Being Brave part II

The Appleoosa state fair was now in full swing. The town's citizens were attending to their produce, selling their goods, or presenting any award worthy edible items. Everypony seemed to be enjoying themselves with the rides, snacks and sideshows, including Cory. He was with walking down the dusty streets of tents and venues with Applebloom, sporting a suit and tie, enjoying all the sights and sounds the fair had to offer, while doing a last minute speech rehearsal in his head. In his hand he was munching on an apple cobbler while washing it down with a cider sample Applejack gave to him. Yes, nothing was to break his concentration. Today would be far too important for that. The only distraction being a Ferris Wheel ride with Applebloom he had earlier.

"Ready for your big debut?" Said Twilight as he approached him.

"I sure am." He replied as he took one more chomp.

"I know you're gonna do great." Said Applebloom.

Twilight escorted him to a nearby, decorated podium facing an open field, with an old time microphone front and center. At this time Everypony and bison had now gathered to await his speech. To the right of the podium was clearly Cory's masterpiece shrouded in cloth, waiting to be presented. Cory took one last swig of cider as he shook out any jitters as Applebloom ran to her family in the crowd.

"Now remember Cory." Said Twilight as she magically fixed his tie. "If you feel hesitant, what do you do?"

"Stop, breathe, in head, count to three." He replied.

"That-a-boy." she said.

"ALLLRIGHT YOU COLTS AND MARES!!" cried Braeburn as he took the stand. "HOW WE ALL FEELING TODAY?"

Everybody cheered and yee hawd with their hooves in the air.

"OK! LET US WELCOME OUR MOST HUMBLE SHERIFF OF APPLEOOSA, SHERIFF SILVERSTAR!!!!"

Up the steps approached a pony with a thick mustache and sheriff's emblem on his chest. Everyone cheered even louder with his entrance. He approached the mic as a smile grew on him.

"Thank you, thank you. My friends and citizens, it is with great pride and deepest pleasure to mark this Appleoosa fair, as the anniversary of peace between pony and bison. Once we were enemies in a senseless war, now we are friends and colleagues with an unbroken bond. So, in the spirit of this momentous occasion, we are honored to erect this statue, created by Ponyville's own human resident, Cory Agees."

The cloth pulled back to reveal Cory's creation in all its glory. The crowd filled with "ooh" and "awe's" as they gazed in wonder at the statue.

"This monument is a commemorative reminder of the bonding trade between two contrasting communities. For it is friendship that triumphs over all adversity. And now, please welcome the artisan who made this sculpture possible. Mr. Cory Agees!!"

Cory took one last deep breath as everypony and bison cheered him on.

"Just talk to them the same way you talked to me." whispered Twilight as she gave him the gesture for him to go on.

Cory slowly walked up the steps and onto the wooden platform. It was the biggest crowd he'd ever seen. Ponies of all kind: winged, horned and plain stared at him with anticipation. He took his handkerchief out and wiped the sweat from his brow as he approached the mic. This was the moment, a moment he prepared for days on end. He had rehearsed all the lines, practiced his pacing, and rehearsed in front of several ponies for this hour of glory. As he cleared his throat, he fumbled through his pocket and took out the neatly unfolded the speech in his hands. One stare at the audience, and he began:

Oh great plains of this promised land. The soil is as rich as the thick clouds that roll by. Brought forth by pioneers, strung together by a community, these plains were ideal plantation for an adequate village. As I heard of your toils, and whispers of your struggles, it fills this spectator with awe and wonder.

In a month and week of plan and action, your small yet sprawling Appleoosa, led by your humble Sheriff Silver Star, was born. With it's horse drawn carriages, finely constructed buildings, lusciously colored crafts and optimistic ponyfolk, the town seemed untouched by any incoming force. But above all, your prized possession was the sacred garden you so wished and accomplished in planting. Every apple thick in hue and taste, every root healthy and strong, and every grain of mulch in its rightful place. All of this effort not merely your talent, but your livelihood, a generation upon generation of farmers and agriculturalists sowing the seeds of an unbroken legacy.

Alas, the land of which they chose was already inhabited by another advanced species. The bison of the great plains was eager to move the orchard away from this promised Eden, destroying the diligence and effort of which made it all possible. But what good is a story if not told from two points of view.

For you see, as long as time has churned its cogs, your land you see here was home to the bison tribe, headed by the noble leader Chief Thunderhooves. And as sacred as the sky above, it was their destiny to stampede across the trails of the flat plains. Fathers and fathers before blessed the soil with stomping of their hooves and the remains of their precious ones. This cycle of tradition was interrupted by the orchard plantation, which upset them so, as it was without their consent. Thus what began as an argument, erupted into a rivalry and evolved into a semi war.How would this bickering and intrepid fighting solve anything? How would this transform into a happy end? Only the arrival of 6 ponies and dragon would ease this tension between the two.

It was a simple task: transport a prized sapling of vegetation to the orchard so it may spread its roots. This was delayed by an ambush of the bison, whom, although for good intentions, surrounded this tree and attempted to halt its mission. Incidentally a few of these friends were captured.

What good is a piece of land if you have nopony to share it with? Alas, after a brief commentary from both sides, and a few attempts to split each others land, your tribe and your city decided upon war as a final option. But as stated before, has a war truly solved anything? Has it ever ended with what was meant to be accomplished?

So with the strike of the horn and the toss of the apple, a battle ensued. Hoof against hoof, snout against snout, brawn against brawn, thrashing against each other in a vision hell. Then, when the dust settled, everyone stood in disarray in a heap of squashed apples and spoiled pie crust. And there, in the center of all the carnage, laid the chief of the bison tribe itself, barely alive from another senseless fight.

But by chance, one could only hope for a miracle, and a miracle there was. For as he lay trampled in a dust pool of defeat, a slice of apple pie trickled down his husky skull and landed on his outstretched tongue. The taste was beyond anything he could comprehend. From out of that luscious flavor, came an idea.

From that idea, to this day, a trade is made between you Appaloosians, and you Bison. In exchange for a cart or two of your sumptuous pastries, a trail was etched, allowing once again for you to continue the tradition as old as the rocks that form the land. At long last peace was restored to the land and the two warring sides could lower their weapons and continue with their lives and new found friendships

Now as I gaze upon this crowd of bison and pony, it is of great relief to know how even the thickest of rivalries are able to subside their nonsensical bickering and learn to live as one amongst the land. I am grateful to receive such an honor from a crowd that has gone through strife and turmoil to achieve the status of where they are now.
Thank you from the core of my soul.

And just like that he was done. Everybody cheered as he ended his speech. Some were clapping their hooves. Others were wiping a tear from their eye. The applause lasted for about 2-3 minutes. It took awhile for them to settle down. It was a moving speech, and one never to forget. At that moment, Sheriff Silver Stock approached the stage once more with a golden ribbon on his hoof.

"Cory Agees." he said "For your incredible contribution to our town, we hereby award you an honorary citizen of Appleoosa."

Then he pinned the pinned the ribbon on his suit and shook his hand

"You are welcome in our town anytime you please. Our ranch is your ranch."

Everyone in the audience cheered as he gave a sheepish grin and waved back. Then the sheriff shook his hand again as a camerapony stood by to take their picture. It was at that moment the Apple Family came over with a few ribbons of their own.

"You did it Cory!" Said Applebloom as he hugged him by the leg

"See? That wasn't so bad." Said Applejack.

"Congratulations!!" Cried Granny Smith.

"Well, congratulations to you too." He replied.

"Yep, I knew we'd win first prize." gloated Applejack "I could see the competitors legs shakin when the judges came."

"I have very much pride in you Cory." commented Twilight. "And you should have pride in yourself."

"For the first time in awhile," Cory replied "I do."

And he felt that same glowing pride as he packed his things, hopped on the train and headed back to Ponyville.