Chapter 12

Appleloosa, Equestria

With all the dinner time drama finally coming to a close the gathered ponies plus one buffalo were ready to discuss the matter at hoof. Molly had made up her mind that she would take charge in this affair because she felt that love shouldn’t be restricted by gender or race. Anypony or anybuffalo that would stand in the way would incur her wrath. She also hated racists with a passion…so that helped make her mind up. All of them were gathered at the table, except Dusk who unsurprisingly decided to take a nap.

Molly cleared her throat. “Strongheart you’re going to have to explain your situation to me, so I understand it better. What exactly is the problem?”

“As I mentioned earlier, my father is the chief of the Thundering Hooves clan. Since I am his daughter I was trained since a calf to become a priestess. All children born to a chief are expected to take upon this task.”

AJ grunted. “Sounds like a mighty uptight bunch if ya ask me. Ah remember when ah left home ta live with mah auntie Orange. Even though they welcomed me with open hooves ah realized that ah wanted ta work on the farm, regardless if ah had run away from it. What I’m sayin’ is it ain’t proper ta force a livin’ on anypony.”

Strongheart’s ears sagged. “Yes your tale seems quite similar to mine. However, it is the opposite in my case. I love my family and my tribe, but I do not wish to be a priestess. I yearn for a simpler life, one where I can choose my own destiny.”

“Ah still get the feelin’ that yer not tellin’ us the whole story sugarcube.”

“There is…one part I forgot to mention.”

“Go on dear, we’re listening.”

“Priests and Priestesses are also groomed to become the next chief. My father wants me to take his place when he can no longer lead the clan. I…do not wish for this.”

AJ growled. “That ain’t hardly fair! Why ah should gallop right on over ta that stubborn bull and buck his teeth out!”

Molly put her hoof on AJ’s shoulder. “Applejack I know that you feel passionately about this, but the situation will not be solved with violence.”

Applejack frowned. “Ah know…sorry ah got carried away. It just riles me up somethin’ fierce!”

“Another problem is that I must marry a buffalo in order to become a chief. If I marry another species such as a pony, all of my titles are forfeit. In other words, I would be shunned from my own clan. This upsets me as much as it does my father. I love Braeburn but I also love Father. I…don’t know what to do!”

Braeburn kissed his fiancé on the forehead. “Don’t worry darlin’ we’ll get through this, I promise.”

Strongheart nuzzled him. “I’m afraid that we must visit my father if we are to make any progress. Teleporting would be the most efficient mode of travel; however I do not have the magical ability to do so. Molly, if you would be so kind as to take us to my tribe?”

“Hmm it shouldn’t be too difficult so long as I have some memories to go off of. I wouldn’t want to teleport us into the ground…that would be messy.”

Molestia surrounded Strongheart in a dull purple aura as she searched for memories. It only took a few seconds before the alicorn found what she was looking for, with that she surrounded the rest of the ponies present with her aura. With a loud pop they were on their way.

The group materialized in the middle of the buffalo camp, much to the inhabitant’s dismay. Buffaloes of all sizes scattered in panic within the nomadic settlement, which attracted the attention of Chief Thunderhooves. He growled in annoyance, stomping outside his tent to see what the commotion was about. The bull was surprised to see a group of ponies and his daughter standing in the middle of the encampment.

“Strongheart, my daughter, what is the meaning of this?”

“Father I can explain…”

“Explain what? That you have brought outsiders into our camp and your stallion paramour no less!”

Strongheart quivered in fear. “Please let me speak. I only wish to…”

Chief Thunderhooves bellowed in anger as his eyes began to glow with a familiar aquamarine hue. The entire earth beneath him began to tremble as rocks floated around his body, like dozens of angry hornets ready to strike.

“Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t pound these interlopers into oblivion!”

Molestia’s eyes glowed white as she erected a purple hued barrier around herself and the shivering priestess. “THAT IS ENOUGH!”

“Oh so we buffalo aren’t good enough for you huh? You had to beg their goddesses for help? I am ashamed to call you my dau…”

Molly slapped the chief in the face. “Restrain yourself Chief Thunderhooves. It is one thing to despise ponies but it is quite another to despise your own daughter. If I hear so much as a hint of malice out of you, I’ll blast you into the sun. Do I make myself clear?”

Thunderhooves growled. “Hmph it seems I have finally found a pony worthy of my attention. You are obviously not the sun goddess or her sister, your aura is…different . It is just as well for I do not wish to deal with them.”

“You are correct, I am neither. For the time being you may address me as Molly.”

“Very well Molly, you have shown me that you command great power. For that alone I respect you. This does not mean I am your friend. Speak your terms and I shall listen, as tradition dictates.”

Molly cleared her throat. “It has come to my attention that you disapprove of your daughter’s relationship.”

“Indeed, she has no doubt begged for your help. I’m also certain that she has explained why I disapprove of her relationship.”

“She has, but I want to hear your side of the story.”

Thunderhooves stomped on the ground. “Quite simply she is to be my successor. She wishes to throw away her duties, her abilities, and her own kind for the sake of a single pony. As a chief…no as a father I cannot allow this!”

“Chief Thunderhooves, we do not chose who we fall in love with. I recently learned this lesson with a certain stallion. Even though I tease him and cause him trouble, I would give up anything for him.”

“A noble sentiment alicorn, but you have it much easier than your counterparts in Canterlot. Unlike them, you do not wear the regalia of office. You are not a princess so you do not understand the burden of leadership. For you love is easy because you didn’t have to sacrifice your power or your responsibilities to pursue it.”

“I can understand that you want the best possible leader for you kind, really I do. However if Strongheart chooses not to take that responsibility for the sake of her own happiness, then it is not your place to take that happiness away.”

Thunderhooves grimaced. “Molly I love my daughter with every fiber of my being. But…the tribe must come first. My buffaloes cannot be without a leader, it is her sacred duty to become the next chief.”

Molly rubbed her temples. “Why can’t she be the chief and live with Braeburn? Perhaps maybe he could accompany the tribe…”

“I do not mean to be rude but this is not possible. Tribes can only be joined by other buffalo and Strongheart can only be a chief IF she marries ANOTHER buffalo. Some buffalo have integrated into pony society, it happens but not very often. They disgust me! They conformed themselves to pony customs, culture and even…speech! Those fools were no longer buffalo; they had forsaken all of our traditions. I don’t want my daughter to become like that.”

Braeburn trotted up to the chief. “Sir I don’t mean to interrupt but maybe we could find a way for the ponies and the buffalo to live with each other.”

“I already tried this once before, young stallion. Our peace was short lived.”

“What I mean is we should be more accepting of your culture and values and let you practice them whenever and wherever you want. Ponies can sometimes be mighty arrogant about their customs and culture…so we tend to try and assimilate other species into that. It ain’t right!”

Thunderhooves smiled sadly. “I wish more ponies were like you. Perhaps I was a bit hasty in judging you, but that does not mean that I approve of your relationship to my daughter…yet. I will make you a deal stallion.”

“What kind of deal?”

“You may take my daughter’s hoof in marriage if you can convince the Appleloosians to accept both our culture and values, as well as allow us to either live amongst them or continue our traditional way of life. This way, my daughter would be able to keep our traditions and be with ponies.”

Braeburn vigorously nodded his head. “Oh thank you chief, all I ask is for once chance. You won’t regret it!”

“Be wary stallion, this is the only chance you shall get. I gave this to you for the sake of my daughter’s happiness…and because I realize that I acted rashly. My temper got the best of me and I apologize to everyone I have slighted. Such behavior is unbecoming of a chief.”

Molly cocked an eyebrow. “But…you were so adamant before why did you change your mind so quickly, if I may ask.”

“Braeburn reminded me of myself when I was young. When I was a young priest, I went out into the desert one day to find some cactus nectar. As I neared the cactus I found a beautiful cow lying injured next to it.”

AJ’s eyes sparkled. “And what happened next?”

“I nursed her back to health of course. She was out foraging for food and had tripped over a rock, spraining her leg. Her name was Dancing Winds, and she too was a priestess. As we rested under the stars we quickly found that we had much in common, and thus a romance developed between us.”

“Aww now ain’t that sweet.”

“The next morning we parted ways, but when I arrived at my camp there was quite a commotion. Several warriors from a neighboring tribe called the Shadow Horns, had come to my father and demanded where the tribe’s priestess was. They were usually hostile to us, so my father was worried what they might do. Luckily Dancing Winds arrived with a few more warriors and they left, realizing we had done nothing to slight them.”

AJ rubbed her chin. “Oh no ah don’t like where this is goin’…”

“My father happened to notice the way that we looked at each other. When questioned I answered him honestly saying that I was smitten with her. He forbid me to see her again because she was from an enemy tribe. I disobeyed him and ran off to find her. We eventually met in the desert near an oasis and well…one thing led to another.”

Molly grinned. “You certainly know which cactus flowers to…harvest.”

Thunderhooves blushed. “Yes, well I ended up taking her to my camp which made my father furious of course but the deed had already been done. The Shadow Horn’s chief was angry as well, but the irony of it was that both Dancing Winds and I were magic users. Both chiefs saw the potential in that. They married us as a political union between the tribes and to sire a powerful earth-mage. That’s how Strongheart was born.”

Braeburn chuckled. “So you went outta your way to meet that girl even though she was from a hostile tribe?”

“Indeed, and that is why I must also give you a chance stallion. I stubbornly pursued Dancing Winds, much like you pursue my daughter. That is why I have changed my mind. I would be a hypocrite otherwise, and such a thing is not honorable in our culture.”

Molly laughed. “Well at least we’re getting somewhere. Now, the only thing we have left to do is convince the ponies of Appleloosa. I fear that this task will be even more difficult.”

Thunderhooves nodded. “I can only imagine. You have my sympathy alicorn.”

Strongheart rushed up to her father and gave him a hug. “Oh thank you father! I’m also sorry…for being so stubborn but I truly love Braeburn.”

“I know my little cactus blossom. You come by your stubbornness honestly. I too apologize for my behavior; a father should never speak to his child that way. Can you forgive me?”

Strongheart nuzzled him. “Of course.”

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Ponyville Schoolhouse, Ponyville

The final bell rang signaling the end of the school day. A writhing mass of fillies and colts rushed out the doors to freedom and adventure. Three fillies in particular decided to stick together wanting to go on an adventure of their own. Sweetie Belle was the first of the three to notice her sister along with Nightwing, standing near the entrance of the school.

Sweetie waved. “Hi Rarity, Nightwing what’s up?”

“Hello darling we’re here to pick you up.”

Sweetie frowned. “Aww but I wanted to do something with Bloom and Scoots.”

“That’s quite alright Sweetie, you can bring them along back to the boutique.”

“Yay! Thanks Rarity.”

Scootlaoo trotted over to Nightwing. “Ooooh cool you must be a bat-pony! That’s awesome, but not as awesome as Rainbow Dash.”

Nightwing laughed. “Uhh thanks I guess. I’ve met Sweetie and Apple Bloom but I don’t think I’ve met you.”

“I’m Scootaloo, Rainbow Dash’s biggest fan and daredevil extraordinaire!”

“Nice ta meet you, I’m Nightwing.”

Rarity cleared her throat. “Come along girls, there shall be plenty of time to chat once we get to the boutique.”

Once they arrived at the boutique the fillies wasted no time trying to find an activity to stem their boredom. Before Rarity could even huff, they were hoof deep in a bottle of glitter glue trying to make figures out of popsicle sticks. Somehow Scootaloo had managed to get the sticky substance all over her mane and coat, how such a feat was possible was anypony’s guess. Nightwing merely laughed at their antics, only because they were so adorable.

Apple Bloom was rolling on the floor with laughter. “Hahaha look at how messy ya are! Ah should start callin’ ya Scoota-glue instead of chicken.”

Scoots tried to buzz her wings, but they were stuck. “Arrrghh I am not a chicken! And don’t you dare call me Scoota-glue. I’m not as dexterous with my hooves as you are Bloom.”

“Ah know but just you wait until yer wings grow in. I’m sure things will be easier for ya then.”

“Yeah tell me about it…”

Nightwing smiled. “C’mon Scootaloo let’s get you cleaned up.”

Scoots sighed. “Alright, I’d rather not have to shave my coat. At least I like taking baths.”

Nightwing grabbed Scootaloo by the scruff of her neck and trotted upstairs into the bathroom. He then plopped her into the tub and turned the knob for hot water. It wasn’t extremely hot water but Scootaloo still let out a squeak as it touched her hooves. Once the tub was nice and full, Nightwing grabbed a bottle of shampoo and squirted it into Scoot’s mane. With his hooves he gently scrubbed, making sure not to rip her mane.

Scoot’s coat and mane were now free of glue but her wings still needed to be cleansed. This was the tricky part. Not only were her wings sensitive but they were much smaller than normal, making the task of cleaning them much more difficult. Nightwing felt sorry for her, but usually if a pegasus had small wings as a foal, they grew much larger as an adult. Poor Scootaloo had yet to get her wing-spurt.

Scootaloo blushed. “H-hey be careful with my wings.”

“Don’t worry I will. I know how sensitive they can be.”

“So…are your wings more sensitive since you don’t have any feathers?”

“They are actually. The blood vessels are much closer to the skin. It’s a real pain when I get wing-boners since they take forever to go back down.”

Scootaloo giggled. “Yeah I don’t really have to worry about wingies, since mine are so small.”

“Don’t worry sweetheart you’ll grow into your wings at some point. Mine were pretty scrawny when I was a colt and look at ‘em now!”

“Whoa really? That’s awesome. I just wish they’d hurry up and grow.”

“Let’s get you dried off; you don’t want to catch a cold do you?”

Scootaloo hopped out of the tub and into Nightwing’s hooves, where he was holding a fluffy purple towel. He rubbed the towel all over her so that she would dry off quickly. Unfortunately, her mane became poofy. Scootaloo rolled her eyes in annoyance.

“Haha you kind of look like Pinkie Pie with that mane.”

Scootaloo huffed. “S-shut up! Uggh there’s no way I can get it to look wind-swept right now. I guess I need to comb it…”

Nightwing looked in the bathroom cabinet and found a jar of mane cream. He squirted a glob into Scoot’s mane and with a few deft flicks of his wing he combed it straight. Her mane was straightened in the back but one strand was pulled forward and to the side. Overall it made her look almost like Fluttershy.

Nightwing smiled at this work. “Much better, with that mane-do you’ll have all the colts wrapped around your pretty little hooves.”

Scootaloo looked into the mirror. “Huh it doesn’t look too bad. I guess I’ll try it out for a while. Thanks Nightwing!”

The two winged ponies made their way downstairs to find that the other fillies had constructed a popsicle version of Princess Celestia, including the glittering mane. Nightwing couldn’t help but be impressed, while Rarity looked rather annoyed. When Bloom and Sweetie saw Scootaloo their mouths dropped.

Scootaloo bit her lip. “What is something wrong?”

“Oh Sweetie and ah never saw ya cleaned up so well before.”

Sweetie’s eyes sparkled. “I REAALLY like you mane! Oooooh and your coat is so shiny. Wait till all the colts at school see you.”

Scootaloo blushed, unused to such attention. “Yeah…well you can thank Nightwing for that.”

Rarity nodded in approval. “I must say darling you cleaned her smashingly.”

“Really it was nothing I style my own mane all the…”

Nightwing was interrupted by a soft knock at the door. Rarity hurried over to open it, only to find Pinkie waiting outside. The usually bubbly mare seemed to be upset. Her mane was straight and hung loosely around her shoulders, her eyes bloodshot and puffy. She put on a weak smile and waved to everypony.

“Pinkie darling, whatever is that matter?”

Pinkie sniffed. “Do you mind if I stay here for a while?”

“I don’t mind, but could you please tell me what’s wrong.”

“It’s the Cakes…they had a big fight. I don’t think…they might not be married anymore.”

Pinkie began to cry, so Rarity immediately wrapped her in a hug. “Shh calm down Pinkie I’m here.”

“Oh Rarity those poor foals, what are they gonna do without a mommy!?”

“I’m not sure but why don’t you come inside and have a nice hot, cup of tea? Once you’re nice and relaxed we’ll talk about it ok?”

Pinkie hiccupped. “O-ok…that sounds nice.”