Upheaval: Reckoning

Chapter 26: Justifications

It was already evening by the time Lion Court returned to Black Rose's headquarters. The remainder of the day had not been as interesting as he had hoped it would be. Instead of enjoying a leisurely afternoon getting to know the Element of Generosity a little better, he ended up being kept busy dealing with the details of somepony else's mission. He strode the hall that connected the rooms of his fellow thorns and then smiled when he caught sight of a gray, earth pony mare fiddling with the door to her room. "Octavia," he greeted her. "How was your day?"

Octavia seemed startled at first. Then she noticed who it was and dipped her head slightly in greeting. "Mister Lion Court, welcome back," she said.

"Mister?" Lion Court asked with mock surprise. "Now where did this formality come from?"

A look of confusion crossed Octavia's face briefly. "Well, you are a senior member of our group aren't you?" she asked.

"Seniority does not rate very high among our group's concerns, Octavia," Lion Court said. He walked closer so that he stood right in front of her. "You may have noticed that we don't carry ranks either. The Thorns stand as equals before each other with only Black Rose as our leader." His lips parted in a warm smile. "So please, my friends call me Lion for short."

"A-alright then, Mis-I mean Lion."

"Now, may I ask where you're going?"

Octavia looked away briefly before answering. "I'm going to tell some of my family about my new job. And possibly some of my old band mates if I could find them."

Lion Court nodded in understanding. "Of course," he said. "But the hour has grown quite late and the ponies you'll be speaking with are likely asleep."

Octavia looked around. "Is it that late already?" she asked. "It's hard to tell with these halls."

"There are devices in your quarters that can indicate the time of day," Lion Court said. "I'll help you with them if you like. For now, you should get some sleep. I imagine this is a lot to take in."

"You're right," Octavia said with a nod. She yawned and then opened the door to her quarters. Before she went in, however, she paused and then turned to face Lion Court again. "Lion," she began hesitantly.

"Yes?"

"So what instrument do you play?"

Lion Court raised an eyebrow. "I dabble a bit in piano and violin," he replied. "But my music is for mere recreation. It's certainly not worthy of even being mentioned alongside yours in any discussion."

Octavia closed her eyes and inhaled deeply to compose herself. "Then…why recruit me?" she asked. "I had thought at first that "The Thorns" were a band of sorts, but those weapons around your belt and the way Miss Sablesteel was dressed just a few hours ago…is this some kind of private fighting group? I can't…" Her voice trailed off.

"Your concern is understandable," Lion Court replied. "Know that we recruited you for your musical talents which means that you are expected perform with those talents, not something else. The Thorns are not mere fighters. We are an elite group that handles most of our mistress's affairs so the talent pool is certainly...diverse."

Octavia looked partially mollified by Lion Court's response. His smile widened a bit. This mare was certainly no fighter and he knew that the moment he had spotted her in that café. Still, Warsinger picked her so the inherent talents to wield it must lie within her. There was no need to prod her in any way. All she needed was a gentle nudge. "But what is Black Rose's goal?" she asked.

"Nothing short of Equestria's glory," Lion Court replied confidently.

Octavia stared at Lion Court for a while. Eventually, she couldn't help but return his smile. "I'll just rest for tonight then," she said.

"Oh, and another thing," Lion Court said. "You mentioned Sable. Is she here at the moment?"

"Yes."

Lion Court bowed one more time and let the earth pony go back to her room. He made his way through the hall. Despite his weariness, he did not head towards his room, but to somepony else's. He knocked on the door and, when nopony answered, he pulled out his own key and entered anyway.

Sablesteel's quarters were easily the biggest out of all the thorns. They were also second only to Longstride's when it came to lack of luxury. Three quarters of the room were taken up by a laboratory where Sablesteel plied the craft handed down to her by her grandfather. Vials, beakers, and other sorts of paraphernalia adorned several tables, each one meticulously labeled. One area of the room held containers for various live snakes, spiders and other poisonous creatures while another had a stand which held her gear.

As far as comfort was concerned, there was a bed by one corner and a nightstand. Lion Court shook his head at the simplicity. At least it was a step up from the rug that Longstride used. At the center of the laboratory was Sablesteel herself. The pegasus mare was making adjustments to her foreleg devices and replacing its used up poison cartridges with fresh ones.

"I'm busy," Sablesteel said. Without even looking, she waved a hoof dismissively.

"I imagine you would be," Lion Court replied. He walked into the room and stood just a little behind her. "So busy, in fact, that I didn't expect you to be back here so quickly."

"Neither did I," Sablesteel said. "That pink pony is a volatile one. I expected to scare her, but not that much. Now I don't even have to follow up. She's probably seeing me everywhere without my help."

"The chosen are more sensitive than you think," Lion Court said. "Of course this means that there really is no need for you to actually kill her loved ones, right?"

"I might just to spite you for constantly bothering me about it," Sablesteel replied. She pressed a button on the foreleg device, causing a blade to spring forth. She inspected the piece, making sure that it was still razor-sharp and free of any notches or cracks. "I said that I'm not making any promises. I might decide to perform a little corrective surgery on some baker's underbite or try a new formula on some 'random' rock farm."

"I'm noticing a distinct lack of smiling on your part, my dear Sable."

Sablesteel put down the foreleg device and stared grimly at the table. "You know that I've done a lot of horrible things to a lot of ponies, Lion," she said.

"More so than any of us," Lion replied. "You do have the highest kill count in our group and that's without bringing in non-ponies."

"But each one of those targets shared one thing in common. They brought it on themselves one way or another: they were a danger to Equestria, they got on Black Rose's bad side, they were idiots…"

"True," Lion said. He had a good guess as to where this was going. "And Pinkie Pie?"

"Pinkie Pie doesn't deserve this." Sablesteel moved from the tables to where the rest of her gear were and replaced the foreleg device. "She's not a criminal or a spy or even an inconvenient pony to have around. She's just some farmer's daughter who happens to be the Element of Joy. The Blackmoon Blades reacted to threats. They never-!" Sablesteel caught herself and then snorted in frustration.

"The Blackmoon Blades died along with your grandfather, Sable," Lion said softly. "We are the Thorns and we do as Black Rose commands."

"I know," Sable replied. "It's just…assassinating some traitor is a lot different from scaring some mare witless in order to suck all the joy out of her life."

"And yet our tasks are graver now than they have ever been," Lion Court said, his words taking on a stern tone.

"Don't mistake my musings as traitor talk, Lion," Sablesteel hissed. "I'm not like our mistress's spineless brother. Just because I'll make some noise about it doesn't mean I won't skin every foal in the Heartland at her command."

"Nopony doubts that," Lion Court said, his tone lightening again.

"Nopony better," Sablesteel muttered. She walked towards Lion Court.

"I should be going then," Lion Court said. "We both need our rest."

"You're not going anywhere."

"Oh?" Lion Court looked at Sablesteel askance. In response, she walked right up to him and gave him a vicious shove, knocking him on his back and straight onto her bed.

"You think you can just walk into my room and lecture me?" she asked angrily. "You've pissed me off, Lion, you and that wretched pink pony. I'm taking it out on you or my work will suffer tomorrow."

"Well, we can't have that," Lion Court said with a smile. His horn glowed briefly, making sure that the door to the room was locked. "I suppose I'll take one for the team."

Sablesteel placed her forelegs on either side of the unicorn, pinning him in place. She fixed her eyes on him intently, letting some of her mane droop past her and brush against his face.

Lion Court inhaled deeply. The pungent odor of poisonous gas, harmless at this point, still clung to Sablesteel's mane and coat. She had not bathed since coming back from her mission. Though she had likely wiped herself down, she was still grimy, and she stank of blood and dried sweat. He licked his lips as desire flickered within.

"One," Sablesteel said with a snort. She pressed her lips against Lion Court's sword belt and began unbuckling it with her teeth. "If you tire out at one, I'll gut you."

The magical light that illuminated the room dimmed all around the two in response to Sablesteel's will. Black Rose's light enchantments were tailor-made for each thorn's room. Black Rose's magic was far from Lion Court's mind for now, however. He matched her stare, admiring how the pegasus's green and blue eyes still stood out despite the dim surroundings. "Until you're satisfied then," he said.

It was already evening when Applejack walked the halls of the Royal Palace on her way to the audience hall. She had decided to take Vanguard's advice and see the royal siblings, but had left off the matter until the day was over. The royalty were, after all, likely busy with so many things and she shouldn't disturb them in the middle of the day. However, instead of winding down, the palace seemed to come even more alive as evening settled. The palace staff were whispering worriedly among themselves while a group of legionnaires walked down the hall urgently.

"Applejack!"

The earth pony stopped when somepony called her name from behind. She turned around and spotted Twilight Sparkle walking towards her. "Hey, Twilight," she said as the purple unicorn caught up with her. "You need something?"

Twilight saluted in response. "I just wanted to talk, vice-captain," she said.

Applejack cringed at the gesture and then looked around her. She drew Twilight aside so they could talk in private. "Uh…look, Twilight, I know we're in the same squad and all, but there's no need to get all uptight with the rank," she said. "We're still friends first, alright?"

Twilight smiled in response. "I was just teasing, Applejack," she said. "Congratulations are in order I suppose."

Applejack scratched her head in embarrassment. "Y-yeah," she mumbled. She was still dazed by that development. Just a few hours earlier, Vanguard had asked to talk to her privately and then sprang the invitation.

"So what's this about, Vanguard?"

"I'm not going to mince words over this, Applejack. I have an earth pony skirmisher spot in my squad and I want you to be the one to fill it."

"I…uh…well…this is so sudden. I mean…I'm flattered and all but aren't there legionnaires who can fight even better?"

"Don't sell yourself short. Special Operations has eyes all over the Legion to check on candidates and you're not anywhere in the bottom of our list. And there are other circumstances…"

"It's because Twilight joined up isn't it?"

"Interesting…how'd you know?"

"Just a guess. It sounds like something Twilight would do."

"She did. That's one more reason. You're still listed as my vice-captain. I don't think there's any need to correct that. Or even consider it a mistake."

"Well…alright. You look like you really need the help, Vanguard."

Vanguard's looked at Applejack curiously. "That was fast," he remarked. "You know you could say you need to think about this some more."

"I thought so too," Applejack replied. "I guess I just can't say no when you ask me all serious like that. Besides, you'll need help reining Twilight and Scarlet in."

Vanguard smiled and moved closer, patting Applejack on the shoulder. "True," he said. "I can always count on you, can I?"

Applejack shook her head of the recent memory, especially when Twilight started staring at her suspiciously. "S-so, what did you want to talk about, Twi?" she asked.

"Well…" Twilight hesitated and, for a few tense moments, Applejack didn't know if she wanted Twilight to continue or just give up and walk away. Twilight eventually made up her mind, however. "Applejack, tell me honestly, do you…do you like Vanguard?"

"Of course I like him, Twi, he's a nice stallion and-!" The withering stare from Twilight halted Applejack in her tracks.

"You know what I mean." the unicorn said in a low tone.

Applejack looked away, fidgeted nervously and then simply let out a long exhale. Of course it would come down to this. Rarity had warned her already, but it still caught her unaware.

"Well?" Twilight asked impatiently.

It was Applejack's turn to fall silent and mull over her next response. There was no trying so sidle out of this conversation. Any more attempts would surely anger Twilight, but what was she supposed to say now? She had never prided herself in being able to figure out her friends. It was Rarity who was able to tell things about somepony from just a few signs. She had always been reliant on the assumption that if somepony had a problem, they'd say so honestly. These days however…

"No," Applejack mumbled. As soon as the answer left her mouth, she was already questioning why she had said that. Was her answer really no? Rarity didn't believe so back then. The doubts lingered and part of her wanted to take the answer back.

Instead of relaxing, Twilight only scrutinized the earth pony further. "Really?" she asked. "You're making that face again, Applejack."

It was then that Applejack realized that she was scrunching her lips together and glancing about. She pressed both front hooves against her face and rubbed. When she was sure that her face was blank, she faced Twilight again. "No," she said flatly. More protest welled up inside her, but she was more resolute now.

"And so is she!"

Rarity's words echoed inside Applejack's mind. Dense as she knew she was, even she could now tell that Twilight felt strongly about Vanguard. The unicorn's intensity made it all too clear as to how invested she was on the answer. Rarity was right, their harmony was in danger and she had to do something. Twilight seemed to hesitate when she repeated her answer. Instead of subsiding, however, the doubt and protest continued to build until she could feel a physical ache in her chest.

"Well…okay," Twilight said. She didn't look completely convinced, but she backed off. She continued to watch Applejack curiously, however.

"Is there something else, Twi?" Applejack asked. She tried to sound emotionless, but her voice came out strained from all her internal effort. "I sort have somewhere to go."

It was Twilight's turn to look surprised. "No," she said after recovering. "I'll see you later, Applejack." The purple unicorn walked off, a little dazed, as Applejack noticed.

With Twilight gone, Applejack pushed everything that had just happened away before a wave of difficult emotions hit her. She was going to meet with one of the royalty. She didn't want to do so looking as if she was about to break down any minute.

Another hour passed with Applejack just waiting outside the audience hall. Eventually one royal guard approached her. "Your audience has been granted, Legionnaire Applejack," he said. "Prince Terrato is waiting inside."

Applejack let out a sigh. Of the three royal ponies who could have met her, it had to be Prince Terrato. She still remembered the last time she had an audience with him. Prince Terrato enjoyed making ponies squirm.

The doors to the audience hall opened, revealing the magnificent sight of the three thrones. Applejack's jaw dropped. This wasn't the audience hall she remembered. A throne of white marble trimmed with gold dominated the central portion of the halls far end, behind the white throne hung a great banner that bore the symbol of the sun. To its left was another throne, this one of obsidian and trimmed with silver. The banner behind the black throne bore a crescent moon. Opposite the black throne was a third one, this one was a plain throne of polished granite with a gray circle on its banner. Stairs led from the thrones and joined together at the center of the hall.

"Somepony's admiring my hoof-work I see," a familiar, booming voice resounded within the audience hall.

Applejack quickly focused her attention towards the gray throne and watched as Prince Terrato descended the stairs and walked towards her. She quickly went down on her knees and bowed her head respectfully. "Thank you for taking time to see me, your highness," she said.

"Of course I have time to see my favorite almost-dead messenger," Terrato replied. As he approached, Applejack couldn't help but wrinkle her nose a bit. A slightly fishy smell seemed to emanate from the mighty alicorn. "Do you have another one, Applejack? Does mother want me to kick Luna in the face this time?"

"Um…no your highness," Applejack replied. "I haven't almost died again. It does have something to do with the Queen."

Terrato raised an eyebrow and stayed silent, prompting Applejack to begin explaining. At the end of her story, he walked even closer and examined her. "So you want to know more about this special gift that my mother gave you, hm?" he asked. "Well, The Queen is more of the sort who unlocks the gifts you already have instead of adding things. The most likely scenario is that she provided you a means to tap into your Element of Harmony's more individualized power. If I looked hard enough, I think I can sense it within you and see how you can bring that out. Is that what you want, Applejack?"

Applejack nodded in response. Immediately, she felt the alicorn's magic envelop her. A few minutes passed until Terrato "let go". She waited anxiously while the gray alicorn simply frowned and stared at her.

"You sure you actually created this shield you said you did?" Terrato finally asked. " I've thoroughly checked and I don't see any particularly strong power coming from the Element of Honesty. In fact, I'm barely sensing the Element of Honesty at all."

Confusion spread across Applejack's face. Terrato's words hit her hard. The alicorn may as well have uprooted a tree and smashed her face with it. She could only lower her head further at the result. "I-I'm sorry for wasting your time, your highness," she said.

"You didn't," Terrato replied. "Don't think you're failing yet, Applejack. I have a particular fondness for Honesty and Loyalty. Among the Elements of Harmony, their brightness become truly glorious when put to the test." He eyed her carefully. "Confront whatever's bothering you and we'll see just what my mother expected of you."

Applejack remained kneeling for some time. She had no reply to that.

Vanguard Clash strode swiftly through Canterlot's jail. Around him, royal guards and visitors alike moved out of his way after one look at his grim expression and his bulky armor. Whatever pleasant mood he was in upon Applejack's quick agreement to join had evaporated when he received word of what his other squad member had been up to. He had expected Scarlet Rabbit to be excited by all the new experiences upon reaching the Heartland. The red pegasus had nearly talked his ear off about solid clouds, low altitude clouds, and liquid rainbows. All of that was fine. Getting jailed for causing the largest drunken brawl in Canterlot as of date was not. What was worse was that he had dragged Rainbow Dash into the mess as well.

"I'm here for Scarlet Rabbit and Rainbow Dash," Vanguard told one of the stationed guards. The royal guards nodded and escorted him through the cells. The Canterlot Jail used to be a small, barely-used building before the Legion arrived. Now, a lot of its cells held ponies who couldn't handle their new boozing habit, legionnaires who couldn't maintain discipline and, most disturbingly, ponies who disrupted or avoided the draft. He came to the end of one hallway and looked right into one cell. Due to so many new cases, Canterlot Jail was overcrowded and constructions were already underway for additional space. Along with several other ponies was a red pegasus stallion and a rainbow-maned pegasus mare. Both of them were lying on the floor, trying to sleep off a hangover. "Scarlet," he said.

The red pegasus got up from and looked at Vanguard, who gestured for him to come over. He obliged and put is face near the bars. "Captain!" he said. "I thought you'd never come!"

Vanguard sniffed once before his forelegs shot out, grabbing the red pegasus by the head and then slamming it against the bars. "Who are you and why are you pretending to be Scarlet Rabbit?" he growled.

"W-what are you talking about?" the red pegasus asked. He found it difficult to speak with his lips mashed against the bars. "It's me!"

Vanguard slammed "Scarlet's" head a few more times until the red pegasus's nose started bleeding. "Where are they?" he asked. "Scarlet" merely smiled and started chuckling. Vanguard tossed him aside and then turned towards one of the royal guards. "Send word to both Unicorn Guard Captain Shining Armor and Pegasus Guard Captain Bright Shield. Legionnaires Scarlet Rabbit and Rainbow Dash are currently missing and must be found at once." His tone was so urgent that, even though he had no authority over royal guards, they saluted and ran off to do as he said. He glanced back at the impostors. Their deception discovered, they didn't bother maintaining their disguising enchantments. He considered questioning them, but it was unlikely that they knew anything at all…

Half an hour passed after Vanguard's visit to Canterlot Jail and he was now looking at his new squad and then some. It was late in the night, but both Twilight and Applejack were awake and alert when they heard that some of their friends were missing. He glanced over at his new vice-captain. The earth pony was clearly…distracted about something. He was going to have to talk to her about it later.

"Vanguard what's going on?" Twilight asked worriedly. "What happened to Rainbow and Pinkie?"

" I've got preliminary reports already," Vanguard replied. "Pinkie Pie has been spotted in Ponyville and is staying in Sugar Cube Corner. I asked Nightcanter and her squad to head over there to pick her up already. As for Rainbow…" Vanguard paused. He could only assume that Rainbow Dash and Scarlet Rabbit had been abducted. Almost as soon as he sent word out, conflicting reports reached him. Apparently, in addition to causing a massive bar room brawl, Scarlet and Rainbow were also seen talking about flying off to Cloudsdale, making their way back to the Barrier Lands, flying off to Ponyville, robbing a local bank and all sorts of incidents. "Rainbow Dash and Scarlet Rabbit are currently missing," he said.

Both mares gasped.

"Do we have any leads?" Twilight asked.

"That's the problem," Vanguard replied. "We have too many leads. Whoever has taken them has scattered about a hundred decoys to cover their trail."

Applejack stomped a hoof against the floor. "In the meantime, who knows what they're doing to Rainbow!" she said angrily.

"This is Black Rose's work," Twilight added.

"There's no doubting that," Vanguard said. "Both of you get ready; this will be our first mission together."