Chapter 9: A Wealth of Information

Awkward...that was a good description of the next few hours I spent with Enyi in my room(even worse). I had five empty glasses of water on my nightstand as well as four empty plates of toast, all of which Enyi had been nice enough to bring me. We didn't talk much though, in fact I think I might have broken him a little. Thankfully after a while Scarlet had returned, dragging Jackpot behind her who was now tied up in bandages and completely unable to move his wings. I finally felt settled enough to leave my bed and move around once I had eaten enough and so was able to stand at the door trying not to laugh at the miserable expression on Jackpot's face as he was dragged home by Scarlet.

“I used what healing magic I could but he kept insisting that parts of his body were hurting and that he wanted me to look at them, so I cut to the chase and bandaged up his whole body!” Scarlet said with a smile.

“You're learning.” I said still trying not to laugh.

“Learning what?”

“Really? You think he was serious?”

“Why wouldn't he be? His wing did look pretty bad so perhaps he had some other injuries he didn't know about until now. I can't see why he would pretend to have injuries he didn't.”

Enyi raised an eyebrow in my direction which I reciprocated. Jackpot just mumbled under the layers of bandages he was under, I just can't really see how she didn't get it but whatever. Scarlet levitated Jackpot into the house and set his squirming form down on the couch in the front room.

“I think you should at least uncover his head.” I said to Scarlet.

“Well, I just wanted to be sure but ok.” Scarlet's red aura nimbly unwrapped the bandages covering up the majority of Jackpot's head.

“By Celestia's rainbow butt-hairs Scarlet! Ya trying to suffocate me or what!” and with that Scarlet quickly covered up his mouth again.

“Sorry, he seems to still be a little fidgety.”

“You should hear Ivory sometimes.” Enyi said.

“Hey!” this time I saw Jackpot laughing from under his bandage gag. Scarlet must have noticed this as well as she suddenly yanked on one of the edges and tightened the wrappings swiftly silencing Jackpot.

“But Scarlet, you especially, would do well to learn some more, let me say...practical healing spells.” Enyi said.

“I know a few, Celestia's school taught me several beginner spells. Or did you forget that I used some on you guys already.”

“I think what Enyi is saying is that more spells is never a bad thing and if we're gonna be going into more situations like in Luna Bay we might need some more advanced stuff than what you know.”

“Are you saying I'm not good enough!” Scarlet's eyes began to water.

“No, we're just saying that we think you have the potential to be...uh...even better than you already are!” I think my smile was selling this.

“Well, healing spells are not easy to come by, I mean they are either hard to find or really expensive.”

Jackpot began to mumble something under his bandages. I turned over to him and trotted over to where he was laying.

“Gonna behave?” Jackpot eagerly nodded. I turned to Scarlet as she once again unwound his bandage gag.

“I was sayin that that big ole library up at A.I probably has a bunch of em.”

“Good thought Jackpot. In fact If I can I want to get back into that restricted room now that I'm actually a member.”

“Good luck with that Ivory, Blaze is the only pony with actual keys for that room and I doubt he would want to let you in now.”

“Celestia dammit.”

“You know I have more bandages Ivory.” Scarlet said sternly looking at me.

“Sorry.”

“But you know what, that still sounds like a good idea. Maybe we could find some rare anatomy books or maybe some books on advanced bandaging techniques!”

“Well it is the biggest library in the world, I'm sure they have a bunch of spell-books there.” I said to Scarlet.

“I'll go with her so she can actually get in to look at em, I'm still an A.I member to ya know.” Jackpot said.

“I can go with you if you want?” I said to Scarlet.

“No, Jackpot will be fine. You and Enyi here need to work on all that new stuff we got from Luna Bay anyway.”

Scarlet was right! We did have a bunch of new stuff that might actually prove helpful, a whole chest worth of helpful in fact. But before we got into that there was some stuff that there was some things I wanted to go over first.

“Ok guys, we might know more when Silver gets back but Enyi thinks he knows what exactly we're up against.” I threw Enyi one of those 'I want you to tell them so I don't go accidentally say something you didn't want me to say' looks. I think he understood.

“It is as Ivory said. When Jackpot, Ivory, Grit and I arrived in Numnah...”

“What's that?” Scarlet said raising her hoof in the air.

“Ancient Zebra city. I'll tell ya more later.” I whispered to her.

Enyi continued, “When we arrived at Numnah I took note of the ancient glyphs that were written upon the walls. Some I knew and others I did not but from what is told of Abila and now from what we know this Sable Granite is after I believe I have discovered what his plan is.”

“And what's that and can somepony untie me now?”

“Good question Jackpot and also no. I think that Sable is gathering magical relics that belonged to leaders amongst the young kingdoms that existed at this time. These magical artifacts were used, according to legend, to seal away a powerful and dark entity that was responsible for the destruction of the first Zebra Empire. If he is successful in releasing this force he will have the power to do well...anything.”

“How does that nasty Goldie fit into this?” Scarlet asked.

“Goldie works for Sable.” Jackpot told her.

“Oh, ok. I got it.”

“If what happened in the bay is any indication we all need to be a bit more well prepared in case we run into Goldie or even Sable while looking for these relics. That means Scarlet practicing with new spells and Enyi and I running through Jackpot's little obstacle course more.” I put in.

“Little! Ya know how hard that thing was to set up!?”

“So then, we know what we need to do but we still don't know where any of these artifacts are do we?” Scarlet said inquisitively.

“Correct, I'm still hoping that Abila's journal can help but Grit's notes only go so far and there are still a lot of things we can't translate. The stuff from Luna Bay is certainly going to be helpful if this regard but for now Enyi and I will have to go through it while Jackpot helps Scarlet find some useful spells she can learn.”

“Sounds like a plan!” Jackpot said with enthusiasm.

“I like this plan and I'm excited to be a part of it!” Scarlet yelped with her own enthusiasm.

This is what happened for the remainder of the day. Scarlet finally untied Jackpot and together the two of them went off to the Adventure Incorporated headquarters to peruse the gigantic library built into the Canterlot mountain. Enyi stayed at the house with me as we dug through the new chest full of old scrolls to find anything that would help us in deciphering more of Abila's journal. This proved to be very helpful for me. Throwing myself into this work allowed me to get my mind completely off Grit and what happened with Enyi. The few hours of daylight that remained passed by quickly for us.

“Ivory, this piece is written in a different language than the others. Do you know what it is?”

“This looks like...archaic Pony Latin!”

“You know it?”

“A bit yeah. It's a bit different from modern Pony Latin, although calling that modern is kind of silly because it's such an old language. It also happens to be a dead language, which means nopony actually speaks it anymore but there are some, like me, who were still curious enough(or masochistic enough) to learn it. I still had to dabble a bit in it's archaic form because I needed to learn some roots for Old Ponish which everypony knows is just a more modern form of Late Pony Latin which obviously has it's beginnings in Pony Latin which Grit used to theorize actually developed from languages including the...”

“Uh Ivory, a yes or no would do.”

“Wait, what?”

“You were...going a bit off topic there.”

“Oh! Uh sorry about that. Not many ponies find this kind of stuff interesting so I've never really had anypony to talk to about it before.”

“I understand, I have always had this same problem with Zehiri.”

“What's that?”

“That is what my mother tongue is called.”

“Cool name, can you teach me any!” I said, my eyes suddenly growing much wider.

“Khemo Kariando Kho!”

“What does that mean?”

“Would not you like to know.”

“That rhymed.” I blushed a little.

“I suppose it did.” Enyi smiled.

“Well what problem have you had with it?”

“Our language derives from multiple dialects you see. It was formed by Abila after the reunification of the Zebra tribes. Some bits can be seen in earlier forms in the old tongue, Zuku, but there are some elements to the language that do not exist in any form before Abila returned from her journey across the sea. I always believed that she took parts from the languages of the peoples she found over there and used them to form her new language.”

“I thought language wasn't your specialty?”

“Well the language itself is not but the of it history is somewhat of a personal project of mine.”

“So none of the other Zebras support your theory.”

“Some few have given me small encouragement but for the most part no, they have not.”

“Well that's just stupid for them to ignore it so thoroughly. You would think educated Zebras would be more open to their preconceived ideas being wrong, I mean it happens all the time throughout history!”

“Yes, and I suppose it is. It has led to many long and varied arguments but I think it is just difficult for them to believe such an important part of our culture came from others.”

“Hmm.”

“What is it?”

“Do you think maybe, if your idea is correct, that we could use it to help decipher some of this?”

“So far I have seen no similarities but we have learned only a few words so I still have hope. If I do see anything I will of course share it with you.”

I cannot understate how helpful Enyi actually turned out to be. Not only as he was good(very good) company but he proved to be quick to understanding how this language was working. He was coming up with almost as many ideas as me but my faster reading managed to keep me ahead(plus I think I am just better at this than him). The new material proved to be just as invaluable as well. There were scrolls that had writing from multiple languages on them that showed to be the same words but in different languages.

“These are all proclamations Enyi.”

“Yes look at this one, it says: They have all left. Only two remain. We no longer have the numbers or desire to remain on this island. Commander Hurricane orders all Pegasi to muster at Cloudsdale. Weather getting worse.

“What languages is that one written in?”

“Pony Latin, Modern Pony Latin and in this Pre-Celestial Script of yours.”

“Really? All three languages?”

“So it seems.”

“Commander Hurricane, where have I heard that name before...Hearth's Warming!”

“What?”

“Commander Hurricane is one of the founders of modern Equestria. So this must be at least a thousand years old.”

“And this script was still in use then?”

“Looks like it. But...the other papers under it don't.”

“Perhaps this is the last time it was used?”

“Maybe...only two remain, what's that mean?”

“I do not know.”

I took a look at several other pages that were found beneath the one Enyi had been reading.

“This one says: Hurricane has joined with the two. Let it be known all ponies are now one tribe. Long live Equestria!, well that answers that question. The two are Celestia and Luna.”

“Would that mean?”

“Yes, the others must be the Alicorns.”

“And the Pre-Celestial Script.”

“Was their language.”

“I think we have enough of it, let us return to the journals.”

“Ok Enyi, with these translations we can get a lot more words out that journal.”

We worked diligently translating another page of Abila's journal and with the help of the Luna Bay papers we got it done in only a few hours. The page after that proved of little difficulty as well and when the next two pages had been translated we began to read:

Today was a joyous one! Two more tribes of Zebra found our haven and have joined us. This marks the twelfth since my quest to reunite my people began ten years hence. They have been a happy ten years for me as now many cities are beginning to be rebuilt from the days of our prosperity! Numnah is where I have decided to dwell for now as it was the city of my birth.

The past seventy years of my life have been strange ones. Who would have thought of the friends I would meet as I traveled hither and thither across the scopes of this world. I miss them all dearly and the news of Whisperwind's passing grieves me deeply. Oh Terria! I request thine strength in the years to come for I begin to grow weary of my labors.

It has been some time since I have written last but news from afar has reached me in my home. Greywing the Gryphon has passed some months ago and it saddens me that it took this long to reach mine ears. The loss of his gentle and pleasant nature will surely make this world darker. His subjects in those eastern mountains will surely feel this loss nearly as much as I.

“So the Griffon's name was Greywing.” I mused as I read.

“Well then, the mention of the eastern mountains must mean Griffonstone.”

“Yes, it does seem kind of obvious in hindsight where the Griffon would be buried. The hard part will be trying to find out exactly where he was buried, after all those mountains are not small.”

The daylight was coming to an end as Luna preformed her nightly duties of raising the moon. Enyi and I had been alone for at least four or five hours at this point and we were each getting rather tired.

“So...Enyi?”

“What is it Ivory?”

“About earlier.”

Enyi raised an eyebrow, “What about it?”

“I'm sorry.”

“Do not be.”

“But I just...I should've asked first and with how sick I was feeling I know you tasted what was in my mouth and...”

“Ivory, it is fine.”

“Really?”

“Yes, though I must admit I did not know that you felt that way.”

“Well, it's just...I mean I...”

At that point several loud knocks were heard at the door. A few seconds later Scarlet and Jackpot trotted in with Silver close behind them.

“Guess who we found napping in the front lobby!” Jackpot shouted out(OH THANK CELESTIA!).

“It's not my fault! Those meetings were just so long and tedious!” Silver said in his own defense.

Scarlet came in last carrying a decent sized pile of books in her telekinetic grip. She had a smile on her face and was humming to herself even as Silver and Jackpot were arguing.

“Silver, so you actually got to meet with them!”

“Oh, uh yes I did actually. It was a very interesting series of meetings and...”

“Yes yes and I want to hear all about them but first I need to talk to Jackpot...in private.” I needed to ask him one question about Grit. With what I had just learned I just needed to know if Jackpot knew anything or if he would be honest about it.

Everypony just stared at me. Even Jackpot seemed somewhat confused at this but after a quick few seconds of blank staring Jackpot followed me upstairs.

“So, whaddya want ta talk about?”

“I'm going to ask you a question and I want you to answer me honestly. I need this to be the absolute truth ok?”

“Um, ok.” Jackpot's face turned a little concerned.

“You weren't here for this and I don't know if you even noticed but did you see on the second floor a few more empty spaces on the walls?”

“Was I supposed to be looking?”

“Go down the stairs to the second floor and tell me what you see.”

Jackpot, no longer wearing his usual happyish face poked his head down the staircase.

“What happened? All of Grit's stuff is gone?”

“I wasn't quite sure how to ask you this, or if I even should but it seems you knew a lot more about things Grit was doing the past few years than I did.”

“Well not much more but I guess so.”

“Tell me, and remember honesty!” Jackpot nodded, “I know Grit used to work for this family of yours and I know you were raised by them. Do you know any specifics about some of the things Grit did?”

Jackpot stood there for several seconds a look of puzzlement on his face. I could almost see his brain trying to think of some kind of answer to my question.

“Well, I assume they wanted to use his status as a celebrity to get access to things they normally couldn't.”

“Specifics Jackpot.”

“What's this about Ivory?”

“Royal guards came in today. They told me they had found out that Grit had been smuggling relics and stealing cultural artifacts for years. They even came and took a lot of his stuff because apparently it was all stolen. So I want you to answer my question, did you know or not?”

“Listen Ivory, we've all done stuff we regret...”

“Yes or no Jackpot?”

Jackpot just stood there again, his face blankly staring at my own fixed gaze, “Yes.”

“What is all this Jackpot?”

“I don't follow?”

“Why is this happening to me!”

“What?”

“My entire fucking life is dying in front of me! This whole thing is just... I just don't know what to think right now. I have been going through so many emotions today alone that I might just go crazy! Seeing those ponies die and having Grit's legacy torn to shreds in front of me is way too much for anypony to just handle in such a short time!” I started to cry as I said this. Jackpot looked down at me with a look of unsurity on his face. I don't think he particularly knew how to handle mt little breakdown but still tried patting my shoulder to try and comfort me. I guess my crying was heard downstairs as the others(Enyi came up first) came running up the stairs.

“What did you say to her Jackpot!” Scarlet said sternly as Silver and Enyi ran over to me.

“Nothing, she just started crying!”

I looked up at Enyi as he stood over me, “Back in the Broken Wilds I heard you and Grit talking in his tent. You mentioned Jackpot like you knew him, why?”

Enyi stood there somewhat stunned that I would remember something like that, “Ya know what, just tell her.” Jackpot said.

“I had heard of him, nothing more.”

“What did you hear?”

“I heard he had been in Khaweth before and was known to have been present at several suspicious events.”

“Aww come on Enyi, you can be more specific than that!” Jackpot yelled. Scarlet and Silver were standing there looking confused.

“There were multiple incidents about seven years ago that resulted in certain items of interest to my people going missing. Upon meeting him though and as he was with Grit I thought maybe he was not as involved as we might have believed.”

“So you didn't know about Grit stealing?”

“No.”

I turned back to Jackpot, “Was Grit there?”

“What!? No, I hadn't even met him yet and he was still with you at that point right?”

“But you stole things from the Zebras?”

“No, I...stole nothing and that's the honest truth.”

He looked me right in the eye as he said this but his pause showed he was still hiding something, “I said the whole truth Jackpot!”

“That is the truth, I didn't steal anything from the Zebras at anytime back then, I promise.”

“Emotions are running high right now.” Silver poked his way into the conversation, “Let's not forget that we need to stay together on this ok. When I was in the meetings I was told that my ideas were not what the company had in mind and they directed me to invest in multiple different places. I say we take a look at them and come up with a clear plan of what we want to do.”

“Sounds fantastic!” Scarlet said putting a smile on her face, “We need to stay a team remember! We can't beat the bad guys if we're fighting ourselves now can we?”

“Fine then Silver, what locations did they suggest to you?”

“Well there were several spots around the Crystal Empire, a few cool sounding places in the Equestrian Jungles, a spot near Griffonstone...”

“That is it!” Enyi spouted out as he sat down next to me.

“Eh, what is?” Silver sputtered after being interrupted.

“This spot near Griffonstone, that sounds like what the journal told us! We must head there at once Silver!”

“Well, you'll have to give me some time to set up a trip; you know buy the tickets, get the supplies, hire a guide for the mountains, and set you up for the necessary safety equipment.”

“Why would we need those?”

“Are you kidding me!? Griffonstone is all mountains you know. If your going there, chances are you're gonna be climbing a lot.”

“You can take care of all that tomorrow right?” I asked clearing away the last few tears that were still dripping from my face.

“Yeah, give me a few days to set everything up and we should be good to go!”

“Well then, for now I think I'm just gonna go to bed.” I said standing up and walking over to the stairs.

“Ya sure you don't wanna stay in this lovely conversation here?” Jackpot added sarcastically.

“She has had a hard day Jackpot, let her rest.” Enyi said, nickering at Jackpot. Jackpot just rolled his eyes and headed back downstairs, “I'll be at Joe's if anypony needs me!”

“Hey! Yous should apologize to Ivory for making her cry!” Scarlet yelled after him.

I didn't hear the rest of the argument as I had shut the door to my room on the third floor and fell completely exhausted unto my bed. I could vaguely hear the others muffled voiced downstairs for a bit but they eventually died down as hoofsteps passed my room into the other two. For some reason that I just couldn't contemplate(isn't sarcasm grand!) I didn't sleep all that well this time. I couldn't get my mind off of Grit and the shame I was now feeling for idolizing him so much. The embarrassment of what happened with Enyi both at Joe's and in my room also permeated my thoughts as I tried to imagine a situation where he would not associate kissing me with the taste of vomit.

“Great, even more traumas to add to my quickly growing list!” normal ponies didn't have to endure this. I wonder if Grit ever went through this or even in some warped parallel world Goldie or Sable. If Goldie was any indication though probably not. Oh Luna in heaven please just help me sleep and not trouble me with these thoughts! I threw my pillow over my head in an attempt to deafen myself to my own thoughts but after the obvious result of it not working I tried hitting myself in the face with my hoof to focus on something else. Despite this I got the feeling I would be spending more sleepless nights contemplating the many ways my life had been and probably will continue to be fucked up.

*****

The next day couldn't have come soon enough for me. I managed to eventually get some sleep but I was still quite groggy when I clambered out of bed, the bright Equestrian morning sun shining through my window. The thoughts of last night had not left my head(in case you were wondering) and when I finally got to clomping my way downstairs I barley noticed Enyi and Scarlet sitting on the front room couch. Scarlet was reading one of the books she had brought back from A.I while Enyi was skimming some of the old texts from the Luna Bay chest. I pulled the refrigerator door open with my mouth and grabbed some bread before bucking the door closed behind me. My mouth provided easy control of the bread as I placed it into the toaster and set the timer by pushing down on it with my muzzle, turning the small crank, setting a small clock that the machine required to be on for some reason and then turning a small temperature gauge on the opposite side to what I wanted it to be(told you it was complicated). Next I dug back through the fridge for some jelly which I was feeling a craving for. Luckily I still had a bit left and I managed to grab it in my teeth and place it down on the table. The plates were kept in a drawer near the floor(easier for me to get at it with just my mouth and all) and I got out a large plate engraved with Celestia's sun on one side and Luna's moon on the other. When I had set them on the counter the toaster timer went off and the toast popped out. It was hot in my mouth but I made toast all the time so I was kinda used to it. I quickly placed both pieces on the plate and squirted the last of the jelly out onto the two pieces of toast. I didn't bother spreading it before I crunched down on both pieces and quickly engulfed both of them into my mouth.

“Good morning Ivory!” Enyi said with a friendly smile on his face.

“Oh! She's up at last I see.” Scarlet said lifting her head up slightly from her book.

“Just us this morning?” I asked.

“It does indeed look like it.” Enyi responded.

“You know we should head over to Joe's and maybe run Jackpot's obstacle course a few times at least. Couldn't help to try and build some more stamina and whatnot after what happened at Luna Bay.”

“Yes, I saw that when I got Jackpot the other day. I might try and take a whack at it myself.” Scarlet said while still continuing to mentally read her book.

“Whatcha reading Scarlet?” I asked sitting myself down on the last available couch cushion.

“Oh it's a wonderful book about ways to fuse lymphatic bodily functions with improved blood flow and immune system techniques to improve the effect of medicinal, both magical and physical, distribution throughout the body to potentially aid in accelerated cell growth and regeneration!”

“What?”

“A spell that could make ponies heal faster.”

“Oh, ok.”

“Moon Dancer writes some really advanced stuff though. I don't think I'm actually going to be able to something like this for a few years at least but starting now is better than starting later right!”

“Something a little quicker might be more useful.”

“Don't worry Ivory, when I'm done with this book I'll be right on that!” Scarlet said with a smile before sticking her face back in the book.

It didn't take long for us to head out into Canterlot. Scarlet carried several books with her and continued to read them even as we walked through the streets. It was a beautiful summer day and my body at least was feeling good especially since I didn't wake up stuffed in a pile with Jackpot while sick off my ass.

As we walked I took slight glances at Enyi. I wonder if he would actually be interested in me or if I should even ask him. I mean we seem to have a good bit in common and when we spend time together alone I manage to forget about all the stuff that bothers me. I wonder if it's the same for him since he always seems to enjoy being around me also. But then again that...kiss probably threw off any hope of it actually happening. But on the other hoof he doesn’t seem too bothered by it, in fact he hasn't even mentioned it and when I asked him about it he wasn't offended or anything so maybe we could...

“Hey Ivory, we're here!” Scarlet yelled from Joe's front door as I stood there in the street in my little daydream.

The bar was surprisingly full for this early in the morning. Jackpot was sitting at the bar with Mr. Lumpkin, a chubby purple Earth Pony, and Glisty, a unicorn mare. Each were regular patrons here that I recognized from my earlier escapades here at Cider Joe's(most of which I didn't remember and would have to be reminded of later). Despite this though the bar was rather quiet and everypony within sat in their seats drinking and eating hardly making any sound.

“What's with all this Jackpot? It's usually so lively here, especially with you.” I said surprised at the silence.

“I think the silence suits this place.” Enyi said after me.

“All Equestria's silent today my friends!” Jackpot shouted out in a manner giving away the fact he had had a lot of Joe's cider.

“What do you...oh yeah, Grit.” my head sank down as I suddenly felt embarrassed and didn't want to seem to haughty due to my relation to a by now very public criminal.

“What's the radio saying?” Scarlet asked hurriedly.

“Nothin.” is what came out of Jackpot's mouth.

“What do you mean nothing? What else would Hero be reporting about today?” seriously though, Hero always reported on anything that had to do with Grit.

“She ain't even on the air today. Her whole station is static.” Jackpot said before gulping down his rainbow shot.

I couldn't believe it! Hero had never missed a single day of being on that station of hers. I had listened to many hours of her in the past with Grit and she only ever loved just talking to ponies, playing music and making bad jokes and puns like some over-hyped comedian. The point was that there was always something on and it was either her or her and a guest or two.

I immediately rushed over to the radio and grabbing the nozzle with my muzzle, switched on the frequency of Hero Studio. Jackpot was right, nothing but static emanated from the small box and Hero's loud but reassuring voice was nowhere to be heard.

“That isn't good.”

“Did she not invite us over?” Enyi's wonderful voice said from behind me, “Perhaps we should pay her a visit?”

I slumped down on a bar-stool, “Once we get back from Griffonstone we'll make it a priority.”

“This news got around fast.” Scarlet said sitting down next to me.

“I’m sure that's no accident.” I huffed, “Fuck this Sable and his dumbass Family.”

“Ya want anything?” Joe said from the other side of the counter.

“Sorry, no money left.”

“For today, I'll you one on the house.”

“Pinkie's Surprise then please.” Joe seemed to have one at the ready immediately as I finished saying it. He slid it down over to me and it was almost immediately gone, “Come on guys, let's get to that obstacle course. I need something to keep me busy for now.”

Jackpot and Scarlet got up and followed me to the back door. Enyi was already waiting by the course and was readying himself to run it. We spent the whole day just running it over and over again, well except for Scarlet who spent the day reading her medical journals. I put myself completely into the mindset of training all day. Hours of running the ever easier course between breaks and small drinks and food from Joe scattered throughout the day. When it started to get later Jackpot and I did some personal sparring again but this time proved little better than the last time even with Jackpot's hurt wing. The only improvement I seemed to make was managing to throw my body into him once and slightly off-balance him for a second.

When it finally got dark enough that we decided to call it a day I was understandably exhausted from the days workout. Enyi was almost too tired to walk and even Jackpot was sweating bullets. Joe's ciders had somehow given me a buzz-load of energy that kept me going all day and in their usual fashion allowed my mind to stay off of Grit for the time being.

“Thanks for the free drinks Joe!” I happily said as I sat back down at the bar.

“Don't mention it Ivory. Jackpot ran out of bits a while ago and I was pretty sure you wouldn't have much left on you after that last night you spent here.”

“Still it's really nice of you.”

“Bah, it's really nothing. Any friend of Jackpot's is a friend of mine.” he said with a smile. “Besides, I knew you and that Grit fellow were pretty close. Must be hard hearing all that stuff about him now after he has just passed.”

At this my mood went right back to dour as I dropped my head down onto the table with a thud.

“Whoops, sorry there Ivory. Didn't mean to upset ya.”

“No no, it's fine. I'm just gonna have to get used to these new facts and try to live with the fact the pony I based my entire life around turned out to be a scumbag.” I quickly darted a glance towards Jackpot who was standing in a corner with Scarlet who was poking at his wing some more.

“Whoa there friend!” A loud voice boomed behind me, “A pony's not allowed to look so sad in here!” This was a pony who was affectionately known to the others in the bar as Bumpkin. He was a large green Earth Pony who usually showed up later in the day which as it happened was now. “I say we do something to cheer this lot up eh Lumpkin!” Bumpkin said to Mr. Lumpkin who was actually his brother(who woulda thunk).

“Quite right there brother!” Mr. Lumpkin said aloud.

“Wait, what!?” I said surprised.

Lumpkin and Bumpkin stood up and trotted out to the center of the room and began to clap their hooves together. The other ponies in the bar all of a sudden got up and with eager smiles on their faces ran out with them as one in the corner turned on a jukebox to a happy and upbeat little piece of music. One by one each of the ponies began to suddenly and out of nowhere sing:

There's a place just out side town! Sang Lumpkin and Bumpkin simultaneously.
Where mares they dance in lacy gowns! Sang a lovely pink Pegasi mare as she seductively hovered past my head.
The stallions dance upon the floor!
Cuz those who don’t are quite a bore! Several ponies laughed at that.

Now Joe here has a tipsy lot!
But he'd lose his shop if not for Jackpot!
So he has us dance and play!
And if we're lucky share our hay! Sang a Unicorn Stallion sitting next to a lovely Unicorn mare.

Now Ivory her mood is sour!
Her face is down and rather dour!
And so we sing this song for her!
Til a shine pops on her fur!

The ponies sing that friendship rocks!
Don't forget my rainbow socks!
I think a cow just jumped to moon!
Somepony went and took my spoon! Sang a pony at the bar with a bowl of soup and no spoon which elicited more giggles from around the room.

So just calm down and take a gander!
Forgive us if we start to pander!
For a songs a song but so much more
Cheering you up right to your core!

For whatever reason the well rehearsed sounding spontaneous song and dance number from the ponies managed to cheer me right up again. I even spotted Enyi tapping his hoof when he thought nopony was looking at him while Jackpot and Scarlet each smiled and bobbed their head to the coincidentally fitting music that accompanied the song. When we got back to the house I didn't feel as depressed as the night before and managed to actually fall asleep in preparation for the next adventure we would embark upon tomorrow.