Equestria: The Crystal War

Pure Soul was sitting up in her bed, smiling. She held her sleeping newborn in her hooves. The doctor had just recently left after helping with the delivery. Valiant Effort walked into the room with a tray of food.

“How is he?” he asked. Soul couldn’t help tears of joy from running down her face.

“He’s wonderful,” she said. “Absolutely wonderful.” The foal woke up and looked up at his mother. He reached out with his tiny hooves to her. Valiant sat down next to the bed.

“What are we going to call him?” he asked. Soul gave it a bit of thought while the foal wiggled around in her hooves. She thought about her past, and she got an idea.

“How about, Braveheart?” she suggested.

“It’s perfect,” Valiant agreed. Braveheart gave out a small burp, followed by a tiny laugh.

~~~

Braveheart grew up quickly. He inherited his father’s tan coat, and his mother’s bright blue eyes. His mane and tail were a dirty yellow, and much to his parent’s surprise, he was an Alicorn. Despite this, he learned fast to keep his magic in check. He learned simple spells from his mother, and learned how to fly from his father. He eventually learned about the war against the Crystal Empire, and how his family had to help. At six years old, he started helping Applejack and her brother Big Macintosh at Sweet Apple Acres. He was in charge of delivering apples to the farmhouse, where the machines inside would turn them into applesauce to be canned and shipped to the soldiers on the front. This was how he helped out every other day. The other days of the week he helped at the Ponyville textile mill. He helped sort out the clothing Rarity sewed in the boxes which were shipped to the soldiers. He would also deliver the wool from Fluttershy to the mill. Braveheart grew very efficient in his work, and would sometimes have time to himself.

It was a Thursday afternoon in January. Braveheart was hauling a harvest of apples to the farmhouse to Applejack. As he reached the farmhouse, he used his magic to dump his payload into the sorter, which led into the factory. He took a rag from his hoof pack and wiped his brow. He put it away and stepped inside the farmhouse. The machines inside made a huge racket. Steam hissing, pots rattling, and mechanisms whirring. He had gotten used to the loud noises. The air inside smelled of hot apples and burning fuels. Braveheart walked to the sorter and pressed a switch to send the good apples to the boiler.

“Good haul there, sugarcube,” Applejack said. Braveheart turned around to see Applejack behind him. She was clothed in her usual brown factory clothes and hair net.

“Thank you, ma’am,” Braveheart said with a nod. Applejack gave a small smirk.

“Braveheart, ya know ya don’t have ta call me that,” she said. “Just call me AJ.”

“I can’t,” Braveheart said.

“Why not?” Applejack asked.

“It wouldn’t be respectful,” Braveheart explained. “You’re my boss.” Applejack put a hoof on Braveheart’s shoulder.

“Braveheart, Ah respect yer thinkin’, but it’s really not necessary,” she said. She stood up and walked to the back of the farmhouse, Braveheart following her.

“Help me out with these,” Applejack requested, stopping at the barrels of canned apples. She laid one on its side and rolled it outside. Braveheart did the same and followed her out to the cart. They loaded the barrels into the cart, and the delivery pony nodded and ran off to deliver the food. Applejack sighed as she looked out to the setting sun.

“No matter how much Equestria does, it never seems ta be enough,” she lamented. “Sombra just keeps gainin’ more and more ground with each passing day. We just have ta hope an’ pray that Celestia and the ponies in the front lines can stop him.” Braveheart looked up at Applejack. She seemed lost in herself. He gave her a small nudge. She didn’t move. Braveheart nudged her a little harder. Applejack still didn’t move.

“AJ,” Braveheart said with a hard tap. Applejack snapped out of her trance and looked down at Braveheart.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Are you OK?” Braveheart asked. Applejack nodded.

“Ah’m fine,” she said. “You’re all set for today. Go ahead and head home.”

“Thanks,” Braveheart said with a smile. He walked out of Sweet Apple Acres and went back home. Applejack turned back to the farmhouse and stepped inside. Big Mac was waiting for her.

“Ah don’t know what ta do,” Applejack said. “Ah don’t want ta tell him that Sombra’s gettin’ closer ta Ponyville. It’ll scare the poor colt.”

“Eeyup,” Big Mac agreed.

“But Ah feel like he needs ta know,” Applejack sighed. “Fer fear of his own safety, as well as his folks’. He’s been such a great help around the orchard, and Ah’m worried fer him.”

“Eeyup,” Big Mac said again.

“Ah don’t know,” Applejack said. “It’s the right thing ta do. We’ll tell him the next time he’s around.”

“Eeyup,” Big Mac nodded.

~~~

Braveheart opened the door to his home in Ponyville. He walked inside and shut the door behind him. His mother was in the kitchen preparing dinner.

“Mom, I’m home,” Braveheart called out, rather quietly. Pure Soul looked over from her cooking and smiled at her son.

“Glad you’re back safe,” she said as she turned back to the pot on the stove. “Run along and clean off for dinner. It’ll be ready in a few minutes, and your father will be back soon.”

“Where is he?” Braveheart asked.

“He went to run some errands after work,” Soul explained. “He’ll be back before you finish. Go on now.” Braveheart nodded and walked to the washroom. He shut the door behind him and took off his hair net and factory garments. He folded them up and laid them on the nearby table, simultaneously turning on the shower with his magic. Since water had to be used sparingly, he got right in. He jumped at the cold water. It eventually got warmer as he washed off. Once he had finished, he grabbed his towel and dried off. Opening the nearby drawer, Braveheart pulled out a folded piece of plastic. He took it in his hoof and twirled it open in a flurry, revealing the hidden comb. He straightened out his mane to the look he liked. It hung loose and looked a bit messy, but it was neat. His tail was the same way. He fancily closed his butterfly comb he had made and slid it away.

“Braveheart!” Pure Soul called. “Dinner’s ready.”

“Coming Mom!” Braveheart called back. He brushed a bit of mane out of his face and walked out of the washroom to the dining room down the hall. Somepony suddenly poked his side, causing him to jump back and turn around. His dad was behind him, smirking.

“Dad!” Braveheart cried, annoyed.

“What?” Valiant Effort said, stifling a laugh.

“Don’t do that!” Braveheart said. “You know it feels weird.” He quickly smiled and jumped up into his father’s hooves. Valiant hugged his son tight.

“Good to see you, kiddo,” he said. “Glad you’re home safe.”

“You too Dad,” Braveheart said. Pure Soul was watching from the dining room.

“Are you two done clowning around?” she asked playfully. “You’re food is getting cold.” Braveheart jumped out of Valiant’s hooves and sat down at the table. Valiant and Soul walked up to each other and briefly kissed.

“Oh come on,” Braveheart said, disgusted. “At dinner? Seriously?” Soul rolled her eyes and sat down along with Valiant. They ate quietly for a time before Pure Soul spoke up.

“How was helping out today?” she asked Braveheart.

“Not too bad,” Braveheart replied. “Same old hauling apples to the factory.”

“That’s a good thing,” Valiant said. “You’re helping feed the soldiers on the front.”

“I know,” Braveheart nodded. They were silent for a bit longer. Valiant tapped Soul’s shoulder. She leaned in close.

“Should we tell him?” Valiant asked quietly.

“We can’t,” Soul said, shaking her head. “He just got back, and he’s in a good mood. We can’t just break that now.”

“Hon, he has to know,” Valiant said. “I care for him, and that’s why he needs to be told about it.” Braveheart sat silently and watched his parents quietly argue. This had become common in his household. His parents quietly argued at dinner every night about something. Although he never knew what about unless they told him, Braveheart had assumed these arguments were about the war. Most of them told to him weren’t, however. But this day was the day he’d finally ask what was going on.

“Let’s at least wait one more day,” Pure Soul begged. “One more day, and then we’ll tell him.” Valiant nodded.

“All right,” he agreed. “But tomorrow will be the day he knows.” Soul nodded, and they ended their argument. They turned back to the table, and saw their son watching.

“Sorry about that, kiddo,” Valiant said. Braveheart took a breath and let it out.

“Mom. Dad. I think it’s high time I ask,” Braveheart said. “I always see you two arguing over something during this exact time every single day. What’s going on?” Valiant and Soul exchanged shocked glances.

“Now we have to tell him,” Soul said. Valiant nodded in agreement. Pure Soul turned to Braveheart.

“Clear the table, and then we’ll tell you,” she said. Braveheart nodded and used his magic to quickly clear the table and hover the dirty dishes to the sink. He laid them in carefully and dispersed the spell. He turned back to his parents. Valiant sighed.

“Son, you’re fully aware that war is going on around us,” he started. Braveheart nodded. “Good,” Valiant said. “Well, this area, in fact, all of Ponyville, is now in danger. Sombra has taken Cloudsdale, and he moves to take Ponyville next.”

“What does that mean for us?” Braveheart asked, concerned. “For AJ and Fluttershy and Rarity?”

“I don’t know if you’ve heard, but notices have gone around advising to leave the area,” Soul explained. Braveheart’s understood.

“We’re moving, aren’t we?” he said. His parents looked at each other, troubled. Valiant sighed.

“How do I say this?” he muttered. “You’re the only one leaving.”

“What?” Braveheart asked.

“Honey, listen carefully,” Pure Soul said. “Equestrian soldiers are going to come to the house. They’re going to ask for you, and you have to go with them. They’re going to take you to the train station, and you’re going to get on with other ponies.”

“Where am I going?” Braveheart asked.

“To Las Pegasus,” Valiant replied. “Most of the refugees are being sent there until the war is over. You’re one of the refugees on the list.”

“What about you two?” Braveheart questioned.

“We have to stay behind and protect Ponyville with the rest of the Equestrian military,” Soul responded. Braveheart nodded, trying not to cry.

“I understand,” he quietly said. He left the table and ran into his room. Pure Soul stood up and walked after her son.

Braveheart was sitting on the shag carpet in his room, crying. A knock came from his door, and Pure Soul walked inside.

“Braveheart?” she asked. “You OK?”

“I’m fine,” Braveheart sobbed. “I’m just fine.” Soul closed the door behind her as she walked inside. She sat down next to her son.

“It’s OK,” he said. “You still have tomorrow until the soldiers come. You can tell your bosses goodbye and pack up.” Braveheart nodded, wiping some tears from his eyes. He looked up at his mother.

“I’m OK,” he said. “I’ll be OK.” Soul hugged her son tight.

“I’m going to miss you, Braveheart,” she whispered.

“I’ll miss you too, Mom,” Braveheart whispered back. “It’ll be OK.” Soul broke the embrace and stood up.

“You’d best pack up now,” she said. “Bring your pack with you to the textile mill. Let Miss Shy and Miss Rarity know you’re leaving.” Braveheart nodded. Soul patted his shoulder and left the room. Braveheart started packing up for his trip to Las Pegasus to escape the war.