The Passing of Harmony

Chapter Two – What makes a Genius? Part One – Minced Words

Earlier that day...

Twilight Sparkle was jostled awake by her childhood friend and personal assistant Spike, a baby dragon whose egg was hatched by Twilight personally as part of her entrance exam into Princess Celestia’s academy for only the most intelligent Ponies furthermore Twilight was chosen as Celestia’s personal protégé,Twilight was the brightest of the bright. “Twilight, wake up!” Spike said shaking the Unicorn’s bed “We have a customer.”

This perked Twilight from her dreariness. “A customer, we don’t  get many of those, hay, I don’t think we’ve ever had a customer aside from Rainbow Dash borrowing the entire Daring Do series.” Twilight said as she quickly straightened her mane and went downstairs to greet their guest; Twilight saw that their customer was an Earth Pony who appeared to not be much older than Twilight fixated on the bookcases bordering the room, her coat was a deep chestnut brown and her mane was a much darker brown almost black, she wore an emotionless look on her face that was almost a scowl but with no malice behind it just... nothing and the cutie mark on her flank was an open book. “Maybe her special talent is reading!”  Twilight thought to herself thinking that she might of found a new friend who shared her love of reading all kinds of books.

“It’s very nice to meet you, my name is Twilight Sparkle, what’s your name?” Twilight said grinning widely at the brown Pony that suddenly turned her attention to Twilight who jumped slightly when the Earth Pony’s cold gaze met with Twilight’s.

“I’m looking for any well detailed book on the history of Equestria following Celestia’s inauguration.” The Pony said in a dull monotone completely ignoring Twilight’s question, Twilight was discouraged by this but wasn’t going to give up that easily.

“That’s a really interesting field of study...” Twilight said as she used her unicorn magic to search for the book .“I have some personal experience in that field myself as one of the Princesses students, I also know her sister very we-..”

“Yes Nightmare Moon who nearly plunged Equestria into an eternal night time... twice.” The Earth Pony said dropping her monotone and showing a grin as Twilight found the book she was looking for.

“I believe she prefers to be called Princess Luna now. I think this book should have any information you might need. I’m sorry, what did you say your name was?” Twilight said in an effort to avoid getting into an argument and put the book down on the counter in front of her.

“I didn't tell you my name because I didn’t think you knowing would serve any purpose, but if you must know, my name is Nebulae.” She said as she opened the book and began quickly turning through the pages, Twilight wasn’t sure whether she should try filling this silence or not in a panic Twilight said the first thing that came to her mind.

“You seem very intelligent and well read despite being an Earth Pony...”

Chapter Two – What Makes a Genius? Part Two – Lonesome in the Ivory Tower

Nebulae looked up at her with a raised eyebrow. “I guess you mustn’t keep particularly intelligent company then...” She said as she held up the book. “This book isn’t right... Do you have anything on Discord being toppled from power when he tried to take over Equestria?”. Twilight was surprised by Nebulae’s response she was expecting anger or for the Pony to leave the library in disgust, she certainly wasn’t expecting such a casual response, but something in her response didn't sit well with Twilight

“Wait, what do you mean by ‘intelligent company’, are you talking about my friends? I’ll have you know I’m best friends with two Earth Ponies and I don’t think that they’re unintelligent.” Twilight said not sure what Nebulae was implying with her comment and completely ignoring her latter question.

“Don’t get me wrong I am well above the average intellect of Earth Ponies and all types of Equine for that matter. I was simply making an observation, since you found it surprising that an Earth Pony had a slightly above average vocabulary and zeal towards reading you already considered me more intelligent than any of your Earth Pony friends. Let me guess... your Earth Pony friends are in fact very dense in comparison to your superior Unicorn intellect. Believe it or not, Earth ponies can do other things aside from cook and grow crops or is your opinion of us stuck in pre-Equestria times.” Nebulae said while never changing her ice cold expression. Twilight was so confounded she stuttered when attempting to respond.

“I-I’m sorry. What do you mean?” Her Emerald eyes just kept staring forwards, barely even blinking. She muttered to herself.

“Great. Now I have to sit here and explain a kid’s story.” She continued with her response. “In the story of Hearths Warming, The Earth Ponies were seen as coinless peasants and farmers, despite neither the Pegasi, with their strength and weather control, nor the unicorns, with their intelligence and magic, being able to figure out how agriculture works. I believe that you should show respect to all races, or did your parents and Celestia forget to teach you that?” Twilight was infuriated; somepony just walks into her library and talks to her like she was just a foal.

“What!? You think you’re the smartest pony alive? What makes you think that you’re smarter than me?”  Twilight snapped at Nebulae, Spike just stood there with his mouth open, it wasn’t often that Twilight lost her cool like that. Spike, knowing what Twilight was capable of, tried to intervene.

“Twilight, keep your cool, OK? Now just take a deep breath.” Said Spike cautiously .Twilight listened, agreed and inhaled a deep breath of fresh air. However, before she could exhale, Nebulae responded to Twilight’s question, completely ignoring Spike in the process.

“I don’t think I’m the smartest pony alive, I believe that I am the most intelligent Equine to ever have existed and that nopony will ever surpass me. Of course I don’t have the necessary data to discern this fact; however it’s a very well educated guess. You may think that my cutie mark means my talent is reading but in fact it represents two superpony-like qualities of mine, complete comprehension of knowledge and perfect memory, however along with these qualities comes a crushing existential nihilism that screams at me about my own mortality and now...” Nebulae trailed off. “I’m afraid I’ve already said too much. But I’m willing to answer any questions you may have, put your knowledge to the test against my own, Twilight Sparkle” Nebulae said never once wavering from her tone and showing the slightest smile, Twilight and Spike both stood absolutely stunned by what they had just heard .

Spike spoke up. “Okay ladies, It’s an old fashion pop quiz, First pony to three correct answers wins, first pony to complete their answer gets the point. Question one, what type of spell is Starswirl the Bearded famed for inventing?”He said, book in hand.

“The Amniotic Spell.” Nebulae answered while Twilight had taken a split-second to ponder whether or not the answer was the Time Travel Spell

“CORRECT!” Spike shouted “Come on, Twilight you knew that one.” Nebulae leaned towards Twilight, and said “I know you were thinking of the time travel spell yet the problem is that it isn’t just one spell, ones that go backwards, ones that go forwards, ones that briefly pause time so he wasn’t famed for any singular one of them. So, as I have explained, your answer was... lacking.” Said Nebulae while Twilight groaned to herself.

“Question Two, There is a flower that is found in Equestria which causes the strange-”Spike began to say before Twilight quickly cut him off, afraid of being too slow again. “POISON JOKE!” She exclaimed gleefully Spike continued his question “Condition known as Cutie Pox when prepared improperly?”

“The Heart’s Desire.” Nebulae answered calmly. “Maybe you should wait until I finish the question Twilight...” Spike said. “It’s the thoughts of your friends that are causing you to hesitate or jump in before gathering all the data, you should let it go so you can focus on the problem at hand and not worry about what troubled your friends in the past.” Nebulae said with what sounded like an air of self-righteousness in her voice.

“SHUT UP!” Twilight said getting that ‘magic kindergarten’ look to her. “Question Three, who is the only pony to wield the Elements of Harmony single handed?” Spike asked.  Nebulae looked perplexed by the question, as if there was no possible answer. “PRINCESS CELESTIA, WHEN SHE BANISHED NIGHTMARE MOON!!!” Twilight shouted with all of her might “Correct.” Spike declared he and Twilight both turned to Nebulae who appeared to be biting down on her lower lip as if she was trying to keep her mouth shut  “I’m sorry to cut this short but I’m afraid I have to go.” Nebulae said now speaking as if she was screaming inside but quickly composed herself.

“But the contest isn’t over...” Twilight said as Nebulae turned around in the doorway. “If you’re going to claim that wrong answers are correct then it isn’t really much of a contest anyway, nevertheless you and I both knew who was going to win. It doesn't take perfect comprehension to know that.” Nebulae stated and then walked away before Twilight had the opportunity to stop her, Spike shut the door and picked up the history book that Nebulae had left behind.

“What a weird pony, what did she mean by ‘claiming that wrong answers are correct? Was she talking about Celestia?” Spike said as he put the book on Twilight’s desk

“I don’t know, Spike, I just don’t know.” Twilight said as she sat at her desk.

Chapter Two – What Makes a Genius? Part Three – A Rage Filled Instant

Twilight spent the rest of the day studying hard so that she would be ready if she ever came across that stuck up mare again she had completely forgotten that today was the Pony Pet Play Date and just let Owlouicious sleep through til 6 pm when Pinkie Pie burst through her door. “Twilight! Danger! Hurry!” Pinkie squealed and motioned for Twilight to follow her.

“Augh, what is it Pinkie?! I can’t have you bothering me with all your stupid problems!” Twilight barked at the pink pony.

“Geez, what’s got you all crabby?” Pinkie asked knowing this wasn’t like Twilight and losing all sense of urgency.

“I’m sorry, I’ve just had a really weird and stressful day, now what’s wrong.” Twilight asked regaining her composure, terror suddenly struck Pinkie Pie as she remembered. “Rainbow Dash is missing!” Pinkie screamed while she grabbed Twilight and ran to the rest of the group; they proceeded to fill Twilight in on what Scootaloo had told them and they went off to Lake Horseshoe to find Rainbow Dash.

Chapter Two – What Makes a Genius? Part Four – Applejack and The Goliath

The Next Day...

It was the heat of Applebuck Season and it was Applebloom’s first year helping out, even Big Macintosh is in perfect health this year it was still a lot of work and no matter how they worked they couldn’t seem to put a dent in their workload “Is it always this much work?” Applebloom asked carting the fallen apples back to the barn.

“Just be glad that yall are still too small to buck the trees, all you have to worry about is carting duty.” Applejack said filling another tub full of apples

“But it’s such hard work!” Applebloom managed to say through exasperated gasps, Applejack rolled her eyes “Yall need to learn to appreciate the value of hard work.” She said getting fed up with Appleblooms attitude

“BUT WHY!?” Applebloom continued whining “Aggh, Big Mac, can you help me out with her?” Applejack said gesturing to her brother;

Big Mac let out a sigh and turned to Applebloom “Look at it this way, maybe you’ll get your cutie mark in apple cartin’.” Big Mac said and then got back to working.

Suddenly it felt as if a small earthquake had hit Sweet Apple Acres a giant stallion stepped through the trees crashing through the branches on his way towards the Apple Family, this giant stallion made Applejack look like Applebloom in comparison, his coat was a dark red and his mane was a bright blonde, his cutie mark resembled a mountain. He stood twice as tall as applejack and while walking through the trees his head struck one of the tree’s sturdier branches. Big Mac was in awe at the size of him, Applebloom was trying to remember the creatures from the Everfree Forest that Zecora and Fluttershy had told her about and tried to find one that matched this giant’s description, Applejack was quite clearly scared although, as always, she tried to keep her welcoming nature. “Well howdy, Stranger! You might want to duck under that branch.” The giant gave a bored look in response, leaned back and smashed his head into the branch with a loud, sharp crack the branch broke and splintered causing it to fall to the ground.

“I’m Red Giant.” He said in a low, booming voice while staring down at the stunned Applejack with his dark brown eyes. “Yes you are!” said Applebloom getting vertigo just imagining being that that tall “Are you the Apple Family?” Red Giant said panning his eyes over the three ponies gazing up at him.

“We certainly are, uh... sugar cube.” Applejack said uncertain of how to address this gargantuan stallion

“I’d heard you were having trouble with your Applebucking season and I thought I’d come and lend a hoof.” Red Giant said with a roguish smile but Applejack thought something was up especially after what happened to Rainbow Dash the day before, but darn it if Applejack was going to let her manners go out the window

“We’d be glad to have any help we can get.” Applejack said giving the benefit of the doubt. “Big Mac you keep puttin’ those apples in the carts. Apple Bloom, you can go back to the barn, check on Granny Smith with her sorting.  After that, yall can put the Apples in the barrels for sale. I’m going to show this guy how to buck apples.” She said motioning for Red to follow.

Applejack walked over to the tree while the sun was eclipsed from her sight by the giant pony. She gave the instructions on how to buck apples. “The trick is to rock forward on your front legs like this.” She said demonstrating.  “And then when you begin to feel your legs move back then kick out like this!” She said while striking a tree with her hind legs. Red Giant walked over to a tree and did as Applejack had explained. His legs launched out and the tree was gone, vanished from the eyesight of Big Mac and Applejack. However across the forest of apple trees, at the barn, Granny Smith had nodded off while sorting apples and so Applebloom had started putting the apples from the carts into the barrels for selling. “This is easy!” She thought to herself. All of a sudden a large tree shot through the wall, nearly landing where Applebloom was standing. She didn’t scream she just stood there in a state of mute terror.  She heard Granny Smith wake up, babbling incoherently at first.

“How long have we had a tree there?” Applebloom turned towards Granny Smith, her eyes wide with terror. Granny Smith shrugged and got back to sorting the apples. The apples fell off the uprooted tree which was now being supported by the wall on the other side of the barn.

Back with Red and Applejack, Applejack was outraged. “Now I’ve always tried to be polite but that’s takin’ it a bit too far! We work hard to grow each and every one of these trees.” Red rolled his eyes “Let me try again.” He said with boredom in his eyes he walked up to another tree and just struck forward with one of his hooves. The force affected the apples, shaking them so violently they launched off the tree in all directions and distances shortly after the shaking had stopped the tree began to crack from where Red had struck the tree. Seconds later, it fell onto the ground. Applejack was devastated, Big Mac thought this was all just a dream and Applebloom was still frozen to that spot out of fear of death.

Red Giant sighed “I was told this was supposed to be difficult. It’s just glorified busywork!”He said, being able to be heard from anywhere in the acres due to the volume and octave of his voice. Red left the farm, bored with the job, Applejack was terribly shaken, she just stood there for a whole minute trying to process what had happened over the last few minutes. Big Mac walked over and snapped his sister out of the daze she was in. “What are we going to do now?” Big Mac asked.

Applejack came to her senses “Well, I just don’ know how we’re gonna have time to fix up the barn and get all these apples bucked, the cost of repairing the barn is gonna hurt our sales pretty badly on its own.” The orange pony said tears welling in her eye, it was clear she was shaken up “But first, I’m thinkin’ a cider break.” She said as they walked towards the barn.

Chapter Two - What Make a Genius?, End