Legacy: Even Weeds Can Grow A Flower...by nx9100ChaptersPart OnePart TwoPart ThreePart FourPart OneOnce again, she woke as the first rays of sunlight hit her eyes. They fluttered open, revealing her small room in the Crystal Palace. How many days had she been here, waking to the sunrise each morning? Climbing out of her small bed, Botanica shook her mane in place. Almost two months, now, she thought to herself, two whole months since they brought me here. It was a simple deal that the leader of the pony's slave community offered to the Vectin overlord. Pizza Pie told him of Botanica's natural talents with plants, and in exchange for her services, her family received better living conditions in the Crystal city, instead of outside in the slave camps. Making her way to the attached bathroom, she nearly cried at the sight of her own figure in the mirror. The loneliness was getting to the young mare, not having anypony else in the palace with her. Just the Vectin guards for company, since no pony was allowed in the palace after overlord Kessish claimed it as his own. But if it helped her family, she told herself it was worth it. And her work also made it easier to grow the bio-pod plants, which benefited all the pony slaves working the fields. Ready to get back to her lab, she left her room. One of the lizards was outside her door, waiting for her to emerge. Standing upright on two legs, it held a long staff in one clawed hand, with light armor covering its shoulders and chest. Its scales were a modest brown color, a bit darker then her own light-brown coat. A patch of grey covered it's snout. Botanica frowned, realizing that she'd never seen this particular guard before. It pointed down the hall. "Time for you to work," it ordered, following the same pattern as the previous guards. Each morning, one would come and escort her through the palace to the laboratory they had set up for botany research. This was all her life consisted of now, assisting those that conquered her home. Having enslaved the ponies to farm the bio-materials their civilization used, the lizards spent the next 50 years turning her world into one large farming complex. Having a native who was an expert with plants only sweetened the deal for them. Arriving at the lab, she entered and approached her workbench, and was surprised to hear the sounds of clawed feet follow her into the room. The other guards had remained in the hallway, not bothering to watch an activity only their leaders cared about. So, why had this one entered the lab? "What are you doing?" she asked, he voice soft and quiet. "I wish observe," it replied in a raspy, almost growling voice, straining to pronounce her language. "Why?" Her curiosity got the best of her. "Once wanted to be grower," the guard admitted, "but was made guard instead." "I see," she replied, not really understanding, but deciding to go with it. At least it would break the monotony. "Well, I'm working on grafting these two bio-pod plants together, in an attempt to produce bigger yields of seeds." She could sense the guard stepping closer to look over her shoulder. "Do you have any experience working with plants?" she asked. "When still a fledgling," the guard responded, "I would grow flowers. But when came of age, was made soldier." "Why didn't you tell them you wanted to work with plants?" Botanica asked. Not much was known about Vectin society, and she was fascinated by the chance to learn more about her people's conquerors. Besides, none of them have ever really talked to me before... The guard straightened his back. "Vectin born into different nests," he explained. "If nest is prosperous, they have choice of occupation. If nest lower, you commoner, and assigned occupation." He tapped his chest with a claw. "I born to common nest, and assigned occupation." "How sad," she muttered, "not being able to follow your own dreams just because of where you were born." "All serve the Empire as chosen." He looked down at her. "I ask to guard you to observe growing. Continue work." "Very well," she agreed, and turned back to the lab table. "By the way, what's your name?" "Name?" He sounded surprised at her question. Of course, this was more interaction then most members of their races ever had with each other. "Why you ask?" "Well, if you're going to observe, I might as well explain what I'm doing," she replied. "It will make it more enjoyable, anyway." "You would teach an enemy?" This time, Botanica turned to face him. "A fellow botanist," she corrected him. After a moment she answered his blank stare. "A botanist studies plants." "Ah yes, a grower," he said, causing Botanica to giggle. If nothing else, this exchange was bridging a few culture gaps between them. "I would like become grower as well." "Then I will teach you," she smiled at him. "But it would be easier if I new your name." Again, he tapped his chest with a single claw. "I am Zarkin." "Pleasure to meet you, Zarkin. My name is Botanica." She pointed at a tray covered in little cups, each one holding a newly formed seedling. "Let's start with some basics. Hand me that tray of seedlings, please." Zarkin did as requested, and they got to work.... Part TwoSix Weeks Later... Reaching for her glasses, Botanica climbed out of her bed, and making her way to the bathroom, preparing herself for the day ahead. Hopefully, we can get those new seedlings planted today, she thought, while fixing her mane. Suddenly, she paused. Wait a minute, am I looking FORWARD to working here now? The question hung in her mind for a few minutes, as the mare realized the truth. Though a prisoner in the palace, she really was beginning to enjoy her work in the botany lab. Of course, having a willing assistant made it that much more inviting. He was waiting outside her door, just like every morning. Zarkin, the Vectin guard, who wished to work with plants himself. She had taken to teaching him about botany during her time working in the palace. It was turning out that he had quite the green, well claw, she supposed, glancing at the long claws on his hands. Stepping out, she smiled and greeted him, just as she did every morning. "Good morning," she said, careful not to put too much friendliness into it. Something he said about the way the other guards would think about his duty, getting to close to the prisoner and all. She thought it was silly, but he insisted. "Come," he said, following his own morning pattern, and led her through the palace to their laboratory. Well, that was how she thought about it, anyway. As usual, he entered behind her, and closed the door. "Shall we start with the new seedlings?" she asked, indicating a tray sitting off to the side. "I want to get them potted before I go over the growth chart on last months bio-pod yields." "Very well," he agreed, but instead of moving the tray to her, he was fiddling with a pot in the corner. Straining her neck to look, she noticed that it had a sickly looking weed growing in it. "You've been working with that for a while now," she commented, "what are you doing with that weed?" "Personal experiment," he said, adding a bit of water to the pot. "It is grafted with flower from home-sphere. Flower is week, cannot survive most places." His raspy voice was doing better with her language, picked up over the past few weeks. "Weed resilient, grow anywhere. I graft together to make flower stronger." Botanica frowned. "I'm not sure it's working. That plant doesn't look very healthy to me. Are you sure it is taking the graft?" "No," he answered, and she could hear the disappointment in his voice. "Will die, as attempts before have." He stood up, gave it one last look, before turning to fetch the tray of seedlings she mentioned earlier. "But that private job. Work need to be done." "Of course," she said. While his idea had her interest, and she wanted to help, one thing she had learned was that Vectin did possess a sense of pride. Allowing him to solve the problem on his own would show his botany lessons were successful. Sometimes, the teacher has to step back and let the student handle it, she told herself, taking the tray from him and setting it on her work bench. Let him keep trying, he'll figure it out eventually. "Well, in that case, hand me some small pots, and let's get these planted. Once they've grown strong enough, we can send them to the fields." This was a new strain she was working on, to increase the yields of bio-pods grown on each plant. "What about making plants grow faster?" Zarkin asked, head slightly tilted to the side. "One step at a time," she replied, moving a hoof gently among the seedling leaves. "One step at a time..." Part ThreeFive Months Later... Waking to the sun's morning rays, a smile crossed Botanica's face. Today was the day that she would find out if her newest crop of bio-pod seeds were growing successfully out in the fields. Five months of work had resulted in her successfully cultivating a new strand of bio-plant that would grow at a faster rate, while also producing higher yields. The seeds had been taken out to the ponies working the fields a few weeks ago, and the results report was supposed to come in this morning. Rising from her bed, she made her way across her room to the bathroom. Yes, it was five months of some of the most intense work she'd ever done! The bio-pod plants were not easy to modify, having been engineered by Vectin scientists with more advanced skills then she possessed. But trial and error, not to mention lots of patience, had finally paid off. Or so she hoped... While washing her mane, Botanica new that while much of the credit was hers, a large portion belonged to Zarkin. The Vectin guard had proven to be a skilled assistant, and was more then willing to provide whatever support he could. While his knowledge of botany was limited, she had discovered that he was a quick study, and was able to solve a few issues that had stumped even herself. She had found herself actually looking forward to seeing him each morning, surprising as it was. Imagine, she thought, what the others would think if they found that I was enjoying working with one of our oppressors? Finally ready, she trotted over to the door, pushing it open. "Good morning, Zarki-" The sight before her stopped the words in their tracks. It took a moment for her mind to point out that it was not Zarkin that stood in the hall, but a different guard, one who didn't have a different patch of color on his greenish-brown snout. "You work now," the guard ordered, pointing down the hallway with his staff. "Where is Zarkin?" she asked, pausing in the doorway. "Is he late?" "Transferred to guard fields," the guard growled, gesturing once again with his staff. She stepped out into the hallway, and fell in step with the guard. "Why was he transferred?" she asked, unable to stop her curiosity. The guard gave her what she thought was an annoyed look. "Requested," he replied, before shifting his eyes away from her. "Oh." So, that was the mystery solved then. Zarkin had requested to work somewhere else besides with her in the botany lab. Was it something I did, she thought, or was he hiding the fact he was interacting with his 'prisoner'? The rest of the walk across the palace was quiet, as the guard was unwilling to speak more, and she didn't know what to say. They passed a few other Vectin guards, none of which so much as looked at her. But that was normal for them, as they believed they were above a simple pony scientist. Does Zarkin feel that he's above me as well? They arrived at the doors to the lab, which the new guard pushed open. She trotted past him to enter, and got half-way across the room before realizing that he was closing the doors from the outside. "Aren't you coming in?" she asked without thinking. The guard looked at her with a blank stare, before pulling the doors closed, leaving her alone in the room. Alone, without anypony around for company. Again. "Well, better get started," she told herself, and stepped over to a table with small glass bowls sitting upside down over seedlings. "Hand me the soil tester please." After a moment of no reply, her mind caught up with itself. I'm such a fool, she thought, sitting down on the floor, here I was thinking that we were working so well together. It didn't matter that he was a Vectin and I'm a pony. Looking up to stare out the window, she watched the clouds flow by, the sun raise itself in the sky. Why did he leave? I thought he wanted to become a botanist? I thought he was my friend.... That final thought hit her like a lightning bolt. Here she was, a lone pony surrounded by enemies, and who was she missing? Her family? Her friends? I really miss him, don't I? I thought we had a connection, but I guess he was just using me to learn how to be a.... a grower. Tears formed in her eyes, as she realized the truth. I'm alone again. Alone, in a garden of weeds... As the sun made it's way across the sky, she just sat there, wondering how to go on. Finally, with a sigh, she got up, and moved over to study some budding plants. Botanica's first love was plants, and it was to their comfort she turned to now, while allowing a few tears to drop free from her eyes. "Now then," she said, ignoring the water dripping down her cheeks, "where is that plant food I made the other day?" She reached for a small pouch, while newly fallen moister on the budding leaves glistened in the sunlight.... Part FourEight Months Later Her eye fluttered open, woken by the light of the sun shining in the window. With a sigh, she climbed out of bed, put on her glasses, and made her way to the bathroom to freshen up. The same routine she followed every morning. It had been over a year now since she left her family behind to live in the palace. Each day she followed the same pattern, waking, freshening, and walking to the laboratory. The same pattern, over and over... At least I had some company for a while, she thought, remembering the guard-turned-botanist that worked with her for a few months. She really enjoyed spending time with him each day in the lab. But apparently, Zarkin had other plans for his career. He transferred out to the fields where the other pony slaves worked to grow the bio-pod plants she helped to create. It took her a while to admit it, but she really missed him, maybe even more than her family... Stepping out into the hallway, she nodded to the guard (none of them talked to her anymore, so she gave up trying to socialize) and began her walk to her lab. Half way down the hall, the guard suddenly stuck out his staff to block her path. "Down stairs," he ordered, pointing down a stairwell she hadn't used in over a year. "What... why?" Botanica asked, her face full of worry. Why, after all these long months, were they changing her routine? "New place you work in," was the only reply, before the guard nudged her with his staff. Not sure what was going on, she headed down the stairs. From there, the guard lead her to a narrow hallway, with a low ceiling, causing him to hunch down to fit. The passage sloped down twice, and at one point, there was a break in the ceiling, giving her a view of the city around them. Finally, they reached the end, and for the first time in over a year, Botanica stepped out into the sunlight... I'm in the old stadium, she realized, looking around at the dozens of empty rows ringing the structure. The stadium, sitting next to the palace, once hosted the Equestria Games many years ago. But now, it was an empty relic of days gone past... The guard pointed down, towards the center of the stadium, where long grass covered the floor where Ponies once competed against each other. And sitting in the middle of the grass, was a small wooden shack. "Your home now," the guard told her, indicating the shack with a clawed finger. "Go, new Grow Leader waiting." "New Leader?" she asked, but at the guard's insistence, simply headed down the steps to the center grassy area, and approached the cottage. It appeared to have been constructed out of freshly-cut wood, and looked big enough for a pair of rooms inside. Curious, she reached for the door... It opened towards her, pushed from the inside, and a large shadow stepped out. And while the armor covering his body was different, more elaborate, the patch of grey covering its snout was unmistakable. "Zarkin?" she quietly asked, slightly shocked. "Greetings, Botanica," he replied, his raspy voice as welcome to her as the sunlight and fresh air. "And I Zarkish now." "Huh?" She was confused. "What do you mean, 'Zarkish'? I thought your name was Zarkin?" He tapped a medal on his chest. "Sphere Leader Kessish pleased with our work on pod seeds. Made me Grow Leader, and add me to his clan. Now I get choose my own path." "That's wonderful!" she exclaimed, giving him a warm smile. "Wait, is that why you left the palace?" "Yes," he replied, sounding almost remorseful, eyes lowered to the ground. "I regret not telling you. Was not allowed time. Kessish order me to take post immediately." He looked back up at her. "But I come to share reward with you." "What reward?" she asked. Zarkish waved a clawed hand around them. "This place. Sphere Leader give to me to grow bio-pods. I tell him small lab no good, need better place with more light." Looking around, it took Botanica a few moments to realize what he was saying. "You mean, you're going to use this whole stadium to grow pods?" "Not I, you," he replied, looking directly at her. "More space for more plants. Plenty of light. Anything you require, I can have sent." His lips pulled back, reveling the teeth along the edges of his snout, an expression she had learned to recognize as a Vectin smile. "I Grow Leader now, and have much resources. Will also have to check your work regularly to ensure pods grow correctly." "I see," she muttered, still trying to take it all in. "Well, in that case, I guess I should get a list of things together." "I start it already," he said, and pointed at the cottage. "Left inside shelter for you." He stepped past her. "I speak with Sphere Leader now. Will return for list later." "Ok," she said, and gave him warm smile in return. "Zarkin, I mean Zarkish," she corrected, "I'm glad you came back." He nodded. "Others not understand. Think I only want better pods." He 'smiled' again. "Also want to help make friend life better." And with that, he started off towards the palace. "Friend," she repeated, grinning to herself while entering the cottage. Their was a small desk under a window, with a clipboard waiting for her. Along with a small pot. Curious, she walked over to examine it. A little plant was growing in the pot, with jagged leaves of a common weed. But growing from the center, a small, beautiful flower. He finally succeeded, she thought, looking out the window towards the castle, as Zarkish vanished with the guard into the crossover bridge. With a smile, she picked up the pencil on the clipboard, and got to work...
Part OneOnce again, she woke as the first rays of sunlight hit her eyes. They fluttered open, revealing her small room in the Crystal Palace. How many days had she been here, waking to the sunrise each morning? Climbing out of her small bed, Botanica shook her mane in place. Almost two months, now, she thought to herself, two whole months since they brought me here. It was a simple deal that the leader of the pony's slave community offered to the Vectin overlord. Pizza Pie told him of Botanica's natural talents with plants, and in exchange for her services, her family received better living conditions in the Crystal city, instead of outside in the slave camps. Making her way to the attached bathroom, she nearly cried at the sight of her own figure in the mirror. The loneliness was getting to the young mare, not having anypony else in the palace with her. Just the Vectin guards for company, since no pony was allowed in the palace after overlord Kessish claimed it as his own. But if it helped her family, she told herself it was worth it. And her work also made it easier to grow the bio-pod plants, which benefited all the pony slaves working the fields. Ready to get back to her lab, she left her room. One of the lizards was outside her door, waiting for her to emerge. Standing upright on two legs, it held a long staff in one clawed hand, with light armor covering its shoulders and chest. Its scales were a modest brown color, a bit darker then her own light-brown coat. A patch of grey covered it's snout. Botanica frowned, realizing that she'd never seen this particular guard before. It pointed down the hall. "Time for you to work," it ordered, following the same pattern as the previous guards. Each morning, one would come and escort her through the palace to the laboratory they had set up for botany research. This was all her life consisted of now, assisting those that conquered her home. Having enslaved the ponies to farm the bio-materials their civilization used, the lizards spent the next 50 years turning her world into one large farming complex. Having a native who was an expert with plants only sweetened the deal for them. Arriving at the lab, she entered and approached her workbench, and was surprised to hear the sounds of clawed feet follow her into the room. The other guards had remained in the hallway, not bothering to watch an activity only their leaders cared about. So, why had this one entered the lab? "What are you doing?" she asked, he voice soft and quiet. "I wish observe," it replied in a raspy, almost growling voice, straining to pronounce her language. "Why?" Her curiosity got the best of her. "Once wanted to be grower," the guard admitted, "but was made guard instead." "I see," she replied, not really understanding, but deciding to go with it. At least it would break the monotony. "Well, I'm working on grafting these two bio-pod plants together, in an attempt to produce bigger yields of seeds." She could sense the guard stepping closer to look over her shoulder. "Do you have any experience working with plants?" she asked. "When still a fledgling," the guard responded, "I would grow flowers. But when came of age, was made soldier." "Why didn't you tell them you wanted to work with plants?" Botanica asked. Not much was known about Vectin society, and she was fascinated by the chance to learn more about her people's conquerors. Besides, none of them have ever really talked to me before... The guard straightened his back. "Vectin born into different nests," he explained. "If nest is prosperous, they have choice of occupation. If nest lower, you commoner, and assigned occupation." He tapped his chest with a claw. "I born to common nest, and assigned occupation." "How sad," she muttered, "not being able to follow your own dreams just because of where you were born." "All serve the Empire as chosen." He looked down at her. "I ask to guard you to observe growing. Continue work." "Very well," she agreed, and turned back to the lab table. "By the way, what's your name?" "Name?" He sounded surprised at her question. Of course, this was more interaction then most members of their races ever had with each other. "Why you ask?" "Well, if you're going to observe, I might as well explain what I'm doing," she replied. "It will make it more enjoyable, anyway." "You would teach an enemy?" This time, Botanica turned to face him. "A fellow botanist," she corrected him. After a moment she answered his blank stare. "A botanist studies plants." "Ah yes, a grower," he said, causing Botanica to giggle. If nothing else, this exchange was bridging a few culture gaps between them. "I would like become grower as well." "Then I will teach you," she smiled at him. "But it would be easier if I new your name." Again, he tapped his chest with a single claw. "I am Zarkin." "Pleasure to meet you, Zarkin. My name is Botanica." She pointed at a tray covered in little cups, each one holding a newly formed seedling. "Let's start with some basics. Hand me that tray of seedlings, please." Zarkin did as requested, and they got to work....
Part TwoSix Weeks Later... Reaching for her glasses, Botanica climbed out of her bed, and making her way to the bathroom, preparing herself for the day ahead. Hopefully, we can get those new seedlings planted today, she thought, while fixing her mane. Suddenly, she paused. Wait a minute, am I looking FORWARD to working here now? The question hung in her mind for a few minutes, as the mare realized the truth. Though a prisoner in the palace, she really was beginning to enjoy her work in the botany lab. Of course, having a willing assistant made it that much more inviting. He was waiting outside her door, just like every morning. Zarkin, the Vectin guard, who wished to work with plants himself. She had taken to teaching him about botany during her time working in the palace. It was turning out that he had quite the green, well claw, she supposed, glancing at the long claws on his hands. Stepping out, she smiled and greeted him, just as she did every morning. "Good morning," she said, careful not to put too much friendliness into it. Something he said about the way the other guards would think about his duty, getting to close to the prisoner and all. She thought it was silly, but he insisted. "Come," he said, following his own morning pattern, and led her through the palace to their laboratory. Well, that was how she thought about it, anyway. As usual, he entered behind her, and closed the door. "Shall we start with the new seedlings?" she asked, indicating a tray sitting off to the side. "I want to get them potted before I go over the growth chart on last months bio-pod yields." "Very well," he agreed, but instead of moving the tray to her, he was fiddling with a pot in the corner. Straining her neck to look, she noticed that it had a sickly looking weed growing in it. "You've been working with that for a while now," she commented, "what are you doing with that weed?" "Personal experiment," he said, adding a bit of water to the pot. "It is grafted with flower from home-sphere. Flower is week, cannot survive most places." His raspy voice was doing better with her language, picked up over the past few weeks. "Weed resilient, grow anywhere. I graft together to make flower stronger." Botanica frowned. "I'm not sure it's working. That plant doesn't look very healthy to me. Are you sure it is taking the graft?" "No," he answered, and she could hear the disappointment in his voice. "Will die, as attempts before have." He stood up, gave it one last look, before turning to fetch the tray of seedlings she mentioned earlier. "But that private job. Work need to be done." "Of course," she said. While his idea had her interest, and she wanted to help, one thing she had learned was that Vectin did possess a sense of pride. Allowing him to solve the problem on his own would show his botany lessons were successful. Sometimes, the teacher has to step back and let the student handle it, she told herself, taking the tray from him and setting it on her work bench. Let him keep trying, he'll figure it out eventually. "Well, in that case, hand me some small pots, and let's get these planted. Once they've grown strong enough, we can send them to the fields." This was a new strain she was working on, to increase the yields of bio-pods grown on each plant. "What about making plants grow faster?" Zarkin asked, head slightly tilted to the side. "One step at a time," she replied, moving a hoof gently among the seedling leaves. "One step at a time..."
Part ThreeFive Months Later... Waking to the sun's morning rays, a smile crossed Botanica's face. Today was the day that she would find out if her newest crop of bio-pod seeds were growing successfully out in the fields. Five months of work had resulted in her successfully cultivating a new strand of bio-plant that would grow at a faster rate, while also producing higher yields. The seeds had been taken out to the ponies working the fields a few weeks ago, and the results report was supposed to come in this morning. Rising from her bed, she made her way across her room to the bathroom. Yes, it was five months of some of the most intense work she'd ever done! The bio-pod plants were not easy to modify, having been engineered by Vectin scientists with more advanced skills then she possessed. But trial and error, not to mention lots of patience, had finally paid off. Or so she hoped... While washing her mane, Botanica new that while much of the credit was hers, a large portion belonged to Zarkin. The Vectin guard had proven to be a skilled assistant, and was more then willing to provide whatever support he could. While his knowledge of botany was limited, she had discovered that he was a quick study, and was able to solve a few issues that had stumped even herself. She had found herself actually looking forward to seeing him each morning, surprising as it was. Imagine, she thought, what the others would think if they found that I was enjoying working with one of our oppressors? Finally ready, she trotted over to the door, pushing it open. "Good morning, Zarki-" The sight before her stopped the words in their tracks. It took a moment for her mind to point out that it was not Zarkin that stood in the hall, but a different guard, one who didn't have a different patch of color on his greenish-brown snout. "You work now," the guard ordered, pointing down the hallway with his staff. "Where is Zarkin?" she asked, pausing in the doorway. "Is he late?" "Transferred to guard fields," the guard growled, gesturing once again with his staff. She stepped out into the hallway, and fell in step with the guard. "Why was he transferred?" she asked, unable to stop her curiosity. The guard gave her what she thought was an annoyed look. "Requested," he replied, before shifting his eyes away from her. "Oh." So, that was the mystery solved then. Zarkin had requested to work somewhere else besides with her in the botany lab. Was it something I did, she thought, or was he hiding the fact he was interacting with his 'prisoner'? The rest of the walk across the palace was quiet, as the guard was unwilling to speak more, and she didn't know what to say. They passed a few other Vectin guards, none of which so much as looked at her. But that was normal for them, as they believed they were above a simple pony scientist. Does Zarkin feel that he's above me as well? They arrived at the doors to the lab, which the new guard pushed open. She trotted past him to enter, and got half-way across the room before realizing that he was closing the doors from the outside. "Aren't you coming in?" she asked without thinking. The guard looked at her with a blank stare, before pulling the doors closed, leaving her alone in the room. Alone, without anypony around for company. Again. "Well, better get started," she told herself, and stepped over to a table with small glass bowls sitting upside down over seedlings. "Hand me the soil tester please." After a moment of no reply, her mind caught up with itself. I'm such a fool, she thought, sitting down on the floor, here I was thinking that we were working so well together. It didn't matter that he was a Vectin and I'm a pony. Looking up to stare out the window, she watched the clouds flow by, the sun raise itself in the sky. Why did he leave? I thought he wanted to become a botanist? I thought he was my friend.... That final thought hit her like a lightning bolt. Here she was, a lone pony surrounded by enemies, and who was she missing? Her family? Her friends? I really miss him, don't I? I thought we had a connection, but I guess he was just using me to learn how to be a.... a grower. Tears formed in her eyes, as she realized the truth. I'm alone again. Alone, in a garden of weeds... As the sun made it's way across the sky, she just sat there, wondering how to go on. Finally, with a sigh, she got up, and moved over to study some budding plants. Botanica's first love was plants, and it was to their comfort she turned to now, while allowing a few tears to drop free from her eyes. "Now then," she said, ignoring the water dripping down her cheeks, "where is that plant food I made the other day?" She reached for a small pouch, while newly fallen moister on the budding leaves glistened in the sunlight....
Part FourEight Months Later Her eye fluttered open, woken by the light of the sun shining in the window. With a sigh, she climbed out of bed, put on her glasses, and made her way to the bathroom to freshen up. The same routine she followed every morning. It had been over a year now since she left her family behind to live in the palace. Each day she followed the same pattern, waking, freshening, and walking to the laboratory. The same pattern, over and over... At least I had some company for a while, she thought, remembering the guard-turned-botanist that worked with her for a few months. She really enjoyed spending time with him each day in the lab. But apparently, Zarkin had other plans for his career. He transferred out to the fields where the other pony slaves worked to grow the bio-pod plants she helped to create. It took her a while to admit it, but she really missed him, maybe even more than her family... Stepping out into the hallway, she nodded to the guard (none of them talked to her anymore, so she gave up trying to socialize) and began her walk to her lab. Half way down the hall, the guard suddenly stuck out his staff to block her path. "Down stairs," he ordered, pointing down a stairwell she hadn't used in over a year. "What... why?" Botanica asked, her face full of worry. Why, after all these long months, were they changing her routine? "New place you work in," was the only reply, before the guard nudged her with his staff. Not sure what was going on, she headed down the stairs. From there, the guard lead her to a narrow hallway, with a low ceiling, causing him to hunch down to fit. The passage sloped down twice, and at one point, there was a break in the ceiling, giving her a view of the city around them. Finally, they reached the end, and for the first time in over a year, Botanica stepped out into the sunlight... I'm in the old stadium, she realized, looking around at the dozens of empty rows ringing the structure. The stadium, sitting next to the palace, once hosted the Equestria Games many years ago. But now, it was an empty relic of days gone past... The guard pointed down, towards the center of the stadium, where long grass covered the floor where Ponies once competed against each other. And sitting in the middle of the grass, was a small wooden shack. "Your home now," the guard told her, indicating the shack with a clawed finger. "Go, new Grow Leader waiting." "New Leader?" she asked, but at the guard's insistence, simply headed down the steps to the center grassy area, and approached the cottage. It appeared to have been constructed out of freshly-cut wood, and looked big enough for a pair of rooms inside. Curious, she reached for the door... It opened towards her, pushed from the inside, and a large shadow stepped out. And while the armor covering his body was different, more elaborate, the patch of grey covering its snout was unmistakable. "Zarkin?" she quietly asked, slightly shocked. "Greetings, Botanica," he replied, his raspy voice as welcome to her as the sunlight and fresh air. "And I Zarkish now." "Huh?" She was confused. "What do you mean, 'Zarkish'? I thought your name was Zarkin?" He tapped a medal on his chest. "Sphere Leader Kessish pleased with our work on pod seeds. Made me Grow Leader, and add me to his clan. Now I get choose my own path." "That's wonderful!" she exclaimed, giving him a warm smile. "Wait, is that why you left the palace?" "Yes," he replied, sounding almost remorseful, eyes lowered to the ground. "I regret not telling you. Was not allowed time. Kessish order me to take post immediately." He looked back up at her. "But I come to share reward with you." "What reward?" she asked. Zarkish waved a clawed hand around them. "This place. Sphere Leader give to me to grow bio-pods. I tell him small lab no good, need better place with more light." Looking around, it took Botanica a few moments to realize what he was saying. "You mean, you're going to use this whole stadium to grow pods?" "Not I, you," he replied, looking directly at her. "More space for more plants. Plenty of light. Anything you require, I can have sent." His lips pulled back, reveling the teeth along the edges of his snout, an expression she had learned to recognize as a Vectin smile. "I Grow Leader now, and have much resources. Will also have to check your work regularly to ensure pods grow correctly." "I see," she muttered, still trying to take it all in. "Well, in that case, I guess I should get a list of things together." "I start it already," he said, and pointed at the cottage. "Left inside shelter for you." He stepped past her. "I speak with Sphere Leader now. Will return for list later." "Ok," she said, and gave him warm smile in return. "Zarkin, I mean Zarkish," she corrected, "I'm glad you came back." He nodded. "Others not understand. Think I only want better pods." He 'smiled' again. "Also want to help make friend life better." And with that, he started off towards the palace. "Friend," she repeated, grinning to herself while entering the cottage. Their was a small desk under a window, with a clipboard waiting for her. Along with a small pot. Curious, she walked over to examine it. A little plant was growing in the pot, with jagged leaves of a common weed. But growing from the center, a small, beautiful flower. He finally succeeded, she thought, looking out the window towards the castle, as Zarkish vanished with the guard into the crossover bridge. With a smile, she picked up the pencil on the clipboard, and got to work...
