Upheaval: Reckoning

Chapter 45: Kings, Heroes and Breakers

The smell of pine and the distinct knock of her hooves going over hardwood brought a smile to Applejack. She had been walking far too often on stone these days, whether it was the regal marble of the Royal Palace or the grim granite of FangBreaker Fortress. Stone was…nice, but she preferred the wooden floors and walls of a farmhouse. There was something about the sight of warm, natural browns, the sound of well-used floorboards creakin, and the feel of a smooth finish against her hooves that made her more comfortable than any castle or fortress. It was great to be back home again.

When her foreleg went up to push the door open on its own, Applejack realized that something was wrong. First of all, she shouldn't be home. She should be in the Royal Palace, resting up before she went with her friends to face this Gravitas pony. What in tarnation was she-? She looked to the hoof she was pushing the door with. This has happened before. As she expected, she found herself looking at a large stallion hoof attached to a leg covered in deep russet fur. She wasn't Applejack right now. Once more, she was Apple Slice.

The door she just opened led into an enormous bedroom. A red brick fireplace dominated the right side of the room, the flames roaring within it lighting the place up in a bright orange glow and making it uncomfortably hot inside.

It was the bed that held Apple Slice's attention, however. The sheets were wool, dyed red and decorated with apple motifs. The bed posts were wood, lovingly polished and carved to resemble apple tree branches, complete with fruit and leaves. A very old, very worn stallion lay on the bed, all but buried up to his neck in blankets. Upon seeing Apple Slice, the stallion smiled wanly and tried to rise. Apple Slice's hesitant hoof steps became swift, alarmed ones. He was by the old stallion's side in an instant, front hooves gently pressed against the old stallion's shoulders.

"It's just me, pa," Apple Slice said. "No need to trouble yourself on my account,"

Applejack thought back to Granny Smith's story about Apple Slice. This must be Apple Core. There was a tremble in Apple Slice's voice, a slight tremble that told so much: affection for his father, a great deal of sorrow for seeing him like this…this couldn't be the Apple Slice who attacked his father, like Granny Smith said.

"You took your time, son of mine," Apple Core said. His voice was barely a whisper, and even that seemed to strain him. "A day more and it'd be a funeral you'd come home to."

"Pa, don't joke about…"

Apple Core frowned slightly. The lines made his face look like badly crumpled parchment. "I'm dying, Slice," he said. "I can feel it: a chill that this mountain of blankets and that inferno over there can't keep away. An Apple should face the truth head on."

"Pa…"

Applejack felt tears welling up her eyes. Hers or Apple Slice's it was impossible to tell. It didn't matter either.

"Hush, colt, listen. I'm tiring quickly and this is my last chance."

Applejack felt her "host" swallow."Alright, pa, I'm listening."

"You must have heard by now. Princess Celestia wants the Apple Family to join her in her 'Heartland'." Apple Core smiled, his thin lips looked so stretched that Applejack feared that they would crack and bleed. "Must be because we're such shining examples of her ponyhood ideals. Either that or she had one of our reds and didn't want to go without."

Apple Core's shoulders quivered. He opened his mouth, but all that came out were dry, hacking noises. For a horrible moment, Applejack thought that Apple Core was being wracked by a coughing fit. That moment passed, and she realized that he was laughing. "Pa," Apple Slice said, "about that…"

The laughter died abruptly. "I said no." Apple Core's eyebrows furrowed deeply. "The Apple Family has always supported the Legion. We stay here." The defiant expression softened. "Would have had Leaf put that down in a rambling, fancy-worded letter, except Peel wanted to delay it. He said that this answer was going to decide the family's future so the next generation should decide."

Then Apple Core did cough. Apple Slice moved to help him by rubbing his back, but he shrugged the effort away. "Would have whipped your brother for that, but he was right. I'll be dead before that barrier goes up. I shouldn't make the final decision on something I won't live to see. So our answer will be up to my successor." His smile returned as he placed a hoof over Apple Slice's. "That's you, son."

Apple Slice didn't speak right away. It wasn't shock that held him motionless, Applejack could tell that much. He must have thought that his father might do this. "Pa…" Apple Slice's unsure tone confirmed it. He did know, and he had feared it. "Pa, I…you know that I'm the worst farmer in all of Equestria. I can't even touch our crops! Peel, he…he's the one with the skills and the know-how. He-!"

Apple Core held his son's hoof tighter. "Peel does have the know-how," he said. "Since I've taken to bed, he's been managing the business: from the planting, to the harvest, to the selling. He works hard and thinks smart."

"Then why don't you-?"

"Because the Apple Family is more than just the business!" Apple Core started coughing again. This time, he didn't protest when Apple Slice put a hoof against his back. "I trust Peel to bring in the bits, to keep you all fed, and to keep a roof over your heads. But to the family's principles, the family's direction, I can trust only you." Apple Core's gaze hardened. "You serve with the Legion. You're not mired in the day-to-day like the others so you understand why the Apple Family must stay. That's why I picked you."

The wheels in Applejack's mind were already turning. 'I think I got it! Apple Slice wanted the Apples to stay in the Barrier Lands. But the family ended up in the Heartland anyway so… ' Applejack remembered the Apple Family version again. Granny Smith had mentioned Apple Peel. 'It must have been Apple Peel,' she thought. 'He must have done something underhoofed to get Apple Slice cast out so the rest of the family can move into the Heartland! He must have made all that stuff about Apple Slice going berserk to cover up what he did!'

Apple Slice matched his father's grip. "I understand, pa," he said. "You get some rest now, I'll see you in the morning." He turned around and headed for the door. Applejack didn't miss Apple Core's parting words, however, and that meant Apple Slice didn't.

"No, you won't…"

Apple Slice closed the door behind him before letting out a long sigh. He caught himself short when he noticed that he wasn't alone in the hallway. Just a few feet away, an earth pony stallion stood facing him. Applejack didn't recognize the light green coat or the short, curly, white mane. But the way the two stood in front of each other gave her a good idea. This must be Apple Peel.

"So what did pa have to say?" the light green stallion asked.

"Peel, that's-!"

Apple Peel snorted. "Oh, relax. He insists on keeping it a big secret, but everypony already knows that he wants you to lead the family." Apple Peel extended a foreleg when Apple Slice walked towards him, then put it on his shoulder when he was close enough. "By the way, welcome home, big brother."

Applejack hesitated at such affection being shown between the two brothers. She had expected Apple Peel to be such a villain. He didn't have an evil grin or a haughty smirk. He didn't even speak in a disrespectful tone to his older brother. 'He's just good at hiding it,' she insisted to herself. 'That's all.'

It was Apple Slice's turn to snort. "Home is it?" he asked in mock annoyance. "You know, from all the forced smiles and cold stares I got when I came here, I could have sworn I wandered into the Pears' farm by mistake.

Apple Peel chuckled and then walked over to a nearby window. He opened it and began to climb outside. "Come on," he said. The two of them climbed up the side of the house, expertly navigating the window sills and beams until they made it to the roof. There, the two of them lay back-first on the shingles and looked up to the night sky. They were quiet for a while so Applejack simply enjoyed the feel of the night breeze and admired the full moon out.

"I'm sorry if you didn't get the welcome you deserved," Apple Peel said. He looked at Apple Slice when he said that. Applejack saw sincerity on his face. "You're a homecoming hero, Slice. You should have gotten a feast, but the worst welcome in Equestria won't change that fact." He looked up again. "It's just that everypony's worried about the princess's invitation and pa's condition. Throwing a party just fell to the wayside."

"It's not just that, is it?" Apple Slice asked.

Apple Peel sighed. "Everypony knows pa's chosen you to be his successor. A lot of folks are worried that you being a legionnaire means the family's going to refuse the invitation to the Heartland."

"Sounds like everypony's made the decision to go there already," Apple Slice said. He tried to sound flippant, but Applejack could feel the tension within him.

"A lot have," Apple Peel said. "Including me."

"Peel…"

"Hear me out, Slice. The Peaches have already accepted. The Cherries and the Oats too. That's nearly all our business partners. Woodsdale, Mistleton, the Apple Vale, and Highstable, all our important clients, are going to be part of the Heartland. If we stay in the Barrier Lands, we'll lose all of them. The Apple Family will suffer."

"What of pa's wish, Peel?" Apple Slice asked.

"Pa's led the family through good and bad times," Peel said. " I've always respected him and I always will. But pa...he…he's always been so attached to the Legion and its work. You know the story. He always wanted to be a legionnaire, but his grandpa groomed him for farm work." Applejack heard the wistfulness in Peel's voice as he went on. "These past years, it didn't matter if we just tripled our earnings with the biggest harvest ever. The most important news was another big victory for the Legion thanks to the Legendary Apple Slice." He looked over to Apple Slice again. "I won't pretty it up. Pa's been living his dream through you. I really think that's what colored his decision."

"You make it sound like pa only made that decision because he was deluding himself," Apple Slice said. Applejack felt his muscles tense and his voice harden. "There's a lot of worth in wanting to support the Legion."

"That's not what I meant at all." Applejack didn't miss the frightened backpedalling in Apple Peel's tone. "We'd all be dead without the Legion," he said. "Any foal can tell you that."

"Then what are you telling me that isn't something I'd hear from a foal?" Apple Slice asked. "Pa's still alive and you're already telling me to go against him!" His voice softened when Apple Peel flinched. "Sorry. I'm not going to hurt you, Peel."

"I know. It's just hard not to flinch when the pony known for strangling giant bear monsters raises his voice at you." Apple Peel cleared his throat. "Look, if the family stays, we'll have to start from scratch. Half this year's harvest will rot in our cellars while we scramble to find buyers. The next year, maybe it'll be a little better…or worse." He stood up and looked down on Apple Slice. "I'm not the successor, Slice, you are. I've accepted that. All I can do is tell you the side of the truth that pa won't."

Apple Slice continued to stare up at the night sky. "Peel," he said softly. "I have no place in the Heartland. My place is here with the Legion. If you all go…"

"Will you really hold us all here for your sake?" Apple Peel asked.

"No!" Apple Slice slammed a hoof against the roof, cracking the roof. He looked to Apple Peel and sighed. "Let's face it, Peel, I can't lead this family. When the time comes, I'll send you all off to the Heartland and give the position to you."

"And you'll stay here with the Legion?" Apple Peel asked. "By yourself?"

"Hey, I've made a few friends in the Legion. They'll be more than enough."

Applejack felt her chest ache. That was a lie. Terrible as she was with telling or noticing them, she knew this one.

Apple Peel offered a hoof towards Apple Slice, who took it and stood up."Thank you for understanding, Slice," he said.

Apple Slice was about to say something, but Applejack felt her vision fade and her hearing dim…

Applejack opened her eyes. She was on a bed, in their shared quarters within the Royal Palace. As the vision receded, she looked towards the chain she kept by her bedside. As she expected, she caught the last gleam of light from it just as it dimmed. What had happened to the succession after that? She had expected Apple Peel to be the sort to make up stories to discredit his brother so he could take over. But the two of them were so amiable to one another that it just didn't make sense. What had happened? Who was to blame in that terrible misunderstanding?

She turned her thoughts to other things. There was no way of knowing until the next time she had a vision. For now, she focused on what had happened and will happen. Princess Celestia planned on attacking Gravitas in Sky Mirror Lake. They were all supposed to rest up and make their preparations for what was likely going to be a big fight. She looked around the room and sighed at the empty, unused beds. "Land's sakes, was I the only pony who thought getting some sleep before doing something dangerous was a good idea?" she asked. She got up, put on her hat, and coiled the chain around her neck. She hoped that her friends were, at least, nearby.

"I want all of you to prepare yourselves before we go to Sky Mirror Lake," Celestia said. "Rest your bodies and steel your minds. Not only will we face a powerful enemy, we will also behold the Old Kingdom with our own eyes."

Even while her friends started moving, Twilight continued to stand there, waiting. Even she didn't know what, however. Perhaps it was for some kind of acknowledgment, but what kind? Was she waiting for Princess Celestia to have a few more words just for her? No, faithful student or not, that was arrogant. Perhaps she was waiting for mentor to look at the crescent-shaped cut across the floor, the only sign that there had been an alicorn there who was cut down so quickly and viciously that it left them all dumbfounded, and show some guilt. No, that was also arrogant.

"I have never killed a mortal before."

Twilight saw the other meaning in those words now. A mortal. Princess Celestia was no stranger to killing somepony in a welter of blood and ashes. She didn't want to hurt mortals, but she had shown no compunction towards attacking her own kind. '"Celestia: Just like us", huh?' she thought. For years, Celestia's kind demeanor and peaceful ways had masked this side of her. Twilight had expected it when she found out that Celestia had fought her brother, and had fought many times before. Yet, seeing it so vividly, Twilight had never before been more conscious of the great gulf between her and her mentor.

Twilight continued to stand there, hesitant and expectant at the same time. Celestia did not say anything else. Instead, she had turned around and began assisting the legionnaires that had come in to take care of their fallen comrades.

"Twilight Sparkle!"

Twilight nearly jumped at the mention of her name, but it was Luna who called her, not Celestia. "Yes, your highness?" she asked.

"Are you alright? You look a little dazed." Luna nodded towards the throne room's exit. "A little walk to clear your thoughts perhaps?" she asked.

The two of them left the throne room together. Twilight had heard Applejack tell Rainbow Dash earlier about "getting some shut-eye". She considered doing the same, but she knew that all these feelings she had right now would just keep her wide-awake.

"Pray, forgive my sister's abruptness, Twilight Sparkle," Luna said after a while. "It seems that every second Gravitas spends on this world only serves to worsen her mood. I fear she might explode if he lasts a month here."

Twilight glanced over her shoulder and towards the throne room. She could put it down to mood. After all, the princess has had very few reasons to feel considerate of others these days. She doubted that it was solely that. The change in Princess Celestia was not merely inflicted upon her. It was brought out. "About that," she said, "what happened with this Gravitas that has her so upset anyway?"

Luna raised an eyebrow. "Besides wanting to kill everypony in Equestria?" she asked.

"I-I mean, there's more to it than that, right? Not that killing everypony isn't a good enough reason or-!"

"You can stop floundering," Luna said with a smile. "I know what you mean. And there is. I don't know much of the details, but I do know that the animosity between my sister and Gravitas has existed as early as when Lexarius," the smile disappeared, "was still…Lexarius."

Twilight tried to imagine being angry with somepony for hundreds of years and failed. "What about you, your highness?" she asked. "You don't seem to share the same animosity Princess Celestia has for Gravitas."

"I will certainly do everything to protect Equestria from Gravitas," Luna replied. "But, as big sister said, I've never had to face him during a council meeting. I think it's a good thing too. Somepony has to hold her back if things get especially violent."

Twilight didn't answer. The image of her mentor created by this conversation made her uncomfortable. The two of them passed through more hallways, all the while walking past injured ponies being carried off and bloodstains being cleaned. Finally, she decided to change the topic to something else, something that she had been meaning to ask as early as when Prince Terrato first narrated the various rebellions back in the Barrier Lands. "Your highness, what is the King like? She asked.

"His majesty, King Sanctus Dominus, Sixteenth Ascendant to the Throne, is beloved by his subjects for his stern but even-hoofed rule. He ascended during a troubled time, when the void rifts threatened to consume great portions of our heavenly realm. After overcoming this crisis, he chose to share the Throne with her majesty, Divina Gratia. Together, they have led the Eternal Herd to an era of stability and peace."

Twilight frowned. "That sounds like something I'd have read off a book, your highness," she said.

"Which is exactly how I came upon it," Luna said, her smile widening. "Well, how it translates to this language anyway. I was born after the First Rebellion, Twilight Sparkle, so I've never met his majesty."

"I've noticed that you don't call him 'father'." Upon saying that, Twilight bit her lip. That was easily too far. She felt her heart skip a beat when the smile faded from Luna's face and a distant look took over her eyes.

"That is a privilege I dare not take until I stand before him for the first time," Luna said quietly. "With everything that's transpired, I can't say I'm looking forward to that encounter."

"But you've done a lot for Equestria!" Twilight insisted. "I'm sure he'll be proud to call you his daughter!" She felt some relief to see that some of Luna's smile had returned.

"We'll see," Luna said. She stopped walking, prompting Twilight to do the same. They did so in time to see Pinkie Pie run past them. She had her stone tablet out and it was glowing. "We must part ways here, Twilight Sparkle. There's another pony I would like to speak to before we head out." Luna flapped her wings and hovered. "Thank you for indulging me. Try to get some rest." She flew off towards Pinkie's direction.

Princess Luna had just turned a corner view when Twilight heard another familiar voice.

"Tell the nobles that the next pony who sends me this kind of proposition is getting clapped in irons! Also pass this along to the rest of the Royal Guard: anypony who thinks it's a good use of their time to pass these letters along is on latrine duty for a month!"

"Yes, Unicorn Guard Captain!"

That sounded like Shining Armor and another royal guard, a rather furious Shining Armor and a cowed subordinate. Twilight trotted towards the sound, turning a corner as she did so. As she had expected, she found her scowling, still-armored brother and a sheepish-looking royal guard. What she didn't expect, however, was to find Princess Cadance and Vanguard Clash.

It wasn't just the unexpected company that surprised Twilight. Shining Armor's right foreleg was heavily bandaged from shoulder to hoof. A great splotch of red stood out just above his knee. A few minor cuts also marred his face, making his scowling visage even more disturbing.

"Shining Armor, please," Cadance said. "You're going to reopen your wounds!"

"Sorry, dear," Shining Armor sighed. "It's just…the nerve of them! We barely drive away an attack and here they are sniffing after Twiley like-!"

"Armor," Vanguard said. He tapped Shining Armor on the shoulder and pointed towards Twilight.

"Oh!" Shining Armor's scowl vanished in an instant. "Hey, Twiley. Glad to see you came out of this a lot better than me and Clash over here."

Twilight looked towards Vanguard. Portions of his nightsteel full plate had been removed to tend to the wounds that had gone through the gaps in his armor. His right shoulder, in particular, was bloody and bandaged. His champron was also off, revealing several small cuts to his forehead and cheeks. "I'm so glad the two of you are alright," she said. She turned her attention back to her brother. "What were you talking about, a few seconds ago?"

A look of embarrassment crossed Shining Armor's face for a moment before being replaced by a frown. "An unimportant matter," he said, "which, of course, some nobles have decided to bring up when we've got regenerating monsters popping up inside the palace."

Twilight spotted another group of royal guards making their way to her brother. He noticed as well and looked at her sheepishly. "Looks like I'm needed elsewhere," he said. He gave Twilight a pat on the shoulder and Cadance a peck on the cheek before leaving.

Cadance watched forlornly as Shining Armor limped off before facing Twilight. "And I've got reports to make to Princess Celestia," she said.

"Is it about Sky Mirror Lake?" Twilight asked.

"Yes. It's great to see you well, Twilight. I hope we get a better chance to speak when everything has calmed down."

Cadance flew off, leaving Twilight and Vanguard together. They walked the halls, making their way to the quarters Twilight shared with her friends.

"You should be resting, Twilight Sparkle," Vanguard said. He stepped gingerly with his right foreleg. "I already know about what Princess Celestia has asked of you and the others."

"And I already heard that from Princess Luna earlier," Twilight replied. "I am resting, even if I'm not dozing off. What about you? You're injured, but you're still walking around."

"I'm not going with you," Vanguard said. "Most of the Legion here has been ordered to regroup, secure everything, then provide reinforcements."

"Wait…you're not going with us? Why?"

"Shockingly enough, I'm not an Element of Harmony," Vanguard said, his lips curving slightly. "Not everypony gets to teleport around with royalty."

Twilight fell silent. She hadn't expected this, even though Vanguard was right and she should have. 'It's fine,' she thought. 'I have the others with me. He'll probably come with the reinforcements.' Outwardly, she matched his smile as the two of them walked the halls. "So, what do you think Shining Armor was talking about back there? He looked pretty upset."

"A noble sent him a letter," Vanguard replied. "He didn't read it out loud, but my guess is that it was an invitation a dinner meeting. With you included, of course."

"That's not so bad," Twilight said. "Why would that upset him?"

Vanguard raised an eyebrow. "Now, I'm really shocked," he said. "You're from Canterlot aren't you? Shouldn't you be familiar with how these things work with nobility?"

"I was a student," Twilight said defensively. "I didn't have time to associate with nobles!" Her eyes narrowed. "And how are you so familiar with 'how these things work with nobility'?"

"Mother used to be Great Delve nobility," Vanguard said offhandedly. "Until they disowned her for marrying a dog. But that's a different story. This long story short, some noble wants to marry you."

Twilight's eyes widened. "What?"

"What makes me wonder is that it took them this long to act." Vanguard saluted as two legionnaires stopped at attention when he passed them. "Necessity forces action it seems."

"And what could possibly necessitate marrying me?" Twilight asked.

"Avoiding Legion work, currying favor with the royalty, gaining an advantage over other nobles, being the husband of a powerful unicorn mage who's also the bearer of the Element of Magic and Princess Celestia's favored student, connections with the Unicorn Guard Captain and a Royal Niece…there are others, I'm sure. As the events that led to the reunification become clearer to the nobility, so does the evidence that you are a very influential pony."

"What about love?" Twilight asked. "Shouldn't that count?"

"Love can lead to marriage," Vanguard replied. "Or years of building a home and family can lead to love. Speaking from a noble's point of view, it would be more prudent to secure the other advantages first regardless of whether love enters the picture or not. Regardless of how you feel about it, Twilight Sparkle, you are easily the most eligible mare in all of Equestria."

Twilight felt her heart throb just a bit louder for a few beats when he said that. "What about you?" she asked softly.

"Hm?"

"Does 'all of Equestria' include you, Vanguard?"

Vanguard snorted, his smile widening just a bit more. He didn't answer right away though, and his silence wracked Twilight's nerves worse than the fear of a surprise test from the princess. "I'm just a soldier," he finally said. Her heart sank. "I wouldn't know what to do with power and influence in high society if it were offered to me."

"I-I see…" Twilight's voice trailed off. The silence wasn't just between the two of them this time. The hallway they now walked was free of the commotion that most of the Royal Palace was filled with. "What about..." She tried to walk a little closer, even brush against him in the process. She nearly tripped over her own hooves.

"Steady," Vanguard said. He reached out, pulling her close to keep her from falling over.

"What about love?"

Vanguard didn't answer. Twilight pressed her lips together, unwilling to move out of fear that doing so might affect his answer. "Twilight." She could hear him swallow, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. With his hoof so close to her chest, she didn't doubt that he could feel her heart racing. "We've been through a lot, you and I. Even if I've only known you for such a short time, you've become very dear to me." She felt him gently push her back until she was at foreleg's length. "But love…" His lips twisted. Seeing them felt like being stabbed. She could already hear the no. "It's too sudden for me. Sometimes, the burns still hurt. And you…I don't dare…"

Twilight's eyebrows furrowed. "Don't dare what?"

"Nevermind. I need time, Twilight, and Equestria needs you."

Twilight blinked a tear away. Some of the pain subsided, letting her force a smile. "Yeah…time…" she said. "I've got that."

Vanguard smiled in return. "Now, get some rest."