminess in her eyes. “It was when I first met you, back in the bakery. There was something there, but I didn’t know it at the time. Over the few weeks that we spent time together, I began to wonder if there was something more, wondering why I looked forward to seeing your face every time. It may have been your kindness to the animals, or just your fascination with the world that brought me closer. However, the moment when I realized I had those feelings for you were back at the Gala, when the two of us were dancing together. It brought back that sense of adventure that I hadn’t felt in a long time, along with compassion that I knew would protect me no matter my fears or shyness.”
“It remembers that moment fondly, especially seeing that wonder in your eyes,” Kaleb remembered, looking back at her with care. “For me, it was back during that thunderstorm, when you were calming me down from the panic attack. After you were asleep, I left the map reader on for a few moments, and I saw the way the lights reflected on your mane and coat, and how your ears and wings would flutter gently with each breath. Just seeing that kindness and compassion made the storm feel miles away, and that I would be safe.” He cast his left hand out towards the stars. “The Jedi Code forbid love or any romantic attachments. When I started having these feelings, I didn’t know what to think, only that they were wonderful and that I wanted them to last. But then the bad things happened, bringing memories that I thought I would never have to relive back to the surface. When you saved me from the Timberwolves in the forest that night, I could not understand why you would risk your life to save mine until tonight. I know that this may sound a little bit cheesy, but I never knew what love was until I met you.”
Fluttershy wiped back tears. “I’m touched beyond words, Kaleb. Maybe the question is what’s going to happen now and in the future? Do you want to be coltfriend and marefriend?”
“Yes, more than anything in the galaxy I would,” Kaleb exclaimed, a light of inspiration in his eyes, followed by uncertainty. “But there is the reality of the situation. We’re not the same species, but that isn’t as important, I guess. I’m not sure how common interspecies relationship are in Equestria, but they were normal in the galaxy.”
“They’re actually pretty common here,” she explained. “They’re aren’t many around Ponyville, but in the bigger places like Canterlot or Manehattan there are a lot.”
Kaleb sighed, trying to figure out how to explain this next one. “My last concern is something more related to myself. PTSD isn’t something that can be cured over a few weeks or even a few months, Fluttershy. This is something that I will have to live with for the rest of my life. If we embark on this adventure, it won’t be easy and there will be challenges. I guess my question for you is, would you still be able to love me even though I have this?”
Fluttershy drew him into a tight hug, kissing him on the cheek. “Don’t you ever say that, Kaleb. I love you, and we will get through this together as a couple.” She released him, looking back at the stars before asking. “How much longer are you going to be staying in Canterlot?”
“Actually, it won’t be that long. I’m meeting with Dr. Bluejay on Monday for a final assessment, and if everything goes well he’ll clear me to head back to Ponyville. I would have to see my therapist once a week for outpatient care; she has an office there so I wouldn’t have to commute back and forth.”
“That’s wonderful! It will be great to have you back there so soon,” she exclaimed before a flash of confusion entered into her voice. “What are you going to do for Hearth’s Warming? I know that Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Pinkie are going away to visit their families?”
Kaleb looked surprised. “They are? To be honest, I have no idea of what I’m going to do. I know that Applejack is probably going to be staying in Ponyville, but a lot of their family is coming over. I’m sure they would love to have me there, but I’m just worried with the number of ponies that are going to be there that it would be too much for me.”
Fluttershy nodded, thinking before asking her question. “I have an idea. How would you like to spend Hearth’s Warming with me and my family in Cloudsdale? It would quiet since it would just be my parents and brother, and it would give you a chance to see Cloudsdale.”
Kaleb’s response had a hint of amusement. “Meeting the parents already? That seems to be a little fast. All jokes aside, that sounds wonderful and I would love to meet your family.” Kaleb looked at his pocket watch. “It’s getting late, or early in the morning I should say. We should probably be going back to your hotel. I can find my way back to the castle from there.”
“You’re probably right. Let’s head out.” They both took one last look at the stars, and began to walk out of the garden.
There was a nervous tapping that echoed throughout the library, specifically coming from Spike at the moment. He would glance down at the chess board to see that Kaleb had taken out most of his pawns and found his king exposed as both his queen and rook had been taken out. The lights of the Hearth’s Warming Tree reflected around the room in the early afternoon as the curtains were closed. Twilight and Spike were leaving in the evening to spend the holiday at her parent’s house, so the library was currently closed.
Spike gulped nervously. “Knight to Four G.” Nodding, Kaleb waved his right hand and the figure moved to the position right into the trap that he had set up.
“Checkmate,” Kaleb said, rubbing his hands before starting to put away the pieces. “You did really well, you know. I didn’t expect that move with your bishops.”
Spike nodded, still looking disappointed. “Thanks. Honestly, I don’t know why I keep falling for those tricks.”
“It’s a matter of experience. The more times you play, the better you will become at recognizing the traps and avoiding them.” Kaleb looked at him with a curious expression. “Still, I don’t know why you had me move all of the pieces with the Force.”
Spike chuckled. “It’s part of this comic book series that I’ve been getting into recently where two wizards use their magic to play chess. It’s wizard’s chess. By the way, I can lend it to you if you want to borrow it.”
“Thank you, I’ll have to take up that offer sometime,” Kaleb replied. “It’s been great being here for the past few days. Are you looking forward to going to Twilight’s parents for Hearth’s Warming?”
Spike nodded enthusiastically. “Definitely! Her parents are so nice and they make the best gemstone cookies. So, are you nervous about meeting Fluttershy’s family?”
Kaleb thought for a second before replying. “A little, but when you’re meeting your marefriend’s family for the first time, there’s always some. I have no idea how I’m walking on the clouds, though.”
As Spike was about to reply, the door to the basement sprang open and Twilight rushed out of the basement with Fluttershy following her slowly after a few moments later. “I’ve figured it out!”
Kaleb accepted the two bottles from her with a confused expression. “Thank you, Twilight. I’m assuming these are some kinds of potions?”
Twilight nodded. “Exactly. The white potion is for walking on the clouds, and one sip will last you twelve hours. The blue potion is a little more complicated. Pegasi anatomy is different from any other ponies, specifically in the larger lunges that allows them to breath normally at high altitudes. This should allow your lunges to adjust to the altitude and it will also last 12 hours per sip.”
Fluttershy looked at the clock on the wall. “We should probably be going if we’re going to make the hot air balloon flight.” She turned towards Twilight and Spike with a joyous expression. “Have a wonderful Hearth’s Warming.”
Kaleb nodded, standing up to put on his blue winter coat over his red sweater Taking the small suitcase he borrowed from Twilight, he carried it over to the door. “I hope you guys have a great Hearth’s Warming.” He waved awkwardly as Fluttershy trotted out the door and he followed, closing it behind him.
It took them a few minutes to make it to town square, but luckily the winds had died down so that the snow wasn’t blowing in their faces. For Kaleb, this was a nice time to reflect and think, but there was an edge of anxiety in his thoughts. Faust, I’m tired. Hopefully, I can see Lyra soon; they’ve only gotten worse since coming back here. Twilight and Spike didn’t say anything, so maybe I didn’t wake them up? I just hope that I’m able to make it through this trip without…
“Hey, are you doing alright?” Kaleb snapped out of his thoughts to find Fluttershy gazing at him with a concerned expression. “You seem a little tense.”
He shook the thoughts from his mind to wake up. “I’m fine, just a little bit tired I guess. Also, probably anxious about the balloon ride. It’s just that there’s no protection in case something goes wrong and it’s exposed out in the open.”
“I can understand that,” Fluttershy replied, looking at him with sympathy. “My family would take me on balloon rides around Cloudsdale when I was too young to fly, and it would terrify me. There are a bunch of options in case the balloon fails. Besides, I could probably catch you in case you fall.”
Kaleb chuckled. “I have full faith in you in case that happens. I’m looking forward to meeting your family, I guess I’m just a little nervous about how they’ll react to me being human. What if they don’t approve, or…”
She took him aside underneath one of the awnings to readjust her winter hat. “Kaleb, you have nothing to worry about. They already know, and my parents are the nicest ponies you can ever meet,” Fluttershy said quietly, her compassionate gaze staring at him. “Besides, the only thing you have to worry about is Zephyr, but I’ll handle him. There’s something else that I wanted to talk to you about before we go. My family’s house is really small, and we don’t exactly have any spare bedrooms…”
“I can sleep anywhere, really,” he started, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’ve slept on the ground before, but that was a long time ago. I could probably sleep on a couch if I need too…”
“The couch would be pretty small for you, and also my mom has a rule about not laying down on it,” Fluttershy explained. “Zephyr is pretty loud at night, and I can’t imagine that’s good for your PTSD”
Kaleb nodded. “That’s a good point, but I’m still not sure where I’m going to sleep.”
“I have an idea, actually, please hear me out.” Fluttershy said in a whisper like voice. “I have a trundle bed in my room, it was originally for sleepovers but I never had any. Maybe you could take the bed underneath?”
Kaleb looked at her thankfully, but also had an edge of uncertainty in his voice. “Thank you, Fluttershy. That sounds nice, but I’m just uncertain about your parents. I don’t want my time as Equestria’s first human to be cut short because your father throws me over the edge of Cloudsdale for sleeping in the same room and nearly the same bed.” His right hand moved upward slightly, and spiraled down to illustrate the point.
Fluttershy had a slightly mortified look. “Oh, no it’s not like that, it was my mom’s suggestion, actually. They don’t really care about that, I wanted you to feel…”
“I’m sorry about that, I didn’t mean to upset you. It’s just that I’m new to relationships and I don’t know what’s normal for Equestria’s culture,” Kaleb apologized, looking guilty. “I just want to be the best coltfriend that I can, and there’s just so much to learn.”
Fluttershy gave him a hug. “It’s okay, apology accepted. I know this is new for the both of us, but we’ll learn together.” She released him, still holding on to his hand. “Is the trundle bed okay with you?”
Kaleb nodded. Hopefully, they’ll hold off for the trip. It is in a more relaxing location. Maybe I can tell her something indirectly. “Just to give you a heads up, I’ve been a bit of a light sleeper these past few weeks. If I get up in the middle of the night, I’m just stretching before trying to get back to sleep.”
Fluttershy nodded and they walked the rest of the remaining way to the balloon flight. As the pilot began to prepare for takeoff, she gave Kaleb a small grin. “First time?” He nodded, not taking his eyes off her. “It’s always an adjustment to get used to. Trust me, in my twenty years doing this, I’ve never had a flight go wrong.”
Kaleb gave her a small nod of reassurance, but turned back to Fluttershy with a nervous smile. “I can’t believe I’m actually doing this, or that this is the most dangerous part of the trip”
She returned an expression of amusement. “I thought you would say meeting the parents was the dangerous part, but you do have a point.” She chuckled a bit at her own joke, and Kaleb rolled his eyes slightly while also chuckling. As the balloon began to float slightly before the pilot cut the sandbags holding it down, Fluttershy and Kaleb both grabbed onto the rope that secured them both. Fluttershy turned to Kaleb and gave him a quick kiss on the lips that left him surprised. “For luck,” she explained, blushing slightly.
Kaleb chuckled. “I’m going to need all the luck I can get.” He took a sip of the blue potion, and there was a slight lurch as the balloon went up into the sky.
The ride was quiet for the most part, with Kaleb trying not to look down and keeping his hands close to the rope inside the basket. Once in a while, the winds would take them in an unusual direction, but the pilot guided the balloon steady and true. It was late in the afternoon when they landed in Cloudsdale, with the snow surrounding the clouds reflecting in the rainbows that went straight down. He looked around with awe and amazement at the sight, and braced himself for the landing.
The pilot secured the balloon, and opened the door to the basket. “Well, here goes nothing.” Kaleb cracked nervously as he took a sip of the white potion. Stepping forward slowly, he made his way onto the cloud, putting one foot on it to test it before going completely. Seeing as the cloud held, he bounded forward and took several large steps.
It was unlike anything he had felt, with the clouds feeling like a soft grass that made his boots shrink slightly into the ground. He held his hands out in front of him, trying not to lose his footing. Fluttershy walked up, extending a wing to help steady him. “It takes some getting used to, but it’s pretty easy once you have a handle on it. Luckily, the winds aren’t too bad right now.”
“I definitely see what you mean,” Kaleb replied, extending his arms out to keep balance. “It’s going to take some practice.” The two of them began to walk and take in the sight that was Cloudsdale. There was a stadium off in the distance, and he could hear the roaring of the crowd over the wind. “I’m assuming that flying is a popular sport around here.”
Fluttershy nodded. “They have races year-round. This is the Hearth’s Warming Tournament, which is really popular. Flight is a huge part of the culture here, and there’s a lot of pride and tensions.” As they walked into the town, the view of the weather factory overlooked the shops, the whistling of the wind constant over the sounds of Hearth’s Warming Carols. “The factory must be producing the winter clouds. They are transported all over Equestria, and a lot of the time the spare snow makes its way to here.”
That explains the snow on the clouds, Kaleb thought, looking at the snow falling to the ground. “The view during the night must be incredible. There’s nothing to cover the stars.”
“It really is. On occasion, astronomical events happen like meteor showers and we have to move to keep from being struck.” Fluttershy pointed up a small street. “It’s right up here, near the end of the lane.”
Together, they walked up the lane and came up to the house where she indicated. It was a small house, made from purple concrete and brick with a rainbow fence. The roof had cloud ornamentations as well that gave it a rich feel. Kaleb took a deep breath, and looked at Fluttershy, “Shall we?”
“Yes, let’s go in,” She replied. They walked up to the door and she knocked on the door timidly. There was some frantic scurrying on inside, and the door opened to reveal Fluttershy’s mom. “Mom!”
“Fluttershy! It’s great to see you,” Mrs. Shy exclaimed hugging her daughter. “It’s been too long since we’ve seen you.” She let go and took a look at them. “And you must be Kaleb. You two look so cute as a couple.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Shy, thank you for inviting me for Hearth’s Warming,” Kaleb greeted, accepting the warm hug she gave him. “Now I see where Fluttershy gets her good looks.”
Mrs. Shy chuckled. “Flattery certainly earns you points with the parents. Anyway, please come in. My husband will be back shortly, he’s bringing dinner.”
Fluttershy went in first, with Kaleb going in behind her. As the door closed, Kaleb could smell the scents of cinnamon and ginger, as music played in the background. She indicated where he could put his luggage, which was a small pile by the stairs. Taking off his coat, he moved it to a small rack and strode into the living room. The beige wallpaper with cloud ornamentations paired nicely with the tree in the corner, decorated with homemade ornaments. On the wall were family pictures, each showing a snapshot into the past. They both sat down on the couch, which Kaleb noted was small as she had mentioned. “I love this house already. You must have a lot of memories here.”
She nodded. “This was my sanctuary away from the teasing. My brother and I would have fun, playing board games or reading books. I can’t wait to show you my music collection upstairs.”
Mrs. Shy came back into the living room, with a tray with mugs of tea. She set the tray down on the table before moving to the green chair opposite the couch. “I know that you two have had a long day. Don’t worry, the interrogation won’t begin for a while. Kaleb, may I ask how you and my daughter met?”
Kaleb looked at Fluttershy, and she gave him an encouraging nod. “It was a few months ago. We were both trying to save the songbirds from these cookies which were flying towards their nest, and we caught the platter at the same time. From there, I guess you can say it was love at first sight.”
“He helped me out with the animals around the cottage, and it was at the Gala when I knew,” Fluttershy elaborated, squeezing his hand. “It’s been a difficult journey for the both of us, but there’s no one I would rather be with.”
A clapping was heard coming from the stairs, getting louder as it was coming down. “Bravo, bravo indeed. What a great story! Though not as great as my adventures throughout Equestria. I’m telling you that this coffee place is going to be the next big thing.” A pegasus with a five o'clock shadow came down the stairs, his hair in a shaggy mane the curled down, and had eyes that reeked of enthusiasm. He sprinted down the stairs and rushed towards the pair. “The name’s Zephyr, Flutter’s one and only brother and you must be the lucky-wait, I thought you where a pony? What are you and where are you from, I want to know all the way about you.” The way that he rushed up to him and pounded him with questions loudly made Kaleb’s pulse beat faster, panic beginning to rise up in his chest.
Fluttershy took notice of this and gave her brother a hard stare. “Zephyr! Please don’t ever do that to Kaleb again! He’s my coltfriend, not sompony looking to be gawked at. Apologize, now.”
The gaze seemed to have somewhat of an effect on him, with him having more of a look of exasperation. “Okay, okay yeesh. Sorry Kaleb, I didn’t mean rush you like that. So…apology accepted?”
Kaleb tried to keep his voice neutral as the annoyance started to rise. “Apology accepted.” He offered Zephyr a hand, and was given a hoofshake that was a little too enthusiastic. Zephyr went to set the table, and Mrs. Shy had a slightly uncomfortable look on her face as she followed.
“Sorry about that, he’s usually like this during the holidays,” Fluttershy said with an apologetic shrug. “This should keep him at bay for most of the holiday, but just let me know if he bothers you like that again.”
Kaleb gazed at the pictures. “I don’t understand, you two looked so happy together in those pictures. What happened to that happiness?”
“We grew apart, as some siblings do. He’s been like this ever since he left for Manehattan a few years ago. It’s unfortunate, but it can happen,” she sighed with sadness with a hint of acceptance. “Are you okay? I know that must have been unpleasant.”
Kaleb looked at her with sympathy. “I’m okay, just a little shaken. I’m sure that somewhere deep down, your brother is the same pony you knew. You just need to be patient, that’s all. Though I admit, I was very close to using the Mind Trick on him.”
“Thanks for the advice, and to be honest, I wouldn’t mind if you did,” she replied. “I guess my stare is just as effective. My dad should be home soon. He’s always home at the top of the hour.”
With that, the grandfather clock in the corner tolled seven and the sound of the door opening, caught both of their attention. The door closed, and a pegasus with a mint green coat and a graying mane and mustache entered with in a bag his mouth. Setting it down on the floor below, he shivered slightly. “Now that’s a chilly day, perfect for Hearth’s Warming. Ah, Fluttershy!”
She rushed over to her father, giving him a hug as well. “Dad, it’s nice to see you again. There’s someone I want you to meet. This is my coltfriend, Kaleb.”
Kaleb stood up, standing at attention, as he walked over to her father. Mr. Shy surveyed him with a look, and he tried his best to appear not to be nervous. It was difficult with the semi-tough voice. “So, you’re the coltfriend I’ve been hearing so much about?” He nodded, seeing that the piercing gaze of the father was working. Mr. Shy began to laugh. “Well, he really is a keeper Fluttershy. It’s good to meet you, Kaleb. I’m Mr. Shy.” Holding out a hoof, Kaleb accepted it and gave a firm handshake.
“It’s good to meet you as well, Mr. Shy. That was certainly an impressive look.”
“Thanks, Kaleb. I taught my daughter a thing or two about the stare, so I would watch out if I were you. Anyway, I got to get the dinner to the table.” He waved slightly, and carried the bag to the kitchen with his mouth.
Kaleb looked at her with an interested expression. “Well, I now see where you got the stare from. Remind me never to double cross you.”
She laughed slightly, giving him a sly grin. “Oh, trust me, you’ll know. So, shall we enter the kitchen for the dinner interrogation. Though, I have a feeling that it will be slightly less of one than I thought.” Taking her hoof, he followed her into the kitchen.
The dinner was fabulous, with Mr. Shy bringing in leftovers from the Hearth’s Warming lunch at the cloud factory. It was filled with conversation, with Mr. and Mrs. Shy filling in Fluttershy on their hobbies and telling Kaleb about life in Cloudsdale. Although, Zephyr kept his volume at an appropriate level, and seemed slightly interested in Kaleb’s time in Equestria. Not once did the topic of Kaleb’s past came up, and he was slightly relieved. After dinner, they went to the living room and began watching an old Hearth’s Warming movie on a film reel. It was longer than Kaleb had expected but a good one, filled with mystery and intrigue. Fluttershy’s parents were the first one to retire, followed by Zephyr at the beginning of the third act. As the credits, rolled, Fluttershy got up and began to put the film reel away.
“That was a fantastic movie. Though, I admit that the song about a White Hearth’s Warming is certainly an earworm. That’s going to be stuck inside my head for days.” Kaleb rubbed his forehead.
“Trust me, it’s nothing compared to the hundreds of songs you’re going to hear tomorrow,” Fluttershy said, putting the film reel away in the box and wheeling the stand that the projector was on aside. “They all play this time of year. So, it looks like we’re the last two downstairs.”
Kaleb nodded. “It seems like tomorrow is going to be a long day. Do you want to go upstairs now?”
“Sure, but just to warn you, my room hasn’t changed much since I was young,” Fluttershy answered hesitantly. “I’ll lead the way, we just have to be quiet on the stairs. The bathroom is near my room on the left end of the hallway in case you need to wash up.”
She began to trot upstairs quietly, and Kaleb followed her up the stairs. Taking a left, she moved to the end of the hallway and opened the door, turning on a small lamp as Kaleb entered. It was a room with a soft blue painted wall, with bookcases full of books and records. The trundle bed was in the center of the room against the wall, with a dresser and closet on the opposite wall. There was a record player on top of the shorter bookshelf, with a small set of speakers set beside it.
However, what caught Kaleb’s eye wasn’t the bookshelves or the record player, but a poster on the wall. It featured a pony with a spiked red mane in a light blue suit and a multicolored necktie of red, white, and silver with blue ornamentations. The eye shadow and makeup created an eye-catching look, and a signature could be seen slightly through the frame. “Who is this? He looks slightly familiar.”
Fluttershy blushed. “That’s a musician who I had a crush on when I was younger. He always creates a different persona with his albums, and I really liked this one. My favorite album of his is one where he’s a creature from space who falls to the planet we’re on and enlightens the world.”
Kaleb chuckled. “It sounds very similar to my situation. Perhaps, you have an attraction to strange creatures who fall from space.”
Fluttershy rolled her eyes slightly, chuckling as she blushed. “Maybe I do, and he’s very handsome and caring. I’ll have to play the album for you sometime, it really is interesting to listen to.”
“I’m going to wash up really quick, I’ll be right back,” he announced as he moved out of the room and into the bathroom. He changed into his pajamas quickly, choosing a pair of red and grey plaid pants with a white shirt. Taking his toiletries out of their case, he brushed his teeth and flossed before looking into the mirror. I can’t let these dreams take over, not with her family here, Kaleb thought, slowing his breathing to calm himself down. This is a new location, slightly unfamiliar but comforting. Maybe the long journey will keep them from occurring. He went out of the bathroom, and entered the room to find Fluttershy in a pair of turquoise pajamas with a pink robe. Kaleb moved over to the bottom bed, which had been taken out and kneeled down to adjust the pillows, with Fluttershy moving down to help him adjust the mattress.
“Thank you for giving me this bed. It should be really comfortable.” Kaleb said quietly, rubbing his hands through his hair awkwardly. “You look really nice in those pajamas.”
Fluttershy looked at him with compassion. “Thank you, Kaleb. You look nice too.” She didn’t know what to say now, but her eyes and movements indicated what was going to happen.
They kissed, and Kaleb ran his fingers through her mane, and her wings pulled them closer together. After a few long moments, they separated. Kaleb looked at her with care, and spoke in a quiet tone. “I love you, Fluttershy.”
She blushed and gave him a mischievous grin. “I know. You know, we should probably get to bed before my parents come in here.”
Kaleb immediately jumped into bed, and Fluttershy laughed quietly. “I’m going to turn off the light when you’re ready. Just tell me when.” He said the word, and the light from the lamp went out.
The winds of Cloudsdale whipped around Kaleb and Fluttershy’s parents as they went towards the main street. Various stores were open during the day for Hearth’s Warming Eve, and Kaleb was still pondering what to get for Fluttershy. The both of them agreed beforehand to both put their names on gifts that Fluttershy got for her family. I wonder, maybe a piece of jewelry. No, too cliched, perhaps a book will do? He shook his head, looking uncertain.
Mrs. Shy looked at him. “Still deciding what to get Fluttershy?” He nodded. “It’s always nerve-wracking, trying to find the right gift for your special somepony, especially for Hearth’s Warming. But I’m sure you’ll find something she loves.” “Thank you, it’s just there are so many options out there. She’s probably been to all of these stores, and seen everything that’s in them. I honestly don’t know how you manage to do it.”
“Too many options indeed. You should have seen our first Hearth’s Warming,” Mr. Shy exclaimed, looking back at his wife. “It was in our first year together as coltfriend and marefriend. I had almost forgotten to get her a present because they gave me so many shifts at the factory. At the last minute, on Hearth’s Warming Eve, no less, I was frantically looking for a gift to buy but all the stores were closed. I grabbed a piece of cloud the was close to freezing over and wrote her name and mine in it just before it did. Above the name, I put a small crystal rainbow, which froze over just as I put it in. After sealing it tightly in a jar, I sprinted back to her apartment, and the clock rang out as I rushed in.”
She looked at him with amusement. “I swear, it was the most impressive thing I’ve seen. Although the gift was simple, I loved rainbows and seeing us both under the rainbow together made me realize he was the one. We got married under a rainbow, and you probably saw the rainbows on the wall near the stairs.” She saw Kaleb’s eyes widen. “No pressure, Kaleb. I know that you’ll find the right gift.”
Kaleb nodded, noticing a small store with a tinsel tree in the window. “What’s that store? It seems to be tucked away a little bit, from the other stores.”
Mr. Shy thought for a moment before responding. “That’s my old friend’s store, her name is Ruby Stonecloud. It’s been a while since I stopped in, but I can tell you Fluttershy never went in there.”
Eyeing the store with interest, Kaleb turned back towards them. “I’m going to take a look inside. I’ll be a few minutes, and I need to make a few adjustments to a part of my gift. I may need to rush back to the house.”
They both nodded., with Mrs. Shy following her husband. “Don’t rush on our account. We still have a lot of shopping to do.”
Kaleb opened the door to the shop, and moved inside, letting the door swing shut. Although the room was small, the lighting made up for it with string lights creating a comforting atmosphere. There were a bunch of on one side of the shop, and on the other side were a variety of books, scarves, and knickknacks cluttered around on various shelves and hooks on the wall. The glass counter showed a variety of jewelry and artwork that hanged on the wall. A pegasus with a blond mane with gray highlights and red-orange fur walked from a room behind the counter, and gave him a curious expression. “Welcome to Ruby’s Antiques and Gifts, where you’ll be sure to find the perfect gift for the holidays. I’ve never seen a creature like you before, so pardon my staring.”
“It’s okay, I understand,” Kaleb replied, looking around the shop. “I’m the first human in Equestria, my name’s Kaleb. You wouldn’t happen to know a Mr. Shy, would you?”
Ruby’s eyes lit up with recognition. “I do, he was a classmate of mine. I see him every so often at the market. You know, I was the one who introduced him to Mrs. Shy, when he was getting ready to go work at the cloud factory. I used to babysit Zephyr and Fluttershy when they were young. Anyway, what can I do for you Kaleb?”
His hand ruffled his hair. “I’m Fluttershy’s coltfriend, and I’m looking for a Hearth’s Warming gift for her. It’s our first Hearth’s Warming together, so I want to make it special.”
She smiled, as she opened up some sliding doors behind the counter. “A first Hearth’s Warming is always a memorable experience. It’s not about how many bits you spend or how elaborate or fancy the gift is, but it’s the heart and thought that counts. I know that Fluttershy enjoys animals; do you know what else she enjoys?”
“She loves to knit and crochet; in general, she loves crafting and nature. Especially stargazing,” Kaleb answered, rubbing his forehead with his hand. “I’m kind of pressed for bits, so it can’t be too expensive. We both agreed on a spending limit beforehand.”
Ruby’s eyes lit up. “I think I have just the thing.” She rummaged through the shelves built into the counter, and took out a small wooden jewelry box made from maple. Inscriptions of the constellations were carved into the wood and outlined with white paint. “This box was made by my sister, who specializes in woodworking. The constellations carved in can be seen from Ponyville.”
“It’s wonderful!” Kaleb exclaimed, marveling at the simple yet elegant design. “Your sister did a great job. I’ll take it, and I have an idea of what to put inside. How much is it?”
“Sixty bits,” Ruby offered, as Kaleb eyes widened. “But I’m open to a little bargaining.”
He nodded, thinking of a counteroffer. “There’s a limit of fifty bits, and I already spent some on what I plan to put inside. Can you do forty?”
Ruby countered his offer quickly. “How about forty-five? That’s the best I can do. Also, you get to tell me what’s on your mind. Something’s clearly troubling you.”
Kaleb hesitated at first then sighed. “You have a deal.” They shook and went to the register to ring up the purchase. Kaleb pulled out a bag and gave the bits to her. “How did you know?”
“You seem wary, like a traveler who yearns for the simple solitude of rest. But the road is always dark ahead, and the sense of anxiousness rests upon your shoulders.”
He sat down on a stool by the counter. “I’ve been through a lot, and even with Fluttershy there’s still this sense of anxiety. My experience haunts me, and although things have gotten better, I’m still having to try and put on a brave face. Nightmares can be a way back to there.”
Ruby’s expression was one of hesitant curiosity and sympathy. “I have something that might help. It’s lavender oil, an essential oil that can help with sleep. It’s all natural and healthy for anyone.” She reached to one of the shelves and took a small bottle with a dropper on the side. “A few drops on the pillow or sheets should be good. You can have it for free.”
Kaleb took the bottle, reading the label before giving her a thankful expression. “Thank you. I’ve heard my therapist talk a little bit about these oils but she never went into detail. I hope you have a great Hearth’s Warming.”
Ruby waved as Kaleb left the shop. “Tell Fluttershy I said hello. “Moving forward into the street, Kaleb walked briskly back to the house, carrying the wrapped box close to his chest.
The rest of the afternoon had been a whirlwind of cooking and baking, with Kaleb helping in any way that he could. The dinner had taken plenty of time to prepare, with the raviolis being made fresh with dough and ricotta cheese bought from the market. He wore an apron over his green sweater as he cut the pieces of dough, putting it through the machine to create the ravioli. Fluttershy worked along beside him, prepping the ricotta to be placed inside. The movements were synchronized, and stopped together as the last of the pasta was placed into a clear bowl.
“I never thought creating ravioli could be as exhausting as this,” Kaleb exclaimed, wiping his floured hands on the white apron.
Fluttershy nodded. “It’s a challenge, but it will all be worth it in the end. My dad’s sauce is fantastic, he uses tomatoes from the market.” She indicated to the pot on the stove that had been simmering. “The ravioli doesn’t take long to cook. How was your afternoon shopping?”
“It was good, Cloudsdale has a fascinating history,” Kaleb remembered, looking back at the town square and all of the plaques. “I didn’t get much of a chance to read all of the signs, but the buildings seemed older. Did you wrap the presents for your family?”
“The gifts are all wrapped; they’re in my closet. I know that Zephyr is going to love the mane styling book; it includes an entry exam guide for cosmetology school. I guess I’m a little worried about my parent’s gift. What if the weather isn’t good, or they don’t like the selection there…”
Kaleb returned her worried look with one of reassurance. “They’re going to love it, I know they will. Do you know how long until dinner is ready to be served?”
She thought for a moment before responding. “It shouldn’t be long now that the ravioli is made; it doesn’t take long to boil. I would say probably half an hour to forty-five minutes. Why do you ask?”
“Well, I still have to put the finishing touches on my gift for you. Whatever you do, don’t come upstairs.” He warned before dashing away quickly, moving upstairs.
The dinner was fabulous, with a meal of raviolis in a homemade tomato sauce and cheese. Zephyer seemed to have calmed down since his last interaction with Kaleb, and tried to keep his voice down to an acceptable level. Mr. Shy explained Cloudsdale's history to him, along with a brief verbal tour of the weather factory. Kaleb looked and he saw a group of ponies, whose bonds were tighter than ever before.
Yet, at the same time his mind began to snowball as thoughts began to race through his head like snow flurries. So, this is a family, Kaleb thought as he tried to listen to Zephyr’s story about Manehattan. It’s been so long since I’ve seen one. I’ve almost forgot what it was like…
An image flashed through Kaleb’s head, one that moved and had the familiar sound to it. At that same table, he saw Master Johanna and Rogue, eating together as they shared a moment of laughter. Kaleb felt himself sitting down among them, chuckling quietly at the joke that Rogue had made. He smiled, looking at the two calmly. He breathed a sigh of relief. His family was reunited once again.
Then, he saw a mist going down, obscuring Master Johanna and Rogue, as their voices became quieter. There was almost a physical distance between them, a barrier that could not be broken. Kaleb outstretched his arm, trying to break the barrier. What’s happening, why is this…
The mist quickly turned red, as he saw both their shadows collapse onto the table in sync with the sound of a lightsaber igniting. Before he could react, the noise of a blaster reloading was heard, the click echoing before a few moments of silence. Then, the blaster fired, the noise reverberating in his head.
Kaleb jerked, shaking the table as he saw where he was in reality. Mr. and Mrs. Shy along with Zephyr were staring back at him, looking confused. Fluttershy had a look of concern, as she grabbed the table to stop it from collapsing over. All of the dishes had been eaten. Kaleb coughed quickly. “Sorry, I must have dozed off for a second. It must be the altitude. Anyway, do you need help clearing up?”
Mrs. Shy responded quickly. “Yes, that’s very nice of you Kaleb. If you can grab the plates and silverware, I can grab the serving dishes and glasses.” They both moved quickly, clearing the dishes with no effort.
Mr. Shy clapped his hooves. “Okay, I am going to get the star chart from the living room and make sure that it is set up currently. Fluttershy, Zephyr, can you please grab the telescope from the study?”
They both nodded and went upstairs to the study. As Kaleb finished clearing the dishes, he took out the bottle of blue potion from his pocket. He took a sip before stashing it away. He turned to both of Fluttershy’s parents. “Again, I’m really sorry about that. The altitude has been messing with my sleep patterns.” This was a lie, but he needed not let slip what had happened.
Mrs. Shy gave him a gentle look. “It’s okay, it can be difficult to get used to.” Mr. Shy returned with a reassuring nod before going to help with the telescope. With an indication, Kaleb sat down with her at the table. “I have not seen my daughter this happy and wonderous in a long time. She really cares about you.”
Kaleb nodded, smiling. “She does, and I care about her as well. It’s been an amazing experience, being here in Equestria. It hasn’t always been easy, but the journey has been worth it.” He looked at the pictures on the wall. “To be honest, I was worried that you wouldn’t approve of our relationship.”
“Fluttershy’s happiness has always been important to us, as long as she is happy that’s all that matters,” She reassured. “I’m just going to tell you to please be careful. A new relationship is like a flower: it needs nourishment to prosper and grow. Both me and my husband trust you, it’s just that we have seen other relationships writher and die because of little to no honesty and communication. You two have something truly special, emotional compassion for each other. I would hate to see it go to waste.”
A twinge of guilt raced through Kaleb as he remembered the lie he had told to Fluttershy. Forcing a smile, he spoke in a promising voice. “You have my word that we will both try to make this relationship work.”
Mr. Shy’s voice called to them as Zephyr and Fluttershy carried the telescope outside. “Hang on, I need to take the cloud potion.” Mrs. Shy nodded and trotted off to join her husband.
Kaleb took out the white potion and took a sip. He sighed as he looked at the empty kitchen. What I’m doing is wrong, I know that. But I have to keep this up for them, for Fluttershy. It’s only one more night, there shouldn’t be any more nightmares. The flashback was just one time, one isolated incident. I just hope I can keep it together. He jogged to the front door and closed it behind him.
Catching up to them in the darkness, he saw that there was a small observation deck at the end of the street. They had set up the telescope facing the edge. Kaleb gasped at the sight. It was truly an endless night, with stars stretching for miles, all shining brightly. Being up in the clouds gave the best vantage point it seemed. “I certainly see why the stargazing in Cloudsdale is so popular.”
Fluttershy nodded. “There are laws restricting the amount of light within the city, to preserve this sight. Stargazing has always been a sacred tradition, and many officials wanted to keep it that way.” She handed him a travel mug with hot chocolate. “This was what was set up on the stove near the end of the meal. It’s an old family recipe.”
“Okay, family, if you please may point your attention to the night sky, you’ll see a magnificent story,” Mr. Shy announced, a blaze of confidence in his eyes as he went on his monologue. He lifted one of his wings. “If you follow my wing upward, tracing it to that star up there, that is the Northern Star. It extends out to the northern Celestial pole. No relation to the Princess. Look to the left of it, you will see what constellation.”
Zephyr raised a hoof. “That would be the great Pegasus and the Celestial Magica , right?”
“Correct. The great Pegasus was named for Private Pansy, the pegasus who helped warm the thaw from the Windigos. However, you can see that it resembles a Windigo, so it also served as a military statement as well. The Celestial Magica is named for Princess Celestia. It is not visible where Cloudsdale is this time of year, but the Lunar Magica is named for what pony, Kaleb!” The name was spoken like a drill sergeant.
Kaleb jumped to attention. “That would be Princess Luna, general, I mean sir, I mean Mr. Shy.” He did not expect to be put on the spot so quickly. Fluttershy had a look of amusement, trying not to laugh at his demise.
Mr. Shy gave a beaming look of enthusiasm. “Correct, great job Kaleb! Don’t worry, by the end of the night, I’ll make a stargazer out of you yet!” Kaleb looked sheepish, nudging Fluttershy gently as he saw her amusement. “To the west, you can see the outline of two rare but existing creatures in Equestria. The great and lesser bears. Fluttershy, what are their proper names?”
She wasted no time thinking as she answered. “Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, they make up what is known as the Little and Big Dipper.”
“That is right! There are creatures in Equestria that go by the name Ursa Major and Ursa minor, giant bears whose fur glows like the night sky, with their respective constellations indicated by the glowing patches of fur that represent each star. The Ursa Major is the mother to the Ursa minor. It’s just a minor fact.”
He mimed the symbol crash of the drum set, doing the noise as well. The rest of the family rolled their eyes a little, and Kaleb chuckled at the joke. “Thank you, Kaleb! At least someone in this family appreciates my sense of humor. You are now my favorite possible son-in-law. No pressure you two.”
At the same time, both Kaleb and Fluttershy coughed as they felt the hot chocolate going down the wrong pipe. Blushing furiously, they tried not to exchange eye contact.
“Now then, for the final set of constellations for the evening. Dear, will you tell me what constellation is at slightly left of my wing tip, just where the tip of the sword is at.”
“That would be Orion, the great hunter. It is significant because it is one of the most viable constellations marking the beginning of winter, and there are three distant nebulas can be seen without a telescope.”
Mr. Shy clapped his hooves. “That is correct! Those three nebulas are classified by the names M-42, M-43, and M-78 according to the Astronomical Congress of Cloudsdale. There are a few others, including one above M-42 known as the Running Man complex. That is why I ran towards you when I proposed under Orion, with the flowers and ring in hand, along with a thermometer.”
Mrs. Shy had blushed with a look of nostalgia turning into amusement. “As I distinctly remember, you fell flat on your face right when you ran in front of me. As you got up, you said and I quote ‘It was subzero temperatures when I met you, now it is plain zero when I ask you to marry me. You have melted my heart.’” She turned to Kaleb. “We were on a plain near Appleoosa on a stargazing trip when he proposed. It was certainly an elaborate yet cheesy pun, but I married him for it.”
Kaleb smiled. “That’s certainly a sweet story. The most unexpected moments can have the biggest impact in our lives.” Mr. Shy rubbed his neck. “Well… this concludes our stargazing tour for tonight. Please feel free to stay out as long as you want.” He chuckled to himself, and he helped Zephyr move the telescope, carrying it back to the house.
Mrs. Shy handed Fluttershy the blanket where the telescope had been set on. “I’ll leave you two be. On the bright side, at least you got a free comedy show with the stargazing.” She chuckled along with Fluttershy, who hugged her mother quickly. Mrs. Shy wandered back down the street, leaving them alone.
Kaleb spoke first. “Well, that was an unexpected surprise. Your father definitely has the passion for stargazing, and the sharp tongue of a stand-up comic. Is this how it goes every year?”
Fluttershy nodded, chuckling slightly. “Pretty much. We all love him for it, even at our own expense.” She moved closer to Kaleb, as they cuddled under the blanket looking at the stars. “At dinner, that wasn’t because of the altitude was it?” Kaleb shook his head. “I had another flashback. It was brief, I don’t remember a lot of it now. All I can tell you was that it had that same fogginess. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for it to happen.”
She looked at him with care. “It’s okay, these things can happen. It’s normal, and you shouldn’t be ashamed.” She shook her head to clear her thoughts. “Anyway, I think you can see why I mentioned this was so similar to the Luminescent Gardens.”
He nodded. “It’s a beautiful sight. I have flown near nebulas, when I was in deep space. Sometimes, Master Johanna would take a shortcut through them for a little bit, since the shield on the ship could withstand the corrosive effects of the gas for only a short time. The colors were magnificent.”
“Just don’t tell my father that, otherwise he’ll interrogate you for the rest of the visit.” Fluttershy joked. Kaleb laughed with her, and they both turned as they heard the bell toll midnight. Once the final tone had rung, they both gazed up at the stars.
“Merry Hearth’s Warming, Kaleb.” Fluttershy said quietly, gazing at him. He responded by wrapping his arms around her under the blanket, and kissed her gently. They laid back to look at the stars for a few more moments before heading back to the house.
It was in the early hours of the morning, and everything had been quiet. Fluttershy and Kaleb were both asleep, as the winds outside breezed gently. The only sound other than the gentle breathing was the grandfather clock, its ticking echoing throughout the house. Kaleb’s breathing began to increase as he began to writhe in the bed, sweat beginning to form on his head. The muffled sounds of his voice began quietly at first, increased slowly. His head twitched with every tick of the clock, and his body became rigid as it struggled to control the spasms. The bed began to shake slightly, as Fluttershy stirred.
“NOOOOO!” Kaleb screamed as awoke, his eyes darting around the room. The bottom bed collapsed from the tremors, and hit the ground with a dull thud. Gulping for air, he to clear his eyes only to find tears flowing down as the thundering of explosions was present in his mind, along with the screaming of civilians. The pieces of the nightmare were starting to fit together like a puzzle as he remembered the event.
As quickly as this occurred, the light from the lamp went on, and Fluttershy rushed out of bed, moving towards Kaleb as she held his hand. He followed her breathing for a few minutes, indicating that it was okay to touch him. Hugging him lightly, she looked at him with an expression of sympathy and sadness. “You’re going to be alright; you’re with me now. Nothing can hurt you here.” She repeated those words like a mantra, before letting go. “I know that must have been scary. What was it? You can tell me only if you feel comfortable.” Kaleb’s eyes glanced to the door, worried that anyone might be listening. “My parents and brother are still asleep. You didn’t wake them up. Nobody can hear this but me, Kaleb.”
Nodding, he shuddered as he tried to find his voice, the words croaking out. “Nightmares. They’ve been more persistent since coming back to Ponyville. I couldn’t tell Twilight or Spike, and…” The words got caught in his throat. “I couldn’t tell you. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you….” He buried his face in his hands as the secret came out.
Fluttershy looked sympathetic, but her voice was once of concern. “Why didn’t you feel you couldn’t tell me? I know that some things need to remain private with the PTSD, but we’re in a relationship. Honesty and communication are essential. I’m not angry, but I feel confused.”
“Because I have to put on a brave face for your family!” Kaleb exclaimed quietly. He sighed and looked at her with honesty. “At the time, I didn’t feel that I could tell you because I was trying to be this perfect, idealized version of myself. Someone who had to put on a mask and become a perfect coltfriend that your family would approve of. I was wrong to do that, I’m sorry. “
She held his hand as she thought of what to say. “I didn’t fall in love with you because you were perfect, Kaleb. I love you because of who you are. Everyone has flaws, and that’s okay as long as we’re honest with each other. My family loves and accepts you for the way that you are. Why did you feel that they wouldn’t accept you?”
He paused before answering. “Your mom told me that they accepted me, but I thought at the time I had to protect them. At the table, I felt something that I haven’t felt in a long time. There were times when Master Johanna and Rogue would eat dinner together with me. It was a bright light in a war of darkness, the jokes and small stories that were shared. We had a rule of no discussions about the war, it was just a chance to escape even for an hour. Rogue would share the greatest of jokes, putting in a little bit of political commentary from the Senate while Master Johanna would find small bits of trivia that we would debate. It often ended in a draw, but we kept a tally of who won. We all seemed to be an equal match for each other.”
Fluttershy nodded, looking with interest. “I would have loved to meet them. They seem really lively and fun.”
Kaleb’s voice darkened. “They were. As the image went on, things became clouded, mist had descended to cover them. It muffled their voices, and all of a sudden it turned red. I heard the ignition of a lightsaber and the reloading of a blaster. The noise from the first shot was what caused me to seize up, going back to reality. It started as a flashback but turned into something worse. The first thing I saw was your family.”
Tears began to form in his eyes as he breathed, trying to calm them down. “Do you know what I dreamed about over the past week? There was a group on Mandalore called Death Watch, who raged a war of terror upon their government and civilians. Their attacks were devastating, occurring in public places aimed for maximum casualties, especially for large families. Even now, there’s part of me that feels unsafe.” Pausing for a few seconds, he continued in a smaller voice. “I already lost a mother and brother because of the war. I can’t lose another family.”
Fluttershy hugged him tightly as tears rolled down her eyes. “My family is your family, and you are not going to lose them. Family accepts that everyone is not perfect and can overlook that. We both need to be honest with each other, promise me you’ll try Kaleb.”
He nodded, doing the motions of the Pinkie Promise as she followed. “I will always try to be honest with you. The nightmares are the one thing that the medication hasn’t been able to help with.” Pulling out the lavender oil from a small bag, he held it in his hand. “Ruby gave me this lavender oil; I heard about it from Lyra a little bit about how essential oils can help sleep, along with PTSD. I’m not sure what it can do with nightmares.” He swore silently as he realized the bottom bed had been broken. “Sorry about the bed.”
“It’s okay, it was an accident,” Fluttershy said, thinking of what to do. “It was old anyway and the bottom bed was ready to give in at any moment.” She paused and blushed slightly before proceeding. “We could both share my bed, you can use the lavender oil on the sheets. Maybe, we can snuggle, if that’s what you want?” Her voice trailed off into a slight whisper at the last sentence, and let off a small eep as she realized what she had said.
Kaleb’s eyes widened, and he coughed slightly before smiling. “Yes, I will snuggle with you, Fluttershy. It’s certainly daring considering the house we are in, but I think the judges would give us points for taking risks.”
She rolled her eyes slightly while smiling to herself, seeing that his sense of humor was coming back. As she began to redo the comforter’s position, Kaleb placed a few drops of lavender oil onto the pillows and sheets. After that, Fluttershy brought the lamp down to its lowest setting, so that only a dim glow emerged from the lamp cover. “Is it okay with you to keep a little bit of light on?”
“Yes, that’s good. Just don’t hold on too tight. It can make me feel claustrophobic.” He climbed into bed, and Fluttershy wrapped her legs around him as her wings enclosed them both. Kaleb kissed her cheek. “Goodnight, Fluttershy.” She smiled as he closed his eyes, returning the kiss. “Goodnight Kaleb. You’re safe with me.”
The sound of music poured in as Fluttershy and Kaleb began to stir, realizing that it was Hearth’s Warming Day. Stretching silently, Kaleb moved down the stairs to find a small amount of presents under the tree.
Mr. Shy was pouring out the last of the pancake batter onto the griddle, as Mrs. Shy was putting various berries in a bowl. “Merry Hearth’s Warming, Kaleb!” Mrs. Shy greeted as he sat down at the table. “Breakfast should be ready in just a moment. We have butter along with real maple syrup and powdered sugar in the small cup over there. Also, I took the liberty of making you a traditional doll.” She pointed out a stuffed toy that had a striking resemblance to him.
He smiled. “Thank you, it looks wonderful. If I remember correctly, these go onto the mantle. I’ll go put it on there.” He walked into the living room and carefully set the doll onto the mantlepiece next to Fluttershy’s. He heard quiet hoof steps walking towards him and turned towards Fluttershy, who yawned silently as she hugged him. “Good morning, Fluttershy. Happy Hearth’s Warming. You know, I’ve never seen you sleep in this late.”
She chuckled. “Well, Zephyr is the one in the family who sleeps in. I tend to on occasion sleep in, usually when I’m really tired.” She lowered her voice slightly. “How was last night? I mean after we went to sleep.”
Kaleb thought for a second before replying. “It was really good, certainly the best sleep that I’ve had for a while. Honestly, I feel refreshed, to use the word. Anyway, we should get to the table. Lest your parents overhear.”
She rolled her eyes slightly, with a blush on her face as they both went to the kitchen and sat down at the table. “Good morning, Fluttershy,” Mr. Shy greeted, hugging his daughter as he set a platter of pancakes down on the table.
“Good morning, dad, morning mom,” Fluttershy greeted, stretching her wings as she sat down next to Kaleb. “These pancakes look wonderful, don’t they Kaleb?”
He nodded. “They smell so good. Is that a hint of nutmeg and cinnamon I smell?”
Mr. Shy chuckled. “An old family secret that isn’t much of a secret I guess. Anyway, Zephyer should be coming down in five, four three, two…”
On the count of one, Zephyr came running in, sitting down at the table. “Sorry, I was putting the finishing touch on your presents. I can assure you that they are all fabulous! Shall we eat?”
Everyone nodded and began to dig into the meal. The pancakes were indeed delicious, and the applesauce, powdered sugar, and berries paired well with pancakes. Kaleb had never had such a delicious meal, eaten in leisure. “Fantastic job on the pancakes, is this meal traditional for Hearth’s Warming Day?”
Mr. Shy responded. “Thank you. I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily traditional for all of Equestria, but it is part of our family tradition. Along with the raising of the Hearth’s Warming Flag, which Zephyr raised last night.”
Kaleb looked curious. “I didn’t know there was a Hearth’s Warming flag. What are the origins on that?”
“It was originally sown by Nimble Thimble, I’m not sure when but it’s been a part of many Equestrian households ever since,” Mrs. Shy answered, passing the berries to Fluttershy. “You know, I don’t think you ever mentioned what you did before you arrived to Equestria.”
Fluttershy look mortified, and was about to say something but Kaleb answered her. “Well, that’s a little bit complicated. I was a part of an organization that helped a lot of creatures. We provided food, water, medical aid, and security for many who could not afford it. We worked in coordination with the government and helped served as ambassadors as well.” Kaleb gave a reassuring nod to Fluttershy who relaxed a little bit. “Our core mission was to spread the values of peace and harmony, and always help those who need it. I was a part of it since I was young.”
All of Fluttershy’s family looked with interest. “How young were you when you started, and was there some type of training?” Zephyr asked.
Kaleb thought for a second before responding, continuing to eat. “I was probably nine or ten when I started, I know that seems young but it was pretty normal. I had a mentor who I would travel with. I had been training with her since I was younger, and she was like a mother to me.” He remembered Master Johanna, trying to keep tears from forming in his eyes. “There was a holiday where I was from very similar to this one called Life Day. We would help pass meals for both the Eve and the Day, and give presents to children. That day was always a fun time.”
Fluttershy smiled and held his hand under the table. “I can only imagine, Kaleb.” She looked at the clock. “I don’t mean to rush things on Hearth’s Warming Day, but our balloon leaves at 1:00. We should probably open presents and put on the Hearth’s Warming Special.”
Mr. Shy nodded. “I certainly don’t want you two to miss your flight. I know how busy the landing platform can get on holidays. I’ll clear the table, while everyone else goes into the living room and relax. The film reel should be in the box by the tree.”
Everyone leisurely went to their tasks, finishing their breakfast quickly before moving to the living room. Zephyr and Kaleb helped to set up the projector while Fluttershy and Mrs. Shy pulled down the screen. Zephyr heaved a sigh of relief as the heavy projector was set on the ground. “This was a special that Fluttershy and I would watch when I was younger. The animation is very low budget, but it’s still nostalgic.”
Kaleb nodded. “There was this special that a lot of children would watch for Life Day. It was interesting to say the least. It was a special kind of bad, where it’s actually pretty funny to watch. People would randomly burst into song, and the production value was pretty low. There was barely a plot at all, things would just randomly happen. It’s rumored that the creator hated it and wanted to destroy every copy to keep it from being seen. The cartoon in the middle of it was somewhat better, though.”
Zephyr laughed, which was the first time Kaleb had heard him laugh. “Now that must be seen to believed.” He set the reel on he projector and began to play the special, lowering the volume so that everyone could hear. “Now then, it’s time for presents!”
Mr. Shy walked in and went to the tree to pass out presents. Fluttershy and Kaleb sat next to each other on the couch with Zephyr on the other end. Mrs. Shy sat in the armchair and Mr. Shy pulled up a chair from the kitchen. He passed out presents to Mrs. Shy, Fluttershy, and Zephyr. “This is to you from me, dear. Zephyr this is from Fluttershy and Kaleb. Fluttershy, this is from me and your mother.”
Zephyr opened his present first and exclaimed with joy. “Thank you both! I’ve been looking forward to going to a cosmetology school for a while and this is just what I needed.”
Mrs. Shy opened her gift and found a very nice set of carving tools. “Thank you dear, I’ve been needing new ones. These will help me with that birthday project for the nursing home.” They smiled as Fluttershy began to open her gift.
She smiled softly as she found a nice pair of green socks, with stripes showing the different shades. They were particularly fuzzy and looked like they were homemade. “Thanks Mom and Dad! It always gets really cold in my cottage and these will be really warm!”
Mr. Shy went to get the next round of presents and handed them out to Zephyr, himself, and Kaleb. “Zephyr, this is from the both of us. Mine is from your mother, and Kaleb this is from the both of us. “
Zephyr opened his gift and found a set of tools for cosmetology. “Wow, these are amazing! I’ve only seen these in the high-quality stores in Manehattan. Thank you so much, I love you both.”
“You’re welcome, Zephyr,” Mr. Shy replied warmly. He opened his own gift to find a sharp red tie. “Thank you! This will go great with the new lab coat that I got a few weeks ago.”
Kaleb coughed into his sleeve before opening his gift. He smiled as he felt a fuzzy scarf made from crochet knitting. It was a nice shade of red. “Wow, thank you both! This knitting is wonderful, and I can’t wait to wear it in Ponyville.”
Mrs. Shy went to get the final round and presents and handed them out to Fluttershy, Mrs. Shy, and Kaleb. “Fluttershy and Kaleb, those are your presents to each other. And it looks like this is for me and your dad from the both of you.” Kaleb and Fluttershy looked at each other, with Fluttershy speaking. “You can open your present first.”
Mrs. Shy opened the package, and gasped along with her husband. “Thank you! I don’t know what to say. These tickets are going to be amazing, there’s going to be so much.”
“The Equestrian Craft Festival is one of the most celebrated crafting festivals in Equestria. I can’t wait to go in June, the weather will be so nice.” Mr. Shy added, hugging his wife in excitement.
Fluttershy turned to Kaleb. “You can go first, if you want.” She blushed. Kaleb opened his gift and gasped. It was a small golden locket in the shape of a circle, with the word Home engraved on the front. It was what he found inside that brought tears to his eyes. He found a picture of the Mane 6 with Spike, The Cutie Mark Crusaders, and the Apple Family on the left side. On the right side, there was a small painting of the Jedi symbol, the blue showing well on the metallic gold background. She whispered to him. “I know it’s difficult, feeling torn about two different places you call home. This way, you will always know where home is.”
Kaleb hugged Fluttershy and let the silent tears flow. Fluttershy hugged him back, wrapping her wings around him. After a few seconds, he let go, wiping the tears with his sleeve. “Thank you, Fluttershy. You can go ahead and open your gift.”
She opened her gift and gazed in astonishment at the detailed jewelry box. “Thank you, Kaleb, this is beautiful.” Kaleb smiled mysteriously. “I think there’s something in there. You might want to look.”
Fluttershy opened the box and gasped. Inside, there was a drawing of Fluttershy on a hill gazing at butterflies with Angel by her side. The colored pencils added in the dimension of color, particularly in Fluttershy’s eyes and mane. It was a sunny day, and the blue sky blended well with the light greens of the Everfree. She hugged Kaleb, kissing him on the cheek. “I don’t know what to say…how did you do this?”
“Dr. Bluejay talked about how drawing and coloring could be therapeutic as well,” Kaleb explained. “I spent a few weeks planning the drawing with sketches. I was going to give it to you the night of the play, but the layout wasn’t where I wanted it to be”
They smiled and laughed along with the family when the Holiday Special interrupted them. Mr. Shy clapped his hooves and looked at his wife. “Another fantastic Hearth’s Warming. Kaleb, me and Mrs. Shy want you to know that you will always be a part of this family. Please feel free to come by any time.” He looked at the clock and gasped slightly. “You two should be going quickly now. Dad’s lesson for today is to never underestimate holiday traffic.”
Fluttershy turned to Kaleb. “I’ll get the suitcases.” She dashed up the stairs quickly. Kaleb helped Zephyr clean up all of the wrapping paper and put it in the garbage bag. He took a swig of both potions from his pocket. Going into the kitchen, Mrs. Shy handed him a plastic travel case of ravioli, with the sauce in small travel cups.
“Rule number one of being part of the family: nobody leaves without leftovers.” Kaleb chuckled softly, thanking her for the delicious ravioli. Fluttershy arrived down with the suitcases, and Kaleb walked towards her. Putting on his coat, he held his suitcase in one hand and the leftovers in the other. Each member of the family hugged them quickly and Mrs. Shy opened the door. “Have a great flight, you two.” They walked out the door and it closed behind him.
Fluttershy and Kaleb walked down the lane in silence at first, with her speaking first. “What a wonderful Hearth’s Warming, Kaleb. I had a great time.”
Kaleb nodded. “I did as well. Your family are some of the most kind and entertaining ponies that I have ever met.” He paused. “You’re probably wondering why I talked about the Jedi with your family.”
“I was wondering why you did,” She responded. “I thought it would be too painful for you.”
Kaleb gathered his thoughts for a few seconds before responding. “For the war, it would still be too painful. However, it wasn’t all war and death. That was only for three years before I arrived here. Before then, there were actually a lot of positive memories with Master Johanna. Traveling around the galaxy with the right mix of adventure and bonding, it was a lot of fun sometimes with a little bit of danger. It felt good to share with it, to remember what the Jedi were before then.”
Fluttershy smiled. “I would love to hear more of those stories sometime. How are you feeling about what happened last night?”
“It did happen, and I promise that I will be more open with you about my PTSD,” Kaleb promised. “Waking up this morning, I felt more refreshed than I have in the past few days. I’m not sure whether it was the lavender oil or sleeping together, but I felt safe and secure.”
“I’m glad to hear that, I felt safe and sound as well,” Fluttershy said quietly. She blushed and added something. “Maybe, a few nights a week, you could come over to the cottage and sleep over. It should help with the nightmares and I really did enjoy it.”
Kaleb smiled. “I would love that, I enjoyed it as well.” He added something quietly as well. “Maybe next time you could wear those socks when we do. I would love to snuggle with you in them”
Fluttershy chuckled and hit him softly in the shoulder with her wing. “Take it easy there, Kaleb. We’re still in public.” The young couple laughed and headed towards the landing platform.
The tree in Carousel Boutique was shining with tinsel and various ornaments that added to the sparkle. Rarity and her parents were chatting, while Sweetie Belle was playing with Opal. She tossed the ball of yarn to the cat, who batted it playfully in kind. Bored, she looked outside to the window, seeing the snow falling outside.
“Rarity, is it okay if I go outside for a few minutes?” Sweetie Belle asked, her eyes gazing out at the wonderous winter display.
“You can, just be sure to bundle up. It’s cold outside.” Rarity responded, giving her a compassionate look.
Sweetie Belle jumped up to her hooves with excitement and pulled on her winter jacket and scarf. Opening the door, she went outside, walking into the wind blowing gently. She closed the door and walked slowly enjoying the sight.
Winter in Ponyville has always been a wonderous sight, with so many snowflakes falling through the air and icicles hanging from rooftops. She walked over the bridge to the other side of town, over towards Sweet Apple Acres. Taking in the sights, Sweetie Belle greeted everypony warmly, humming to the various songs that make up Hearth’s Warming Celebrations.
A few minutes later, she found her way to the edge of Sweet Apple Acres, the trees filled with snow instead of the normal apples that populate the orchard. She entered the woods, looking around at the various apple trees.
I’ve never noticed how nice the trees are here, Sweetie Belle thought. They are really nice. She began to move forward, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the orchard.
In that moment of silence, Sweetie Belle began to hear a stream, the running water flowing gently. She looked around, and found no stream to be found. That’s strange, I swore that I heard something…
The sound of the stream became a stream of thoughts, voices and heartbeats from every form of life around her. “Who’s there… Who’s doing this…Please stop….” She begged quietly, looking around and trying to block out the noise by plugging her ears and lying on her stomach as she did so. Her mind began to race with her own thoughts of anxiety, panic, and distress. Tears started to form in her eyes.
All of a sudden, the voices, thoughts, and heartbeats stopped. Sweetie Belle looked up, shaking as she got up. A feeling of warmth, comfort and calm filled her, and she felt a presence inside her mind, bringing strength back to her limbs to stop them from shaking
“Who are you?” Sweetie Belle asked, looking with wonder and a hint of fear in her voice. “What just happened to me”
A voice responded to her, the voice of a colt with wisdom and experience in his voice. “Do not be afraid, Sweetie Belle. These are your first steps.”
The voice faded and the sounds of the orchard went back to normal as if nothing happened. She continued to wander into the forest. My first steps…what does he mean?
The classroom, though cozy, was still cold as Miss Cheerilee lectured about Equestria’s history. She drew diagrams on the board. Almost every student there payed attention, writing down notes and listening with intention. Other than the teacher’s voice and the scratching of pencils, nothing else could be heard.
Sweetie Belle tried to listen, but found herself not being able to concentrate. Since the encounter with the voices six weeks ago, it had been difficult, almost impossible to concentrate. She could feel the heartbeats of everyone in the classroom, extending outside at some points to hear the animals in hibernation. The winter birds could be heard as her mind touched theirs, feeling their intention. Why is this happening, I don’t understand?
“Sweetie Belle, Sweetie Belle!” She snapped her head up as she heard her teacher’s voice. Miss Cheerilee was looking at her with exasperation. “I’ve been trying to ask you who was the unicorn who trained the Princesses several times now. Please pay attention.”
Sweetie Belle blushed with embarrassment. "Right…sorry about that…it was Starswirl the Bearded…right?” Apple Bloom and Scootaloo stared at her, looking confused. They knew that she hadn’t been her normal self over these past couple of weeks, and they had tried to offer her support. There was only so much that they could do. They wouldn’t believe me if I told them.
Miss Cheerilee nodded. “That’s correct.” The bell on top of the schoolhouse rang, signaling the end of the day at 2:30. “I hope you have all a nice day! Remember your science fair presentations will be due next week. Twilight has agreed to judge the projects. This is so exciting.” As the fillies and foals exited the schoolhouse, she turned towards Sweetie Belle quietly. "Could I talk to you for a moment before you go?”
The young unicorn nodded and waited until everypony else was out of the schoolhouse. “I’m sorry, Miss Cheerilee…things have been really difficult lately…I don’t know why…”
“It’s okay, I’m not angry at you. I’m just concerned,” she replied, looking at her with sympathy. “You’re a good student, Sweetie Belle, one of the best in the class in fact. You just haven’t been yourself these past few weeks…Has everything been alright at home?”
“It’s been okay, I guess. My parents visited Rarity and I over Hearth’s Warming. It was nice to see them. They don’t get to visit often, but when they can it’s nice,” Sweetie Belle explained. “The past few weeks have just been difficult. Rarity has been stressed with projects and we haven’t had a lot of time to spend together.”
Miss Cheerlie nodded, giving an understanding glance. “I’m sorry to hear that. I know how stressed Rarity can get. You’re doing well in class, just please try to pay a little more attention.”
Sweetie Belle nodded. “Thank you. I hope you have a nice day.” She went through the door into the mid-winter weather. The ice had been thawing out, and it had been warmer than normal over these past couple of days. Some of the snow had melted, but still remained in giant piles that would eventually be cleared in a few weeks with Winter Wrap-Up. She shivered slightly as she walked back into town towards Carousel Boutique. I hate lying to Miss Cheerlie, but I have to along with my friends. They wouldn’t understand. Faust, I feel like I’m going crazy. Maybe I should tell Rarity but I don’t know how. I know that she’s always stressed, maybe that is rubbing off on me. Sighing, she moved faster as the wind picked up, blowing snow in her direction.
Kaleb moved his eyes in a pattern while holding onto the arms of the old comfy armchair tightly. Lyra sat across from him in her office chair, guiding his eyes with a pen that she held. Her office was clean and organized, with light blue walls and a desk against the wall. She moved the pen in various directions, but usually stuck to a back and forth movement.
Kaleb winced, almost in pain as he heard the deafening roar in his head of cannons firing. His vision occasionally flashed to the battlefields on Geonosis, seeing flashes from the cannons and hearing the shouts of the clones. Battle droids were surrounding them, pushing them back slightly every time the Republic gained a mile. The smoke created a filter that clouded the battlefield along with the red-orange course sand, which Kaleb couldn’t see through. All of a sudden, he saw the shadows of the Geonosian soldiers pushing through, and saw the flash of green before he heard the fire of their blasters.
He felt a tapping on his knee as Lyra used the pen to snap him out of his state. He looked around not to find a battlefield but an office. “Tap your hands on your knees, start out fast and then try to slow down.” He tapped his hands rapidly, almost sounding like a waterfall at some points, while trying to breathing deeply. He slowed down his hands to a moderate beat, taking it eventually to a slow tap. After a few minutes, she indicated that he could stop, and he collapsed back into his chair, wiping the sweat and tears off of his face. Lyra took a square of chocolate from her desk and handed it to him, smiling at him. “You did well, Kaleb, better than the first time. This therapy takes some getting used to.”
Kaleb ate the chocolate and nodded. “How long was I in that state? I swear it felt like at least three hours.” He shifted slightly in his armchair.
“It was actually for half an hour. But it can feel longer in when you’re in that state of mind.” She grabbed a clipboard from her desk. “On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your trauma right now? At the beginning you rated it at an 9.”
Kaleb thought for a moment before responding. “I would say it’s at around 7 or 6.5. What’s the name of this type of treatment again? I’m still a little bit confused.”
Lyra responded quickly. “It’s Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR for short. It’s relatively new for therapy, it’s only been around for the past thirty years but has been proven to help a small number of patients with PTSD.” Writing something down quickly, she gave him an encouraging expression. “What were you experiencing when you were in the trance?”
“It was on Geonosis, during the bombing campaigns. The cannon fire made it extremely difficult to see with all of the smoke. There were huge dust clouds from the red-orange and that made it worse because it was difficult to breathe or see anything. Luckily, the squadron that Rogue was in came to our rescue just in time, otherwise we would have been killed by the Geonosian soldiers.” Kaleb stood up and stretched. “It feels strange to come out of the trance. I felt so lightheaded the first time.
She nodded. “That’s what the chocolate is for. It helps with regaining energy, but it can only do so much. I would recommend eating again as soon as you can.” She looked at the time. “Our session is up. We’ll do regular sessions for the next few weeks before trying EMDR again. I know it can be exhausting so I try to space them out. Have a good rest of your week.”
Lyra opened the door for Kaleb and he exited the office, entering into the small lobby before putting on his winter coat. Opening the door, he moved outside into the winter air and began to walk back towards the library.
His time now was usually spent between working with Twilight at the library and spending his free time with Fluttershy at her cottage. There was only so much they could do because of the weather, but they made the best of it by finding time for meals, quiet evenings by fireplace with the occasional book or film reel, and cuddling when Kaleb slept over of course. He shivered slightly as the wind picked up, and slowed down as he felt himself becoming light-headed.
I should probably find something to eat really quick, Kaleb thought as he looked around and started to walk towards Sugarcube Corner. Something a little bit more solid than a cupcake, maybe a piece of pie or a pastry. He walked through the door, breathing a sigh of relief as he rubbed his hands to get them warm. Looking at the desserts at the counter, he made his decision.
Mr. Cake walked to the counter from behind the kitchen. “Hi Kaleb! What can I get you today?”
Thinking for a moment, Kaleb made his final decision. “’I’ll have a cinnamon roll please. I’ll take it for here.” He dug in his jacket pocket for bits to pay for the pastry.
The door opened and Sweetie Belle walked in, looking hesitant and sitting down by a table next to the counter. “Hi Kaleb. How have you been?” She smiled faintly.
He turned around and sat down in the other chair. “Hi Sweetie Belle. I’m doing okay, just getting a bit of a snack before I go back to the library. What brings you here?”
“Getting away from the cold, also looking for Twilight. Rarity wants to ask her if I can hang out at the library this afternoon. She’s really busy with projects, and it can get really stressful.”
Kaleb nodded with sympathy. “I’m sorry to hear that, and you’re more than welcome to visit the library. Twilight is out at the moment with Spike. I think she’s taking him for a doctor’s visit. I could use the company and an extra hoof to help out.”
Sweetie Belle perked up, looking excited. “Thanks! Though I was wondering what the pay will be?” She fixed him with an amused but serious expression.
Kaleb chuckled. “I’ll pay you with a cinnamon roll to help out. Do we have a deal?” She nodded and shook his hand. He turned towards Mr. Cake, who was already taking another cinnamon roll out. “I’ll have those to go, please.”
Mr. Cake nodded and packed them up in a brown carboard box. “Those will be eight bits. Normally they would be ten but we’re doing a sale this week.”
Kaleb paid for the pastries and bundled up. “There’s books that need to be checked in and organized. Twilight just received book donations from Rainbow Falls, and there’s a huge stack of them in the upstairs storage room.”
Sweetie Belle followed him outside walked next to him, moving fast to get to the library as soon as possible. “That’s really cool. My parents actually live in Rainbow Falls. I know that they have a lot of books, maybe they donated as well.”
Kaleb looked intrigued. “They probably did. What do they do for a living? I thought that you lived with Rarity.”
“They’re retired, and enjoy traveling a lot,” Sweetie Belle explained, shivering from the cold. “I moved to Ponyville to live with Rarity so that we could be closer together.”
Kaleb nodded. “Forgive me if I’m intruding, but is the relationship that you two have with them good?”
Her eyes widened. “Oh no, it’s not like that. My mom suggested it since Rainbow Falls is more of a retirement community with not a lot of ponies my age. They try to visit as often as they can, usually once a month.” She hesitated. “It’s been rough lately, to be honest. Rarity is always busy with projects and it feels like such a stressful place. Sometimes, I feel like I can’t get anything done, I just can’t get any peace.”
They reached the library quickly, and Kaleb held open the door for her. Taking off his jacket and placing it on a coatrack, he indicated for her to sit down. He took silverware from the kitchen and sat down opposite of her. “I’m really sorry to hear that. Stress is something that’s difficult for all of us. Have you told her about it?”
Sweetie Belle shook her head. “I’ve thought about that, but sometimes I feel like she doesn’t understand me. I haven’t been able to tell my friends either, they would think that I’m crazy…” Her breathing started to increase slightly.
Kaleb was alarmed but kept a calm demeanor, keeping his voice kind. “Sweetie Belle, look at me. Follow my breathing, please. This will help.” She followed his counts as her breathing slowed down, closing her eyes to concentrate. For a few seconds, she looked at peace. Then, she heard the stream of voices flow through and opened her eyes alarmingly.
Keeping her expression neutral, she smiled. “Thanks Kaleb. I’ve never done any breathing exercises before.”
Kaleb nodded. “You’re welcome. These these were the breathing exercises that I was taught at your age. It takes a little bit of practice, but they really do help.” As he was saying those words, he sensed a flurry of activity from the Force. That was the Force, there was something there but I don’t know what, Kaleb thought. It was small but noticeable. Shaking his head, he looked back at Sweetie Belle. “Sorry, I’m just a little tired from last night. Please, feel free to eat.”
She grinned at him and started to eat her cinnamon bun. “Thank you, this is delicious.” She ate at a medium pace, trying to savor a little bit of every bite. “How have you been? I haven’t seen you around much since the year started.”
Kaleb though for a few seconds on how to answer that. He smiled. “I’m doing well, it’s just been busy between working at the library and spending time with Fluttershy. Trying to keep up a schedule is a good way for me to reduce stress.”
Sweetie Belle nodded. Maybe I should talk to him about it. Making up her mind, she spoke in a serious expression. “Kaleb, can I talk to you about something?”
He looked around the room to make sure nobody was around. Seeing her serious expression, he nodded. “Of course. What’s up?”
Sighing, she began in a quiet voice. “Ever since Hearth’s Warming, things have been getting stressful for me. I swear, nobody understands. Not Miss Cheerilie, not my friends, not even my own sister. Everything has been changing, including my thoughts and feelings. I don’t know what’s going on…”
Kaleb looked sympathetic. “It must be difficult. Everyone goes through changes in life, whether it’s physical or just about how we think. It’s about discovering who we are, what our moral code in life is, and how we proceed in our daily lives. I went through that same journey; maybe not in the way that I expected, and to an extent I’m still going through that. But the important thing is that it’s normal and it takes time.”
Sweetie Belle looked surprised. “Sorry I just didn’t expect you to be so…. wise for someone so young.”
Kaleb chuckled. “I’ll take that as a compliment.” He fixed her with a curious expression. “I don’t mean to intrude too far, but you can trust me with whatever you want to tell.”
“It’s not just those, it’s my magic as well,” She explained. “Sometimes I feel like my magic kind of has…a mind of its own. I have a difficult time controlling it, and it comes out of nowhere. Kind of like it has its own voice.”
Kaleb looked concerned. “I think you should tell Twilight and Rarity. I’m not sure what is normal for unicorn development, but something does not feel right.” He realized how worried she looked, and waved his hands in the air. “But let’s not worry about that now. There are still books that need to be sorted. You can tell Twilight when she gets back, okay?”
Sweetie Belle nodded. “Okay, I promise. Where do you want me to start?” What if she thinks that I’m not normal? Or if she locks me away in a dungeon? She began to worry, but remembered the calming techniques that he taught her. Breathing slowly, she calmed herself.
He thought for a second before replying. “There’s a stack of books in my room from Rainbow Falls. Just organize them alphabetically and by whether it’s fiction or nonfiction. Today’s Spike’s birthday, so I still need to wrap the comic books I got him.” Seeing her using the breathing techniques, he looked at her gently. “Hey, look at me. Everything is going to be fine.” He extended his right hand in a fist. “Hoofbump?”
She grinned, giggling slightly as she bumped his fist. “I’ll get started right away!” She bounded up the stairs quickly. Kaleb watched her for a second before getting up. “Well, this is going to be fun…” He was interrupted as he felt that same flurry of activity from the Force, this time slightly stronger. His hand went to his head as he tried to figure out where it was coming from.
That was stronger than the last time, he thought, looking intrigued yet concerned. Wait a second…no that can’t be the case. He ruled that out quickly and moved upstairs. Walking slowly, he saw her organizing the books and moved into the other room to look at his pile.
Sweetie Belle organized the stack, using her magic to sort through them rather quickly. I’ll make quick work out of these soon. Hopefully Twilight will know what’s going on.
In about half an hour, she had organized the stack alphabetically and by subject. Wiping one of her hooves on her forehead, she sat down. Maybe I should try some of the breathing techniques that Kaleb taught me now. I don’t know why, but they’re working.
Closing her eyes, she began to breathe slowly, in a rhythm that seemed to block everything out. She focused on the present, and the task at hand. All of a sudden, she began to hear the voices once again, wincing in pain as she did. In her mind, she heard a low humming that replaced the voices.
Sweetie Belle opened her eyes. Where is that coming from? Fear was replaced with a small sense of curiosity and she moved about the room, trying to find the sense of the humming. As she approached his nightstand, the humming seemed to stop. She looked toward the nightstand, and felt something calling to her, not a voice but what felt like some type of feeling in her mind. She opened the top drawer.
There she found a weird object that could be held in both of her hooves. It was made out metals, from the looks of it gold and silver. The shape was weird, with twelve sides with gold engravings around the silver and glass interior. She took the object in her hooves, her eyes widening as she looked at it with wonder. This is something else, she thought. It’s so beautiful, yet it feels old. I wonder what it could be…
The object began to glow and she jumped in alarm, setting it on the bed quickly. It continued to glow and let out a hum at a higher pitch, until a layer opened up like a budding flower to reveal another glowing chamber inside of it, similar to a seed in a piece of fruit. On top of the glowing chamber, there was a small lens.
She moved closer to the object, almost transfixed by it. Then, all of a sudden, light poured through the lens and formed a three-dimensional image. It was still see-through due to the light. She saw a creature similar to Kaleb, except with a female form and long silver hair. She wore a tunic of beige and a robe of navy blue. She stood for a moment before speaking.
“Today I will be showing you the basics of Form Three; Soresu. This form may look easy, but do not be deceived. Deflecting and blocking are not easy to do, for even in the concentration of battle you may have fire coming at you from all sides. Follow my movements. She took out a metal tube and pressed a button, with a green blade coming out of the end. As the woman went into a stance and began to move, Sweetie Belle stared at her, transfixed with curiosity.
Unknown to her, Kaleb leaned against the wall out of view next to the open room, his mind and expression in shock. He had heard the sound of Master Johanna’s voice and peeked in to find the hologram had been activated by her. A magic with a mind of its own…of course, that would be a good to describe it, he thought, still in disbelief at what he was seeing. I don’t understand…how is this possible, why did this happen, there are so many questions.
In his mind, he felt a flash of fear as memories of his time during the war coming back to him, calling on him to run away. Kaleb let the feelings subside and took a deep breath. No. I won’t let my own fears take over. At least, not at this moment. Taking a minute to think as the recording continue to play, he calmed his thoughts and was able to think clearly. I can’t imagine how she’s feeling. There’s a sense of fear, for that I don’t blame her. The Force can be scary and unfamiliar to anyone who hasn’t come across it. But there’s a small sense of curiosity. Remembering his own experiences as a youngling, he came to a conclusion. I should proceed carefully and with gentle compassion.
Standing upright, he slowly moved into the room, making sure to be quiet not to alarm her. She didn’t even notice as he sneaked along the wall, moving to the other side of the bed where she gazed transfixed by the hologram. Kneeling down, he watched Master Johanna for a few more seconds before speaking. “Her form has always been excellent.”
Sweetie Belle jumped in alarm. “Kaleb! I’m so sorry…I don’t know…it just happened…and…” She gave him a guilty look of sorrow.
Kaleb smiled. “Hey, look at me.” She looked at him. “You didn’t do anything wrong. In fact, curiosity can lead us to places where we didn’t know possible.” He saw her start to calm, and outstretching his hand, he deactivated the Holocron. The hologram disappeared, and it folded back to its original form, glowing for a few seconds before turning off. Moving it onto the nightstand, he indicated for her to sit on the bed as he pulled up an old chair.
She sat down and fixed him with a curious gaze. “Do you know what…this is?”
Kaleb nodded. “I do. But I need some more information first. Nothing too deep, just some background. When did this start and where were you when it happened?”
“It was six weeks ago, on Hearth’s Warming Day,” Sweetie Belle remembered, concentrating hard. “I was wandering in the orchards at Sweet Apple Acres, and all of a sudden I heard a bunch of voices. It was powerful, flowing and overwhelming. I don’t know how to describe it…” Her voice trailed off.
Kaleb took in her words, keeping his voice neutral as he responded. “Like a stream of flowing water. Not just voices, but thoughts and feelings as well.”
She nodded. “It was so loud, I felt like I couldn’t control it. I started to panic and I tried to plug my ears, but they wouldn’t stop.” She felt encouraged to keep going from Kaleb’s gaze, showing that he was truly listening. “All of a sudden, they stopped and I heard another voice. It was of a colt, and it was a medium pitch. He said my name and told me not to be afraid, and that these were my first steps.”
“…Into a larger world…” Kaleb’s gaze became wonderous, before he shook his head back into the moment. “Have you heard this voice since then?” Kaleb asked.
She shook her head. “I haven’t, but I’ve heard the other stream of voices since then. That’s why I have had difficulty concentrating.” Her eyes looked concerned. “What’s happening to me, Kaleb?”
Kaleb took a deep breath and began, showing compassion in his voice and gaze. “First of all, nothing is wrong with you and you’re not crazy. This is normal, or at least it was for me.” After looking around the room, he began again. “Where I came from, we have this power that is similar to your magic in some ways, but also different. It’s called the Force.”
Sweetie Belle looked curious, and he continued. “Imagine a field of magic, or energy in this case where every thought, voice, and feeling of every living creature forms it. But it does not just span one forest, one continent, or even one planet, but an entire universe. Everything is connected to one another.” He chuckled as he saw her jaw almost drop. “You know, I had the exact same reaction. Even today, sometimes I still can’t believe it.”
She blushed slightly when she realized her expression, and chuckled as well. “It really is. How was I able to hear it? I still don’t understand.”
Kaleb thought about how to best explain it. “There are certain individuals who can harness this energy. For some, it is a sensitivity such as being in tune with those voices and feelings. It can also be used similar to how unicorns use magic in various ways.” He looked at her again before continuing. “I think for you, there is a Force sensitivity, because of the stream of voices and feelings. But there are times when you channel that energy when you’re not aware of it. Such as when you have strong emotions.”
She nodded slowly, trying to take it all in. “When I feel stressed or afraid, sometimes I feel things rumble slightly.” She sighed. “Sorry, there’s just so much to take in. I don’t know what to do now…”
“Let’s take it one step at a time,” Kaleb replied calmly, also saying it for himself. “From experience, that’s the best way to handle things. Let’s wait till Twilight gets back and she can get Rarity…”
He was interrupted by the roar that vibrated the entire library. Sweetie Belle gripped hard to the bed and Kaleb fell off of his chair. Getting up, he looked at her with an alarmed expression. “Stay here. I’ll take a look on the balcony.” She nodded and he moved to the hallway. Opening the door to the balcony, he moved out and felt the large gusts of wind that nearly knocked him to the ground.
Kaleb held onto the railing, looking around for the source. Another roar blasted through the sky, and he looked around in the general direction. All of a sudden, he felt the Force alert him to a giant branch hurtling his direction. Jumping to avoid it, he reached out to the Force and managed to stop it from breaking the windows. He threw it down onto the ground and looked forward.
On the ground was a dragon, ranging up to fifty feet in length. It had purple scales and green spikes, with the scales turning green on the underbelly. It had no wings, and its green eyes glowed with malice. It turned toward the balcony, staring Kaleb directly in the face.
“Oh shit…”
The dragon threw a wagon towards the library, and Kaleb jumped back into the treehouse as the wagon hit the balcony, shattering the glass on the door. He ran back to find Sweetie Belle still on the bed, shaking. She looked at him with fear and confusion. “What was that?”
He reached his hand to her, and she took it. They sprinted down the stairs as the library continued to rattle, and moved towards the table. “That was a dragon.” He collapsed against it, feeling the tremors in his hands start to come back. “We need to find the others. Keep away from the windows and bookshelves, towards the center of the room. I’m going outside.”
She nodded and Kaleb moved to the door, opening it, and kept low to the ground. The dragon was moving at a rapid pace across the city. He spotted Twilight running towards the library. “Twilight, what’s happening?
She stopped in front of him, panting. “Something’s happened to Spike. His greed got out of control, and now he’s a full-grown dragon. He’s been taking valuables from everyone…Sorry, I have to go.”
She ran off and Kaleb realized that there was something missing from his room. Running upstairs, he went into his room, making sure that the map reader and data tablet were safe. Moving to the top drawer of his desk, he opened it to find a leather pouch with nothing inside.
He swore loudly, realizing what Spike had taken. Sprinting back downstairs, he found all of the books on the floor, and Sweetie Belle standing looking confused.
Kaleb spoke quickly. “First, that dragon is Spike. Twilight said he grew into a full size and that he’s not himself…we need to get down to the basement…” They both heard the scream.
“Rarity!” Sweetie Belle yelled as she bounded out the door and ran towards the sound. Kaleb followed and saw what she was running towards. Spike had taken Rarity with his tail, and was moving rapidly towards the highest cliffs on the edge of Ponyville. Near the top was a large cave built into the landscape, where he kept all of his treasure.
Kaleb ran after her, moving against the citizens who were fleeing the town. She went fast, reaching about seventy- five feet away from Spike before yelling. “Let my sister go!”
Rarity’s voice was drowned out by Spike’s roar, which shook the ground and reverberated everywhere. Moving his tail, he inhaled with all of his might and blew out a gust of air that sent a large boulder plummeting down towards Sweetie Belle. Her eyes widened, and felt the Force push her to the side only a few seconds before the boulder landed with a heavy thud.
Kaleb knelt down, breathing heavily. “Move back to the library. I need to go.”
She barely had any time to register before Kaleb jumped up and ran towards the woods by the cliffs, which had a path going up towards them. She followed, not caring of the danger, only knowing that her sister needed her help. Sprinting with all of her energy, she struggled to keep up with Kaleb. For ten minutes, the two ran in silence, only to end when Kaleb stopped to catch his breath. Noticing her, he looked at her with a surprised expression, more curious than angry. “Why did you follow me all the way up here?”
“Because I need to help my sister.” She said fiercely, before softening her voice. “I heard them calling out to me, encouraging me to help in any way that I can. I can’t let anypony get hurt, including Spike.” She shook slightly, her eyes showing fear. “I have to be brave, against Spike and against this…. Force.” Tears watered in her eyes.
Kaleb looked at her and felt a familiar expression. He remembered that look of bravery despite all fear, for it was his own before his first battle. Master Windu had told him to bury all emotions, to empty himself and focus on the Force. That was the beginning on a long, torturous road.
I must deal with my own feelings later, Kaleb decided and shook his head to clear his mind before kneeling down. “You’re afraid of it, aren’t you?” She nodded. “It’s okay. I was too.” He paused before continuing. “I’m going to make you a Pinkie Promise. I won’t let anything bad happen to you, not right now with Spike or with the Force. It’s natural to be afraid of it, but you are in control of your own destiny. I can’t take it away, but I will always be there if you need or want guidance.”
Kaleb did the motions of the promise, and held out his hand. “Follow your mind and heart, and the Force will be your friend.” Sweetie Belle took it and hugged him softly, with Kaleb returning the hug. She let go after a few seconds had passed.
“What are we going to do now? I mean…if you want, I’ll go back…”
Kaleb shook his head. “It’s probably too late for that. There’s an entrance to the cave less than a quarter of a mile ahead. Spike took my lightsaber, it’s the laser sword you saw in the hologram.” He hesitated, wondering if what he was about to say was right. “I can help you save your sister; the only thing is I can’t do it alone. I’m not asking you to go any further, but I won’t stop you.”
She stood up. “I shall go with you. We need to move.” Kaleb stood up, and indicated up towards the path. They jogged side by side, moving slowly up the path. He breathed slowly despite the pace, and Sweetie Belle followed his breathing. It was short five minutes, but they made their way up the path. Faust, I hope we’re not too late.
They stopped at the entrance of the cave, which was blocked by a large boulder that made it impossible to pass. “Oh Faust! Now what?” Sweetie Belle swore in frustration.
Kaleb examined the entrance, looking around and up at the surrounding cliff face. “It looks like the rocks fell when Spike started climbing the mountain.” He looked back towards Sweetie Belle. “I can get us in there. But you have to listen to me and follow my instructions.”
She nodded. “I will. Sorry, I guess I’m just frustrated.”
“It’s okay, it happens to all of us from time to time.” Kaleb coughed before continuing, still slightly out of breath from the climb. “I’m going to lift that boulder. As soon as the path is clear, run into the entrance. I’ll be right behind you.”
Kaleb reached out to the Force, calling it as he outstretched his hand. The boulder blocking the entrance began to shiver slightly, before stopping. After a few seconds, it floated upwards three feet, right above the cave entrance. Sweetie Belle gazed in astonishment at the task he had performed. “Run, now!”
She jumped and cleared her head, sprinting towards the entrance of the cave. Kaleb followed right behind her, the boulder shaking slightly as Sweetie Belle crossed the threshold of the cave. Jumping the last five feet, he diverted his energy by going into a roll, letting go of the boulder at he landed. The sound reverberated with a loud thud that echoed all around the cave.
She looked at him with astonishment. “What… that was incredible…how did you do that?”
“I’ll tell you later,” Kaleb replied, massaging his knees slightly, observing the giant pile of treasure that had amassed far away from the opening on the clifftop. “First, let’s save Rarity and Spike. See if you can hear anything…”
The ground shook, and the roars of Spike could be heard climbing the cliff. Clamoring, his treasures jangled, and Kaleb saw his lightsaber sitting near a golden goblet. Picking it up, he put it back in his leather pouch. “It looks like they found us. Keep back from the edge, and move slowly around. We don’t want to scare them…”
Sweetie Belle froze and shook with fear as Spike dumped more treasure, barely noticing the two. He roared as she whispered in alarm. “Where’s Rarity, I can’t see her…”
“Oh, be quiet!” Rarity could be seen, being held up to the cave’s level by Spike’s tail. “You’ve got nothing to be proud of. Stealing everypony’s things, terrorizing the town, and using me as a weapon against my own friends.”
Sweetie Belle looked at Kaleb unsure of what to do. He held his hand up as a signal to wait. “You’re not going to get this gemstone. This was given to me by my dear friend Spikey-wikey, the kindest, sweetest, and generous dragon ever. It is too precious to me to give to a greedy, old beast like you.”
Spike’s eyes locked onto the gemstone, and Kaleb slowly began to move back. Unsure of what was happening next, he had to give the distance. Sweetie Belle did not see his movements, and moved back only to hit her hoof on a silver toaster, which clanged loudly.
“Sweetie Belle?!” Rarity called out, as Spike’s form began to changed. Tossing her up in the air slightly, he shrank back to his normal self. She noticed this and as she reached the top of the toss, she looked at him. “Spike?”
The two began to scream as they began to fall. Without thinking, Sweetie Belle ran towards the edge, reaching out to the power that called to her. Outstretching her hoof, the Force flowed through her, sending ice-cold shivers through her veins. Spike and Rarity’s plummet stopped as they both looked up in amazement. They floated for about five seconds before starting to fall again, screaming.
“I got them!” Kaleb jumped to the edge of the cliff, outstretching his hand to stop their fall. Using the Force, the both of them stopped the descent, and breathed heavily as they pulled them back up. Rarity collapsed onto the ground next to Sweetie Belle, who hugged her tightly. Spike fell unconscious and was caught by Kaleb in his arms.
“I’m so sorry, I haven’t been myself these last few weeks…” Sweetie Belle started as Rarity returned the hug, kissing her on the forehead.
“It’s okay, Sweetie. Don’t you dare apologize, I should have paid more attention,” she replied, hugging her tightly for a few moments. She looked confused, looking back at Sweetie Belle and Kaleb. “How did you do that? I thought your magic was still developing?”
“It’s a long story, better heard from Sweetie Belle than from me.” Kaleb said, having laid Spike on the ground and was checking his vitals. “She wanted to help save you, and followed me up here.”
Rarity shook her head, still looking with disbelief at her sister. “Well, that’s very kind of you, but that was an awfully big risk? What if you had gotten hurt? I would have been devastated if you…”
Sweetie Belle nodded, taking in her sister’s concerns. “Kaleb kept me safe the whole time. He wouldn’t let anything happen.” She looked back at Kaleb, who gave her a smile and a nod to Rarity.
“Well, I suppose I should thank you Kaleb, for keeping my sister safe.” Rarity sighed, nodding thankfully at him. “Still, I think we should talk about this.”
Kaleb stood up. “And I couldn’t agree more, but it should be done at a lower altitude. I think I should be able to lift the rock…”
All of a sudden, the boulder moved to the side, and Twilight, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie came rushing in. Fluttershy rushed to Kaleb, hugging him tightly. Kissing her forehead, he smiled. “Well, this was an unexpected but welcomed surprise.”
Twilight nodded as she trotted towards Spike. “We’re just glad you’re all safe. I saw Spike and Rarity stop falling, I’m not sure what caused.” She looked concerned but breathed with relief as she saw him breathe. “Thank you for saving my number one assistant.”
“You’re welcome, but the credit is not all mine. I’ll tell you once we’re back down.” Kaleb saw movement in the corner of his eye and saw that Spike was stirring.
“Huh…what happened?” Spike opened his eyes and Twilight hugged him. “Twilight…thank you…but too tight.”
She let go, blushing. “Right, sorry. I’m just worried.” She clapped her hooves together. “Let’s all get back down to solid ground.”
Pinkie Pie produced a bunch of streamers and threw them in the air. “Let’s go celebrate! I have a gemstone cake already baked and delivered to the library.” She bounced out of the cave and down the mountain. Sweetie Belle and Rarity followed, with Twilight and Spike right behind them.
Kaleb limped slightly out of the cave and heading back down the hill, noticing the strain his legs had taken. “Yep, that’s going to hurt in the morning. He grimaced at Fluttershy, who walked next to him. “In retrospect, maybe sprinting three quarters of a mile up a mountain path wasn't the best idea.”
Fluttershy looked back with concern and reassurance. “It’s okay, there should be ice back at Twilight’s. As long as you don’t do that again, you’ll be fine.”
Applejack walked up next to Fluttershy. “With legs like those, sugarcube, you’ll be bucking apple trees in no time.”
Kaleb turned to them and pointed ahead. Spike was running up to Rarity, saying something that he couldn’t quite hear. He could tell that Spike was apologetic. Rarity looked at him and replied, and to his shock, giving him a kiss on the cheek. He waltzed backwards to Twilight, who smiled and rolled her eyes.
Twilight looked back at the trio. “Don’t you dare…” She said as quietly as possible, seeing their smiles.
Applejack chuckled, seeing Kaleb’s astonishment and smile. “You’re never going to let him live this down, are you?”
A humorous glance emerged from Kaleb’s face. “Never. I’ll give him a few weeks at least.”
The birthday party for Spike had winded down, with Kaleb, Fluttershy, Sweetie Belle, Rarity, and Twilight being the only ones remaining. They all sat at the kitchen table, listening while Sweetie Belle told everyone what had been happening over the past couple of weeks.
Kaleb listened, observing their reactions. Rarity’s was one of concern, naturally, while Twilight looked curious and intrigued along with Fluttershy. He gave encouraging nods to Sweetie Belle, who talked about how the Force approached her, although she did not mention it by name.
She’s probably still getting used to the idea, I know I was, Kaleb thought, sighing slightly. I’m doing a better job at hiding my emotions than I thought. This is going to be a lot to process, and my next appointment with Lyra isn’t going to be for a couple of weeks. Hopefully…
Sweetie Belle finished her story, and looked at Kaleb, along with everypony else. “I know that everypony here has a lot of questions, and I will do my best to answer them.”
Rarity nodded, starting first. “I still don’t understand; how did this happen?”
Kaleb thought for a moment before replying. “I would be lying if I told you I knew for certain. I do have two theories; one more likely than the other.”
Twilight ruffled through her notes. “I know you mentioned something a few weeks ago. I believe it was called a midi-chlorian.”
He nodded. “Good memory, Twilight. That’s my first theory.” Taking a deep breath, he began. “Midi-chlorians are microscopic organisms that reside in the cells of the body, acting as hosts for the Force. Blood tests can determine an estimate, with the higher the number meaning more power. However, my master told me that while they do exist, there is a strong chance of a false positive or negative with their results of the test, making it unreliable.”
Twilight added that in, while Sweetie Belle was the one who asked the next question. “What is your other theory?”
Kaleb nodded, stretching before replying. “This is the one that I believe. I know it sounds crazy, but my arrival in Equestria may have caused this.” He hesitated slightly, but started again with an encouraging nod from Fluttershy. “The Force has always been in Equestria, lying dormant beneath the surface. It has been here for a long time, longer than anypony, even Starswirl the Bearded. When I crashed here, I was the first Force-sensitive being to arrive in Equestria. It awakened, both the dark side and the light.”
Everypony gazed at Kaleb in astonishment, who continued. “There are sometimes cases when the Force can awaken in an individual, at any time and age. It is rare, but can happen.”
“I never imagined that the Force was that complex,” Twilight said, finishing up her notes. “It must take a long time to fully understand.”
Rarity cleared her throat. “Kaleb, you have to understand that this is a lot for me to take in. I’m just worried that that Sweetie Belle could get hurt.”
He gave her a sympathetic look. “That’s understandable. I’ve given her some breathing techniques that I was taught, which should help manage any intense anxiety that causes the flurry of activity.” Kaleb noticed the anxious look Sweetie Belle had. “You have been pretty quiet through this whole conversation. Are you doing okay?”
She nodded hesitantly. “It’s just a lot to take in, but your advice has helped me. Thank you.”
Rarity looked surprised, and then seemed to relax with her sister’s words. “Thank you, Kaleb. Maybe you could provide some more help for her…like training.”
With that one word, Kaleb began to remember his own training during the war, and the memories of undercover missions and bombing campaigns began flooding back. He began to shudder as his heart beat began to rise. Fluttershy saw this and remembering Lyra’s training, tapped his knee and held his hand under the table.
Kaleb gasped, breathing heavily. Sweetie Belle look scared, and she looked ready to move towards him, but Rarity held her back. Once Kaleb’s breathing had calmed down, he looked at Sweetie Belle and Rarity. “I’m sorry you two had to see that. It’s nothing that you said, sometimes this just happens. I would be willing to give additional help to Sweetie Belle, just maybe not right now is the best time. Also, I would prefer that the what I told you stays in this room. It is sensitive information.”
Sweetie Belle nodded, and slowly moved towards Kaleb. “I’m just glad that you are okay.” She smiled. “I can’t wait to start.” He smiled back at her.
Rarity got up. “It’s getting late, so we should probably be going. Thank you for everything.” She waved and walked out of the library with Sweetie Belle.
Twilight began to clear the dishes and put them in the sink. “I can always do these dishes later if you two want to talk in private. I can do book sorting upstairs.”
Fluttershy and Kaleb looked at each other and they both nodded. “That would be for the best.” She answered. Twilight nodded and trotted out of the kitchen and up the stairs. Once they heard a door close, Fluttershy gave him a compassionate look. “This must have been a lot for you. How are you feeling?”
Kaleb thought for a moment before speaking quietly. “Overwhelmed and uncertain. I really don’t know how to feel. This is going to take a long time to fully process. I’m not ready to talk about why now, and I don’t know when I will to be honest.”
She nodded. “I can’t imagine, especially after everything that happened. I’ll be here for you, no matter what.” They both stood up at the same time, and Fluttershy hugged him. Kaleb wrapped his arms around her before moving upstairs to help Twilight.
The wind whipped through the courtyard, though it was a calm demeanor. The beige stone vastly contrasted with the rest of the Temple, with the clear sky and sun adding seeming to reflect and give it a golden glow. It seemed vast but also empty, making it a good place to reflect.
A new Padawan sat on the top of the steps, looking at the Great Tree. He stared at it, transfixed by its wisdom and connection to the Force. There was a sense of confusion in his eyes, as he wondered about the future. He heard soft footsteps behind him, and a voice of a woman. “I thought that I would find you here.”
He turned around, and a Jedi Master with long, brown hair that was beginning to turn silver walked over towards him. “Is it okay if I sit here?” The boy nodded and she sat next to him, gazing at the tree. “You know, I would often come here as a Padawan. It is a good place to think.” She looked at him with a friendly, yet mysterious gaze. “You’re Kaleb Taymar, right?”
He nodded. “It’s nice to meet you.” Kaleb’s eyelids drooped slightly, but he shook his head to stay awake. “Sorry, I guess I’m more tired than I thought.”
She waved her hand. “It’s okay, I can only imagine. The journey to IIlum is a long one.”
Kaleb nodded. “I’ve seen you sometimes talking to Master Yoda…. wait.” His eyes widened. “Are you my master?”
She smiled slightly at his reaction, holding out a hand. “Yes, I am. I’m Master Johanna, and I chose you as my apprentice.” Kaleb shook her hand, looking slightly confused. “You’re a good kid, Kaleb. You’re talented, smart, and have a kind heart. All of which I value in an apprentice. I’ve also heard that you have a special skill with animals.”
He ruffled his hair slightly to hide his embarrassment. “Yeah…I guess so. Did Master Yoda tell you about the bird in the tree?”
She nodded. “How long have you had this ability?” Kaleb noticed that it wasn’t with a look of disgust like some of the other younglings had shown him when he was younger, but with curious interest.
“Since I can remember. I’ve always been able to sense the feelings of animals, but that was the first time I was able to reach out and talk to it.” Kaleb sighed, looking back out at the tree. “Sometimes, I swear that I can hear my mom’s voice through them. I wish that I can talk to her.”
Master Johanna looked at Kaleb with a compassionate gaze. “I’m know it must be difficult. I’m not sure if Master Yoda ever told you this… but I was the one who sensed your connection with the Force. Your parents were medics, and they were trying to help others when they died. I only spoke to her for a brief time, but she could not stop talking about you.”
Kaleb gazed back in astonishment before showing determination in his eyes. “Wow… I never imagined.” His voice hesitated. “My ability to talk to animals…is it normal?”
She nodded kindly. “It’s what makes you special and unique. Never be ashamed of it, Kaleb.” She paused before continuing. “I can train you, to help you develop this ability further. I imagine it may help you in the future, more than you know.” She gave him an amused look. “But that is for another time, and I believe that it is almost lunch.”
She stood up, and Kaleb went with her. “I want to help others, just like my parents. I want to make my mom proud.”
Master Johanna turned towards him and knelt down. “Your mom would be proud of you, and I am as well. I know that becoming a Padawan is a big step, and that can be a lot. I’ll help you become a Jedi Knight, every step of the way. I only ask two things: that you treat me with same respect that I shall treat you, and that you won’t be afraid to ask for help.” She held an open palm. “Do we have a deal?”
Kaleb nodded and gave her a high five. She rustled his hair, and he giggled. “Let’s get some lunch. I imagine you’re hungry, and I believe that space waffles with muja sauce are on the menu.” He followed her out of the courtyard.
“That was the first time I ever met her,” Kaleb explained to Lyra, as the midday sun stretched through the small window, warming the room. “I’ll always remember when she told me about my mother. Nobody else had to me up to that point.”
Lyra nodded. “I believe that I understand now. Though, I am slightly hungry for waffles now. Thanks for that.”
He chuckled. “You’re welcome. I haven’t found anything close to muja sauce here, which is really a shame.” His expression turned serious. “It’s been three weeks, and I’m still going through a lot of emotions. I don’t know why I agreed to help her today…”
“I can’t image what you’re going through. It must have been difficult when you found out that Sweetie Belle had the same abilities as you,” Lyra said, looking at him. “Is this why you’re remembering that moment with Master Johanna in particular?”
Kaleb nodded. “That’s a possibility. But there’s something else…” He took a moment to breathe deeply before continuing, tapping his knees. “I’ve been having these nightmares lately, at least for the past two weeks or so. It’s during a lot of my memories of battles and undercover missions during the war, except it’s not my perspective. I’m looking at it from a third person point of view.”
Lyra looked at him encouragingly. “What are you seeing during these dreams?”
He sighed “I’m looking at my own experiences, except it’s not me who is experiencing them. It’s Sweetie Belle.”
She looked at him with sympathy. “I think I know why. You’re worried that she might experience the same trauma you did.”
“Yes, but it’s more than that.” Kaleb rubbed his eyes. “Nobody that young, or at any age that matter should have to go through what I did. When Master Johanna spoke to me in the cave, she said that the Force had awakened and that when the time came that they would need a teacher. I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”
She leaned forward in her chair. “I can understand your hesitation, but one lesson with Sweetie Belle doesn’t mean that she would be at risk. Are you angry at her?”
“No!” Kaleb exclaimed quietly. “This isn’t her fault, and I would never blame her. I guess that part of it is me.” He sighed before continuing. “. But it’s more than that. When I wake every morning, I meditate and connect to the Force. It’s gotten more difficult because I feel like my motivation for why I became a Jedi has disappeared, and I’m trying to find a reason. What is my place here in Equestria, and how will it affect the future? Do I have a purpose for being here?” Burying his head in his hands, he rubbed his forehead in frustration.
She looked at him. “I think that you’re looking at this from a bigger point of view than what’s needed. Those are important, but maybe thinking smaller is best for now.” She paused to think before continuing. “You said that when you first met Master Johanna, you told her that you wanted to help others. Maybe try looking at it from that perspective. Sweetie Belle is reaching out to you. She needs your help.”
Kaleb nodded. “Maybe you’re right. While these questions of who I am and my purpose here are important, they don’t need to answer it right now. Helping Sweetie Belle is what matters. But what if the memories from the war come back? It’s probably going to be inevitable since I’m drawing from my experiences.”
“How about you look to your memories with Master Johanna?” Lyra suggested. “Before the war, I mean. When you were with Fluttershy’s family, you were able to talk about it then.”
Kaleb thought for a second. “I was. Thank you, and that should work.” The small clock on the wall chimed two. “There’s only an hour left. I think that I should be okay.”
Lyra smiled. “You’re welcome, and I hope that everything goes well.” She opened the door, and Kaleb walked into the waiting room, bundling up before going outside. He removed his scarf in surprise, the temperature had increased dramatically the past few weeks. Walking at a brisk pace, he made his way across town, moving to the small path that led to Fluttershy’s cottage.
A group of fillies and colts were running around one of the clearings near the edge of town, playing a game of that appeared to be intense. The sun slightly warmed the field, but by this point in the season it was slightly frosted. A green earth pony with a red mane kicked the ball towards the makeshift goal, but it shifted direction and moved towards Kaleb as he walked. Detecting the ball, he caught it with one hand with accurate precision. He tossed the ball back towards her. “Excellent kick.”
The filly smiled and nodded before moving the ball back into play. Chuckling to himself, Kaleb continued to walk back towards the cottage. Maybe I can talk to Big Mac about teaching that game to me at some point.
A few minutes later, he arrived at Fluttershy’s cottage, knocking on the door before Angel let him in. “Hey Angel, how are you?”
The rabbit shrugged and pointed to Kaleb’s empty hands. “I know, I said that I would buy you carrot cake this week. I’ll get it to you soon, don’t worry.” As Angel hopped away, Kaleb moved towards the kitchen, rubbing his hair. Angel drives a hard bargain. With that determination, he would make a good bounty hunter.
“Hey Kaleb,” Fluttershy greeted him as she sat at the kitchen table, reading a book. “How was your session with Lyra?”
“It was good,” he replied, reaching for the bread, peanut butter, and honey to make a sandwich. “I think that I have a plan for Sweetie Belle. While I’m up here, do you want anything.”
Fluttershy shook her head. “No, but thank you. I had lunch about an hour ago. What did you have in mind for her?”
He spread the peanut butter and drizzled the honey on the two slices of bread before making the sandwich, using a small knife to cut it. Sitting down, he took a few bites before continuing. “Essentially, I’m going to teach her how to narrow the stream of consciousness to a point where it’s not overwhelming. It won’t be enough to completely cut off the Force, but it should bring her some comfort that she has control.”
Fluttershy nodded as she put down her book. “Is it possible to cut yourself off from the Force completely, or to have those abilities be taken away?"
“Not that I know of. There are legends about this, but they can get confusing in terms of interpretation.” Kaleb sighed slightly. “This is a big step, and I think that the reason why I’m so trepidatious about this is it’s still very soon after Master Johanna.” He shuddered slightly.
“She would be proud of you, especially for helping Sweetie Belle,” Fluttershy said gently, giving him a soft glance. “I’m here to support you, no matter what. What will you do if she asks about your past?”
Kaleb thought for a moment before continuing. “Lyra suggested that I draw from my experiences before the war, with Master Johanna. Just like when I talked about it with your family.”
Fluttershy’s eyes lit up with an idea. “Maybe you can show her the pictures from the data tablet. That could satisfy her curiosity, but it could also trigger a flashback.”
He smiled. “That’s a good idea. I think that as long as I’m careful, I should be fine. I think that it’s still here from last night.”
“It’s on one of the bookshelves in the living room.” Fluttershy played with her hair a bit. “While we’re talking, I was wondering if we should make plans for Hearts and Hooves Day? It’s six weeks out, but reservations go quickly due to the traffic from tourists.”
Kaleb nodded, looking surprised. “That’s a good idea. I never realized Ponyville was a big destination for that holiday. Has it always been like this?”
“It has, mainly for the fresh air and fantastic views. Canterlot, and even Cloudsdale now that I think about it, can be very expensive and reservations are difficult. Here, you get something that feels quiet and intimate.” She grabbed a piece of paper and a pencil. “Café Hay has a great theme for Hearts and Hooves Day. It combines the fanciness of Canterlot with a more relaxed feeling. It’s also one of the oldest buildings in Ponyville, and there’s really a sense of history with the building.”
“That sounds good. I’ve never been in the café before, so I’ll be looking forward to it,” he replied with interest. “I think that there’s also a meteor shower on that night. We could stargaze afterwards if you want to see it. It’s been so cold that we haven’t had a chance to do it, and I remember at the Gala you mentioned that you knew some places around Ponyville.”
Fluttershy got up from the table and moved to get her astronomy book and star chart. “There are a few spots in Ponyville. There are some great hills on the outskirts, it’s great because the hills are large so nobody ever feels crowded. I should probably map out where would be the best place to be.”
Kaleb smiled as he heard a knocking on the door. “That sounds wonderful. Speaking of which, I believe that is Sweetie Belle.” He got up and walked towards the door, going through the living room. Opening the door, he greeted Sweetie Belle with a small smile. “Hey! How was school today?”
She shrugged. “It was okay, just a little bit boring. It was fun seeing my friends, though.” She entered the house. “I’m a little bit nervous for what we’re going to do, but part of me is slightly excited.”
“Well, it’s good you have that curiosity.” Kaleb replied. “I won’t have us doing too much. For the first part, we’ll need to go into the backyard.” Leading Sweetie Belle into the kitchen, he opened the back door leading to the backyard. “It’s slightly warmer than it was this morning and the grass has dried out since Winter Wrap Out a week ago.”
Fluttershy’s backyard was a small alcove near the Everfree Forest, where many animals would gather. A few squirrels had been out, relaxing in the sun while staring at the two with curiosity. The chicken coop was empty, since Fluttershy had given her hens to Applejack for the winter. Walking on the stone tiles, Kaleb indicated for her to sit down in the grass. She sat down looking curious. Kaleb sat down opposite of her, crossing his legs to make it easier to sit.
Taking a deep breath, Kaleb began to speak. “How have the breathing techniques worked for you?”
“They have helped, especially for keeping calm in stressful situations,” she explained. “But still, there are times when the stream of thoughts takes over, and can be overwhelming. Is that what you’re helping me with today?”
He nodded. “I’m going to teach you a technique that can help you learn to control it.” Sweetie Belle’s eyes widened and Kaleb could see that she was anxious. “It’s normal to be anxious. I’ll be here to help you the entire time.”
She paused for a moment, and took a few deep breaths, looking out at the surroundings to calm her. “Okay, I’m ready.”
“Close your eyes, and reach out to the Force.” She did as Kaleb said, and a look of concentration, sat in silence for a few moments. He heard her gasp slightly, as he felt the power of the Force.
Reaching out to the Force as well, he felt the power that flowed through her veins, ready to flood at any moment. “Now, do the breathing exercises that I taught you. It should help calm you.”
Sweetie Belle began to take deep breaths. The thundering sound in her mind lessened, but the flow of running water was still there, still overwhelming. “What do I do now?”
“I want you to slowly imagine the river getting narrower, becoming a stream. One that is quiet and peaceful. Just like the one that goes through Ponyville,” Kaleb replied calmly, feeling her consciousness among the Force. “Take your time. There is no rush.”
For fifteen minutes, she breathed slowly and attempted to narrow the stream of consciousness. She attempted several times, with each result resulting in the stream becoming violent, resulting in loud voices being heard. Nevertheless, she persisted, determined to calm the water that flowed in her mind. Remembering about the times that she and Rarity had gazed out at the stream on the bridge, she used that memory to narrow it, until the calm cadence could be heard. She heard Kaleb’s voice. “You can open your eyes.”
She opened them to find Kaleb giving her a look of approval with a small smile. “Great job. You did really well.”
Sweetie Belle rubbed her mane, blushing slightly from the praise. “Thanks. I drew from when Rarity and I would be on the bridge together, looking at the stream. It just took me a while to realize it. I’m still a little bit confused on how this helps.”
“Essentially, the deep breathing combined with the visualization helped you control the Force.” Kaleb explained. “This should help it from being too overwhelming at times, in case your concentration needs to be elsewhere.” He looked at her. “I imagine you must have a lot of questions about the Jedi.”
She nodded. “Twilight told me a little bit, but wanted to leave it to you.” Thinking for a second, she asked her first question. “What did they do, exactly?”
Kaleb thought back to his time with Master Johanna. “Well, our duty was to maintain peace and justice throughout the galaxy, working with the government known as the Galactic Republic. I can tell you more inside.”
Getting up, he walked back across the stones to the kitchen door, holding it open for Sweetie Belle. Well, here we go, he thought as she walked through the door. As she sat down on the kitchen table, he went to the living room and took the tablet.
She widened her eyes as he set it down on the table and sat down. “What is that?”
He smiled mysteriously. “Oh, just you wait.” He turned it on and the tablet was brought to life. Entering the passcode, he went through a few files, and pressed a button. A hologram sprang out of the tablet, showing a model of the Jedi Temple.
Kaleb almost laughed at Sweetie Belle’s look of amazement. “That is the Jedi Temple, where I was raised and trained. It was on the planet Coruscant.” He pressed another button, and a holographic model of the planet was on display.
“Wait a second,” Sweetie Belle cautioned, examining the model carefully. “Is the entire planet a city? How is that even possible?”
“It’s not entirely city, but most of the planet is,” Kaleb explained. “I never fully explored every part of it, but I went to most of the major parts.” He cleared his throat before continuing. “Anyway, I was raised by the Jedi after my parents were killed in an accident. I was taught by them as a Jedi youngling, for a number of years. When I was nine, I went through a series of tests and passed. Master Johanna chose me as her apprentice, and I became a Jedi padawan. We trained for a decade, and I became a Jedi Knight after I passed my Trials.” He could feel the memories of the war start to come back, and he pushed them back.
Sweetie Belle took the knowledge in, pausing for a few seconds before responding. “I’m sorry about your parents, I had no idea. What was your training like as a youngling and Padawan?”
“It’s okay, thank you,” he responded before continuing. “As a youngling, my training was limited to the Jedi Temple, but my test to become a Padawan involved going to another planet for the first time. I was nervous, but also excited.” He remembered the proud look on the face of Master Yoda when he found his kyber crystal on IIum. “When Master Johanna chose me, she took over my training and became a mentor to me, and a mother in a way. We went on missions together, going to different systems and planets across the galaxy, trying to help others and resolve issues the best that we can.”
Sweetie Belle nodded, taking in the information for a few minutes. She looked at him closely and sighed before speaking. “I saw your hesitation back at the library a few weeks ago. But it was more than that, it was fear. Why are you afraid of me?” Kaleb’s pause went noticed. “I want to help others, and I want to use this power for good. Can I be a Jedi?”
He was stunned by her response and insight. His silence continued, and he chose his words carefully before speaking. “It’s complicated, but I can tell you that you are not to blame. Your perception and insight are remarkably mature for your age.” Kaleb rustled his hair a bit, showing his nerves slightly. “It’s not completely up to me; your sister has a voice in this. As well, I am working through some issues emotionally that can be very draining. I didn’t mean to sound abrupt back there, I’m just being as honest as I can.”
Sweetie Belle looked down with guilt, remembering what happened back in the library three weeks prior. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t suggesting anything about that. I guess I’m just impatient.”
Kaleb nodded. “Patience is something that takes time to fully understand. Remember that Pinkie Promise I made you?” She nodded. “I’m not abandoning you because of what I’m going through, I just need some more time.” An idea popped into his head. “You already have the makings of a great Jedi, especially in terms of insight and kindness. Just like me.”
“Really?” She implored, slipping in a little bit of humor. “I never could have imagined.”
Kaleb chuckled. “I wanted to help others as my mother did. Master Johanna understood that and gave me as much training as she could. I learned about different cultures and languages, how to negotiate and defuse situations, as well as how to defend myself.” He indicated to his lightsaber on one of the shelves, which he had put this morning after training.
Sweetie Belle looked curious. “So, how does a lightsaber work exactly?”
“Well, there’s this special type of crystal that as a youngling you find at the end of your training. It’s called a kyber crystal, and it has a special connection with the Force,” Kaleb explained, retrieving it from the shelf and showing it to her. “When you officially construct it, you are officially a Padawan. The connection between the Padawan and the crystal is what gives the plasma blade the color.”
The clock rang out as the hour hand reached four. Sweetie Belle jumped slightly at the sight of the time. “I should probably be going. Rarity needs my help on one of her dresses.”
Kaleb nodded. “Just two things before you go. I would prefer that the things that I told you stay in this room. The Jedi valued their secrecy, and I want to keep that trust. Maybe at another time, you can come by and I’ll tell you about my training with Master Johanna. There were a lot of great adventures.”
She beamed enthusiastically. “I’ll try to find a good time. I hope you have a great day!” She walked to the door and opened, moving into the sunlight and down the path to Ponyville.
Kaleb collapsed onto the couch and sighed with relief. That went better than I expected. Perhaps not now, but someday…
His thoughts were interrupted by Fluttershy coming down the stairs. “How did everything go with Sweetie Belle?”
“It went well, she really has talent,” he replied. “I told her that maybe she could come back at some point and I could tell her about my training with Master Johanna.”
“I would love to have her over more,” Fluttershy said as she sat on the couch next to him. “That was really a nice thing that you did for her. I overheard that she wants to become a Jedi.”
Kaleb ruffled his hair slightly. “Only time can tell for what might happen. I just don’t know if that is the right decision. I compromised with promising to tell her about my time as a Padawan, but I don’t want to go any further. Not right now anyway.”
“You’ll make the right decision, no matter how long it takes,” She reassured him. “Anyway, I’ll take care of reservations for Café Hay. I can’t wait to watch the meteor shower with you.” She snuggled up against him, pulling a blanket on the couch over them.
Kaleb played with her ears lightly, and she giggled. “I can’t wait for that moment either.” The two sat on the couch, snuggling as they talked quietly.
Canterlot, Nine Hours Later
The night air had settled, creating a darkness that was even difficult for the streetlamps to combat. The streets were quiet for the most part, except for the stores which managed to stay open far past the darkness. There were a few late- night shoppers, but many of them were on there was home.
Dr. Bluejay sighed as he walked the long way to his apartment on the other side of Canterlot. It’s been a long day. Probably should have left the night shift to the younger doctors. On top of two hours of paperwork, no less. Taking a left turn, he went down another street that would take him to his neighborhood.
Although it wasn’t the best neighborhood in the city, he still thought it was good. It was the history that attracted him to it, as it was initially popular when he moved in. Over the years, it had gotten less valuable, and many shops moved out, leaving it a shell of what it once was. Despite this, the crime rate was relatively low, and he liked to support the shops that stayed.
It took about half an hour to get to his apartment building. As he entered, he felt a slight shiver in the air, almost as if a barrier had been placed over the entire building. Pausing for a second, he shook his head to wake himself up. Really need to get more sleep. Maybe I’ll request some time off…
Moving into the small lobby, he found the lamp to be turned off, leaving the place almost in complete darkness. That’s strange, usually the lamp is turned on at this time of night. Maybe Sunrise forgot to turn it on. He turned on the lamp, and went through a small set of doors to the staircase.
Moving up the stairs quickly, he was reminded of his training, where they had to learn how to move through buildings quietly and quickly. He smiled to himself as he made his way up to the third floor, and opened the door to the hallway.
He was greeted to an unusual sight. All of the lamps on his floor had been turned off except for one that illuminated it at the bare minimum. Moving silently and slowly through the hallway, he felt his Equestrian Guard roots come back to him as his mind raced. Shimmering air, minimum light…something’s not right here
He eventually made his way to the door of his apartment, and listened intently. He heard small hoofsteps from the apartment across from him, and in the moment, he swore he heard noises coming from his apartment. The air movement indicated the presence of wings, and felt the vibrations going faster.
A moment before it happened, he ducked as the door behind him burst open, nearly being thrown off it’s hinges. Four figures emerged from the other apartment, using the darkness to cover their identities. In that brief moment, he saw their blue eyes, no pupils and the slight shine of fangs. Changelings!
He moved quickly, but was quickly surrounded by the four, and was punched in the jaw by one. Feeling his combat training coming back, he stayed low to the ground, hitting two of the changelings in the face, while trying to knock them off their feet. His own door burst open, and three, completely blocking the hallway and throwing him back into his own apartment.
He hit the ground, and moved up slower than before. “I’m not going down that easily,” he snarled and grabbed his old staff from his wall. It was smaller, and could be managed easily with one hoof for close quarters combat. The changelings charged at him, and he whipped the staff around. Green blood stained the floor as he hit four of them in the jaw, and tackled one against the wall.
Knocking two of them in the wings, he slid on the ground, using his wings to keep changing the field of combat, switching between the air and the floor. He used this as long as he could, but it was ultimately a stalling method. I have to get out of the window, I need to get help…
In that moment, one of the changelings maneuvered quickly, counterstriking the staff with its horn and knocking it out of his hooves. Two struck him in the wings, bringing him to the ground as he howled in pain. Trying to use his hooves, he punched one in the eye and moved toward the window, but was blocked and tackled. He heard one of them hiss. “Not today, Doc. Now it’s our turn for revenge.”
The other changeling whipped the staff mercilessly and hit him in the joints and his back, feeling each throb, and bringing him down to the ground. His wings were hit as well, rendering them useless as they gave out. A blow to the jaw staggered his breathing, as well as blows right near his lunges.
Wheezing, he tried to get up, but was carried by two changelings who slammed him against the wall. They bashed his head multiple times to the point it started to bleed, and went slightly beyond that. Dr. Bluejay’s vision had started to blur and felt his head throb to the point of physical pain. He tried to scream out, but couldn’t due to all of the damage.
One of the changelings went in with its fangs to bite at his throat, but was thrown back by another. “Don’t! She wants him alive.”
They let him down, seeing the damage that had been done to him and the apartment. Both red and green blood stained the walls and floors. Smiling, the changeling that must have been the commander moved towards him. “It’s time for you to go on a vacation, Doctor Bluejay. A long one.”
He tried to move, but the commander brought the staff down onto his head, and his vision went black.
The sun in Ponyville shone as the heat from spring emerged in the early afternoon. All around the town, vendors were set up selling flowers, chocolate, a variety of drinks, and crafts and cards, all centered around Hearts and Hooves Day. Ponies from all around Equestria were gathered around the various booths, many of the couples or single ponies looking to get something for their beloved. The rush to get the special item before somepony else was addicting, and although there was tension there were plenty for everyone.
Kaleb and Spike sat down on the bench overlooking the market. Wearing blue pants with a white Henley along with his boots, he observed the chaos. “So, I have a list in my head of what to get Fluttershy. I just hope that she likes the gifts I’m getting.”
Spike punched Kaleb in the arm gently. “Cheer up, Kaleb. I’m sure that she will love your gifts. Besides, watching this is the most exciting part.” He indicated down to the market. “The rush to find the perfect gift is a great event. So many jewels and flowers and jewels…”
They stood up and walked down to the market, taking a look at all of the vendors. Spotting an Earth pony with a raspberry mane with light puple streaks in her hair, he walked over to her as she was organizing her flowers. “Rose! It’s good to see you.”
Roseluck smiled. “Hey, Kaleb. Looking to get something for Fluttershy?” She shifted her inventory around as she looked anxiously at the crowds.
He nodded. “Yeah, I was thinking of an assortment of wildflowers.” He noticed her anxiety. “This is my first time here for Hearts and Hooves Day. I never imagined it would get so hectic.”
“Well, it’s part of the yearly tradition. I’m going to have to run back soon to stock up for the afternoon.” Roseluck replied, pulling out a basket full of wildflowers. “What did you have in mind?”
Kaleb thought for a moment before answering. “I’ll take the sweet pea wildflowers. I like the colors, especially since the pastels are fitting for this time of year.”
She smiled as she gathered them into a bouquet. “Excellent choice. These were a special order that came all the way from a botanical garden in Seaward Shoals. Beautiful coastal town, with a great nature reserve. That will be twenty bits.”
Pulling out the necessary bits, he exchanged them for the bouquet. “How fascinating. Thank you, she will love these.” Waving to her, he walked away and turned to Spike. “That wasn’t so bad.”
Spike nodded. “I told you she should love them. Now then, what’s next?”
“Well, the chocolates that I ordered from Pinkie should be at Sugarcube Corner ready for pickup, so I just need to get a drink for tonight.”
They walked up to booth, and were greeted by Berryshine, who was pulling a small cart full of wine bottles. “Hey Kaleb, just give me a sec…”
Kaleb sensed it a split second before it happened. A gray mail pegasus crashed into Berryshine, knocking her to the ground and sending the wine bottles into the air. Concentrating, Kaleb used the Force to stop the bottles in mid-air. Twenty bottles floated for a few second before being placed back in the cart as gently as possible.
Berryshine got back up in astonishment, looking at Derpy. “It’s okay, just try to be more careful next time.” The pegasus nodded and flew off in the opposite direction. She turned to Kaleb. “Thank you for that, you saved a good amount of my inventory. How about a free bottle for helping me out.”
He shook his head. “It’s nothing. I prefer my wine shaken, not stirred anyway.” He gazed at the bottles. “I’m looking for something that goes well with fruit, particularly with chocolate covered strawberries.”
Berry smiled. “Well, I have just the thing.” She dug around in her cart before taking out a bottle. “This is a rose’ that should pair well with it. The key is not matching the strawberries since the chocolate is the primary flavor. That will be 40 bits.”
“Brilliant.” Kaleb replied before digging out the bits and handing them to her. “Thank you for the recommendation, and I’m sure she’ll love it.”
She hoofed the bottle and waved. “She will, trust me. Thanks for saving my stock, Kaleb.”
He waved back as he walked with flowers and wine in hand. “Now then, the chocolate covered strawberries should be at Sugarcube Corner.” Spike looked at him. “What’s up?”
He smiled meekly, before sighing. “You know, I never get tired of seeing you save stuff like that. It’s just that I feel like I never get the chance to save the day, to be the hero. Especially after my…incident.”
Kaleb looked with sympathy as they both sat down on a bench. The street was deserted, so no one could hear. “Spike, you are a hero. Just look with how you help Twilight, how you help all of your friends. I bet they couldn’t do half of the things that they’ve accomplished without your support. In Discord’s maze, I couldn’t have gotten through to Fluttershy without you.”
Spike nodded. “Thanks. I know that, but sometimes it doesn’t feel like they show it. I don’t know what happened out there, but I felt like some sort of…monster.”
He fell silent for a minute as he thought of the right words. “We all make mistakes, even though we don’t mean to. Your path has always been complicated, Spike.”
“Everything’s changing, Kaleb. When I first moved here with Twilight, I thought that everything would be the same. Not even the dragons I met want anything to do with me. They said that I’m not a true dragon.” Spike looked at Kaleb. “Rarity doesn’t like me in that way, does she?”
Kaleb sighed. “No, only as a mutual friend.” He paused for a moment. “You’ll find someone else, eventually.”
Spike looked up at the sky, snorting a puff of smoke. “Maybe you’re right, but I don’t deserve that. If there’s anyone who deserves an apology, it’s Sweetie Belle. I was close to killing her sister, Kaleb. I’m sorry, but this is a problem you can’t solve just from words. I’m going back to the library.”
He got up and walked fast back towards his home. Kaleb got up and followed behind him, keeping his distance. This must have been building for a long time. Not even Twilight noticed.
Only a few minutes later, they arrived at the library. Kaleb set his gifts down on a side table where they wouldn’t be disturbed, before witnessing what was happening. Twilight got up from her desk. “Hey, Spike! How was the market?” Her voice trailed off when she saw his expression. “Are you…okay?”
He paused before the stairs, clenching his claw into a fist. There was a mix of anger and hopelessness in his voice. “No, Twilight. I’m not okay. Or have you not noticed.” He turned to her, his eyes glaring like daggers. “Of course not. I’m the dragon who was so close to killing your friend, and traumatizing her sister FOR LIFE!!” A large burst of fire came out of his mouth, it’s red color turning blue after a few seconds. “I’m not the pony that you raised me to be. You’re not my sister, and I wish that I was never hatched.” He ran up the stairs, slamming the door to the study.
Twilght was speechless, her whole body shaking. Tears struggled to form, as she wanted to but couldn’t. Kaleb put a hand on her shoulder. “There’s a kettle in the kitchen that is still hot. I think we both need a cup of tea. Okay?”
She looked back at Kaleb and nodded, still shaking. They made their way to the kitchen, as Twilight sat down at the table. Using the Force, he retrieved two mugs from the cabinets, choosing a calming favorite of his. He poured the water, and set the bags in, waiting for a few minutes at the counter. I felt his emotions, clear as day, but there was something else. A whisper of darkness. Kaleb closed his eyes. He may not be as powerful as Sweetie Belle, but the Force was there. He’s gone through a lot these past few months, that darkness wasn’t normal to him. I will keep an eye on him, and make sure that it does not take hold of him. I will not let that happen, whatever may be.
A cough interrupted his thoughts, and he realized Twilight was still waiting at the table. Quickly throwing the bags into the sink, he set the mugs onto the table and sat down. “This tea is one of my favorites, and I don’t believe you have tried it yet. It’s supposed to bring calm, and help clear the mind. Please, try it.”
She took a sip of the tea and breathed slowly, the tremors in her body slowing down. The drank in silence, before Twilight was able to speak. “I had no idea… I didn’t know he was feeling this way.”
“Neither did I,” Kaleb responded, looking equally as concerned. “I have a feeling this has been building for a while, since that incident and the older dragons.” He leaned forward. “Twilight, do you know what happened to Spike’s parents?”
She shook her head. “Princess Celestia told me that she found the egg far from the Dragon Lands, where it was close to dying. No other dragons were around, she looked. She saved it, and kept it safe. But it wouldn’t hatch, no matter the care that was give. She gave it to me for the entrance exam, and the rest was history. I don’t know much about the Dragon Lands. They keep their borders closed off and not much is known about them.”
Kaleb nodded. “That separation must have been difficult for him, even though you two are close. Does Spike have any friends that he hangs out with, that are around his age?”
“He mostly hangs out with my friends, sometimes helping Rarity with her business. I’ve seen him and Sweetie Belle talking when Rarity is too busy. Otherwise, he enjoys being by himself.” Twilight sighed. “He’s not the baby dragon he once was anymore.”
“He’s grown a lot, but is still young. Around Sweetie Belle’s age, maybe a year older.” Kaleb said, remembering that she was ten years old. “He told me that he feels guilt for her because he nearly caused Rarity’s death. That she deserves an apology.”
They sat in silence for a few minutes before Twilight spoke. “I don’t know what to do now. He’s right, I’m not his real family. And no matter what I say, I can’t take away his pain.”
“Be there for him,” he replied. “He may not realize it now, but he needs you just as you need him. You may not be his parents, but you are his family. Family are those who care for each other, even in the darkest of times. He is afraid of losing them,” Memories started to come back. “I have friends and mentors who I considered family at the Jedi Order. Many who raised and taught me. I know what’s it is like to lose them…”
Kaleb’s voice trailed off as he realized he had said too much, as Twilight look confused. “Never mind. The important thing is that Spike should not have to go through this alone.”
A new determination was present in her eyes. “You’re right. I should give him space, but tell him that I’m here. Some of his favorite comics are in storage down in the basement. I’ll bring them up.” She looked at him she stood up. “What about Rarity and Sweetie Belle? Is it our place to intervene there?”
He thought for a moment. “Telling Rarity is not a good idea. The last thing that Spike wants or needs is to deal with her. Sweetie Belle is his main source of guilt. She has sensitivity for emotions. I will tell her, and leave her to make that decision. I will give her advice, but this is her choice to make. Whatever happens, just give them space. This is their journey to go on, not ours.”
She nodded. “That’s probably a good idea. I’ll leave them be.” She hurried out of the kitchen, while Kaleb finished the rest of his tea.
Kaleb fidgeted slightly, to the exhasperation of Rarity. “Please don’t move, Kaleb. I’m trying to get this neck adjustment right.” She held a sewing needle and thread to the dress shirt, moving the collar slightly with her magic. “And…there. You’re good.”
“Thanks Rarity, I know this is last minute.” He said, stretching his shoulders through the fabric. The outfit for this evening was the same as the Gala, except with a few last minute suggestions from Rarity. The white dress shirt and blue suit pants remained the same, but she had insisted on a red bow tie, and was currently working on his suit jacket.
He sat down on one of the couches, leaning into it slightly. He smiled slightly to himself. This is certainly going to be an interesting night, I’m sure of that. He glanced around, finding that the flowers, chocolates, and wine were not on the table where he left them. Where could they be? I know that I set them down here somewhere…
“They’re over here, Rarity had to move them,” Sweetie Belle said, answering his question as she approached Kaleb, sitting down in the chair opposite of him. They were on the other table. “So, are you ready for tonight?”
Kaleb nodded. “As ready as I’ll ever be. The reservations have been made, and the stage is set for stargazing, particularly with the meteor show.” He sensed that there was something else. “But I’m assuming that talking about tonight wasn’t the only reason you’re here.”
She shook her head. “Three weeks after our lesson, I was finishing homework here and I felt something. There was pain, and I could feel it. Someone else’s pain and suffering, and it hurt for a brief moment before disappearing.”
“I felt that same feeling, the night after our lesson.” Kaleb looked at her with a serious expression. “The phrase that’s used to describe it is a disturbance in the Force. You can sense something that is happening far away, but it’s pain, suffering, grief, anguish, and the power causes a tremor.” He gazed at her with sympathy. “I’m sorry, it must have been scary for you.”
Sweetie Belle nodded. “It was, and confusing as well. I know that these emotions are common, but if that is the case, then why am I not feeling the disturbance all of the time?”
He answered after thinking for a second. “The pain and distress has to go beyond what is normal, and usually it somehow ties to those who feel it. Because of how strong your connection to the Force is, your sensitivity is heightened as well.”
Sweetie Belle hesitated at first. “Have there been other times when you’ve heard it?”
He nodded, thinking back to Discord and even farther. “Yes. It can be difficult to feel that pain, but there are always those who will help others, even if we can’t. There are always good creatures in the world.” Pausing for a moment, he knew that the time had to be now. “There’s something that I must tell you, but you have to promise not to tell your sister. It’s a sensitive matter, with a lot of emotion.”
She looked at him. “I won’t, I promise. What is it?”
“It’s about Spike.” Kaleb chose his words carefully. “You two are friends, right?”
“We are, though we haven’t been able to hang out that often. I guess we’re both really busy.” A concerned look sprang up on her face. “Is he okay?”
Taking a deep breath and making sure that Rarity wasn’t around, he began to speak. “Spike has had feelings of guilt, depression, and anger since February, that he’s been holding onto. It’s been building up for a while, until he couldn’t hold back and lashed out at Twilight. He feels guilt for nearly killing Rarity and traumatizing you.”
Her eyes widened in shock and horror. “Oh Faust, that’s horrible. I swear, I didn’t know…”
“None of us did until today.” Kaleb said. “He’s in a bad place right now, emotionally. I’m worried that it’s going to get worse. Twilight’s keeping an eye on him, but he’s not himself. There were some other incidents that I won’t go into.” He paused. “I’m so sorry that you had to find out this way.”
Sweetie Belle went silent, thinking for a few minutes. “If there’s a chance that I can help him, I will. I’m his friend, I need to be there for him, even if others can’t. I won’t abandon him.” Her determination impressed him, even though it faltered a little. “Though, I don’t know how.”
Kaleb knelt down to her level. “I would recommend going to the library after I leave, and talking to him, if that is what you want to do. He needs someone his own age to talk to, to understand. It will not be easy, for you or him.”
“I know, but I will always try.” She said strongly. “Thank you for telling me, Kaleb.”
“Of course. Just be careful. He’s been through a lot.” Kaleb sensed the hoofsteps before they even touched the ground.
Rarity ran down the stairs with the jacket in hand. “Just barely finished it in time,” she said, breathing heavily as she hoofed the coat to Kaleb.
Putting on the coat, he noticed that she redid the lining on the inside to match the red of the bow tie. “Thank you, Rarity, you did an excellent job. It matches perfectly…” He heard a knocking at the door and checked his pocket watch. “And not a moment too late as well. Can you two move the gifts back to the main table?”
The sisters nodded and quickly moved the gifts to the table near the center of the room. Kaleb approached the door. He looked back, and saw that the main table was set. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door.
Fluttershy stepped in as Kaleb moved out of the way, staring at her and smiling. She wore a simple light blue dress with small polka dots made to look like flowers, each with a white center and petals made from the pastel colors of yellow, purple, and green. They both looked at each other, blushing as they saw each other. “Kaleb, you look so handsome.” She said with excitement, walking up to him and giving him a kiss on the cheek.
That broke him out of his frozen state, as he tried not to rub his hair. “You look just as beautiful. I love the colors of your dress, they match so well with your eyes.” Blushing, she gave him a look that made him wish that they were alone The two kissed, Fluttershy moaning softly and putting her hooves on Kaleb’s chest.
“I’m sorry for interrupting, but may I remind you there is a filly present?” Rarity interjected, as Sweetie Belle yelled out in protest.
Fluttershy and Kaleb separated with a jump, blushing hard and apologizing. Fluttershy spoke up. “Sorry about that. We’ll be out of your mane soon enough.”
Kaleb indicated towards the table. “Happy Hearts and Hooves Day, Fluttershy.” She gasped as she saw the gifts that Kaleb had got her.
“They’re wonderful, thank you.” She replied, sniffing the flowers and looking over at the chocolates and wine. “We should probably save these for later tonight. We’re not allowed to bring in outside alcohol.”
“That’s a good idea,” Kaleb replied, looking back at Rarity. “Could you take these back to Fluttershy’s cottage when you have the chance tonight? It could really help us out.”
Rarity nodded. “Of course. Speaking of which, Sweetie Belle?”
Kaleb smiled slightly, as they had rehearsed this only a few hours ago. Sweetie Belle returned from one of the other rooms, holding a crown made from the sweet pea wildflowers, handing it to Kaleb. “May I?” Fluttershy nodded, allowing Kaleb to put the crown on her head, resting it in her mane.
Sweetie Belle gazed in astonishment. “Now you are truly a princess.”
Fluttershy smiled to her, glancing at Kaleb’s watch. “Thank you. We should be going if we’re going to make our reservation.”
They began to walk out the door, Kaleb holding it open for them. “Thank you two for helping tonight. You have no idea what it means.” He turned to Sweetie Belle. “Good luck, and be careful and cautious.”
The young unicorn walked up to the door of the library, deep in thought as she chose her words. She would think of one phrase, one sentence after another, eventually shaking her head and realizing it was not good. I’m getting stuck in circles. Maybe the words will come to me in the moment. She knocked.
It opened a moment later, and Twilight appeared. Her eyes were dry and there were tear stains on her cheek. “Sweetie Belle! Please, come in.”
She entered the library and Twilight closed the door. The moment the door was closed, Sweetie Belle spoke. “Where’s Spike?”
“Upstairs, in the study. He insisted on sleeping in there the past few weeks. He even brought his small bed from my room.” She sighed. “Please, help him. I’m his family, but even then I can only do so much.”
“I will try. You are the best sister he could ever have, Twilight.” Sweetie Belle replied before moving up the stairs. She saw a stack of comic books by the door to the study and approached the door. Knocking gently, she waited forty-five seconds before knocking again.
“For the last time, Twilight, leave me…” The door opened and Spike appeared. His expression of annoyance turned into surprise. “Sweetie Belle…what…did Twilight put you up to this?”
Sweetie Belle chose her words carefully. “No, Spike. I came here on my own. Because my friend has been through a lot, and I need to be here for him.” She spoke softly. “May I come in?”
Spike thought for a second, and opened the door. She entered and sat down on the floor next to the bed. Spike closed the door, and sat on the bed. “You’re the last pony I expected to be here, to be honest. It’s just been difficult…”
She nodded. “Spike, we’ve been friends for a long time, ever since Twilight arrived in Ponyville. I’m here, right now, and I’m not going anywhere.” Pausing, she took a breath. “Why didn’t you tell me, or anypony else?”
“Dragons…are not supposed to have feelings of generosity, or kindness, or any kind of friendship. They’re supposed to have the lonesome life, one of migration, greed, and fighting. It’s either kill or be killed. I met a group of dragons a few months back, and I wasn’t them. I was soft, I was weak. I was everything a dragon wasn’t supposed or will ever be. And they bullied me for it, Sweetie Belle.” Spike looked up at the ceiling, speaking faster and faster. “I knew that I couldn’t let that happen, ever again. So, I decided to be the dragon I hadn’t been before. And look where that lead me. Terrorizing a whole town, bringing your sister close to death, and nearly leaving you with no close family.” He looked at her. “I’m not a pony, or a dragon. I’m a freak of nature.”
“You’re wrong.” The words came out of her mouth before she could even think. “That’s what makes you special, Spike. You’re brave, and willing to step into danger at the slightest moment, like a dragon, but sensitive to other’s feelings, like a pony. You’re unique, and nobody can take that away from you. You inspire everyone you come across, to be more like you, including me”
Spike had small tears in his eyes, that he wiped away. He hesitated, but she nodded, and they hugged briefly before separating. “How can you forgive me so easily? I did something horrible, and I can’t take that back.”
“Everyone makes mistakes, Spike, even me,” Sweetie Belle responded easily. “We can learn from those mistakes, and be better for the future. I’m so sorry that you had to go through that, with the dragons. Do you know who your real parents are?”
He shook his head. “No, I don’t even know where my egg came from before Twilight hatched me. I’m not even sure if I want to know now, I don’t think I’m ready.” He looked towards the door. “I said some horrible things to her earlier. She and Shining Armor were the best siblings I could have ever had, and I should let her know that.”
“I think she would really like that.” She paused. “If you ever need to talk about anything, pony or dragon stuff, don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll be there.”
“Thanks, Sweetie Belle. You’re a great friend,” Spike replied, pausing for a few seconds to think. “Honestly, I don’t understand the big deal with Hearts and Hooves Day. I mean, it helps the local economy and all, but all of this for a holiday about love?”
“Honestly, I don’t understand it either, no matter how much Rarity talks about it.” she responded, shaking her head. “Though you should have seen Kaleb and Fluttershy before their date. There’s something there that I can’t describe, in terms of their chemistry.”
“Honestly, there is.” Spike agreed. “Kaleb has a way of getting under your scales, but in a good way. He’s like an older person with all this wisdom trapped in a younger body.”
“Interesting point. He just might be.” They both laughed. A pile of comics caught her eye. “No way. Are those Power Pony comics? Rarity never lets me get those.”
Spike grinned, blushing slightly. “They are. I almost have the entire original run, but I’m missing a few. Do you want to go downstairs and grab a snack? We can talk about it at the tables in the library?”
“Sounds fun, let’s go.” They stood up, and Sweetie Belle opened the door. She walked fast towards the light of the downstairs while Spike went slowly through the darkness.
Fluttershy walked back to the cottage with Kaleb, huddling against him slightly for warmth. It had gotten a little bit cold. He had offered her his jacket, but she declined politely. They gazed up at the stars as they walked down the path. Sensing something, Kaleb stopped. “What’s wrong?”
Kaleb gazed at the road behind them, reaching out to the Force. “Keep walking, whatever you do, don’t stop.” His voice was steady, but there was alarm. “Something’s following us.”
Fluttershy hastened her pace, looking worriedly at Kaleb. “Did you take your medication last today?”
He nodded. “I did, so it’s not that. It’s the Force…” Reaching his hand out to the ground, he called out. “Whatever it is, it’s approaching fast…Drop!”
A force of wind blew them off the road into the bushes as they coughed from the action. A loud thud thundered into the ground, shaking everything around it. Fluttershy and Kaleb peeked from behind the bushes. A manticore had entered onto the path, it’s eyes large and full of anger and purpose. “I don’t think it spot us, but we need to get out of here fast. “
“Something’s wrong with its eyes…I think it needs help.” Fluttershy said, and to Kaleb’s protests, she walked out slowly towards it, moving to its line of vision. “Hey there, it’s going to be okay.”
She moved closer to the manticore, and Kaleb crept behind her slowly. For a second it appeared that the red eyes conveyed a sense of calm, that Fluttershy’s technique had worked. Then, the eyes turned green and it roared, swiping at her with a paw. Kaleb used the Force to pull her back. “I don’t think it’s friendly. Run!”
They sprinted through the woods as the manticore pursued them, roaring. From what Twilight has told me, Manticores are found deep in the Everfree Forest, it shouldn’t be out here. Kaleb thought, making sure that Fluttershy was keeping up with him.
Navigating the Everfree was a challenge all on its own. Darkness enveloped them, and the manticore was not the only enemy. Trees stood like large walls, making it difficult to navigate in-between. Slippery vines could be found all over the branches and forest floor, making the labyrinth more treacherous. Despite all of this, Fluttershy’s sense of direction knew exactly where to go. “I know the way back to the cottage. It shouldn’t be able to follow us there.” she added, panting slightly.
“Good, keep going, these woods should make it easier not to follow.” Kaleb replied. He reached out to the Force, making sure that the creature was not following them. They sprinted for what seemed like an hour, making their way through the dense forest. He followed Fluttershy, whipping back branches behind him so that the manticore couldn’t follow. Finally, they made it to the clearing near the cottage. As they made it to the backyard, a roar was released and the creature came running towards them.
“Kaleb, look out!” Fluttershy yelled, pushing him roughly out of the way of the tail. The manticore’s tail hit her, knocking out her breath and sending her hurteling into the ground. Kaleb hit the back of the chicken coop right on his back and fell unconscious.
Kaleb stirred as he awoke in a dark room, with shades of orange-red and blue greeting him. He tried to move around but found that he couldn’t. The small area he was in circular in nature but had sharp corners. The floor and ceiling were metal grates, each holding a red-orange color. It could have been magma, but he wasn’t sure. Three magnetic locks kept him from moving, one for his legs and two for his arms.
He tried to think, but couldn’t, as if some type of drug was preventing him from it. Eyes darting around the room, he found there was no visible escape route, except through the door. He began to nod off, and went unconscious.
It was a few hours later, though it was difficult to tell. Completely cut off from the outside galaxy, there was no way to tell the difference between day and night, morning and evening. He had awakened, now fully able to think as he tried to yell for help, only to realize that he was alone in the chamber.
“How did I get here?” Kaleb wondered aloud, thinking back and having flashes of what he remembered before. He had been tracking his way to a Sepratist base with a speeder bike that he had taken, but nothing else at the moment. “Who…”
A panel in front of him opened, revealing it to be a door. A Phindian with gray-green skin walked with his hands behind his back, along with two battle droids. His voice is calm but menacing as he spoke. “Kaleb Taymar, welcome to the Citadel. I am Osi Sobeck, the warden. Are you familiar with this place?”
Kaleb’s eyes widened. “How did I get here! Let me go!” He struggled against the restraints, only to realize all he had to do was use the Force. Trying to reach out with his mind, he felt no connection. “You will pay for what you did to Rogue.”
“Wondering why you can’t use the Force?” He smirked. “Your mind has been sedated so there’s no use in trying. This facility is surrounded by physical obstacles that make it impossible to break in, even for any living creature.”
“Wait a second, I’ve heard of this place,” he wondered. “This used to be in the hands of the Republic.”
The warden nodded. “This structure was meant specifically to hold Jedi Knights who had gone rogue. The Separatists took the base, and it has been very useful throughout this war.” He began to circle around Kaleb, as the droids stayed put, watching silently. “Your secret missions have cost us a great deal of lives and energy. But here you are as my prisoner. Capturing you was easier than I thought, all it took was the death of your informant.” He shook his head. “You’ll never going to see him or the outside world ever again.”
Kaleb fully remembered, and his voice broke with fear. “Please, you don’t have to do this. I’m only seventeen. Don’t do this.” His breathing increased along with his heart rate.
Osi shook his head. “No. This is the cost of war, Kaleb. And you’ll feel it’s pain.” He took an electrostaff and put it to the blue streams. The electricity crackled through as Kaleb yelled with pain. His vision began to blur, and he tasted blood in his mouth as a small amount began to leak out. Handing the staff back to the droid, he looked at him. “I’m not going to kill you. But you’ll make me wish I will.”
The warden walked out of the chamber and the door closed. From the outside, it was only a few seconds until a muffled scream was heard.
The manticore had retreated while Kaleb experienced the flashback, lurking in the forest, but still watching. The green that had taken over its eyes glowed even brighter, going away just as it ended. It heaved, coughing as it felt itself being suffocated, as pain and panic took over. Crashing into several trees, it tried everything but could not escape it. After several crashes, it collapsed, seizing up with tremors before it lay still, the life gone from the eyes, now red.
Jolting awake, Kaleb found Fluttershy rushing over to him, trying to help him. “Get away from me!” He yelled, curling up into a ball and crying, tears forming in his face. The pain from his back radiated, making it difficult to move as the memory roared inside his head.
Fluttershy was in absolute shock and terror, her eyes wide and red from crying. She couldn’t find the voice to speak, and could only stare at him, helpless with what to do. No amount of time with Kaleb could have prepared her for this.
Using his breathing to try and calm him down, he looked at Fluttershy, his voice raw. “Get Lyra.” It was a simple statement but made her sprint to Ponyville, even in her weakened state.
Lyra arrived at the cottage a half hour later, instructing Fluttershy to keep away from the backyard and to stay in the living room. She went outside to where Kaleb was. A half hour later, she moved with Fluttershy waiting anxiously. “He’s seemed to have calmed down, but is still has pain radiating from his back. He won’t tell me anything until that pain is gone, and there was a sense of paranoia. Fluttershy, what happened?”
She shook her head, looking confused. “I don’t know. He was fine when in that one moment before.…I’m sorry I don’t know…”
Lyra put her hoof on Fluttershy’s shoulder. “You did the right thing. You brought me here. I put Kaleb under a sedation spell that will put him in a dreamless sleep to keep him from feeling any physical pain. Dr. Bluejay’s notes for Kaleb never mentioned the scars on his back, I don’t know why that was overlooked. My recommendation is that I have a spare room in my office in case I have to be there overnight for Kaleb to rest in. I’ll have Nurse Redheart stay with him.”
Fluttershy nodded, trying to take everything in. “I thought you would have to take Kaleb to the hospital for the pain.”
“Dr. Bluejay had a plan in case anything like this would happen. Ponyville General is a hectic place this time of year, and that could trigger the PTSD with all of the noises. Also, I know you two wanted to keep this secret from your friends. Nurse Redheart is an old friend and I trust her with that information.” Lyra explained. “If you come with me, I can teleport you two to my office. She’ll meet us there.” Fluttershy followed Lyra outside.
Opening his eyes, Kaleb breathed and stared up at the ceiling. It was early afternoon as far as he could tell, since the small amount of sunlight poured through the window. He sat up on the pillows, looking around. The jarring pain in his back seemed to be gone, replaced by achiness. A confused expression turned to grimness when the fog lifted, and the memory was clear as day.
Six months, Kaleb thought to himself, looking back at it. Six months in that prison. At least, now I fully remember where the scars came from. Every time a new memory appears, it’s always complicated. Why is it always that? I swear, it’s so confusing, overwealming almost. His thoughts were interrupted by a small snore.
Fluttershy was sleeping in an armchair, with pillow and blanket. A small smile formed on his face when he saw her, resting so peaceful.
A door opened, and Nurse Redheart came in, a look of relief on her face. “Thank goodness! At least you’re awake…” She stopped as Kaleb put a finger to his lips and pointed to Fluttershy. She lowered her voice. “Sorry, I didn’t realize. I need to take your vitals.”
She took a stethoscope and checked his breathing and heart rate. It was a silent few minutes, with him doing as she said, especially with the blood pressure monitor. Checking his pulse, she nodded and wrote it down on a notepad. “Everything seems normal with vitals. How are you feeling?”
Kaleb rubbed his head. “Okay, it’s just my back is sore. I’m not dizzy, so walking is a possibility. I need to talk to Lyra and Fluttershy as soon as possible.”
“Lyra had to step out for a few minutes, but she’ll be back soon,” She explained. “If you need anything, I’ll be right outside the hall.” Moving quickly, she exited the room.
Fluttershy began to stir, opening her eyes slowly and stretching. Kaleb watched her for a second before coughing slightly. “Kaleb…” She said quietly.
He began to move towards her, but she retreated slightly. “Wait, I’m keeping my distance.” Thinking carefully of what to say, he took a few seconds before speaking. He remembered the words he said after the flashback, and felt guilt. “I’ll be able to explain everything when Lyra is here, but I never meant to raise my voice and I’m sorry if I hurt you in any way.”
She nodded. “That was a flashback, wasn’t it?”
“Yeah a big one,” Kaleb explained, hesitating slightly. “Fluttershy, before I woke up from the flashback, what happened? I know that I hit my back on the chicken coop, but that’s all I can remember.”
Fluttershy took a deep breath to calm herself. “You…were screaming, all the pain was radiating from your back, causing spasms. You were screaming for Master Johanna and Rogue, it lasted about three minutes and then you woke up.” She blinked back tears. “I couldn’t do anything, I felt so small and helpless…do you know how hard it is to watch that?”
They stared at each other, both taking in what had been said. “You stayed with me through it, and brought Lyra to the cottage. That’s all that matters now.”
She nodded. “I remember what you said, that night in the garden. I know that there would be challenges…but I never expected this.”
“Neither did I, but we’ll get through this together…” Before he could say anything else, Lyra entered and closed the door.
“Kaleb, thank Faust you’re awake.” She exclaimed quietly. “Nurse Redheart told me your vitals were good. Fluttershy, I’m glad you were able to get some rest.”
She nodded in response, and Kaleb began. “I need to tell both of you what happened. I know it was a flashback, but it was a big one.”
Lyra brought out her notepad. “It’s important for us to hear, but I need to ask you two a few questions. Kaleb, did you take your medication, and were both of you drinking last night?”
Fluttershy answered. “We each had a glass of wine at the restaurant.”
“I took my medication the night before like normal.” He replied.
She took down the answers. “Were you two able to have control of your thoughts and actions?” They nodded. “Guide me through what happened before the flashback began.”
Kaleb took a deep breath before speaking. “Well, we were walking back from stargazing, and a manticore attacked us. Fluttershy tried to calm it down, she said it looked like it was in pain. It began to chase us, so we went into the Everfree Forest. We were running for about an hour before making it to the cottage. I got hit in the back, and I fell unconscious."
“Fluttershy told me what she saw and heard. Kaleb, I know this may be difficult for you, but I need you to tell me what the flashback was?”
Kaleb closed his eyes, trying to steady his breathing. Fluttershy hesitated to reach out to his hand. Opening his eyes, he began. “It was only a few days after Rogue died. I was angry that there was nothing being done, I felt like I had to do something. Master Johanna was away, being called by the Council, so I took a speeder bike and went to find whoever the squadron that had bombed us. I was reckless, and captured. The next thing I knew I was in a small room. It was the Citadel, a Separatist prison built to hold Jedi. I was held there for six months and…"
Fluttershy tried not to gasp too loudly when he said the word. “...tortured. That’s how I got the scars on my back. Maybe that warden wanted information, or revenge for my role in the war. I don’t know. Master Johanna rescued me, and the warden was killed in the struggle. That’s when I started having difficulty with my memory and the anxiety. Only three months later, she was killed on Lothal, and then Order 66…” She looked at him in shock.
Lyra appeared just as shaken, even through her hidden expression. Thinking for a few minutes, she let them have their time before speaking up again. “I think I know why Kaleb felt that pain.”
The two looked at her curiously. Lyra sighed before continuing. “There are some flashbacks associated with PTSD where it’s not just remembering or being in the moment. There’s a physical pain, brought back because of the weight of the events. It’s caused by elevated vitals and physical contact."
Fluttershy’s eyes widened in horror. “I pushed you into the wall. I hurt you…”
Lyra took Fluttershy’s hoof. “Follow my breathing.” She did so for two minutes before calming down. The therapist looked at both of them. “Neither of you could have known about this.”
Kaleb nodded. “Am I okay to go back? I think that Dr. Bluejay should be informed about this.”
She sighed before answering. “You should be okay as long as you’re not alone. As for Dr. Bluejay, I haven’t heard from him since Febuary. I went to his office and they said that he’s on vacation. As soon as I hear back from him, I’ll let him know. I’ll work in the bedroom and give you two some space. Keep the appointment for this week.” Lyra left the room, closing the door.
Fluttershy sat in thought for a few minutes. She had a conflicted look in her eye as she looked at the ground. She spoke quietly, almost to herself. “I pushed you…”
“Away from a manticore, which would have killed us both,” Kaleb pointed out. “None of this is your fault. You didn’t do anything wrong, and you shouldn’t blame yourself. I know how it feels, to hurt when you don’t mean to. In the war…”
Fluttershy gave him a long look, not in anger but in weariness. “But you don’t. You don’t know what my life has been like.” The anger in her voice was palpable. “After all this time, I thought that you would have listened instead of comparing it to yours.”
Kaleb was at a loss for words, as she continued. “You have no idea what I went through these past few hours. These creatures gave my life meaning and purpose, and I have always protected them. There were animals cowering in fear last night, their homes being threatened and some being trampled. That manticore is dead, suffering probably for hours, and there was nothing I could do. I could have saved it if you hadn’t pulled me back. I couldn’t protect it. Do you have any idea how that makes me feel? And don’t you dare compare it to yours. This is my life, my story.”
She sighed, as Kaleb couldn’t figure out how to respond. She spoke slower, with a tinge of honesty in her voice. “If you can’t understand my life, why I need to protect you and everything else, then why are we together? I need time and space, to figure this out.” Moving to the door, she looked back at him. “Maybe in time, you’ll understand. Goodbye, Kaleb.” She walked out, closing the door behind him.
He stared at the door. “I’m sorry…” His voice trailed off, in confusion.
The towers of Canterlot Castle stood gleaming in the night, a beacon of hope and peace. The stonework reflected well in the moonlight, as only a single spec of light can be seen. It was from the highest room in the towers, where it glowed of green.
The princess breathed heavily, as she looked down over a book that had been acquired a little over a week ago. A knock was at the door. “You may enter.”
The door opened to reveal a guard pony, a blue-grayish mane covering his head, obscuring a small scar over his right eye. He closed the door and bowed his head. “My queen, we have secured the passageways…”
“My princess.” She interrupted him, glaring at him as she turned around. “You will call me princess, Drogo. Or do you want our covers to be blown?” She indicated to the room around her. “You are lucky that I employed a protection spell from eavesdroppers. Continue.”
He nodded. “Yes, my princess. We have secured the passageways beneath Canterlot, leading out of the city beneath the mountains. The spell on certain individuals will be maintained until the wedding is complete, including the Canterlot Police and the Doctor’s landlords.”
The princess responded. “Good. The book was very helpful, even if it meant breaking into Twilight Sparkle’s library. This spell was draining, even for my power. I was still at a distance.”
Drogo looked confused. “Why focus on this one individual, when we have the entire city under our control?”
“Because, Kaleb Taymar is no ordinary creature,” she explained. “Our powers have grown since the last time we attacked Canterlot, we have evolved. It would be pitiful to waste this new power on somepony who is weak and powerless. Only the strongest will be worthy to fight us.” She stared out at the sky. “When I possessed the Manticore and forced him into that state, I glimpsed into his mind and saw a past full of opportunity. One of war, of weapons that we can use to our advantage. Only my power is strong enough to use it.”
Walking around the room, she continued. “There’s nothing more I hate than a knight in shining armor. I will break him using his own past, his own trauma, and end him as an example. With my power spread to the rest of us, we will be unstoppable.” She turned to him. “You may go. Instruct the other guards that they are not to kill except on my orders. If we are to continue in secret, we must be careful.”
Drogo bowed and closed the door behind him. Her eyes turned green as she looked back at the sky. Everything is falling into place. I must tell Celestia to send a letter to Twilight soon.
Kaleb sat at a table in the library, concentrating on the electronics in front of him. Taking a small tool from a kit borrowed from Time Turner, he worked on the small circular-shaped objects , trying not to scratch the lenses inside. The circuitry was small, but easy to manage. Master Johanna taught me well, these things would be a nightmare to manage without the proper skills, he thought. Let’s just hope these are able to work.
The sound of Twilight teleporting interrupted his thoughts. “Kaleb, have you seen my trunk? I swore I put it here somewhere?” She walked over to the table. “Wow, what’s going on here?”
Wiping the sweat off his forehead, Kaleb breathed a sigh of relief. “Hopefully, a miracle. I believe that your trunk is in the kitchen. Actually, I could use your help with an experiment.”
He could feel Twilight’s excitement the moment he said the words. “Whatever it is, I’m more than happy to help.” She pointed to the smaller objects to the side. “Those look like microphones.”
“They are, in a sense. They’re called comlinks, used primarily for short-range communication. They’re fitted with microphones and receivers, so you talk to someone in real time,” Kaleb explained. “Princess Celestia sent these back in January; we found them in the cockpit of my ship hidden away in a very small compartment. I’ve haven’t gotten the chance to look many of this before now, it’s these that are the challenge.” He indicated to the silver commnicators. “Take this one to the most remote part of the treehouse you can. I’ll activate it after a minute or so.”
Twilight took the circular, metallic object and walked up the stairs to the balcony. She opened the sliding door, and closed it. Waiting for a few moments, she looked out at the sky. The blue light within the object glowed, and she looked in awe at what stood in front of her. There was a miniature version of Kaleb at the table, made out of a blue light. Awe turned into amazement. “That’s amazing! But, how is it possible?”
Chuckling a little, Kaleb began to explain. “This is a holoprojector, capable of transmitting holographic communication in real-time, as well as long distances, even across a planet. There’s a built in comlink that makes it possible to transmit sound as well as an image. I can see and hear your fine, so the connection works. You can come back down now.”
The transmission ended, and the hologram disappeared. Twilight went back down to the library, setting the holoprojector back down. She lowered her voice. “You know, I noticed that you’ve been spending a lot of time here recently. I’m only asking this as a mutual friend to you both, but did something happen between you and Fluttershy?”
He sighed. “It’s complicated. I won’t go into it too much for the sake of her privacy, but we’re having some…problems with communication. We kind of agreed to take some time off.” He lied in that last sentence. It hadn’t been mutual, but Kaleb realized after talking to Lyra how inconsiderate he was. He left a letter at her door, apologizing and saying that he would give her the space she needed. “I know you want to help, but honestly, the best thing to do now is nothing.”
Twilight nodded. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know. The next few days are probably going to be difficult for you, given the occasion.”
“Irony has a cruel sense of humor, no matter how you approach it. But I’ll be fine for your brother’s wedding. I haven’t been to Canterlot for a while, so it will be good to see old friends. Plus, it will be good for you and Spike to spend some time together.” Kaleb began to put away the communicators in a small box, which he tucked into a small leather bag with a strap for a shoulder. “The train leaves soon, right?”
“In an hour,” Twilight responded. “It’ll be fun, don’t worry. I still need to pack a few things, so I’ll meet you down here.” She went to the stairs, just as Spike was heading down with his suitcase. “Hey Spike, could you make sure that the logs are in order? I think there are a few books missing.”
“Sure thing, Twi. I’ll see what’s going on.” Spike waited until she was upstairs, and sat down next to Kaleb. “Don’t worry. I should be able to keep her at bay for a few more days. Though, I don’t understand why you need those books on manticores.”
Kaleb looked at him thankfully. “It should only be for a few more days, I think I may have found what I needed. Thank you, I know this is asking a lot of you.”
“It’s not a problem, Kaleb. Honestly, I’ve been feeling better these past three weeks. Besides, somehow you have a way of knowing just how to make somebody feel better.” He raised an eyebrow a little.
“Sweetie Belle told you, didn’t she?” Kaleb asked.
“Yep. And you are truly a wise person.” Spike chuckled. “Anyway, I’ve got a few more comics to read before the train leaves. See you.” He walked back upstairs.
Kaleb smiled a little, and followed. Going into his room, he closed the door and walked over to the nightstand. He opened a drawer, and took out a book titled Diseases of the Manticores. He gazed at it, turning to a page before putting it into the leather bag. I don’t know if this is what the manticore had, but I have to do something. It’s what Fluttershy would do. He got up, taking his lightsaber and examining it. I need to find my place in the galaxy again. My connection to the Force has been strong, but I have never felt so removed. I failed to recognize the bravery of those around me, and I wish I had listened more. For once, the light is fading, and I need to find a new path to save it. Hooking the lightsaber into its leather pouch, he went back downstairs, taking the book with him.
The train ride to Canterlot was a long one, even though the train sped along through the mid-morning sun. Kaleb, Twilight, and Spike all shared a private compartment, as it was a special occaision. The rest of the Mane Six along with the Cutie Mark Crusaders were catching the mid-afternoon train. Kaleb stared out at the valley below them as the climb up the mountain to Canterlot began.
Within an hour, they were pulling into Canterlot Station, the train heaving to a stop.
Twilight clapped her hooves. “Excellent! Our luggage is going to transported up to the castle, so there’s no worry about taking it up there.” Getting up, she raced out of the car with Spike following. Kaleb got up slowly and was caught in the line of ponies exiting the car. It was slow process, with many having luggage that they carried. There was an uneasiness to it, but soon Kaleb approached the doorway to the station.
The moment he stepped onto the platform, the Force hit him like a brick wall. Anguish, pain, distress, anxiety, and hopelessness cried out in a million voices, with one rising above the rest. This voice was female, her emotions difficult to tell due to how her voice echoed and bounced around, but her pain and exhaustion was at the forefront. Kaleb felt her pain through his own mind and heart, and tried to reach out to no end. In the background, there seemed to be other voices hissing, almost trying to drown out the pain.
The disturbance in the Force was so powerful that it made Kaleb lose his balance, clutching the wall for support. The emotion was so intense that it made him nauseous. It lasted only seconds, but seemed like an hour, and it was gone as soon it came. It was silent briefly, before the noises of the train station came into focus. He sank to the ground, sitting down as he leaned against the wall. His blurred vision cleared, and he saw Twilight, Spike and the conductor looking worried, kneeling by him. “Kaleb, are you okay! Talk to me.”
Shaking his head to clear it, Kaleb responded. “Yeah, I think I’m okay. I just forgot to eat breakfast this morning before we went. The altitude change must have had an effect. Do you have anything to eat?”
Twilight pulled out a granola bar from her saddlebag. “Here. It’s cherry and dark chocolate.” Kaleb took the granola bar and took a bite before trying to get up to her protests. “Are you sure you’re okay? We can find a bench.” The conductor echoed her sentiments.
Kaleb stood up, leaning against the wall. He took a few more bites of the bar, trying to rid himself of the nausea while taking deep breaths. “Thank you for your care and concern, but I should be okay. It’s good to walk so that the blood can flow, anyway. Also, this is delicious, thanks Twilight.”
“You’re welcome,” she responded. “We have some time before we need to be at the castle, so maybe we could look at some of the shops nearby.”
“I could show you the best comic book shop in Canterlot,” Spike chimed in. “They have giant Power Pony models that are bigger than me. Trust me, you got to see them.”
Kaleb chuckled as Twilight gave both of them an amused look. “That does sound interesting. Let’s go.” Thanking the conductor for his work, they began to walk towards the exit of the station. Although he kept his expression neutral, Kaleb’s mind raced with thoughts.
That was a Disturbance in the Force, there’s no denying it. Strong enough to physically knock me down, but confusing none the less. Who was the main voice that cried out, and why did she rise above the rest? Why was the hissing trying to drown out her voices along with the others? There might be a possibility that this was what Sweetie Belle felt back in March, or something I sensed back in mid-January. The strength has to indicate that I’m close to it. He gazed up at the cityscape of Canterlot. Something isn’t right here. Whatever happens, I need to be prepared.
Despite the recent encounter, the time wandering around shops was fun. It had been a while since all of them had been out together, and Kaleb enjoyed it. Twilight was enamored in particular with a special shop for parchment and quills, with a whole variety of ink. Even Spike held off from his sarcasm to take a look, and Kaleb observed the streets. The weather was warmer and many ponies were outside, including at some of the local parks, which were inbetween many of the neighborhoods of the city. The sun reflected on the buildings, giving it a nice glowing warmth. Still, he noticed an uneasiness in the eyes of some, even as they stayed in the sunlight. They seemed only wanting to get to their destination.
These are strange times, Kaleb thought. You would think there would be much celebration due to a royal wedding. He turned to the shop owner, a pegasus with a comic book for a cutie mark. “Excuse me, I noticed that there are a lot of ponies not staying outside for too long. They appear to be worried. With the royal wedding, wouldn’t many be celebrating?”
“Normally they would be, but there have been rumors going around of hauntings all around Canterlot. Ghosts and ghouls roaming the street, or something like that,” she explained. “Personally, I think it’s just a publicity stunt or something. But I haven’t seen many ponies out at nights anymore.”
Kaleb nodded in thanks. Perhaps there are others who can shed light on this. His thoughts were interrupted by Twilight tapping his hand. “Come on. We need to get to the castle now.” Kaleb followed them out of the shop and walked into the street.
The castle gates weren’t too far, and the royal guards opened them. As they walked up the path towards the castle, Kaleb noticed many guard ponies on the grounds, training with each other or on patrol, overlooking the castle. As soon as they reached the door, it opened.
A physically fit unicorn opened the door, with white fur and a mane of navy and ocean blue. He had a shield with a purple star as a cutie mark, with three regular stars above it. “Twiley, it’s good to see you.”
He walked over to hug Twilight, but she hesitated. “Why didn’t you tell me you were getting married? You have no idea how much work I had to do to get ready for this, or how many strings I had to pull for the library to remain open.”
He shrugged a little. “Sorry about that, but it was all in the interest of security. You could never know what could happen. But I’m here with the best sister in the world, and that is all that matters.”
Twilight nodded, turning to Spike and Kaleb. “Kaleb, this is Shining Armor, my brother.”
“Nice to meet you.” Kaleb shook with Shining, whose grip was strong from his training. “You’re the Captain of the Royal Guard, right?”
He banged his hoof on his gear with pride. “Yes, I am. Please, come on in. Great to see you too, Spike.” Together, they walked into the castle. There was a hustle and bustle to the castle, due to the impending wedding. Large amounts of guards and workers moved around. “There’s been so much preparation, everypony has been busy. It is really helpful that you and your friends are helping, Twilight.” Kaleb noticed how spotless the castle was, and how the colors seemed to have changed in accordance to the theme. Pastels of every shade found its way into the decoration, along with hints of light gold.
They moved up the stairs, avoiding the traffic for the most part. Moving into the small hallway, Kaleb saw that Princess Celestia was overseeing the moving of a banner, with Princess Luna looking deep in discussion with her. He could sense that there was strain between them, but said nothing. He noticed a pink alicorn, with purple, pink, and golden-yellow highlights in her mane. She spotted them.
“Shining, I was looking for you. There is still so much to do.” Twilight’s eyes lit up, and rushed toward her, putting her in a hug. “Twilight, let go of me.” She pushed her away.
Twilight backed up, slightly confused, “Sorry about that…” Kaleb could sense her confusion, and her voice reflected it. “Kaleb, this is…”
“Princess Cadence, soon-to-be wife of the best captain of the Royal Guard.” Shining moved to her side. “It’s lovely to meet you, Kaleb. Though I admit, I didn’t expect you to arrive with Twilight. I thought you would be arriving later in the day.”
Kaleb met her gaze. “One must arrive early in order to seize the day. I assure you, Twilight is excellent company to be around.” He felt a shiver down his spine, as if her gaze pierced him.
Princess Celestia broke up the proceedings. “It’s good to see you both, but there is much to do. The wedding is only a few days away, after all. I have had your luggage sent to your rooms. Twilight sent in the rooming assignments, and everything has been approved.”
“Yes, think of it as a little vacation.” Cadence interjected. “We want this to be as relaxing as a stay as possible.” She smiled at them, including Kaleb. He found it difficult to meet her gaze, but seeing Luna staring at him calmly helped slightly. He noticed that she had been staring at him this entire time, almost as if she was trying to send him a message.
“There is no to waste, the preparations must begin,” Celestia continued. “Twilight, it would help me if you and Spike went with Cadence now. It would give you two time to catch up.”
Twilight’s eyes sparkled with hesitant hope. “Sure, it sounds good. Right Spike?” The young dragon nodded. With a nervous pace, they followed Cadence down the hallway, going up another set of stairs at the end. Shining Armor followed right behind Cadence.
“Kaleb, I need you to be up her making sure everything goes smoothly with the decorations. Perhaps you can meet up with Shining Armor later in the day…”
Luna stepped forward. “Sister, please. Kaleb can help me with my tasks. It would be nice to have the company.”
“We don’t have time for that, Luna,” Celestia argued. “These decorations need to be right to Cadence’s specifications, and you know…”
“It can wait, Tia.” Luna said, with an edge in her voice. “I’ll only be a few minutes, and I’ll send him right back up. Perhaps he can make sure the gardens are well tended too in the afternoon.”
Celestia sighed, and shook her head to clear it. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. I swear that all this wedding preparation is getting to my head. Just make sure he’s back here so that everything moves smoothly.”
“I will. I’ll speak to you later.” Luna went down the opposite side of the hall, and Kaleb followed her. “Don’t speak until I say so.” She added in an undertone. They winded up stairways and hallways, each becoming more abandoned.
Kaleb took this time to reflect. Something is not right here. I’ve never seen them argue like that, and Twilight never said Cadence was that cold as her foalsitter. There’s something unsettling…about that gaze.
Eventually, they moved to a set of doors, made from ancient blackened wood with dark blue crystal embedded inside, carving intricate patterns that were difficult to make out. Luna set her hoof on the doors, and her horn glowed. The doors opened to reveal a small hallway about ten feet leading into a large windowless room, both lightened with lanterns. There were a smaller set of doors leading into the room. The walls were a slightly lighter shade, but not much. There was a large bed opposite of the door, and to the right, a large desk and chair. To the left, there was a couch and a few armchairs. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with a variety of volumes and scrolls.
The doors behind Kaleb closed, and he jumped. “Sorry, it can be a bit alarming if you’re not used to it. Please, relax and sit down.” Kaleb sat down in one of the armchairs, and Luna on the couch opposite, closing the smaller doors with magic. “I didn’t mean to scare you, I just need to talk.”
Kaleb nodded, looking around the room. “I’m kind of impressed with the room, it certainly has a different feel than the rest of the castle.”
“It’s because this is of my design.” Kaleb’s curiosity increased, and she saw it. “My magical powers differ from Celestia’s, and can be more intense and wilder, in some cases, dangerous. This room helps contain it, as well as giving me the isolation I need. I am the only one who can open these doors. My job during the night is not easy physically or emotionally, so the solitude can help. All the books and scrolls you see here are related to my type of magic, which is rare for anypony to have the potential to wield.”
“It’s always a good idea to have someplace where you feel comfortable, and safe,” Kaleb responded. “I am curious why you needed to talk to me all the way here.”
“I needed someplace private, where we can’t be interrupted.” She gazed at Kaleb. “This wedding has brought much celebration and joy, but it is difficult to feel it. I think you know what I’m talking about."
He nodded, thinking back to the ponies in the shop. “Something does not feel right here, in Canterlot. There are rumors going around the city of ghosts and ghouls, noises in the darkness, of the streets being haunted. I’ve never seen ponies rush to get off the streets before, especially not during this time of year.”
“Security is tight because of the wedding, tighter than it has been in years. However, I fear that outside forces are working against this wedding, perhaps even on the inside,” Luna explained. “I know that everything looks fine, but something feels off, even within the castle grounds. I can’t pinpoint what it is.”
“Do you know what these rumors of hauntings around the city mean, with evidence taken from dreams?” Kaleb asked.
“No, I’m afraid not. However, I do know that the Canterlot Police have reassured citizens that everything is alright, but that has not appeared to have a large affect from your observations.” She shifted her weight on the couch slightly. “There’s something else, Kaleb. A month ago, Twilight’s Canterlot library was broken into. It’s located on castle grounds, adjacent to the Library of Magic. It was investigated by the Royal Guard, who said in their official report that they found nothing was stolen and that it must have been a stray branch that hit the window. However, one of Shining Armor’s own guards came to me a few days ago and said that he may have seen something. He’s scared to come forward to Shining Armor himself.”
Kaleb sat, his mind racing. I need to take this one step at a time. A Jedi must be calm in the face of uncertainty. He looked up at her. “What are you asking me to do, Princess Luna?”
“Investigate this, quietly and calmly. I do not want to alert suspicion from within the Castle. The Jedi would do similar investigations, am I correct?”
“The Jedi worked adjacent with the Galactic Republic, helping to maintain peace and order. Although we were technically independent and not part of the government, we worked as if we were. However, we still had our own autonomy.” Kaleb thought for a moment. “Do you really believe that someone or a group infiltrated Canterlot’s defenses? From what Shining Armor was telling me, security has been tighter than it has ever been?”
“It’s a possibility that cannot be ruled out,” Luna said with a sigh. “There are multiple measures that have been implemented, such as shields that prevent outright attack around the castle and city, as well as guards posted at every entrance of the underground tunnels.”
Taking a few minutes, Kaleb looked at the information. The disturbances in the Force, they all lead here. Plus, with the break-in, there’s a disturbing amount of tension. He made his decision. “Canterlot not only serves as a major city, but as a major center of government. Any attack here would not only threaten the peace and harmony of the city, but of Equestria as well. From the information you have given me and my own observations, I will look into this. As well, I think that it is best that I not report my findings back to you. If the castle has been infiltrated, meeting with you could give us away. The best hope of this succeeding is that we act independently.” He paused. “Have you told your sister about this?”
Luna shook her head. “She wouldn’t listen anyway. She cares for Cadence, as do I, but I fear her attachment may blind her. I do agree with you not meeting; it may be best for me to act as if nothing is happening until the suspects reveal themselves.” She looked at him. “You will be fine, you do have the Force after all.”
“My connection to the Force is not as strong as it once was,” Kaleb explained. “I feel like I’m going in blind, second-guessing myself at every turn. Fluttershy and I have been having some relationship problems, but I’m not sure if that’s the cause or the side effect. I’m uncertain if I am even up to the task…”
Luna blinked in sympathy. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.” She stood up, stretching before sitting back down. “Kaleb, you may have the Force, but it does not define who you are. You do, and you are capable enough to handle this task. Also, have you ever thought that your attachment to Fluttershy could affect your perception and blind you?”
He thought for a moment. “I don’t know, and that’s the problem. I suppose that it is a possibility, but I don’t know where to focus. How do I balance my attatchments with my Jedi duties? How do I choose between draining emotions and acknowledging them, even though it could take me farther away from the Force? The battle between light or dark is waging, how can it be resolved?” He shook his head, rubbing his forehead with his right hand. “All of these are good questions, but I don’t think it can be resolved now. The peace and harmony of this world are at stake, and I will do my best, even in the face of uncertainty. I will not fail you.”
She nodded, using her magic to set a scroll on the desk. “Here is the information for where the guard will be, along with the map of the grounds. I can’t provide you with a schedule of guard patrols, that was one thing that I couldn’t find. However, he has reassured that he will be alone in that place.”
“Do you trust him enough to take him at his word?” Kaleb asked.
“If he was brave enough to come to me, I think that we can trust him.” Luna pointed out. “However, you must still be cautious.”
Kaleb nodded. “I can tell if other life forms are watching. I will make sure we are not overheard.” He took a few minutes to study the map, and handed it to her.
Luna fixed him with an amused look. “Did you just memorize the map?”
“Only so nobody else can find it,” Kaleb replied, running a hand through his hair. “The grounds are not that difficult to navigate, so I should be fine.” A flash of concern was in his eyes. “Is the bunker where my ship is being kept safe?”
“Your ship is secure, and the bunker has been equipped with numerous spells by me. If it was broken into, I would know about it.” Luna reassured, handing him a metal key. “This is the only key that can open the padlock. Keep it with you, just in case.”
“Thank you.” Kaleb replied. Getting up and stretching slightly, he gave her a thankful glance. “I will do what I can to shed some light on this matter. Farewell, Princess Luna.” The doors opened as he took a few steps, and Luna called his name. He turned back.
“I’m not sure if this is the right phrasing, but I think it goes: May the Force be with you.”
Kaleb smiled. “You are correct. May the Force be with you as well, Princess Luna.” And with that, he went through the second set of doors, which closed behind him with a gush of wind. Taking a deep breath, he walked down the hallway. Whatever introspective questions I have can wait. I will not let this interfere with the investigation, and I will find out the truth.
The mid-afternoon sun shone brightly in the gardens of Canterlot Castle, with shadows being cast by the large trees or canopys set up to provide shade. This made it easy for Kaleb, who twisted and snaked around the trees, to keep anyone from following. He had resorted to this after getting close to the place where the guard was supposed to be, taking time beforehand to study the formations of the flowers so that he wouldn’t reign suspicion from rushing.
Brushing the pollen off of his shirt, Kaleb sighed, as he observed a small clearing with a stone bench and a wooden lawn chair to the side. He moved his open, stretched hand close to the ground, and reached out to the Force. Other than the local wildlife, he did not detect anyone. Perhaps I am in the wrong place, or…
Senses alerted him to a pony approaching the clearing, moving quickly but quietly. Kaleb knelt down behind a tree trunk, waiting and watching. After a few moments, a guard pony entered the clearing. The pegasus had orange fur and a blue mane, with golden armor covering his body. He carried a wooden staff, with metal coverings on each end. He stood there for a few moments before beginning to practice with the staff.
Kaleb continued to have his hand low to the ground, feeling the life energy around him that was the Force. Even after a few minutes, he could detect no one else other than the two of them. I will still approach with caution, but I am more likely to believe that I can trust him. He observed the fighting style. It needs some more work, but it’s not bad.
Moving around the trees, he made his way toward the guard, revealing himself about five feet away. “Good technique, but it still could use a little work.”
The guard jumped, startled, and moved his staff toward Kaleb, who brought his hand into its path. The staff froze only a quarter of an inch from Kaleb’s palm. The guard looked astonished, as Kaleb set his bag down. “Whoa, how did you do that? Do you have some kind of magic?”
“Sort of,” Kaleb replied. “Just to warn you, I will know if you are lying and if you have anyone watching us. I believe that I have the upper hand here.”
The guard met his gaze. “You’re the person Luna told me about. Don’t worry, I come here alone. Besides, I’m clearly the better fighter between the two of us.” There was a relaxed vibe to him, something Kaleb liked.
Kaleb looked at him. “Just to be clear, are you challenging me?”
“Let’s say for the record, yes I am.” The guard had an edge of sarcasm to his voice, but it was playful. “Let go of the staff.”
“Very well,” Kaleb replied. “But you’re not the only one who has trained with a staff.” Kaleb let go, and gripped the weapon, pulling hard as he moved away. Kaleb spun the staff, moving to hit the guard in the leg. The armor-clad pony moved quickly, using flutter-like movements of the wings to keep on his hooves. He charged towards Kaleb, gripping the staff as Kaleb had stopped, and yanked it hard, using his wings for support. The staff went to the guard, and jumped into the air, using his wings to soar over Kaleb as he moved the staff down toward his shoulder.
The guard was fast, but Kaleb was faster still. He rolled and dodged the attack, landing on the balls of his feet before charging forward. The guard twirled the staff around, combining his hooves with his wings to create a tunnel of air around him that he could maneuver easily. He tossed the staff to his wings, using the air to switch it over to his other wing and to the other hoof. He jumped, using his wings both to give the staff speed and blind Kaleb’s senses with the wind. The guard brought the staff down onto Kaleb’s forearm.
Kaleb winced a little at the pain, breathing heavily along with his opponent. My fractured connection to the Force has affected my reflexes and senses, along with my fighting, he thought with a little bit of alarm. He’s holding back, but I would surely be dead or knocked unconscious if he wasn’t, or if that was an electrostaff. “You’re good, really good.” He used the Force to push the guard to the ground, and he took the staff, observing it. He offered the pony the staff, and he took it. “I haven’t sparred like that in a long time, but that was good.”
“Yeah, it was,” the guard said, smiling a little through his exhaustion. “I don’t believe that I caught your name, though. I’m Flash Sentry, by the way.”
“I’m Kaleb Taymar, it’s nice to meet you.” They shook, and Kaleb took the chair, moving his bag while Flash took the bench.
“You have some impressive fighting skills, but they seem to be more defensive than offensive. Is that more of your style?” Flash asked curiously.
“More or less. Where I’m from, that was the style I trained in. It’s designed for blocking and moving quickly, buying time for innocents to retreat rather than directly attacking.” He paused for a moment. “You’re fighting style is unique, especially with use of your wings and the air currents.”
Flash nodded. “It’s designed large open areas, including aerial conflict. Part of royal guard training for pegasi involves being able to fight while flying. The staff is more of personal choice. To tell you the truth, you don’t seem like the soldier type.”
Kaleb shook his head. “That was not the mission statement for the group I was a part of. The Jedi Order were peacekeepers, sworn to promote peace and harmony. I would rather talk than fight, but I did when I had to. It was only during a war that Jedi took military roles, and those three years are hard to talk about, to say the least.”
“I’m sorry,” There was a reassurance in the guard’s eyes. “War changes you, in what you see. I haven’t been in conflict, but my uncle has. It’s important to always keep a part of you there, so you don’t change too much. I thought you would be older, from what Princess Luna told me. We’re about the same age. I’m twenty one.”
“Nineteen.” Kaleb replied. “I was fifteen when the war began, close to sixteen. I’ve been trying to get better, to seek help. It’s nice to talk to someone who understands.” He cleared his mind from the Clone Wars. “I don’t know how much time you have. How long have you been a guard, and what is your role exactly?”
“Don’t worry, I have plenty of time. I’m assigned to this quadrant, most guards just stay in one spot, just being aware and occasionally moving.” He coughed slightly before speaking. “I was recruited out of school, by Shining Armor no less. I was about sixteen or seventeen when I got my cutie mark, and he saw my reflexes. I went into Equestrian Guard training, qualifying for being a royal guard. He took me in, and I’ve been under his command for two years. He’s a good captain, and has a balance seriousness and humor, along with caring for us.”
Kaleb nodded. “The princess said that you had information relating to the break in at Twilight Sparkle’s library.” Kaleb noticed the fear in his eyes, and Flash glanced around. “It’s okay, I know this is hard for you. I am able to sense if we are being watched or eavesdropped, so you’re safe”
“Thank you.” Flash thought back for a few moments, then began. “I was patrolling the grounds of the castle, it was around one in the morning. I was on the west side of the grounds, when I heard a large crash. I went to see the tower, which had several windows broken, and I hid in the surrounding woods. I hid since I wasn’t sure of the numbers, or what I was getting myself into. There should have been a guard that patrolled to that area, but they never came. I saw several ponies sneak out the back door, and I followed them, keeping in the shadows. The light illuminated their faces; from the lamps around the grounds.”
“Did you recognize any of the intruders, or what they stole?” Kaleb asked, keeping his voice steady as his payed attention to every word.
Flash nodded gravely. “I couldn’t tell, they had whatever it was in a satchel. They were all Royal Guards; one of them was Cadence’s personal guard. His name is Alpine, he has a scar over his right eye. As soon as I saw, I retreated, heading back and ending my watch.” He looked guilty. “I should have followed, I could have been brave…”
“You were smart,” Kaleb reassured. “There’s a time to take action, and then there’s a time to leave to be able to think and strategize. You made the right decision, I can tell you that.” He glanced around. “Why didn’t you tell Shining Armor? I’m sure that he would deal with the matter in a reasonable way.”
“I wouldn’t have any other evidence other than my testimony. If the other guards were in on this, they would have lied to protect themselves. “Flash hesitated. “Shining Armor hasn’t been himself lately, or not the way he used to be.”
“How has he changed?” Kaleb inquired.
“He’s become more distant from us, and less commanding. Spending more time with Princess Cadence, and every decision he makes is based on her suggestions. Alpine doesn’t supervise us; most of the times he’s off doing his own thing, but he makes sure all of the tasks are complete. I don’t know whether it’s because of the wedding, but he’s been like this for months now.” The guard gave him a curious glance. “What are we going to do?”
Kaleb thought for a moment before responding. “Observe and listen. That’s all I can do for now. My suggestion for you is to lay low. As a witness, you could be in danger.” He thought back to what Luna had told him. “Love, in some ways, can blind you from the truth. We need do this without his help, but we have to be careful. Observation is the only way that doesn’t give away our intent.”
Flash dug at the ground with his hoof. “I’m not happy about laying low, but I’ll follow your lead if it means not endangering myself or others. However, if you need anything, or if something is about to go down, I have your back.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it.” Kaleb nodded to Flash as he stood up. “Don’t worry, I’ll let you know one way or another. I should be going, but I wish you the best.” Taking his staff, Flash walked out of the clearing back in to his post.
Gazing at the sky for a moment, Kaleb began the walk back to the castle. This is a lot of information to process. Since there are no cameras, I’m going off of eyewitness testimony alone, which is difficult to confirm without other witnesses or evidence. Waiting for the right moment of confession, whether verbal or through actions, is the best way of go about this. I just hope that it isn’t too late.
The level of awkwardness was already high when Princess Cadence had rejected Twilight’s greeting, but this was at a whole other level. Kaleb observed this as he walked into the main dining room for dinner. It was a large room, with plenty of space for everyone, including Cadence’s guards. As he walked into the room, he noticed a large guard with a scar over his eye, watching over everyone. That must be Alpine. He looks familiar, but I don’t know how. He thought as he walked over to the table. “Hey Twilight, how are you…”
Twilight sighed and gave him a glance. “Great, just great. Perfect day with Cadence and my big brother.” She walked away, looking more disappointed than ever. Kaleb looked around, about to say something to her before he was interrupted.
“Everyone, please sit down and eat. There’s plenty of food for everyone,” Princess Celestia called as she and Luna sat down. Thinking that it was best just to lay low, Kaleb walked around and bumped right into Fluttershy.
“Uh…hi.” That was all Kaleb could get out, as the two exchanged a quick nod before both moving their separate ways. It wasn’t with malice behind it, but a simple acknowledgement, he noticed. Perhaps, after this wedding is over, we can talk. He managed to find a seat as the conversations began across from Sweetie Belle and Spike.
“Hey Kaleb,” Sweetie Belle began quietly. “How has your day been?”
“Interesting, to say the least. It’s been a lot of work, as is for any special event. How was your day?”
The young unicorn sighed and looked down at her plate. “I was helping Rarity, and it she was under a lot of pressure, and she kind of…yelled at me.”
Spike immediately looked at her. “It isn’t your fault; Rarity shouldn’t have pushed you that hard.”
“Thanks Spike.” She ate her meal in silence, glancing at the rest of the CMC. Apple Bloom was with her sister, laughing and having a good time. Even Scootaloo, who tried to remain cool, was talking to Rainbow Dash. Rarity remained at a distance, glancing at the clock, waiting for the moment to get back to her work. “I’m not hungry anymore, I’m going to bed.” She got up from the table and walked out of the dining room.
Spike looked at him. “She’s angry at me too? All I was trying to do was help…”
“Sometimes that’s all we can do, whether the other likes it or not,” Kaleb responded. “We always have to try.” He thought back to the book on manticores in his leather bag. “I guess knowing the right words is difficult.”
He tried to restart the conversation with Spike’s day, but Twilight’s anxiety has rubbed off on him. So, the two ate their meals in silence. As chocolate cake was served over a half hour later, Spike moved his plate over to Kaleb. “Take this to Sweetie Belle, but don’t tell her it’s from me. The frosting isn’t my favorite anyway.”
He nodded. “I will, and I think she could use some company.” He took the plate and stood up. Moving quietly, he sneaked out of the dining room while Cadence was in conversation with Alpine and Shining Armor. The guard’s eyes were fixed on the Cadence, so it was the perfect opportunity.
Kaleb made his way up the stairs, moving quickly with silence as he went. Dusk light shone through the windows as he crept through the hallway, casting a shadow on the wall. Deep in thought, he glanced around as he balanced the two plates. If Flash is right, this will make things more complicated. I need to make sure that I can protect those around me, even making sure that they can protect themselves. But how can I do that, and with who?
His mind flashed to a simpler time, where Master Yoda was first teaching him to meditate. It was at dawn, and he was tired. But there was something that captivated him, and a quote came back to him. Truly wonderful, the mind of a child is. An idea began to form in his head. As he rounded the corner to Sweetie Belle’s room, he lifted the plates in the air using the Force and knocked on the door. “Sweetie Belle, it’s me. I just brought you some dessert from the dining room.”
A minute later, the door opened and Sweetie Belle emerged. “What kind of dessert?” Her question was answered by the plate in front of her. “That does look good.”
“I figured we could eat together, if that’s what you want.” She nodded, taking the plate from him. Kaleb closed the door and sat down, setting his plate on the table and putting out two forks. He placed his bag gently on the floor. Sweetie Belle sat opposite of him. The room was dimly lit by the sunset, creating an evening atmosphere.
The two began to eat in silence at first, enjoying the sunset slowing fading to night. After a few minutes, Sweetie Belle sighed. “Have you ever fought with your siblings before?”
“Well, I didn’t have siblings, not that I can remember,” Kaleb explained. He paused, thinking of Rogue before speaking again. “But I did have someone I was close to, who was like a brother to me. We did fight, mostly about small things like who was going to be responsible for maintenance that day; flying or navigation was a big one. But we…still cared about each other, and there were many times we got along.” Gazing at the window, he remembered those arguments. “Rarity still cares for you, even though she doesn’t show it at the moment. I imagine that this is a time of high stress for her.”
“I guess, it’s just that sometimes she isn’t acting like herself.” Sweetie Belle countered. “But she never berated me in front of anyone, and was trying to help, she just gets overwhelmed.” She gave Kaleb a small smile. “That friend that you talked about; he sounds great. I would love to meet him one day.”
Kaleb smiled, hiding his grief for Rogue’s death. “He was something else, and one of the best friends I could ever have.”
They had both finished their cake; the pieces were small. He closed his eyes. Perhaps, there is a way to help protect my friends from harm. If I teach her this one thing, she would be protected. He paused a few seconds before opening his eyes. “I’m going to teach you something, if you want to learn.”
Sweetie Belle’s eyes widened. “Thank you, but why now in Canterlot?”
“I think that it might come in handy at some point.” He stood up. “Have a seat on the floor, just like in Fluttershy’s garden.”
Sweetie Belle got up from the table and sat on the floor, with Kaleb sitting cross-legged opposite of her. The last echoes of sunset created shadows on the floor. “I’m going to ask you a question, and I want you to give your best answer. What is the most powerful tool that a Jedi can have?”
She gave him a puzzled look, and started thinking of what it could be. I want to say lightsaber, but that would be too obvious. Maybe he wants me to answer that, but he could want me to think harder.She thought for a moment more. “The Force?”
Kaleb smiled. “You’re close, and in a way right, depending on your point of view. You know, I thought you would have answered it with a lightsaber.”
Sweetie Belle chuckled. “I nearly did, to be honest. But what is the answer?”
He stated it simply. “The most powerful tool a Jedi can have is…the mind.”
The young unicorn look confused. “What do you mean? I thought that the Force would be more powerful.”
“In some cases it can be, depending on how you interpret it. The mind, however, is something else. The Force may be powerful on its own, but focus, discipline, and concentration can be more powerful, helping to guide it.” He looked at her. “Do you understand?”
She thought for a moment. “Kind of, but I’m still confused. What do you mean by helping to guide it?”
“A demonstration should help.” Kaleb got up, and pulled his lightsaber out, holding it. He hesitated slightly, but took a deep breath. This is about protecting her, not my own hesitations. He ignited the blade, the blue light shining in the darkness of night beginning to emerge. He outstretched his arm, holding out to the side, being careful not to hit the walls.
“This lightsaber is very powerful, and I like to think of it as an extension of my arm. It doesn’t feel unnatural, but it feels like a part of me. It takes a large amount of training to be able to wield it well, and the Force plays a large part in that. But it is not all of that.” He moved his hand in a semi-circle, the lightsaber pointing upright, illuminating Kaleb’s face in a blue light. “Using your mind to concentrate the power of the Force makes it concise, and can help with the lightsaber.”
Sweetie Belle was silent through all of this, listening to Kaleb. She gazed at the lightsaber, as Kaleb pressed a button, and the blade vanished. He turned on a small lamp by the bedside, and sat back down.
“I think I understand now. The mind can help guide the Force along, giving it more focus on a smaller point rather than less focus on a larger area,” She answered. “It’s just like the stream; adding rocks makes the current small but powerful.”
“Exactly,” Kaleb responded. He paused, figuring out how to phrase what he was going to say. “The mind is important, and that’s why it is critical to know how to protect it.”
“What do you mean by protect it? Are there attacks other than physical with the Force?” Sweetie Belle asked, looking at him.
Kaleb closed his eyes. “Yes, there are.” He reopened them. “Are you familiar with a mind probe?” She shook her head. “It’s a technique which allows a Force user to break into another mind, being able to read your innermost thoughts, feelings, and possibly predict your actions. For the person whose mind is at risk, it’s painful.”
Sweetie Belle eye’s widened in horror. “That’s terrible, I can’t imagine how it must feel. Why would you tell me this?”
“Because I’m going to teach you how to protect your mind.” He responded. “I hope to Faust that you are never in this position, and hopefully you never will be. Beyond the Force, there’s magic I know nothing about, possible spells that act in the same way. My hope is that this can help you if there is no time, and possibly save your life.”
Sweetie Belle started to hyperventilate, but with great effort, calmed herself down. This took a few minutes, but Kaleb was patient with her, even breathing along with her. Finally, she sighed and looked at him. “I guess I can never know what’s out there. I’m a little shaken, but I’m ready.”
Kaleb took a deep breath and began. “Listen to everything carefully before you try and attempt it.” She crouched up a little, concentrating. “I want you to go into the breathing meditation like before, feeling the stream of the Force, and keeping it open at a small level. Imagine an image, something that means a great deal to you. Focus on it and nothing else, do not let your mind wander. Examine every detail, reflect on it, remember it.”
She closed her eyes and begin to go into meditation. Sweetie Belle took about four minutes to feel the Force and control it, keeping the stream in mind. I know the picture I want. She imagined an image of a summer day with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. She tried to focus on the image, picturing every single detail, every moment. But still it was difficult. Every time she got a certain point, her concentration faltered. Concentrate, come on. There were blue and yellow flowers that day…darn it. Feel the Force, do this right. Remember the expression on their faces as they jumped into the lake... She could feel walls on her mind, shielding her, slowly raising. But every time they got to a certain point, her concentration would lapse, and the walls would come crashing down. I need to do this, or at least I hope I can…what the…
Kaleb watched her carefully for the six minutes she focused on the image, feeling the Force flow around her. Although he couldn’t see into her mind, he could sense her defenses rising and falling. She has the idea, but it does take practice. Nobody can master this in one night, that would be almost impossible, even for the most skilled Jedi. Still she’s doing remarkably well…
He noticed her fatigue as she slumped a little. He reached over and tapped her on the shoulder, snapping her out of the meditation. She jumped a little bit, opening her eyes and breathing hard, as if she went for a half-mile run. Collapsing against the bed, she looked at him. “I felt something, but I was still distracted. Why did you stop me?”
“I’m sorry, I forgot this can take a lot of energy for someone who’s not used to it,” Kaleb apologized, rubbing his hand through his hair. “I couldn’t see into your mind, but I could sense the Force around you. You did remarkably well for your first time.”
Sweetie Belle grimaced slightly. “Well, I was doing my best. But it was so difficult. I couldn’t concentrate for more than a few seconds. I felt my mind strengthen, but falter every time I reached a certain point.”
Kaleb nodded. “It’s difficult, it took me a while to be able to do it with ease. This was the first thing Master Johanna ever taught me. Even though I had lessons with Master Yoda until I was nine, this took me at a while to do properly. Keep practicing, and you will get it down.”
She nodded. “Thanks.” Hesitating a little, she asked her next question. “Are you training me?”
“There’s a difference between teaching and training.” He noticed she was unsatisfied with the answer. “Even if this is the only thing I teach you, it’s still extremely valuable. Keep it secret, as always. There may be a time when you know that you’ll be ready for more, and who knows? Knowledge is more than just power or skill, it’s being able to look at the world around you and notice the smallest details, which could have the largest impact.”
She still looked unsettled. “How will I know when I’m ready? I want to see those details, I want to help others. I want to give them hope.”
“You’ll know, trust me.” He stood up, looking out at the window. “I must go, and I really did enjoy dessert with you.”
She stood up, the moon reflecting on her fur. There was uncertainty in her eyes, but a determination that still was there.
She wants to use the Force to change the world, whether I train her or not… She will. I cannot let her experience what I did, she’s too young. Nobody at her age should have to see war, carnage, destruction. But maybe it’s time that I stop treating her as a burden of my own problems, and for the curious, determined young pony that she is.
He turned around, and sat back down. “You know, you remind me of someone, and she was one of the most determined Jedi I ever knew.”
Sweetie Belle looked slightly shocked and curious. “I do? But I barely know the Force.”
“And yet, you have her determination, optimism, and sense of humor.” Kaleb remarked. “We were both apprentices around the same time. She was better than me in a lot of areas, and we often trained together. She was one of the most loyal, generous, kind-hearted friends I ever had. I think that if you had the chance to meet her, you two would get along just fine.”
“Your friend sounds remarkable,” Sweetie Belle responded. “Were you two traveling the galaxy together?”
“Not exactly, but we went on a few diplomatic missions.” Kaleb closed his eyes slightly. He opened them, shaking the thought out of his head. “I know that it’s frustrating for you, wanting to learn more about the ways of the Jedi and the Force. I can’t say I know how you feel, but I understand, even if I don’t show it all of the time. I argued with my master nearly all of the time when I was your age. But my life is not your life. I know you want to use this power to change the world, to bring hope to the most desolate of places. I want to support you, but you have plenty of time. Enjoy being with your friends, your family.”
She looked at him. “I do, I love being a part of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and I love Rarity, even though she doesn’t see it some of the time. Reading Power Ponies comics with Spike has become something I look forward too. But I also want your life. What you did with your master, going to different places, finding adventure, helping others. Why are you holding back?”
I won’t tell her about the war, or what I went through. He thought of how to phrase what he was going to say. “There are some things you don’t know about my life. If you did, you would have a different perspective.” He stood up, taking his bag. “You have the heart of a Jedi, I can tell you that. Don’t lose that, but have patience and enjoy what you have now.”
She nodded, still looking curious. He walked to the door, looking back at her and then opening it and moving into the hallway. He closed it, moving at a quiet and measured pace to his room.
He kept that pace as his shadow flickered on the walls due to the lighting. Even if it’s one thing, I still feel better she knows how to guard her mind. Arriving at his room, he unlocked the door using the key he was given earlier, and entered, closing the door and locking it carefully. His luggage was set by the foot of his bed. Immeditally, he cast his hand to the ground, scanning the room with the Force for two minutes. I am not being watched, at least not in here. Placing the bag with the communication devices on the bed, he took out the book on maticores, and set it on the desk, turning on the lamp and closing the shades. The room filled with light as he sat down on the floor and began to meditate, using it to organize his thoughts.
At dinner, I saw the guard pony described as Alpine. He fits the description of what Flash told me, and he was close to the couple. I never had the chance to see Shining Armor and Cadence up close other than this morning. They did stick together, but I think that’s not unusual for couples that are to be married. Only time can tell. I need to keep an eye on Alpine, he might…
His meditation was interrupted by three soft knocks on the door. Kaleb jumped up, landing softly on the ground. As he walked quietly on the balls of his feet, he took the lighsaber out of its case, keeping it out of sight from his front side. He turned the handle slowly, and opened it less than an inch, the pony on the other side making him put away the weapon quickly. “Fluttershy…”
“May I come in?” He opened the door, enough for her to come in, and then closed it, locking it. She took a chair, with him still standing up. “We need to talk.”
He looked at the clock on the wall. “Now’s not a good time, I just got back from somewhere. It’s probably a good idea to get to bed…”
“You’re stalling.” She called through his bluff, and he fell silent. “I’m just trying to do what other couples do, Kaleb. We talk about situations that make us uncomfortable. You didn’t reach out.”
“I sent you a few days afterwards, left it on your doorstep. It should have explained everything.”
“I kind of…threw that letter in the fire,” She explained, a little embarrassed. “I was a little more angry than I should have been.”
“It was probably justified,” He replied. “I’ve been trying to give you space, is that not what couples are supposed to do?”
“They are, but still.” She looked around, seeing the book on the desk. She walked over to the desk, placing her hoof on the cover. “Why are you even pursuing this? It’s useless, that manticore died because you stopped me from helping it.”
Kaleb paused for a moment. “Nobody truly knows the cause of death. If I can figure out what caused it to die, I can prevent others from suffering the same fate. Look on page 342.”
She turned to the page, and read it to herself. “The eye color is wrong, and this does not even apply to the species of manticores in the Everfree Forest. The ones here are located south of where we are.”
“It might be a variation of the disease,” Kaleb countered. “For that species…”
“You’re in denial, and you just don’t know it.” she argued. “Do you really think that saving this manticore can save our relationship. Is this your version of an apology? Because if it is, then we’re done.”
Kaleb paused for a few seconds, but nothing more than that. “No, of course not. But if figuring out what caused this death can save millions of lives in the future, then that is something I am willing to do.” He sat down on the other chair. “There is a moral obligation to look into this. I took an oath, to follow the Jedi Code. I feel like I don’t know what the right thing to do is anymore. If I did not have the foresight to see that the manticore was sick, than that death is my responsibility. Let me ask you a question; do you think that love can blind others from seeing the truth?”
It was something he had wondered ever since Princess Luna had posed the question. Something that Flash had mentioned about Princess Cadence and Shining Armor, who was abandoning his own post for being with her. Fluttershy looked shocked. “What does this have to do with us?”
Kaleb sighed. “I don’t know what the right decision is to do anymore. I am second guessing myself. Should my personal life and my moral obligation as a Jedi be separate, or is there a way to combine the two? Which one is more important, and which will save more lives?”
“I don’t…have an answer for that.” She faltered, then composing herself. “I thought I would want to hear an apology from you, for keeping me from saving it’s life.”
“It’s justified, I overreacted.” Kaleb acknowleged, gazing at her. “I want to apologize, but I need to know the full consequences of my actions. You deserve more than one that keeps both of us in the dark.” He ruffled his hand through his hair. “It’s been a difficult day, for both of us. The pressure of a wedding is strong, it affects all of us. I was just talking to Sweetie Belle, it’s been rough for her.”
Fluttershy closed her eyes and thought for a few moments. She opened them. “I still want an apology, but I see your point. Still, it could take years to find out what did. For now, I’ll take it, but I want a full apology the second you find out.”
“I’m okay with that. I might figure out the answers to my moral questions long before that. It’s not an easy choice to make.”
“Whatever choice you make, it will be a good one.” She replied, trying to give him some kind of comfort. Even if it wasn’t the amount she wanted, a little bit of reassurance would go a long way. “Good for Equestria, for yourself, and for me. Besides, either way, we are still having tea, whether as a couple or friends.” She paused. “There’s something else I need to talk to you about.”
Kaleb nodded. “What is it?”
“You left this at the cottage the night before Hearts and Hooves Day.” She took out a small prescription bottle with Kaleb’s medication, and placed it on the table. “I just realized today you didn’t have it. I was worried that you didn’t have medication for the past few weeks, I know you took it from this bottle before Hearts and Hooves Day.”
“Thank you. I was taking it from here for the few weeks before that.” He took the bottle, smiling slightly. “I have a supply of medication at the library, so I’ve been just using that. I was never off it.”
“That’s a relief. Angel accidently got into it a few days ago, he was really hyper, he was bouncing off the walls. Eventually, I had to use tea and even his old bedtime story to calm him down.”
Kaleb froze, tuning out the rest of what she was saying. His mind raced to a possibility, one that needed to be tested. “Sorry, could you repeat what you just said.”
“I was just talking about his favorite bedtime story, it’s about these two…”
“No, before that, something about his behavior.”
Fluttershy thought back. “He was really hyper after he took it, and he took a liking to it very quickly.”
Kaleb tried to hide his alarm. “It shouldn’t have had that effect, it’s an anti-depressant. It should make you more tired.” He opened the bottle, noticing that some of the pills have been crushed into powder. He dipped his finger into the powder, and put it in his mouth. Fluttershy stared at him with the strangest expression. Noticing the sweetness, he looked at her. “This isn’t my medication.”
She looked confused. “What do you mean? It has the bottle and everything.”
“It’s sugar, just trust me. I know that I may sound crazy, and you probably don’t much of a reason to trust me at this point, but please do.” He handed her the bottle.
She hesitated, but took it. Dipping her tongue in the bottle, she tasted the powder on the sides. Her eyes widened a few moments later. “You’re right. I think these are placebos.”
“No wonder Angel was addicted to them, they’re just like the sugar cubes he likes,” Kaleb said. “I was on these for about a week and a half before Hearts and Hooves Day, I even took these the night before. Meaning the night the manticore attacked, I was not on my medication. The episode I had that night couldn’t have been prevented since it was a physical reaction, but it was significantly worse than it could have been.”
“You need to see Dr. Bluejay about this, but he might be still on vacation.” She looked at him with concern.
“He has to be back by now. I know the wedding is making everyone busy, but I’ll try to see him before the ceremony.” He looked at her. “How about this? Let’s talk after the wedding, after I get everything sorted out with him. Our relationship may be up in the air, but we’re still friends, however awkward it may be. Deal?” He held out his hand.
She shook it. “Deal. I hope everything goes well. I should be going, but I’ll see you soon.” She walked out, noticing that Kaleb’s other hand was outstretched under the table.
Kaleb sighed, swearing as quietly as he locked the door behind her. We weren’t overheard, I could tell. Damn that was intense, but I guess both of us needed to talk. I haven’t seen Dr. Bluejay around, but I’m sure he’s in his office.
He stood up, going to the lamp. I still have one question; if answered one way it could change the entire viewpoint of how I’m approaching this. Dr. Bluejay is extremely careful with distributing medication, I know that for a fact. He makes sure every one of his staff knows who gets what, and he helps out when he can. But if Luna and Flash are right, and something is going on here, is my medication switch related to the break-in? Is someone trying to keep me from the truth? He turned off the lamp, extinguishing the room into darkness.
He knew that he was going to lose this sparring match.
Kaleb gripped the lightsaber hard, the blue blade humming with life. As tense as a board, sweat drifted from his forehead, as he moved his Padawan braid out of his face. The dojo was filled with light, flowing in through the walls with wooden beams as supports. The sparring area was clean, despite small amounts of burn marks from lightsabers. The whole room reflected a minimalist area, but none of that would help him now.
Master Johanna called out to him. “Kaleb, relax your form. You’re as tense as a blast shield right now. Relax your shoulders, make the blade an extension of your arm.” She was watching the two of them closely, leaning against the wall on the other side.
Kaleb tried to take her advice and keep his eyes on his sparring partner. Ahsoka Tano; friend, sometimes rival, and apprentice as of recently, kept a stance that was both still and relaxed at the same time. She moved slightly, making Kaleb flinch and readjust his stance. “Still adjusting to land after your flying lesson, I see?” she said with amusement and sarcasm.
“There’s a difference between flying and doing death-defying formations, and it’s large,” Kaleb countered calmly, though he could still feel the ground shake. “We should begin…”
She moved quickly, jumping up into the air and aiming for a strike. Kaleb rolled on the ground, just barely avoiding Ahsoka’s blow. He brought his lightsaber up, blocking every attack in a quick and rigid way. The two green lightsabers moved in sync perfectly, a style that was only characteristic of Shien, which made use of counterattacks well.
As the match continued, Master Johanna let out a sigh. She heard footsteps walking towards her, and another figure leaned next to her. She looked and saw Anakin Skywalker. “It seems the match is going well.”
“For your apprentice, yes. Thanks for letting me borrow Ahsoka for this session.” They both kept their eyes on the match. “But not for Kaleb. He’s improved slightly since I started to introduce Ataru, but is still too rigid. My wrist had been acting up, so I asked Obi-Wan to help out with training. It seems that it only helped a little.”
Anakin glanced at Kaleb. “He’s rigid in his footwork, which is delaying his rolls by a second. I think also how he uses his eyes is affecting his timing.” He looked at her. “I’m sorry about your wrist, hopefully the medical team can help with it.”
“Thank you, but I think I’m just going to have to adjust my fighting style,” she replied, looking at him. “The nerves from my old injury are acting up. It’s only a small adjustment. I just want him to hold his own against unorthodox fighting styles. I can’t let him go into this war unprepared.”
“Luckily, he has a pretty great Master. You two seem to get along pretty well,” Anakin said, as Johanna chuckled. “Do you mind if I stop them? I think I can help him out.”
She nodded. “Sure. Also, next time you two have a flying lesson, try to take it easy on him. I didn’t hear the end of the next day.”
“I’ll try and keep that in mind. Granted, he’s better about those maneuvers than Obi-Wan.”
Kaleb kept moving around, blocking every strike with the accuracy of a Soresu fighter. He waited for the perfect opportunity, and used Ataru to attack her. Sensing his movements, Ahsoka aimed for his legs and kicked them, knocking him off balance. Just as he was falling, he felt the Force grad him mid-fall. “Snips, Kaleb, I’m going to stop this spar for a moment. Now, shake hands and play nice. Both of you did well.”
Both apprentices rolled their eyes slightly, but she grabbed his arm and pulled him up. They shook hands. Anakin’s war armor was a stark contrast to the lightness of the dojo. He crossed his arms, looking at both of them. “Kaleb, Obi-Wan helped you out with Soresu, am I right? Go into your fighting stance.”
“Yes, he did.” Kaleb moved into his starting position, trying to relax his shoulders the best that he could. “Am I doing something wrong?”
“No, but you’re getting into a habit.” He moved in front of him, taking up the same amount of distance Ahsoka did when they first started. “Your field of vision is too narrow. Try to widen it, and follow my movements.”
Anakin paused, and then moved to the left suddenly. Kaleb flinched, and followed a half-second later. “There are different ways of using your eyes. Keeping it narrow is good for small battles, such as sparring. Widening it is good for large battles, such as Geonosis. It might seem that keeping it narrow is good in this situation, but that’s not always going to be the case with different weapons and fighting styles. Try for a balance, so that you can keep your focus on your opponent, but not too focused that you lose sight on what’s happening around you.
“Ahsoka, take up your stance, but don’t ignite your lightsabers. Mimic your movements. Kaleb, dodge them and mimic the blocking patters of Soresu.” The two apprentices nodded, and moved to their positions. Kaleb relaxed, keeping his eyes on fixed on Ahsoka. Still, he widened his field of vision, using the Force to see what was happening around him. “Start whenever you’re ready.”
Ahsoka moved first, but Kaleb sensed it. He dodged it faster than before, mimicking blocking her sabers with his own. He moved back, getting ready for the counterattack. She went for it, and he blocked it. She smiled. “Good job, better than…”
A large beeping sound made them both look up, interrupting their fight. It was the comlinks from Johanna’s and Anakin’s wrists. “They want us both at the Council, Anakin,” Master Johanna called out.
“Just as it was getting good,” Anakin grumbled slightly.
Master Johanna turned to the two apprentices. “This could take a while. If I’m not back within twenty minutes, the session is cut short. Take the time to rest and recover.” She and Anakin both moved quickly out of the dojo.
Ahsoka looked at him. “Well, that’s the one time I’ve seen Sky Guy obey the Council.”
Kaleb laughed. They both moved out of the dojo, into the small sitting area. They both sat down, looking out on Coruscant below. “It looks so different, doesn’t it?”
“What do you mean?” Ahsoka asked. “I think that it looks the same.”
Kaleb shook his head. “What happened on Geonosis has created an impact, even here. During my meditations outside, the birds and wildlife around the tree tell me things are changing. People are more tense, the roars of engines and gunfire echo throughout the planet, people are arming themselves. They are afraid of what might happen, what is coming.”
“I don’t think the war would ever reach here. It’s far too peaceful. This is the center of the Republic, the Separatists wouldn’t dare try.” She turned on a holomap, setting it to the Outer Rim. “The battles are going to be happening in the Outer Rim, where there’s no control.”
“And that’s my worry,” Kaleb said. “Many families are in those regions. These children are going to experience things that they are too young for. It will be total chaos, with pirates and warlords taking control. Slavery still exists in the Outer Rim, it’s going to be dangerous.”
Ahsoka's expression changed to something compassionate. “That’s why we have to save them. If no one else can or will, we have to step in.” She looked at him. “Do you really think that this will affect the children of the galaxy?”
“Yes, in more ways than either of us can imagine.” He sighed. “I wish I knew a way with Soresu to deal with different fighting styles. Even combined with Ataru, it takes the skills of a master to deal with it.”
She thought for a moment. “Have you ever considered trying to learn those different styles such as mine? I know you don’t have a lot of time, but it could come in handy.”
“That’s a good idea,” Kaleb responded. “Thought I don’t know if two lightsabers are the best option.” He held up his hands when Ahsoka glared at him slightly. “Not that it isn’t cool, but too complex for my taste. Although, I’ve always admired your skill to throw your blades like that. It seems very useful.”
“It is. I’ll teach you sometime. It takes a large amount of control of the Force and timing, but I think you can handle it.” She looked over at the wall. “You might also consider talking to the Temple Guards. Their fighting style with the double-blades is comparable to no one.”
“You know, I think I will. I’ve seen staff-fighting skills, and I think it might just be adaptable.” He looked at the time. “They’re not coming back, are they?”
She looked over her shoulder. “Nope. Want to get some tea?”
He nodded, and they got up, walking through the hallway.
A tree root came out of nowhere, and tripped up Kaleb as he was running. Deep in thought, he rolled, using his hands to brace himself from the fall. He brushed the dirt off of his pants, and looked around.
He was in one of the many parks of Canterlot, running on the path. Or he had until the tree root had tripped him. It was the day before the wedding, and only a few ponies were out here. Some were running, just like him for different reasons, or young fillies and colts were playing out in the fields and on the playground equipment.
He closed his eyes, remembering the memory. What happened at that Trial should never have happened. I was off-world at the time, and never got the chance to say goodbye. I wish I could have seen you one last time, Ahsoka, even for one last cup of tea and a sparring match. I don’t know if you survived, but part of me has to believe.
Wiping the tears from his eyes, he glanced upward. Two young colts were shouting, as their ball was moving out of play towards the street. Reacting quickly, Kaleb jumped up and ran over towards the street, using the Force to retrieve the ball before it could hit the oncoming carriages. The two colts gazed with amazement as the ball flew into his hands.
He moved over towards them and knelt down to their level, placing the ball at their hooves. “You both need to be careful. The street is very dangerous, it’s never worth saving a ball to put yourselves in danger.” He nodded, indicating it was over.
“Dashfoot! Cumulus! How many times do I have to tell you, don’t run after the ball.” The familiar voice made Kaleb stand back up. Thunder was walking over to her two sons. “I swear, you two. Go back up to where your aunt can see you.” The two colts ran back with the ball. Kaleb chuckled, and Thunder turned around. “Kaleb! It’s good to see you.” The two friends hugged briefly. “How are you?”
“Not bad, I’m just in town for a wedding.” Kaleb replied. “I was out for a run today, and I managed to catch the ball.”
“They are quite a handful,” she admitted. “But worth it. Can I talk to you in private?” The tone in her voice changed to one of concern and worry.
Kaleb nodded. They moved over to a small set of benches in the shade of an oak. “I can tell if we are being listened to or watched, so don’t worry. What is it?”
Thunder shot him a concerned glance, lowering her voice. “You haven’t been here since the holidays, have you?”
“I haven’t. Did something happen?” Kaleb looked at her. This has to be about the hauntings around Canterlot.
She took a deep breath and began. “Dr. Bluejay has been missing for the past nine weeks.”
Shock formed in Kaleb’s face. “What…. nine weeks. His office told Lyra that he was on vacation, though they didn’t say how long.”
“That’s what we all thought, too. But his office has been closed, locked up as usual. No sign on any of the doors indicating he was on vacation.” She looked around. “They decided I should be the pony to send in a missing pony report. I sent it into the police, and they said they would get back to me.”
“How long ago was that?” Kaleb asked.
“Nine weeks ago, about forty-eight hours after he disappeared,” she answered. “Everyone is on edge.”
Kaleb nearly swore but stopped himself remembering Thunder didn’t like it. “Have you tried searching anywhere he could have gone? Businesses, restaurants, even his home?”
“We tried, but it seemed that the only places he went to are the Castle and his apartment. He was very secretive, so none of us have clue where it is.”
“Give me a minute.” He thought back to his intake appointment with Dr. Bluejay, all the way back in December. Going into a light meditation, he examined his memories of that day. There was a paper, it must have been for medical research. It had an address on it. Wait, it was a letter from an old friend, he must have brought it to the office. Kaleb opened his eyes. “I have the address. I know where his apartment is.”
Thunder’s eyes widened. “That’s great? Can you tell me where it is?”
“No, not here.” Kaleb looked at her. “This could be dangerous, and I don’t want to endanger you or your family.”
She raised an eyebrow. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve been in combat, and I know what I’m getting into. There have been stories of ghosts haunting Canterlot for weeks now, flying through the night. Nopony has seen them, and they could be hiding in the shadows. The only reason that I brought my kids out here today was so they can get fresh air and have fun. If I can find Dr. Bluejay, then I can convince myself that I am doing the right thing for them.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know,” Kaleb apologized. “I suppose that two of us are better than one. But we need to be careful. I’m not telling you to follow my lead, but I’m asking you because I don’t want anything bad to happen.” He added in an undertone, with his hand outstretched, searching for anything trying to overhear them. “If this is connected to something else, I need to know.”
She nodded. “Consider it a deal. Let me tell my sister that I’m going to catch up with an old friend.” She walked over to her sister, who was on a bench. Kaleb double checked the leather bag, with the communicators and the book still inside. The lightsaber was still inside the leather pouch. I can’t risk it falling into the wrong hands, Kaleb thought.
Thunder came back a moment later, holding a camera. “This might come in handy.” She handed it to Kaleb, who put it in his bag. “Let’s go.”
Kaleb nodded. “Talk to me normally, we need to act inconspicuous.” She and Kaleb started talking as they moved out of the park, with Kaleb taking a slight lead.
Sweetie Belle stared at the stitching before her. The white lace was not easy to maneuver, all it did was get in the way. This was the dress one of the bride’s mares, and it was supposed to be uniform. But it wasn’t. She snorted in frustration. I can’t believe I’m stuck here, the day before the wedding. I would rather be outside. It’s a beautiful day…
Her thought was cut short when Rarity walked by. “Sweetie Belle, I think your stitching is off by half an inch. Let me fix that.” She took the dress, working furiously to fix it, while her sister stared out of the window. “Are you okay? You’ve seemed a little bit tense over the past few days.”
“Well, yeah,” She replied, trying not to hurt her sister’s feelings. “I guess I’m just tired. Princess Cadence’s request for these dresses are challenging, and take a lot of work. There’s so much detail in the stitching, and I feel like I’m going in circles just to get the lace set up right. I feel like I would…”
“Rather be any place than here?” Rarity responded, looking at her.
“Yeah…but how did you know?”
“We’re sisters…we have a special connection.” Sweetie Belle tried not to glare at her, but it came out. Rarity realized her mistake. “You’re angry at me, I get that. I might have gone a little too far…”
“So, you just now realize this?” She took a deep breath, trying to figure out the words to say. “Rarity, you yelled at me, in front everyone in here a few days ago. I get that sometimes you are stressed because of work and deadlines, but you take it out on the ponies you love. And it hurts them.” Tears started to form, but Sweetie Belle blinked them away. “It hurts me.”
Faster than she could blink, Rarity pulled her into a hug, holding on as she stroked Sweetie Belle’s mane. She resisted at first, but then leaned into the hug. “I’m so sorry for that, I should have never taken it out on you. You are amazing, kind, and caring, Sweetie Marie Belle, and you are the best sister I could ever have. Anypony is lucky to have you as their friend. How can you ever forgive me? How can I ever make it up to you?”
Letting out a deep breath, she looked at her. “This is a good start. I think we both need to be more careful with our words, and try to do better. Also, if you could maybe give me the rest of the day off?”
Rarity chuckled. “Consider it done.” She let go and brushed the tears from her face. “I’ve kind of known that fashion isn’t as interesting to you as it was three years ago. Maybe after the wedding, you could show me some of your new interests.”
Sweetie Belle smiled. “That would…be nice. Maybe you can your lift the rule on Power Ponies comics?”
“Technically, it was our parent’s rule. By the way, you’re not the only one who snuck contraband comics into their house.” Rarity said this with a wink, and laughed as she saw her sister’s face. “Sorry, couldn’t help myself. I will, as long as you don’t stay up too late reading them. I swear, Twilight and Spike both stay up too late.”
She nodded. “Can I still come to rehearsal dinner?”
“I’m afraid not, it’s for grown-ups only.” She pointed to the door with her hoof. “You can head out now. I can finish up here.”
Sweetie Belle nodded enthusiastically, waving to her sister as she left the room. Running through the halls, she started to move downstairs looking at the main decorations. It’s going to be a beautiful day outside, I can’t wait to see the birds fly and all of…
Her thoughts were interrupted by a call through the Force. It was a feeling, one that called to her. The Force, what does it want? She looked around the empty hallway, wondering where to go. Slowly, she moved towards the feeling, getting stronger with each step. She moved down another set of stairs to a dark hallway, only lit with lamps. She opened the door in front of her.
The room was dusty, with piles of wooden furniture piled up. Broken pieces stuck out of the piles like spikes, and created an ominous atmosphere. Sweetie Belle gravitated towards the giant wardrobe in the corner, which stood separate from the rest of the piles. She outstretched her hoof to it.
Before she knew what happened, the entire room became dark within the second. A jungle emerged from the darkness, and was quickly surrounded by a cave. A fire emerged, and with it a series of figures. There was one who stood out to Sweetie Belle, whose form was similar to Kaleb. Her orange skin glowed in the fire, along with the tails on the top of her head, which had alternating stripes of white and blue.
Sweetie Belle looked with curiosity and moved closer. She tried calling to them, but they couldn’t hear her. The figure began to speak. “We were lucky that the darkness helped us escape. We should move closer to where those ships are by morning.”
One of the other figures looked at her, a young man. “Why should we trust you? You don’t know what we’ve gone through, what we’ve seen. How can we fight when we have nothing?”
The others looked at him, and then at the figure. She sighed. “How many of you were taken from your homes? How many of you are refugees?” The others slowly raised their hands. “I know you’re afraid, but we need to have hope. It’s the fire that keeps us warm through these dark times. It can give us the confidence we need. To speak out against tyranny and oppression.”
A small child spoke up. “How do we know that we can trust you? We don’t even know who you are? You just told us to move when the hunters came.”
She moved close to the child, with Sweetie Belle following close behind. The figure took the child’s hand, and spoke to her quietly.
“My name is Ahsoka Tano, and I am a Jedi Padawan. I made a promise, to protect you and everyone here. I would protect you, even with my own life. You’re safe with me.” The child huddled closer to her, and whispered a question. Ahsoka chuckled. “Yes, I will protect the animals of this planet. You know, you remind me of my friend Kaleb. He has a special connection with them.”
She let go of the child, and turned to the rest of the group. “Because of my master, I did survive. He taught me to never give up. And I will lead all of you to survive as well. All of you need to rest. I’ll keep watch.” After that one interaction, it seemed to put the group at ease. As they all settled down to sleep, Ahsoka moved to the edge of the cave and sat down. Sweetie Belle sat down right besides, nearly jumping as she spoke. “Kaleb, you were right.” And with that, the cave disappeared into darkness.
Sweetie Belle jumped, hyperventilating as she fell to the ground. The room was the same as it was before, with the piles of furniture and the wardrobe still in their spots. Her mind was in shock. What was that? Could it have been a vision…but it can’t be, I don’t know. I have no idea how powerful the Force is. She used the breathing techniques to calm herself down, and backed away from the room, turning around and sprinting back up into the main hallway. Was Ahsoka the apprentice Kaleb was talking about?
They winded the streets of Canterlot with ease, or so they made it seem. Even with their combined knowledge of the city, it was difficult to find the neighborhood. Kaleb could hear the stories Thunder was telling, but he had his hand still outstretched, although he tried to hide it. Nobody seems to be following us so far. That’s good. We should be there in the next few minutes.
Thunder gave him a sly look. “So, I heard you and Fluttershy are now a couple.”
“Where did you hear that from?” Kaleb asked, slightly alarmed that she knew that.
“Applejack is an old friend, and we exchange letters on a regular basis. I know Fluttershy from visiting Ponyville. She helped my dog and cat get along,” Thunder explained. “You two seemed right for each other, down to your personalities. Both shy but caring.”
“I never really thought of it like that before,” Kaleb admitted. “Also, I don’t know how long that will be the case. We’re kind of taking a break.”
“Sorry to hear that.” She shrugged as they made their way across a busy street. “Why, if you don’t mind me asking? I could give relationship advice.”
I do need the advice, but I’m not sure how tell her without letting her know everything, Kaleb thought. There’s still much that is unknown. But I’ll do my best. He took a deep breath and begin. “We had a disagreement over the treatment of an animal, who died because I was worried about Fluttershy’s safety. She blames both herself and I for its death, and that I couldn’t understand why she needed to protect it. Things have been shaky ever since, even though we tried to talk recently.”
Thunder nodded with sympathy, listening. “It’s difficult for both of you. From what Applejack has told and knowing Fluttershy, she is very protective of the creatures that she’s cared for. And that’s including you. Have you ever thought that this would have been the first animal to die under her care?”
He paused, shaking his head. “No, I’ve never really thought about it before. Now that you mention it, she did say that she has never had an animal die under her care, or even get harmed.” Kaleb rubbed his hand through his hair with frustration. “I can’t believe I was that cruel, I would have helped her if I knew that. In the moment, I was so concerned for her safety…”
“This was a misunderstanding, that was all. You’re one of the most caring friends I know, you wouldn’t be cruel to those in need.” She paused, looking around as they went through another side street.
“Sometimes it feels like I’m back in war, with this different mindset that affects my own decisions. This is separate from the person I am now, but sometimes it isn’t. I was taught to always to value life and that difficult decisions would be made. I just never expected it to come up from this,” Kaleb expressed, as he stopped and leaned against a wall, looking at a building from across the street.
“I know the feeling, believe me,” Thunder said. “That mindset put a lot of stress on my children and my friends, and it can be difficult for those who don’t understand. My advice would be to keep talking; don’t close off communication. The conversations are going to be frustrating, but relationships are never easy. There are things that you two don’t know about the other, and they need to be talked about. You’ll both get through this, even if your relationship changes.” She looked at him. “Are we here?”
Kaleb looked out at the brick building, his hand outstretched. “Yes, but something’s off. Do you see a small ripple in the air, or is that just the heat?”
Thunder looked closely. “I don’t…wait, I see that ripple. It’s warm out, but I haven’t seen that with any other building in the city. What do we do?”
Kaleb thought for a moment, reaching into his bag and taking out the camera. “Take a picture. Pinkie Pie has this type of camera, it should print instantly.”
She took a picture of the building, as the polaroid printed out from the front of the camera. She took it and waved it around, looking at the finished picture as it emerged. “You’re right, there is something. It could be magic, but why would it be around his apartment building?”
“I don’t know,” Kaleb answered. “Either way, we need to be careful. If we’re to enter normally, we should go in the front of the building.”
“Good point.” They walked casually across the street, keeping their eyes locked on the apartment building. They passed below the shimmer, and Kaleb felt a change in power through the Force. At the same moment, a Canterlot police pony walked out of the door. Thunder’s eyes widened. “I know him, he took my statement at the station.” She waved to him. “Hey, it’s me, Thunder. Do you have any updates?”
He looked confused. “I don’t think I know you. You should check in with another officer.” He walked away, with Thunder now being the one confused.
“I don’t understand, how could he not recognize me?” She asked.
“Perhaps we’ll find out soon, Thunder. Very soon.” Kaleb answered. They walked into the building, closing the door behind them. It was an older building, with brick walls all around the first floor. There was an office to the left of the stairs, where the landlords were at their desks. “We can ask the landlords, perhaps they know what has happened.”
“I’ll ask the landlords, they’ll probably won’t be as surprised to see me.” Thunder said. “The mailboxes have seen better days, but should still work. Find his.”
Kaleb nodded, and walked towards the mailboxes. Thunder sighed and walked to the open door, knocking. “Hi, I’m looking for a friend of mine. He hasn’t gotten back to me recently, and I’m just wondering where his is. His name is Dr. Bluejay?”
The two landlords looked up at her. They were husband and wife from the looks of it, both Earth Ponies. The husband had tan fur with a light brown mane that reached down over his ears, while the wife had a light green coat with a navy-blue mane that was braided. Their voices had no expression. “We don’t know where he is,” the wife responded. “He’s probably having a great time on vacation. It’s a great time of year to travel.”
The husband chimed in. “It is a great time. We have some work to get done, but you can have a great day.” He closed the door in her face.
Thunder walked back to Kaleb, who was looking at the box of mail. “They don’t know, and they don’t care from the sound of it. What did you find?”
“Lots of mail, it hasn’t been opened or even looked at in weeks,” He observed. “Let’s take a look ourselves, then.”
He started to go up the stairs, and Thunder followed. Both of them moved quietly, but quickly, going up four flights of stairs. The walls were still brick, but changed as soon as they entered onto the desired floor. The hallway had limited lighting, with lime-green walls and only a few lanterns were turned on. Kaleb outstretched his hand, and they moved quietly down the hallway. After a few moments, they arrived at a doorway in the middle of the room.
“This is his apartment,” Kaleb remarked. “Nothing seems to be wrong in this hallway, besides the lighting…”
“Wait, look at this,” Thunder interrupted, pointing to the wall opposite of the door. “The wall looks like it was cracked in a few places, extending down the hallway.” She followed it. “It stops here, but it seems to have been repainted. The shade doesn’t look the same.”
Kaleb turned on some of the lamps. Both of their eyes widened as they saw the wall. The new paint couldn’t cover up the damage, where several high key impacts left zones. “This doesn’t look like regular wear and tear, not unless you were hitting the wall with a bowling ball.” Kaleb turned to the door, putting his hand on it. He tried to open it, but it wouldn’t budge.
“Is it locked? Maybe he kept a spare key.” She checked under the mat, but nothing was there other than dust. “Just don’t break your shoulder trying to look cool.”
Kaleb acknowledged the joke with a respectful nod. “It’s not locked, it’s stuck, hang on.” She began to take quick photos of the hallway. He put all of his weight onto the door and pushed, but it was no avail. He put his hand to the doorknob, but let it hover over. Reaching out to the Force, he pushed both his body and the door with the power, and the door shifted open. Kaleb opened the door slowly, and they were both greeted to a sight they didn’t expect.
It looked like a tornado had gone through Dr. Bluejay’s apartment. Bookshelves had fallen to the floor, broken glass strewn about along various books and magazines. Pieces of silverware scattered across the floor, along with broken plates and glasses.
Kaleb swore, as Thunder’s eyes filled with shock and confusion. “What happened here?”
Kaleb shook his head. “I don’t know. Close the door, make sure that it’s locked.” As she went to the door, he put a hand on the pouch to make sure that his lightsaber was still there. The moment the door locked, he spoke. “There was a fight here. It started out in the hallway, and moved in here.”
“Kaleb, the blood.” Thunder pointed out, keeping her voice as calm as possible. There were spots of dried blood on the floor and all a major impact zone on the wall. “There’s red and green. That can’t be possible for ponies.”
“Not from what I know.” Kaleb responded. “Look at the crater, on the wall. There’s a large concentration of red blood on there. It’s large enough for a pony’s head. Whoever attacked Dr. Bluejay must have bashed his head into the wall. That would have been enough to knock him unconscious, or at least subdue him.”
“My training talks about a lot about glass breaking,” Thunder explained quickly. “Kaleb, the glass from the window was broken from the inside. I can tell from the shatter pattern.”
“Then the intruders were already inside of the apartment when Dr. Bluejay was attacked. There’s no way they could have broken into any other apartments.”
“There’s a lot we don’t know,” she pointed out. “But it seems the police didn’t do their damn jobs, and that the landlords know more than they let on.”
Kaleb paused for a moment. “Whoever did this, they knew exactly what they were doing. The paint that covered up the walls was to cover up the fight. The police would have checked this place immediately after you submitted the report, but there’s no markers to indicate it. We must be the first people to check this apartment. So that leaves the question: why have the police not even entered this place, and why have none of the residents or the landlords come forward or even checked it?”
“I saw inside the landlord’s office. There’s a can of green paint in the corner that seems to match it.” She glared at the door. “I want to ask them some questions.”
“I agree,” Kaleb replied, looking out at the window. “I think that the shimmer in the air has something to do with this. It’s localized to this building. “
Thunder shot Kaleb a disturbed glance. “Do you think…. he’s…deceased?” Her voice faltered a little, but recovered.
Kaleb took another look around. “I don’t know. The perpetrators would have had to transport the body out of the building, and possibly out of Canterlot. It’s not impossible to do, but difficult. Someone would have had to noticed.”
He closed his eyes. He knows about Canterlot’s security, along with being a former member of the Equestrian Guard. I might have sensed someone else when I felt the disturbance in the Force, I need time to reflect. Kaleb opened them. “Let’s assume that he is alive. Even if it gives us the smallest amount of hope, we’ll take it.”
“You know, I was also trained in intelligence,” she pointed out quietly. “And I know that you know more than you’re telling me.”
Kaleb sighed. “You’re right, but I am sworn to secrecy. I couldn’t tell you if I wanted to. Based on what I know, I can tell you there is a chance that he is alive. But I need to know for certain.” He sat down. “Keep your eyes and ears sharp, I need to think.”
Thunder nodded, keeping her focus on the door. Kaleb sat down on the floor, and began to meditate, going into the state within a minute. I need to know for certain, maybe if I look back at that moment. Reaching out to the Force, Kaleb engulfed himself into his memories, examining the disturbance in the Force at the train station. There were voices hushing the female voice, as if trying to silence her. I swear, there could have been another voice. Maybe if I look closer. Kaleb looked deeper, trying to single out her voice. He did so for a few minutes. Damn, I can’t…
Before he knew what was happening, he felt the Force reach out to him, the waves ancient but yet familiar. A male voice reached out to him. Your friend is alive, but in grave danger. You must hurry. Look beneath the path in front of you, and the distrust will always be in the eyes…
The voice faded, and Kaleb snapped out of the meditation. That feeling of the Force…I haven’t felt it since meditating in the deepest chambers of the Jedi Temple. He shook his head, and looked at Thunder. “He’s alive. We need to talk to the landlords now.”
She looked like she was going to ask a question, but shook that out of her head. “Let’s go.” She opened the door, with Kaleb right behind her. They walked at a fast pace down the hallway, the lights almost flicking from their speed. Opening the door, they moved down the stairs at a breakneck pace, Kaleb making sure that his lightsaber was in its pouch. Thunder reached the door first followed by Kaleb by a few seconds.
She opened the door and barged in, slamming her hooves on the desk of the wife. “What do you know about Dr. Bluejay’s disappearance? We saw the apartment, and the paint that you used to cover the wall.”
She seems unphased by the question, and she gazed up at Thunder. “He’s probably on vacation, it’s a good time of year to get out of the city. Isn’t that right, dear?”
“Yes, it is. The sun is just fantastic out, and the flowers are blooming.” The husband looked at the two of them. “There’s this nice little place by the coast…”
“We know you’re stalling, tell us where he is or I swear…” Thunder said quietly. “Do you want me to bring in the police? Because that is what I will do.”
Her threats had no avail, the couple just kept talking about places to go for vacation. Kaleb hung back, observing. His eyes widened. Wait a second… it can’t be. He moved up to Thunder, stopping her from grabbing the stuff off the desk and throwing it. “Wait, they’re not going to talk.”
“Oh, so you just noticed that now?” Thunder replied, glaring at him.
“Not like that,” Kaleb said, more slowly this time. “No matter how hard we try to get them to talk, they won’t. Not even if they are tortured; they will still talk about the weather.” He indicated to the two. “Look at their eyes.”
Thunder gazed into them, and turned her head in slight shock. “They’re blank…almost like their programmed to say the same thing. There’s no expression.”
“Exactly.” A thought raced through his mind. “Something is controlling them. Or someone. I haven’t seen this in a long time.” Not since the Clone Wars…
Thunder looked alarmed. “I don’t know what type of magic is at play, but it’s dangerous.” She noticed a vanilla envelope on one of the desks. “Wait a second, I recognize that. It’s one of the envelopes for the Canterlot Police, but the logo is blacked out.” She took the envelope, handing it to Kaleb. “You don’t think they are recording us?”
He opened the envelope, looking at the contents inside. Shit…this is bad. He closed it shut. “We need to get out of here now. I don’t think they are, but I don’t want to take the risk.” He moved quickly, with Thunder following behind him. Kaleb opened the side window and jumped into an alleyway, stopping to help Thunder. They walked quickly, nearly running as Kaleb navigated through the different areas of Canterlot with ease, keeping his hand out in front of him. He casted a wide range out of the Force, making sure they weren’t being followed.
They continued this way for half an hour, until Kaleb stopped just a few blocks away from the park. “Was it necessary to go this far?”
“It was, believe me.” He opened the envelope, showing her the file. “This is the missing pony report you filed for Dr. Bluejay, filed by the officer who walked by us. He must have dropped off this file so it wouldn’t be found. His eyes had the same expression as the landlords. Look at what is says, at the top.”
“No way…” Thunder read the report quietly. “Case is to be shuttered, by the order of Captain of the Royal Guard Shining Armor and Commander Alpine.” She looked at Kaleb. “Is this related to your…”
“Yes.” He spoke quickly. “Go back to your home, make sure your kids are in. Lock every door and window, close the blinds. Don’t let them go out, and make sure your neighbors do the same.” He cast her a thankful glance. “You have done more than enough, but you and your family could be in danger.”
She nodded. “Please be safe.” She gave him a quick hug. “Watch your back, you never know what’s ahead.” She turned and moved down the street.
Kaleb put the file in his bag, where Thunder’s pictures were nestled safe. He turned in the opposite direction and moved towards the castle. I need to test one thing. Canterlot is in danger, and there is no time to waste.
Keeping one hand to the ground and the other gripping the bag, he sprinted through Canterlot. Kaleb tried not to attract any attention, using every method taught by Master Johanna on how to avoid detection. He snaked his way through smaller streets and alleyways, making his way up to the busier streets. Disappearing into the crowd he slowed down and jumped into groups of ponies like they were boulders in a stream.
He eventually made his way to the gates of the castle, which he ran through as the guards approved his entrance. Stopping just short of the castle doors, he opened them and went through. Just as he was about to move forward, Sweetie Belle ran up to him. “Kaleb, I need to ask you about something…”
“It can wait.” Kaleb looked at her. “There’s something else I need to check first.” He and Sweetie Belle both looked up as they heard shouting from the main dining hall. “Whatever that is, it can’t be good.”
They both followed the shouting to the reception area, where Kaleb recognized the voices of Twilight and Cadance. They slipped in through a side door, and saw what was happening.
Twilight and Cadance were in the center of the room, with the rest of the Mane Six on Cadance’s side. “You’re not the foalsitter I knew! Stop manipulating my friends, and turning my own words against me. All this time, you’ve done nothing but berate them. I am so sick and tired of it.”
“On the contrary, you have brought this on yourself, Twilight.” Cadance hissed. “Accusing me of trying to get to the Elements of Harmony, without the even slightest bit of proof. They’re locked in the tower, only Princess Celestia and Luna have gotten to them. “
The two princesses were behind Cadance as well. Celestia spoke first. “She’s right, I would know if the Elements were in danger.” Luna said nothing, but turned her head towards Kaleb, shooting him a warning glance.
Kaleb drowned out the shouting as he focused in on the surroundings. He focused in on the energies of the remaining Mane 6 and breathed a sigh of relief. They’re not under any type of control. I sensed a certain barrier on the landlords and that police pony, different than the one surrounding the building. That must be around their minds. There’s nothing around Cadence or Twilight, or any of the princesses for that matter.
Those thoughts were interrupted when he noticed Twilight’s horn starting to glow with energy. Knowing what was about to happen, Kaleb was about to move in, but Sweetie Belle was faster. She sprinted forward and outstretched her hoof just as Twilight’s blast flashed light.
There was a bang, and Twilight was pushed back by Sweetie Belle. Kaleb knew that she had used the Force, but it was hidden by the blast. Everyone looked shocked as she spoke. “ENOUGH! Don’t do this, not today.” She looked at Twilight, and then Cadance. “I know my sister, and how stressed she can get. You have done nothing but made snide comments from behind her back. You think I wasn’t listening, but I was. Stop manipulating her.”
“Interesting theory, but do you have any proof?” Cadance said sweetly tinged with bitterness. “Tell me, did anypony else who was working on the dresses hear anything?”
The staff members on the side of the rehersal hall shook their heads. “I’m afraid you have no proof.”
Rarity spoke up. “Sweetie Belle, stop making this up. This is ridiculous, nearly as much as Twilight’s claim. If you don’t stop this, there will be big consequences back home.”
Sweetie Belle’s face turned white, nearly biting back tears. But still, she stood her ground. “Someone once said that they made a promise, to protect others, even at the cost of their life. To help others survive, leading them out of the darkness, just as their master did for the. I shall do the same.”
“Admirable words, but no one will help you now.” Sweetie Belle continued to stand her ground, shaking.
Kaleb hid his shock. That story…it was Ahsoka’s. Those were her words. But how…
His thoughts were interrupted by Shining Armor moving in. “Twilight, what the hell is going on here?” He moved forward. Shining Armor tripped, and Kaleb helped him up. He ignored him and ran over to Cadance. “Did you just attack my fiancé?”
Twilight didn’t have any words. Shining Armor snorted in disgust“By tomorrow morning, you shall leave the castle grounds or be escorted out by force.” A guard pony entered the room. “Alpine, escort Sweetie Belle back to her room.”
Kaleb shot out his arm as Alpine began to move. The Jedi’s face had a veiled anger with his quiet words to the guard. “Stay right where you are.” He put his arm down and moved forward, stopping only a few feet from them. “I do not appreciate my friends being treated this way.”
“Tell me, whose side are you on?” Cadance asked innocently.
“The only side I’m on is one of preventing further harm.” Sweetie Belle ran out of the hall before Kaleb could have a chance. He cursed silently. I can’t afford to give away my position, but I need to say something. I should have spoke out sooner. “If Twilight’s claims are true, then you have a lot to answer for. But with no evidence, I cannot support her claims.” Keeping neutral in public is the only way out of this.
Twilight began to walk out of the hall with defeat. The others watched as she moved out of sight, moving out of the reception hall through the side door. This left only Kaleb, Cadance, Shining Armor, Alpine, Celestia, and Luna. Kaleb spoke. “Forgive my words, but that was the worst thing you could have done for this wedding.” He turned around and walked right out of the hall.
Moving through the hallways, he sighed. Shining Armor is under some type of control, I can tell from his eyes. Alpine isn’t. This keeps getting more complicated by the second. What happened in there was something I did not know about, with Elements and the manipulation of her friends. I need more information. After today, I don’t think contacting Flash is good for his safety. As he turned a corner, he spotted Twilight at a desk by the window, sitting down. She was looking at a blank page. I can’t ask her directly, we would be overheard. Perhaps there is another way.
Kaleb reached out to the Force, noticing Twilight’s consciousness. He moved forward, and started to speak through the Force. Twilight. She jumped, startled a little. Don’t speak, just think your words to me.
So now you’re just beginning to speak up for me? Twilight thought. Unbelievable…
You were right. Kaleb interrupted. Something is going on here, more than either one of us knows. I need more information to confirm a few things, and you have it. I don’t think that Cadance is innocent. If she isn’t directly involved, she knows more than what she says. I had to keep neutral in the reception hall, to not give away my position.
Twilight paused for a moment. I might be a little annoyed at the moment, but I trust you. I’m not sure this is the safest place to talk.
You’re right. Meet me in your Canterlot library at one in the morning. Make sure you are not followed.
Okay, but I still expect an explanation. Stay safe. Kaleb withdrew from her mind, and walked in the opposite direction.
Twilight made her way through the gardens, sneaking around the trees and bushes. Every movement she made had an effect on the environment around her. Bushes and grasses would rustle and rattle, letting off a small hiss as if a cobra lived there. The wind also added to the noise, it’s howls agitating the trees around her. Branches quivered in the wind, illuminated by moonlight.
She checked her pocket watch, thinking. 12:56. I still have four minutes to get to my library. Hopefully, I should still be able to unlock it. She moved silently for two minutes before setting sights on the library. Looking around to make sure she wasn’t being watched, Twilight approached a side door, taking out a key. That’s strange, there’s markings on the lock, almost as if someone tried to blast it off with magic. The locks on the side doors at least were made by Princess Luna, so they’re impervious to magic.
She unlocked the door, cracking it open before slipping inside. She closed it silently, and turned around. All of a sudden, she jumped when a lamp was lit, and turned around to find Kaleb sitting at the table seven feet from the entrance. “What the hay, Kaleb! You nearly scared me half to death.”
“Sorry, it was out of precaution,” he explained with a small smile. “I couldn’t have the lamp on all the time.”
Twilight nodded as she moved to the table and sat down. “I’ll tell you what I know, but you had better tell me everything.”
“I swear, as much as our first interviews…” Kaleb’s voice trailed off. He motioned to Twilight to the side door near the table, and crept around to it. Using the Force, he pulled it open and Twilight dragged the pony on the other side of it inside with her magic and threw him against a bookshelf. The impact made a large thud.
Kaleb realized who the pony was by the moonlight. “Flash, what the hell. I thought I told you to keep hidden.”
“I was, I’m on guard duty for the section all night,” he responded, getting up. “I happened to see you and your friend through the gardens from the sky, and decided to investigate.” He turned to Twilight. “That was a great throw by the way.”
Twilight blushed slightly. “Um…thanks. Sorry about that. I’m Twilight Sparkle.”
“Flash Sentry, it’s nice to meet you.” The two shook hooves, and sat down. “Kaleb, you really should have worn something like a cloak. Your movements are easier to detect from the sky.”
He’s right, Kaleb thought. “We can trust him, for reasons I’ll explain later. Now that we are all here, let’s begin. Twilight, tell me everything you know. I’ll be listening, but also sensing anyone who might be.” He lowered his right hand to the ground.
Twilight took a deep breath. “I had overheard that Cadance had wanted to keep me busy over the next few days. I didn’t know why, all that I knew was she didn’t want me around. I knew that something had to be up. I trailed her over the next few days, casting an illusion with Spike to make it seem like I was around. Early this morning, I saw her walking with Commander Alpine, they were talking about something big, that needed many the guards inside the castle. I followed her, and she approached the tower where the Elements of Harmony were being kept, but it was locked with Princess Celestia’s magic. She vowed to get the Elements and take over Equestria.” She closed her eyes. “I went to confront her right before the setup for the rehearsal dinner.”
Kaleb took all of this in for a few seconds. “Were there any other eyewitnesses other than you?
She shook her head. “No, the tower was defenseless. I think she wanted to get rid of the guards, but couldn’t get in due to the defenses. Princess Celestia was not alerted because the spells weren’t broken.”
Flash looked at her. “Those guards should not have abandoned their posts so easily, and Shining Armor would have been furious if he knew. Or, should have been.”
“I don’t understand why he doesn’t see this,” Twilight wondered aloud. “It’s as if he’s not himself anymore.”
Kaleb turned to them both. “I will tell you what I know, including about Shining Armor, but you must trust me, even with your lives.”
Twilight and Flash nodded nervously. Kaleb began to speak quietly. “Do both of you know Dr. Bluejay?”
“Yes, he was a legendary field medic in the Equestrian Guard before receiving an honorable discharge to become the Princess’s physician,” Flash spoke excitedly, becoming quieter with a glance from Twilight. “He still does medical training with recruits when they come by Canterlot, including with me.”
Twilight’s eyes lit up with recognition. “I do, he helped me out with research here more than a few times. He’s really nice and knowledgeable.”
Kaleb set a file down on the table, as the two ponies looked at him with concern. He opened it, and took out the pictures, setting them in the light. “These were taken today from his apartment. He was reported missing nine weeks ago by my friend, and we went to investigate. However, it was what was found in this missing pony report that disturbed me the most.” He took out the report, setting it on top of the photos. “Twilight, explain to me why this kidnapping investigation was shut down on the orders of your brother and Alpine.”
She looked in shock. “I don’t know…that doesn’t sound like the brother that I knew. Why would he shut this down?”
“With the Force, I could sense that something was off with them. I could see it in their eyes, something I haven’t seen in a very long time.” He listed off the ponies with his fingers. “Shining Armor, the landlords, the police. Their minds were being controlled.”
Twilight’s eyes widened. “That would take a serious amount of magic and skill to pull off. But it is possible. Kaleb, why do I get the sense you’re not telling me everything?”
Kaleb sighed. “I felt a large disturbance in the Force the moment I set foot here. Something felt off, from the animals around the gardens to the citizens of Canterlot keeping off of the streets. I was sworn to secrecy by Princess Luna and ordered to investigate the break-in into this library that happened a few weeks prior. Flash was the only witness who saw what happened.”
Twilight turned to Flash, looking determined. “I’m angry nobody told me, but that’s not important right now. What do you know?”
“I was on patrol when it happened, I watched from afar.” Flash recalled. “It was Alpine and a few of the other guards. They took something in a satchel and ran off away from the Castle. I couldn’t stop them.”
“We need to know what they took from here,” Kaleb added. “Twilight, is there any way you can help?”
She nodded, taking out a list from her saddlebag. “This is a list of every book in this library. If enchanted with a certain spell, it will tell which ones are missing. Every book was returned before I left Canterlot, so that shouldn’t be an issue, and it updates if any are added. It will take a few minutes though.” She stood up, taking a few steps away from the table.
“Take the time you need.” He saw her horn glow along with the parchment. Kaleb put his hand to the ground, sensing the area around them, while looking at Flash seriously. “You shouldn’t have come here; you were supposed to keep hidden.”
Flash shook his head. “There was no way I was going to leave you and your friend defenseless. I could have stayed outside keeping watch, but this I think you have that covered.”
“This isn’t a game,” Kaleb said, allowing his emotions to get the better of him. “You know what Alpine is capable of. I’m not going to let him get to you, I won’t another person get hurt because of my recklessness.”
Flash took a few seconds to take all this in. Glancing at Twilight, he turned back to him and spoke quietly. “Who did you lose?”
Kaleb closed his eyes. “His name was Rogue. He was a brother to me. I couldn’t protect him when he needed me the most.”
“You won’t lose me, I’m not Rogue,” Flash promised. “I’m Flash Sentry, the most protective pegasus in the Royal Guard. Besides, you need someone…”
“I know what they took.” Twilight exclaimed, moving over to them and catching their attention. “After Discord, Princess Celestia sent powerful spell books to this library in an unmarked box. This was to protect them in the last place anyone would think to look. Alpine and the guards took a book in specialized puppetry spells, meaning that they could control large creatures…”
“Like a manticore…” Kaleb’s eyes widened with realization as he looked at Twilight. “Twilight, the night of Hearts and Hooves Day, Fluttershy and I were attacked by a manticore. There was something up with its eyes. It chased us through the forest and retreated the moment I went unconscious.”
Twilight nodded. “We need to find that spell book. Flash, do you have any idea where they could have taken it?”
“They were heading towards the direction of the Library of Magic,” He responded. “There’s no way they would use any of the castle entrances, so that’s where we need to go.” Flash moved towards the side door. “If that’s where we’re going, I need to do quick air recon. I can keep hidden, and see if there are any guards around the area.”
“Okay, do that.” Twilight said. Flash quickly opened and closed the side door, and was gone in an instant. She waited for a few seconds before addressing Kaleb. “That’s why you two separated.”
He nodded. “Fluttershy thought that it was sick and needed treatment. I pulled her away. In her backyard, she pushed me out of the way and I got knocked unconscious. She blamed me for letting it die and not understanding why she needed to protect the animals around her and I.”
“That’s rough,” She acknowleged. “When she walked past me today, she seemed angry at you. She was muttering about you taking my side, but I think that is Cadence’s influence. Kaleb, the puppetry spells are banned magic, due to the danger for whoever is being controlled.”
“What do you mean?”
Twilight took a deep breath. “They would be used in assassinations of wealthy officials. The officials would be poisoned, which would weaken their mind’s defenses. This would allow the spell to easily take over, which would slow down the poison enough for them to hand over bits or deeds to lands. Once the spell was withdrawn, the poison would take over quickly and painfully, killing whoever took it. I think that manticore was poisoned.”
“I see, but I still don’t understand,” Kaleb replied. “If the puppetry spells were used that way, why go through the trouble of using poison on a large creature.”
“It makes the spell easier to cast over a large distance,” Twilight stated simply. “Someone would need to have administered the poison to it a few hours earlier.”
Kaleb looked at her in shock, and took a few moments to reflect. I still don’t understand why the spellcaster attacked me, and retreated after triggering the flashback. I’ll need to think of anything suspicious I saw that day. “Whoever played a part in the manticore’s death will pay. I will be sure of that.”
Flash entered back into the library. “We’re all clear. The library doors are locked and require a key, but I think we can pick it.”
“Flash, even if they went into the Library of Magic, there’s no guarantee we can find that book,” Twilight pointed out. “This list only works inside my library.”
“I think I know where Dr. Bluejay is, but I need to be inside the library.” Kaleb said. “We need to move, now.”
Flash nodded. “Follow behind me. Keep in the shadows. Kaleb sense anything on the ground while I keep an eye out on the sky.”
They all stood up. Following Flash, they moved out of the side door, and crept into the shadows. Kaleb had his hand to the ground as Twilight was between the two of them. The moon barely illuminated their path as they moved into the shadows, heading towards the Library of Magic quickly and quietly. Crickets chirped, covering their steps. Flash kept his ears pricked up at the sky, sensing any movements of wings while Kaleb felt the Force around him.
Within ten minutes, they made their way to a side entrance of the Library of Magic. Kaleb stepped forward. “Allow me.” He put his hand above the padlock, sensing the various mechanisms inside. Using the Force, he moved the inner workings in the right combination to unlock it, setting the padlock down on the grass.
“Show off,” Twilight muttered slightly, to which he let out a small smile. Opening the door, they entered, closing it slightly. Twilight cast a spell, and a small ball of light appeared in front of them, glowing softly. “Where do we go from here?”
Kaleb thought back to the voice we heard. Look beneath the path in front of you, that could mean somewhere underground. But where? Thinking for a few more seconds, he realized exactly what it meant. “The underground tunnels that extend all around Canterlot, that’s where he is. Flash, where’s the nearest entrance?”
He looked surprised that Kaleb knew that. “It’s downstairs, in the archives room. Follow me.” Twilight moved in front of Kaleb and reduced the brightness of the light, following Flash as Kaleb held his hand to the ground. Every step echoed slightly, showing the vastness of the library. Flash opened a side door, leading down a long set of stairs. They went down, showing the archaic carvings on the walls. Finally, they reached another set of doors, going to a small room with a wardrobe. “The wardrobe is the entrance. It’s small but unmarked.”
He opened the wardrobe, and pressed a panel inside. The back walls opened, revealing another set of stone stairs with lanterns lighting the way. They went in, closing the back walls behind them. Their steps echoed even more as they went down, with Kaleb making sure his lightsaber was with him. Continuing for more than fifteen minutes, the three finally reached the bottom, where two paths diverted in separate directions.
Twilight looked at Flash. “Where do we go from here?”
As Flash was trying to explain, Kaleb felt the Force call to him, stronger than any time he was in Canterlot. It showed him a path in his mind. It’s trying to tell me something, I need to investigate. But alone, not with them. “I have an idea.” Both ponies looked at him. “You two take the path going to the right, while I’ll take the path going to the left. Splitting up will allow us to cover more ground.” He reached into his bag and pulled out a holoprojector, handing it to Twilight who took it with her magic. “Contact me the moment you find anything.”
She nodded. “Best of luck to you.” Flash waved, and they started down the path going to the right, eventually being obscured by the darkness.
Kaleb sighed and took out his holoprojector, hooking it to his belt. He started down the other path, moving his hand to the ground. The Force guided him, giving him direction and allowing him to sense all of the animals dwelling in these caves. Whatever I face in these caves, I must be ready.
He continued onward for what seemed to be a half-hour, though it was difficult to keep track of time. As he slowed down, he found the lanterns on the tunnel walls flickering. Putting a hand to his eyes, he moved forward to find himself in a large cavern, with crystals glowing brightly. They were found along the edges of the walls, going upwards, and on all the additional rocks. Kaleb stopped walking, looking at the crystals with curiosity. This must be where the Force was guiding me. It’s strongest here, but why?
Kneeling down, he put his hand over the crystals, nearly touching them. Their bright glow hummed with energy. They seem almost…alive. The Force called out to him, and he realized that it was coming directly from these crystals. Why did they call me?
Kaleb felt the cavern get cold, as he could see the mist of his breath. The glowing light began to fade, and the presence of the Dark Side announced itself. Kaleb heard the presence of footsteps behind him, and rolled to the side, facing whatever was behind him.
A figure his size stood before him, in a large cloak of black. Silent, but imposing. A lightsaber seemed to form out of thin air, two hilts igniting blades of red. As if on a hinge, one of the hilts moved in a semi-circle, creating a double-blade. Beginning to spin the lightsaber at a high speed, it threw it right at Kaleb, the two blades rotating fast.
Kaleb only had time to dodge as the red blades passed right by his own head. What the hell…no time to think. He quickly ignited his own lightsaber, and stood up, facing the figure. “I don’t know who you are, but I will not let you win, not again.” The figure spun the blades around once again, and ran towards Kaleb, who sensed the Force around him, meeting the blades with his own.
He looked as much as he could under the cloak, trying to see the figure’s face. Only darkness met him, and he heard a scream come out from the figure. It was his own. And he knew precisely when it was from. The scream that had been silenced by Master Johanna as she fell by the hand of her own blade.
Kaleb felt himself being pushed by the Force, hitting the ground hard. Struggling to get himself up, he glared at the creature with rage. “How dare you. You use her own death against me. You are not me, and you will never be me. I swear on my own grave, I will kill you.”
The energy had changed as Kaleb felt the darkness of years of anger, hatred, and fear rise up in his soul. He ran towards the creature, feeling it’s own darkness feed him. He struck with malice at every blow, as he felt the creature weaken, as if all the energy was being passed to him. With a final blow, Kaleb spun his lightsaber around, beheading the creature.
Its body fell, and the head rolled, as Kaleb realized in horror what the creature was. The veil fell, and revealed his own head staring back at him. All of a sudden, creatures formed around him, all encased in red, under robes of black and pure white. They all let out his own voice, and ignited lightsabers of red and blue. They all attacked him at once, surrounding him as Kaleb could only find the time to dodge.
He felt his attacks turning more into defenses, as nothing could stop or harm the creatures of red. He felt exhausted with every turn, feeling pinpricks of heat scorch his body. Finally, he felt the odd sensation of coldness surround himself, entering into his own body. Looking down, he saw that he had been stabbed by both the red and blue blades, and lost consciousness.
As he woke up, the creatures attacked again. He tried to defend himself, but it was to no avail. He felt the chill entering his body, and lost consciousness once again.
He had been stuck in this loop, every time resulting in the same outcome, his own death by the stabbing of blades of red and blue. He had died one hundred times, each time feeling his own anger rise as he tried everything he could to stop the creatures with no avail. He couldn’t even try his holoprojector to contact Twilight, for it would not work. Nothing would.
Finally, after dying another twenty times, he realized what the red was. Their own bodes, are covered with blood. He put his lightsaber down on the ground and put his hands up. “STOP!” The creatures froze, listening to his words. “There is darkness, there is light. Blades of red and blue. But all of you are made of blood. All of you speak using my voice, using my own memories. I don’t understand, why are you doing this?
The forms began to dissolve, leaving only two. Their colors changed to one in darkness and one in light, their robes reflecting that change. The blades turned to black and pure white, and they continued to duel each other, caught in an endless loop. Kaleb fell to his hands and knees, exhausted. “I don’t understand.”
“There is much you don’t know, for you were never taught.”
Kaleb stood right up as he saw the figure in front of him. The man was in a Jedi tunic of beige and a robe of brown, surrounded by a blue haze. His long brown hair and beard seemed to flow as he walked, and his blue eyes reflected a sense of calm. “I know you. Though, I don’t know how.”
The figure chuckled. “My apprentice spoke highly of you. Both my apprentices.”
He thought back, and gazed up at the Force ghost in amazement. “You’re Qui-Gon Jinn. Master to Johanna and Obi-Wan. They told me stories about you.”
“Many of which are true, some are exaggerated slightly.” Qui-Gon’s face turned to seriousness. “I once saw the same vision you did, and traveled to a place with powerful light and darkness. Tell me, who are those two dueling in the center?”
Kaleb reflected, and thought for a long time before answering. “They represent the two sides of the Force. Light and darkness, caught in an endless battle.”
“A battle that has raged since the Force was there,” Qui-Gon added with ease. “Everyone who uses the Force is caught in its battle, one that is indicative to its nature. Even you.”
“I feel like I’ve struggled with it for so long,” he admitted. “The battle between my own darkness and the light which I’ve embraced since childhood. My own emotions have been caught up in this, as have my actions.”
The Jedi Master cast a hand, indicating the two fighters. “I have learned that even though it is a battle, they co-exist together. Without one, the other would fall. The tree that won’t bend will snap in the wind. What does this tell you?”
“That I should acknowledge both sides of the Force, and all emotions and actions associated with them.” Kaleb realized, the truth coming to him. “But I don’t want to rely on darkness.”
Qui-Jon turned Kaleb to face him. “I will tell you something that I once told an old friend of mine. It matters.” He took a deep breath. “It matters which side we choose. Even if there will never be more light than darkness. Even if there can be no more joy in the galaxy than there is pain. For every action we undertake, for every word we speak, for every life we touch-it matters. I don’t turn toward the light because it means someday I’ll ‘win’ some sort of cosmic game. I turn toward it because it is the light.”
Kaleb took in those words, and realized something that had been bothering him. “The blood, no matter where it touched, it was always on both sides of light and darkness. Bloodshed for the sake of a perceived balance.”
He nodded, sadness filling his eyes. “Violence for the sake of balance will only lead to darkness. Using darkness for the sake of balance will only lead to darkness. The Jedi were in danger of this, and did not realize it until it was too late.”
“The Clone Wars,” Kaleb acknowledged. “We were on the front lines as generals and soldiers. We ignored our own roles as guardians of peace and harmony, endangering the lives and emotions of those around us.”
“We were not just soldiers, or generals on a battlefield. We were teachers, healers, guardians with a code that made protecting all life the focus.” He paused before continuing. “There will be times where you will be faced with an opponent who will endanger those you care about. They will kill you and those around you, embracing their own darkness.”
Kaleb nodded. “I will always try to compromise and seek peace with my enemies, even if it won’t succeed. If I have to kill, I do so knowing that it will save the lives of those around me who I care for and bring peace. However, I will not revel in bloodshed, for that will lead down a path to darkness.”
A small smile formed on the Jedi Master’s face. “Walk over between the two figures and kneel. Begin to speak the mantra that was taught to you.” Qui-Gon vanished, leaving only the light of the crystals and the two figures.
Kaleb walked over slowly and acknowleged the light and darkness, who held their blades in front of their faces. He kneeled, closing his eyes and reciting the mantra. “I am one with the Force, the Force is one with me. I am one with the Force, the Force is one with me. “
It was the voice he heard, not the words spoken, that brought tears to his eyes. He felt the heat of the blade close to his shoulders. “By the right of the Council, by the will of the Force. Kaleb Taymar, you may rise.”
He rose to find the ghost of Master Johanna, beaming at him. “In my eyes, you did not pass your Trials after my death. But now, I am proud to say, you have passed, and become a Jedi Knight.”
Kaleb wiped the tears from his eyes, and stood before her. “I will make a difference in this world. I will do as you have taught me, as my friends have taught me. Even the smallest amount of kindness, charity, and love can change lives.”
“Your journey in this life has only just begun. The only thing I ask is to pass on what you have learned.” Johanna chuckled slightly. “Sweetie Belle is very much like you. She will make a great apprentice.” With a smile and a hug, she disappeared, along with the two figures.
Kaleb smiled, tears streaming down his face. I know what my path is now.
His expression changed as soon as he heard the beep of the holoprojector. He pressed a button, and a hologram of Twilight appeared. “We found the book, but still no sign of Dr. Bluejay. We’ve been trying to reach you for a while, are you all right?”
“Yeah,” Kaleb said, rubbing the back of his head with embarrassment. “Better than I’ve been for a long time.” At that moment, he heard two voices call, amplified through the Force. “Twilight, I’m going to set the tracker on my holoprojector so that you can find me. Follow my signal.” Without a second notice, he ended the transmission.
The connection to the Force was stronger than before, Kaleb noticed. Not only that, but there was an overwealming amount of power. My Trials must have strengthened my power with the Force, along with my abilities. But that’s not important now. He recognized the voices calling out to him, and started to sprint towards them.
The labyrinth of the tunnels could be overwhelming for someone not familiar, but Kaleb knew precisely where to go. He held his hand to the ground, twisting and turning through various corners and jumping over stairs. Five minutes later, he crouched beneath a half-wall as he heard a sickening voice.
“You know what? My queen has given us orders tonight. We are to kill you, so that the wedding cannot be interrupted.” The voice that spoke had a hissing quality to it, almost like a snake. “It will be a long time coming, not even your pathetic Captain of the Guard can stop us.”
A chill was sent down his spine as he realized the weakened voice was Dr. Bluejay. “I fought you once before, and I will again.” Another voice spoke, but was drowned out by hissing. Kaleb sensed the movement of the two opponents as they began to charge.
Leaping over the half wall, he landed ten feet down with a large thud. “Oh, I don’t think so.”
The two creatures facing him were the size of a pony, black in color with curved horns, and a glowing set of blue eyes and horns. He moved fast, in front of those he was defending, igniting his lightsaber in the process. The two creatures shot green bolts of magic at him. Kaleb moved his blade and met them, surprised that they deflected just like blasters. Knowing he had to end this quickly, he used the Force to push both of them against the wall, knocking them unconscious.
He dodged another bolt that came from behind him, and turned around. Princess Cadance was right behind him, but there was something different. Her coat and mane were disheveled, and the colors faded. There was a threatening look in her eyes, but he realized it was out of defense, not of malice. “Don’t try anything.”
Kaleb turned off the lightsaber and raised his hands into the air. “Princess Cadance?” His mind thought quickly, only to hear a slight moan. “Dr. Bluejay!” He ran over to find the pegasus hunched over against the wall. Checking the pulse, he was relieved to find he was alive. “Thank Faust you’re alive.”
“I’m okay, just give me a few minutes.” Kaleb nodded and turned to Cadance, speaking calmly. “My name is Kaleb Taymar, Jedi Knight. I am here to rescue both you.”
Her eyes flashed in recognition. “Wait a second, he told me about you. Did you come here alone, or…” Her question was answered in that moment as Twilight and Flash sprinted down the stairs towards them.
“We got your signal, we heard magic and…” Twilight looked in shock to find another version of Cadence, but walked towards her, almost with hesitance. “Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake…”
“Clap your hooves and do a little shake…” Cadence finished. She moved her hoof slightly, to find that Twilight flinched. Moving more slowly, she said something in a quiet voice that only Twilight could hear, and the two embraced, hugging tightly. After a few moments, they separated. “You’ve grown, sooner or later you’ll be taller than me.”
Flash moved over to check on Dr. Bluejay, while Twilight quickly filled her in. Kaleb chuckled, making the two of them glance at him. Cadance blushed slightly. “Sorry about that, I didn’t mean to shoot at you back there.”
“It’s okay. Granted, it was the right decision given the circumstance,” Kaleb said. “I don’t mean to interrupt this reunion, but can you tell me what those things are, and how long you have been down here?”
“They’re changelings,” she answered. “They can take the form of any pony, changing their appearance. They feed off of love and other strong emotions. I was imprisoned here back in January by Queen Chrysalis of the changelings.”
They all heard a slight cough, and Dr. Bluejay walked up to them, assisted slightly by Flash. “I was kidnapped from my apartment in March by them, including one named Drogo. I fought him before, a long time ago. He has a scar over one of his eyes.”
Flash’s eyes opened wide. “He’s disguising himself as Alpine. But why would he steal the spell book?”
Cadance responded. “Dr. Bluejay, is Drogo skilled with magic?” He shook his head. “Twilight told me about the spell. The only one who is capable of using magic over that long of a distance would be Chrysalis.”
Kaleb nodded. It makes sense, given the circumstances. But who poisoned the manticore, and why did they attack me? “Right now, we need to figure out what to do now. Shining Armor is currently under a powerful mind control spell from Chrysalis, along with the police. If the changelings infiltrated Canterlot, they would have done so through these tunnels, disguising themselves of the Royal Guard.”
Cadance looked around. “We need to stop her before the wedding ceremony is over. I assume that many of the guards will be guarding the ceremony room, and not the castle itself. Our best chance would be to sneak into the castle as the ceremony is happening, and interrupt it from there. Dr. Bluejay, do you have any suggestions?”
“There will be a lot of innocent ponies in the crossfire.” he added. “We need to figure out a way to allow them time to evacuate, casting a large shield to prevent any attack should do the trick.”
The four discussed amongst themselves their plan, as Kaleb walked over to where the changelings lay on the ground. He felt a wave a sadness shudder through him as he felt their pulses. I only meant to knock them unconscious, not snap their necks. I’ve got to be more careful with these heightened powers, otherwise I could kill someone who I’m trying to protect. He walked back over to the four. “Work together to make a definitive plan. If Chrysalis discovers I’m gone, that would arouse suspicion. I need to get back to the castle. I’ll be at the ceremony, ready for anything that could happen.”
Twilight agreed. “She’ll think I’m gone, and Flash will still be guarding the section. Be careful.” She pulled a paper out of the book and gave it to him. “We found details on the particular poison that could have been used with that spell. It’s made from the leaves of the spinbock flower, far from here. It’s extremely concentrated, and to the point where a few tablespoons can poison a large water source. Luckily, it’s sensitive to light, so it has to be kept in a darkly-colored bottle until its in the source.”
Kaleb took in the information. “There were a few other animals who were found dead around the same time as the manticore. They must have drunk from the same source. Thank you, this is something I will keep an eye out for.”
He started to move, but Dr. Bluejay stopped him for a second. “Kaleb, I appreciate the rescue, but as your doctor, I don’t think being here is the best idea.”
“No,” Kaleb said firmly. “I’m not going to leave my friends to fight alone.” He softened his voice slightly. “Even if I were to try to leave, I would be caught, risking your mission in the process. I know that the PTSD still has an effect, and I figured out ways to counter that. It won’t be easy, but I will not go back into a flashback.”
The pegasus sighed. “Still, I don’t like it, but it looks like there’s no other way. Kaleb, they will not hesitate to kill you or your friends. If you seize up even for a moment, it could cost you your life.”
“I know,” he said. “All that I’m asking is for you to trust me. I’m not fighting this alone, and I won’t take unnecessary risks. I’ve been trained by my master, so I know how to defend myself.”
He nodded. “Just be careful. Afterwards, I think you and I are going to have a lot to talk about.” He moved back to the group.
Kaleb nodded, and moved quickly down one of the tunnels. All of a sudden, he heard a voice cry out through the Force, one that sent his mind into a panic. Oh no… He began sprinting towards the young voice, the Force guiding him.
Sweetie Belle walked with her friends through the gardens, taking a look at the fireflies starting glow in the summer night. Behind her, Apple Bloom, Spike, and Scootaloo stepped quietly, yawning slightly. It was nearly three in the morning, but they had a quiet enthusiasm. Apple Bloom spoke, rubbing her eyes. “Sweetie Belle, I know we said that going to see the baby owls was a good idea, but I’m just so tired. Plus, don’t we have the wedding later today?”
The young unicorn shrugged. “We got some sleep already. Consider this an early wake up call.” Sweetie Belle tried to repress her emotions, to not think about what happened with her sister. I can’t rely on Rarity, or barely even my friends anymore. I care for all of them dearly, but I don’t know after today. Maybe this can bring us closer together. “Besides, I thought you loved seeing baby owls at Sweet Apple Acres.”
“I do, they are adorable. I’ve just never gone out this late at night before,” she replied, with Scootaloo agreeing. “I don’t think Spike has ever seen any.”
He shook his head. “No, I haven’t. The closest I’ve gotten is seeing Owlowiscious. He may be full-grown, but sometimes the way he acts is strange.”
Scootaloo chuckled. “Well, don’t we all, sometimes? Including you and Sweetie Belle.”
The others laughed as Spike objected slightly. “That was different. The Power Ponies board game requires acting to make it real.”
Sweetie Belle came to his defense. “It was true, you needed to be there. Spike was absolutely incredible.” Her own voice was interrupted as she heard rustling and hoof steps. “Quick, hide in here!”
She and her friends moved underneath a nearby bush, peeping through the small leaves. The small clearing appeared empty, aside from the wind whipping through the trees. Apple Bloom spoke quietly. “Maybe it was just the wind playing tricks on us. I’m sure the owls are here somewhere.”
All of a sudden, three Royal guards entered into the clearing, one of them carrying a lantern. Their demeanor suggested one of seriousness, as they stopped in the center. One of the guards looked around with frustration. “It’s the night before the wedding, why do we have to be out here now?”
“Stop complaining, Beved” said the pony, who appeared to be in charge. “We need to make sure that everything is set for tomorrow. What I’m more worried about is those younger changelings who Queen Chrysalis ordered to kill Cadence and Dr. Bluejay. They haven’t reported back in.”
Sweetie Belle and all of her friends looked at each other in shock. They all knew they had to get away from the guards, but couldn’t figure out how.
“They’re probably being lazy, Rock,” the other guard chimed in. “They’re young, it happens. It just cannot happen before the invasion.”
Beved interrupted the both of them. “Will you two keep quiet? You never know who might be listening, even in the shadows.”
Scootaloo tried to sneak away in that moment, moving backwards slowly, but stepped on a twig. The snap crackled through the air, as all three of the guards looked directly towards them, Bevel moving towards the bush. “Whoever is there, come out. There’s no use in hiding.”
He blasted a beam from his horn right at the bush, setting it ablaze and dissolving it in a flash of fire. The group of four jumped out of the bush and into the clearing. They started at the guard ponies with fear slightly. Beved smiled slightly. “I told you we should have been quieter.”
Rock pounced on the four, using his glance to intimidate them. “Why are all of you out here so late? And how much did you hear?”
Scootaloo started to speak. “I swear, we were only trying to search for baby owls. We didn’t hear anything.”
“Exactly,” Apple Bloom added. “We never heard a thing. Some of us wanted to see the owls and wildlife around the gardens.”
The three guards looked at each other, and then all of a sudden moved in a cohesive fashion. The one tackled Apple Bloom and Scootaloo to the ground, putting blindfolds on them. He lassoed their limbs and dragged them to the tree, using another piece of rope to tie them to it, using magic to seal their mouths.
Spike ran in front of Sweetie Belle, breathing green fire at Beved to no avail. The guard dodged the attack easily and pulled out an iron muzzle, fastening it on him. He choked and coughed as he tried to let out fire, but couldn’t. The guard took a large staff and hit Spike right in the head, knocking the dragon unconscious.
Sweetie Belle watched in horror, as this happened so fast that none of them could anticipate it. As Rock was running towards her, she reached out to the Force in panic, using it to push him back slightly. “No, I won’t let you hurt them.”
“I’m afraid we just did,” Rock said with menace. “Hail took out your two pals with his ropework, and Beved knocked out your friend. Even if he was conscious, that iron muzzle would keep his mutt trap shut.”
“Don’t you dare talk about Spike like that!” she shouted, hoping that someone would hear. “You attacked my friends, I won’t let you get away with this.”
“Your name is Sweetie Belle, right?” Beved added, causing her to look at him. “We heard about your little exploit in the rehearsal hall. You disrespected our queen, and for that you must pay.”
Hail jumped on this. “Your own sister doesn’t even believe you, what makes you think that she would ever want you now?Don’t think she’s going to come and save you.”
Sweetie Belle began to shake, blinking back tears. “You don’t know a thing about me. You hurt my friends, you insult my sister. I…won’t let you get away with this.”
“What are you going to do, kill us?” Rock said with a quiet smile. “You’re surrounded three to one. I think it’s about time you joined your other friends.”
As Beved and Hail charged at her, Sweetie Belle tapped into the Force, her conflicted emotions of fear and anger getting the better of her. She let out a cry of anger, and waved her own hoof. The two ponies got thrown into the air, almost by an invisible wind, and hit a tree trunk hard. They landed on the ground, taking only a minute to get back up.
Tremors wracked her body as she realized the power of what she had done. There was a coldness inside of her, a darkness that she hated with every bone in her body. What is this power... I don’t like it. Before she knew it, Rock had tackled her to the ground, putting a leg to her neck and dragging her up.
“You think that you are powerful, but you are nothing. You will always be nothing,” he hissed, as tears streamed down her face. “I’m going to drag you to your friends, tied up to that tree and remove their blindfolds. I think they should see me snap your pretty little neck. Nobody will even know who you are. You are alone.”
“You’re wrong.”
Rock loosened her grip on her as she gasped. Kaleb stood right in front of them, approximately twelve feet away. He used the Force to pull the lightsaber out, holding it in one hand at the ready unignited. “A Jedi is never alone.”
“So then, the savior has come at last?” Rock said mockingly. “After standing by and doing nothing yesterday. You care for no one.”
“Let her go,” Kaleb stated with a reserved anger. He lingered on every word. “These children are innocent. Don’t lecture me about caring for anyone. You harmed them in your quest for war, which is blinded by hatred.”
“Let go of the weapon, or she dies,” he said. “How about a fair trade? Your life for hers.”
He slowly set his weapon on the ground, knowing he had to end this quickly. He reached out to Sweetie Belle to the Force, feeling her mind wrapped with fear. He spoke to her in as calm of a voice as he could. Close your eyes. Don’t open them until I tell you.
She couldn’t nod but closed her eyes. He knew what he was about to do was risky, but he had only one shot. Kaleb uttered a quick thought. Ahsoka, give me strength.
It happened in an instant. He pulled the hilt up with the Force, rotating it in a semi-circle so the blade faced away from his opponents. He ignited the lightsaber the moment the hilt touched his hand. Using the power of the Force and his arm, he threw the blade, controlling the speed of the spinning blade and the path. He launched himself at Rock, as the blade made contact with the other guard’s chest before hitting Rock’s.
Sweetie Belle felt a rush of energy for only a few seconds, before feeling Kaleb catch her in his arms. The humming blade disappeared, and the hilt returned to Kaleb’s hand. She opened her eyes and tears came streaming out, followed by tremors. He spoke softly to her, feeling every emotion magnified. “I got you, I got you, You’re safe. You and your friends are safe.”
They were like this for a few minutes, before she regained composure, still having some tremors. She moved away from him slightly, and tried to look but Kaleb blocked her vision. “Just keep your eyes on me. We’ll move together.” He lifted her up, and carried her over to Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. They were gasping for air, as their voices were weak from the magic. Undoing their bonds and blindfolds, he looked at them with concern. “Stay right here, I’m only going back into the clearing to get Spike. Don’t look back.”
He moved over to Spike, who was laying on the ground unconscious. Feeling his pulse, Kaleb breathed a sigh of relief. He put his hand over the muzzle, unlocking it, and scooping the dragon into his arms. They were killed the moment the blade hit them. I tried to reason with them, but her life could have been ended at any moment. I didn’t resort to darkness, I only killed to protect those I care about.
Telling himself that made Kaleb feel better slightly, but was still disturbed. He knelt down to all three ponies, who were trembling, and moved in, almost for a hug. “It’s not safe here. Follow me, and I will take you to somewhere safe and secure.” He stood up, the three ponies reaching up to his knees. He moved quickly, but quietly.
The three stayed close to him as he led them away from the clearing, out of the gardens. They huddled to him, almost for warmth, but also security. It took fifteen minutes for them to reach the bunker, and Kaleb took out the key. One hand to the ground, he felt nobody following them, or watching. He used the other hand to unlock the door, as the trio sprinted inside.
The moment Kaleb closed the door, he locked it. He turned on a small light, illuminating the living room a warm glow, and set Spike down on the small couch. He knelt down, and the CMC launched themselves into his arms, hugging him tightly. Every small tremor and tear was felt by all four, and they shared emotions not expressed by words. Finally, they let go of him, wiping their tears. “Kaleb…are we safe…” Apple Bloom began.
“All of you are safe here.” He held up a key. “This bunker was enchanted by Princess Luna herself, and this is the only key that can open it. Nobody can get in here but me.”
“What’s happening?” Scootaloo asked. “Please, all we want is the truth.”
Kaleb nodded, choosing his words carefully. “Right now, Canterlot is in grave danger. Those guards were not who they really are. I know I seem vague, but there’s no time to explain. Tomorrow, this castle will become a warzone, and this is the only safe place for all of you.” He added another thought with guilt. “I’m sorry. I ran as fast as I could the moment I heard your voices. If only I had been a little quicker, you wouldn’t have been attacked.”
Sweetie Belle shook her head. “You saved us, that’s all that matters.” She spoke with a strength that surprised even Kaleb. “We’re all together and safe, that’s what matters.”
Their conversation was interrupted by a cough, as Spike awoke, spluttering smoke. Kaleb moved quickly over to him, as Spike tried to get up and fight. “It’s Kaleb. Don’t get up, you’re badly hurt. You’re safe here.” He turned to the three. “There’s an ice pack and a first-aid kit in the kitchen. I need your help.”
All three moved to the kitchen, turning on the light. Spike looked around. “What…happened? And why does my head hurt so much?”
“You were knocked unconscious. Also, your breath might be weak due to the muzzle.” Kaleb moved his hand onto Spike’s head. “It’s swelling, but it should go down. The staff must have been heavy, but hit at a slow speed.”
Sweetie Belle ran there first with the bandages, as Scootaloo and Apple Bloom brought the ice pack and first aid kit. Kaleb applied the bandages lightly around his head before handing him an ice pack. “Keep this on your head, it will reduce the swelling. You should try and get some rest now.”
Spike was too exhausted to respond, as he lay back down with the ice pack his head and closed his eyes. Kaleb turned to the three ponies. “That goes for all of you as well. I’ll be right in the kitchen for a few hours before having to leave.”
The three nodded, slowly heading to the other couch, and throwing the blanket on themselves before he turned out the light.
Sweetie Belle could barely sleep, as her mind was filled with the thoughts and experiences that had happened within the past few hours. She gazed on her friends asleep, before carefully getting off the couch. She snuck around, seeing that Spike’s ice pack had fallen from his head. I just need someone to talk to. She picked up the ice pack, and gazed at Spike, remembering how he jumped in front of her only a few hours ago as he breathed gently in his sleep. She kissed him gently on the forehead before setting the ice pack back.
Kaleb was surprised to see her enter the kitchen and take a seat at the table. “Couldn’t sleep?”
“Afraid not,” she replied, speaking with hesitance. “A lot has happened, and part of me doesn’t know how to feel. First the vision, the rehearsal hall, and now this. I just hope that Spike is going to be okay, that all my friends are.”
He nodded. “Spike probably has a minor concussion, but he will be fine physically. We often try to bury our emotion, but we shouldn’t.” His mind caught up to him. “Sweetie Belle…”
“Who is Ahsoka?” She asked, explaining the rest with a simple confusion. “There was a vision through the Force, she was comforting some children and she said that she knew you. Please, I need to know.”
Kaleb tried not to give away that he was uncomfortable, but she noticed from the expression of guilt on his face. “She was a friend of mine, another apprentice. We went on missions together…” He looked for a way out. “There’s something that I…think you would be interested in. It’s in the garage.”
He stood up, and she followed. Opening the door gently, he turned on the light and closed it. Sweetie Belle gasped as she gazed upon the ship, even bigger to her than Kaleb could see. The blue-and white color scheme stood out among the grayness of the garage. “Is this…yours?”
Kaleb nodded, breathing a sigh of relief as he avoided the question. “The same type, at least. Princess Luna saved it from major damage. I was working on this all through December. It took quite the effort.”
Sweetie Belle jumped up onto a stool, looking at the stuff on the work bench. It was the electronics that drew her to it. “What’s all of this? It’s probably important.”
As he explained the communication equipment, she took a look closer. She was drawn to it, but she didn’t know why. There was something interesting about it, almost alive. All of a sudden, she jumped as a light bounced one of the lenses, creating a perfect image of someone a few years older than Kaleb. She smiled in excitement, as she saw the figure in Jedi robes and a tunic. But as she heard the message, that smile slowly faded into confusion, denial, and even sadness.
This is Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. I regret to report that both our Jedi Order and our Republic have fallen, with the dark shadow of the Empire rising to take their place. This message is a warning and reminder for any surviving Jedi; trust in the Force. Do not return to the Temple. That time is passed, and our future is uncertain. Avoid Coruscant. Avoid detection. Be secret…but be strong. We will each be challenged; our trust, our faith, our friendships. But we must persevere and, in time, I believe a new hope will emerge. May the Force be with you always.
Kaleb looked in shock at the message as it ended. Master Kenobi… He noticed that Sweetie Belle was swaying slightly, and he picked her up and put her a chair, as he sat down on the other.
“I…don’t understand,” she said quietly, still trying to regain her thoughts. “What was that…”
Kaleb realized that he could no shield her from the truth. “I never told you…why I came here, or anything about those three years. It looks like I can no longer hide that…”
She looked at him, with a neutral expression, almost as if judging his words as he began. “I was fifteen, only a few years older than you are now. There was a battle on another planet, and before long a war began. It lasted for three years, the longest in my life. It started out simple, but got more complicated and dangerous as it went on. I saw others die, some who I tried to save, others where I could do nothing but watch. I was ordered to kill, without fully knowing the toll it would take. I was captured and tortured for months.”
The words just came pouring out, though he did it as slowly as he could. “I watched my own Master die, only a few months before I arrived here.”
Her expression was a quiet shock muddled by sadness as he recounted it. “Master Kenobi spoke about something that happened, that seemed to end the war. Our own troops turned against us. I saw the Temple in flames, to find the aftermath. All of the Jedi were killed by them, not even the children were spared.” He coughed slightly. “I grabbed the nearest Jedi Starfighter and flew away from Coruscant. I went through a portal while escaping the troops that fired on me. Before I knew it, I went unconscious and woke up in Canterlot.”
Sweetie Belle moved her chair closer to his, on the verge of tears as she asked the question. “Did…Ahsoka… survive…?”
“I don’t know…” Sweetie Belle launched him into a hug tightly, as she began to cry quietly. Kaleb shared in her pain, remembering everyone who he had lost. “The two of you are so alike, I know she would be proud of you. Part of me believes that she did survive, that she fought with everything she had to live.”
“In my vision, she mentioned that you were right about something. What was it?” Sweetie Belle asked, calming herself down.
“That the children of the galaxy would be affected by this war, in more ways than anyone can imagine.” Kaleb remembered, closing his eyes. “It was a conversation we had early on. I didn’t know that I would be predicting my own fate. Or all of yours.”
He opened his eyes, standing up before sitting back down. “That’s why I made sure none of you saw what became of those who attacked you. The next few months are going to be hard on all of you. Emotional scars are more painful than the physical ones, they last longer. I will make sure that all of you get the help you need.”
She nodded hesitantly. “Thank you, but there’s something else. I felt something terrible when I tried to defend my friends. It was this darkness that took hold of my emotions, and wouldn’t let go. It was part of the Force, but I didn’t like it.” Her ears drooped. “It’s my fault.”
Kale responded immediately. “No, this isn’t your fault. It’s mine. When I first saw the Force had awakened in you, I was scared. Terrified, even. I didn’t want you to experience the same things I did while in the war. I was going through treatment for my own trauma at the time. I did my best to keep you satisfied, but I knew it would only be a matter of time before something happened because of my own mistake.”
Sweetie Belle thought for a few moments before responding. “I understand why you did, though. After going through all of that, I can’t blame you for trying to protect me. But I guess that danger always finds us, no matter where we go.” They sat together in silence for a few moments. She got off of the chair and sat on the floor, with Kaleb doing the same. “You said in the clearing that a Jedi is never alone. What did you mean?”
He closed his eyes for a moment, choosing his words before opening them. “The Force connects us all, no matter who we are. You are connected to me, and I to you through its power. Not only that, but you are connected to the generations before you.” Sweetie Belle’s expression turned wonderous at his next phrase. “You’re a lot like Ahsoka, and me for that matter. I have a special connection to the animals around me, just like you.”
She realized something, speaking it quietly as if to herself. “We both need each other. I need you for guidance with the Force, and you need me for emotional reassurance that these ways will not die out, but live on. That relationship, it’s almost…”
“Like a Master and apprentice,” Kaleb finished, adding another part with hesitance. “If that is what you still want. I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t, after all of this.” Her eyes widened as he continued to speak. “The stories I told you, in those afternoons, were before the war. I was trained and prepared for them, and almost always under supervision. Even if there was danger, Master Johanna was there to help, to protect and guide me as I learned.”
She thought for more than a few moments, taking his words in carefully. Looking at the garage door, as if at her friends, her mind buzzed with thoughts. I need to protect my friends, my family. Even in all the darkness in the world, Kaleb is still trying to fight it. She made her decision. “I want to be your apprentice, even though I’m still scared. The dark feelings that I felt, it was as if my fear and anger were amplified and I couldn’t do anything to stop them. I want to use the Force to change the world, but not through that.”
“And you won’t have to,” Kaleb finished. “I can teach you a better path. Denying that power is there will make it stronger, but never act on it. Your safety and well-being will always be my top priority.” He looked at the clock, standing up. “I need to start getting back to the castle. Just before it’s light out.”
“You’re a better guardian to me than Rarity ever was,” she replied. “Take me with you. I’ll do everything you say.”
Sighing, he turned around. “Rarity’s mind is being twisted by the same one whose guards attacked you.” She looked at him in shock, almost regretting her words. “You have a right to be frustrated, but try to understand that she isn’t herself. She loves you, she always has. It hurts just as much to see Fluttershy that way.”
She mumbled an apology. “I know she does, and we were on a good path yesterday. Her words in the rehearsal hall just stung more than any.”
“She’ll know that, and understand. Besides, I’ll need to talk to her after all of this. About many things.” Kaleb knelt down, hushing his voice. “We both know that I can’t take you with me. But I need you to look after your friends, here. I can’t be everywhere at once or protect everyone. They need someone to trust and rely on.”
They both left the garage and moved back into the main living room. Kaleb made sure that he still had the key, and knelt down. She gave him a hug, as he said those words quietly. “May the Force be with you, always.”
She mouthed the words back, trying not to disturb her friends. Kaleb slipped through the door, and heard Sweetie Belle lock it as he went into the dark before the dawn.
As the morning sun creaked through the windows, the castle was bustling with movement. The cooks were preparing their meals, various dishes made from the freshest fruit and vegetables, with local grains harvested from around the region. Servants were making sure that everything was set, from cleaning the castle to the last-minute setting of decorations. Guests from around Equestria came to see this wedding, having traveled far and wide. They were all friends of the bride and groom of course. Everyone came to see this wedding. But there will be only one in this hall, at the start of a ceremony, that will know a battle will begin.
Kaleb sat meditating in the sunlight of the window, the warmth surrounding his chest as he wore only his pants and boots. In the back of his mind, the words of Master Kenobi echoed, but he knew that would be dealt with later. He breathed in and out, sensing animals all in the gardens leaving, from the squirrels sneaking out through the gates to the birds flying out into the city.
Even the animals can sense the danger. Moving over to his bed, he began to put on the Jedi robes. The undertunic came first, followed by the overtunic. After putting on the tabard, he tied the sash tightly around his waist. Clipping the belt in place, he glanced at the lightsaber on the nightstand. The pouch will only slow me down with the robes. He clipped the hilt to his belt. He went over to the hook on the wall and took the outer robe, coving the beige tunic in navy blue.
Kaleb went over to the mirror, looking at himself and thinking. Hopefully my cover story of wearing these for ceremonial reasons will hold true. The lightsaber may be visible if the robes are set a certain way, but I can use the story for that as well. Everything feels different after last night, but I’ll have to get used to officially being a Jedi Knight.
He looked at the time. The wedding starts in an hour. Most of the guests will arrive in the hall with forty-five minutes until the ceremony starts. I should blend in with them, to avoid suspicion. The key to this plan is secrecy. Kaleb double-checked the communicator in the small snapped pocket of his tunic. There was still no response. Putting it back, he went out of the room, closing it on the way as he entered the hallway.
Kaleb moved quietly, but quickly as he put the hood of the robe up. For the most part, he avoided the busier hallways, except for one where he had to cross. Walking past the hall where the ceremony would take place, he moved up a small set of stairs to another set of guest rooms. After turning a corner, he found himself in front of a door, knocking. I need to try to make things right.
Rainbow Dash popped her head out of the door, lowering her voice. “Kaleb, what are you doing here?”
“Is Fluttershy in? I need to talk to her,” Kaleb asked, silently hoping she was.
“Yeah, I’ll give you two the room.” She slipped out past him in her dress and flew down the hallway.
Surprised about the cooperation, he entered the room, closing the door behind him silently. The curtains were partially open by a few inches, letting in a small amount of light. Fluttershy at a desk near the window, looking over what appeared to be music for the songbirds. She faced the opposite direction, so she did not see him enter. Her pink mane was slightly disheveled, and it was hard to see the rest of her dress in the limited light. “Fluttershy.”
She looked up slightly, realizing where the voice was coming from. But she ignored it and went back to her work. Kaleb glanced around the room. I guess I expected that reaction. Still, I need to try.
He lowered the hood, sighing softly before speaking. “I know you are angry at me. Your feelings are valid. Things haven’t been right since that night, or even longer ago. And, I’m sorry, for everything that has happened.”
Kaleb almost told her about his conversation with Thunder, but stopped himself. Maybe it’s time that I stop talking, and listen. Or at least show it. “There was a story, once I heard from someone. It was about a pony who found comfort in the animals around her, after falling from the sky. She showed them kindness in return, and she was given her cutie mark. From that day forward, she helped all of the animals and creatures around her, showing them the kindness given to her. She lived in a small town, near the forest.”
The thoughts he said had been reflected on for a long time. “These animals mean much more to you than it appears to others around you. They are a family that took care of you when you hurt, and showed you kindness, as you did in return. Every creature in the forest was impacted by your actions, and have tried to show kindness in their own lives. You showed courage in being stern, but still kind in your intent to those in conflict in others, from timberwolves to a dragon on a mountain.” He closed his eyes, pausing before opening them. “Even to a raging manticore, you showed kindness, that I didn’t even recognize in my panic. Your own philosophy is to protect the animals and creatures around you, to show them empathy, for even a little bit can change the world.”
He saw her head look up, still staring at the window as he spoke. “It must have hurt, experiencing the death of a creature under your care. It may even have been the first time. I don’t know how you feel, your experience and emotions are your own. But know that I sympathize, for nobody should have to go through this alone. Grief takes time, and we heal in our own ways.” Kaleb paused, but he heard no response. “I’m sorry for disturbing you, I should go.” He turned around and moved towards the door.
Hoofsteps indicated Fluttershy’s movement. “Wait.” Kaleb turned around, as they faced each other for the first time. She wore a dark pink dress, decorated with embroidered flowers containing two shades of periwinkle. The dress met at her neck with a large butterfly broach, with a small crown of periwinkle flowers in her mane. She stared at him, examining his face with a neutral expression before finally speaking after a minute. “You’ve… changed. There’s something different about you.”
“I figured out who I am, or who I was. Though, it took a great deal of time.” He looked at her. “I’m going to fall silent now, and listen to what you have to say.” Kaleb took a seat on one of the chairs, with her doing the same.
Fluttershy took two minutes, glancing at the floor before looking up at him. “Right now, there’s a lot going through my head. It’s been this way the past few weeks. On top of this wedding and everything with that, there’s the first time that an animal has ever died under my watch. I don’t even know which stage of grief I’m on.” She let out choked, grim laugh, holding back tears. “Part of me is denying that it ever happened, while the other part is bargaining with the forest. The two other parts of me are depressed, wanting to give up on caring for them if they’re going to die anyway. And the last part is angry at the world right now, but it always is directed at the both of us.”
She closed her eyes for a moment, as if trying to clear her head. “Part of me is blames you for its death, but I feel like I am still responsible. There’s this voice inside my head that keeps shifting the blame. I wish I knew what truly happened.”
“Everything dies in the end. It’s how we remember them, and how we continue on their legacy. “He sighed, remembering his conversation with Thunder. “That voice doesn’t go away. It takes time, even years. I caused harm to the manticore, and to you. It’s the truth, and it will be in my mind for a very long time.” He looked at her with compassion. “I am deeply sorry for causing harm, and I will give everything I have for the rest of my life to repent for my actions.”
Fluttershy nodded, taking a few seconds to think. “I know that I need professional help to get through this. It’s impacted both of us, even if we don’t realize it.” She looked out at the window, before looking back at him and shaking her mane to clear her thoughts. “You know, I haven’t seen you in those clothes since the day we first met.”
“I still remember the sound of the hummingbirds.” Kaleb said. Remembering the manticore, his mind was uneasy even as he breathed deeply.
She saw this, giving him a look of compassion for the first time in a while. “Thank you for making me realize I’m not alone in this.” She glanced at the desk. “I don’t think I’ll get the new music done in time…not after what happened last night.”
Kaleb’s mind went into a slight alarm. “Fluttershy, what happened?”
“Princess Cadence…she threw the music I had arranged in the fire and said to rewrite everything. Otherwise I would no longer be her bridesmare.” Fluttershy hesitated. “She yelled at me. Twilight was right about her manipulation. I wish she was here so I can apologize. Part of me wants to go to the ceremony, but the other part is afraid.”
He used shock to hide his anger at the false princess. “I’ll be by your side the entire time, if you go. You’re not alone.” Kaleb silently prayed that she wouldn’t go, thinking of the battle about to happen.
He hid his emotions when she chose to go. “Just let me readjust my mane, and I’ll go.” She fixed her mane, as he frantically thought of any reason she can stay. But it was to no avail. Everything has to seem normal…
She got up, and the two of them started to walk towards the door, but Kaleb stopped. We both have a chance of dying today. “Wait.” Fluttershy looked back at him. “I want you to know that meeting you changed my life, for the better. Thank you.”
“Kaleb, what are you saying?” she asked, with slight fear and suspicion. “Something tells me you’re not telling me everything.”
I can’t let her know, not this close to the wedding. But she deserves more than that explanation. “It’s something I’ve been pondering on for a while. In case something happens in the future, I want you to know that.”
She nodded uneasily. “I’m deeply worried for the CMC and Spike. I know that things have been tense between Sweetie Belle and Rarity, but I didn’t imagine it would go this far.”
“They’re okay, right now. Though, they won’t be at the ceremony.” He replied. Fluttershy gave him small glance of suspicion. “But I’m going to assume you’re not satisfied with that answer.”
She lowered her voice. “Twilight is gone, and the rest of my friends aren’t themselves. I know that something is happening, and I think you know as well.”
Kaleb didn’t try to deny it. He glanced out at the door. Part of being a Jedi is making the difficult choices. If I tell her everything, it would be a violation of my code and the mission Luna entrusted to me. This time, I can’t let my emotions cloud my judgement. But I won’t forget my emotional attachments: I’m doing this to protect my friends, to protect Equestria, and to protect the pony I love.
He looked at her. “I’m going to ask one thing of you today, even though it might be difficult. I need you to trust me, even if you have reasons not to. If you don’t trust me, then put your trust in the Force.”
Fluttershy examined his words and expression, looking for any signs of deception. After a tense minute, she responded. “Even though I’m hesitant, I’m putting my trust in you. But with both eyes and ears open.”
Kaleb understood her meaning as he nodded. “We should go find our seats.” Opening the door for Fluttershy, he closed it and they walked together, ever more cautiously than normal. After winding their way through the staircases, they found the main hall. Fluttershy stopped him, as she pulled him aside to a staircase.
“Kaleb…there’s something I need to tell you. Darn, I should have told you in the room.”
He paused, looking at her. “I can tell if we are being listened to. You have nothing to fear.”
She took a deep breath before speaking quietly. “Our waiter, during dinner at Café Hay, looked nearly identical to Alpine. He even had the same scar and everything. It sounds insane, but I think he was in Ponyville that night.”
Kaleb hid his reaction. If Drogo was there, he must have poisoned the manticore. The poison might still be on him. “You may be right. Whatever you do, stay close to me.”
“Fluttershy, you can go ahead. Kaleb, a word?” Alpine walked towards them, and indicated towards a small hallway. She instantly moved away, and Kaleb put himself between them.
“Wait for me by the entrance. This will only take a second.” He smiled, trying to keep her calm. She nodded and went on ahead. As the two went into the hallway, it only took two seconds for Kaleb to reveal the hilt, pressing it against his armor. “Move and this blade will ignite between your ribs.”
He only smiled. “But you wouldn’t do that, not right before the wedding. The funny thing is, when a group moves at night, my guards will take notice. And do their jobs well.”
“And when a group calls for help, a knight answers.” Kaleb replied. “Cut the crap. You ordered the attack against them. On top of kidnapping, attempted assassination, and animal cruelty. What are you planning?”
Alpine’s calmness only disturbed Kaleb even further. “It’s not my plan, so it’s not my place to say. I meant only to kill those children as a message to the Element Bearers, but then you came and complicated things.” He sighed. “I don’t think I’ll try again, at least until their sisters are watching.”
“This is your only warning.” Kaleb said with an undertone. “Attack anyone, and I won’t hesitate to take you down.”
“Well, I don’t be the one attacking. Not yet at least.” He let out a small chuckle. “I want to know my opponent before their demise. That’s why I talked to you. It won’t be a long battle. It will end within a few moments, in that very room.” He walked away quickly, and was gone before Kaleb could say anything.
In the silence of that corner, Kaleb pocketed the blue vial of poison. Got it. At least I know for sure. He walked back to Fluttershy. “It was nothing, just double checking something. Let’s go.”
They walked together towards the main hall, noticing the two guards on each side. The wedding had changed the room, for there were large pews that stood on both sides of the room.
The two of them sat down in a middle pew, closest to the opening, and looked around the room. The other guests got into their seats. Fluttershy looked at his robes. “I didn’t know you brought those. Why are you wearing them?”
“For ceremonial reasons, mainly.” Kaleb replied. He was looking around the room with his eyes, not moving his neck as he took notice of every exit and guard. Three exits in this room. Two smaller ones on each side of the walls and the main large one in back. Out of the twenty guards here, six are guarding the entrances. Three ventilation shafts on the ceiling with one on each wall. They’re too small for evacuations exits, only a child or a small pony could fit in there. The only possible exits are the three doors and the windows. Those should be a last resort, given our altitude. Guards are armed with staffs and swords. Probably a few with hidden daggers.
As he went through his observations, he noticed a few of the guests starting to sit down. He glanced at the clock on one of the walls, noticing it was only five minutes towards the ceremony. A small giggle caught his ear, as he noticed a group of eight, fillies and colts, sitting right in their row. He looked around and counted at least six more children on the other side. They’re right in the crossfire. Whatever shield spell the group casts should cause a large enough diversion. But I didn’t expect this many to be here. Damnit, I need to change plans and tell her, just enough to let her in.
He made a decision. He tapped Fluttershy on the shoulder. “What is it?”
“Remember that time when I balanced the birdseed cakes when I met you? Juggling but with the air.” Kaleb used the Force to reach out to her mind, more familiar than the last time with Discord. The Force has many abilities, including telepathy. Look forward, not at me, and try not to move.
She jumped slightly, turning her head at him before looking forward. This is how you spoke to me in Discord’s maze, isn’t it? Why are you doing this?
It is. He took a breath before. To answer a question, and perhaps more. I wear these robes because of ceremony, and because I swore an oath. As a guardian of peace and harmony, I will protect those around me from harm. There are fifty guests in this room, fourteen of which are children, and eight which are in our row. Meaning, if someone meant to do harm to send a message, this would be the place to strike.
Fluttershy tried to keep her voice even, though it was difficult. What do you mean?
Kaleb kept his eyes forward. Alpine is going to try and kill everyone here. He’s responsible for several attempted assassinations, along with kidnapping and torture. That’s all I can tell you.
He heard her gasp in her mind. Please, trust me. Do you believe me?
I do. She responded. We need to tell Celestia and Luna, before he strikes again.
We can’t. He’ll know. Like I said before, there are fourteen children, eight right near us. They’re going to be caught in the crossfire. Make sure if something happens, they duck behind the pews. It will happen, but we can save their lives.
She shuddered. Who would do such a horrible and cruel thing?
We won’t be alone. Backup is on the way. She glanced at him with confusion, before looking forward. They will cast a shield charm, and take over from there. We’re the first line of defense, in case they don’t get here in time. This will not be a repeat of Mandalore. We need to be present now, but I believe in you.
And I believe in you to protect them.
Kaleb nodded, and the ceremony started. The trumpets rang out, and everyone stood up. The doors opened, and Cadance and Shining Armor walked out. She wore a white wedding dress, while he walked slowly in his dress uniform. Everyone sat down as they reached the altar, and Kaleb sat down, his left hand open and to the ground. I should be able to track anyone moving.
As the minister spoke, Kaleb faced his head forward, but his eyes were darting around the room. The Force flowed through him, as the sixth sense could tell what was going on. As the minutes dragged on, and the ceremony came closer and closer to the final kiss, he wondered what was going on. No movement so far, and no attacks on the crowd. If they’re going to come, now would be the time. I just hope they get here…
Kaleb sensed them mere moments beforehand.
Just as the words were about to be spoken, the doors burst open as the real Cadance, Twilight, Flash, and Dr. Bluejay ran through. Everyone turned to the newcomers and gazed in shock, including the rest of the Mane Six. Fluttershy looked to the real Cadance, then to Kaleb in shock before the turning to the children telling them to duck, which they did immediately, as if sensing the danger.
Twilight and Cadance’s horns begin to light, as if to cast the shield spell. The false Cadance was faster, her eyes turning green and threw a magic bolt of green at them. It blinded the hall, but not the Force.
Twilight breathed heavily as she saw the magic bolt stretched out, frozen in front of the two of them. Kaleb ‘s arm was outstretched, as he had stopped it right in his tracks using the Force. It took nearly all of his strength to keep it frozen in place, and more to bend it slightly His breathing was ragged, sweat dripping onto his face. Finally, he released it and the bolt hit the wall with a large bang.
The bride on the other side narrowed her eyes at Kaleb and the newcomers. “Kill them.”
The guards nearest Kaleb first fired at Fluttershy. She felt herself being pushed back as Kaleb moved in front of her. He ignited his lightsaber, blocking it mere milliseconds before it would hit its target. The other guards began to unleash of volley of bolts against the others.
Kaleb flipped to the side six feet into the air, as he felt the Force take over him. It was as if everything had been slowed down, to the point where he could see the energy coming at him. He deflected every bolt, aiming right over the heads of the guards. As he landed, time became normal again, as everyone looked at him in disbelief. The magical bolts had been redirected right over the heads of every changeling. He breathed heavily. I went into meditation during combat, almost by instinct.
It was enough time that he felt a shield take effect in front of him. Flash yelled out to the crowd to get out of the hall now. The crowd leapt over the makeshift pews to get to the exit, as the enemy fired at the shield to no avail. Fluttershy ordered the children to follow the crowd, and they did. As the crowd moved into the hallway, the orange guard pony pulled a guard over to the side, muttering a series of directions to him. The guard saluted and followed Dr. Bluejay to the front of the group. Flash ran over to Kaleb. “We established an evacuation plan through the tunnels. That guard is going to activate a sealing spell, so no changelings can get into the tunnels. They’ll be safe there…”
A large bang was heard as the he saw the Mane Six gasp, who had ducked under the cover of the shield. The false princess had changed her form in a flash of green light, revealing Queen Chrysalis. She looked similar to the other changelings, standing taller among them. With a quick and complex spell, she threw a bolt of lightning right in front of Celestia and Luna, knocking them unconscious.
She narrowed their eyes at them. “With those two unconscious, I now control the magical wards set upon this room.” Throwing another bolt of lightning, she shattered the shield, throwing them into the pews. Kaleb threw himself onto the ground, avoiding the blast. A shield surrounded Chrysalis and the twenty changelings emerged from their disguises. “I am Queen Chrysalis of the changelings, and it is our time to rule now. Some things have changed since my first invasion, but much have remained the same.”
Kaleb reached out to Cadance through the Force. What do we do now?
Cadance responded. It’s going to take time to get around those wards. Give me time, and we’ll try to stall her.
He acknowledged her, as she began to speak. “You abduct and imprison my friends and I beneath this castle, and you take control of my fiancé. I will not let you get away with this.”
Chrysalis laughed, as she turned to Shining Armor, still under her control. “Your love is strong, but mine is stronger. I feed off of it, we all do. With the power of the throne, I will be unstoppable, and all the love in the world will be ours. Your Captain is a useful pawn, he has been all this time. He loves me more than he loves you.”
Cadance seemed to be unsure what to say at first, but turned to Shining Armor. “I know that the stallion I love is in there, trying hard to break free with all of his might. Shining, I know you are listening. Keep fighting, you can do this.”
“He won’t listen to you anymore,” Chrysalis hissed. “He is mine. You have no control over him anymore, his heart and soul belong to me now, willing to do my bidding.”
“That’s not love, Chrysalis,” Kaleb interrupted, standing up. “That’s manipulation.” He remembered Rogue, Master Johanna, Ahsoka, Sweetie Belle, and Fluttershy as he spoke, his volume increasing with every word. “Love is knowing someone will see the light in you, and admitting when you’re wrong. Love is caring for others, and telling them the truth even if it hurts.” He glanced back at the Mane Six, Flash, and Cadance. “Love is knowing your friends will protect you, and you will protect them. Even if it means putting their lives on the line, to sacrifice themselves to save another.”
Although he stared back at everyone in the pews, his eyes seemed to linger on Fluttershy. Although he couldn’t tell, he thought that he saw her eyes water with emotion. He turned back to Chrysalis. “You manipulated everyone here to get to where you are. Including me. I was a threat to you, and you needed me distracted. Is that why you attacked Fluttershy and I on Hearts and Hooves Day?”
He heard the yellow pegasus gasp as the queen confirmed his accusation. “So then, you figured that out?” Chrysalis said. “I took over the mind of that manticore, controlling its every move.”
“I’m just sad you had to kill to get to me. But you did not do this alone.” Kaleb added. He reached into his robes, and took out a small blue bottle. “Looking for this?” Drogo shot him a deadly glare, as if trying to stare into his soul. “This poison infected the body of the manticore through the water supply. Drogo poured it into a local pond, and was following us the entire night, up until the attack. The side effect is it can stay in the body for weeks. I’m sure if you conducted a toxicology report, you will find this in its system.”
Fluttershy got up from the pews, shifting her gaze from Kaleb to the changelings on the other side. “You…did this? How could you?”
“It deserved to die,” Drogo hissed at her. “Be lucky our queen let you live.”
“I would rather have died than let an innocent animal come to harm.” Her voice was brave, and Kaleb felt a warmth of pride as she never faltered. “I have my friends, and we will not fail.”
Kaleb spoke as he walked twelve feet in front of the barrier. “I’ll tell you what is going to happen now. All of you are going to surrender peacefully, and lay down your weapons. This doesn’t have to end in violence.”
Drogo addressed the guards. “Nobody move a muscle. If you even lay down your guard for one second, I will kill you myself.”
Kaleb boiled with frustration. “I don’t think you understand what the stakes are. No blood has to be shed. Nobody has to die.”
Chrysalis began to chuckle at first, and then went into a full laugh that reverberated around the room. It unsettled everyone, even Kaleb, who began to wonder what was going on. “Oh, you have no idea. You truly are a hypocrite, a false knight who stands before us. You say nobody has to die, when you played your part in a war which killed billions.”
She hit her hooves on the ground, and the doors burst open. A squad of six clone Troopers burst in, their white armor shining in the bask of the shield with blue, red, and gold around it. They moved slowly, but with brute force, every footstep shaking the ground. Kaleb began to hyperventilate and back away in fear, tripping over himself and falling backwards to the ground right at the steps of the alter. They stopped only fifteen feet away from him. “Do they look familiar, Kaleb?”
Fluttershy began yelling something to him, but was silenced by the wards. The others looked in confusion as Twilight gazed at him. “Kaleb…what does she mean?”
“You haven’t told your friends, have you, Kaleb? What kind of friend does that, who lies to them about something this big? Let me show them.”
Her horn glowed purple, and created a dome that surrounded all of them, eliminating every ounce of light. The dome went black only for a few moments until a thunderous sound erupted. All of a sudden, they were not in the castle, but on the battlefield of Geonosis, as the Clone Wars began. The scenes would change with every crack of thunder, showing scene after scene of carnage. Objects would fall from the sky, as if to transition to the next scene and throw in the danger.
It was Kaleb’s worst nightmare come to life, as all of them relived the war, and the truth was revealed to his friends. Twilight and her friends, including Cadance and Flash, were huddled together, as they jumped and sceamed at nearly every image and sound. It jumped from battlefield from battlefield, from small communities to city streets. Everywhere, there was chaos, and carnage. As the image the two children on Mandalore began to fade. It snapped back to Geonosis, as an image of Kaleb pleading with Rogue to live on that day appeared right in front of them. It transitioned to Kaleb being knocked out by gunfire, crashing his speeder. The room darkened, and saw only mere moments of the young Jedi’s torture in the rooms of the prison. Lightning ripped through the sky, as they saw the flashback of Kaleb watching his master die, the killer obscured in shadow as they saw the lightsabers rip through her body. He ran to her as the killer leaved, and sobbed only a few feet from them. It seemed that their sense of space was distorted.
Finally, all of them gasped in shock and horror as they saw the floors of the Jedi Temple, as smoke whipped around and the sounds of sirens and blaster fire. The bodies of the men, women, and younglings lined the floor, all in a river of blood. They turned and looked around, only to see the real Kaleb on his knees, his eyes closed and fits clenched as the tears flowed.
In an instant, the Temple was gone, and the spell had been lifted. Everypony on Kaleb’s side of the shield looked shocked, with waves of sadness, denial, and guilt all on their faces. Fluttershy was on the ground, looking up with the realization she saw it through his eyes.
Kaleb opened his eyes, wiping the tears away from his face, only to see one of the clones step forward and take off his helmet. Rogue stared right back at him, speaking directly to him. “You killed me that night, when you could have saved me. Who does that to someone who considers them family?”
Kaleb couldn’t tell in that moment what was real, as he got up. “You were dying! I didn’t know what to do. There was no backup, nobody was coming for us that night. Should I have left you to die a slow, torturous death?”
Fluttershy broke Chrysalis’s wards only for a moment, as she yelled with everything she had. “Don’t listen to him, he’s not real! THEY’RE NOT REAL KALEB!”
She was silenced as the queen redid the spell for a moment. Kaleb didn’t seemed to have heard her at first as he walked towards Rogue. But he stopped, gazing at him. “But you’re not real. The Rogue I knew died a long time ago.”
He turned his back on them and walked back towards Chrysalis. “So, this was your plan? Use the memories from my past to torture me, and to kill me in the same manner as my friends and mentors.”
“But witnessing your war, and the genocide of the Jedi, it must hurt,” she taunted. “Witnessing your friends finding out the truth, as you relive those moments that nearly drove you to suicide. Throwing yourself into the gorge in the Everfree Forest, that was your plan right?” The Mane Six gasped in shock, on their faces ranged from sorrow to guilt, as they gazed at him. “Imagine what they think of you now.”
Kaleb looked back at them, ignoring the clones right in front of him. He lingered on them for a while., before speaking quietly and directly to them. “I was fifteen, when it began. I lost everyone who I considered family.”
He turned back to Chrysalis. “It hurts every single day. I think of a million different scenarios that could have saved their lives. I will live with that for the rest of my life. But I will not let my past define my actions today. These ponies you hurt; they took me in and cared for me. They are my family. I will fight for them, until my very last breath. Surrender, or this conflict will not end well for you.”
He heard Cadance messaging him that she had nearly broken through the wards. Before he could react, he felt his body being pulled to the altar as the shield shifted its movement, creating an opening in the center. He was frozen in the middle of the alter, unable to move. Cadance once again spoke to him. Hold on, I almost have it.
Chrysalis moved out of the shield, walking down the steps as the changeling clone Troopers moved forward. “Once I dispose of you, you can go into death knowing that the Jedi will die out, and be no more.”
Kaleb gazed at her, his voice shaking but still confident. “The Jedi will not die with me. They will live on in the hearts, minds, and souls of everyone who knew them.”
All of a sudden, the Mane Six launched themselves in front of the steps leading to the altar. “If you are going to kill Kaleb, then you are going to go through us!” Twilight yelled. Cadance and Chrysalis started to duel, flashes of colored light and bolts of pure energy emanating from the room. Twilight closed her eyes, and began cast a complex spell. “Hang on Kaleb, I almost have it…”
Chrysalis found her hold once again, and threw the ponies to the side. She turned to the clones and yelled. “EXECUTE ORDER 66.”
Everything happened in slow motion, or so it seemed to Kaleb. Those words made it nearly impossible to think, as he did everything, he could from going into a flashback. It was difficult, but he barely managed to hang on. The plasma from the blasters fired with a loud bang, as they moved towards him, still frozen. I am going to die. He tried to take comfort in those words, knowing that he would be reunited with Master Johanna again.
Before he could move, Fluttershy launched herself at him, faster than he had ever seen her. She passed right in front of him, as the blasts hit her. He barely had time to scream. She barreled into his front, as the force of the blasts lifted the spell, and propelled them backwards into the main stained-glass window. It shattered, and the two fell.
The howling wind forced and gravity foced Kaleb out of his stuper. He grabbed Fluttershy, and used his other hand to find the grappling hook on his belt. Reaching out to the Force, he propelled the hook onto a balcony, and they swung below, breaking the glass as they fell to the floor.
Kaleb got up within a second, rushing over to Fluttershy. No…NO! Their was bleeding where the blasters had hit their mark, as she spasmed on the floor surrounded by broken glass. “Stay with me, Stay with me. You’re not going to die, Rogue…Fluttershy, I won’t let you die. Not again.”
He ripped a strand a fabric from his tunic, and tried to wrap it around. Just as he was about to, he heard a bang as the door burst open. Two changelings burst in, baring their fangs as they pulled out daggers. Before Kaleb could react, Dr. Bluejay stormed in, disarming their daggers and stabbing them. The two fell to the ground, dead instantly.
He ran over to Kaleb and Fluttershy. “You’re doing good, Kaleb. Just keep the pressure on the wounds, for only a few seconds longer.” He pulled out a small vial from his saddlebag, and poured the contents over the wounds. She moaned a little. Taking a roll of gauze, he quickly bandaged the wounds, which centered around her wings. Kaleb kept the pressure on the wound to her chest, as he tried to keep the bleeding at bay.
“The bleeding on her chest isn’t too bad. This should do it.” After pulling out a large bandage, he poured the solution onto the wound, and with a seamless transition, applied the bandage tightly to her chest. . He listened to her breathing, putting his head near her chest as he applied a small amount of pressure between her side and one of her wings. He looked up at Kaleb. “Her pulse and breathing are elevated, but she’ll live. She’s lucky the blasts didn’t hit any major arteries.”
Kaleb nodded, impressed with his knowledge. He shook his head as Dr. Bluejay approached him. “Save your strength. I’m fine, just a little shaken.”
“I’ll ask the same of you.” He responded. “The two of you just fell three stories. Try and sit up, it will bring the blood flow to your legs faster. Don’t stand.”
Kaleb sat up, leaning against the wall as he surveyed the damaged. Thundering blasts shook the room, muffled by the two floors on top of them. He coughed, as he spoke quietly, trying not to strain his lunges. “Some of the changelings transformed into clone troopers, and she threw herself in front of the blaster fire. I understand that they drew from my memories, but how did they get the blasters?”
“They must have evolved from the last time…” Dr. Bluejay muttered, turning to Kaleb as he went to Fluttershy’s side. “These wounds look like the effect magical blasts have. Those aren’t real blasters, but they are channeling their own magic through the disguise. It’s also possible that they can only do a complete transformation when in range of Chrysalis. Try leaning against the wall. If you feel overly dizzy, sit back down.”
Kaleb sat up, the world spinning slightly as he gripped the wall. “Right, we need a plan…”
“The plan right now is to survive, and to get in contact with the others.” The blue pegasus checked Fluttershy’s breathing once again. “Her breathing is stabilized. I know you want to move quickly, but we’re going to get ourselves killed if we’re not cautious. You can stand guard.”
Kaleb nodded, his arguments fading. He took out the lightsaber, keeping his eye on the door. “I’ll be able to sense if anyone else is coming.” He glanced out at the window. The thundering blasts continued, and Kaleb quickly tried to think. I need to keep my distance from Chrysalis, hopefully the others are holding up…
He heard a cough, and he turned around. Fluttershy was waking up, but Dr. Bluejay looked at him and indicated to be quiet. Kaleb followed his instructions.
“What happened? Who are you…” Fluttershy tried to get up, but set her head back down when it became too dizzy.
“I’m Dr. Bluejay, and you’re going to be okay,” She nodded meekly. “Your wounds aren’t too bad, but as long as you don’t strain yourself, you’ll live.”
Fluttershy sat up, looking around as she heard a noise. Kaleb was retrieving his grappling hook, setting it back onto his belt. He knelt down to her. She started to form words, but coughed into her leg. He looked at her, with compassion. “Save your energy. There’s still a long way to go in this fight.”
Fluttershy indicated for him to come closer, and she put her forehead to his. Her voice was between a quiet tone and whisper. “Please, come back safe. I can’t lose you…”
He responded in a quieter tone. “I’ll try. All I ask is the same.” Getting up, he surveyed the sky, his eyes widening as he saw the changelings invading from the sky. “You two need to go now. They’re going to be invading this floor in the next minute. I’ll hold them off.”
Dr. Bluejay nodded. “We need to get in contact with the others. Someone will find you.”
As Fluttershy stood up, she swayed, and leaned on Dr. Bluejay for support. The two of them slowly made their way out of the room. She looked back at him, for one moment. They both knew words would need to be said, but later. Everything that could have been said in that moment was exchanged in a single glance. She turned her head, and the two left the room, going up the small stairway just barely visible.
Kaleb leaned against the wall, and breathed deeply. Need to strategize on the fly. If I can take those on this floor out, then maybe I can work my way up. He heard the invading changelings smash through windows on all floors, and moved to a nearby corner in the hallway. He turned his head to find what seemed to be twenty changelings on his floor alone. Shit…didn’t realize there would be this many, but I have to give the others time.
One of the changelings barked at the others. “We have our orders: secure the castle and the grounds. Track down the Jedi, and bring him in alive, but just barely.”
“Well I guess today is your lucky day.” Every changeling withdrew various swords and daggers, as Kaleb walked out, removing his robe. “I’m giving you one chance to surrender now. I don’t want to kill you, but I will if I have to.”
One of the changelings laughed, her voice ringing out as she walked up to him. “I’m going to take you out right here…right now. My queen will reward me.” She went in, spinning her dagger, aiming right under his legs.
Kaleb dodged the attack easily, with a simple use of footwork to weave behind his attacker’s viewpoint. Using the Force, he rotated the hilt slightly putting it right at the top of her ribs and igniting the blade. It went through her body, and she fell, gazing up at him in shock.
“First lesson of combat: Always know the position of your opponent.” He glanced up at the rest, knowing precisely what to say. “Does anyone else want a go?”
The changelings charged, and Kaleb braced himself. Use the space around you, make the surroundings work for you. Using the Force, he pushed back ten or so of the changelings before sprinting forward. He parried the attacks, noticing that their blades were enchanted with magic. He jumped back, landing on his feet. Their magic is holding up against the lightsaber, but only for a short period of time. All I need is to batter down their defenses.
Kaleb sprinted and jumped up, moving to the side as his feet hit the wall. He began running on the wall, remembering the training from his youth. Noticing the large bookcase on the other side, he used the Force to pull down the bookcase. It made a large crash, bringing up dust as the changelings moved back. Kaleb jumped from the wall to the floor, spinning his blade around, and taking out a number of changelings. The dust made it difficult for them to see, and Kaleb took advantage of the space.
Only five remained. The two jumped, throwing their daggers at him. Kaleb turned to the incoming direction, directing the daggers right back at them with the Force. It hit both of them in the chest and they went down. Moving upon the others, it took only a minute of wrestling, but he was able to batten down their defenses and take them out. He turned off the lightsaber and took a deep breath.
A large crash was heard, as the sound of tumbling rock crashed on the staircase. Dust collected in the hallway, as Kaleb moved to the side. Clutching his sleeve to his mouth, he looked for the source, and moved forward. The entire stairway going up was gone, underneath a collective of masonry and stone that caved him in.
Well, there goes that plan. Kaleb thought. There has to be another way to get up, though it might be risky. Kaleb moved back to the end of the hallway, igniting his lightsaber. Taking note of the structure of the small window, which provided no space for him., he inserted the blade into the stone, pushing hard. It was difficult work, as it reminded him of a metal blast shield. Slowly but with precision, he cut a large arc around the window, the heat melting the glass even through the small area of stone. Eventually, he cut it fully, going down to the floor. The wall was weak around this area, as he predicted, and it only took a simple push of the Force to throw the stone out to the ground.
“I thought I saw it while I was fighting,” Kaleb said to himself, as he saw his way back up. There was a large stone bridge between one side of the caste and the other. It was narrow, but it was his only chance. “All I need to do is figure out how to get to it.”
He spotted a rope on the side of the bridge, tied to one of the bannisters on the side. It was hanging over the edge, floating only about seven feet below the bottom. The knot appeared to be tight, and the rope looked like it could support his weight. Kaleb smiled, remembering his training. I used to do this all the time with her. The training rooms in the Temple were versatile. Let’s just hope I remember how I practiced.
Kaleb felt the wind coming in, blowing strong in his direction. It’s not in my favor, that headwind is strong. I’ll need to be careful with my approach. Positioning himself slightly at an angle to the wind, he stretched his arm out, his hand out of the castle dangling probably more than a few stories in the air. The Force went through him, as he pulled back his arm suddenly. The rope swung in his direction, the wind carrying it. Kaleb caught it in his right hand, pulling it in to find it was the right length. He pulled on it, making sure it supported his weight.
After taking deep breath, Kaleb jumped. Swinging through the air, the wind whistled through his hair as it bounced around. The rope went under the bridge, casting a shadow over his face before sunlight reemerged. He prepared to depart as the rope swung as high as it could go. With the grace of an acrobat, Kaleb let go, launching into the air and going towards the bridge. Kaleb landed, and rolled, just barely stopping himself before tumbling over the other edge.
That was close, he thought. Kaleb pushed himself into the middle of the bridge and surveyed the battlefield. It was difficult to tell, but smoke plagued the normally clear gardens, making it difficult to see. Around him, he could hear the clash of armor on armor, and blades on blades. If the Royal Guard is still fighting, then that’s a good thing, but I can’t sense many. There are so few, probably due to being overtaken by changelings. I don’t know how many are actually Guards at this point, but most likely few. I need to keep moving.
He coughed into his sleeve as the smoke from one of the lower windows plunged the bridge into a haze. Moving forward, he took a few steps, walking for a few seconds before detecting a projectile coming from behind. Kaleb jumped, flipping backwards and turning to face the opposite direction. As the smoke cleared, he saw a changeling, heavily armored and armed with a giant shuriken on a chain. This opponent was different, he could feel it. The opponent let loose a disturbing grin, her eyes sharp and focused.
Kaleb ignited his lightsaber. “You can’t stop me that easily.” She spun around the chain, and the blades came hurtling towards Kaleb leapt onto the edge of the bridge to avoid it, leaping from one side of the stone barriers to another to avoid the onslaught of the blades. If spinning blades weren’t enough, she threw multiple chains to wrap around him. Kaleb kept to his current strategy, trying to make his way forward, only to be pushed back. Realizing how much time was being taken, he decided to make a move. He leapt from side to side as if the barriers were balance beams, and moved forward, just as he was about to do so, he felt an explosion push throw him back.
It had barely been more than twenty seconds before Kaleb had charged forward, and the charge was as if it had came out of thin air. Kaleb turned around to find a second opponent staring at him, having similar chains to the first, with magically charged ends around each. The chains were smaller than the first, and could barely be seen with how fast and light they were carried.
“Great, now there’s two of them.” Kaleb mumbled, looking around to each side to find himself surrounded on both sides of the bridge. I can’t just charge at them, they won’t allow me to get close. They work together with similar fighting styles, so maybe I can avoid and wait for the right opportunity. Deciding on a plan of action, he de-ignited his lightsaber, opting to observe instead.
Kaleb heard the whistling of the shuriken moments before he avoided it, ducking low this time, observing the blades spinning before going back to their target. Surely the explosions would blind me. Why isn’t he doing anything? He moved up and jumped to avoid her chains, jumping with the strength of a deer. He tried to reach out and grab one, and for a moment, nearly did. Just as he was about to grab it, he felt a red-hot energy around it. His hand recoiled, and landed on the ground, taking a look at the hand. Just barely singed pulled it up just in time. Those chains are red-hot, but the metal might be vulnerable to something hotter. All I need is the right moment…
Explosions rocked the bottom of the bridge, and Kaleb got his answer just in time. With the supports gone, the sides of the bridge collapsed, leaving only a ten-foot section of bridge in the middle, with the changelings on both sides of the remaining parts, only five feet. The shock waves were felt through Kaleb’s section, and forced him to the ground as he lost his balance. As he tried to regain his senses, he got up and saw what had become of it.
“So…that’s why he was holding off.” Kaleb remarked with astonishment, almost to himself. Damnit, no time to think…need to act quickly. He heard the swirling of the blades along with whistling of chains from both sides.
Kaleb jumped, feeling the Force guiding him into the correct timing. He jumped, but instead of flipping vertically, he leaned to the side and spun horizontially. He felt the shurikien and chains go under and above him, just missing their target. Kaleb smiled, as he spun with ferociety, his hair whipping through the air. Now!
With the grace and timing of a Soresu fighter, he ignited the lightsaber, the blade making contact with the chains. They seemed to spark as they made contact, and broke instantly. The shuriken went flying off in another direction, as did the explosive charges. Within five seconds of jumping, Kaleb crossed his arms, the Force grabbing onto the chains and, which the changelings were still holding onto. His hands became fists as he pulled his arms in towards his chest.
The changelings went flying, pulled over the edge from Kaleb’s counterattack. Their armor and fighting style restricted their movements, so he knew they wouldn’t be able to fly so easily. As they fell, Kaleb knew something wasn’t right, as explosions rocked his section of the bridge, harsher than the previous explosions. The bridge began to fall.
Kaleb ran as the bridge lurked to the side, sliding from the weakened stone pillars into the air. He jumped, reaching out using the Force. His jump was extended, but just barely enough. He hit the edge of the other side right on the chest, the impact knocking his head into the ground. Barely feeling the roar of pain, he pushed dragged himself onto the small section, leaning against the wall by the doorframe.
He felt his head, as pain radiated through his chest. Head seems to be fine; chest must have taken all the impact. He clutched the sternum, as he felt the bruises on his upper chest. Doesn’t seem to be broken, which is good. Still, I can’t let any opponents get the impact there.
Slowly, he got back up and went through the unlocked door. There were a long series of hallways, seeming to stretch for miles. Kaleb went down them, slowly at first due to the pain, eventually gaining speed. He saw a clock, and swore. “That fight took longer than I thought. I need to find the others, and soon.”
The hallways became a maze, with Kaleb as the right having to navigate through them. With every second that passed, lives were on the line, even the fate of this battle. After what seemed to be twenty minutes, he found a giant atrium below, with a railing showing the boundary.
Without thinking Kaleb ran desperately towards it, and jumped over the railing. This was his mistake. A changeling flew fast from the side and barreled into him, his armor hitting Kaleb’s sides.
Kaleb was thrown in that direction, and hit the wall hard. A sharp, piercing pain went into his ribs as he slid down the slanted wall, hitting the ground. His vision blurred, as he realized he was surrounded by four changelings. But the lightsaber was on the other side of the room, thrown from his belt due to the impact. Ribs are either severely bruised like the sternum or cracked. As long as I stall, I might able to recover. I need to get that lightsaber.
“You liked our little distraction out there, huh?” The head changeling piped up, his voice sharp as a knife. “Those two sure fit well for each other. I’m surprised you managed to get all the way here.”
Kaleb spat, blood hitting the floor. He had to in order to speak, but it could have meant as a sign of disrespect. “Their style was their undoing. As will be yours. Give this up, and I won’t have to hurt you.”
The other changelings laughed. “Yeah, that won’t be happening. Considering we just disarmed you, that is. Let’s have some fun.” Their staffs changed their form in a flash.
Kaleb’s eyes widened. Before him were changelings with electrostaffs. The two ends charged with energy, crackling purple. “So, you recognize them? The spells on these staffs is permanent, so don’t count on the magic wearing out.” He turned to the other guards. “Contact Chrysalis, and tell her to get here soon.” They waited a few minutes, before the other guard nodded to the head guard. “She’s on her way. Can I have the first hit?” The head guard nodded.
The staff flew through the air, and hit Kaleb in the side of the legs. Letting out a gasp of pain ,he tried not to yell, just barely cracking. As the guard aimed for the other legs, he saw of flash of the same weapon in a different time, in a prison cell rather than a castle. That time, he let out a scream of pain.
The guards laughed. Kaleb grounded himself quickly. I’m not back there, I’m in Canterlot Castle in Equestria. Looks like I’m going to have to fight without my lightsaber for now. Just need to wait for the right moment, no matter how painful it will be.
Fortunately for Kaleb, that moment came early, as this blow came towards his neck. He pushed his hand, hidden on the ground up to this point. The staff froze, and Kaleb launched upward, using his free hand to push the other guards back. He grabbed the staff, and hit the guard right in the center of the armor, where there was a weak spot. The shock shook the guard, and Kaleb pushed him hard using the Force. The guard hit the wall, collapsing down.
Kaleb turned to the other three and brandished the staff with his right hand, holding it horizontally just to the side of his front. “You’re not the only one who’s trained on a staff.” He moved it into a defensive position, horizontal and in front of the right side, just as he had seen Maul do. He beckoned with his left hand.
Roaring, one of the changelings charged, while the others went to secure the entrance. Kaleb met the guard’s staff, doing simple strikes and blocks while trying to keep the pain away. I can’t get too fancy here, otherwise the pain in my ribs will come back. I need to disarm him quickly. Noticing a pattern in the changeling’s hoofsteps, he followed it, tripping her and disarmed the staff, using the Force to knock her out.
The other two noticed his strategy, and countered it by using Flash’s staff technique, flying through the air. Even for an experienced Jedi, taking on two electrostaffs was a challenge. It was even more difficult with injuries to the upper body. Kaleb did his best to ward off attacks, but the changelings kept switching their position. Two minutes had passed, and it soon became three. They’re trying to wear me down. I can’t end this quickly, the pain is starting to come back…
One of the changelings hit Kaleb in the lower back with the electrostaff, and the shock made his vision flicker and knees go weak as he collapsed with his head against the wall by the broken window. It was right in the center of the scars, where past shocks had tortured his body. The other did a series of hits on his ribs, and a hard hit right in the center chest. Kaleb coughed with pain, as he felt a big flash of pain in his ribs, spluttering for air from the impact on his sternum.
He tried to reach with the Force for his lightsaber, but the head changeling noticed. “I don’t think so.” Kaleb let out a muffled scream through his sleeve as he the changeling hit his wrist with the staff. “We had our fun with you, now Chrysalis will arrive any second. Any last words.”
Even through his pain, Kaleb maintained a sense of focus and wit, as he sensed two individuals battering down the door. He wickedly grinned. “Send my regards to the Royal Guard.”
The door slammed open, as a young stallion let out a yell. Flash burst through the door, Shining Armor following. Picking up an electrostaff, Flash followed engaged the guard on combat, the ends of the staffs creating sparks as they met. They seemed to be at the same level at first, not gaining any traction. Flash used a weaving maneuver to confuse the changeling, before hitting him in the head with the end of the staff. The changeling spluttered and then fell.
At the same time, Shining Armor threw a series of offensive spells at the remaining changeling, overwhelming her, before stabbing her with his sword. The shock waves of the spells moved Kaleb, nearly falling out the window. Shining saw this and used a spell to catch him, moving him back to his original position.
Kaleb raised his hand in a slight salute. “Captain.”
“At ease, Kaleb.” Shining said, in a authoritative yet warm voice, becoming a little more relaxed. “Sorry about everything earlier, that was the mind control. Are you hurt?”
“My wrist, but I think it’s just shock.” Kaleb said coughing. “Main areas are my ribs and sternum. The pain is pretty bad, and it’s coming in flashes.”
“I’m going to cast a quick medical spell that will identify the source of pain.” Shining explained, as a shudder went through Kaleb as the spell was cast. After a few seconds, he looked at Kaleb. “Bad injuries to the sternum and ribcage. You’re pretty lucky to still be breathing without difficulty.”
“Eh, I take what I can get,” Kaleb said wincing slightly with pain. “Are there any spells to heal it?”
Flash arrived beside Shining as he shook his head slightly. “There are spells I can cast to protect it, so you will can move around easier. Potions should be able to help heal it about three weeks, but there isn’t time. We need to rendezvous with Dr. Bluejay and Cadance. There’s a bunker right by one of the clearings where we’re going to meet.”
Kaleb’s eyes widened. “I have four children hidden there who Drogo attempted to assassinate. I have the key. We can’t draw attention to them.”
Flash looked at Shining. “Captain, if we teleport a slightly further away from the bunker, Kaleb can sense any changelings nearby.”
Shining thought about it for a second. “That could work. Flash, help Kaleb stand up. It will take me a few seconds to muster up the energy.”
Flash helped Kaleb get up onto his feet. “Keep your weight on this side. There you go. Don’t worry, the spell’s powerful so it numbs the pain. Still, I wouldn’t let your guard down. Couldn’t you have taken them out like you did at the ceremony?”
“I don’t have full control of that power. It’s by instinct, I can’t do that on command.” Kaleb said. “I’ve never teleported before by magic.”
“It’s going to get dark for a moment, and it feels like you’re being squeezed. Not a great feeling, but it’s what it is. Can you use the Force the moment you hit the ground?”
Kaleb nodded, letting down his hand and taking a few seconds. “I’m ready.”
Shining cast the spell, and the group was engulphed into sphere of darkness. The space constricted for what seemed to be a few seconds, and Kaleb felt different pressures pressing down on him. The darkness blocked out all sound and light, and Kaleb started to feel slightly ill. After a sudden flash of light, they hit the ground, emerging in the wooded area of the grounds.
Kaleb’s knees rebuckled as he reached out to the Force, his hand close to the ground. After a few seconds, he shook his head. “No changelings nearby.”
“Good, let’s go meet the others.” Shining lead the way, with Kaleb and Flash following.
Kaleb took deep breaths, going slow as Flash supported him, trying to cheer him up. “You did better than others. Most vomit the first time.”
“Good to know.” Kaleb responded. Exactly like crashing down in an escape pod with the different pressures.
They reached the bunker after a few minutes where Dr. Bluejay and Cadance were already waiting. “Thank Faust, we thought they got you.” Cadance greeted them.
“They have to try harder to get to us.” Flash responded, with Shining sighing and shaking his head at the young pegasus’s confidence. “Kaleb can get us in.”
Kaleb took out the key, and walked up to the door, unlocking it slowly. Quickly, they all piled into the bunker and Kaleb closed it. They were greeted by the CMC and Spike running out from the kitchen, armed with iron pans.
“Stand down, it’s just us.” Kaleb responded meekly, before collapsing on the couch.
Dr. Bluejay moved to Kaleb. “I’m going to need this tunic off to examine you.” Kaleb nodded, and struggled to take off the tunic. Flash helped him and it was off within a minute. The older pegasus took a look at Kaleb after consulting with Shining quickly. “Ribs are cracked in the upper and lower quadrants, and that sternum is badly bruised. I would suggest healing the sternum the best you so he can breathe with ease, and put protections on the ribs.”
Flash handed Kaleb a wooden dowel covered with leather, advising him to bite down. He did, just in time for a white-hot flash to hit his chest and ribs. He let out a muffled shout, his eyes flickering for a few seconds before going back to normal. The heat turned to a pleasant warmness after a few seconds, and Kaleb took out the dowel, and turned to the pan-armed children. “How have things been?”
“Well, it turns out pans can make pretty good weapons. We haven’t tested them out yet,” Apple Bloom responded. “Is my sister okay? Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo are worried about Rarity and Rainbow Dash.”
“We don’t know, but I’m sure they’re fine," Cadance responded, trying to be optimistic. She shot a look at Kaleb. “Is this the safest place for them now?”
“No, it isn’t. Not now.” Kaleb wrote down an address and handed it to Cadance. “Can you teleport them, and get back here okay?”
“Yes. Her wards only control the castle, so out here I should be okay. I can put a magical marker on the space where I stand so the spell sends me back.”
Kaleb nodded, and turned to Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Spike. “There’s a family here with two colts younger than you. I know them from my time here. They need to be protected and supported. Tell them Kaleb Taymar sent you.”
The group huddled around Cadance. Sweetie Belle glanced at him with concern. “I was worried about you.”
“Thank you, I appreciate that.” He added another thing in an undertone. “This is one of the things I did as a Jedi: providing aid to those who need it.”
She gave him a determined look, and nodded. Cadance cast the spell, and they vanished. It was a tense thirty seconds, but she returned. “They’re safe, and my magic doesn’t detect any changelings. Thunder says she’ll protect them as if they’re her own.” She sighed. “The Mane Six have been captured by Drogo.”
Gasps and swears of shock echoed the room, with Dr. Bluejay quieting everyone down. “This complicates things, but this battle is not over yet. Chrysalis won’t kill them, I know that for sure from intelligence.”
“It’s going to make it more difficult though,” Flash pointed out. “We now have two battlefields that we need to fight. Do we know where they are?”
“They’re heading to the train station, where they are to remain until the battle is over.” Dr. Bluejay replied, thinking for a minute before responding. Cadance and Shining armor spoke quietly and intently to each other. “Kaleb, what do you think we should do?”
Kaleb thought for a few seconds. “There are two objectives, both far apart from each other. I think the best strategy is to split up and move to both at once, so the changelings can’t send support to the other.”
Cadance smiled. “Good thinking, Kaleb. It could work. Shining and I can use our magic to gain control of the wards from Chrysalis, and kick the changelings out.”
“The only problem is there are a large number of changelings still in the castle with her. Too many to take on alone,” Shining added. “We need some type of diversion.”
Kaleb went through the plan in his mind. They’re going to go after me, and bring me to her or vice versa. Either way, they won’t kill me directly. Kaleb smiled to himself. “I think there’s a way I can cause the distraction.”
“How?” Flash interjected. “It’s not like you can sprout wings and force probably a hundred changelings to chase after you. You have no way to fly.”
“Well…that’s not exactly true.” Kaleb said, looking directly at Dr. Bluejay, who was clearly conflicted about this idea.
“No…”
“Yes.”
Dr. Bluejay thought of a few points. “Kaleb, we don’t know if it can actually fly. The engines work, but there’s no guarantee they won’t fail mid-air. You could fall to your death.”
“I can guide it down to a crash landing if it does,” Kaleb brought up. “This is the only way to get to Drogo quickly while providing a distraction. In my current state, this is safer since I’ll be strapped in and I can take on Drogo if I need to. I don’t know how the healing spells are holding up, though.”
“Your sternum is healed, and the protection spells are on the ribs. They don’t last long, so you’ll have to be quick.” Shining updated. “You’ll be fine as long as you don’t do anything stupid.”
Dr. Bluejay looked at him with concern. “Still, you won’t be able to do all of those jumps and flips. Your fighting style is going to be limited.”
Kaleb nodded. That is a disadvantage. “That is true, but there’s more to my fighting style than that. Basics can save your life, and in the case of the main style I was taught, a true master can use them to win any battle.” Obi-Wan and Master Johanna were masters of Soresu, and taught me how to retain its mastery. I’m going to have to rely on their teachings, and minimize my movements and focus on precision.
Shining Armor glanced at him. “There’s still the matter of the objective. Even if you rescue them, you still have to face Drogo. He’s wanted on multiple charges. As Captain of the Royal Guard, I would like him captured alive. But I also grant you authority to kill him if you have to.”
“That’s my plan,” Kaleb responded. “I won’t kill him unless it’s a last resort. My objective is to rescue the Mane Six and bring him in alive.”
Dr. Bluejay thought for a few seconds, and nodded. “If you think this could work, I’m willing to give it a shot. But the communications systems are offline, and you’re going to need someone nearby.”
“I’ll take care of that, and I’m sure Flash is willing to go with me.” Flash nodded. Kaleb reached into the bag he left here last night, and handed the holoprojector to Shining Armor. “Press the button on the top, and you’ll be able to communicate with me. I’ve set these on audio-only so holograms won’t give away positions. I’ll set up two headsets so Flash and I can communicate mid-air.”
Cadance looked at all of them. “We have a plan. Let’s go.”
Kaleb put his tunic back on, making sure his lightsaber was attached to his belt. Standing up, he walked into the kitchen with Flash following. “When you see my distraction, run like hell.” They opened the door, and disappeared.
Flash gazed up at the ship with amazement. “Holy shit! When you said ‘fly’, I didn’t realize you meant…this.”
“Don’t praise it yet. It has yet to actually fly.” Kaleb replied, hooking up the headsets to the holoprojector wirelessly. He handed the one to Flash. “Put this on, and adjust it. Remember you’re going to be flying with it.”
Flash adjusted it, still gazing wildly around as Kaleb put his headset on. “If we get through this alive and in one piece, you owe me a drink. Solar’s special mix from the Cloud Café.”
“Put it on my tab.” Kaleb witted. He and Flash looked at each other for a moment before hugging the best they could with injuries. “You’re a great guard and it’s a honor to fight by your side.”
“And I can say the same for fighting alongside a Jedi.” Flash added. “Let’s finish this.”
Kaleb climbed up the ladder to the cockpit, securing it shut before turning on the headset. “Open the garage doors on my signal. Follow behind me the best you can. We’ll be in contact, so tell me your position." He added one last thing. "And do try to keep up.”
“Copy that. Ready and in position.” Flash gave him a salute.
Kaleb flipped a through switches, and started up the engines. The whole ship shuddered, but kept itself together. The seal is holding up, fuel looks good. Thrusters are in place. He flipped a few switches, preparing the ship for takeoff, while undoing the safety on the cannons. “Kaleb Taymar, standing by. On my mark, open the garage doors.”
He gazed at Flash for a moment, and then turned his head and took a deep breath. Let the Force guide me and hope I don’t die. “Now!”
Flash pulled a lever, and the garage door sprang open. Kaleb slowly moved the ship forward, taking care not to bump the ceiling. Sunlight hit the glass of the cockpit as the ship went into the clearing, right in front of a few changelings. They hissed, chasing the ship as it gained altitude through the sky.
Kaleb heard Flash through the audio channel. “I’ll take care of them, focus on the distraction.”
“Got it.” Kaleb let out a wicked smile. “This is where the fun begins.” He hit the thrusters, and the ship whipped forward in an instant of speed. The cockpit shuddered, vibrations going through the seat and controls. Kaleb eased the ship through the air, weaving around the towers of Canterlot Castle. He lurched with the sharp turns, trying to concentrate on the task ahead of him. I can only go around these towers for so long. He reached out to the Force, finding his target. Found you.
Chrysalis was on the top of a tower, gazing out from a large balcony. Kaleb flew the ship straight towards her, firing upon the balcony. With a large bang, the balcony was destroyed, tumbling to the ground. She flew back and Kaleb whipped the ship upward, barely grazing where she stood. “After him!”
Swarms of changelings ascended on his position. They were all wearing various levels of armor, some faster than others. Kaleb flew away from the castle, heading towards the edge of the grounds. “Flash, do you copy?”
“I’m here.” Flash’s voice was difficult to hear over the wind, but was still clear. “It looks like you have at least seventy-five on your tail. What’s your plan? I can take some of them, but it’s going to be hard.”
“Get them away from the castle, and pick them off one by one.” Kaleb responded. “I’m staying at least fifty feet above buildings. We don’t want to cause any collateral damage. I’ll cause the distraction, and you sneak in and take those who get out of the way.”
“Sounds good.” Kaleb moved the ship into a brief dive before looping in the opposite direction and spinning to face them off. Fire!
He unleashed a volley of blasts against the changelings. The formation broke, with many swerving to get out of the way. It was difficult to tell with the blasts but in a few moments, he saw changelings begin to fall from the sky. “I saw at least ten fall.”
“Make that fifteen.” Flash responded. “We can’t keep them here forever. They’re coming back.”
“I’m going to lead them on a wild goose chase.” Kaleb said, turning the ship around. “Keep steady and take out any you can.”
He felt the ship shudder with the wind. It’s holding, but it doesn’t like it. Probably should have tightened a few screws and bolts. Kaleb noticed the changelings were reforming behind him, struggling to catch up. He noticed a few good fliers were still on his tail. I’ll let Flash take care of the stragglers…
He felt the shields take a hit, as lasers started firing from behind. “Well, at least this ship isn’t too old, it should be able to take the hits... what the hell.” That remark was in reply to seeing a piece of the undercarriage whiz in front of the cockpit before falling to ground.
Flash chimed in through the comm, a little late. “Kaleb…they have blasters now.”
“I can see that.” Kaleb retorted. “The shields are working when they want to. Get a blaster and take as many out as you can.” He was pressing buttons and flipping various switches in an attempt to turn them on. There has to be a way to get the shields activated, but not through this.
He was dodging the blasts the best that he could, using the Force to guide him. But keeping the ship level wasn’t in his favor. He could tell Flash was struggling, and he tried to double back and fire with the cannons. But with the shields in this condition, attacking in the midst of blaster fire with an old ship literally falling apart was the last idea to use. I’m going to get myself killed at this rate. I have an idea, but I don’t like it.
“The shields are dying, and I can’t help you while flying smoothly. I’m going to get them to follow me, but it won’t be an easy ride.”
“Do it.” Flash yelled through the blaster fire. “I can’t hold off for much longer.”
Kaleb recalled the flying lessons he had during his training. Damn you Skywalker. With that one thought, he brought the ship down into a dive.
The forces of gravity put the ship to the test, as the vibrating tremors felt like flying through a storm. Kaleb’s back was forced away from the seat, as he kept his eyes on the ground. Focus on a point, no matter what happens, keep your focus. Let the Force guide you. He breathed steadily, and just before he hit the buildings, he pulled up hard.
The ship roared with life as Kaleb pulled out of the dive just ten feet above the buildings of Canterlot. He whipped around at the altitude, seeing that his plan had worked as the changelings all crashed hard into the ground. At least now, I have the advantage. He fired on the remaining changelings, who whizzed past, firing on him as well.
“Flash, how many are there left?” Kaleb asked through the headset, adjusting the engines to the lower altitude.
“About twenty,” Flash shouted, as Kaleb spotted him through the cockpit. He was using the blaster he stole and his sword to stop the remaining fifteen. “We have to move closer to the station.”
“Got it.” Kaleb turned the ship around, blasting through the sky, gaining altitude. “There are five commanders on my tail. You take care of the rest, and get to the station. This might take a while.”
Flash responded, slightly out of breath. “Got it. Try spinning, I’ve heard that’s a good trick.”
Kaleb rolled his eyes slightly, but that was soon interrupted by the five on his tail. They were good shots, managing to keep up with the ship, and moving into a formation. Whatever it is, this isn’t good…
All of a sudden, Kaleb saw one of the changeling commanders at level with his cockpit about fifteen feet away from his wing. She aimed her blaster, forcing Kaleb to spin underneath her. The other commander shot forward, aiming to dive down with electrostaff in hoof. He paused the thrusters, as the ship dipped upward, and he fired. They both fell out of the sky. “Two down three to go.”
He could sense the chains being thrown before he saw them. Dipping the ship to the side, he swerved it back and forth, as they failed to get a grapple on the wings. I need to make my way to the train station, I should start heading in that direction.
Using the same trick as before, he took out the other two, reversing the thrusters completely before firing. He sped to the station, and got his bearing as he heard Flash chime in, sounding winded. “I took out the rest, on my way to the station.”
“Good, get an idea of the guards and take them out if you can. I’ll be on my way shortly.”
Just as Kaleb ended the transmission, he heard a crack from the side. The last changeling commander had grappled himself to the wings of the ship, and was aiming right at the cockpit. Kaleb spun the ship, diving as he did to shake the changeling off, but it was no use. He was hanging on, and thrusting forward fast. Damnit, I can’t lose him. Need to get that grappling hook off…
It was too late. The changeling was climbing the grappling rope right to the wings. had thrown another chain, whipping it right at the cockpit. Whatever magic enhanced it was no use for the cockpit, the glass cracking as the chain attached itself. The spell activated through the glass, and the cockpit shattered into dust.
The wind howled, and the changeling was ten feet away from Kaleb, climbing up the wings. The Jedi drew the ship into a dive, The changeling aimed the blaster directly at Kaleb, screaming at him. “You son of a bitch…”
The changeling fell within moments of a loud blast. Kaleb had used the opportunity to draw a hidden blaster from the cockpit, one which had been installed during the war. “Sorry, I didn’t catch that…” He yelled through the wind.
The ship shuddered, and Kaleb knew the ship had taken damage. “Flash, I’m going to have to guide this down to a crash landing. Distract the guards and get innocents out of there.”
Using the Force as a guide, he aimed right for the clearing on the opposite sides of the tracks. Training guides said that a gradual landing should be done unless it’s absolutely necessary. Even as the wind whipped into his face, nearly blowing the controls away, he kept the ship on a steady descent.
Looking around, he found his guide points: the train tracks. He was about two-hundred feet above, descending fast. There were three changelings right on the tracks, as if waiting for more instructions. “Guiding it down to fifty feet, going north by northwest.”
From the ground, one of the changelings looked up. “What is that, some kind of crop duster or something?”
Her friend, glanced at her. “Wait, that’s not a crop duster…” As the cannons fired, they were hit and killed on the spot.
Kaleb changed direction slightly to the right, bringing down the landing gear. “I need to slow down…” The ship hit the ground hard, skidding nearly twenty-five feet as the landing gear broke. The cockpit shook with such intensity, that Kaleb nearly jumped out. It slowed down, and with one final shudder and heave, it stopped.
Kaleb undid the safety fastenings quickly, and jumped out of the ship without thinking. It was leaning on the wing, so the impact wasn’t as bad. But it still hurt. He felt the impact on his ribs, and his knees were shaking badly.
Leaning up against the ship, he looked at the damage, as smoke was gathering slightly. It’s not going to explode, but the damage is bad. He heard Flash’s signal, and chimed it through. “That was one hell of a crash. Are you hurt?”
Kaleb coughed, moving off of the ship and towards the station. “I’ll live. But I think the protections on the ribs are fading. We have to end this fast.”
Flash chimed in through the headset. “The Mane Six are okay, and the guards have been taken out. Fluttershy is hurt badly, Drogo broke her wing.”
Kaleb’s blood boiled as he tried to keep his cool. “I’m on my way. Is there any way to get her to the hospital?”
“Twilight and Rarity don’t have the strength to teleport her, and I’m trying to get in contact with Dr. Bluejay. I can use my medical training to help her in the meantime. We’re going to the station offices where they’ll have first-aid supplies.”
“On my way. In the meantime, keep away from Drogo. He’s going to be looking for me.”
He set the headset down by the ship, and slowly made his way through the small field and across the tracks to a set of stairs. Kaleb climbed them, and made his way through the large platforms.
Bits of shadow reflected on the ground, as the roof to the station was open. He kept his eyes peeled, his hand outstretched as he sensed the lack of changeling soldiers. Hopefully, I gave Cadance enough of a distraction…
“Looking for me?” He turned around to find Drogo, wearing his changeling armor as he emerged from behind a pillar. “Impressive show up there. But it won’t matter here. ”
Flash and the Mane Six moved in the scene of confrontation. Kaleb turned around, seeing Fluttershy barely conscious being supported by Flash and Twilight. He looked at both at them, before turning back towards Drogo. “Go. This is my fight.”
They nodded, and moved away from the two of them. He stood, with a sense of calm and focus. “This battle is over, Drogo. Surrender, for it will only end badly if you don’t.”
“It doesn’t matter, you’re going to die by my hoof, whether my queen likes it or not.” He retorted. “I will kill everyone who gets in my path just to see you suffer.”
The two began to circle each other, as Kaleb’s words reflected wisdom beyond his years. “If you continue to define yourself by your power to take life, the desire to dominate or possess, then you have nothing.”
“And who are you to lecture me, boy.” Drogo stated in anger, before shouting. “I HAVE POWER BEYOND YOU, THAT YOU CAN ONLY DREAM OF.” He hit the ground in anger with his hoof, as sparks came up. “But perhaps you need a lesson of what true power is.”
He took out a hilt, one which Kaleb recognized immediately. As he pressed a button, the blade of black emerged, humming with power. The Darksaber of Mandalore. It’s just an imitation, but it’s convincing.
The darksaber held it’s form, as Drogo pointed it. “I saw this in your memories. How fitting this is the very weapon that I use to kill you.” He slashed the pillar near him, slicing it in half and letting it fall to the ground in a rumble.
Kaleb’s initial shock nearly turned to fear, as he remembered what that weapon represented. But he tried to keep calm. “You saw my memories of it, but that does not mean you know what it represents. The Darksaber of Mandalore is more than a weapon, but a symbol for darkness and light. Whoever wields it must understand the history and weight behind it."
He lunged at Kaleb, as Kaleb ducked out of the way, and with creative use of footwork, avoided the blow. He’s angry, but that makes him unfocused. Just have to keep calm for a little while longer.
Drogo scoffed to the side. “You don’t get to decide that. This battle won’t be long. You’re injured, I can tell…”
“Check,” Kaleb interrupted. “You made your first mistake. Underestimating your opponent. I am a Jedi Knight, like my master and her master before me. We are guardians of peace and harmony, knights guarding their kingdom and setting the example.”
“That’s bullshit, and you know it,” Drogo retorted back. “Tell me, how do generals raging a war embody peace?”
“We made an unfortunate error,” Kaleb acknowleged. “But the values I represent are my own, passed down from my master and hers. The values of peace, harmony, and balance. I don’t kill unless there is no other option, which you gave me no choice today.”
"Tell me, how would you punish me for my actions?” Drogo taunted. "If you are so wise."
“Some would say you deserve to die by your own poison, extending your suffering to make it just as long as the manticore’s,” Kaleb answered. “You would die the same way. But my objective is to bring you in alive, and kill you as a last resort.”
Drogo spat on the ground. “Trying to get me to regret my actions? It won’t work.”
“Assassinations, torture, kidnapping, and hurting my friends,” Kaleb listed. “Every action you took was blinded in the interest of war and hatred. Don’t you want to them back?”
“No.” The chill in the voice disturbed Kaleb as Drogo moved closer to him. “I would do it all over again, and kill more along the way. Chrysalis will reward me today, when I kill the master.” He paused, as his voice dropped into a disturbing growl. “And the powerful apprentice you are hiding."
Kaleb stopped what he was doing, as Drogo confirmed his suspicions. "Her actions gave it away. Nobody else knows, not even my queen. Her powers will be mine to control. Or silenced when I slit her throat.”
He knows. Kaleb ignited his lightsaber, holding it in front with both hands before switching it to his right, twirling the blade. He held the blade at Drogo above his head, his left hand pointed at him as well. Drogo twirled the darksaber, and held it at the ready, as the two stood facing each other.
A minute passed. Kaleb held the lightsaber with both hands, just to the side, while Drogo held the darksaber with his right wing. I am one with the Force, the Force is one with me. The mantra brought him into a meditative state. Finally, Drogo roared and jumped at Kaleb, the blade spinning as the lightsaber came to meet it.
Three moves. The battle was over in five seconds, as Kaleb blocked both attacks and broke the hilt of the darksaber. Milliseconds after, he slashed Drogo in the chest. There was no fancy jumps, flips, or kicks, but simple movements done with coordination and precision.
Drogo coughed, falling to the ground, the anger still in his voice. “I don’t understand…how?”
Kaleb caught his head before it hit the ground. “Your anger and hatred blinds you, as it has for much of your life. Perhaps in death, you will find peace.”
An explosion rocked the sky, as Kaleb, Drogo, and the ponies surrounding them looked up. A magical wave ripped through Canterlot, as the remaining changelings were kicked out, their forms moving beyond the city, and perhaps even out of Equestria.
The changeling commander used the distraction to his advantage. “I’ll see you in hell.” Drogo said, using the last of his strength to pull out a hidden dagger. Striking at Kaleb’s injured side, he stabbed him in the ribs, before shuddering one last time and laying still.
Kaleb didn’t notice the dagger at first, as he got up and walked towards the offices. Multiple battle meditations with no guidance drained him, making it difficult to sense the counterattack. A few moments later, he felt a dull stabbing pain getting stronger. He looked down to his side, and saw the vial of poison hidden inside the blade. “Karrrabast.”
Twilight and Flash rushed over to him, catching him before he hit the ground. Kaleb started to tremble on the ground as if it was a seizure. “Poison! Flash, contact the others and get medical aid here immediately.”
“Twilight.” Kaleb said, shuddering in pain, as he used the last of his last of his energy to talk. “Use a spell to knock me out. This pain is going to get worse.”
Twilight nodded, and cast a sleeping spell on him.
“Tell Fluttershy, I…” It was all Kaleb could say, as the image of her turquoise eyes was the last thing he saw in his mind before darkness took over.
Kaleb was in a field of fog, barely able to see anything. The light shone through, making him able to see. He walked forward, knowing not the path in front of him, but there was something. The Force was all around him, the constant guide in the mist and shadow. The fog began to clear slightly, and he saw the grave that lay before him. Clone trooper helmets were mounted onto pikes, sticking up from the ground. But it was the design that caught his attention. They were painted in a scheme of orange and white, covering the sleek blue underneath. He sensed someone through the Force, and looked up.
There was another figure gazing at the helmets. Kaleb could not see who it was at first, as it wore a cloak of grey. But as the figure looked up, directly at Kaleb, he knew that face. Her eyes showed grief, but also a sense of wisdom.
“Ahsoka…” That was all he could say as she disappeared, walking into the fog. And he realized where he was.
The walls of the cave were wide, presenting a cavern with a height of about fifty feet overhead. Kaleb walked down a stone path, as it was the only one in front of him. All around him, fog and smoke presented a hazy scene, with distortions and echoes as his only path. He couldn’t see too far around him, for the only thing he could feel was the ground beneath his feet. All he could do was observe, and react in his mind, for he couldn’t find the voice to speak, not after seeing his friend. The one constant in guidance was the Force.
As he walked, he saw glimpses of the galaxy he once knew. Jedi younglings and masters, some of which he recognized, some of which he didn’t. All of which seemed to be frozen in time, running in fear. Clone troopers fired upon them, as he saw dioramas in the sides of the cave. He heard shouts of different voices, calling out in fear, some in fight. Others ran, as they saw their masters.
“Dume! Run.”
“Stay and fight. We have to…it’s the only way.”
“Don’t be a fool. Go!”
He saw different dioramas of these moments, all featuring the same overall scene. Padawans running, as their masters were gunned down by clone troopers. A particular apprentice with red-brown hair caught his attention, as a Jedi he recognized as Jaro Tapal was gunned down. The boy took his lightsaber. Kaleb could sense the fear in the boy’s eyes, as his escape pod crashed.
Other times the scenes he saw were out of the temple, where younglings were killed by a mysterious figure cloaked in black. Kaleb couldn’t see who was under the cloak, but the dark side was strong with them. Before him, legions of clone troopers fired upon numerous Jedi, as the fires began to grow and blood began to spill.
Time appeared to move in these scenes by years. The red-haired boy now worked in the shipyards, filled with guilt and trauma of hiding for years. Numerous visions came of the apprentices who had escaped, and how they were living. Scrap by scrap, some starving and living in fear. Having to run and see those try to protect them die, living with that guilt for the rest of their days. Some turned to despair rather than fight, living the rest of their days in depression. They sought the solace of the grave, and dived closer every moment.
The armor of the clones began to change, becoming more angular. It became a form Kaleb couldn’t recognize. They were no longer who he had fought with, but something different, reflecting their cruelty and malice. He saw apprentices and their masters now in hiding, being captured by these troops. Scenes of Jedi in captivity, being tortured as they were forced to give up the locations of others, or be turned to the Dark Side. One such scene churned his stomach. An apprentice with dark skin and medium-length black hair stood before her tortured master. The apprentice had turned to the Dark Side.
He recognized the pair. Cere Junda and Trilla Sudari, both of whom he had known. As the scene played out in front of him, he tried to intervene but was stopped by an invisible wall. He felt the ground give in from under him, and fell ten feet, floating in mid-air.
In front of him was a pool, and creature stood on top of the water. Its red-pink head was angular, extending to the sides like a hat. Underneath the sides were curves of gold. The tall neck was covered by tall beige and gold robes extending to the sides, and it eyes were blank shades of green. Wind whipped around the figure, rustling the waves. Kaleb walked out to the figure, reaching out as if to touch it.
It disappeared, and the pool was replaced by fog. Thousands of the troopers in new armor marched in line, in armor of white and black. Their conversations were in static. He heard Obi-Wan’s voice over the movements of twirling blasters. “The Republic has fallen. So begins the dark times of the Galactic Empire.”
Kaleb couldn’t believe what was happening, or what could have happened. He was trying to deny the thought in his head, that the Republic could have fallen, or given rise to darkness. Obi Wan’s message and this speech hit him hard, confirming those facts. Behind him, he heard footsteps and turned around. He saw a figure in shadow, ten feet behind him, its mechanical breaths giving him chills and echoing throughout. A blade of red ignited…and it was all Kaleb saw before the blade swung at him.
Kaleb opened his eyes with alarm and reached for his lightsaber, wincing with pain. It soon became clear that he wasn’t in that cave, or the Senate chambers, but on a hospital bed in a small room. He wore hospital robes instead of the Jedi kind, with bandages around his ribs. The only amount of light came from a small lamp to the side.
He held a hand to his head, trying to figure out what he just saw. What was that? That couldn’t have been real, but I could feel the Force. Glimpses into the future. The Republic can’t be gone, it can’t be. Am I denying the truth, or was this all a bad dream of my own creation? Faust…I feel so alone and confused. And helpless for that matter…
Thoughts poured into his head, nearly becoming too much to bear. All were silenced for now as a door opened, and he saw Flash walk in. “Kaleb! Thank Faust, you’re awake.” He walked quickly over to him, and grabbed his arm, helping him into a sitting position.
“Flash…” Kaleb shook his head, trying to clear it. “Where am I? And How long have I been out?”
“Seven hours,” Flash explained. “We rushed you to the infirmary as fast as we could. Dr. Bluejay managed to extract the remaining poison from the dagger and produce an antidote. After your vitals stabilized, he moved you to a private room close to his office.” He fixed Kaleb with a concerned look. “Are you okay? You seem…kind of lost.”
“I’m okay, just a little slow from waking up.” Kaleb remembered what he saw. I need time to process all of this. But not right now. Kaleb shook his head, and noticed his staff was leaning against the wall. “It seems like you’ve been here for a while.”
Flash nodded. “I’m on orders to guard you until you awoke. It’s been a hectic few hours of reestablishing order around Canterlot, and reassuring everyone the city is safe. Princess Celestia and Luna have recovered and are organizing everything. It appears the police were under the spell, and the guards who were kidnapped and replaced with changelings were found in the deeper catacombs of the tunnels.”
“What about my ship?” Kaleb asked. “Is it still at the train station?”
“Princess Luna managed to transport it to the bunker, along with every piece and scrap. It’s in rough shape.” Flash laughed slightly. “You managed to attract a lot of attention. Everyone in Canterlot probably knows.”
“It’s to be expected,” Kaleb said, shrugging. “The ship could only be kept secret for so long, and I won’t know the full damage it took for a while.” He put a hand to his bandages, noticing the tender areas. “How bad are they?”
“Could be worse, but it did a number,” the guard replied, looking at Kaleb’s chart. “Several cracked ribs on both sides, some close to fractures. Even though your sternum is healed, the bruising is going to hurt like hell. Medication and potions are being used for healing and managing the pain. It’s going to be difficult for the next few weeks, but you should make a full recovery.”
He paused and took a deep breath. “Before I tell anyone you’re awake, I wanted to talk to you in private. You saved my life, back when we were flying. I can’t tell you how much it means to me. When someone saves you like that, I just can’t describe that feeling. But with your friend…”
“Thankfulness,” Kaleb finished, knowing what Flash was thinking. “And brotherhood. When we were out there together, I felt that bond. I know I told you about Rogue, and what he meant to me. Even though he’s gone, part of him is still there.” He held out a hand to the guard who took it. “Consider us friends. Perhaps even brothers. We saved each other’s lives, that’s something to bond over.”
Flash chuckled slightly. “I’ll try and live up to his legacy. You still owe me that drink though.”
“Right. I’ll remember that,” Kaleb chuckled, before his voice turned to seriousness. “Are you sure all the changelings are gone?”
“At the moment, we are,” Flash responded. “We’re conducting a search through Canterlot, and we’ll be done by tomorrow morning. Dr. Bluejay is helping the Equestrian Guard, but he’ll be back by tonight.
Before Kaleb could say anything more, Flash responded to his worries. “Your friends are waiting for you outside. I couldn’t get an update on Fluttershy’s condition before I got here. Those children have minor injuries and are currently resting. Should I tell them?”
“Yeah, go ahead.” Flash nodded, and went outside. Kaleb took a look outside the window. I need time to figure out what that vision meant. What it means for the Jedi’s future as well as mine. I was never in the Jedi Council, so I never heard any conversations about any kind of coup. Who did this, and how did they collapse an entire government?
He took his lightsaber from the bedside table, gripping it before putting it back. They can’t know, not about this. This secret I must keep, even if it destroys me. Kaleb was in denial. The simple fact remained that the institution he had sworn to protect was gone, burned to ash and dust. Giving rise to a horror responsible for atrocity.
A knock broke him out of his state, as he gazed up at the ponies filing in. Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack all filed in, with Applejack carrying a basket of apples and flowers. “We figured this would be a good gift. I know how much you enjoyed the honeycrisp apples from the fall festival.”
“Thank you, this is very thoughtful.” She set it down, and they gathered around him. Kaleb noticed they had all picked up smaller injuries, and their coats were slightly faded from exhaustion. “I’m glad to see you five safe, but where’s…”
“Fluttershy’s okay.” Twilight interrupted before he could ask. “She’s currently unconscious, those wounds from earlier took their toll along with her wing. She’s stable, and should be waking up in a few hours.”
Kaleb nodded. “Thank the Maker, along with the rest of you.”
“And I want to thank you again for your bravery today. Equestria is safe because of all of you.” As he was thanking them, smiling, he noticed they looked at him differently. There was genuine concern instead of happiness, and confusion as if they didn’t recognize him. They were trying to appear joyful in front of him, but the true feeling showed in their eyes. He paused, noticing this, and looked at them with the seriousness they returned.
“We’re sorry Kaleb, there’s just something that’s bothering us right now,” Rainbow Dash explained. “And it kind of has to do with you.”
Rarity shot her a warning look, as Applejack punched her wing slightly. “Not in that way, darling. You saved all of us, including Spike, my sister, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo. And we’re all grateful. But something happened before the battle started…”
“All of you were in the magical dome, and saw those visions.” Kaleb had wished to avoid this conversation, but he knew in those moments it had arrived the moment they entered. They aren’t angry at me, they’re worried.
Pinkie Pie nodded. “Kaleb, was it all true? It couldn’t have been, maybe it was just a bad dream.”
Kaleb sat there for a moment, thinking. Chrysalis wanted to use me to scare them. To see their powers in a new light, and she succeeded. They’re scared of those visions, and perhaps even me. He closed his eyes before opening them again. “Yes.”
He spoke before any of them could reply. “Those flashbacks are real. And the emotional and physical torment is still there, even now. I never wanted any of you to find out this way, not like this. It would have been a conversation done years from now, not today. I’m sorry, for everything. Chrysalis used me to get to you. To scare you into surrendering.”
Pinkie Pie walked to his bedside. “It’s alright, Kaleb. She manipulated everyone, but we stuck together.”
“And nothing breaks the bond of friends, no matter what.” Rainbow Dash interrupted. “Without loyalty, we wouldn’t be around.”
“Especially friends who consider each other family,” Twilight finished. “We’re family, Kaleb. You said it yourself. That was an excellent speech.”
An inner voice rang through his head. Your other family is struggling to survive, dying and in pain. Yet you lie here, in comfort. What kind of family abandons each other? Everything you fought for is gone, and fallen to darkness.
Kaleb nodded, trying to push the doubts from his head. “Yeah, thanks. Just something that came to me in the moment.” The sunset poured into the window. “I wish I could keep you entertained, but I’m kind of tired. And hungry, now that I think about it.”
“Girls, let’s give him some space,” Twilight said. “But before we do, every family member needs to go through something.”
That was the moment they all bundled him in a group hug. As much as Kaleb enjoyed the sentiment, his injuries did not. “Okay, that’s nice….ow….ow… watch it, watch the ribs.”
They immediately all jumped back, apologizing. “It’s okay, hugging with cracked ribs isn’t the best idea. Let’s reschedule this for another time.” He chuckled, stopping when it became painful.
All except for Twilight said their goodbyes and left, closing the door behind them. The unicorn looked at him. “It’s around 7:00, by the way. There’s no clock in here for some reason. I think they’re serving dinner to everyone right about now.”
Kaleb picked up a menu, looking at it, while Twilight was speaking. “They have a small selection of food, so there aren’t many options.”
“It’s okay, I’m fine with it.” Kaleb clarified quickly. “I might start to add meat into my diet in moderation, at some point anyway. I think with today, especially with what I was doing, really took a lot of energy out. I’m going to need a little more strength if I’m going to adjust to the growth of my physical abilities and Force powers.”
“Was that what it was?” Twilight asked. “You managed to block every magical blast, and redirect it while flipping. And on top of that, you had to fight through a lot of changelings.”
Kaleb nodded. All of his friends had an understanding of when he was talking about the Jedi or the Force, that information needed to be kept in confidence. “I went into meditation during combat, something I thought was only possible from the most skilled Jedi Masters. Your state of mind changes from the Force and requires immense concentration that allows you to meditate during combat, boosting your physical and mental abilities as well. I was never able to go into it properly before today. The cost is it takes a great deal of stamina, and leaves the user drained.”
“Is it used as a last resort? I can see why you were.” He could tell that Twilight was now curious.
“Yes, only in circumstances most dire. I knew of only a few masters with that kind of control. Even my own couldn’t perfect it, although she was able to do it at certain times. That was why Drogo was able to stab me, doing it multiple times when you have no experience controlling it depletes your energy.” He thought back to the times when Obi-Wan and Master Yoda lectured him about it. “Keeping up your physical fitness and stamina is part of it, along with perfecting deep, advanced meditations.” From different sects of Force users, such as the ones on Jehda.
He could tell he at least made Twilight’s day. Rarity called out to Twilight, and she turned to him. “Spike’s awake, I need to see him. I think the rest of the CMC are as well.”
“Go, be with him,” Kaleb replied. “I’ll be fine here. I could probably use the quiet time anyway to think. Give them my best”.
Twilight waved as she left. Kaleb glanced at the menu.
Sweetie Belle gazed out of the window, as the sunset was quickly turning to darkness. She was sitting on a chair, up from her bed. I can feel them, the birds and the animals returning. Faint, but there. She sighed, thinking about the past day. Crazy, it went from huddling in a bunker to playing with Thunder’s pets, Jim and Frank. They did love the puppet show we put on for them, especially Spike as the singing frog.
“Sweetie Belle, are you coming over?” Scootaloo called out, her and Apple Bloom on the floor. They were at the small table, with a bevy of construction paper, glue, and writing utensils.
“I’ll be there in a sec.” She called back, looking at the sunset one last time. Moving down from the chair carefully, she went to the small table, looking at the stack of cards. “It’s a nice thing for us to do, making cards for those who were injured.”
“And on top of it, we can try for our cutie marks in card design,” Apple Bloom responded. “We can get two apples in one buck.”
“Well, we did try for a lot of things. Pan fighting, puppetry, pet counseling, playwriting,” Scootaloo listed off. “Your singing skills were off the charts.”
“That goes for all of us as well.” She responded. “Can I make Kaleb’s card? I all of us to sign it, and to make it as special as possible.”
“Sure, let me grab some glue.” Scootaloo got up and went to the box on the other side of the room, and came back. Sweetie Belle gazed at both of them. Are we really not going to talk about what happened last night?
She started to make Kaleb’s card, grabbing the construction paper and glue. That was scary for all of us. I don’t think they’re ready. Grabbing the colored pencils and crayons, she drew a heart and colored it in red, adding a blue background. Finishing up the card, she laid it down. “It’s ready to go.”
The other two nodded, with Apple Bloom taking the lead. “We need to get these other cards done so we can do a full sweep.”
“That’s fine,” she responded, taking note. “I’m going out for some air. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
She got up and walked out of the room, going down the hall. I could feel their trepidation. We all want to talk, but none of us knows how. Weaving through the floor, she made her way to a waiting area, and sat down on a chair. The walls were eggshell, and there were red chairs with lights on the walls. It was a moody atmosphere. A familiar voice caught her attention.
Princess Luna and Spike were talking quietly, their voices not able to be heard by her. She tried not to listen, no matter how hard it was. It appeared to be the tail end of the conversation, as Princess Luna got up and noticed her. “Good evening, Sweetie Belle.”
She jumped in her chair, slightly alarmed. “Hi, Princess Luna. Sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude.”
“It’s alright, my young pony. I was just having a conversation with Spike.” she responded. Spike looked at her, clearly amused at this whole interaction. “He was telling me about the new comic books he is ordering this week. Very interesting indeed.”
Sweetie Belle looked at him, and he shot her a teasing glance. She resisted the urge to send him one back. “Well, I’m sure it was. I just came here for some air.”
“A good night for some. I must be going, but it was excellent to see you. Farewell.” She left, leaving the two of them alone in the waiting room.
She and Spike both laughed slightly. “That was my first time seeing her, without being with Rarity at least. It’s kind of intimidating. And I could have gone without the funny faces.”
Spike raised his hands. “Hey, I didn’t realize that, I wouldn’t have done it if I had known. But seeing your reaction was worth it.” She rolled her eyes slightly, as he chuckled. “She’s nice, once you get to know her.”
“I’m sure she is.” She said. “I thought you were with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo.”
“I was, but I needed to visit Shining Armor,” Spike explained. “I was there briefly, but had to get back to Twilight. I was just coming back up to get some air before Luna came up to me.”
Sweetie Belle nodded. “Same here.” She looked at him, studying him. He seems fine, I guess just tired like the rest of us. But I just wish I could talk to…
Spike interrupted her thoughts, and broke her gaze. “Are you three holding up okay? I mean…after last night.”
She shook her head to clear her thoughts. “Maybe, I don’t know. It’s difficult to tell with Scootaloo and Apple Bloom. How about you?” She didn’t expect to be asked by Spike.
“It’s kind of complicated.” Spike said, lingering on every word. “I kind of feel lost, in a way. I know that I’m safe now, but it’s scary when things get that serious. Seeing Twilight in distress was brutal.” He paused, looking at her.
She guessed he knew there were some things on her mind as well. “I just wish to Faust I can talk to the two of them. I have a feeling they’re not ready, and I just want to help them.” She looked back at him, as she moved her gaze from the hallway. “That must have been difficult, with Twilight. I know none of this is Rarity’s fault, but at the same time I’m having doubts.”
“You and her have a complicated relationship, by the looks of it,” Spike pointed out. “Talking it out tends to help Twilight and I when we’re having issues.”
She nodded. “I love Rarity, and we’ve been through a lot together. Maybe this is something we can work out together.” She thought of her friends. “I just wish that I could help Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. They’re troubled, but I don’t think they’re ready to talk.”
“Twilight always told me that we go through emotions in different ways, and it’s important to understand that,” Spike dispensed. “If they’re not ready, they’re not going to talk. They might talk to someone else instead of you when they’re ready.”
“I thought friends shared everything with each other…” Sweetie Belle replied, trailing off. They had always been close, but this felt like the first time they fell apart. “I guess that we there’s somethings that we keep to ourselves. I just wish I can help them.”
“Maybe just being there can help. Knowing that they can talk to you at any time can help. It doesn’t even matter where, or how, just having that support can make them feel better,” Spike said wisely, but with thought. His voice recoiled slightly, as if something was stuck in his throat.
She had a feeling, almost a sense, he wasn’t just talking about Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. “Oh yeah, I nearly forgot.” She rummaged through her saddlebags and took out a book, handing it to him. “I figured you could use some…new reading material…well not new, exactly.”
Spike gazed down at the book in amazement. “This is the Power Ponies Guidebook, covering the statistical stats and provided powers of the entire universe. This is awesome, and an older edition.” He was trying not to do claw motions on the alliterations, which Sweetie Belle found hilarious. “Where did you get this?”
“Rarity.” Spike looked at her, almost raising an eyebrow. “I’m not joking, turns out she snuck comics into my parent’s house, and got this from a used bookstore in Rainbow Falls.”
“Thanks, I can’t wait to read this tonight,” Spike said, almost a little confused but grateful. “I wish I had something to give you.”
“You can always let me borrow it once I’m finished catching up on the older runs,” Sweetie Belle said, slightly nervous. “Consider it a thanks. You did…kind of save me last night.”
Spike remembered, looking back. “Yeah…I guess I did." He looked at her, taking a few seconds to make sure nobody else was coming. “Dragons have this sense which triggers their defensive reflexes when anyone close to them is in danger. It kicked in when they attacked us, and my fire was the first line of defense. I couldn’t let them get all of you. But that muzzle, it was like I couldn’t breathe. I tried to break it, but it was too strong.”
“You did everything you could,” Sweetie Belle responded, trying to calm him. “Even without it, I have a feeling you would have jumped.”
“I guess you’re right. If there’s anyone I should be thanking, it’s all of you,” Spike added, rubbing his arm. He sighed and looked at her, as she looked back in confusion. “The last few weeks, the last month really, have been cool. Spending time with you, Scoots, and Apple Bloom. It’s kind of hard to explain, but I was in a really bad place before all of this. It was like I had been thrown this dark pit of bad feelings, negativity, and sadness, and I was falling deeper into it. The deeper it gets, the colder it is. Even though I’m climbing back up, I’m still slipping.”
“Did you ever tell Twilight about this?” Sweetie Belle asked.
He shook his head. “No, I couldn’t. It wasn’t until after I snapped at her that I think she realized there was something more. She doesn’t know the full truth, but enough to realize something was happening. But then you reached out, and kept me from falling deeper. Without that, I don’t know if I could have ever come back up.”
Her head filled with a bevy of emotions. Oh Spike. There was this one feeling she couldn’t recognize, a small one that spoke to her. “I just was trying to do the right thing, like any friend should. Nobody should have to go through that alone, not even you.”
“True. Sometimes, it gets lonely being Twilight’s number one assistant,” Spike added. “It’s not what I want to do for the rest of my life, sometimes it would just be nice to explore a little. When Twilight and I moved here, her friends became mine, in a way. But, it’s difficult to connect with them sometimes.”
“I feel that,” Sweetie Belle acknowledged. “Sometimes, it feels like Rarity is in her own different world.”
“But I never really had a group of friends my age, not even in Canterlot. When we first moved here, I found it really difficult to connect at first, but then The Cutie Mark Crusaders changed that. In a way, you three inspire me to try and branch out. I don’t want to be her number one assistant forever; I want to explore the world. Sometimes I wish I could be a part of something bigger. Twilight always talked about the magic of friendship, but I never truly knew what it meant until you three became my friends. So, thanks for that.”
She didn’t know what to say, but had gratitude in her expression. “Of course! That’s what friends are for.” She held out her hoof, and Spike took it, shaking it, before giving her a high five.
Spike checked the time. “I should be getting back to Twilight, but this was a blast. I guess I’ll see you at the ceremony tomorrow, and the reception.”
“Yeah, see you tomorrow!” she said with enthusiasm, as Spike wandered out of the room. Letting out a deep breath, she took a look out the window. There has to be something more I can do, or we can do for him. An idea bounced into her head. Maybe, just maybe I can convince them…
She trotted down the hall, faster than usual, arriving at the room only a few seconds after. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom were organizing cards, with the young earth pony looking up. “There you are, we’re just sorting out cards before giving them out. We have to get these out quick.”
“Sorry, getting air took longer than I thought,” she said quickly, hoping it wasn’t too late. “But before we do, I’d like to call a Cutie Mark Crusaders special meeting.”
Scootaloo looked up. “If it’s a quick conversation, I’m good.” Apple Bloom responded the same.
“Okay.” Sweetie Belle took a deep breath. “I am submitting a nomination for an invitation to our group. I know it’s just been the three of us, but in times of special circumstances, we put in our code that we could consider more for membership.”
The two of them looked at her. Scootaloo nodded. “Okay, I’ll hear it. I guess these aren’t normal times.”
She closed the door before taking a deep breath before giving her pitch. “It’s someone who’s shown to be a Crusader both in spirit and action. Someone who has learned the value of friendship from us, and is inspired by it. Someone who has been our friend for a while now, and who even has helped us at some points….”
Apple Bloom raised her hoof, and Sweetie Belle stopped. She looked at her honestly, and with an understanding. “You’re talking about Spike. He’s the one you’re nominating.”
She nodded. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo looked at each other, with Scootaloo speaking first. “When we started this club, it was just the three of us. We were already friends, and this was a way to really be able to hang out together, and work towards our goals of getting a cutie mark. I’m not saying that Spike isn’t worthy, but how will it affect our friendship?”
“Having more friends isn’t a bad thing, Scoots,” Apple Bloom replied. “And I don’t think it would affect the three of us at all. We can still hang out together, outside of the club.”
“I was just pointing it out, that’s all,” she said. “I like Spike, it’s just this is new for our club. We haven’t admitted anyone else before.”
Apple Bloom nodded, turning to Sweetie Belle. “I think Spike would make an excellent Crusader. But we need to consider the special circumstances before we make a decision.”
I know what they are, but it’s not positive. If I tell them, I need to make sure they know how serious this is. “Give me a Pinkie Promise that what I tell you doesn’t leave this room.”
Both ponies did the promise, partially surprised by the serious tone in her voice. Apple Bloom nodded to her encouragingly. “Okay, we promise to keep this secret. Please tell us the circumstances.”
Sweetie Belle took a deep breath, and started to talk about Spike, including about what had been happening over the past few months. Both ponies listened, trying their best to hide their expressions as she told them. She spoke nonstop for six minutes, trying to be as sensitive as possible and not divulging more than what was needed. After she finished she took a deep breath, and looked at them.
The trio sat in silence for over a minute before Scootaloo spoke quietly. “Before I was adopted, I heard stories from the ponies at the orphanage, older ones about those kinds of feelings. None of you can relate, but when you feel that alone, it’s difficult to get back up. There were some that couldn’t get out, that couldn’t stop those feelings. They never were the same again, or at the worst…decided life wasn’t worth it.”
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle held her hoof. “Thanks. Even after I was, I still struggled, but I had you two. I think friendship is more powerful than anyone thinks. Even the Mane Six doesn’t fully know what it can do.”
Apple Bloom chuckled. “My sis has that feeling sometimes. I know we started this club for us, but I think we have the ability here to help others and change lives for the better. It’s something that goes beyond the three of us getting our cutie mark. If we can help others, even in a small way, it’s worth it.”
Scootaloo nodded. “This is something that we should add to our guidelines, but that’s for another time. Anything more to add?”
Sweetie Belle started her conclusion. “Spike looks up and is inspired by us. He’s practically already helped us try and find out talents. If he has the spirit of a Crusader, and the heart of one as well, we should offer him an invitation.”
Apple Bloom looked at the two. “Shall we put it to a vote?”
Spike smiled as he moved the chess pieces on the table beside Kaleb’s bed. “Check.”
It was late, around 9:45 as Kaleb and Spike were engaged in the chess match for the ages. The board was set, and they each moved the pieces with quick precision. He had tried to put aside the troubled thoughts for another time, but they still plagued him. I can’t falter, not for Spike, not for anyone.
Kaleb set forth a series of movements with his knights, but it was not enough to stop the long strategy Spike was putting forth: drawing his pieces out for small skirmishes, leaving his king defenseless except for the queen. Kaleb moved his queen in front, buying time as Spike took the piece to be able to move his king. Finally, the king was trapped by Spike’s queen and a squadron of pawns. “Checkmate.”
Kaleb nodded, helping to put the chess pieces back in the box even as Spike insisted. “I’ll be all right, it’s good to get my wrist moving. It wasn’t badly injured, just sore.”
“Just be careful, okay. Twilight told me not to push you too hard,” Spike said, closing the box. “But I think I pushed the limits. That’s my first time ever winning at chess.”
“And it was a well-earned victory,” Kaleb said, shaking Spike’s claw lightly. “You had a good strategy. I saw some of my past moves in it.”
“Yeah, I kind of drew from you,” Spike responded sheepishly. “You still had the upper hand in those skirmishes, so I guess it was just luck.”
“And a great deal of hard work,” Kaleb added. “Maybe I’ll teach you dejarik sometime if I can figure how to build the board.”
“And what’s the strategy there?” Spike asked curiously.
Kaleb let out a mischevious grin, thinking of past missions to Kashyyyk. “Always let the Wookiee win.”
The young dragon was confused, but Twilight interrupted their conversation. “Spike, it’s time to go to bed. It’s past your bedtime, but I wanted to see how that game would end.”
“And it ended in victory,” Spike responded, standing up from the chair and heading towards the door. “Goodnight, Kaleb. Enjoy the comics I left on your nightstand.” Spike closed the door, walking towards the other floors.
Twilight smiled. “That was a good game. I was watching from my journal.” she added one last thing as she sat down next to his bed. “He really looks up to you, you know? He views you like an older brother, someone who’s there.”
“I’m glad,” Kaleb replied. “He’s a good kid, and I can’t wait to spend more time with him.” He picked up one of the comics, and set it back down. “Thanks for staying here. You don’t have to, you know.”
Twilight nodded. “I know, but that’s what friends are for. It gave me some quiet space anyway.” She pulled out a book with a blue cover and gold engravings on the front. “You might want to start doing journal entries.”
“You know, you have asked me many times to write letters to Princess Celestia or add an entry in your friendship journal, and I have kindly declined every time.” Kaleb pointed out.
Twilight chuckled before getting serious. “It’s not that journal, this is for you. Your very own.” She set it down on the table. “I find it helpful to write down my thoughts, feelings, and observations. It can help me sort them out, and perhaps make sense of it.” She narrowed her eyes. “It’s no secret that something’s bothering you, Kaleb.”
He didn’t try to deny it, but had an amazement that she was able to figure it out. “How did you know?”
“You always get this look in your eyes, and you have a tendency to tap your hands or fingers on your legs,” Twilight listed. “Look, you don’t have to talk to me. You can talk to whomever you’d like or don’t. I just want to know that you are being helped, or at least have the resource to do so.”
Kaleb nodded, looking at the journal. Maybe this could help me. I need to get this out, somehow. “Thanks, Twilight. You’re a good friend, better than I can ever ask for.”
She smiled. “Of course, anytime. There’s just one thing I need to ask. Is this problem you won’t talk about Fluttershy?”
He shook his head, sighing. “No, it’s about something else. But that is something which will need to be faced.”
Twilight thought towards the day’s events. “When everything broke out in that hall, I could barely see, and she was gone. What happened?”
“She flew towards me, taking the blaster hits,” Kaleb answered to her shock. “We were forced out the window, and fell three stories before I managed to grapple us both to a room. The wounds were bad, and I was trying to save her. Dr. Bluejay managed to get her bandaged up. The last words she said before the two of them left, was to come back safe.” He paused. “She said she couldn’t lose me.”
Twilight took a few seconds to think before speaking. “I know she was quieter than usual, because of everything that was happening. But I saw her eyes during that ceremony. They were right on you.” She saw his reaction. “You really love her, don’t you? Not just an attraction or passing fade, but a deep affection.”
Kaleb responded after a few seconds. “What you need to understand is the Jedi do not view romantic attraction in a positive light. She was the first one I ever had these feelings for. After everything that happened, do you think it was the best decision?”
Twilight couldn’t respond. “All that I know is there was something there. It looked like puppy dog love, but there was always something deeper. Do you think she still loves you?”
“I…don’t know. That is a decision both of us will have to make on our own,” Kaleb said. “All I want is for her to be happy, and to have a good life. There could be part of me that still does. But things have changed, more than you know. If not, somebody will have to end it, whether one of us wants to or not. It could be one of us, or both. But it should be merciful and swift, so no added pain is felt, and we can put it out of its misery if both of us are hurting.”
He still loves her, and cares deeply. But with everything that’s happened, I see how it left him torn, Twilight realized. “You know I’m here for both of you, no matter what happens.”
“I know. It’s just there’s other matters taking up my thoughts, not just this,” Kaleb added. “It’s kind of getting late, you know. But thank you for listening.”
Twilight checked the time. “You’re welcome. I should probably go, anyway. If you ever need to talk, I’m here.” She went to the door, opening it. “Cadance and Shining Armor are going through with the ceremony in the afternoon, and having the reception in the evening. If you feel up to it, just let someone know.” She closed the door.
Kaleb looked at the time, and to the journal. Perhaps in here will I find the answers I am looking for. He opened the journal randomly, looking at the two empty ones in front of him. Slowly, but surely, he began to draw things from his vision. Drawing was slow at first, as he pondered every thought. But as the minutes passed, it soon began frantic, as he sketched quickly with his hands shaking. At last, he took a look at the drawings in front of him. The cold gazes of the helmets blazed into his head, and the ominous creature stared back at him, as if a warning for what was about to come.
He jumped and quickly closed the journal as he heard two loud knocks on his door. He reached for his lightsaber on his nightstand, and relaxed when he saw who it was.
“I thought you would still be awake,” Dr. Bluejay greeted. “You’re going to be tired, but it’s difficult to sleep.”
“Yeah, the pain’s still fresh,” Kaleb replied, looking as the doctor glanced over his chart. “What’s happening? I thought I would hear from you earlier.”
He nodded. “It’s been a long day. I’ve been working to treat multiple patients while also coordinating with the princesses on security. The wedding will go on tomorrow afternoon, with the morning being used to make sure we are secure.” He looked over towards the door. “Kaleb, there’s someone here to see you if it’s not too late…”
“Yeah, it’s fine.” Kaleb had sensed her presence in the hallway a few moments earlier, as the door opened and closed.
Fluttershy walked in, limping slightly as she did. Her mane and coat were disheveled, and had cuts and bruises along her body. One of her wings was bandaged up, wrapped tightly in white.
“I have better supplies in my office, so I’ll be right back,” Dr. Bluejay stated as he went out of the door to his office.
Fluttershy and Kaleb both stared at each other, almost as if they were studying each other. Kaleb had known any first meeting would be uncomfortable, but he didn’t anticipate it happening so soon and late. She took a seat and sat down near his bed.
After what seemed like an eternity, even though it was just 20 seconds, Kaleb broke the silence. “So, who talks first? You talk first, I talk first…”
“I don’t think the order really matters,” Fluttershy replied. Her voice was neutral, but slightly worn out, as she looked around the room. “Applejack got me that same basket, with greens and carrots for Angel. I love the honeycrisp apples.”
“Yeah, they’re really good,” he replied. “Are you alright? How’s your wing?”
“Broken, but it should heal fine in a few weeks.” She looked at him. “How did you end up with all of that?”
“Well, it’s mainly my ribs that took the beating, but it just hurts all over,” he said, adding slightly with a cough. “Crash landing the ship didn’t do my injuries any favors.”
She nodded. “I could hear it in the air, even though I couldn’t see it. It sounded impressive.”
“Yeah, the whole thing managed to kind of work.” These negotiations are short, but could not be longer right now…
“Kind of is overstating it,” Dr. Bluejay interrupted while closing the door. “The shields failed, and parts were flying off, including the damn cockpit. I thought the hull was going to be sealed tight Kaleb, not falling to pieces during battle like a heated piece of glass.”
“I thought it performed well, despite all of that.” he defended. “The weight balance certainly was better, after what we found hidden in the storage area, which could have made for a great copilot and friend if you would have helped me.”
“Did I look like I had the time to fix an entire damn astromech droid?” Fluttershy snorted back a laugh. Kaleb glared slightly at her, as she shrugged. “I apologize for the attitude, it’s been a long day, like I’ve said. I’ve had probably a hundred ponies breathing down my neck for the past few hours, including the Equestrian Guard.”
“I’ll allow it,” Kaleb replied. “The ship did at least manage to stay in the air okay.”
“That it did, but we can talk about that later. I need you to sit up, Kaleb.” He sat up, and Dr. Bluejay put the stethoscope to Kaleb’s chest. “Breathe normally.” Kaleb took normal, deep breaths as the doctor moved it all around his chest, and onto his back. He nodded, and Kaleb relaxed on the pillows, adjusting them so he could be in an upright sitting position. Dr. Bluejay continued a few more tests including blood pressure and reflexes, before finally taking a seat on the other side of the bed, opposite of Fluttershy.
“Everything seems to be alright, including blood pressure,” he explained. “The poison is out of your system, but it’s going to leave you more fatigued than usual. You actually got lucky with the ribs, they’re cracked but in a way that’s easy to naturally heal with potions, even though the injuries are severe. Bruises are normal, and should be managed with icing and medications. You’ll probably be walking with a cane for the next few weeks, but you’ll be fine.”
He paused for a moment, taking time to put away the chart. “I also spent part of the day talking to Lyra. I think I owe both of you an apology and an explanation for what happened in my absence.”
“You don’t have too,” Kaleb replied quickly, “I understand the circumstances around your kidnapping.”
“Well, it actually started before that.” Dr. Bluejay said, silencing him. “We found that the changeling infiltration happened over the past nine months. One of the changelings in disguise was a member of my staff, who happened to take your initial exam when you first arrived here.”
This left both Kaleb and Fluttershy with a shocked expression. “Parts of that physical exam were covered up, so I didn’t have everything. When I was kidnapped, you were still getting medication through my office. That’s how they changed the medication and knew about any previous injuries.” He coughed slightly. “I can assure you that security will be tighter for my office, and each member will be required to rigorous examination. Equestrian Guard standards will be applied, since I’m part of the Royal Staff.”
Kaleb nodded. “Thank you for your service, and I hope that everything goes well.”
Dr. Bluejay stood up. “When I was talking to Lyra, she told me about what happened to you two. I need to examine your back, Kaleb.”
Kaleb let out a nervous, deep breath and nodded, sitting up. Dr. Bluejay moved over to him. “Fluttershy, I’m going to need you to turn around for this part.”
She nodded, giving Kaleb a calming glance before turning around. The doctor undid Kaleb’s hospital robes, and gazed at his back. Observing the damage taken to that area, he moved his hoof gently around the skin, being careful not to push too hard or to trigger a flashback. Kaleb kept his eyes closed, doing the imagery exercises Lyra taught him. It’s only for a little while longer.
After what seemed to be a great deal of minutes, Dr. Bluejay closed the robes and told Fluttershy it was over. She looked at both of them. “What did you see?”
He sat down, thinking for a few moments before speaking. “I think Kaleb was very lucky to have gotten out when he did.” He looked at them both, giving the seriousness of the situation. “It’s not just normal tissue damage, the entire muscle structure is twisted, damaging nerves in the process. Some of those burns never healed properly either. It’s deep, most likely going into the spine. If they had pushed any further, he would be lucky to be moving or even be alive.”
Fluttershy gasped slightly, looking at Kaleb and sharing his shocked expression. “This is beyond my field of expertise. Normally, I can help with healing normal tissue damage, even having my spellcasters do their work. But this isn’t a normal case.”
He continued, quickly telling them to take deep breaths to relax. “I think there might be a way to heal it. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna would be the only ones I would trust to have the knowledge and experience to do so, and we would only present you an option after my approval and rigorous talks and research.”
Kaleb looked at him, with a bit of a fighting spirit. “If there’s a chance that this can be healed, then I want to take it.”
“I’ll talk to them tomorrow, and we’ll go from there.” Dr. Bluejay looked at both of them. “Look, I know you two have been through hell. And are probably feeling a lot of emotions right now. I’m not going to tell you what to do or say, but I’m here to give information to guide you. Going into a relationship with PTSD is a challenge in itself. Especially in your case. My advice is to continue to communicate and seeking counseling. It can be together, or on your own.”
He got up from his chair. “I have to go file some paperwork, and then to bed. Have a good night, Fluttershy, Kaleb.” The door closed behind him, leaving the two of them alone.
They both looked at each other, with Fluttershy breaking the silence. “He’s really nice and all, we managed to get out of the castle through the secret passages.” Her voice faded, as they both went into a period of silence. “Kaleb…I think we need to talk.”
He nodded. “I know.” There’s still so many unanswered questions with that vision, but this can’t be avoided. “Better we talk sooner than later. But we’re both tired, injured, and perhaps in a great deal of pain.” Kaleb winced slightly at the dull pain in his ribs.
“How about this: we each get to ask one question each?” Fluttershy proposed. “You at least owe me that, after everything today.”
Kaleb thought for a few seconds. “Yeah, that’s fair. You go first.”
“How long did you know about Chrysalis, and why didn’t you tell me?” she asked, her voice firm but level.
He took a deep breath, meeting her gaze. “I didn’t know the full truth about her, not until this morning. However, I knew something wasn’t right the moment I stepped foot in Canterlot.” He took time to think, to give her a full explanation. “I didn’t tell you because I was acting under my role as a Jedi. Princess Luna had ordered me to investigate quietly on what was happening, so I was sworn to secrecy. She knew something was off, not even trusting her sister on this matter. I had to act inconspicuous in order to see what was happening. And I had to follow the Jedi Code, and not let my personal attachments blind me from the truth.”
Fluttershy was following his every word with rapt attention. “The plan Twilight, Dr. Bluejay, Flash, and Princess Cadance came up with hinged on secrecy. The reason I let you in was the fact there were children at the ceremony, which wasn’t anticipated. I couldn’t let him harm them, not after what happened to the CMC and Spike.”
“I know some of what happened,” Fluttershy revealed. “They were out looking for owls, and attacked by changelings disguised as royal guards.”
“Drogo was the one who ordered those attacks,” Kaleb replied, seeing her eyes widen. “And their orders were on the basis of assassination. I got there before it was too late, and managed to get them to safety.”
She nodded. “One more question: If you were sworn to secrecy, and was holding to the plan this morning, why did you visit me?”
Kaleb sighed. “Because there was a chance both of us could have died today. I had to try to make things right, even in the smallest of ways.”
“I think that was more than one question,” Fluttershy said, trying to take everything in and realizing her mistake.
“Granted, I said to you a while ago you deserved a full explanation, and I’m giving it to you,” Kaleb said. “Why did you jump in front of me? Those blasters could have been real for any of us could have known.”
Fluttershy thought about her answer. “You said love is protecting your friends, even if it meant sacrificing your life for another.” Her voice cracked, and faltered. “I…didn’t know you meant it literally.”
He thought back to those he couldn’t save. “If sacrificing my life meant saving yours, Sweetie Belle’s and all my friends, I would have taken the blasts in a heartbeat.”
She paused, recognizing the phrasing. It’s just like after Philomena.
Kaleb knew that this conversation was drawing to a close, for now. “We both need time to reflect on this. Perhaps we can continue this conversation another time. It’s a lot of information for a one-question conversation.”
“Yeah, sorry about that,” she said, blushing slightly, and raising an eyebrow. “How did you not realize there was a droid in there the entire time?”
“I took the first ship I saw, I didn’t know,” Kaleb answered. “We found it when examining why the balance was so off. I never mentioned it because I wanted it to be a surprise for everyone.” He spoke fondly with nostalgia. “Among my personal possessions is the memory unit for my droid, which Master Johanna gave me a year before the war. It was a birthday gift, and she was more than a droid; but a companion and friend. I managed to save her memory unit after she was badly destroyed in a bombing, and if I can install it in the astromech unit, I can save her.”
“I hope you do. I would enjoy meeting her.” She responded. “Are you going to be at the ceremony tomorrow?”
“Hopefully, it just depends on my pain level,” Kaleb explained. “Either way, I’ll be there in some capacity.”
She stood up. “Well, I hope you feel better soon. Have a good night, Kaleb.”
He responded in kind, as she closed the door. Closing his eyes, he let out a deep breath. This was a start, at least. But I don’t know what’s going to happen next. All I know is this vision is bothering me more than I realized. I need time to figure this out.
The cool evening air hit, as the sunset was soon a haze after the dinner. The sky reflected shades of yellow, orange, maroon, and purple, as the loud music from Vinyl Scratch was hitting the spot. It was one of chill vibes, which led to calm dancing or at least talking in this case. Sweetie Belle was moving around in her light pink dress, which had purple and white lace designs and a matching flower crown of the same color. And she was currently looking for Spike.
This invitation ceremony should hopefully go well, before Twilight starts singing, she thought as the crowd was mingling its way around the royal gardens. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were responsible for setting everything up. I hope they found everything. “And there you are.”
Spike was getting another glass of punch, wearing a small tuxedo with a red bow tie. His top hat stood out from the crowd. “Hey, Sweetie Belle. What’s up?”
“Looking for you, actually,” she said in a hurry. “Come on.” She beckoned as he quickly followed her, to the edge of the mingling ponies. She was slightly nervous, and that showed.
“Where are we going?” he asked, following her around to the edge of the gardens near a small grove of trees. “I thought we weren’t going to try to look for owls again around here.”
“It’s a surprise, you’ll see,” She responded coyly. They approached a small clearing. “Close your eyes.”
He did so, and stopped. She paused, looking at Scootaloo and Apple Bloom, both wearing similar dresses and gave her the nod. “Turn slightly to the right, and move forward.” He did so, moving into the clearing. “Spike, you can open them.”
He opened them to find Apple Bloom and Scootaloo behind a makeshift podium. They moved aside, so that Sweetie Belle could speak. “On behalf of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, I, Sweetie Belle, extend to you the invitation of membership. You have proven yourself to be a good, loyal friend, and with the approval of my fellow members, would like for you to become a Crusader, just like us.”
Spike was speechless, gazing at all of them at the podium. Is this really happening? They want me to join them? He thought of all the times they had spent together, and how he always saw the CMC in action. They want me to be a part of that, a part of something bigger. He gazed up at them. “You want…me?”
“Yes,” Scootaloo spoke up. “You’re practically part of the group. And you have a good singing voice, so you’ll fit right in.” Sweetie Belle chuckled at that line, remembering Jim and Frank.
“You have helped us multiple times, and we recognize that,” Apple Bloom added. “Our goals are not only to find our cutie marks together, but help others see the potential in them. You don’t need a cutie mark to have a special talent or skill in life. Let us help you, just as you’ve helped us.”
Their words confirm his thoughts. I want to find my calling, my purpose in life. They didn’t just look at me and judge me for being a dragon. They accepted me for who I am. He let out a small smile. “I accept your invitation.”
Their eyes lit up as bright as the sunset, and cheered. “CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS TOGETHER!” They jumped up, and Spike was startled. Scootaloo saw him, chuckling. “We’ll teach you that. And a lot of things in time.”
The four Crusaders walked away from the woods, towards the dance floor and buffet. Apple Bloom looked over at the cake. “It looks like they’re handing out cake, we should get going.” She and Scootaloo hurried on over, as Sweetie Belle and Spike chuckled.
She looked over to Spike, and saw he was holding back tears. “You don’t have to hide them, not for me,” she said quietly.
He wiped his eyes. “Is it okay…” She nodded and the two hugged, only for a few seconds. “You have no idea how much this means to me. To my family.”
“I know,” She said, whispering right into his ear. “Why try and change the world alone, when you can do it together?”
He smiled. “We should probably get that cake now, before they run out.”
“You’re right, let’s go.” The two of them were off, and Sweetie Belle saw the dragon heading through the crowd. He’s going to be a great Crusader.
The two got their cake, which was chocolate adorned with white buttercream frosting with candy replicas of flowers, and sat down at Rarity’s table, where she was sitting alone. “Why, don’t you two look happy.” She replied, looking at the two of them. “What’s with the smiling faces?”
“Spike is now officially a Cutie Mark Crusader,” Sweetie Belle replied enthusiastically. “He just accepted the invitation.”
“And I could not be happier right now,” Spike added. “On top of that, they have candied gemstones. Those are difficult to make.”
“Now that is a cause worth celebrating.”
A figure in a blue robe sat down, leaning his cane against the table. Kaleb’s hood was still over his head, and he removed it. Under the Jedi robes, he wore a white dress shirt unbuttoned at the top and blue suit pants with his brown boots. “The Crusaders have found a worthy member in you.”
“Where did you come from?” Spike asked, looking around. The two sisters shot him the same look of curiosity.
“You’ll have to forgive my absence, Dr. Bluejay was doing a quick check-up that took longer than we thought,” Kaleb explained. “Everything’s fine, just double checking after walking all day.”
“Of course, we understand,” Rarity added. “You look quite mysterious in that robe."
“Thank you.” he answered. As Sweetie Belle and Spike were finishing their pieces, they saw Twilight taking the stage, with Vinyl Scratch and Pinkie Pie behind the podium.
“This goes out to my brother Shining Armor, and my new sister-in-law, Cadance.” Twilight turned around, and cued the two of them as they started up the music, and Twilight started a long intro.
Ponies began to gather the dance floor. Sweetie Belle was looking out at the ponies. “You know, it looks like they’re having a lot of fun.” she said, putting her focus on them.
Rarity was looking at the dancers as well, and Kaleb nudged Spike, nodding towards Sweetie Belle and speaking quietly to him. “Ask her to dance, Spike.”
“Wait…what?” Kaleb gave him an encouraging nod, and Spike and got her attention. “Do you…maybe want to dance?”
“Yeah…I’d like that.” That was all she said as her and Spike went to the dance floor. The feeling from last night came up again, this time stronger. What is this? Is it the power of friendship, or something else, something more? She didn’t know, but all she could feel was a rush of appreciation, and perhaps a little bit of affection just as Twilight began the chorus.
Kaleb coughed, and took a drink of water. “Everyone seems happy here, at peace. Thanks for repairing my robe, by the way.”
“Think nothing of it dear,” Rarity responded. “I hope you like the clasp as well.” It was one of a polished blue, the same shade of his lightsaber. “Though I have to ask, why was your hood up?”
He grimaced slightly. “As much as I’ve enjoyed the music and partying, it’s a little bit loud while I’m still recovering. This helps filter out the sound and allows me to focus.”
Rarity nodded and observed. “You seem to be adjusting to the cane well.”
“Yeah, it’s been a challenge. Some of the time, I have to balance using the Force.” He looked at her, and looked to the dance floor towards Sweetie Belle. It’s better to have this conversation sooner than later. “I believe we need to talk about someone who we mutually care for and want to protect.”
Rarity realized who he was talking about and looked at him. “I think so.” She took a deep breath. “She’s growing up faster than I ever could have imagined. There’s some stuff I imagined I’d be dealing with three years from now, instead of at this moment.”
“Children grow up fast, faster than we often want them too,” Kaleb acknowledged. “The important thing is as siblings, parents, or mentors, we must adjust to it.”
“She looks up to you, you know? I’ve done my best with her, even at moments I regret but I think she views you more as the sibling or parental figure than I am.”
Kaleb shook his head, looking at her with understanding. “You’re underestimating yourself. She cares about you, more than you know. You and her parents raised her, you were around. I just happened to be at the right moment at the right time.”
Rarity shook herself out of that state. “You’re right. I know our relationship has been strained, but the past day has actually been kind of healing. We’ve bonded more then than we have in a while. It’s not a hundred percent okay, it never will be. But it’s getting there.” She thought for a moment, making sure nobody else was listening. “What’s happening to her abilities?"
“The abilities have a tendency to change over time, but that depends on the child,” Kaleb explained, remembering his conversations with Master Yoda. “Age can play a factor, but their abilities are something of a wild card. There’s a reason why there was specialized training when working with them.” He thought back to her powers, and what has happened over the last few months. “I think her powers are in a transitional phase, between just a sensitivity to the Force and an actual connection. They keep switching back and forth.”
He gave her a calming glance. “It’s nothing to be worried about, it’s normal for her age range. There are often glimpses of larger abilities, but they’re small and happen randomly. Most major development happens around the age of fourteen, anyway. It’s very rare to have children her age display such maturity in their abilities.”
He sighed. “You understand after seeing my memories why I was so hesitant with her?”
She nodded. “I do. I can’t imagine having to go through that, and now have this responsibility. It’s a lot.”
“It is,” Kaleb agreed. “There’s something else I need to tell you. You know that Drogo was the one who ordered the attack on the CMC. However, he knew about her connection to the Force, and was intending to kill her or use her powers for his purposes.”
Rarity gasped, looking worried. “How did he know?”
“My suspicion is that he saw her break up the fight between Twilight and Chrysalis, and recognized her powers from my flashbacks. All I knew in that moment, was if I captured him alive, that knowledge could still be used against her.” He closed his eyes. “He was the only changeling who knew. And that secret died with him.”
Kaleb took a deep breath, still remembering the moment. “I didn’t intend to kill him, nor did I desire to, but he left me no choice in that moment.” He looked at her as she saw wisdom reflected in his gaze. “The reason I am telling you this, aside from you being her family, is to show the reality of this situation. We both need to work together to protect her.”
Rarity looked at him with a serious expression. “I can your reasoning. I’m just worried and concerned for her. We both are. There’s something else you want to ask me, I think.””
Kaleb nodded. “I do have a proposal.” Here we go. “With your permission, I would like to train Sweetie Belle as my apprentice. My Padawan, in the ways of the Jedi and the Force. She would be under my supervision, and this will allow me to keep an eye on her powers.”
She thought for over a minute. “I know where you’re coming from, but I do have concerns. What about her safety, and her well-being? She was nearly killed because of who found out about her powers.”
Kaleb nodded. She has every right to be concerned, to feel this way. “That is why I will be supervising every step, and will keep watch for those who would do her harm. I can not only do so, but teach her to protect herself and others around her.” He gave her a serious glance. “Rarity, I know you have mixed feelings not only because of what happened, but what you saw in my flashbacks. That did not reflect my regular training, but was in a rare and extreme circumstance.”
She nodded, taking that into account before speaking a little more gentle. “Kaleb, I think after your experiences that you would be more careful about the well-being of children in any case. I know Sweetie Belle trusts you, and I do. It’s because of that why I’m like this. You understand why I’m being so critical?” He nodded. “In that case, what was your training like, outside of that instance?”
“I was almost always under the supervision of my Master. If not her, then someone else in the Jedi Order. Any kind of missions I went on with anyone were supervised strictly, and not until I was ready. I didn’t go on my first solo mission until I was 15, just eight months before the start of the war. Even then, that was after training with the Jedi for my entire life. It was on the same planet, just a different area.” She nodded in understanding. “My point is, she wouldn’t be going on missions immediately into training. We would work our way up, and that takes time.”
“I have a better understanding now, darling, thank you,” She said, thinking. “I know the Jedi value their secrecy, I would just like any missions to be discussed with me.”
“Of course. I would try to give you as much information as I can in any case,” Kaleb said. “She’s still a kid, and I don’t want to take that away from her, and I wouldn’t separate Sweetie Belle from her friends. Innocence must be balanced with knowledge, however. Not all missions have the same level of danger or risk, and I would assess the situation before making any decision.”
He finished his statement. “Both you and I know she’s going to use her power to change the world. Let it be under the proper guidance and teachings.”
Rarity thought for another minute before giving her response. “Okay. You have my permission, Kaleb. We’ll have to talk about the minutia later, but what is settled here is done.”
The two shook, and looked back out at the crowd. Kaleb gazed out, and for a brief moment, saw something that caught his attention. Even if the image in the crowd was a flash, it was enough to alarm him. “Are you alright, darling?”
“Yeah, I’m fine, just tired.” Kaleb replied, trying to keep calm. “It’s late, I think I need to go. Sorry…” He got up, putting the hood back on, and limped back to the castle.
It was late in the castle, and the sunset had turned to night. The main lights of the library were off, leaving only the lanterns on the side of the walls. Kaleb was writing in his journal, trying to remember everything that had happened in his vision. The hood of his cloak was still up, as bookcases surrounded him. The chill of the wind blew slightly, as his view was illuminated by both the moon and the lanterns. This had been the case for an hour now, as he drew illustrations along the sides. Thoughts of guilt and abandonment were in his head. I can’t bury them, not again. That will lead to disaster. If I can get them written down, maybe it will make more sense out of this.
He was also taking time to look back, trying to figure out anything that could have lead to the downfall of the Republic. Nothing had been coming to mind, even as he sorted through his memories of conversations about the Council. Nothing, still nothing. This is impossible to get through, I’m going to need more time, more space…
His thoughts were interrupted by someone sitting in the seat opposite of him. He looked up, and saw Fluttershy, sitting at the small table. “This is a nice spot. I didn’t realize the library here was this nice.”
Kaleb nodded. “Back in December, there was a big snowstorm that made it impossible to concentrate in my bunker. The heating unit broke, and was getting repaired. I came here because it was warm, but also quiet. Kind of reminds me of the library at the Jedi Temple, in a way.” He looked at her. “Why are you here?”
“Because I want to help you,” Fluttershy said, emphasizing her point. “And I care about what happens to you, despite everything. I know something is bothering you, and not just from Twilight. Because the last time I saw that same foggy gaze, it was as you were walking out of the forest after Discord. And I won’t let go for a second, not again. So, what is this about?”
Kaleb felt taken aback, and he gazed at the wall, before asking her a question. “Do you think I’m a bad person? Despite all the good intentions I have, something bad always happens. And I can’t be there to stop it, and every time I try, I screw up.”
She looked at him, thinking about what to say. “I think…you’re a complicated person, who was shaped by the ideals and the experiences around you. You still hold on to them, like a lifeline. And I understand why you do, but you’re hesitant to trust anyone, and you hold onto your guilt instead of letting it out. And that pain is hurting you, more than you know.”
She sighed. “Kaleb, when you’re like how you are right now, you’re not fighting. You’re giving up. And I know these words are harsh. But you need to hear them, because I can’t watch you go through this again. And you shouldn’t have to.” To his surprise, she reached across the table and lowered his hood. “Now, will you please tell me what is bothering you?”
Kaleb took a few seconds to collect himself. “Promise me what I tell you doesn’t leave this room.” He saw her hesitate. “This isn’t like before. I’m not having those kinds of thoughts. This is information so sensitive, not even Celestia or Luna can know.”
She thought for a few seconds. “Okay, I promise.”
Kaleb took a few seconds to collect his thoughts. “The Force has many abilities, and powers even the Jedi don’t fully understand. However, in some cases, Force users can receive visions. They can be from the past or the future, of places near or far. Even in some cases, they allow us to interact with those beyond the grave. But they also tell warnings, stuff that can’t be understood right away, or even destinies.”
Fluttershy nodded. “Have you had those types of visions?”
“Several times, in my life. Including here.” He recalled Obi-Wan’s message, about the test of trust. “The vision I received was during when I was unconscious, after the battle.”
“What did you see?” she asked.
Kaleb took a deep breath. “The first thing I saw was Ahsoka, and I have all the drawings in my journal. But after the disappeared, I was walking in a cave, filled with fog. I could barely see anything. But everything played out like a diorama.” He handed her the journal, and turned to the page where he started to write. She looked at everything, from the words on the page to the drawings.
“I saw Order 66, from different points of view. Different masters and apprentices, some of whom I knew. Most were on different planets, on different ships. But there were a few I saw that were in the Temple, younglings being slaughtered by a figure in a black cloak. Jedi being gunned down by the clones.”
He continued on, speaking quietly and slowly, as if going over the scenes in his head. “But it went beyond that, going through years as if on a fast forward. The armor of the soldiers changed, beyond recognition. They become colder, crueler. I saw the lives of the survivors, their hardships. Some moved on, but others didn’t. They couldn’t, not after that. They sought the solace of the grave. Or you had some turn on their own masters, they were tortured or turned to darkness. The creature on the pool of water, it stood there as the wind whipped around. I didn’t recognize it, and fell deeper, as the soldiers marched.”
She looked at him, with a disturbed look on her face. “How could the Republic allow this to happen?”
Kaleb looked at her. “There was a recording by Obi-Wan that Sweetie Belle discovered by accident in the bunker. What he said I had to bury away, but it came back in this vision, confirming it. It wasn’t just the Jedi Order that fell, Fluttershy. The entire Republic collapsed, and brought the galaxy into darkness. The darkness of the Galactic Empire.”
He could hear her try and stifle a gasp. “The last thing I saw in that vision was heavy mechanical breathing, and the slashing of a red lightsaber. Then, I woke up in the hospital room.” He took calm and deep breaths, trying to steady himself. “It was so visceral, so disturbing that I had to relapse into my old ways.”
She gazed at him. “Could that vision have been just a bad dream?””
He shook his head. “You know that it’s a Force Vision, you can feel it.” The weight of guilt laid heavily on his words.
“Everything that I fought for, the institutions I worked to defend all my life are gone, and have given rise to something far graver. I’ve been spending my time since then trying to make sense of it, thinking how this could have happened. But, I have nothing.” He sighed. “They suffered, and faced hardship, while I crashed here, in this peaceful place.”
“It’s not survivor’s guilt,” Fluttershy realized. “But something worse.”
“I got lucky, landing here, and meeting all of you. But they’re the ones who are suffering,” Kaleb said. “I know I’m fortunate for everything I have now, But seeing what everyone else is going through is devastating. I’m isolated here, there’s no way that I am able to help.”
Fluttershy thought for a few seconds. “You know, I like to think everything happens for a reason. I know the spell created the portal that took you away. But if you hadn’t come here, you wouldn’t have met all of us.”
Still, I must be weary of the vision. “It feels like I’ve abandoned one family for another. Making peace with it is going to be a difficult journey, but it’s something I have to do. Besides, I sometimes see parts of my old family in all of you. In Flash, I see the dedication and sense of humor Rogue had, and I see the determination of Ahsoka in Sweetie Belle.”
“You’re never really alone, even if you think you are,” Futtershy added. “That’s why I gave you the locket at Heart’s Warming, to remind you of that. I see now why your droid is so important to you.”
“She’s all I have left, and I know I can repair her,” Kaleb added. “It just takes time to do these kind of repairs, and to make sure all the wires and processors are working.”
His mind turned to the looks his other friends gave him, their gazes betraying their words. “They look at me different now. My friends. Before and after Chrysalis showed my past. It’s almost like pity.” Kaleb asked her directly. “Did you ever pity me, Fluttershy?”
“Kind of, I never looked down on you,” She answered with honesty. “All I wanted was to take the pain away, but I knew I couldn’t.” She blinked back tears. “I might have given you a push out of the door, but you are responsible for your growth. For everyone else, I don’t think they realized the severity of your past, and are still processing it. It’s normal for them to feel sorry for you.”
“I’m not denying that,” Kaleb explained further. “But the looks they gave me, I’m not used to that. My visions caused them pain. Shouldn’t they be angry at me?”
“You weren’t the one sharing the vision, it wasn’t your choice,” she pointed out. “In fact, you managed to stand up for them, and saved all of us. To them, you’re a hero. Including me.” She saw through his standard response. “I know what you’re going to say, about your duty and upholding your code. No matter what you say, you’re my hero.”
Those words made Kaleb stop, and think. My…hero? He looked at her. “After everything that has happened, I’m not sure if you should call me that. Because of my actions, especially with hearts intertwined, death followed.”
Fluttershy realized what he was talking about. It’s more than the manticore alone, or even our relationship. It’s something deeper.
She nodded for him to go ahead, and he took a deep breath. “There was a reason why romantic attachments were forbidden in the Jedi Order, Fluttershy. They believed it distracted us from our duties and blinded us from the Force. And it never ended well, for those who did.”
“What happened to those who did?” Fluttershy asked. She knew he had mentioned it off-hand, but never went into detail.
“In most cases, the couple would break up, because they couldn’t be together since it was against the code. One or the other was left heartbroken, or both. If the Council ever found out, they were expelled from the Order or left entirely, forced to leave everything that identified them as a Jedi.” Kaleb paused, knowing how grave some situations were. “Or both of them were killed, or one died and the other lived, but the one who did could never live with the grief or guilt.
“My point is, when we both got into this, we were taking a risk, beyond the PTSD, larger than anyone could have thought. Chrysalis went after me, because of my powers and position as a Jedi, and you got caught in the crossfire.” That night was still seared into his brain. “And it resulted in death, and left both of us vulnerable to her plan.”
He looked at her directly, his voice in earnest. “Even though we both know what happened, I still hurt you. I’m sorry, and I wish I can go back and do things differently. But I know I can’t, and the past will remain unchanged. If one of us is going to end this, it should be you. I caused you pain, it’s my fault.” He had to stop, rubbing his forehead with his hand, the emotions causing a headache.
She looked at him directly. “Do you know who I blame for that night?” He shook his head. “Chrysalis and Drogo, the ones responsible. Not you.” She took a deep breath. “I initially did, before I learned the truth. You did hurt me, and I couldn’t understand your words or actions, or why you took them. I never had an animal die under my care, and I didn’t know how to process my grief. I still don’t, and I didn’t understand how you acted in the forest until the battle.”
She looked to the window, and then back to him. “Kaleb, hearing about the Clone Wars was one thing, but actually seeing and experiencing it through your eyes…was drastically different.”
“It changes you,” Kaleb said. “I didn’t realize I had fully gone into that mindset until talking to Thunder a few days ago. Apparently, it’s common with PTSD. It’s something I need to work on, so I at least know when I’m slipping, and how to get out.”
She nodded. “I was always going in-between blaming and not. It was kind of a weird process. That morning, those words were so different, it was like I couldn’t recognize you. You said you figured out who you are, but how?”
“I went through my Trials, in the eyes of the Force. And I became a Jedi Knight,” Kaleb explained, knowing he could say only that. “I wasn’t ready when the council made that decision. I’m forbidden from talking about it any further.”
“That’s amazing!” she replied. “Somehow, you have this way of inspiring others, just like you inspired me.” Her eyes and voice showed her honesty. “Before the ceremony, when we were talking, I saw someone who was trying to be better. Even though I couldn’t recognize you, those words were genuine, and I could hear the pain and grief in your voice.”
She continued, speaking with honesty and a sense of wisdom. “And I couldn’t believe it at first. But when you stood up to Chrysalis, talking to her about love, and still getting up after that flashback, I recognized the Kaleb I fell in love with. And I knew in that moment that I couldn’t lose you.”
Kaleb was speechless, and she stood up and moved around to chair right next to him, sitting down. He finally managed to speak. “I’m learning how to manage my emotions, to recognize and acknowledge them. As well, when it comes to my attachments, I realized while sometimes I have to let them go in order to fulfill my duties as a Jedi. But I can’t forget them. My attachments and the Jedi Code both drive me.”
He didn’t know what to say next, so he just rambled. “Look I know I’m a complicated person, and the Council’s rules make things even more complicated. Learning to balance my emotions and attatchments with my duties as a Jedi hasn’t been easy, but I need to keep trying. I have to create my own path, not the Council’s, and I can uphold the Jedi’s values without denying these feelings.”
His voice trailed off. “I don’t know if you’ll ever forgive me for how I acted. Or even want to be friends, or something more, but I know I need to try and be a better person. Not only for you, but for my family.”
She reached over, as quickly as she did to take the blaster hits, and hugged him hard. She whispered in his ear. “Tell me what you think.”
“Fluttershy, if you squeeze any harder, I’m literally going to break a rib.” he said, gasping in pain.
She pulled back just as quickly as she hugged. “Oh shoot, Kaleb, I’m so sorry. I forgot your ribs were cracked.”
“What is it with ponies and hugs?” he said, standing up and grabbing his cane. He and Fluttershy sat down on the nearby couch.
“We take them very seriously.” She added, chuckling, as her expression turned a little more serious. “Sometimes Kaleb, the simplest words are the best.” She saw his confusion. He has difficulty expressing emotions. I can help him. But his eyes always give it away.
“Tell me what you wanted Twilight to tell to me. Before you went unconscious.”
“I wanted you to be happy, and to have all the kindness, because you deserve it.” He realized deep down, those feelings were still there. I can’t deny them, no matter what happens. Love is a shot in the dark, and you have to take the chance. “And… I love you.”
He didn’t know how she would react. She gazed at him for a few seconds, before moving forward gently. Her hoof moved to his shoulder. She kissed him once on the cheek, pecking it and moving back, and saying in a softer voice, “That was all you needed to say.”
Both of them paused, before moving forward at the same time and kissing on the lips. It was a deep one, with her reaching around his shoulders, and him doing the same, his hands in her mane. They separated a few seconds after.
“That kiss, it felt different from the last time. Different from the first one,” Fluttershy observed, blushing slightly.
“It’s because we know each other, and have a better understanding,” Kaleb said. “And I’m sure that understanding and love will deepen with every kiss.”
“Smooth,” she said at exactly the right moment, making him laugh. “For you, every moment is worth the risk. Especially when we’re together. It’s going to take work from both of us, but we can make it work.”
He nodded. “Is there anything that I can do? I know some bridges are difficult to repair, but I have to start somewhere.”
She thought for a moment. “For a start, a redo on that date would be nice. And I could appreciate some more help with taking care of the animals. You could learn a few things.”
“And I can’t think of a better teacher,” Kaleb said, his mind turning to other things. “Many new things are on the horizon. I just got permission from Rarity to train Sweetie Belle.”
“Oh wow, that’s wonderful!” she exclaimed, a smile on her face. “How are you feeling about it?”
“Slightly nervous, but happy the legacy of the Jedi will live on,” he answered. “This is my first Padawan, so there’s always this nervous excitement. It’s a lot of responsibility, with many tasks ahead.”
“If there’s one thing your friends have taught you, it’s that you’re never alone,” Fluttershy pointed out. “I would be glad to help, and I’m sure the rest of our friends would too.”
“Any assistance would be balanced with secrecy, but I’m sure it can be done,” He responded, feeling better. “I just realized I never had any cake; do you think the kitchens would still have any left?”
“There’s only one way to figure out,” Fluttershy responded, helping him up. Together, they walked out of the library, close to each other as they passed under the moonlight.
The sun was steadily rising above the town of Ponyville, casting light upon the surrounding scenery. The shadow of the cottage stretched around the perimeter, providing plenty of shade. The slow warmth of early morning was something Kaleb appreciated, as he gazed just past the sunrise to the Everfree Forest. After taking a moment to appreciate it, he closed his eyes.
The meditation began in an instant, as he opened himself up to the Force. Let go, but do not forget. In the moment, he allowed himself to let go of his attachments, feelings, and thoughts, as slowly, the Force began to awaken. Breathe. The rhythm and flow could be felt in every part of his body, as he felt the stream of the Force flow through him like a river. Just breathe.
Reach out. He could feel the energy, feelings, thoughts, and actions of the creatures around him, as the forest seemed to open and the river turned into an ocean. Beginning to listen to each one in turn, he allowed each thought to sit with him, as he pondered the meaning. Not every pulse of information, of emotions was clear, but he took in as much as he can.
The meditation lasted for a number of minutes, as he used the mantras taught to him by his Master to keep the focus. When the field of energy around him naturally become quieter, and his strength and endurance began to fade, he slowly repeated the words in his mind which would begin and end every lesson with Master Yoda.
There is no emotion, there is peace.
There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.
There is no passion, there is serenity.
There is no chaos, there is harmony.
There is no death, there is the Force.
And so ended the meditation, which had begun every morning for the past few weeks. This time, however, was different. Kaleb let out a small smile as he opened his eyes, gazing out at the sunrise, now rising in the sky. “So this is what it feels like.”
This meditation is different from the others, he observed. This is the closest I’ve felt to the Force since before the war, and the most beneficial meditation since my Trials. I think my connection to the Force has begun to heal from years of fractures.
He stood up, wiping the dust off of his clothing. He wore his usual beige pants and brown boots, but instead of the usual Jedi robes, he wore a modified tunic with long sleeves. The garment was dark blue, and was tied with a sash and secured with a belt at the waist. Moving towards the cottage, with lightsaber attached to his belt, he picked up the can next to the door, and watered the nearby flowers.
Right behind him, he heard a bunch a beeps and whirls as wheels moved forward slightly before. he turned around. “Come on A5, the atmosphere is fine, I think you’ll like this.” An astromech droid with a white and turquoise color scheme slowly rolled back into the cottage.
Kaleb turned around, and made his way to the doorstep, kneeling down. He looked at A5 with an honest look. “Look, I know this an adjustment, and I’m sorry for not trying to repair you sooner. But this is a safe place, and nothing bad is going to happen to you.”
A5 glanced up at him, her sensors and cameras looking around at the surrounding scenery. She took a few seconds to decide, and pushed him out of the way, making her way down the path to the ship. She beeped at him.
“I’m on my way, just give me a second.” he smiled, chuckling. He had repaired her last night, and had to keep an effort not to wake up Fluttershy. She tried to electrocute me the moment she woke, but it’s a reasonable response. Hopefully she’ll be happy and be able to adjust.
He walked down the path, stopping right beside her. “Yeah, this is going to need some work.” The body of the ship had burns and scrapes, but that was normal for any well-worn ship. What Kaleb was most worried about was the shields and electronics. “I managed to re-attach the landing gear, and Princess Luna helped to teleport the ship to this spot. What do you want to take on first?”
She looked at the ship, and beeped. “You’re right, we should first make sure the landing gear is secure.” He moved under the ship, supported by adjustable jacks. Looking at the landing gear, he observed the hydraulics, touching and testing them. “They’re moving okay, but it’s a little more loose than I’m used to. We should tighten them.”
He looked at her for reassurance and she moved over, moving the grasper arm over and adjusted the various nuts and bolts. Kaleb grabbed a wrench, tightening them while she made the fine-tune adjustments and soldered for fine measure. Once they were all finished, he made his way over to the engine panel, knowing this would be critical.
“This is not going to be great, but maybe we can fix this.” She whistled. “The shields are only part of it, I know the electronics were flickering on and off all the time.” He undid the bolts one by one, making sure to keep them nearby and holding the panel up with the Force. Releasing it, he put the panel to the side and looked at the horror that greeted them.
A smell of burnt metal hit Kaleb’s nose and he wrinkled it. Only a few of the wires remained intact, with many of the others in connection to the engine having burned up completely.
A5 let out a torrent of beeps and whistles, and Kaleb agreed. “Yeah, that isn’t good.” No wonder the shields weren’t working, they were barely connected to begin with. “Let’s get out from under here and talk strategy.”
She went ahead of him, and he slowly made his way out from under the ship, sitting down in the grass. A5 gave him an inquisitive gaze. “Maybe if we can get the wires, and put in a little extra time, we can have it repaired soon.”
He nodded, and gave her a look of surprise at her response. ”Yeah, there’s a lot in that journal, some which I have no clue. Were you able to make any sense of it.”
She shook her head, asking a question. “I know some of your files on the Republic and Jedi Order were damaged, but I’m not sure if they are salvageable. Even so, they might be protected by passcodes that I don’t even have access to.”
She beeped a confirmation, and then asked another question. “Yeah, this isn’t my house. It belongs to someone who I met here, and helped me adjust to this place. She can communicate with animals, in a different way. Also is the literal embodiment of kindness.”
Even through the eyepiece, Kaleb can tell the look A5 was giving him as she whistled. “Funny, I thought you wouldn’t ask.” He circled back to her point. “Both of us knew there were secret romances in the Jedi Order, some more obvious than others. And we both knew Master Johanna didn’t approve of that rule in the first place. With the Order gone, I needed to find my own path, and I realized my attachments and the Code both guide me. Finding the balance between the two is the key.”
Through the Droidspeak, Kaleb knew exactly what she was saying. You deserve peace and happiness. He smiled. “Thanks, and I’m glad you approve. It was a rough start, but things are finally smoothing out.”
“But that doesn’t mean everything is different, some things are still the same.” She beeped quietly. “There is a child who is Force Sensitive. I’m going to be training her as my apprentice, and I can really use your help on a special project.”
She beeped a confirmation, and he smiled. “Thank you, I really appreciate that. And I’m not in trouble, not currently. We were separated for a few weeks, but I can fill you in on that later. The important thing is we give her the night she deserves.”
A5 looked to him, and looked to the ship, chirping off some facts. “Yeah, maybe it can start with not rushing this and postponing flight. There’s a bunch of supplies we’ll have to get, but the important thing is we break the news gently…”
“What news?” Kaleb turned around and saw Fluttershy with a bag walking around towards them, her eyes lighting up at the sight of A5.
The droid turned to Kaleb. “Right sorry. Fluttershy, this is my droid, R2-A5. Or A5 for short.”
“She is one of the cutest things I have seen today, oh my.” Fluttershy squealed excitedly, flying up to her. “You must be so excited to be here. I’m Fluttershy, and it’s really nice to meet you.”
A5 beep back at different pitches, and Fluttershy gazed at her for a second before turning to Kaleb. “She likes you, and says it is a pleasure to be here.”
“Sweet,” she said. “So what was the news you were going to tell me?”
“Remember how I promised you I was going to take you up in the ship Saturday night?” She nodded. “Yeah, that’s not going to happen.”
“How come?” Kaleb indicated to the bottom of the ship, and she followed him underneath, gazing up at the panel.
“Oh my, what happened? I’m assuming this can’t be good.” She asked.
“These wires are the nerves of the ship, in a sense,” Kaleb explained. “They connect the control panel to the engines and electronics, even to the shields and cannons. With this amount of damage, it’s not safe to be in the air.”
“I understand,” she said. “Still, it’s very sweet of you to try.”
“This is going to at least take a month or two to fix, but it will be worth it.” Kaleb smiled. He looked to A5. “If you can get a proper analysis on which wires are damaged, it would be a big help.”
She beeped, throwing her arm in the air in confirmation. “Thank you for helping Kaleb fix his ship. I’m going to steal him away for a little while, if you don’t mind.”
A5 waved them away, going back under the ship. Fluttershy turned to Kaleb. “I need help feeding the animals, and I could use your help.”
“Of course.” They began to walk towards the Everfree Forest. As they walked, he observed her newly healed wing moving slightly with the wind. “How’s the wing?”
“It’s healing well, other than some soreness. I’m working with Rainbow Dash on strength exercises to help transition back into flying.” She observed a new bounce in his step. “How’s your back healing? Princess Celestia must have done a good job with the spell a few days ago.”
“She did,” Kaleb replied. “The muscles are a little tender, but that’s normal for the kind of repair being done. As long as I continue to keep active, it should be good.”
They came to the small creek, where many of the animals would gather for water. Fluttershy put down the bag around her shoulder, handing it to Kaleb. “Up in the trees, there are little bins I like to put in the branches for small treats for the squirrels, chipmunks, and birds. Can you use the Force to put the mix in?”
“Sure,” He replied, opening the bag to reveal the mixture of nuts and dried fruit. She handed him a cup, and he filled it up with the mixture. Carefully using the Force, he lifted the container slowly, being careful to put it in the right placement before pouring the mixture into the bins. The cup dropped back down, and Kaleb caught it.
They walked towards the other five bins around the clearing. “She likes you, you know? It’s just overwhelming for her to adjust to this new life. I was up half the night fixing her memory bank, and the other half explaining what happened.”
“That would explain a lot, I can’t blame her,” Fluttershy remarked. “I can see why you two have gotten along. To be honest, I wasn’t able to understand her.”
“She was speaking Droidspeak,” Kaleb explained, finishing up the third bin. “It’s a standard programming language made up of sounds used by astromech droids to communicate. Difficult at first to pick up on, but once you get the basics it’s pretty simple. I can teach sometime.”
“I’d like that.” Fluttershy replied. “How many languages did you have to learn as a Jedi?”
“Most species in the galaxy either understood or used Basic, but it’s always a good thing to be able to understand or speak multiple language. Out of respect for customs and cultures, along with other things such as negotiating.” Kaleb put the cup down, sealing the bag and handing it to Fluttershy. “Care to see the other thing I’ve been working on as well?”
She nodded, and they made their way through the forest, Kaleb guiding them through the small path. “Thanks for letting me keep my ship here, and allowing me to train Sweetie Belle in your woods.”
“You’re welcome,” Fluttershy replied with enthusiasm. “You might want to get a rain cover for the ship, or maybe Applejack can build some kind of hanger.”
“Good idea. There have been a few close calls,” Kaleb said. “I would never want to intrude on your property, but that would be nice to have.”
“I mean, you’re over here pretty much every day, and sleep over half of the week,” she pointed out. “As long as it’s small, I’m fine with it.” As they paused to watch a badger dash across the trail, she felt the fabric of his tunic. “I’ve only seen you wear long sleeves most of the time, what do the Jedi have against short sleeves?”
Kaleb laughed. “Nothing, though I might have burned or singed a few off. Our dress code was flexible to allow others to wear traditional robes from their home world. I wore this when I wasn’t on duty. This kind of tunic allows a wider range of movements, while still being light enough to keep cool or warm depending on conditions.”
“So, it’s based on survival,” Fluttershy concluded. “Like how animals adopt to their habitat.”
“Exactly. For example, this would be good on Tatooine since the sleeves offer good protection from the suns and sandstorms.”
Fluttershy let out a sly grin. “Two suns mean double the sunburn.”
“Yeah, and it’s not pleasant.” They arrived at the clearing, where Kaleb had been spending the last week preparing it for Sweetie Belle. The preparations had been slow, mainly clearing out all of the leaves, but the results had been worth it. Wind moved the grass slightly, and off to the side lay three rocks, one larger than the other between the two. This would serve as a small table and chair, along with other purposes. The symbol of the Jedi Order was burned into a small wooden panel laying near the table. “It’s not much, but I figured it would be a good start.”
“She’s going to love it,” she replied, her eyes looking out at the grass. “Where are you going to put the panel?”
“Somewhere. I figured having the Jedi Order symbol would be interesting,” Kaleb replied. They sat down, leaning against the trees right next to each other. “I’ve always liked this space. There’s so much room. Plus you can see the stars.”
Fluttershy nodded. “Speaking of which, I was thinking of taking small vacation over the summer, and I was wondering if you wanted to come?”
Curiosity filled his eyes. “Where were you thinking?”
She took out a map from her bag, and indicated to a bay right by Baltimare. “There’s this place called Seaward Shoals, and it’s a coastal town right on the bay. The nature preserve there is one of the best in Equestria. I figured we could get a cabin. They go fast, so otherwise camping would be the other option.” She put the map away. “Are you in?”
“I would love that.” She hugged him tightly for a brief moment of time. “How soon do we have to make the reservation?”
“By the end of this week,” Fluttershy explained. The two of them heard the faint ringing of schoolbells. “Shoot! I’m going to be late! I’m presenting at the school’s Nature Day presentations.”
“Luckily, I loaded up your cart last night.” They quickly stood up and started to speed-walk to the cottage. “I’m speaking at the end of the school day, Twilight asked me to do it. She said I need to work on my public speaking skills.”
“That should be interesting,” Fluttershy responded. “If I can, I’ll try and stay to hear it. When it’s a subject I’m passionate about, I love educating children. I don’t imagine it intimidates you.”
He shrugged. “It depends on the day. You get used to it after a while.”
The cottage was in sight, and they jogged lightly towards it. Her cart was already loaded, with Angel waiting impatiently at them, tapping his foot. After checking everything, she went to the front, lifting it upwards. “See you soon, love you.”
“Love you too.” Kaleb watched for a minute as she pulled the cart down the road leading to Ponyville, and let out a deep breath. He moved to the front door, hoping he could get time to drink tea and read more of the book Rainbow Dash loaned him before going into town.
He heard beeping, as A5 was trying to keep as calm as possible. “Hey, hey, it’s alright. Is all the wiring going to need to be replaced?”
She confirmed it, along with giving him a relay of data on the thrusters. “There’s only so much we can do without the wiring, but let’s see what can be done.” The Jedi and the droid moved back to the ship, conversing about data and making new memories in this world.
“…and that’s when Daring Do swoops in, grabbing the artifact from Mr. Bad Guy, and saves the temple from collapsing!” Scootaloo exclaims with vigor, her storytelling compared to no other.
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle listened intently, though it was way too early in the morning for all three of them. Their desks at the Ponyville Schoolhouse were arranged in a small group, all facing each other. The fourth desk in their group was empty, and they usually used it to keep any extra supplies.
Sweetie Belle yawned. “Wait, so how did they get into the temple in the first place? Was it through the hidden tunnel or the secret stairway leading into the mountain?”
Scootaloo huffed with frustration. “It’s not any of those. It was in the underground springs moving around the temple. Are you listening to me?”
“Sorry, it’s just very early in the morning,” Sweetie Belle added, shaking her head to keep awake. “I need coffee. Or expresso. Whichever comes first.”
Apple Bloom chuckled. “I never thought I’d see you be the morning bird, Scoots. Thought you took influence from Rainbow Dash.”
“But it’s Nature Day, the day that’s hyped up over the school year!” Scootaloo defended excitedly. “Come on, we live for this stuff! Maybe we even get to learn about the truth behind some of Daring Do’s animal friends and foes!”
Sweetie Belle tried to perk up. “I heard the Canterlot Zoo is bringing their traveling exhibition. That should be really cool.”
They heard a bell ring out from the desk, and Miss Cheerilee stood up. “Good morning, class, and a happy Nature Day! I know many of you have been anticipating this day, as well as I. For the first surprise, there will be no pop quiz today.”
That got a large cheer from the class, and she chuckled. “We have a lot of surprise visitors, who should be arriving in the next half hour or so. Until then, feel free to talk amongst yourselves.”
The class heard a knock at the door, and the teacher turned. “And that must be our new student.”
Sweetie Belle perked up, and turned to Apple Bloom. “Wait a second, you don’t think…”
Apple Bloom returned the look. “I heard rumors from Applejack, but I thought she was just guessing.”
All three of them turned to the direction of the door, and let out the largest grin as it opened. Spike carefully closed the door, wearing a blue backpack. He turned to Miss Cheerilee. “Shoot, am I late? Sorry about that, last minute sorting around the library.”
She smiled. “No, it’s okay. You’re fine for today.” Spike turned to the class. “I would like everyone to meet our new student, Spike. He’s joining us for this last month of class, and will start with all of you in the fall.”
Spike let out a small wave. “Hey everyone, I’m Spike, but I guess you already knew that.” He paused for a second. “Anyway, I like the Power Ponies, gemstones, and learning guitar. Looking forward to get to know all of you.”
“And I’m sure all of are too,” Miss Cheerilee added. “Feel free to sit wherever you like.”
The class started talking again, as Spike let out a sly grin, heading over to where the trio sit. “Any room for one more?”
“Of course!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed, as the three of them quickly cleared the fourth desk. “It’s so great to see you, I thought Twilight wouldn’t let you go here?”
“I managed to convince her, and it took Rarity and Appleajck for her to get on board,” Spike explained, as he sat down. He pulled out some of the contents of his backpack, which included a notebook, pencil, and an old paperback. “Oh yeah, how was the latest Daring Do book? I’m trying to catch up.”
“It’s awesome, Spike. I’ll lend it to you sometime,” Scootaloo said, eyeing the paperback. “Whoa, is that what I think it is?”
Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom took a look at the book cover as well. The art was hand-drawn, and the title was well-worn. The image of an Earth Pony wearing a brown leather jacket and fedora over a beige backward, with a whip tied to his mid-section. “Twilight gave me some old paperbacks, and this came up. Never knew there were books as well.”
Scootaloo quickly filled the rest of them in. “A.K. Yearling was supposedly inspired by a lot of old adventure serials, including these movies inspired by them. Sweetie Belle, doesn’t Rarity have this poster in her room?”
“Yeah, I think she does,” she replied. "I’ve never seen them personally, how about any of you?” Apple Bloom and Spike both shook their heads.
“Okay, Cutie Mark Crusaders Movie Night, this needs to be a thing.” Scootaloo insisted. “I can’t believe none of you have seen these.”
“The book so far is great. No idea where it fits into the timelines of the movies, Twilight wanted me to read a book first.” He zipped open the second pocket of the backpack, and Scootaloo nearly gasped as he pulled out the iconic hat. “Twilight also pulled this out of storage.”
Sweetie Belle eyed the hat, and he picked it up and put it on. She stared at her friend, as his sharp green eyes stood out against the brown leather fedora. “Here, you can have a turn if you’d like.” And then he took off the hat and placed it on her head.
She tried to hide her expression through chuckling, and it worked to a degree. “Thanks, it looks good on you.”
“It looks good on you too,” Spike added. “It would look great on all three of you.”
Sweetie Belle and him shared a sly grin, and using her magic, bounced the hat onto Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. The four of them laughed before Miss Cheerilee settled the class down.
Kaleb and A5 strolled along into town, where they were greeted by a sight of colors and sounds of various booths. Nature Day was considered a holiday during which trees were planted, roads cleaned, and large farmer’s markets were held. They observed the festival, noticing the various ponies wandering around the stalls. Sweet Apple Acres had the biggest of them all, with seating underneath the large tent to shield them from the shade. Live music played from a shaded stage, where various bands would be cycled through the day.
A few ponies stared at the droid, but mostly with curiosity as they walked around the edge of the market. “I’ll probably stop by later,” Kaleb told A5. “First, we need to pick up an order from Carousal Boutique, and then you can work with Twilight at the library.” She beeped, pointing to the large business.
“That’s where it is, come on.” Together, they arrived at the door of the shop, and Kaleb opened it. They went in, with the door closing behind them and they moved forward.
“Just a second,” Rarity’s voice rang out as she finished adjusting something from behind a shade, and came out. “Ah, Kaleb. I was expecting you sometime this morning. And who is this?” She fixed A5 with a curious look.
“Rarity, this is A5. She’s my astromech droid.” Kaleb introduced, as she wobbled forward, extending the grasper arm.
Rarity shook it, smiling. “It’s wonderful to meet you, darling. Feel free to have a look around.” A5 beeped, moving to one of the displays to analyze some of the clothing.
“You’re late. I thought you were coming earlier this morning.” Rarity pointed out, as he followed her over to the display behind the shade.
“I was, but things got sidetracked with the ship,” Kaleb replied. “Sorry to keep you waiting, I know today is a big day for you.”
“It’s okay, you’re lucky my train for Canterlot doesn’t leave until one o'clock,” she said. “Prepare to be amazed!”
Kaleb followed her behind the curtain, and stared at the mannequin, the size of a filly. The Jedi Robes had been perfectly adapted for her. The beige tunic stood out most to him, the layers still being present and fitted similar to a jumpsuit. The pants went over the back legs, with a space for the tail built in. A belt modeled after Kaleb’s was just above the back legs. The robes were complete with a brown cloak, with a beige clasp at the neck and a hood.
He let out a large smile, looking at her. “Brilliant, just brilliant. Thank you, Rarity, she’s going to love it.”
“Think nothing of it, it has to be good for my sister.” She said with pride. “I tried to be as respectful to the original design as much as possible while also adapting it for a pony. The various drawings you gave me helped. Though I admit, I was drawn to the older designs.” Rarity pointed to the drawings on the table.
“Yeah, they do have something unique to them,” Kaleb added. “I believe those were in style over two hundred years ago, during the era of the High Republic. I’m a little foggy on my history, but I believe those are where they’re from.”
She nodded, and took out a large suitcase. After casting a spell to protect from wrinkling, she folded the robes and placed them inside, closing it. “I can deliver them to the cottage before I go, Fluttershy gave me a spare key.”
“Perfect,” he replied. “I assume she’s still under the impression we’re still in negotiations.”
“Yes, the secret is still safe.” Rarity added. “I gave a note to Miss Cheerilee saying Fluttershy can pick her up. There’s a process to get you on as a contact, but it’s very strict for security reasons.”
“I can see why,” he said. “There’s no rush to the process, and I’m fine with waiting.”
The two walked out, and A5 came back, chirping and beeping with excitement. “She likes the designs.”
“Thank you darling, I try,” Rarity replied, blushing slightly. “Take care, and I’ll have those over within an hour.”
They waved, and exited the shop, with Kaleb pointing A5 in the right direction. “Now, to Twilight’s. You’re going to be working with her for the next few hours on the project I mentioned earlier.”
It took them longer than expected to get around town due to the market, but after a ten -minute walk, they made their way to the library. A5 pointed out something as they approached the door.
“That’s a good point, I can’t always act as your translator. At some point, I’ll gather everyone for a lesson on the basics of Droidspeak in the next week or two. Today, you’re just organizing the books from the datapad.”
They entered the library, and saw the decorations for the event. Along with the selection on shelves were display tables, full on books about natural world and every animal you could think of. Kaleb chuckled, just as Twilight and Flash walked out of the kitchen.
“…and I’m telling you, this was one of the biggest mountain goats I’ve ever seen, it was at least six or seven feet tall…Kaleb!”
The guard pony walked towards him, and giving him a firm hug. “How have you been? It’s been at least more than a few weeks.”
“I’m good,” Kaleb replied, surprised by the appearance. “It’s great to see you.”
Twilight turned to Kaleb. “He walked about an hour ago, and was adamant to find out which kind of mountain goat he saw in his hometown. I believe you had a project I wanted to work on.”
Kaleb turned to Flash. “This is Jedi business, I’m sure you understand.”
“Of course,” he replied. “I was actually looking for you. Princess Celestia has a message for you.” He handed him a letter.
Kaleb opened it, reading the contents. “She wants to meet with me in half an hour at Café Hay.”
“How long will this take?” Flash asked. “I’m supposed to escort you there.”
“Only a few minutes.” Flash nodded and moved to the other side of the library. “Twilight, this is A5.” She extended a hesitant hoof, and A5 shook it with the grasper arm. “You two are going to be working together to translate and transcribe the contents of the Jedi Library and Archives from Coruscant. This datapad contains all of the information offline. Master Johanna had to fight in order to get me this.”
Twilight eyed the device as he set it down on the table. “How much information is on here?”
“Probably thousands of books, maybe reaching into tens of thousands,” Kaleb answered to her delight. “Again, normally Jedi are not allowed to take information out of the Archives. Master Johanna was allowed to copy everything into this, but she had to argue with the Council to do so. This not only contains information on the Jedi’s history, but also of the larger galaxy.”
“Kaleb, even I have to admit this is a lot of information,” Twilight pointed out. “And it takes time. I’m not sure how much I have to dedicate to this.”
“I will take on some of the responsibility as well,” Kaleb added. “Including some of the more sensitive files. This needs to be done not only to preserve these records if anything were to happen to this device, but so Sweetie Belle can have access. This is for her training.”
Twilight took all of this information in, and nodded both with excitement and anxiety. “I won’t fail you, she will have access to information. I’m sure of that, and that’s my promise as a librarian.”
“Thank you, and I have confidence in you two.” Kaleb signaled over to Flash who came over. “I’ll see you two soon. Drop by the school if you have time.”
Twilight waved to Flash and Kaleb as they walked out, and the last sight they saw was Owlowiscous perched on R2’s grappling arm. “That owl is kinder to A5 than me. He tried to attack me when I started talking to Twilight.”
“Yeah, Owlowiscious is very protective,” Kaleb replied. “How did you end up here, I thought you were being transferred?”
“Well, Shining Armor wanted to recognize me for my bravery at the battle, so he introduced me to Princess Celestia. She wanted me to be her personal guard before I go to the Crystal Empire in a few weeks,” Flash explained. “It’s nice to have the experience.”
“It’s well deserved,” He responded. “I spent the past few weeks recovering and spending time with Fluttershy. It takes time to repair that kind of relationship, but it’s going along well so far.”
“I’m glad,” Flash replied, taking a look at the vendors as they went past. “After everything, you two deserve some peace and quiet.”
“There’s always some adventure, even then,” Kaleb pointed out. “I’m sure those two are having fun on their honeymoon.”
“It’s more of a strictly-supervised getaway than a vacation, but yeah.” They moved around the bustle of ponies, turning in the direction of the café. “What kind of mountain goat did you first see? That must have been a story to tell.”
“It was,” he said, chuckling. “The size was massive. I didn’t get the chance to look it up yet, I was too busy talking to Twilight. We had spoken some in the caves and during the reception, but we were really getting to know each other.”
Kaleb noticed the inflection in his voice as he continued. “She’s really smart, you know? Kind of cute, and strong. Not to mention intimidating, but in an awesome kind of way. She literally had to use magic to separate that owl from me.”
“She literally threw you into a bookshelf,” Kaleb added with a key sense of wit. “Though, I suppose meeting the owl is even more intimidating than meeting the parents.”
Flash got slightly flustered at the remark. “Shut up.” To that, Kaleb just laughed.
“In the ways of the heart, I would suggest first making peace with Owlowiscious. He’s very wary of any potential suitors.”
“You’re not seriously suggesting that he knew my feelings?” Flash asked incredulously as they arrived at the door of the café.
“Flash, trust me on this,” Kaleb responded. “They always know.”
As the two walked in, Flash went up to the desk in front, and showed her a badge. She nodded, and allowed them to pass, with Flash leading the way. “We couldn’t risk having this conversation in the open, so they allowed access to their back room.”
Walking right past the kitchens, they arrived at a plain door leading to the back room. Flash knocked in a secret code. Kaleb had noticed the change in the air, as he sensed the magic surrounding the room. They heard a click from the door, and the guard opened it.
The room was mostly plain, but was still nice, having nice lighting and curtains drawn over the windows. The walls were painted a nice eggshell color. One side of the room was dedicated to boxes of supplies, and the other had a table and a set of chairs, along with a small couch and armchairs.
Princess Celestia sat at the table, a small smile forming on her face. “Kaleb, please have a seat. It’s good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you as well, Princess Celestia,” Kaleb greeted back, sitting opposite of her. “Flash did an excellent job of escorting me here.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” Celestia turned to the guard. “Excellent work, Flash. If you can give our orders to the kitchen, that would be wonderful. I’ll have what we discussed earlier, and feel free to order lunch for yourself.”
“Thank you, I will,” Flash said, turning to Kaleb. “And I assume I don’t need to ask for your order, since the animals know it.”
He let out a small chuckle. “Very clever. I’ll have the grilled chicken club with mozzarella.”
“Cool, I’ll be back with those in a few minutes with some waters, and we’ll get down to business.” Flash hurried out of the room, making sure the door was closed.
Kaleb heard it automatically lock. “If your guard is as clever with his tongue as his sword, then he will make a worthy opponent. I’m assuming you have magical wards set upon this room.”
“I do, yes,” Celestia responded. “It’s a simple security measure, but one which can alert me to any kind of danger. Normally, I would have multiple guards with me, but I wanted this to be as low-key as possible. I’ll possibly attracted some attention when I visit the market, but Ponyville is usually a quiet location.”
“It can be, depending on the day,” Kaleb added, changing the subject. “Did you see my request? I had left it with Dr. Bluejay after the reception.”
Celestia nodded. “We searched those tunnels, and I came across the area you described.” She pulled out a small package from her bag, wrapped in brown paper. “It’s in the box, which you can open with the button on the side.”
Kaleb unwrapped the package to find the crystal placed in wooden box, with a hidden button just barely visable on the left panel. He opened it and put a hand above it. He felt the connection to the Force from the crystal, beating as softly as a heart. Closing his eyes, he probed further. This is a Force-sensitive crystal, but not the kind I was looking for.
He opened his eyes, looking at her. “Thank you. This will be very useful, even though it isn’t the specific type I was looking for.”
“What do you mean?”
“There are many types of Force-sensitive crystals,” Kaleb explained. “Each having their own unique characteristics. This is the type from the cave, and it indicates the one I am looking for is on this planet, which is called a kyber crystal.”
“I’m sorry, this was all we can find,” Celestia apologized. “Are they valuable to the Jedi?”
“Yes, for multiple reasons,” he said, being careful with his words. “I cannot tell you more because it’s sensitive information. I’m sure you understand there is knowledge that must be kept secret.”
“A good leader knows the value of secrecy. You have my word, Kaleb.” Celestia promised, nodding, just as the secret knock was heard.
Celestia allowed the wards to unlock the door, and Flash moved in, rolling in a cart of plates. Once he arrived at the table, he served the hay, lettuce, and tomato sandwich to Celestia along with chips. He got the same thing, and handed Kaleb his plate. All three of them began to eat.
Kaleb took a sip of his water after a few minutes. “With the magical wards on this room, I’m assuming nobody can hear our conversation. I am curious what you wanted to meet me here about.”
Celestia nodded. “I’m here first; to thank you for helping Luna with the investigation on the wedding, and for helping to defend Canterlot. Equestria owes you a great debt.”
“Think nothing of the sort,” Kaleb responded. “I was fulfilling my obligation as a Jedi, and following my code. There’s no need for debts or repayment.”
“Humble, as I’ve heard,” Celestia commented. “There is something I would like to ask you. Luna told me a little of the relationship between the Jedi Order and the Republic. Can you describe it more?”
“We worked with the government, but were on an equal ground acting as peacekeepers. Sort of like a separate agency,” Kaleb explained, careful with his wording. “We had our own autonomy and rules as part of the Order, but still worked with the Republic, going missions of diplomacy, taking on or assisting with investigations, and mediating conflicts.” He paused. “What are you really asking?”
“I want to form a similar relationship between the Jedi and Equestria.” Celestia stated simply. “More specifically, between Equestria and you.”
Kaleb took a bite from his sandwich just as she said the words. Not unexpected, but interesting to hear. I need more insight. After taking a drink, he paused, thinking before speaking. “That would be an interesting arrangement, but I would need to be careful down to the specifics. May I speak freely?”
“You may.” Celestia added, as Flash listened in.
“As a Jedi, I am not sworn to protect or follow the orders of specific individuals,” Kaleb began, phrasing his words carefully. “I was sworn to the Republic, which was a democracy of different planets and systems, not a monarchy as is in place here. Please take no offense, but I have seen other places with that same system of government where intentions were not peaceful.”
Celestia took all of this in. “I am not offended, I can understand to a degree. You would not be swearing fealty to the throne, nor to any princess. It would be to Equestria alone. Twilight and her friends are granted the same type of treatment as bearers of the Elements of Harmony. It’s public knowledge, but there’s no ceremony or particular attention.”
“For now, I would prefer any agreement, if this happens, remains private,” Kaleb outlined. “Not only for privacy, but for safety. In the letter, I went into more detail into why the secrecy of the Jedi is necessary.”
“I read that section, and for the safety and privacy of the particular individual, it must be the case.” Celestia agreed, referring to Sweetie Belle. “Now then, I want for you to lay out your terms. You know what the Jedi did better than I.”
Kaleb thought. “I would be in a similar role, and would be doing much of the same work here, acting as a peacekeeper and guardian. I can also act in a diplomatic role, or making sure those who are need aid receive it.”
“I do not want my role to be as a soldier or a general, extending to anything with the Equestrian Guard.” He turned to Flash. “No offense to you of course, but you understand why this is the case.”
“I completely understand, Kaleb,” Flash added.
“As do I, given your circumstances,” Celestia replied, looking curious. “Did the Republic ever have a military before the Clone Wars?”
“Surprisingly, no.” Kaleb replied. “After the Jedi-Sith War, the Republic demilitarized and the Jedi took on the role of guardians of peace and harmony. Until the formation of the clone army, peace stood by for over a thousand years.”
Flash let out a large whistle, and Celestia chuckled. “I don’t imagine it was completely conflict free, but that is impressive. There has been a lot of discussion about demilitarization for the Equestrian Guard, but I don’t think it is likely to happen. Even though Twilight and her friends defend Equestria, there’s still a lot of support for the guard.”
She decided to test him. “Those terms can be met, and will be upheld. However, what if there is conflict that would seem to be unavoidable?”
“If a conflict is unavoidable, and there are no other options, than I will defend or attack. Especially if innocent lives are at risk,” Kaleb said. “I only kill when if there is no other option, and if I must, it is never out of anger or vengeance.”
She took her time to analyze his response. “I am willing to agree to the terms you have set, and I hope I can live up to your expectations. We’ll have to go over the minutia some other time, but for now, let us agree to this partnership.”
She extended her hoof to Kaleb, and he shook it. “Now then, tell me how much you know about the history of this planet?”
“I’ve done a fair amount of reading, and I am aware vaguely of recent history,” He answered, trying to remember. “There was only so much time I had in Canterlot.”
Celestia nodded to Flash, who took over from there. “Equestria is used both as a general term for the continent and a specific name for our country, Kaleb. And we are not the only ones who live on it.” He pulled out a map, pointing to different places. “There’s Saddle Arabia, Griffinstone, The Dragon Lands, Yakyakistan, and places even further beyond our own borders. They have their own governments and lands which border ours at certain places.”
Kaleb nodded. “And if I remember, Equestria is not on the friendliest terms with all of them?”
“That’s simplifying it, but yes.” Flash explained. “The changelings have always been enemies with Equestria, going back nearly three hundred years ago. At the time, all of those countries were sided with the changelings, and this resulted war between all of us. However, it was discovered the changelings were manipulating the other allies. Each of the separate countries fought the changelings and won. Some where more successful than others, others were occupied for long amounts of time.”
“Ever since the changelings were last defeated many years ago, no formal treaties or declarations ended the war. It was just put on pause,” Celestia added. “It’s been years of tension ever since. There’s only some limited interaction, with trade of certain items, but it’s often with certain towns and local contracts. There’s an understanding we don’t interfere with that.”
Kaleb took all of this in. “And I imagine with tensions being high, that’s the reason why the Equestrian Guard is being moved to the borders most of the time.”
She nodded. “Even though it’s essentially a no pony’s land, border skirmishes are common. They’re often isolated incidents, and happen probably a few times a month. Sometimes, you will have citizens from other countries sneak across the borders, and then slip back in.”
The older dragons Spike was sneaking out at night to see, Kaleb remembered. By the time Twilight caught him, they were already gone. “Is there a hostile attitude from the citizens of Equestria towards these countries?”
Flash answered that question. “There was, for a long time, but it’s started to fade over the past seventy years. You still have small pockets who have hostilities, but they’ve been underground for a long time.”
Kaleb took a minute to take in all of the following information. “It sounds to me like there are multiple contracts for each country, and I would be acting as a both a third party mediator and representative, depending on the circumstances.”
“Yes, as well as a peacekeeper and guardian if need be,” Celestia answered. “There’s times this is going to be dangerous, Kaleb. Not just with the other nations, but taking into the consideration the large amount of organized crime, both specific to each nation and shared between us all, there are large stakes at play.”
Looking back, he remembered some of the readings. “There’s a lot of criminal organizations and families here, that take advantage of the chaos in war, during and between world-ending villains. Some of these families go back hundreds, even thousands of years.”
“The roots go deep,” Celestia acknowledged. “And everything is constantly changing year after year. Even though we’ve managed to arrest some big players, there’s only so much you can do.”
“The Jedi were in the same position,” he replied. “There were thousands of different criminal organizations, some bigger than others. Others slipping completely off the radar.”
Celestia and Flash nodded. The princess cleared her throat. “I have other business which I need to take care of today. For now, would you be willing to take on this role as Jedi Knight, peacekeeper and guardian of Equestria?”
Kaleb thought carefully about everything said. The legacy of the Jedi is at stake here. From what she has said, that role will be maintained. He gave his final answer. “We can work out the smaller details at a later date, but if you agree to uphold my terms, the answer is yes.”
He shook both of their hooves. “When would I begin this role?”
“We hope to reach out later this summer, and the work would actually begin in the fall,” Celestia explained. “Don’t worry, you won’t be thrust in just yet. There’s plenty of information you’ll be given ahead of time.”
“I’ll keep an eye out,” he replied. “Also, there might be an easier way for communication if I set up a holoprojector system in Canterlot Castle. That way, you won’t always have to send a letter or someone else to convey your words.”
“Look into that, and send me word.” All three of them stood up, and Celestia gave a nod of gratitude. “Thank you for this, Master Jedi. We’ll be in touch soon.”
“I bet we will.” Kaleb smiled, and gave Flash a hug. “Keep in touch. And give the newlyweds my regards.”
“Sure thing, and the same to you, my friend.” Flash let go, and returned the smile. “I’ll try and keep your advice in mind.”
Kaleb chuckled. “Now then, I must be off to prepare for an academic presentation. Have a good rest of your visit, Princess Celestia, Flash.” He turned and walked through the metal doors, the wards clicking behind him.
Sweetie Belle and her friends clapped as one of the last presenters finished up her presentation. After they finished clapping, she smiled. “That was awesome! So many different presentations today, so many stories.”
“Not to mention the ideas for the CMC this summer,” Apple Bloom added, finishing up her notes. “I’ll be submitting all of this in my report.”
“Good to hear,” Scootaloo replied. “We’re going to need a lot of stuff, if you’re thinking what I’m thinking.”
As the two went into their own conversation, Sweetie Belle noticed Spike staring out of the window, gazing at something beyond her reach. “Spike, what did you think?”
“Yeah, it was really cool,” He said, putting on a brave face. “Just a little tired, that’s all. I was up a little too late last night.”
She nodded. “I really liked the presentation Fluttershy did on animal care and ecosystems. You seemed really interested in the geology side of it.”
“I mean, gemstones are always interesting. I remember seeing pictures when I was in Canterlot, but out here, you can really get an idea of the landscape.”
“Is it something you want possibly as a career?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“Maybe,” Spike replied. “It’s a possibility. A little too early to tell, but it’s always been something I’m curious about.”
Miss Cheerilee rang the small bell on her desk. “Okay, students. We have one more presentation today, but I’m not sure if he’s going to get here in time. He’s already twenty minutes late…”
“Sorry, am I too late?”
She turned to the door to see Kaleb peering in. “You’re cutting it close, Mr. Taymar, by about twenty minutes. But I’ll allow it.”
Sweetie Belle chuckled as she saw Kaleb move in, wearing his usual Jedi robes. “Sorry about that, I had to see a pony about some wiring, and then my droid got into a fight with a hawk nesting by my ship.”
Fluttershy called out. “Wait, was the hawk a red-brown with auburn speckled eyes?”
“Yeah that’s the one,” Kaleb replied. “Why do you ask?”
“His name is Albert. I need to have a serious talk with him about where he nests.”
“Please do, otherewise we’re going to have A5 fighting every animal near the forest…”
“You have three minutes, Mr. Taymar,” Cheerilee told him in as nice of a voice as she could muster. “Please don’t waste it.”
He buckled under her gaze, mumbled an apology, and addressed the class. “Right then. Good afternoon, young students. My name is Kaleb Taymar, and I have been asked to talk to you all about my experience with nature. First, how many of you have traveled outside of Ponyville?” Only a few raised their hands.
“Please close the blinds,” he indicated to the students as they did so, closing the windows. Setting the map reader down on the small desk near the center of the classroom, he activated it. Hundreds of small projected lights came out, floating similarly to their real-life counterparts. Half the class gasped, the other half just stared in awe.
“This is where I’m from, originally. Not just one planet, but from a whole galaxy,” Kaleb began. “I visited many places as I grew up, learned from different experiences and met different kinds of people. Your home, Ponyville, is home not only to you, but to the others around, including the creatures and wildlife who also call this place home.”
He strode around the classroom, pointing to a small distant planet. “These all may seem like different planets, but they are all connected. One choice, small it may be, can affect the other in a large way. Even a small change in the ecosystem of this place will change the course of history as we know it.
“The nature and wildlife around you, and the ponies who live here, both call this place home. It is a delicate balance. It is important to take the needs of others into consideration, so we may live to be better in our own lives.”
With a simple turn of his hand, the map reader was deactivated. He put it into his pocket, and indicated for the blinds to be reopened. “Look outside, look at the world around you.” At least twenty-five heads turned in the direction of the windows. “A shared world, from those who look at this place and want the same things we do. Food, clean air, clean water, shelter, and care. Take into consideration the impact your hoofprint has on them, so we can all tread more carefully, and live in peace and happiness. Thank you.”
He strode back to the front of the classroom as everyone clapped, and he simply acknowledged the applause with the raising of a hand. “And I believe that should be just under three minutes.”
Miss Cheerilee chuckled. “Well, just be on time next, okay?” The schoolbell rang, and the students jumped out of their seats. “Have a good weekend everyone. Please remember to take your things.”
The Cutie Mark Crusaders jumped up, and packed their stuff. Apple Bloom went over the schedule. “So, we’ll be meeting sometime next week after school for study hours and some fun activities. I’ll get back to you Monday. In the meantime, I’ll see you tonight for the celebrations.”
The other three nodded, and all waved to each other. Sweetie Belle waved to Spike as he went out the door. “See you tonight!”
“See you!” Spike yelled as he started the walk back home. She smiled, and just as she packed her own stuff, she heard her name.
“Sweetie Belle?” Miss Cheerilee called as she was walking towards the door. “Rarity gave me a note yesterday, saying you’re to go home with Fluttershy today.”
“Oh yeah, she has that appointment in Canterlot,” she explained, turning to Fluttershy and Kaleb. “Are we going just to the cottage, or to the markets?”
“Just back to the cottage,” Fluttershy explained. “I have some business I need to take care of.”
“You two go on ahead, I’ll be right behind you.” They nodded, and leaved. Kaleb turned to Miss Cheerilee. “I was wondering if I can borrow a history textbook?”
“I should have a few extra in here,” she replied, getting them out of her desk and handing one to Kaleb. “Why do you need it?”
“I just want to get a perspective on how Equestria’s history is taught to children,” Kaleb explained. “Just out of curiosity. I promise I’ll return it in a timely manner.”
“Please do.” She answered, and waved to him as he left.
Fifteen minutes later, Spike returned to the library, noticing Twilight wasn’t on the main floor. But he heard noise downstairs. Must be in the basement doing something. He went upstairs, the tiredness in his eyes seeping deeper in.
After setting his backpack down, he went into the bathroom, closing the door. Turning on the water, he splashed the cold water into his face, gazing up into the mirror.
He blinked several times, staring at his reflection. Why was I so tired last night, and what were those angry voices? I haven’t heard from them since I blew up at Twilight a few months ago. Who are they, and why did they come back…
In the moment he next blink, he saw the landscape that laid before him. It was a red haze, with dust the color of blood surrounding the mountains, as he stood on top of the heap of rubble and stone. Thousands of voices seemed to call out, echoing anger, hatred, suffering, as he saw the shadow in front of him. A perfect replica of himself.
The shadow’s eyes glowed with the red of fire, and jumped at him, leaping to catch its prey. Spike roared in fear and anger, as he felt himself being forced back against the stone wall.
Except it wasn’t the stone wall, but the door of the bathroom, and the large crash echoed throughout the treehouse. Before him lay the mirror, shattered into bits, as he breathed heavily, his claw extended out in front of him.
As quickly as he went into that bathroom, he backed out slowly, slamming the door and running down the stairs.
Kaleb had just managed to catch up with Fluttershy and Sweetie Belle as they were walking back over the bridge of the cottage. “R2 is still with Twilight at the library, apparently they’re making good progress.”
Sweetie Belle turned to him and he waved it away. “I’ll explain later, it’s kind of a long story.”
As they finally reached the door, Fluttershy set the cart down. “I’m going to put a few things back, and then rest for a while.”
Kaleb and Sweetie Belle entered the cottage, as she set down her school things on a nearby shelf. “Kaleb, are there any snacks?”
“There should be some in the kitchen,” Kaleb called out. “Also, I think there’s something in there for you.”
As she went into the kitchen, she spotted a small suitcase right onto the table, right where the freshly-cut apples were. She took a few slices, along with some carrots and studied the case. Noticing there was a note right on top. She opened it.
Every great journey starts with small steps
These are your first into a larger world.
Keep on your feet, because you may never know
Where you get swept off to.
Kaleb heard her gasp just as he walked into the kitchen, and saw her larger reaction as she opened the suitcase. Only to find not just any Jedi Robes. But ones of her own.
He saw her tear up slightly as she stared with awe and amazement at the fabric, but also a sense of joy. Every stitch and seam spoke volumes of care, and she only knew that work to be of her sister.
“You might want to thank your sister for those, she was very insistent she would be the one to make them,” Kaleb explained, chuckling and taking some of the apple and carrot snacks. “Once you’ve tried them on, and had something to eat, meet me out in the clearing. There’s a path in the backyard which should lead you right to it.” He moved quickly out of the door, as she dashed to the bathroom.
A few minutes later, she emerged, wearing the Jedi Robes, noticing how light and breathable the material seemed. It was also rugged enough to withstand the elements. Breathing easily through the tunic, she walked outside, taking in the afternoon air.
The cloak had the same feel to it, as it was perfectly balanced. Rarity must have really spent a lot of time on this, it feels not too heavy, not too light. Just right. Sweetie Belle walked on the path, entering the forest. With every step she took, everything seemed more vibrant.
She arrived at the clearing in no time, taking a look at the meadow before her. The gentle hiss of a stream echoed in the distance, as the songbirds began to sing, almost on cue. She sat down in the center, slightly shaded by the large oaks offering protection.
From the shadows, Kaleb emerged in similar robes. He sat down six feet in front of her, crossing his legs in the fashion she had seen him do. They sat in silence for a considerable amount of time, allowing the sounds of the forest to become the dominant force.
After about eight minutes of this, he noticed her breathing followed the rhythm and flow of the natural habitat around her. “Patience.” She paused and he nodded her to keep breathing. She did, trying to concentrate on her surroundings. After a few moments he began to speak.
“Emotion, yet peace.
Ignorance, yet knowledge.
Passion, yet serenity.
Chaos, yet harmony.
Death, yet the Force.”
She continued breathing, and he let out a small smile. “You can open your eyes now, Sweetie Belle.”
She did, and waited for him to continue. “I was only a few years younger than you, when I heard Master Yoda first say that. It was a memorable experience, only second to where he scolded me for falling out of a tree, I climbed it trying to hear the birds.” The young unicorn chuckled at that line.
Kaleb leaned forward. “I wanted you to have that same experience. It does take some getting used to, but it’s good knowledge to have. Why did you think I chose this place?”
Sweetie Belle looked around, noticing the cadances of the world around her. “This place, it feels different. From any place in Ponyville, even. It feels alive.”
He nodded. “I started to come here back in the fall, because it was where the Force felt most alive. And it’s at a critical part in the ecosystem. Every creature in these woods somehow finds this place, and uses it as their home. As a place of welcome. “
She nodded. “That does make sense, I could feel there was this rhythm here.” Adjusting her robe, she fixed Kaleb with a curious look. “What does this mean?”
“Right, I suppose I should get to the main point.” He thought about phrasing, and started. “Rarity and I have been having a lot of discussions about you and what’s happening. It took us a while to get the details down, and to get on the same page, but we have come to an agreement.”
He paused for dramatic effect. “I will train you in the ways of the Jedi and the Force, and you would become my apprentice. My Padawan, if that is a route you are still interested in.”
She took the information in, and let out a large smile. “Yes, I am! And these robes are really nice. I like the style, and how Rarity adapted them.”
“She did do a good job,” Kaleb replied, going on. “If we go ahead with this our relationship changes. No longer just friends, but a Master and Apprentice. The basis of this is on mutual trust and respect. I will respect and trust you, and I expect you to do the same. I don’t expect this to be a problem, but it’s something to bring up.”
She nodded in understanding. “I want this place to be a sanctuary, for us. Where we can escape the problems of the everyday world, at least for a little while, and learn together. Your safety and well-being is my responsibility, and I have to balance having a safe learning environment with room for our training and growth.”
“How should I address you? Should it be as Master Taymar?” Sweetie Belle asked. “And why do you say ‘our’ training?”
“Only when the occasion requires it, which won’t be that often,” Kaleb answered. “Kaleb is just fine here. And the reason I keep doing so is because when a Master and Apprentice form a bond, it becomes a learning experience for both. It changes lives. I’ve never had an apprentice before, and Jedi are lifelong learners.”
Kaleb took a sip of water. “Your education would be in two concentrations. The first is about the Jedi and the Force, and would be the standard for what any apprentice is taught. There’s a lot of flexibility in this, so there’s plenty of areas to explore. The second is about the various worlds and planets in my galaxy.”
Her eyes beamed, as he knew this was something exciting for her. “You want to know more about my galaxy? I’m going to teach you everything there is to know.”
He nearly laughed at her reaction, as she tried to hide it. “Thank you, Kaleb. I am honored to have you as my Jedi Master. What you spoke to me before, was that some kind of oath?”
“Not exactly, but it is a code,” Kaleb explained. “The Jedi had a code which they followed, and I’ve written down the full version here.” He handed her an empty journal with the code written on the first page. She opened it as he continued. “The version I said was a simplified one for Jedi younglings. But even through there, the message shines through.”
She perked up as he addressed one thing. “However, it’s important to understand the importance of this code, but it is not perfect. It is a flawed code.”
“What do you mean?” Sweetie Belle asked. “Where are the flaws?”
“Between the lines,” Kaleb answered. “In practice, the code seemed to be perfect, a shining example for which every Jedi should stand by. And in some ways, it is. But even my own Master acknowledged there were flaws with how certain things are taught and handled. Including the matter of emotional attachments.”
He saw her confusion. “There are two sides to everything. Pros and cons, actions and consequences, one decision versus another. This includes the Force. Ashla and Bogan, Light and Darkness.”
Taking two stones, he placed them across from the other. “Ashla, or the light side of the Force. A philosophy build on calm, peace, and a passive nature. Tranquility, compassion, and selflessness drive it. This was the side the Jedi followed, and what I was taught. This is what the Jedi Code is about at its core.”
He indicated to the other stone. “Bogan, the Dark Side of the Force. The philosophy is built on raw emotions such as fear, anger, hatred, suffering, and vengeance. Practiced by the Sith, who were and still are the enemies of the Jedi.” He looked at her. “This was the darkness you experienced back in Canterlot when the changelings attacked.”
“I remember those emotions, vivid as day,” Sweetie Belle remembered. “It terrifies me. I’m sorry, I never meant to use them…”
“It’s okay, you didn’t know.” Kaleb spoke, addressing her apology. “And you shouldn’t be afraid of those emotions, that will only make it stronger. Facing fear is the destiny of the Jedi.”
He chose his words carefully. “These sides are locked in a battle longer than time itself. Fought by thousands of generations long before us. Bringing it back to the code, one of the big flaws is in how it deals with emotions and attachments. It says to bury them away, and forget and only focusing on the will of the Force.”
“I can see why that is taught. If the Dark Side embraces emotions fully, than the Jedi reject them for the will of the Force,” Sweetie Belle observed.
He nodded. “Exactly. The problem is, burying your emotions isn’t a healthy way to live. It may seem like a good idea, but in reality it can destroy you. It took me a long time after I arrived here to realize this, especially after three years of war.”
Kaleb breathed, and let a natural silence roll in before speaking again. “I’m going to teach you to follow the Jedi Code, but we have to acknowledge the flaws as we do. There are many aspects I want us to follow, but there are others where we can change. What do you think those are?”
She knew he posed the question as a kind of test. “Emotions and attachments are not always bad, but we cannot let them blind our judgement.”
He smiled. “Exactly. For me, the Jedi Code, my emotions, and attachments all guide me. At times, I do have to let go of emotion and attachment in order to fulfill my role, but I do not forget them. And instead of burying my own darkness, I recognize it. But I never act on it.”
“I don’t want to rely on the Dark Side,” Sweetie Belle began. “I don’t want to even go near it now. Not if it endangers my friends and family.”
Kaleb nodded. “And with any luck, you won’t have to. However, it is something you will have to face one day. And when you do, you will be ready. I’ll make sure of it, on a Pinkie Promise as a Jedi.”
He handed her a braid for her mane. “Take the strands of your mane, behind your ear. Either one is fine. Braid it into one long strand, and use that to keep it in place.”
She did so, looking curious. After a few seconds, she had the braid behind her left ear. “I’m assuming this is some kind of a Jedi tradition.”
“You are correct,” Kaleb informed her. “The braid is traditional for a Padawan, and is cut off when they become a Jedi Knight.”
She was put more at ease since his response to her previous statement. “Anyway, when do I get to learn to use a lightsaber?” She pointed to the hilt on Kaleb’s belt.
He chuckled. “And there’s the excitement for today. The lightsaber is a valuable tool, but it’s also a part of you. Unique to your spirit, your fighting style, your individuality. One day, when you are ready, you will go on a journey to find a kyber crystal, which is Force-sensitive, and use it to build your own.”
Her ears drooped slightly. “Yours is just so cool.”
“Don’t worry, I’m still going to teach you combat,” Kaleb added. “Patience, my young apprentice. The time will pass quicker than you think. Besides, the journey will be worth as much as the destination.”
Sweetie Belle’s eyes reflected a sense of humbleness and honor as he addressed her in that way. She felt the rhythm of the Force rising and falling as it seemed the entire forest began to breathe as the wind rustled. Her mane began to sway in the wind.
“Thank you, Master Taymar. I’m honored to be your apprentice, and I promise to do my best.”
He cast a wondrous tone in his voice. “Now then, Sweetie Marie Belle, out of all the things you can learn, from one planet to a system to an entire galaxy, brimming with the Force itself, where do you want to start?”
