[A/N: As usual, anyone who has taken time out of their busy days to peruse the contents of this work has my gratitude. I have been considering lately if I should establish a forum where readers can discuss this continuity and ask questions, as perhaps the review system is not a proper place for interaction with the fan base (such as it is) to occur. That being said, as always, reviews are wholeheartedly appreciated. Even if you have nothing nice to say about the story, I would love to hear some thoughts. The rest of the continuity is still quite fluid and subject to change, and there are a few things that I would actually like to let the readers decide on, if at all possible.
Anyway, Act II is drawing on, but there is still plenty of story left to tell. Enjoy it at your leisure.]
Chapter 8: Divergent Paths, Part 1
One Day after destruction of the bridge
The sunrise in Ponyville was usually a dramatic sight, as the light was framed by a faraway eastern mountain pass. As the light passed through the icy alpine air, all manner of colorful phenomena were produced. On this morning, the first rays of light were tinted a sharp red, perhaps indicative of times to come for the town.
Rather than the usual morning ritual and routine, the citizens of Ponyville gathered at the Green family café, to get organized preparing the town's defenses. Gabe's help with the bridge had surely bought them several days, but every citizen was well aware that the raging river would only pose a slight obstacle to the Princess' army. So now, all hooves were called to fortify the perimeter and fabricate projectiles out of any material that was on hand. Any piece of farm equipment that could hold an edge was sharpened; anything else was modified into impromptu shielding or walls. Looking upon the spectacle, Genevieve was pleased to see how the townspeople had united behind the common cause. Of course, it would have been better for them to have united behind the cause of turning the area into farmland, but the opportunity for that plan had come and gone. Though she did not agree with the idea of fighting, she also knew that now the battle was unavoidable.
Genevieve had her own special concerns though. At the moment, Gabe still slept soundly in the guest room of her family's house. Although Genevieve felt guilty that she was going to go back on her promise to him, the others were convinced that with his help, there might be a chance they could be victorious. Washing out a bridge was one thing, but a properly timed blizzard or lightning strike could decide a battle. She had to admit that he was probably their only chance. Still, he had his own life to live, a family who would be anxious to see him again. What right was it of hers to try to take all that away from him? In the end, Genevieve realized, she didn't have it in her to coerce him in any way. His own actions could only be his choice.
Still, she intended to present a convincing argument, with several fallback positions to assume if he desired a compromise. She could tell that he was more open in her presence, more susceptible to acting against his better judgment. Although she did not intend to overtly manipulate him, it would be foolish to squander any potential advantage.
Genevieve was standing on the back porch when she heard Gabe finally emerge from the upstairs loft. It was already well-past noon, but there was a cool breeze from the north, so the sun was not oppressively hot. As she heard him rummaging in the kitchen for breakfast, she contemplated the plan. She had decided that if she could not get him to stay on for a few more days, she would ask that he take her back to Cloudsdale with him, to give her a chance to see the city, if only for a day or two. While there, Genevieve planned to tell her story to anyone who would hear it, in the hope of finding some traction among the population. After some time, Gabe would of course be forced to take her back to Ponyville, at which point she would have another crack at him.
Feeling reassured, but still slightly nervous, she stuck her head through the rear door. Gabe was seated at the family table, helping himself to a loaf of her father's signature multigrain bread. Seeing her, he gazed up sheepishly. "Oh, good morning, Genevieve. I thought you would be preparing the defenses with the others today."
Smiling innocently, she stepped into the kitchen. "Allie's covering for me today. Besides, seeing as today is your last day here, I thought that you and I could, maybe, go for one last walk."
Before answering her, Gabe took a long drink from a tall glass of water. "Well, sure, I guess so," he remarked. "Down to the forest again?"
"Where else?"
"One moment then," Gabe replied as he hastily ate the rest of the loaf. He joined Genevieve on the lightly worn path that led behind the de Cassie property, before winding its way through town up to the Everfree Forest. As they walked, they passed by several families that were erecting makeshift defenses for their own homesteads. Each stopped what they were doing to thank Gabe as he passed. After the storm at the bridge, word of Gabe's help had spread quickly through the population, and the citizens were eager to let him know of their gratitude. Gabe accepted each thanks gratefully, but he didn't really think any of it was well deserved. In his mind, he had simply been in the right place at the right time, doing what any responsible pony would have done.
As they finally left the town behind and came under the branches of the peaceful forest, Gabe took it all in. Seeing as this was going to be his last day down on the ground, he wanted to file away every memory to tell his family about later. The way the light of the sun filtered through the leaves of the forest, and glimmered off the mossy stumps took his breath away. How could his people have ever left such beauty behind them? Perhaps that was a question he could solve in the Cloudsdale archives after his return.
Slowly, Gabe became aware that Genevieve was being uncharacteristically silent. On their previous walk through the wood, both of them had talked extensively. Now, he wondered why she refrained from speaking. Surreptitiously studying her face, he could see that she was worried about something, and trying to hide it from him. Feeling uncomfortable, he decided to bring up the subject.
"Genevieve," he began, "I can see that something is troubling you. Come, this will be our last day together. I don't want anything to spoil it, so please, talk to me about it."
She turned away from him for a moment, and for an instant, Gabe thought he could see a tear escape one of her eyes. But when she finally looked him in the eyes, she was all serious. "Well Gabe, that's just it. We agreed that this would be your last day here with us. You've got a family, a life up in Cloudsdale, and I don't want to take you away from that, much as I would like you to stay."
Unsure of precisely how to respond, Gabe tried the compassionate approach. "I wish I could stay too, Genevieve. The time that I've been able to spend down here with you has created moments that I will never forget. But we both knew from the start that I couldn't stay."
Holding his gaze, Genevieve continued, "The entire town thanks you for the help you have provided us. There is, however, just one thing. You have bought us some time, but if we can't resolve the situation peacefully, it is undoubted that a battle will commence. In that case, we don't stand a chance."
Seeing the implication, Gabe bristled immediately. "Genevieve, I thought we had agreed that I would not play any part in this conflict. You promised that I could go after this one favor. Remember? I sincerely hope you're not going back on that now."
Catching the irritation in his tone, Genevieve was quick to deflect his feelings away from her. "I know that, but some of the other citizens have heard of your talents, and couldn't help but ask the obvious questions. I have to ask you, one last time, will you consider aiding us in this time of our need?" She looked up at him with her most earnest face, pleading with her eyes.
Stopping in place and looking away, Gabe suddenly felt ashamed that he hadn't left as soon as he could. Had everything merely been a sham to lead up to this moment? For a time, he had been wrestling with his feelings concerning his new friend. Now, embarrassed with himself, he looked upon Genevieve with scorn. Turning around, he began to walk out of the forest. Suddenly, all he wanted was to see the shimmering spires of Cloudsdale again, and leave the surface behind forever.
Running to catch up with him, Genevieve called out for him to slow down. Finally coming abreast of him, Genevieve once again spoke as they walked; now sounding apologetic. "I'm sorry Gabe. I never imagined that this would be how it would end. You must realize that I had to ask, if only for that small chance."
Gabe would no longer look at her. "Oh I realize something all right. I realize that you only see me as a means to alleviate your own suffering, Genevieve. I may be the pony that can give you what you need, but I have my own life to live, and I can't get caught up in this war of your people. If you can't see that, then I can't stay here to make you understand."
Searching for an open spot so that he could take off, Gabe felt that the wood was suddenly an almost suffocating space. The branches above choked off the sky, and so Gabe continued to stride quickly along the path, anxious to be gone from this place. To her credit, Genevieve remained persistent, keeping pace with him the whole way. Seeing that she had almost lost this battle, she decided now was the time to come completely clean.
"Gabe," she intoned, once again speaking earnestly, "things are more complicated here than you realize. I've been looking through the old histories again, searching for the story of the exile of the Pegasi."
Gabe continued to walk, stone-faced for the moment, so Genevieve continued. "The Pegasi were once citizens of Equestria, Gabe! Just like all of us. They preferred the sky, to be sure, but long ago they lived among the earth ponies and unicorns as fellow citizens! Then, with the rise of the free kingdom, the Pegasi exiled themselves, fearful of what could happen to their way of life with the change of government!"
"So?" he replied in a challenging tone. "We made that choice for our own good then, and we still have the right to plot our own destiny, free from what anyone else would desire of us." Finally spying the edge of the forest approaching around a bend, he quickened his pace. Behind him, Genevieve struggled to keep up.
"Don't you see?" she managed to get out between breaths. "Your people are still our fellow citizens! There never was any prejudice against the Pegasi, and none of us wish you any ill! You can't keep on ignoring others' problems when you have the ability to prevent them. You have a responsibility to help us!"
At this, Gabe stopped and turned round to face her for one last time. Seeing her now in the light of the afternoon sun, his resolve faltered for the slightest second. Again, he felt the weight of all these lives settle on his shoulders. But this time things were different. These earth ponies had betrayed his trust, just as a part of him had always known they would. He wished for nothing more than to be rid of this place. Addressing her, he stoically proclaimed, "My only responsibility is to my own race, and my home city of Cloudsdale, and to my own family. Genevieve de Cassie, I thank you for your time, but now I must be leaving." And with that, he raced off into the clear fields, extending his wings to catch the wind. With powerful strokes he rose into the air, shortly leaving the town of Ponyville behind.
Genevieve watched him go, tears in her eyes. The logician inside her mind berated her on how poorly she had handled the situation. Why had things ended up like this? As she gazed wistfully up into the clouds, a tear worked its way down her cheek. There had been so much more to say, so much more that could have passed between them. Now that he was gone, Genevieve almost felt as though a part of her had gone with him. Alone for a moment, she sat upon the ground and wept for a short time. Finally composing herself, she began to make her way back down to the town. The only thing left to do was prepare for the inevitable.
For his part, Gabe buried his emotions beneath a wall of indignation. Admittedly, given some time to think over it, he did regret the way it had all ended. He had legitimately enjoyed Genevieve's company, and would always remember the times that they had spent together in the forest. But in the end, his loyalties were his own decision, and no one else's.
As he climbed ever higher into the sky, the ground once more reformed into its familiar blur of blues and greens in his sight. To distract himself from the turmoil in his mind, Gabe focused on the necessary processes for flying. However, the wind was unsettlingly calm this afternoon, offering him none of its usual peaceful melodies. Slowly, he began to make out landmarks that he could recognize, and after orienting himself, the shining city of Cloudsdale appeared once again in the distance. It was just as Gabe remembered it, aglow in the pure light of the descending late afternoon sun. Circling for a moment over the southern quarter, Gabe tried to recall the peaceful times that he had spent here. Though the memories surfaced, somehow the taint of his earlier ordeal had left an empty space in his heart that even sight of his majestic hometown refused to fill. He reflected for a moment on Genevieve's last words. Ironically, it seemed that history, one of his least favorite subjects, had much yet to teach him. He knew that the only way to get any closure on this affair would be to head down to the library sometime and do some reading. With any luck, the old history books would be able to confirm his convictions for him.
Setting down in an empty plaza near to his parents' house, Gabe was not surprised to see posters bearing his own image plastered about the city. It had only been five days since he had first fell from the sky, after all. But such an awful lot had changed since then. Trotting to his own house, Gabe was not surprised to find both of his parents in the kitchen, enjoying a brief meal before going out to canvas the town once more. Both were naturally overjoyed to see him. As he embraced his mother and father lovingly, Gabe tried to feel like he was back where he belonged again. And even though he was mostly successful, that nagging emptiness still simply refused to leave.
