Jack never thought she’d be glad to be back on board a ship, but as they pulled away from dock and took to the sea again, there was an intense relief within her.

The travel back to town had been met with stony silence by the entire group, their thoughts occupying most of what little free time they had in the evening, and sleep was a welcome escape from their thoughts.

Jack pushed herself off the railing of the boat and felt not only the faint tuggings of seasickness, but also her wounds giving a reminder of what she put her body through the past few days.

She double-checked her nose and, satisfied the bandage wasn’t going anywhere, moved towards the stairs leading below decks, the cane she leaned on creaking under her weight.

Before she headed downstairs, she caught sight of Diane, watching the sea from the starboard side, and Jack approached, joining her.

“Finally headin’ back,” Jack said, the fact obvious, but still something she wanted to mention regardless.

“You can say that again,” Pinkie replied. She looked down, her damaged arm now in a sling, which she gave a little wiggle. “Didn’t think I’d be going back home with scars to show people.”

“We got off lucky if scars are all we’re takin’ back,” she answered, shifting on her cane. “Could have been worse. A lot worse.”

“That’s no way to think, silly billy!” Diane said, throwing her free arm around Jack’s shoulders. “We’re still here, still got each other and we’re going back home. What more is there to say?”

“Well… jus’ depends on how much things change when we get home,” Jack replied, reaching an arm up to weakly squeeze Pinkie in return.

Pinkie smirked and flicked Jack’s ear. Next thing Jack knew, Pinkie was holding a coin in front of her. “Bit for your thoughts?”

Jack offered a faint half-smile before her expression turned back to a thoughtful frown. “Ya realize what I did was treason? Not only treason, but I coulda got her killed. Ya don’t think I’m a bit worried ‘bout what might happen when we get back?”

“So you think Celestia’s gonna execute you or something?” Pinkie shrugged, then shook her head. “That wouldn’t solve anything.” She smirked, raising her hand and patting Jack on the top of her head. “You’re always thinking in apples and oranges, except without the oranges; it’s not gonna be as simple as everyone thinking you’re a traitor. Just like how the whole situation in that dark cave wasn’t simple.”

She turned and looked out towards the sea, a content smile on her face. “I know you like thinking simply and direct. But life’s not always like that, y’know? It’s exciting, unpredictable, deep, and a whole bunch of other things.”

Blinking, she stopped and a small giggled escaped from her. “Kinda went off on one didn’t I? Sorry, been thinking about it all lately.”

“I don’t know what ta think,” Jack admitted, turning to look towards the ocean. “I ain’t no brainiac. No genius. Only makes sense that somethin’ would happen after somethin’ that big, ya know?”

Sparing a glance towards Diane, she gave a tilt of her head. “But… guess I’ll worry later. Got a lot swirlin’ in yer noggin’, huh? Sounds like you.”

“Always!” Pinkie defiantly cried, throwing up a fist. “There’s always something to think about! Like…” she rubbed her arm, looking down, “Spike, first and foremost. He’s probably really hurting after what happened.”

“We ain’t really had time fer a heart ta heart with him, huh? I ain’t even talked with Rare much after all this shit. Jus’ so focused on leavin’, ya know? Jus’ wanted ta get here an’ get goin’.”

Pinkie’s smile returned. “I think everyone feels the same way. What’s the first thing you’re gonna do when you get back on the farm?”

“Check in with Mac an’ Bloom. Priority one,” she answered, her mind instantly made up.

“And after that? ‘Cause let’s be honest here,” Pinkie grinned, “that was totally a given.”

Jack offered a gentle smile. “Maybe I owe Rarity a night out if she’s up ta it. If she ain’t, I’m cookin’ one hell of a meal fer everyone.”

“You’re cooking? Come on, Jack, you deserve a break! Even for a little!” Pinkie cried.

“I want to. I like cookin’ fer ‘em all when I’m around. Figured you of all people would get that.”

“Yeah, I do,” Pinkie replied, waggling a finger, “But I’m the one that’s meant to be doing all that for everyone so they can relax! In fact, I’m already planning our welcome back party right now!”

“I’ll relax after dinner. Promise.” She rubbed her hands, trying to warm them briefly against the fall chill. “An’ I’ll be lookin’ forward ta that party.”

“Me too! It juuuust might take a little bit longer to get it ready because… y’know.” She briefly gestured down at her broken arm, then in a flash was talking again. “That reminds me though! I need a favor! A bit of a biggie too.”

Jack nodded. “Name it, sug.”

“Right! So, I’ve thought long and hard about it and…” She frowned, a certain fire burning within her eyes. “I want to be a diplomat.”

“A diplomat?” Jack repeated. After a beat she considered it. Diane was always a real social butterfly, the kind that could turn almost any frown upside down. If she wasn’t happy enough being a baker and a party planner and wanted to make a grander statement in life, maybe something like a diplomat would be up her alley. Seeing Pinkie looking expectantly at her, Jack once more nodded.

“I could see that workin’ fine fer ya. But how could I do ya a favor fer it?”

“Because I’ll need to be a lot stronger if I’ll be any good at it!” Pinkie raised a fist, then explained, “I’ll be travelling a lot, all over the world and some parts might be dangerous. I might even be expected to do some crazy things. Plus, if I’m strong, I’ll better represent us as a nation of strong yet kind people!”

“So… yer wantin’ me ta train ya?” Jack questioned.

“Just like before this trip, properly this time!” Pinkie said, throwing a punch in the air. “But only if you think you can do it!”

“I ain’t sure if I’m the best instructor, sug.”

“You’re the next best thing!” She rubbed the back of her head, averting her gaze and admitted, “I don’t think I’d be ready for someone like Will just yet.”

“Ya kiddin’? He’s great at teachin’ rookies. He’s the whole damn reason I got ta where I am now.”

Pinkie blinked, putting a hand to her mouth. “But I thought he only took the best of the best. People with real potential and fire in their belly, like you, Jack!”

“Ta his inner circle, maybe. But ya gotta realize: I didn’t even know the guy taught at the school until I decided ta join a class. He teaches the rookies as well as the more advanced cases. We’re jus’ the ones helpin’ him out on occasion.”

“Oh, well I didn’t know that.” After mulling it over some, she continued, “I guess I’m just nervous about it, is all. I mean just look at him!”

“Yeah,” Jack agreed. “Big guy, even compared ta Mac. Heart of a lamb, though.”

“In that case, I can’t wait to get to know him!” Pinkie replied, her familiar grin plastered across her face.

“After some time restin’.” She looked down at the cane in her hand, “a good an’ long time restin’, I’ll introduce ya to him.” Weakly smiling, she winked Pinkie’s way. “Though if ya end up a diplomat, I have a sneakin’ feelin’ that some high-end tailor is gonna be beggin’ ya ta wear her clothes.”

“How could she pass up on all that free advertisement for her threads?” Pinkie asked, smirking right back at her.

Jack looked plainly at Diane. “Believe me, she can’t,” she answered with a roll of her eyes.

“I know, I know,” Pinkie answered, flicking her hair. “One last thing though.”

Jack tilted her head, waiting for Pinkie to continue.

“I gotta thank you,” Pinkie started, grasping onto her arm, “for letting me come along and stuff. I know I wasn’t that useful. More of a burden really, probably.”

“Burdin or not, ya found somethin’ ya didn’t even know ya were lookin’ fer. That has ta be a good thing. A good diplomat’s worth five of a gal like me.”

“Can’t say I agree with that but I’ve had enough of ideological mumbo jumbo arguments for a looooong time now!” Pinkie said, her smile turning sheepish.

“You an’ me both,” she agreed. “But… but it was somethin’ I had ta do. Even if it was bullshit.”

“Maybe I get that. Maybe I don’t. I’m just glad you’re ok.”

She reached forward and hugged the woman. Jack paused, surprised, then returned the favor, slapping the woman’s back and smiling warmly, Diane’s mood was contagious, at least for the moment.

Finally breaking away from Pinkie, Jack paused at the steps leading downstairs and instead looked over towards the captain’s quarters.

Though she was the last person to put off until tomorrow what could be done today, the sight of the door left her with a knot in her stomach that made her tremble.

She was afraid.

Afraid of facing the all-folk, actually discussing what happened. Afraid of the consequences.

Whatever the consequences are, Jack, you’ll manage through them, Rarity said in her thoughts, encouraging her even without her being there.

There was no denying that. She couldn’t live in fear, with the possibility of Celestia’s wrath overhead. She had to throw her dread aside and see what the results were, good or bad.

Moving to the door of the cabin, Jack raised a hand, lowered it, then raised it again and knocked.

“Come in,” the all-folk decreed. Jack obliged, stepping into the posh room. Celestia had forgone many of the luxuries that surrounded her; the velvet chairs, the bed, its softness obvious to Jack even from the room’s threshold, the lounge chair sitting beside a dressed table, and instead, Celestia remained kneeling on the ground, her hands at her lap and Excalibur laying in front of her, the sword’s mirror-sheen reflecting the world within its silvery-steel.

“Jack,” Celestia addressed casually, not even turning to see who it was as she knelt.

“How’d ya know?” Jack asked, genuinely surprised. Celestia rose, picking her sword up from the ground, briefly sending alarm within Jack, before the princess moved, sheathing the weapon within its scabbard at the foot of the bed.

“Your essence. I could feel it while I meditated. It’s unique for an earth-folks.”

“That a fact?” Jack moved deeper into the room; Celestia raised a hand towards a chair by a ornate table lined with a silk cloth and Jack moved, sitting on it and looking towards Celestia.

“It’s rather a lack of one in your case. You lack the magic of your kin in the same way your father did. A partial explanation as to your proficiency with Will’s techniques.” She offered a reserved smile. “Which you performed excellently the other day, I might add.”

Jack finally had a chance to measure the woman as much as the woman was obviously measuring her. Her wounds had been tended to by Rarity during the road, much as Jack’s had, and they spent time far away from one-another, neither wanting to speak of the elephant in the room, putting it off for as long as they could. Now, though, now Jack could see the result of her actions.

Celestia had bandages tightly constricting her chest, visible now in her more casual wear, and one of her arms was wrapped in a tight gauze as well.

“Considering you did this within a suppression field, the injuries are quite impressive,” the all-folk admitted. Jack wasn’t sure if that constituted as a compliment or not, so she gave a small half-shrug of her shoulders instead.

“Now I suppose you’re wondering what changes,” the woman guessed, how she was able to read Jack astounding to the farmer. “If there’s a punishment for you over this.”

Though Jack normally steered conversations, her size and louder nature both tended to put her as the one that lead dialogue, Celestia proved that wasn’t always the case. The woman had spent years honing her words to a precise tool, her physical mannerisms reinforcing her ability, and right now, all Jack could do was follow along, nodding where appropriate. Celestia continued.

“If I were ruthful, there would be. I would measure you and find you wanting. I would call your actions treasonous. An affront to the country’s future security that would never be mended. Even worse, I would have the deaths of the men who helped get us here forever stained on my hands.”

“Yer not ruthful, or hateful, or pretty much any of those other ‘ful’s’, Princess,” Jack answered. “That’s why I had the field up in the first place. Otherwise I wouldn’t have felt so bad ‘bout the thing. I woulda…” She let the thought fade off, Celestia picked up on the woman’s mannerisms and nodded.

“You would have killed me,” she offered. After a beat Jack put her hands to her hips, not needing to say anything on the matter to get the point across. Still, though, she nodded.

“An’ I sure as hell wouldn’t have done somethin’ as stupid as a fair fight, if that were the case. I ain’t that retarded.”

Celestia offered a wry smile at that and moved over to sit on the couch, her steps slower than they were the other day, her body not crippled, but sure not at its peak.

“You are right for certain, Jack. I’m not some wrathful god. I am a human being, one that’s made quite a few mistakes in my long life. Calling treason on someone like you would be one of them. You had the best interest of the country at-heart. I refuse to condone you for that.” She was silent for a moment, taking in the light coming from the window at the end of the cabin, before adding, “My sister at one time was much like you.”

“Luna?” Jack asked. Celestia nodded.

“Unless my father sired more bastards than I care to think of,” Celestia replied. Though she carried a smile at it and probably meant it as a joke, Jack didn’t respond, that sort of thing she found far from humorous.

“I spoke of Sombra earlier. Days ago. Do you remember?”

Jack leaned her head back against the wall of the cabin, thinking back. Remembering their brief words of him, or it, or whatever it was while staying at Lobole.

Remembering the brief mark of fear on Celestia’s face when Sombra was mentioned.

Jack looked to Celestia and, with a nod, confirmed the woman’s question. Celestia swallowed, thinking of her words, doing her best to remain a noble rock that was above such things as fear.

“Sombra is a force of nature. A being that is more alien to me than any creature or race within the gateways to other worlds Luna has encountered on her travels. It… we encountered it years ago, during my father’s reign. Specifics are unimportant, but the creature took over my father and over the months he spoke to him, slowly turning him against his knights, against his countrymen.”

A pause. Celestia frowned, then added quietly, “against us.”

She took a few steps away, considering her next words to Jack. Deciding a direct approach worked for a direct woman, she plainly said, “Luna killed him. Luna killed him as he tried to harm one of our companions, turning her spear into his heart.” She wryly smiled. “It was not something I could do, despite the necessity. Luna took action when it was the most necessary thing in the world.” She tapped at her bicep. “What I’m coming to is that her action, by the law, was treason. Treason to our king, our country, treason in its most base form: a betrayal of family, of our clan. If I had not considered the circumstances, my sister would have ended her life in exile, cast west on a ship by herself and only the clothes on her back.” She shook her head. “But the law was wrong. Treason, perhaps, is far more fickle than we give it credit for. Luna stood for the people when she murdered him. She saved the world at the cost of her honor. Something I never thanked her properly for.”

Jack shuffled a bit in her seat. “She does seem the type ta take that ‘honor’ stuff seriously,” she admitted.

“Perhaps more serious than half the knights at the round table during my father’s day,” Celestia agreed. “I’m telling you this for a few simple reasons. The first to showcase what I felt the grail was needed for. A threat that would require someone to stand higher than the average man. A threat that would have to be met by an untouchable force, the kind whose voice the whispers of the shadows could not smother.”

“An’ the other reason?”

Celestia’s mouth quirked in something nearly resembling a smile. “To say that what you did was not, by my thought, treason. If it was, if you had acted with selfish intentions and put yourself above your own countrymen, I would not hesitate to exile you. But what you did was a stand against, in your mind, tynarry, a founding block of what Cabello’s goal is: the destruction of tynarry. I refuse to punish you for your actions in the cave.”

Jack let that mull over in her head for a few minutes. The truth was, she did do it for some selfish reasons. She wanted a place for Bloom to grow up in, same as her kid with Rarity, if that happened. She wanted to make sure her farm wouldn’t be touched by wars or rumors of war. Her own little paradise, an eye in the midst of a storm. Jack couldn’t let it get touched, no matter what. Right now it was one of the things that kept her going during the long days away from the farm, knowing that she had a refuge there, one she could always count on.

If Celestia became what she spoke of, then it might not alter her immediate future. Hell, it might not change anything in the slightest. But maybe it’d change Rarity’s. Or Mac’s. Bloom. There were just too many things to consider when it came to changing the world like the princess wanted. Jack wanted everything to stay the way it was now: her traveling at times, but for good reason, for, in her eye, a God-given reason, a way to pay him back for letting her live those years ago. Not leaving the farm to help people would be like spitting in the face of her beliefs. Now, too, she wanted Rarity to keep traveling with her. The thought seemed foolish, and maybe it was, but after seeing what she brought to the table, not only in combat, but the way the nights and days seemed just a little less somber, a little less lonely even, she knew she wanted Rarity by her side even as they went through hell.

Coming back to the room, Jack nodded, trying to not make it look like her thoughts had became distracted. Celestia chuckled, obviously not convinced.

“So we’re square?” Jack asked, a bit unbelieving.

“As square as a square dance in a haybarn,” Celestia replied. It was Jack’s turn to smirk.

“Ya know, I’m more a waltz gal, believe it or not. Probably the only good thing the city taught me back in the day.” After a beat, her smile widened a bit and Jack added on, “thanks fer understain’.”

“Of course. Now, though, we’ll need to prepare a plan B in the off chance Luna’s endeavor was as fruitless as our own.” She took a few steps around the room, considering options at a pace Jack knew she’d find overwhelming. “My considerations are less a focus on prevention, as without the grail we’ll have no real means to prevent tragedy. Rather, we must focus on improving response, be it from the guard, or your own group. Improving logistics may be a simple concept in theory, but in practice, it will take far more man hours than I care to think of.”

Jack came to her feet. “Well, can’t be too scared of hard work. I’ll jus’ roll up my sleeves an’ get down ta business, whenever ya need me.”

Celestia looked towards her and warmly smiled. “Your time will come again, I’m sure of it. But for now get some rest. I don’t want to see you overexert yourself until your injuries are fully healed and a doctor back home gives you the all-clear. Do you understand?”

“Reckon that’s an order I can follow princess, sure.”

“Good.” Celestia stepped towards the room’s bed and sat down on its edge. “And I suppose we’ll use the time we have recovering to pick up the pieces, won’t we?”

Pausing as she reached towards the door, Jack gave a weak, considering nod. “Ya pick up the pieces an’ hope what ya make with ‘em resembles ya. That’s all ya can do.”

“Then I suppose it’s best you have quite the collection of friends and family to help you do just that.” Smiling, she reached for a nearby book and took to thumbing through its pages until she came to a dogeared one and she began to skim, trying to find where she was at on the page.

Jack turned to face her. “An’ you do too. I count myself as one of ‘em.”

Taking a few steps towards the princess, Jack shifted her cane and held out her free hand to the woman. Celestia looked briefly surprised, then reached forward, grasping Jack’s hand with her own.

“Well, you should get back to it. I’m sure Rarity would be far better company than an old woman as myself.”

This time, Jack did turn and with a wave, bid the all-folk a good afternoon.

She headed once more towards the stairs leading below decks, and this time nearly collided with Spike. The boy let out a yelp and began falling backwards, pinwheeling his arms desperately to avoid a trip down the stairs; Jack shot her arm out and caught him before he fell. She winced at the action, her injuries sending a sharp stab of pain through her body, but toughed it out. After he caught his balance with her aid, he gave a nervous chuckle.

“Sorry. Wasn’t looking at all,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck, obviously embarrassed.

“It’s fine.” She put a hand to his shoulder, clasping down on it. “Lotta thinkin’?” she guessed. His expression turned a bit more neutral. A bit more thoughtful.

“Yeah. Was coming up here to talk about it some with Diane,” he admitted.

“By ‘it’, ya mean…?” It was an easy guess, but still something to get an answer for. Spike confirmed it with a nod, moving past Jack to stand on the deck proper. He glanced over at Pinkie, but kept his main focus on Jack.

“What else is there for me to think about? What I did back there…” He swallowed, looking down at the deck, unable to meet Jack’s eyes.

“What happened back there wasn’t you,” Jack countered. “It… a lot came boilin’ ta a head there. Ain’t yer fault, sug, ok? So don’t be beatin’ yerself up over it.”

“It is my fault,” he protested, shaking his head. “I should have been able to control it. I shouldn’t have to worry about it eating at me, about it springing on me like some sort of trap. After what happened I want to learn how to control it. I want to make sure something like that… that I’ll know what to do. I’ll know how to hold it back.” He looked towards the captain’s quarters and, Jack knew, at the woman within them right now. “I’m going to ask Celestia to train me. I’ve seen how effective her lessons with Twila have been. I-I know she can teach me how to keep it in. How to make sure it never comes out again, grail or not. That’s my goal. Train under her, then train under Lewlin. I want to make it up to her… make it up to everyone. I think eventually becoming a royal guard might be just the thing.”

“A guard?” Jack repeated, blinking in surprise. “You?”

“What?” he questioned, a tad defensively, “do you not think I can do it?”

“No, no. I think you’ll be fantastic at it, sug. Swear. It makes sense fer ya. Ya always were a great helper, Twila could swear up an’ down on that fact.” She reached forward, messing his hair up then grinned, looking coyly towards Diane. “An’ ta let ya in on a little secret?” she whispered, a grin on her face. “Chicks go crazy fer a guy in armor.”

He looked down at his fingertips, poking them together bashfully. “That wouldn’t be too bad of a deal either,” he admitted much to Jack’s amusement.

“Hell, bet she’d go crazy fer ya without armor too. Think she might jus’ like a guy like you.”

Spike’s smile finally came full force and he reached forward, giving her a quick hug. “Well, in that case, maybe I should get the visit with Celestia out of the way and give her some company.”

“Sounds like a good call. Guess it’s a hassle, but I might as well do the same,” Jack said with a mock sigh.

Spike turned, heading towards Celestia’s room. “Yeah, I won’t keep you anymore, Jack. Get down there and get some rest. I’ll keep an eye on things up here.”

“Know ya will, Spike. Yer pretty good ‘bout that.”

She traveled below decks and wound her way through some of the more narrow passages, her seasickness still not overtaking her yet, the time away from shore not fully throwing her body into a nauseous mess, but the first signs were starting to creep up on her.

Jack approached their bedroom and after a courtesy knock, stepped in.

Rarity sat in front of the room’s mirror, casually applying makeup as if she didn’t have a care in the world. Catching sight of Jack’s reflection, she took to working her hair, shaping it into a loose braid before rising, putting on her glasses and moving over to a stack of fabrics.

“Workin’?” Jack asked, incredulously.

“I’m still two clients shy of finishing what Suri asked me to do. I believe it’s best to do it now so when we return home I’ll have a moment or two of peace.”

“Hell, at this point I’d be happy with three or four myself,” Jack replied. She moved farther into the room and sat down on the bed as Rarity took a moment to consider her fabric and, as the soul-folk conjured a sheet of paper into her hands to read over her note requests, Jack spoke up, looking into the mirror rather than directly at Rarity.

“I’m sorry, ‘bout back there in the cave,” she said.

Rarity gave a flick of her wrist, dismissing her notes and sitting next to Jack on the bed.

“I know you won’t again,” she said. “It’s far from fitting, coming from you.”

“Wasn’t somethin’ I liked doin’,” Jack admitted. “But I knew if I said anythin’ ta ya, ya never woulda went along with it.”

“Of course not,” Rarity protested, shifting on the bed to look at Jack. “we’re a team now, in more than one way. And a partner wouldn’t let the other take such a risk, especially when there we other options.”

“Other options? Like what?” she dryly questioned. Rarity paused, considering.

“I have no idea,” she said, defeat in her tone. “But if I had time to plan some approach, devise a strategy, perhaps we could have saved you from being a punching bag, oui?”

Jack offered a wry smile. “Really got the piss beat outta me, huh?”

“As expected, considering your opponent. You made out better than a few years earlier, however.”

The earth-folk sighed. “Way better.”

Rarity reached over, giving a pat to Jack’s hand, briefly running a thumb over the shaped gem on the woman’s ring that mirrored the mark on her own cheek.

“And it can only improve from here. No matter how hard things may be from time to time.” She gave a quick peck to Jack’s cheek before standing and moving back to her work, moving with a grace that suggested everything she said was true, the three lacerations on her back peeking from above the low line of her dress ugly eyesores that caught Jack’s stare, but at the same time the injuries driving the point home more than any words would. That, no matter what, life moved on. That even if things were ugly, even if Jack hit the bottom, there would be a hand wanting to lift her up again.

That, in the end, everything would be ok. A fact that was both the easiest and hardest truth to learn in the world, but one that Jack saw as gospel whenever she was by the tailor’s side.

“Hey, Rare,” Jack called out, pulling the tailor from looking over her work with a raise of her brow. “When we get back. What do ya say I take ya out? We could go dancin’.”

“Mmm. I’m not sure, Jack,” Rarity remarked. “I’m going to have quite a bit to work through. The orders don’t stop even if you’re away. You know how it is.”

Jack held back her disappointment and was about to agree with Rarity, only for the soul-folk to smirk at her.

“However,” Rarity continued, now holding a warm smile. “I’m sure they can wait for at least a few hours. I’d rather not have a night on the town until after my back’s healed, but the idea of us alone and dancing in the living room seems most exquisite.”

Jack mirrored Rarity’s expression. “I’ll even have Spike get a message ta Mac, have him order that wine ya like.”

“That sounds like exactly what I need after a trip like this..”

She shrugged, leaning back onto the bed. “What can I say? Every once in awhile I can do this kinda thing alright.”

With that, no more words between them were needed, Jack’s apology taken to heart, Rarity’s acceptance sincere, and another chapter of their lives was closed. Together, they sailed aboard that ship towards home, their own lives boats being carried by benevolent waves.