Chapter 17: A Homecoming

Over the next week, ponies came into Ponyville to confirm the rumours of Gearhead’s return to business. These were ponies who had been waiting for Gearhead’s Gadgets to open back up. Some of them had submitted at least one special order, and were highly frustrated about the delay, which amounted to nearly six months of lost business and opportunities, after all. But nowhere else could they get Gearhead’s unique machines. More than that, there were ponies who came to town on the word of Gearhead’s reputation alone, after seeing or hearing about what he could build from one of the towns or cities in which he had previously operated. Praise from a city like Canterlot could go an extremely far way, and Gearhead learned that Princess Celestia and Princess Luna swore by the very quality of his work.

As word of Gearhead’s return radiated out toward the further reaches of Equestria, he expected some kind of word from home about his absence. What he had not expected, however, was the chest full of gemstones that the mailpony delivered with the letter in the middle of the following week:

Thirdson Gearhead, Black Sheep of the Verdant:

We are thankful to learn of your return to business, and wonder what caused your disappearance. Indeed, for an unlikely number of moons all activity and word from you appears to have ceased altogether. When we received the attached monies, purportedly from yourself, we could not help but be suspicious of the source, because it seemed to have come from you, and yet this is a form of fund you have never sent us before. We decided to send it to you in the hopes that you could untangle this mystery.

We also write to inform you that during your absence, Herd Council voted to reassess the positions of possible candidates for the title of Successor. Council determined that it would be impossible to install you as Successor until you rid yourself of your title as Black Sheep. This left our austere governing body with no choice other than reaffirming me as Successor.

Unfortunately, your recent absence puts those concerned in a highly precarious position. I therefore request your presence to tender an explanation in full. You may arrive to do so at Verdant Fields on this day of next week, or before the Council in a fortnight.

“I was told to return with your reply,” the postpony said.

“Then I shall get right on that,” Gearhead said. He went to the shop counter and took out paper and pen to draft his response. “I know this puts you in a bit of a difficult position, but please wait a few moments.”

“Of course,” the other Earth Pony responded.

Gearhead thought about what he was reading as he went over the short missive again. Vines was obviously attacking not only his position, but that of their father, in an attempt to gain greater credibility than either stallion. The older brother could do whatever he wanted with Gearhead’s name, since in the estimation of Verdant law and custom, one could not get lower than ‘Black Sheep,’ but their father was an entirely different matter: He was Patriarch, and the only one to never have to use his Veto in Council. If Vines was able to do as he pleased, Father’s reputation would sink quickly, and he could end up deposed with a Vote of Non-Confidence. As Successor, Vines would then be the most likely candidate to take over as Patriarch, giving him access to the original manuscript of the Codex. Father had warned Gearhead against exactly this, when they met secretly.

Gearhead’s only response could be to go to defend Father’s position by explaining his own absence, as well as coming up with some funds in order to make up for the bits he would have raised and sent over the last five months – the Verdant had gotten entirely too used to having the money Gearhead sent each month. Not having it seemed to set off quite the set of alarms back home. Gearhead would clearly have to do something about that, and come up with a reason for his recent vacation. Well, that would be it right there: My first vacation in ten years, and I think most ponies will agree that it is long-overdue.

Gearhead would also have to travel back to Verdant Fields, or meet the Council itself in its Chambers. Since he was the Black Sheep, such an event would put him on thin ice right away. It seemed as though that would be ideal for Vines, so maybe he was counting on Gearhead being unable to reach Verdant Fields in a week. If he had to guess, it had taken as long for the mailpony to travel that distance, but he did not have to simply guess: he asked the mailpony directly, and confirmed the travel time, which meant that if he left back when the mailpony had arrived, he might be able to make it. If he pushed, he would make it but still arrive exhausted, and in no condition for a big meeting.

Of course, all of this assumed that Gearhead travelled on hoof and by train. He had a far more direct, and faster, method of travel. Because of his recent time as Dusty, Gearhead had even replaced the old condenser with optimized gemstone rings, greatly increasing the prototype core’s yield, even as it was the single-core version. But Gearhead would not want to arrive ahead of his own responding letter, which be immediately wrote for the waiting stallion. He then wrote another letter, this one addressed to Princess Celestia, and, securing the shop, went to find Spike to send it right away.

When Gearhead had originally made the journey, he had made it from Verdant Fields in Western Equestria to Ponyville in Central Equestria over a period of ten years. This was because he stopped in every town and city to sell his wares and to conduct research. Even over those ten year, the cyclic wagon he had innovated already made his travel more efficient than any normal horse with a wagon full of supplies and equipment. A more direct journey would take far less time, in any case: about seven days travelling by train, and by hoof when necessary, including time spent resting for the day. That was the method by which postal employees travelled between the different region of Equestria.

Most of the post ponies who delivered packages long distances were Earth Ponies because they usually had a higher level of strength and endurance than members of the other two tribes. Likewise, the shorter distances were covered by the faster Pegasi, mostly those who were not on local weather management teams, although some like Derpy Hooves, were able to do both. The stallion who had delivered Vines’s letter, and who would now deliver Gearhead’s response, would be using the train as far as he could, but he would also travel on hoof when he could traverse a distance more easily that way.

Gearhead would have an easier time of getting to Verdant Fields because he did not have to walk on his own hooves, nor fly using his own biological wings: his core system, or Alicorn Engine, would never tire because it generated its own energy beyond the initialization threshold, and it would never overload so long as he did not push it beyond its limits, as he had against Discord. Besides the fact that Gearhead only intended use the Engine for flight this time, what it could do back then was nothing on what it could do now.

Gearhead’s letter to Princess Celestia let her know that he intended to fly to Verdant Fields outside of Hoofington, when he intended on leaving, his flight path, and cruising speed. This information in hoof, the Princess could advise all the other Pegasi along Gearhead’s route regarding what was soon to come their way. This would not only ensure they were not in the way, but it would also prevent them being caught off-guard and panicking. Whereas it would take about a week for the mailpony to get to Verdant Fields, it should only take Gearhead thirty-six hours, or perhaps even a single day if he also flew by night. He spent the rest of that time racking up sales while Princess Celestia spread the news of his flight. Late in the afternoon of the day before Gearhead was to depart, he made sure to process a money order in the amount he wanted to carry home to his family with him, rather than having to accommodate the weight of all those golden bits. Since Gearhead wanted to leave before the sun rose the next morning, Pinkie threw him a ‘Bon Voyage’ party that evening so everypony could see him off.

Since it had been some time since Gearhead had used his Alicorn Engine, he relished the weight and feel of it for a moment before starting it up. The whine as the rings spun up to full speed was like an old friend to the young Earth Pony, and although he had only recently invented the system, he realized just how much he depended on it, and how much he liked to use it.

Gearhead checked his saddlebags and pouches. He had his two daggers, a change of clothes for when he arrived, and some provisions for an in-flight meal, so he would not have to stop. The mapping system was programmed and up to date, using reports courtesy of the princesses. Gearhead took one last look around the Laboratory before heading outside and securing the shop. If everything went well, he should be back in a couple of days. In a way, it was a shame to put his business on hold after such a long break, however family business was his business too. Besides, more than the Eternal Bit rested on what happened at Verdant Fields. Gearhead pushed his hood securely into place, and, thinking flying thoughts, leaped into the air.

Gearhead relished how quickly and how fully the Engine responded to his thoughts. He felt oddly free, since he did not have to concern himself with flapping his wings or time-outs, yet he depended on the mechanical rig strapped to his back. It was, after all, one of his own making, and he knew it through-and-through. With the recent repairs, Gearhead made his ascent steeper and quicker than originally planned. He made one tight circuit over Ponyville, and then headed west, quickly accelerating to cruising speed.

Flight powered by the Alicorn Engine was a very different experience from doing so with Pegasus wings and magic, or transformed into a fast-moving element. Gearhead barely had to think about maintaining his speed, heading, or altitude. He just sort of did it naturally. This was the way he was: it was in his nature. Maybe that was all the confirmation he needed regarding what Pegasus magic he had inherited, even though he was no longer an Alicorn.

When Gearhead could be sure nopony of interest was watching him or his blue-green particle trail, he accelerated to flank speed. Part of the reason was to test the Engine’s new limits so he could use the data with the dual core version, but the other side of the argument was ‘because I want to.’ He probably would not have risked it before his time as a colt, but now he sometimes wanted to ‘play.’ The flight to Verdant Fields was affording him some of those opportunities, since he flew higher than most birds and Pegasi. Gearhead reviewed the auto-pilot program in flight one more time, and then he relaxed to take in the sights as he flew.

An alarm buzzed softly at Gearhead from within his hood. The towns and cities over which he had passed might have been more relaxed about their airspace, and there were some places where word from Princess Celestia had yet to reach, but the ancient Wings were less relaxed about security. The Azure Wing was one of the most stringent organizations in all of Equestria regarding airspace security, surpassing even the Royal Canterlot Guard in some respects.

And it was into their airspace that Gearhead had just passed. He acknowledged the alarm to silence it, and did not have to wait long for Azure’s response to his presence: three blips on his sensors indicated that he had incoming. Gearhead descended to a more standard cruising altitude and speed, and maintained his heading along his established flight path. He could probably have outrun the patrol, but it would never have been worth the trouble.

The three Pegasi vectored in on a course to intercept Gearhead. From a distance, Gearhead was able to see that while two of them were outfitted for speed in weather-resistant suits similar to what the Wonderbolts wore, the third was in armour. Clearly that was the flyer who was supposed to act as a shield if the situation ever called for battle. Dogfights had to be almost unheard of these days, and perhaps even since shortly after the unification of Equestria. But the Azure was one of those houses that kept up good practice, just in case.

Gearhead continued to hold his course, while the patrol’s leading Pegasus swept in close enough to get a good look at him. Another of the rules of engagement that these Pegasi used was for at least one member of the group to stay back and provide cover if necessary. With this flight of three, that seemed to mean that two flyers covered the first, who swept past Gearhead, and then over top of him as she swung back and into a position on his wing.

“Is that really Lil’ Gear?” The Pegasus asked. “I mean, the Princess’s message said you’d be flying in, but none of us thought it was more than one of her legendary pranks! Who’d have thought an Earth Pony’d figure out how to fly, and yet here you really are. Wouldn’t have recognized you, what with the armour and the streak, if not for that letter.”

“Guess I was smarter than I thought asking her to send it, then. But one thing I do not understand, Prism: if you did not believe the contents of the letter what are you doing out here?” During the time that Gearhead had been granted permission to conduct research at Azure Wing’s library, Prism Azure had been one of the young Pegasi to try to socialize with him. While Gearhead had believed she was just trying to slow down his progress and generally get in his way, as school-foals often seemed to do around the funny-looking Earth Pony, he later realized that she had just been trying to be a good friend. And indeed, as indicated by the nickname, she had gotten closer than anypony else in the Azure. Maybe it was because she was of the main bloodline the way he was, but Gearhead had enjoyed their friendship. Now that he had more friends in Ponyville, he could appreciate her actions more, too. To him it did not matter whether Prism had started their friendship out of some political need or out of curiosity: Whether to continue the close ties between Azure and Verdant, it did not matter to the stallion.

“Why do you think? I requested the duty just in case it was true!”

“Are you glad that you did?”

“Yeah I am!” Prism laughed. “You’ve changed. And grown some.”

“Is that a good thing?”

“Definitely. Especially the laughter,” the mare said.

“You are the one who laughed,”

“I can see it in you, that you’re not nearly so serious as you used to be.”

“It took some time, but I learned to play.”

“I like it,” Prism signalled ‘all clear’ to her flight-mates, and they descended into escort positions.

“We can fly with you for awhile longer, but then we’ll have to turn back to stay on station,” Contrail, the other racer, said.

“Thank you, I appreciate the company.”

“A flying Earth Pony,” Rook, the shield, said. “Who’d have thought it?”

“Me, obviously,” Gearhead said.

“Ha! Wait ‘till we report back to the Commander,” Contrail said.

“He’ll absolutely flip,” Prism said “He still remembers you from the old days.”

“A lot of ponies do,” Rook said. “Not many ponies studied like you did.”

“Yes, I remember how many of them made fun of my... bookishness. But I cannot hold that against them, given I probably read more than I should have. And still do.”

“Maybe, but from the money you send home you must really be rolling in it, huh?” Contrail said.

“I actually send most of my earnings back home,” Gearhead said.

“It’s nice that you want to help out the old homestead as much as you can, but don’t push yourself too far, alright?” Prism said.

“Have you not heard? I just got off from a six moon vacation,”

“Yeah, the first one mentioned in ten years or more,” Rook said.

“If they try to push more work on you, just point to all the bits you’ve set home and refuse,” Contrail said. “It’s not healthy.”

“Not my place to say.”

“That ‘Black Sheep’ business should be rewritten,” Rook said. “I understand the protection part, but after that it doesn’t seem to do any more than limit your options.”

“I was always more concerned with gaining control over my own power than my status within the Herd,” Gearhead said.

“And still they call you back,” Contrail said.

“That they do,”

“We have to turn back here,” Rook said.

“Good luck,” Contrail said.

“We’ll finish catching up later,” Prism said.

“Aye to that,” Gearhead said, then he watched as the Pegasi peeled away and headed back on their patrol course. He, meanwhile, continued on toward where Azure airspace overlapped with Verdant land. He picked his altitude and speed back up, and aimed to finish the flight just after breakfast.

Speaking of breakfast, he got out one of the dried food bars he had saved as part of his in-flight rations. Since the flight was not taking quite as long as he had expected, he had an extra one. Gearhead decided to use it now, after burning as much energy as he had conducting a conversation at high speed and altitude.

As the sun rose, and morning lengthened, Gearhead caught his first sight of Verdant Fields. As far as most of his family was concerned, it had been over ten years now since he had left it as a foal. Only Father knew of Gearhead’s previous visit, and both of them planned to keep it that way. The gate was a welcoming sight, and Gearhead began his first of three flying descending circuits about the estate, both to get a good look at the crops, and to let his family know that he had arrived.

Verdant Fields, belonging to the main branch of one of the oldest farming families on the continent, boasted one of the largest acreages and one of the most diverse set of crops. They had grains and cereals like wheat, hay, and barley; fruit like apples, strawberries, and oranges; spices like sage, thyme, and mint. The fields and orchards were like a quiltwork of square and circle plots, all with two-cart paths between them for ease of access. And it may have taken nearly a decade, but the land that Gearhead had destroyed when his Geomancy first activated had finally been restored.

After his final circuit, Gearhead touched down outside the gates and proceeded to change out of his leggings and hood. He put on a plain version of his black longcoat over top of his usual green vest, and belted on his daggers. With a clever inversion of the Engine’s harness system, he turned it into a saddlebag, with the core on one side and the chest unit on the other. He decided to keep his goggles hanging from his neck, and then he took those symbolic steps through the gate, officially returning to the place he had called ‘home’ for eight years.

Five ponies, three stallions and two mares, were cantering out to meet him at the gates. One of them, Gearhead saw, was the postal pony from before. “That was fast,” he said.

“We only just received your letter,” Father said. Big Sister Ivy and Mother were the first to embrace him, then Father and finally Bean.

“You really flew in, huh? Imagine if more ponies could travel like that!” Bean said. His coat was the light yellow of a wax bean, while his mane was dark green. He had always had one strand of hair that curled away from the rest, like a bean’s string. Bean’s cutie mark was a clutch of green beans. At sixteen years of age he was coming into adulthood nicely, big and strong as one would expect from a stallion who grew up on a farm.

“I could not imagine making enough cores for even the population of Ponyville, given the resources and focus that go into making a single one. Besides, the one I have is just a prototype. And quite frankly, if more Earth Ponies and Unicorns had such power I think it would be a frightening prospect. So the Alicorn Engine will not be something that I will be selling.” At this point, Father motioned for Gearhead and the others to follow him back to the house. The mailpony took his leave.

“Speaking of selling,” Father said, “I’m afraid your brother’s gone and gotten both of you into some hot water. I asked him to send the letter summoning you, but I’m not sure he explained everything.”

“I’m sorry,” Big Sister Ivy, her mane in a functional ponytail, said. “He keeps on getting away from me. I don’t think he thinks of me as protecting him anymore.”

“The impression that I got of Vines at the Gala was of somepony who likes to be in control, not only of himself, but of those around him. And he likes others to recognize his importance.”

Mother nodded. “I’m afraid we may have stuck Ivy to him a bit too often. He’s started to see her calming influence as a sort of leash, and so he’s gone out of his way to make sure she’s not where he is when he makes moves like these.”

“I don’t know how he did it, but he made sure the river flooded when we were on our way to the Council, so he could lock me out of the proceedings and take control. That’s when he presented the case for you as Successor, but to his own perspective. With the precedent he’s set, Vines has locked you out of any early advancement.”

“And he has put your reputation and the Herd’s stability on the line,” Gearhead said.

“He’s definitely become more aggressive, but I can see his strategies: he’s trying to get to me through you. Knowing that, there are some ways we can deflect his efforts, like now. But there’re also times when we won’t be able to stop him.”

“We can only do what we can,” Gearhead said.

“You’re quite calm,” Big Sister Ivy said.

“I have gained many experiences since the Gala,” Gearhead said. “I have learned that there are some things I cannot control, and that stressing over those things is a useless exercise that makes one waste energy and effort better used on things one can control. In as much as controlling them would be a good thing.”

“Speaking of controlling and not controlling, did you come in here with a plan?” Mother asked.

“My plan was to explain the truth of my absence as well as I could, and also to present the profits I have made since my return.”

“Funny,” Bean said, “I don’t hear any bits jingling, and you didn’t bring that weird chest back with you.”

“Flying with either would have been awkward, at best,” Gearhead said. “I processed them as a money order.”

“Ah, paper money. That makes loads more sense.”

“Was returning the chest Vines’s idea?”

“Unfortunately yes. He can be very persuasive when he wants to be,” Mother said.

“Well, that was as much my fault as anything, using a method I had not used before. That was my mistake, but I will rectify it today.”

“Tomorrow, if you please,” Vines said, coming in from the fields. “I didn’t expect you to get here so quickly, and so not everypony who should hear what you have to say is here yet.”

“I can visit for a day, Big Brother.”

“That’s excellent news, Little Bro. Ivy and I haven’t seen you since the Gala, and everypony else even longer. I worried you would never visit, ‘though I never could figure out why.”

“I am here now,”

“Yes, and as soon as the Speaker and Proctor both arrive to oversee the procedings, we can get started.” Clearly Vines meant to make this visit official Herd business. Well, Gearhead was not going to let him do it on his ideal terms. Still, everything would have to wait for the officials from the Council. At least there would only be two of them. Three, including Father, who was still Patriarch, after all.

The next day, all of the necessary players were gathered at the long, rectangular table in the house’s dining room. Father sat at the head of the table, with the Speaker at his right hoof, and Vines on his left. Mother was seated beside Vines, and Bean, the next-oldest male son with a chance at the Successor title, sat across from Vines. Roselle, with her earthy-red coat and long mane, bright red with green highlights, sat next to Bean, who was only one year older than her. Coriander, brown coat and rust-red mane was next to Mother. The Proctor, who was also acting as Secretary and referee, sat across from the youngest Verdant daughter. Gearhead sat next to him, with Ivy directly on his other side, instead of across from the Thirdson.

Of course, Vines could not have everything his own way: the Speaker had to be the Patriarch’s right-hoof authority, otherwise Vines would have arranged to be sitting in that seat. But he could arrange for Gearhead to be ‘stuck’ with the ‘suppressive’ effect from Big Sister Ivy’s magic. If Vines was really under the impression that his own sister was holding him back in any way that was anything other than protective, Gearhead intended on showing him otherwise, simply by accepting the seating arrangement.

On top of the entire main family, the Secretary, and the Proctor being present, Mother and Roselle had also served tea and snacks to keep everypony refreshed and sharp-minded. Again, Vines had insisted that Big Sister Ivy not be involved in the preparation of the refreshments, and again the Speaker had agreed. That meant that the role of helping Mother fell to Roselle, the next-oldest daughter.

“I now call these procedings to order,” the Speaker said, banging his gavel. “The purpose of this meeting is to investigate the sudden and unannounced absence of the Thirdson, and all related contributions to the Verdant. The facts as recorded are as follows: These contributions, in the past, have been restricted to financial aid and modification, repair, and replacement of Herd equipment. The Thirdson’s absence-without-leave is recorded as standing for 178 days, or approximately six months without communication or accomodation. Thirdson, are there any errors or omission to the record?”

“Yes, Mister Speaker. I was absent for 177 days. I also sent a quantity of gemstones during my third month of absence to try to cover for the time I had already been missing, as well as those following. These jewels were recently returned to the address of my current dwelling and shop, due to being an unusual method of funding for me, and therefore suspect of being fraudulent according to the letter of official notice the Firstson sent to me.”

“For the record, where is your dwelling, Thirdson?”

“The shop is called ‘Gearhead’s Gadgets.’ It is located in Ponyville in Central Equestria, just south of Canterlot.”

“Are there any other errors or omissions? No? Thank you, Thirdson. Patriarch Redwood, do you have anything to add? No? Firstson? Anypony else? In that case, I adopt the records as corrected.” The Speaker banged his gavel, and the Proctor nodded while he checked the appropriate box.

“Now we can get to the question at hoof. Thirdson, could you please stand and explain why you were absent, and what you were doing for nearly six months?”

“Thank you, Mister Speaker, I shall stand and explain. The reason why I went absent-without-leave and was unable to send the usual monthly stipend to support Verdant operations is because I went on an unplanned sabbatical.”

“Oh, call it what it is, Thirdson: you went on vacation!” Vines said.

“I did, and would you not have done the same in my position?”

“Oh, pardon me?”

“Firstson, please calm down. Thirdson, please explain yourself.”

“Indeed. After ten years of selling my own inventions and innovations, while continuing my research and studies and living on my own resources, in cities and towns across Western Equestria, I broke down. I realized I needed a break in order to refresh myself and continue business afresh.”

“So you realized you needed a vacation fom your daily grind and you... just took it, without sending notice? Was your breakdown mental? Physical?”

“An excellent question, Mister Speaker. In truth it was a bit of both, rendering me both mentally and physically unable to conduct business for a time. I clearly needed to recover my faculties.”

Truly, as Dusty Gearhead could never have been taken seriously in sales, and Princess Celestia insisted that his Geomancy was compromised. On top of that, only hyper-condenced spells stayed around once Dusty’s magic timed out. If Dusty had tried to conduct business as usual, quite a bit of his work would have disappeared, causing a great deal of complaints from customers. Since he could not guarantee the usual quality in his work, Dusty had resolved only to collect resources for when Gearhead returned.

“If you’re saying that you couldn’t handle your work after a mere ten years away from home, how can any of us trust you to continue your work without further breaks and instabilities now, or later?” Vines asked.

Whether or not he meant it a a barb, Gearhead knew that Vines had valid reasons for asking that question. Chiefly, he wanted to know whether the Herd could rely on Gearhead. Determining how reliable Gearhead was had to be the purpose of this entire meeting. Aggressive and even slightly paranoid or not, Vines’s main concern remained the good of the Herd.

“I might at that, especially without a stabalizing factor nearby, but please do know that I will do my hardest to bounce back afterward, rested, refreshed, and ready to get back to work. That is what a periodic break, or vacation, might be for, after all. Weary is the one who does not take one, I have discovered.”

The Speaker and the Proctor were nodding their agreement. “Where were you when you came to the realization that you needed a vacation, Thirdson?”

“I was visiting Canterlot for research and training purposes.”

“Can anypony corraborate?”

“Yes they can,”

“Any non-Royal, or pony directly loyal to the Princesses?”

“The Unicorns Fancypants and Fleur de Lis noticed me in Canterlot. The Earth Pony Pinkie Pie saw me leaving Ponyville, as did some of the forest creatures, but you would need the Pegasus Fluttershy to translate for them. On second thought, Pinkie is most loyal to the Princesses as well. Best stick to Fancypants.”

“As he is one of Canterlot’s elite socialities, he can also be said to be loyal to the Princesses, who allowed his social elevation to take place.”

“With all due respect, Mister Speaker, Canterlot is the seat of Equestria’s power, and Ponyville is in close proximity. You would be hard-pressed to find a pony who is neither royalty nor loyal to royalty. If, however, you would like to ask for character witness testimony from somepony whose favour I do not have, perhaps you ought to seek out Prince Blueblood.”

Vines’s eyes shone. His expression said, 'oh yes, do seek him out.' Gearhead remembered that Vines had seen at least the tail end of the duel over Rarity at the Gala. Knowing how Blueblood throught royalty was the be-all and end-all, and that he likely still held a grudge against Gearhead for humiliating him, Vines likely believed that Blueblood’s testimony would harm Gearhead’s reputation a great deal. Perhaps he could even accuse Gearhead of being hotheaded and easily provoked. All this flickered over Vines’s face in seconds, and then his expression was neutral again.

“Possibly even Captain Shining Armour of the Canterlot Royal Guards,” Gearhead decided to continue. “We were training in front of his lady, and I... well, I defeated him.” Gearhead paused. “Twice.”

“Anypony else?” The Speaker asked, arching an eyebrow.

“No, not really,”

“’Not really?’ Please clarify.”

“I know you do not want to ask royalty to serve in these proceedings, however would it hurt to ask the Princesses, Celestia and Luna? I have been training under them, so they know my limits best. Also, it was Princess Celestia who suggested I take a vacation in the first place.”

Everypony looked on, disbelieving, except for Rosie, Bean, and Cori. “The Princess suggested it?”

“Yes?”

“But why so sudden? Why no word for months?”

“Well, I say she suggested it, but it was more like... this is embarassing. I am training under the Princesses, after all, and they...”

“They what? Pony up and say it!”

“They teleported me. To an oasis. I could not stop the spell, which is why it was so embarassing, given my training.”

“They just placed a spell on you that took you to an oasis somewhere?”

“I do not know if you have been teleported before, but it is like ‘poof!’ and you are somewhere else. That would be Forced Teleportation, Mister Speaker.”

“I have been,” the Speaker said, “a long time ago. But why did you not take efforts to return right away?”

“I did, but I did not even know where I was, and I also lack any knack for magical transportation. I also did not have my Engine at the time, so I had to be able to plot my own way back. On top of that, the atmosphere at that oasis was just so... relaxing.  I could not leave right away. So I decided not to stress myself out about it and relax, just until I was refreshed. Then I started to figure out where I was so I could get back. By the time I did, months had already passed. It turns out the oasis was deep in the Badlands. Even after I had my position it took time to get back. In the meantime, I knew I was behind on my stipends, so I sent what was available to tide everything over. I could not predict they would be returned to me. When I finally got home to Ponyville, I felt rested by virtue of being unable to stress myself out over my gadgets or sales. I was only doing what I could at that time, after all.”

“I find it difficult to believe that the Princesses would be so irresponsible as to just dump you in the middle of the Badlands without any way out,” Vines said.

“So they were a little forceful about the vacation. They were probably scrying to ensure no harm would come to me anyway. Also, Princess Celestia and Luna can both be pranksters when they want to be. This was not out of the realm of possibility for them.”

“Agreed,” the aged and experienced Speaker said. The Proctor, middle-aged as he was, merely chuckled. “Well, I believe we have answered all the relevant questions. If no one else has anything more to add, we will make inquiries of Canterlot’s elite to complete the investigation, and send you notice of our verdict in three to four weeks. Let’s do this simply, so none of us need make this journey again so soon. Good day, and good fortune.” The Herd officials collected their documents and took their leave.

Vacation? Vines mouthed at Gearhead. He shrugged: it was the only thing that could even remotely cover his long absence without saying ‘I turned myself into an Alicorn colt and could not figure out how to turn myself back until I watched a Unicorn foal casting spells.’ And boy, would that have been an unbelievable explanation, even though it was the truth!

Later, Vines stood with the Speaker and Proctor, both of whom had doubled back on his recommendation. “You see my dilemma?” Vines asked. The Speaker only arched an eyebrow, however that was indication enough for the young stallion to continue his relentless charge. “Herd Verdant has flourished for millennia by being, and staying, separate from the Crown. Our separation and independence is part of how we have also fed other ponies in times of crisis. But Gearhead has relocated his entire operation to Ponyville, just south of Canterlot, which is the seat of power for Equestria. He studies under the Princesses and meets with members of the Canterlot elite. I fear he can no longer separate himself from the Crown, nor tell why this must be so. At the very least, until he can demonstrate that he has not lost his way, we must be separate from him.”

“Perhaps,” the Speaker said, “perhaps not. What we can say is true is that the Thirdson continues to be the most innovative and creative of us all. Were it not for his station as the Black Sheep, I would agree with your father, the Patriarch. However, the Thirdson himself cannot farm. As you yourself have set precedent, he cannot be considered as a successor candidate until he surpasses his mark.”

Vines nodded.

“We will investigate the Canterlot angle, as we have stated, and get back to you once the report is completed. Patriarch Redwood would not be pleased to have the Thirdson cut off, however you are correct that we must act in the best way possible for the sake of the Herd.”

“For the sake of the Herd,” Vines agreed. The Proctor repeated the line. As the two elders left, Vines nodded to himself. He could count on support from all the traditionalists within the Herd as a whole, and at Council in particular. He had to helm their efforts to keep Herd Verdant strong and independent: even at less than a thousand strong, they were more widely spread than the citizens of Equestria, and more influential. They were not a fiefdom within the kingdom; Equestria was the kingdom within the Verdant’s kingdom.

With the hearing completed and everything in good order, most of the family returned to their places in the fields to continue with their efforts. This left Gearhead in the company of Mother and Coriander.

“I don’t get what all the fuss is about,” Cori said. “It's not as if you're a farmer, and you haven’t had even one break in ten years, right?”

“Maybe if I had managed to shorten my vacation as much as possible, Vines would not be able to kick up such a fuss, but that is in the past. The ‘big fuss,’ as you put it, is due, no doubt, to how steeped in tradition this family is. I, meanwhile, have broken with a great many of our traditions. Father and Vines are at loggerheads trying to reconcile the two.”

“Yeah, but you made so many great tools, so why not leave you alone?”

“Because I am the Black Sheep, and I am supposed to better myself through one simple task: farming. The problem is that there is one thing we have found I cannot do no matter how I try.”

“Farming,” Cori said. “Even now, with all your magic?”

“It does not seem to work that way,”

“Well, at least you can fly. What other Earth Pony, Verdant or otherwise, can say that?”

“None,”

“Wings would be cool, though.”

“Funny: I was thinking of a winged attachment to bring out still more power. I might build one when I get back to my workshop, when I have the time.”

“In the meantime,” Mother said, “why not relax while you’re home?”

“Would I be a Verdant if I could relax?”

“Well, what else are you going to do?”

“I shall see where my skills and knowledge might be useful.”

“That seems like it’d be a worthwhile project,” Mother said. Next Chapter: 18. The Prodigal Son Estimated time remaining: 6 Hours, 53 Minutes