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DongleKumquat
|
1208
| 1 |
Rainbow Dash,Soarin,Spitfire,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Want
|
Rainbow Dash's dreams come true, and fame begins to change her in more ways than she could imagine.
|
incomplete
| 195 | 6 |
<p>Rainbow Dash's dreams come true, and fame begins to change her in more ways than she could imagine.</p>
|
teen
|
2012-02-07T06:02:22+00:00
|
2012-02-07T06:02:22+00:00
| 4,654 |
NOTE: Copy-pasting here doesn't keep the original formatting. I recommend visiting one of the following links instead.
Equestria Daily Post
"Want" Ch. 1 in Google Docs
Chapter 1
The night sang with silence in Cloudsdale. Thousands of stars twinkled brightly above: summer was ending, and the evening air became cooler each day. Many pegasi had already turned in for the night, leaving the city in an illustrious peace.
“Jeez it’s cold out here.”
At least, everywhere was peaceful except the thoughts in Rainbow Dash’s head.
She finally perfected an art that she created herself, the art of “arriving home.” She skipped like a rock over the clouds that made up her front yard and flared her wings at the last second, breaking her forward momentum without any shift in balance and alighting on the top doorstep. She looked back at her yard as if this was mildly interesting.
“Hm.”
For weeks now, Rainbow Dash had been looking for a smooth, spontaneous move she could do in case anypony important was watching. She heard about cloud skipping from one of her friends back in Flight School, but never had a good reason to try it. It was coincidence that the memory flashed through her mind moments before she arrived, and it was coincidence that her front yard had the perfect amount of cloud area to pull it off. What made it truly impressive was that she was still wearing Rarity's dress from the Grand Galloping Gala, meaning she had to deal with aerodynamic inconsistencies, the risk of being caught on something, or getting wet from the clouds' moisture; yet she landed with enough grace and perfection to drop anypony’s jaw to the floor.
Despite her incredible feat, Rainbow Dash grabbed the doorknob, flung the door open, and slammed it behind her. In one swift motion, she removed the dress, tossed it into the corner, and began pacing furiously up and down the dark living room with her tail flicking wildly. The caffeine she consumed at the donut shop made the situation worse, as she could find no way of calming herself down.
“Why did they blow me off like that? I can’t believe they just… ignored me!”
Normally Dash never spoke out loud to herself, but this was an exception. The Wonderbolts asked her to “hang out” with them. The only hanging out that actually occurred was Dash following Soarin’ and Spitfire around, trying desperately to get their attention, while they blew her off and decided to chat with the high-class jerks that didn’t happen to save their lives.
“I rescued them! What they hay kinda pony ignores somepony that saved their life?!”
She put her hooves on her temples, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. “No… just cool it. Calm down Dash. You can't be mad. The whole reason you should have been there was to spend time with the girls, not to grab your one and only chance...” She plopped down onto her cloud couch with a heavy sigh. “…To get into the Wonderbolts.”
Her fate had taken a turn for the worse. All of her friends seemed to have totally gotten over the fact that the Gala wasn't what they hoped it would be. They moved on. Why couldn't she? Now it was almost pointless to go after a dream like the Wonderbolts, yet she was so close and could almost feel the soft, plush fabric of the flight suit.
Dash opened her eyes and examined her surroundings, completely lost in thought. The moon pierced the darkness in the room, illuminating everything into an almost dream-like state. She got up and went to the window that looked out toward Canterlot. She caught herself before she began speaking aloud again, just in the off chance that somepony might be listening. They must be considering me. I mean… I saved their lives, didn't I? All while doing something that was supposed to be impossible! You don't just forget about somepony who saved your life while at the same time gaining major style points! I'm practically famous already!
In reality, her Sonic Rainboom drew much less attention than she was expecting. Sure she won the Best Young Fliers Competition, got to spend a day with the Wonderbolts, and show them all her tricks and skills that she'd fought so hard to perfect, but during the whole day, they never seemed impressed. It may have been mild side effects from their concussions, or that the Rainboom wasn't as impressive to them because they didn’t actually witness it. The bottom line was that they never made any attempt to contact her afterwards, which worried her to death.
But she was used to obsessing. She had these thoughts almost every waking moment since the competition. For as long as she could remember, her mind lingered on these same facts, pondering them for any sort of positive or useful bit of information that may come out. She had no reason to be upset except that the more she replayed the events of that evening, the more those events stressed her out.
She turned away from the window, punctuating each word with frustrated stamping. “Ugh, stupid… stupid… stupid! How did Spitfire even get into the Wonderbolts? She’s only two years older than me!”
She worked herself up again. She hated doing that. The fact that her house was colder than a blizzard didn't help.
She was halfway through the room to the heater switch when something caught her eye. A box covered with every color of the rainbow stood out heavily against the moonlit marble of her kitchen counter. Curious, she went to it. She picked it up and examined it in her hooves for a moment, then tore it open. A fluorescent cloud of colorful smoke billowed out.
“What the…” She looked around the outside for some sort of identification, something describing what it was. But all she found were the inkblots of color, arranged in no particular fashion.
“Wait…” She focused her eyes on a tiny line in the lower corner, which appeared to be a set of words. She held it closer to the moonlight.
Mix in room-temperature water. Do not over-consume.
Then she remembered; Pinkie Pie had given her a weird rainbow-colored box at her last birthday party.
“Thanks... what is it exactly?” Dash asked Pinkie as she unwrapped the gift.
“Dunno.” She giggled. “The buffalo make it with pure rainbow! Drink it, it’s the best! And It makes you feel all warm and fuzzy.”
“Uhh. Ok.”
Dash wasn’t very keen on the idea of consuming rainbows, nor was she on drinking an unidentifiable beverage. In order not to insult Pinkie, she had simply tossed it in among the clutter of stuff in her cabinets and forgot about it. Now, she was desperate to calm herself and unable to think of anything else.
She took a glass from the cabinet and turned on the faucet, feeling the water until it was neither cold nor hot. She filled the glass and poured the powder, which fizzled and steamed as it made contact with the water. The liquid glowed an odd color, as if a rainbow had been compressed and packed into one spot.
“Pure rainbow.” She bit her lip and stared at the glass. “Pinkie’d better not have done anything to this.” She held up the glass to the window, as if to toast the moon. “Oh well. Bottoms up,” she said, and she took a gulp.
Her eyes shot open. She inhaled a huge gasp and screamed as she slammed the mug on the counter. She felt a surge of sharp pain all around her face and her tongue felt like it was on fire. She threw her hooves to her mouth, taking huge breaths between yells, but the liquid was moving... and running down the back of her throat.
She took a few steps backward and landed her rump against the wall. It went down further and heated her esophagus, splashing fire into her stomach. The sensation then spread outward into her muscles, feeling as if they were being massaged with hot silk. Then, it rose into her head and caressed her sinuses, filling every empty space with warmth. Her eyes watered and her nose moistened. It was almost more than she could handle. She exhaled a hot, misty breath.
"Holy…"
Still gasping for air, she looked at the box sitting on the counter.
“That was... awesome.”
She filled the glass and poured the powder again, producing the liquid with nondescript color. She took a gulp, winced at the initial pain, and exhaled a noise that was halfway between a sigh and a scream. She repeated this process several times until the powder in the box was gone. “Aw, man!” she said as she looked inside the empty box. Nevertheless, she had never felt her body so relaxed before. Every inch of her swam with warm feeling.
“I wish I would’ve had this earlier-” She froze. She thought back to the Gala. She thought back to how the Bolts didn’t care at all. How they didn’t even speak to her.
Her rump fell to the floor, and she sighed. She looked at the mess she had created on the counter. It was late, and she had cloud patrol the next morning. Sulking, she floated up to her cloud bed hoping she would actually be able to sleep. She alighted upon the cloud she made fresh the night before and pulled a soft layer over herself, then took a chunk of cloud and fluffed it up for a pillow. She closed her eyes and sank her head deep into it.
Almost every night, she created scenarios in her head of what it would be like once the Wonderbolts accepted her. This extinguished much of the stress and made her goal seem all the more achievable. There won’t be some big official ceremony or anything like that; it will just be a private meeting with her and either Soarin’ or Spitfire… She’ll somehow get invited to a nightclub with them…
______________
Rainbow Dash was lying atop a bed of clouds that rose to nearly touch the sun. The sky was a deep yellow, and white clouds covered the horizon. A soft breeze glided through her mane. This place was comfortable beyond any description. The surface of the sun was right in front of her, stretching for miles in every direction. It shimmered like diamonds that were on fire, hypnotizing her into a stupor of insensibility.
An angelic figure appeared out of the light, a bright yellow pegasus with blazing orange eyes. Her long mane burned like fire and flowed through the air as if underwater.
Wait, is that… Spitfire?
It was Spitfire. She could recognize that pegasus anywhere, except her hair was brushed.
Her wings were outstretched as she glided out of the sun, coming to hover just above Rainbow Dash. Their eyes locked in an endless stare. The silence between them lasted an eternity.
A smile slowly came to life across Spitfire’s face.
“Hey, Dash.”
Rainbow Dash’s heart nearly jumped out of her chest. Spitfire’s voice was soothing, comforting, and understanding. She wished she would talk to her forever. Under the current circumstances, she wasn’t at all expecting a casual “hey.” Spitfire was laid back. She was cool. Rainbow Dash noticed that she was getting closer.
“Hi,” she croaked. Spitfire’s smile widened. She got even closer.
“So Dash. What are you up to here?”
“You know, just… hangin’ out… “ She couldn’t move. She wasn’t aware of the conversation anymore. She was lost in Spitfire’s gaze, getting closer and closer.
“Right in front of the sun? What a place to hang out.”
Rainbow Dash was shaking. Somehow she knew exactly what was about to happen.
“Well, there wasn’t... anywhere else to go...”
Now Spitfire was laughing. Her voice became softer. “You are hilarious, Dash.”
“Heh... i’m here ‘till... Thurs...” her voice trailed off. Spitfire was much too close now.
Suddenly, she stopped. Her face was inches from Rainbow Dash’s. Spitfire’s smile faded into an expression that meant more than friendly smalltalk. Rainbow Dash’s heart pounded and was about to explode. It was like Spitfire was purposefully drawing out the moment. Neither talked, neither moved. Dash could feel her fiery breath.
“Am I dead?” she asked sheepishly, scared of the answer. The angel-Spitfire smiled.
“Far, far from it,” she whispered.
Then, reality lost its meaning.
She surrendered herself to euphoria. She was kissing Spitfire, who seemed to breathe fire into her. Nothing was real anymore. Intense heat filled every space inside her. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head. She was lost…
______________
“AHH!”
Rainbow Dash's head shot up from her cloud bed as her consciousness came to life. She didn't know where she was, only that something amazing had just happened. She could still feel the fire flowing through her. Adrenaline coursed through her veins and sweat poured down her body.
She sat upright, gasping for air. Her eyes were wide open with shock. She could not comprehend what had just happened. She realized she was still in her home, she was still totally blown off by her idols last night, the sun was starting to rise, and it was just another dream. Slowly, she came back to reality.
“What the hay is wrong with me?”
She buried her face in her hooves and took long, shaking breaths. Sweat dripped from her chin.
“What in the HAY is wrong with me…?“
She sank back into her cloud bed. It was never so cold and wet.
No pony was around. So she rolled onto her side, curled up, and let herself cry.
The tears burned. She might as well have been crying rainbow.
______________
The ballroom lay in ruins. Chunks of marble were scattered. The band's instruments were disfigured beyond recognition; a gray mare with a pink treble clef for a cutie mark stared at her cello with a blank expression. The animals from the gardens roamed free in the palace. The guests stood in groups, chatting fervently about the six ponies that destroyed the Gala. The palace servants were cleaning, relying on the unicorns who were less than thrilled.
Two very famous pegasus ponies sat with their backs against the upturned snack table, each holding a cup of punch in their hooves and contemplating what had just happened. A royal guard tasked to be their escort stood watch next to the table.
Spitfire stared at her punch. She seemed very relaxed, despite the disaster that had just befallen her. Soarin’ stared up at the ceiling, becoming lost in a daydream while observing the marvelously painted murals.
Then, a very excited dark-orange pegasus mare flew up to them.
“Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh.”
Soarin’ and Spitfire looked at her. She was shaking from head to hoof. The guard stepped up, but Spitfire held up a hoof and shook her head. She noticed the pen and picture of the Wonderbolts the mare was holding.
“Oh my gosh. Sp-Spit… f-fi…”
Spitfire sighed and said, “Give it here.”
The mare whimpered as Spitfire took the picture and pen from her.
“What’s your name?”
“Su-Sun… S-Set…”
She signed her signature and gave it to Soarin’ who did the same. He handed Sunset the
picture and said, “Here ya go, Sunset.”
She stared at it in disbelief. Her gaze then shot up from the picture to Soarin’ and Spitfire. One of her eyes twitched. Something about her facial expression told them that she had snapped.
“PICTURE TIME!”
In one swift movement, she pulled out a camera and threw a foreleg around Spitfire’s neck. She took a picture of herself and Spitfire and proceeded to do the same with Soarin’. Just then, the royal guard picked her off of Soarin’ and said, “All right, miss. Let’s go.”
Kicking and screaming, she yelled, “NO! Soarin’ is the only Wonderbolt I haven’t gotten a picture with yet!” She struggled against the guard’s grasp as he walked away with her.
“I… MUST… HAVE… A COMPLETE… SET!”
Soarin’ and Spitfire could still hear her screaming as she was carried out of the castle. They returned to their thoughts as if this kind of thing happened every few moments.
After about fifteen minutes of total silence between the co-fliers, Spitfire piped up.
"We screwed up."
Soarin’ sighed. "Yeah... still, you gotta admit. That apple pie had to have been the most amazing-"
Spitfire cut him off with a look.
She screwed up. Spitfire knew that much. She had been more interested in keeping up the Bolts image by politely conversing with the snobs at the party than spending time with a valuable, potential recruit. Now she was almost certain that after the way they treated her, Rainbow Dash had decided that the Wonderbolts wasn't all it was made out to be.
Spitfire turned to Soarin’ with a concerned expression. "She must be totally beside herself. She's wanted to be a Bolt more than any pegasus I’ve seen yet. Way more. I mean, have you read her fan mail?"
"Spitfire, we never read fan mail,” he said without looking at her.
Spitfire let out a long sigh and turned her head to watch the clean-up crews.
"I feel terrible."
Soarin’ tried reassuring her, "Hey, c'mon. I mean… think about how many other pegasus ponies you've had to let down. How is she any different?"
"That's just it. I can't figure it out. She's just… different.”
“Ok, what do you mean, ‘different?’”
“I don’t know, I mean,” she paused.
“What is it? Tell me.”
“No, you’re probably right. I shouldn’t be obsessing.”
“Oh, c’mon. I know you better than that. There’s something making you feel like this. Tell
me.”
Spitfire sighed. “She’s just... really nice.”
Soarin’ laughed. “‘Really nice?’ That’s it? You like her more just because she’s ‘really ni-’”
“She saved our lives!”
Soarin’ fell silent.
“I mean, for that, you can’t help but feel... something.” She sighed and took a huge swig of punch. “I’ve never had anypony do anything like that for me.”
Soarin’ stared at his cup. “Yeah. I guess.”
“And what’ve we been doing? Ignoring her.” She chucked her empty punch cup at a nearby trash can and missed. “Since when do we ignore ponies that save our lives?”
“So, is this like your way of repaying her? Acting all interested all of a sudden?”
She paused. “I feel like anything I do won’t repay her. I feel like I need to be there for her.”
Soarin’ rolled his eyes. "Oh stop. Don't start getting all touchy-feely.”
Spitfire smirked and raised her eyebrows. “As I recall, Soarin’, you liked it when I got touchy-feely.”
At this, he blushed slightly and was angered into silence. Spitfire laughed and gave him a friendly punch on the shoulder.
“Just... think about it,” said Soarin’. “She's barely grown and basically still a filly. Just about every pegasus we meet is the same. She could never realistically handle the pressures of being famous."
"Soarin’, she's only two years younger than me."
"That's what you say every time."
Spitfire had admitted it before, someone Dash's age should not have to handle fame. She knew from experience. She should never have joined the Wonderbolts when she did. She was just too young. Some days it felt like the whole world was going to collapse on top of her. Every single day there was a vital deadline that had to be met, otherwise it would "risk harming the Bolts' public image." She had to watch each action she took, or the media would tear her apart. Her entire life was under a tiny spotlight, and she couldn't go outside of it.
"But what about at the Best Young Fliers competition, when she won the day with the Bolts? All the stuff she showed us then was pretty cool, right?"
"Oh, you remember it now?"
She couldn't. Nor could Soarin’. All she remembered was somepony falling from the sky, and then going after that pony to rescue her. Then she remembered waking up in the hospital a day later, along with the rest of the Bolts. They told her that she and the team were conscious and awake to thank Rainbow Dash for saving their lives and spend the day with her flying, but neither Spitfire nor the Bolts could remember any of it. And to top it, they made a full recovery in twenty-four hours. The doctor said it was totally bizarre. After that day, the Wonderbolts had a whopping fourteen shows to perform in the next two weeks, so they weren't able to get back to Rainbow Dash.
"It’s really warm in here," Spitfire said, despite taking off her flight suit. "I'm gonna go out on the balcony and get some air."
"Um... It's freezing outside."
"I kinda like the cold.” She looked at the moon out of a nearby window. “It's refreshing."
"Heh, be my guest."
She glided over to the door, dodging the cleanup crews and chunks of broken ballroom. When she opened it, a blast of cool, damp air splashed her right in the face. All of her concerns and worries seemed to blow away.
Spitfire enjoyed the cold. She liked being outside during the winter, she sometimes even slept with no layer of cloud over her, and best of all, she loved flying in the rain. It was about ten times more exhilarating than flying during a normal day.
She walked to the edge, put her forelegs on the railing, and lost herself in the night.
Five minutes of silence passed, until Soarin’ opened the door behind her. She heard him mutter a "Jeez!" at the sudden drop in temperature.
“You’re just gonna come out here and freeze to death by yourself?” he said, obviously hiding shivers. “At least let me join the party.” He trotted up next to her, put his forelegs over the railing, and sighed. “I guess it’s not that cold out here.”
Spitfire looked at him and smirked. “You’re a pretty cool co-flier, Soarin’.”
He shrugged and said, “Yeah… I do my best.” He smiled at her. “Even if my co-flier has weird, sudden obsessions with other fliers.”
Spitfire rolled her eyes and punched him on the shoulder. Soarin’ chuckled.
Another five minutes of silence passed. Spitfire suddenly found the missing element to her argument.
"She did a Sonic Rainboom."
"Yes, I know she did a Sonic Rainboom.” He frowned and threw his empty punch cup over the railing. “But I didn’t see it. Ever since I was a colt I’ve tried to do it. Could never break the last barrier.” He sighed. "I bet I’d be much more impressed with her if I actually had seen her do it."
Suddenly, Spitfire knew what she was going to do.
"Do we have a show tomorrow? Any engagements with the media?"
"Uhh… I don't think we have a show until Manehatten next week… why?"
She smirked and said, "Soarin’… I have an idea."
_____________
|
DongleKumquat
|
1208
| 2 |
Rainbow Dash,Soarin,Spitfire,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Want
|
Rainbow Dash's dreams come true, and fame begins to change her in more ways than she could imagine.
|
incomplete
| 195 | 6 |
<p>Rainbow Dash's dreams come true, and fame begins to change her in more ways than she could imagine.</p>
|
teen
|
2012-02-07T08:13:13+00:00
|
2012-02-07T08:13:13+00:00
| 3,254 |
NOTE: Copy-pasting here doesn't keep the original formatting. I recommend visiting one of the following links instead.
Equestria Daily Post
"Want" Ch. 2 in Google Docs
Chapter 2
Rainbow Dash opened her eyes to a clear, blue sky. The sun beat down on her as she tossed and turned, struggling to find a comfortable position. Usually cumulonimbus clouds gave the best naps, but this one itched terribly.
She jumped five feet in the air when a low, booming voice screamed at her.
“RAINBOW DASH! IF I CATCH YOU ON YOUR RUMP AGAIN, YOU’RE FIRED!”
Dash sighed in annoyance. “You know Ironwing, you always say you’re gonna fire me, but you never do. You need me. You can’t find a patrol supervisor better than me.” She grinned. “So do it. I dare you.”
“EXCUSE M-”
“Oh, relax. I’ve known you way too long for me to take you seriously anymore. The patrol’s got it taken care of.” She resumed her nap position on the cloud. “Besides, they learn from the best.”
Ironwing’s face fell, and he sighed. “I know. I’m sorry. It’s just that I’ve been getting evil looks from upper management lately, and they keep telling me how I hired a weather patrol supervisor that takes naps all the time.”
Dash rolled her eyes. “Not all the time.”
“Could you at least clear this patch in the next twenty minutes? For me?”
Dash saluted him sarcastically. “Consider it done in ten seconds.”
“Good. Now, when I-”
“After my nap.”
Ironwing grunted in frustration and flew away.
Dash placed her forelegs behind her head and closed her eyes. She slept poorly the previous night and felt no motivation to patrol anything. She felt unclean. The dream replayed in her mind over and over. She felt poisoned, tainted by the fact that such thoughts had entered her brain. No pony would think of her the same again, disowned by her friends and everypony she knew.
Dash opened her eyes, suddenly nose to nose with a huge pink face.
“WAAAH!”
It was Pinkie Pie.
“Pinkie, don’t DO th-"
“Hey Dashie, what’s up?” She squealed in her usual high-pitched voice. “Well… I am! Now so are you! HA!”
“Wait, how did you-”
“Balloon.” She grinned.
Dash groaned and rolled over on her side. “Go away, Pinkie.” Pinkie got out of the basket and plopped down on the cloud next to Dash. Twilight really needed to stop doing that spell.
“Daawww, what’s wong missy gwumpy pants?”
“Nothing. Go aw-“
“Tell me!”
“No. I said go awa-“
“You know you can tell your auntie Pinkie Pie anything!”
“I’m a year older than you, Pinkie.”
Pinkie giggled. “No you’re not! Fluttershy is a year older than me. We’re the same age!”
“What? No! I was born a year before you!”
“No, you’re thinking of Rarity.”
“No, she’s a year older than Twilight, who’s the same age as-” she put a hoof on her face. “Ugh. What am I doing?” She rolled back over.
“Tell me! What’s wrong?”
“No.”
“Pleeeeease?”
“Go away, Pinkie.”
“C’mon Dashie. It can’t hurt!”
Dash opened her mouth to retort, but sighed instead. Pinkie was right. She couldn’t be in a worse mood. She’ll just tell her about how the Bolts ditched her, and she wouldn’t tell her about the dream. That secret would be carried with her to the grave.
Dash turned and faced Pinkie. Pinkie smiled from ear to ear.
“Pinkie… have you ever been totally blown off by your fillyhood idols? Like, they say they wanna ‘hang out,’” She drew hoofquotes around the words, “But instead go off and talk to a million other ponies?”
Pinkie put a hoof on her chin in thought. “Hmm… no, but I bet it feels terrible!”
“Yeah, well that’s what happened to me last night.”
“Yeah, I thought that was kinda rude of them.”
“I kno- Wait... you knew?”
“Duh, silly! You’ve been obsessed with the Wonderbolts for forever!”
“But you don’t understand! I can’t get over it! You and AJ and Rarity and Twilight got over your problems real fast but I… I don’t know. ” She ended her sentence with a sigh. Pinkie put a foreleg around Dash’s shoulder.
“Oh, Dashie. You just want it too bad. And that’s a good thing! It makes it more likely that it’ll happen!”
Dash pondered this for a moment. She did want it bad, more than anypony or anything. Even more than Twilight wanted to spend time with the princess; even more than Rarity wanted to get on with Prince Blueblood.
She hung her head, cringing at the thought of getting over the Wonderbolts.
“Maybe I should stop wanting it.”
Pinkie giggled. “What good would that do?” She stood up tall and put a hoof over her chest. “‘The wise pony that desired happiness more than anypony always received it.’”
Dash looked up at her.
Pinkie began speaking in a heavy Manehatten accent. “The way I sees it, you got a hundred years; ya do good to make every single one worth it!”
She stared at Pinkie in amazement.
Pinkie giggled again and said, “I swear. Sometimes Dashie, you’re a billy full o’ silly.”
Dash put her face in her hooves. “Wait, wait, wait. Where did you-” she looked back up, and Pinkie was gone.
She threw her hooves in the air. “Great!”
The cloud made a satisfying POOF sound as Dash fell onto her back. The weather patrol soared overhead and they shot Dash nasty looks.
“Maybe I’m not wanting it enough…”
Maybe that was it. Maybe she only needed to want it more. Maybe the amount of pride and determination she had wasn’t cutting it. She needed to want it so bad that it was, in the words of her filly friends from flight school, an “unhealthy obsession.” She needed to fill every single moment of her life with all things flying. She needed to lift wing weights, go on long-distance endurance flights every day, and practice the Sonic Rainboom until she could do it in her sleep. Rainbow Dash was filled with determination. She knew exactly what she was going to do and how she was going to do it. Pinkie Pie had just given her the most subtle yet most successful pep talk she had ever received. Suddenly, she felt like she could do anything. She was itching to fly off as fast as she could in one direction and shatter every speed record there was; why was she still sitting there? All she needed to-
“Hey, Dash.”
She froze. Rainbow Dash knew that voice. Its owner landed right behind her. She slowly turned around.
It was her.
Dash didn’t know if she should stay or fly away as fast as she could. Her body froze in place, totally petrified. The dream returned to her memory. The pegasus causing all of her distress, the way to make all of her dreams come true, and her only ticket back to the world where everything was perfect stood right in front of her.
“Soo… I’m guessing by your expression that you’re not too mad about last night,” said Spitfire.
Dash’s mouth and eyes were wide open. She shook her head and straightened herself up. Before she could say anything, Spitfire began what seemed like a poorly rehearsed apology.
“Look, Dash. I wanted to tell you-” She bit her lip. “We screwed up. I screwed up. It’s mostly my fault, I’m supposed to keep up with what the Bolts are doing, but I totally blew you off last night. And I’m really sorr-”
Soarin’ popped out from behind Spitfire. “Yeah, yeah, we’re sorry to disturb you, we’ll just head out now.” He pulled Spitfire away, but she knocked him on the forehead and engaged him in a fiery exchange of whispers.
Dash’s heart rate soared off the charts, her eyes flicked back and forth between the two Wonderbolts, but she allotted all of her effort into maintaining a calm composure.
Soarin’ and Spitfire each finished their quiet argument with an “Ugh” and turned back to Rainbow Dash.
“This is so embarrassing,” Soarin’ added.
Spitfire sighed and held up a hoof to Dash. “So. Dash. Are we cool?”
Her stomach fluttered. “Y-Yeah. We’re cool.” A smile made its way across her face. She hit Spitfire’s hoof with her own.
“Awesome.” Spitfire looked around at the area of clouds that Rainbow Dash was supposed to be clearing. “So. How do you like this job? I started out in the weather patrol myself. Granted, it was only two years ago, but… you know.”
“I- I guess it’s ok. It pays pretty good.”
“Hah, cool… so, uh...” There was an awkward pause. “Um…” Spitfire suddenly grinned.
Rainbow Dash forced a smile back. “Yeah…?”
Soarin’ put a hoof on his face.
Spitfire sighed. “I’m never good with stuff like this… Ok. Dash, Soarin’ and I would like to ask you-” She looked at Soarin’, who gave her a “go on, do it!” look.
“Ok, this is gonna sound ridiculous... but can you do a Sonic Rainboom for us?”
A sudden rush of anxiety bubbled up inside her. Do a Sonic Rainboom? Not only do it, but for the lead fliers of the Wonderbolts?
“I- I don’t-”
“If you don’t want to, it’s totally fine, I understand.”
She couldn’t decline. Not only would that show weakness, it would disappoint them and ruin her dreams of ever becoming a Wonderbolt. If she accepted, she ran the risk of embarrassing herself in front of her idols and would still ruin her dreams of ever becoming a Wonderbolt.
“I- sure, I guess.”
Suddenly there were excited voices coming from the cleaning crew.
“Is that… SPITFIRE?”
“Oh Celestia, It’s Soarin’!”
“I LOVE YOU SOARIN’!”
“Uh oh,” said Spitfire, “We’d better get out of here. C’mon, Dash!”
In an instant, Soarin’ and Spitfire were gone into the sky. Dash hesitated.
“Well. It’s now or never.”
She took off after them, leaving a bewildered group of pegasi behind her.
________________
They came to the side of a large hill after fifteen minutes of flying, overlooking a valley that stretched out as far as the eye could see. The afternoon sun had begun to loose its strength and slowly sank towards the horizon.
“This looks good,” said Spitfire. She turned to Rainbow Dash and said, “Ok Dash, you ready?”
“You betcha.”
Spitfire pointed out at the vast expanse of land and said, “Alright, fly high and far enough away so you can get up to speed. We’ll watch from down here.”
“Ok.”
“Good luck, kid,” said Soarin’, smiling.
“Thanks,” said Dash, and she took off into the sky.
“‘Good luck Kid?’ Really?” said Spitfire.
“It’s the best I could come up with,” said Soarin’.
“Maybe, ‘Good luck Dash?’”
“Whatever.” He sat down. “You think she’ll do it?”
Spitfire sat down next to him. “Of course she’ll do it. She just did it a few weeks ago.”
“I mean… what if she doesn’t do it?”
“She’ll do it.”
Soarin’ fidgeted. “Ugh, I’m nervous.”
“Don’t have a cow, dude. She’s got this.” She looked up, and Rainbow Dash was nothing but a speck against the top of the blue sky. C’mon, Dash. You got this.
Rainbow Dash began to fall. She picked up speed faster than anypony Spitfire had ever seen. It took Dash three seconds to do what Spitfire could only do in ten.
“Geez!” exclaimed Soain’. “Are you kidding me? Her acceleration is insane!”
“See? What’d I tell you.”
Dash went faster and faster, shattering what Spitfire was sure to be several speed records. Soarin’ stared at the sky with his mouth agape. Spitfire’s stomach lept as a subtle adrenaline rush came over her.
“C’mon Dash. You got this. You got this!”
Spitfire recalled the countless times she had tried the Rainboom after Rainbow Dash had done it. Breaking through the last barrier was like breaking through a wall of metal. Each time, the wall would catch her and send her flying out of control in the opposite direction. If she was lucky, she would land in a soft patch of grass or a group of bushes, but most of the time she landed in a tree or a patch of hard ground.
Soarin’ still had the same dumbfounded look plastered to his face.
“You ok dude?” Spitfire said.
His eyes were glued to the sky. “It’s not fair. It’s just not fair.”
Suddenly, a sharp tearing sound echoed across the valley. An oval-shaped cone had formed around Dash.
“She’s close… she’s almost there!”
Spitfire nearly couldn’t contain herself. She felt like jumping up and down and squealing like a giddy schoolfilly, but two years of exercising self-control in front of the press had turned into a habit. The cone became well-defined and triangular. It glowed as Rainbow-colored arcs of lightning formed everywhere.
Then, everything went still. The birds stopped chirping. Nature seemingly shut itself down into a deafening silence. Spitfire held her breath.
A silent, blinding flash of light exploded in the sky.
“HOLY-“ yelled Soarin’ as he and Spitfire shielded their eyes.
The silence was almost unbearable. The light subsided and Soarin’ stood up, his mouth hanging wide open at what he was witnessing.
A spherical shockwave of vivid rainbow expanded across the sky, illuminating everything with every color that existed. A ringing sound echoed across the valley, piercing the silence and rising in pitch until it became inaudible. The wall of rainbow hurdled towards them at the speed of sound.
“Here it comes! HERE IT COMES!” Soarin' screamed and put both hooves in the air, welcoming the shockwave as if it was his long lost brother. Spitfire never saw him so hyped up before. The blast knocked both of them back. The wind clawed at Spitfire’s face and screamed in her ears as she buried her head in her hooves.
But, warmth surrounded her. Warmth as if the sun had burst through the clouds on a cold Autumn day. A low, rumbling sound rattled her chest, and she looked up at the rainbow-scorched sky...
Spitfire jumped with all of her might, fluttered her wings, and fell on her face. She sighed and her brother snickered.
“It’s ok, just keep trying. You’ll get it eventually,” said Rapidfire.
“This is dumb. I wanna fly now!” she said, pouting.
Her father helped her up. “Here, try flapping slower.”
“And with a bit of a beat,” said her mother.
Spitfire looked up at her parents incredulously. “A beat?”
“Yeah,” said Rapidfire. “You know, like music.”
Spitfire thought of her favorite song and began to flap her wings to its rhythm.
“There you go!” said her mother. “Now jump up and keep flapping!”
Spitfire took a breath, held it, and jumped into the air. She opened one eye, and saw that she was off the cloud.
She gasped and squealed with joy, along with her parents.
“Now take it easy,” said her father. “You’ve never flown before so-”
Spitfire flapped harder and rose higher into the sky, a huge smile stretching from ear to ear. She dove and zoomed this way and that, trying the tricks she had seen on TV.
“Spitfire, honey! Be careful!” called her mother from below.
“Look mom, I’m a Wonderbolt! Delta formation seven-R!”
She spun around in mid air, went straight up, then stalled as she dove back down. She landed in her mother’s arms and hugged both of her parents tight...
Soarin’ was screaming at the top of his lungs, his mane blown straight backwards. He turned to Spitfire.
“Spitfire, are you… are you crying?”
“Huh? I…” She straightened up and wiped her face. “No, I was just… had something in my eye. Wind was pretty strong.”
A bright rainbow streaked across the sky, and suddenly Rainbow Dash landed in front of them, panting hard with a huge smile plastered across her face. Her eyes darted back and forth between the two Wonderbolts.
Soarin’ and Spitfire looked at each other. Soarin’ raised his eyebrows, asking with his expression the question Spitfire knew he would ask. She looked back at Dash.
“You are something else.”
“Heh… thanks…” said Dash, still panting.
“Listen… would you mind coming with us for a bit?”
“For- for what?”
Spitfire smiled. “You’ll see.”
______________
Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. I’m actually going... inside?
The Wonderbolts’ headquarters was a sight to behold. Floating on a huge cloud near the center of Cloudsdale, it stood out among the marble architecture that was popular in that neighborhood. It was a mansion adorned with fountains and statues of past great fliers, surrounded by excellently maintained hedge gardens. A giant yellow bolt sat on the facade, just above the entrance.
Oh my gosh.
Soarin’, Spitfire, and Rainbow Dash landed on the top step. Spitfire pushed the buzzer, and a low voice emitted from the speaker.
“State your business.”
“Don, you know it’s us. Look at the video monitor from time to time.”
“Oh, right.”
“Get the team together. We need to talk to them.”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Wait- y-you- t-talk- team-” Dash stuttered.
The double-doors swung open, revealing a pitch-black hallway. At the end was a single door. A chill ran down Rainbow Dash’s legs.
“Alright. In we go.”
Somewhat to her relief, Rainbow Dash could sense nervousness in Spitfire’s voice. Dash glanced at Spitfire as they walked inside. She walked confidently with her head held high and no break in her stride. Dash could tell how good she was at hiding fear.
Eager to calm herself, Dash broke the awkward silence. “So... w-what are we gonna do?”
“We need to talk to the others.”
“About what?”
Neither of them answered. They reached the door, and Spitfire opened it.
They walked into a huge room embellished with every kind of decoration possible. Huge trophies filled large cases, giant pictures of the Wonderbolts plastered each corner, and a gigantic flatscreen television hung from the wall. Rainbow Dash’s stomach dropped. All of the Wonderbolts were sitting on several couches, and each of them turned to look at her.
Oh my gosh.
“Hey, Spit,” one of them said. Spitfire nodded to them and proceeded to a seat on the couch.
“Sit there, Dash.” Spitfire pointed to a chair that sat in front of the couches. Dash shook from head to hoof. She could feel every eye in the room burning holes in her forehead. She sat in the chair.
Dash recognized the other four from the main show team; Tyco was gray and had a long, fluffy white mane. Misty was the third pony that Dash saved at the Best Young Fliers Competition; she was a similar cyan color to Rainbow Dash, but her mane was white and light blue. Rapidfire was Spitfire’s brother and they looked exactly alike, but Rapidfire didn’t have the yellow highlight in his orange mane. Fleet Foot sat elegantly on the arm of the couch, her long blue mane flowing down to her lap. The other five Wonderbolts were the alternates and Rainbow Dash didn’t know them.
A few of them shifted around, a couple moved to the arms of the couches and some moved to the floor.
The room fell silent. No pony made a sound. The Wonderbolts stared at Rainbow Dash.
“Ok,” said Spitfire, breaking the solid silence. “So obviously, you know why I called you guys in here.”
Rapidfire sighed and Misty smirked.
“Rainbow Dash. First I would like to apologize on behalf of the team.” She smiled. “I did earlier, but now I’m giving you an official one. I completely ignored you at the Gala, and I’m very, very sorry. After the Best Young Fliers Competition, we had a lot on our plate and we never contacted you. Just so you know, that’s usually not how things run here.”
Rainbow Dash still shook violently, trying desperately to hide it. By now, everypony in the room must have noticed it.
“And I’d like to thank you personally, said Misty. “You know. For saving my life and all.”
“Y-yeah. N-no prob.”
“Now,” said Spitfire as she turned to face the Wonderbolts. “Second thing. I got the call yesterday. We’re flying in Manehatten this weekend.”
Every eye turned to Spitfire, and noises of surprise and exhilaration came from the Wonderbolts.
“No way!” yelled Rapidfire.
“Yes way. It’s already sold out, too. We’re looking at half a million in attendance.”
“Wait, how’s it already sold out?”
“Well. That brings me to the third thing.”
Everypony again fell into an impenetrable silence. Spitfire looked at Rainbow Dash and a tiny smile formed on her face. “This mare sitting before you is the only one to have ever done the impossible.” Once again, each eye in the room found a mark on Rainbow Dash’s face. “And she did it three times. Soarin’ and I just saw her do it.”
Sounds of amazement came from the Wonderbolts.
“No way,” said Tyco. You guys were actually there?”
“Yep,” said Soarin’ proudly. “Saw it in full force with my own two eyes.”
“Lucky,” Misty grumbled.
“Oh,” said Tyco. “In case you didn’t know Dash, you’re pretty famous already.” He tossed a newspaper at her. It was the Equestria Daily, and it was still hot off the presses.
SONIC RAINBOOM SEEN NEAR PONYVILLE
Rainbow Dash gasped. She looked at the picture, which seemed like nothing more than a rainbow smudge on the camera lens.
“B-but- w-what- ah-”
“Anyway,” said Spitfire. “Dash.”
Rainbow Dash couldn’t contain herself. Her heart pounded against her throat.
“We’ve been discussing this for a while now. The Sonic Rainboom is like nothing I’ve ever seen in my life.” She smiled and looked at the floor, apparently lost in thought. “and I’ve never felt the way I did when you did it.” She looked back up at Dash. “I mean... think what would happen if a stadium full of ponies all witnessed it at the same time! Tickets for shows would be hotter than fire, our salaries would go through the roof, and-” She shook her head. “Ah, I’m sorry. I’m going off on a tangent.” She took a deep breath. Dash tried desperately to hold back tears.
“Rainbow Dash, you’re the only one to ever do the impossible, and well...” She paused for an eternity. It was as if she was purposefully drawing out the moment.
“...We want you.”
Reality collapsed. Everything turned into a dream. The walls, the air, the floor; everything began to flow like a dream.
“W-w- wh-” Dash stuttered. She felt the tears building in her eyes.
“We want you. I hope you’re still interested in being a Bolt.”
Her breathing became erratic. Tears began to pour down her face.
Spitfire smiled. “You ok?”
Then, everything went black.
Rainbow Dash fainted. She lay on the floor, unconscious.
____________
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DongleKumquat
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1208
| 3 |
Rainbow Dash,Soarin,Spitfire,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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Want
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Rainbow Dash's dreams come true, and fame begins to change her in more ways than she could imagine.
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incomplete
| 195 | 6 |
<p>Rainbow Dash's dreams come true, and fame begins to change her in more ways than she could imagine.</p>
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teen
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2012-02-07T08:15:25+00:00
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2012-02-07T08:15:25+00:00
| 3,023 |
NOTE: Copy-pasting here doesn't keep the original formatting. I recommend visiting one of the following links instead.
Equestria Daily Post
"Want" Ch. 3 in Google Docs
Chapter 3
The endless sea of fans spanned the stadium stands before her. She took her goggles off and breathed in the immense quantities of awe and admiration that rose like steam from the crowd.
RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH!
She quickly plotted a course in her head for the Buckaneer Blaze that involved a low fly-by over the stands. Taking another deep breath, she dove out of the sky and leveled out low enough to nearly touch somepony’s hoof. She turned around, and a long, blinding trail of blue and white lightning had traced her path through the sky as the rest of the Wonderbolts followed closely behind in formation. The crowd erupted into a deafening roar.
RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH!
The stadium faded away and she fell into a bed inside a dark room. Spitfire’s voice came from nowhere.
“Your fans love you, Dash. You don’t want to disappoint them.”
Several TV cameras appeared, and all of them pointed at her. She could still hear the crowd.
RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH!
Spitfire suddenly wrapped her forelegs around Dash from behind, and her warm body pressed up against hers. She put her lips to Dash’s ear and whispered.
“I know what you want.”
RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH!
“I know what you really want.”
A shiver went up Dash’s spine as Spitfire caressed her wing.
“What are you waiting for? Take it.”
"Ugh..."
Rainbow Dash slowly woke and rubbed her eyes, reaching for her alarm clock. All she felt was air.
The alarm hadn’t even gone off. She then realized her alarm clock had gone, along with her nightstand. The bed she was asleep on wasn’t even hers, let alone a bed. She opened her eyes, trying to focus on a yellow blob across from her. When she realized what it was, she jumped and nearly fell off the couch.
Spitfire was sitting in a recliner, looking at her.
"You faint in front of the press, they'll be all over you," she said.
Rainbow Dash’s eyes shot wide open, her body frozen in place.
“Oh no." Spitfire smiled. "You’re not about to again, are you?”
"But I- It-" She whispered to herself.
"Hmm? What?”
Dash patted her face and checked to make sure all of her body was still there. She looked around the room at the lavish decorum covering the walls, the suede material of the couch she had passed out on, and back up at Spitfire. “Am I... dreaming?”
Spitfire laughed. “Want me to pinch you?”
“I don’t believe it.”
“Believe it or not.”
Dash felt a sudden throbbing of pain in the side of her head. Her attempt to hide the wince failed.
“You ok?” said Spitfire.
Dash waved her hoof. “Yeah yeah, I’m fine.”
“You sure? You hit your head on the floor pretty hard when you passed out.”
Dash looked around the room. “How long was I out?”
“About fifteen minutes.”
“Where’d the Bolts go?”
“They went out to dinner, I think. I was gonna go too, but...” They made eye contact, and a silence fell between them. Spitfire looked away and cleared her throat. “I guess they figured you’d be fine... So listen. I want you in the act at the Manehatten show. I figured the Rainboom would be an ok finale.”
A shiver traveled up Rainbow Dash’s spine. “M- Manehatten? A- as in Mane Arena Manehatten?”
Spitfire nodded.
Dash’s voice shook violently. “You mean like... I’m g- gonna fly with the sh- show team?” She gasped. “W- With my own flight suit?”
“Yep. Which also means I need you at the rehearsal tomorrow... You know, it seems like every other second, your mouth’s hanging wide open.”
Dash shook her head and straightened up. “Sorry... this is just happening really fast.”
Spitfire bit her lip. “Yeah.” She sat in silence for a moment, looking at the golden jungle of trophies along the wall. Dash noticed how they made the room glow the same color as Spitfire’s coat. “Maybe it is.” She looked back to Dash. “Can you be here in the morning?”
Dash nodded.
“Alright. Go home and get some real rest. You’ll need it.”
“Ok.”
Rainbow Dash got off the couch and went to the door. She opened it and Spitfire said, “Wait, actually... can I fly you home?”
__________________
Rainbow Dash and Spitfire stepped out into the cool night. Spitfire sniffed the air, holding her nose high. She released a satisfied sigh.
Before Dash advanced any further, Spitfire stopped her.
“Wait.” She turned her head left and right, obviously on the lookout for something. She flared her wings and prepped for takeoff. “Follow me and stay close.”
“Why? What’s going on?”
“I’ll tell you later. I think they’re already on to us.” She launched into the air, leaving behind a swirl of cloud.
“Hey, wait!” Dash said as she took off.
She kept close enough to Spitfire so their wings wouldn’t collide and tried to whisper loud enough for her to hear.
“What’s going on? Why are we-”
“Stop!”
Spitfire yanked Dash by the neck, pulled her behind a house, and put a hoof over her mouth.
“Shh.”
She slowly peeked around the corner, and suddenly jerked her head back.
“Yeah, they’re on to us.”
“Whof onfoo ufs?” Dash said from behind Spitfire’s hoof.
“We gotta loose ‘em. C’mon. Ready? GO!”
With a loud CRACK Spitfire was gone into the sky.
“WOAH! What the hay! SPITFIRE!”
Dash took off after her. Adrenaline surged through her veins. Dash caught up to her and tried to yell over the roaring wind.
“SPITFIRE! WHAT IN THE HAY IS GOING ON?”
“LOOK BEHIND YOU AND SEE FOR YOURSELF!”
Rainbow Dash turned her head as far as she could and looked from the corner of her eye. Three pegasi dressed in black, full-body suits with cameras strapped to their necks were hot on their trail.
“WHY ARE WE RUNNING FROM THEM? WHY CAN’T WE LET THEM TAKE PICTURES?”
“I’LL TELL YOU LATER, FOR NOW, SPEED UP!”
Dash and Spitfire dove and doubled their speed in an instant. Dash turned her head. Their chasers were now nothing but black dots in the sky, becoming further away each second.
“I THINK WE’RE LOSING THEM!” Dash yelled.
“THEN PULL UP!”
Spitfire grabbed Dash’s hoof and pulled her into the air. She flared her wings and broke their speed, landing on the backside of another house. As they struggled to catch their breath, Spitfire’s head swivled left and right.
“Stay- stay here for a- a second,” Spitfire said as she flew up to the roof of the house. She peeked over the top, hovered motionless for a few seconds, and called down to Dash. “Ok, we lost ‘em.”
Dash breathed a sigh of relief and followed Spitfire over the top of the roof.
“Who the hay were those guys?”
“Freelance photographers. They work for the Equestria Daily, but they won’t admit publically that they hired them. Usually they’re not this quick.”
“Why do they want pictures so bad?”
“Pictures of the Bolts are going for a lot of money lately. There’s some rumors going around that we have a new... recruit.”
“But why not just let them take pictures?”
Spitfire chuckled. “You’ve got a lot to learn. We’re keeping you a secret until we announce the Manehatten show.”
“Oh. Wait a minute,” said Dash as she went to the edge of the roof and looked down. “This is-”
“-Your house.”
Dash’s expression turned skeptical. “How’d you know where I live?”
Spitfire scoffed. “Are you kidding? All that fan mail? I’ve got your address memorized.” She smirked. “Involuntarily.”
“...Oh. Heh. Well, um, thanks. For flying me home.”
“No prob.”
“Well. I guess I’ll see ya tomorrow.”
Dash took a step off the edge, and Spitfire stopped her. “Wait.”
Dash’s insides froze, and she turned around.
“You’ve got to understand something.”
Dash found it difficult to maintain eye contact with Spitfire with her expression and tone so serious.
“Fame,” she continued. “It’s...” looked around for the right words. “It’s not easy to deal with. At all. You’ve got to understand what you’re getting into. It’s hectic, it’s stressful, you almost never get a break.” She sighed. “I don’t wanna make it sound like more trouble than it’s worth. Because believe me, it’s worth it. It’s just...” She looked around for a moment, then back to Dash. “I’ve lost some people I really care about to fame. And I don’t want you-” She closed her eyes and sighed again. “...I want you to know what you’re getting into.”
Warmth flooded Dash’s chest. Spitfire cared about her. She cared about her to a point that she didn't mind hinting at it, however obvious, even when they had never had any real interaction before.
“You’re good at what you do,” Spitfire continued, “you’re very good. Some of the stuff you showed us after the competition that day, I would never have thought anything up like that.” She looked around for a moment again, lost in thought. “I’m sorry I’m being like this right now. It’s just... You sorta saved my life. And risked your own. Nopony’s ever done anything like that for me before.” She smiled. “And a sonic rainboom at the same time? Major style points.”
She was comfortable with her. The Spitfire was comfortable with her.
“Well I mean,” Dash began. “It wasn’t a big deal. I was trying to save my friend at first.”
Spitfire laughed and her eyebrows rose. “Oh, really? So I shouldn’t be so happy you saved my life, then.”
Dash laughed. “No, that’s not what I meant!”
Spitfire turned away from Dash and began walking into the yard. “Maybe I should forget the whole Wonderbolt thing and leave.”
“No! I mean-”
Spitfire turned around with a huge smile on her face. “Be at the HQ at nine. Sleep well, eat plenty.” She took off into the sky and was gone in an instant, leaving behind a long, amber trail.
“Woah.”
Dash dropped down into her yard, opened her front door, walked inside, and the familiar air of her house hit her in the face. She closed the door and stood still. Reality failed to reach her. Her mind had entered an entirely different state of being.
“I’m a Wonderbolt.”
She looked around at her home, at all her belongings and memories of her life. It suddenly seemed unreal, like none of it even happened. Everything she had ever done failed in comparison to what just happened to her.
“I’m a Wonderbolt…”
Her voice grew louder.
“I’m a Wonderbolt!”
She wished she could shout it from the top of the Canterlot mountains for all of Equestria to hear. She felt tears building in her eyes, but she didn’t care at all. She could fill a bucket if she really wanted to.
She plopped down on the couch, exhausted beyond comprehension. She had not the energy nor the reason to hold back tears. They fell from her face like a waterfall.
There was a knock at the door.
“Rainbow Dash! Are you in there?” said Twilight Sparkle’s voice.
Rarity’s voice followed, “We saw a Sonic Rainboom earlier! Darling, everypony is buzzing madly about it!”
“And we mean everypony,” said Applejack, “Yer on the front page of the Equestria Daily!”
The doorknob glowed purple for a moment, and the door opened.
“Rainbow Da- oh…” Twilight, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Rarity, and Applejack all stood in the doorway, looking at a teary-eyed Rainbow Dash.
“Oh no,” said Applejack. She took a first few tentative steps toward Dash, carrying a worried expression. She sat next to her and ran a hoof through Dash's mane.
“Sugarcube, what’s eatin’ ya?”
Dash didn’t respond. She didn’t feel that she needed to.
“What happened?” asked Twilight. “We heard that you flew off with Soarin’ and Spitfire, but…” A look of sudden realization spread across her face. “Oh. So you did the Sonic Rainboom for them. What did they say? They didn’t say… no, did they?”
“They must have been impressed!” said Rarity. “A Sonic Rainboom is one of the most thrilling sights a pony can witness!”
“Yeah, I should know!” squealed Pinkie.
“What’s wrong? Something’s going on.” said Twilight.
Dash took a deep breath and released it slowly.
“I’m in.”
A stunned silence fell over them.
“C- come again?” said Applejack.
“They want me. I…” She swallowed. “I’m a Wonderbolt.”
Everypony’s jaw dropped. Twilight put a hoof on her mouth. “Oh my.”
As if on cue, Pinkie Pie and Rarity screamed in unison and pulled Dash into a tight embrace, knocking Applejack off the couch. They jumped up and down with Rainbow Dash in their arms.
“WOOHOO!” screamed Pinkie Pie, releasing Rainbow Dash. “I knew you could do it! I told you! I told her Rarity, I told her she could do it, and now look, she did it! And I told her! AH!”
“Darling, this is… this is stupendous news!” shrilled Rarity. “What else did they say? What do you do now?”
“They want me at a rehearsal tomorrow. I’m gonna perform in Manehatten next week.”
Everypony gasped.
“We. Are. So. THERE!” said Pinkie Pie.
“Oh, definitely,” concurred Rarity.
“Shoot,” said Applejack. “Rainbow Dash, our Rainbow Dash, she’s a Wonderbolt.”
“Think of all of the references, all the clients!” screamed Rarity. “I mean, I don’t mean to steal any from you, Rainbow dear, of course, but just think of the possibilities!”
“Woohoo,” whispered Fluttershy.
“Dash, you ok?” asked Applejack. “I reckon ya’d be a bit more excited, ya know, about your dreams comin’ true an’ all.”
“Yeah,” said Twilight. “You seem a little… out of it.”
“It’s nothing,” said Dash. “I...” She searched for a suitable excuse. “I’m just really tired. It’s been a long day.
“Oh, of course,” said Twilight. “We should probably let you sleep. Let’s go, guys.”
“Alright,” said Applejack. “See ya later. And Dash?”
“Yeah?”
“We’re proud o’ ya. So, so proud o’ ya.” Applejack hugged her tight. The others followed, and they all clumped together in a group embrace. It was true. Her dreams had become reality. Yet, it still felt as if everything she really ever wanted was right here, hugging her close. She returned the embrace, trying to derive every bit of feeling from it she could. Tears began cascading down her face.
She knew it would all go away. She knew she would have to leave them behind.
_____________
Spitfire opened her eyes.
“Ugh...”
She sat up from her bed and stretched her forelegs with a yawn.
Spitfire’s room was an absolute wreck. Fan mail lay scattered across the floor along with several dirty changes of flight suits.
“I’m not gonna tell them,” she said to herself. “No pony has to know. Just leave it alone, and everypony’ll be happy.”
She got out of bed and looked in the bathroom mirror; her mane was much more disheveled than usual and she saw dark circles under her eyes. She could feel that she didn’t sleep well.
Spitfire’s morning routine consisted of a shower, breakfast, and a long flight around Cloudsdale; she had no problem with paparazzi because they just weren’t fast enough. She finished showering and went downstairs to the dining room, where she found the main flight team already eating. The alternates were still in bed.
“Good morning, sunshine!” said Rapidfire, his tone dripping sacrcasm. “You look positively radient today!”
Spitfire rolled her eyes, sat next to Soarin’, and clopped her hooves twice. “AL!” A butler dressed in a tuxedo and white apron burst through the double doors leading to the kitchen.
“What is your fancy this morning, m’lady?”
“I’ll have an omelet. Extra crispy, extra bacon.”
“Right away.” The butler flew back into the kitchen, yelling at the cooks in a foreign language.
“Woah, somepony’s feeling reckless with their stomach today,” said Soarin’. “Did you sleep ok?”
“Ugh, no. I kept having this... dream. I kept waking up, and when I fell back asleep, I started having the same dream again.”
“What was it about?”
She paused and stared at her coffee cup for a moment. “It’s not important.”
“Well you know,” said Misty between bites of cereal, “we have that awesome psychiatrist, what’s her name?”
“Synapse,” said Rapidfire. “That’s a good idea, you should go get your brain evaluated!” He chuckled.
“It’s not that bad,” said Spitfire. “I don’t need a psychiatrist.”
“First step to recovery is admitting you have a problem,” said Misty, and everypony laughed.
“Anyway,” said Spitfire. “Rainbow Dash will be here in a bit. We should start thinking about how we’re gonna work her in next week.” She reached under the table and pushed a button. “I had this idea.” The lights dimmed, and a projector screen lowered from the ceiling. A picture showing a series of lines and X’s in different patterns flashed on the screen. “This is the finale. Normal terminal-delta pattern, right?” She picked up a big red X and placed it in the middle of a circle of X’s. “There’s the Rainboom.” Noises of approval came from the rest of the team. Spitfire laughed. “It’s gonna be so bucking awesome.”
“But,” said Rapidfire. “Will she be able to do it horizontally like that?”
Spitfire shrugged. “Why not?”
“It’s just... it seems like gravity helps her. Without it, can she still do it?”
“Probably. I mean, I’ve seen some of the stuff she can do. I’d be surprised.”
A low voice came out of the intercom.
“Ma’am? That, uh... Dashin’... Rain, uh-”
“Rainbow Dash,” said Spitfire.
“Yeah, that. She’s here.”
____________
Dash nudged the door open with her nose.
“Hello?”
The room was just the way she had left it. Despite its thorough decoration, the rec room was empty. It was a big house, and the Bolts could be anywhere. She went inside and took a seat on the suede couch, wondering how big the Wonderbolts headquarters really was.
A picture on the wall caught her eye. It was a pegasus enclosed by a giant oval cone, very close to breaking the sound barrier. Dash got up to get a closer look. It was Spitfire, who was no more than a tiny yellow dot in the sky. The cone around her was very well defined.
“Woah,” said Dash.
A very casual, softspoken voice came from behind her.
“That was the closest I ever got.”
Dash spun around. Spitfire stood in the doorway with a slight smirk on her face.
“After I heard that you did it at the BYFC, I kept trying and trying for weeks. That picture was the closest I got.”
Dash’s eyebrows rose. “Really?”
Spitfire nodded. “I have no clue how you do it.”
Dash felt a bubbling of pride inside her. She had done what the best flier in Equestria couldn’t do.
“Well, yeah,” said Dash with a pleased grin. “Once you start doing it, you know. It gets pretty easy.”
“Really,” Spitfire said sarcastically.
Dash shut her eyes and held her head high. “Yeah. I guess you could say that for all the moves I do.”
“Then dodge this.”
“Wha-”
Rainbow Dash had just enough time to avoid a couch pillow coming straight to her face at an alarming rate.
“WOAH! Whatdya do th-”
A second pillow made contact.
“Aw, come on!” said Spitfire. “I thought you said you got better the more you did it!”
Spitfire continued pitching pillows at Rainbow Dash, knocking over trophies and pictures from the wall. Dash flew into the air to get away from the feathery onslaught.
“I didn’t mean- AH! Why’re you- WOAH Stop it! Spitf- GAH- WHERE ARE YOU GETTING ALL THESE PILLOWS?!”
Spitfire was in hysterics. She stopped and doubled over in laughter. Rainbow Dash had no clue what to make of this.
“What the hay was that for?” Dash said as Spitfire fell over laughing.
“If- If you can dodge a- a pillow-”
“YO!” yelled Soarin’s voice. He poked his head through the door and his eyes met the scene. His expression glossed over with confusion. “What in the... am I interrupting something?”
“No, no,” said Spitfire as she struggled to catch her breath. “We- we were j- just... I’ll tell you later.”
“Uhh... M’kay. Well we’re starting.”
“Ok, ok.” Spitfire stood up, turned to Dash, and pointed a hoof at her neck. “Watch your back. I know every pillow in this mansion.”
Dash stood, utterly bewildered. She couldn’t think straight. No matter what way she tried, she couldn’t piece together what was happening. None of the unexplainable events of her life could compare to this.
Spitfire chuckled. “Lighten up, dude! You’re part of the most famous group of ponies in Equestria! You gotta learn to be crazy. You can ask Soarin’ all about it.”
Soarin’s eyes narrowed. “The hay is that supposed to mean?”
Spitfire gave Soarin’ a playful punch on the forehead, which produced a resonant echo. “All muscle, no brains. Ya learn to love him.” Dash could no longer hold back a smile.
Soarin’ scoffed. “Really? In front of Rainbow Dash?”
Spitfire smirked. “Go to the field, we’ll catch up.”
Soarin’ turned with an annoyed sigh and started down the hallway. Rainbow Dash waited until he was out of earshot.
“Spitfire?”
“Yeah?”
“I’ve always wondered... were you and Soarin’ ever-”
“-in a relationship?” She sighed. “Yeah. Big mistake.”
“What happened?”
“Nothing at all. With something like that, you have to keep it from the press. Otherwise, they’ll have a field day with it. We didn’t have time... for each other.”
Dash’s stomach dropped. She didn’t know why.
Spitfire’s voice altered dynamic quite dramatically. “Anyway! Topic for another time. I take it you’ve already memorized every Bolt routine there is.”
Dash lifted her head high. “Backwards and forwards.”
“How are you on number seven?”
Dash gasped. “You mean the Canterlot Arena show routine from three years ago?”
Spitfire nodded. “The very same.”
“That’s... my... favorite... one!”
“Good, cause that’s the Manehatten routine for Saturday.” Spitfire went to the door and opened it. “Let’s go! Your fans are waiting.”
“F- fans?”
Spitfire laughed. “You’re gonna love this.”
____________
|
DongleKumquat
|
1208
| 4 |
Rainbow Dash,Soarin,Spitfire,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Want
|
Rainbow Dash's dreams come true, and fame begins to change her in more ways than she could imagine.
|
incomplete
| 195 | 6 |
<p>Rainbow Dash's dreams come true, and fame begins to change her in more ways than she could imagine.</p>
|
teen
|
2012-02-14T11:09:46+00:00
|
2012-02-14T11:09:46+00:00
| 2,812 |
NOTE: Copy-pasting here doesn't keep the original formatting. I recommend visiting one of the following links instead.
"Want" EqD Post
Want Ch. 4 in Google Docs
Chapter 4
They reached the exit at the end of the hallway and stopped. Two large, husky pegasi dressed in black suits emerged from the darkness and stomped up to their side. Rainbow Dash looked up at the one towering over her. Huge teeth poked out of his closed mouth, his brutish face adorned by a clean-cut scar stretching over his cheek and eye.
“Woah.”
She wasn’t sure what was more startling, his impossibly low and silk-smooth voice, or the fact that he actually spoke.
“You enjoyin’ the view?”
She glanced quickly away at the ground. The guard chuckled lightly. He sounded like a radio star.
“Don’t worry, I ain’t gonna hurt you. My job is to do the exact opposite, in fact.”
She looked back up at him from the corner of her eye.
“Dash, this is Silvertongue,” said Spitfire. “He and I go way back.”
“Further back than I care to admit,” chuckled Silvertongue. “I knew Spitfire before she could even fly.”
“He’ll be your main guy,” said Spitfire. “If you ever have problems with a crowd, he’ll be there to handle it.”
“Well, I’m not famous yet,” said Dash. “What are we waiting for?”
Spitfire chuckled. ”Alright, miss showoff. Here.” Spitfire handed Rainbow Dash a black cloth big enough to be a blanket. “Put this over yourself. And quick, we’re running late already.”
“What? What for?”
“Just do it.”
Dash grabbed the blanket with her teeth and flung it over her head. She couldn’t see anything.
“Make sure it’s completely covering your face.”
“What the hay is this f-”
“Later. Now, when I tell you to go, walk forward slowly. Ok?”
“Ok.”
“I’ll guide you with a hoof as we walk, but when I tell you to stop, stop as quickly as you can and hold completely still. Got it?”
“I- I guess.”
“We’ll be getting into a jet. I’ll tell you when we’re there, but you have to stay covered the entire way. Ready?”
“Y- yeah. Wait, a jet?”
“Alright, guys. Barricade em’.”
Dash heard the doors open, and suddenly, thousands of camera shutters and screaming fans. Her heart shot up into her throat.
“Oh horseapples.”
“Alright,” said Spitfire. “GO!”
Dash started forwards, completely blind to anything in front of her. She walked as close to half her normal pace as possible. But why did Spitfire have to hide her? Everypony needed to see the brand new, athletic, incredibly good-looking Rainbow Dash!
“BACK AWAY, MAKE ROOM! QUESTIONS WILL NOT BE ANSWERED!” yelled the bodyguards as the endless shutter of cameras came like the sound of torrential rain. Dash heard the crowd trying to yell over each other.
“WHERE’S THE NEXT SHOW GONNA BE?”
“SPITFIRE! WHO’S UNDER THE BLANKET?”
“WHO IS THAT?”
“COULD YOU TAKE A MINUTE FOR WING WEEKLY?”
“Keep going, we’re doing good,” Spitfire said in Dash’s ear. She despised hiding herself from the world. If she was to become famous all over Equestria, what better place than to start right here?
The guards grunted and yelled as they pushed the crowd backwards. They began to slow down, until finally, Spitfire yelled, “Ok, stop!”
Dash froze in place, keeping every muscle as still as possible.
“There’s a set of stairs in front of you,” said Spitfire. “Keep the blanket covering you.”
Spitfire guided Dash up the stairs. A door opened.
“Ok, it’s open! Go in!” yelled Spitfire. Dash entered, feeling her way through the hole. The door shut, and Spitfire sighed. “K, you can take it off now.”
“Thank Celestia,” said Dash as she grabbed the cloth and pulled it off. Her eyes were met with a mob of ponies outside the door with cameras as they pushed and shoved to get a glimpse inside the window. Dash leaned away. “Woah."
“As you can see, rumors spread at the speed of sound. First lesson in fame, never say something publicly that our staff hasn’t approved.”
“But can’t they see in here?”
“Nope. The windows are blacked out from the outside.”
Dash looked around. Whatever vehicle she had entered could only be bought by ponies with innumerable amounts of money. Beige-colored recliners and furniture lined the cabin. Marble and oak-wood counter tops adorned a kitchen, just under a flat-screen TV built into the wall. A large hot tub sat in the corner, already hot and bubbling.
“Woah,” said Dash.
Spitfire chuckled. “Welcome to the JON! Also known as, the Jet of Necessity. We use this if we need to get places secretly.”
“Secret?” said Dash, half-scoffing at Spitfire. “There’s nothing secret about this thing!”
“Yeah, well. We’re working on that.”
Suddenly, the jet lurched up into the air and hovered above the crowd in the hedge garden below.
Spitfire jumped into one of the recliners and hit the side of the cabin twice. “You might wanna hang on.”
“What-”
The engines roared, and the jet shot forward. Dash flailed backward into the couch and yelled at the top of her lungs, holding on to whatever she could. Spitfire laughed and threw her hooves in the air. The jet leveled out and Dash looked out the window to see Ponyville speeding past them and out of sight.
“Why in Equestira do we need a jet?” She demanded. “I mean, I understand the secrecy and everything, but we do have wings. Couldn’t I have just kept the blanket on?”
“That’s why we named it the Jet of Necessity. Because it’s not actually necessary. Besides, wouldn’t it be kinda hard to fly with a blanket on?”
“Well. I guess.”
Spitfire shrugged. “I kinda like the jet. She laid back in the seat and propped her legs up on a nearby table. In an attempt to keep up the cool status quo, Dash copied Spitfire and propped her legs on the same table. Spitfire chuckled at this.
“What?” said Dash.
“Nothing.”
Their eyes met. Once again, they looked at each other for much longer than Dash would have liked. She looked away and tried to find something else to focus on, but Spitfire hadn’t stopped.
“You know,” Spitfire began, her dynamic dropping ten levels. “When I said that nopony had done anything like that for me before, saving my life and everything...”
Surprised at the sudden change in conversation, Dash looked back at Spitfire.
“...I sorta lied,” she finished.
“What do you mean?” Dash said, her curiosity piqued.
Spitfire bit her lip and broke her stare. “My parents. They died trying to save me and my brother.”
Silence filled the room. The jet engines dulled to nothing but a whisper. Dash didn’t know what to say. She felt like she should say something, but nothing came to mind.
“I- I’m-” She stuttered.
Spitfire groaned and put her face in her hooves. “Oh. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s fine, It-”
“I shouldn’t just randomly bring up stuff like that. It’s totally inappropriate.” Dash saw Spitfire’s face turn dark orange behind her hooves.
"It's really no big deal," said Dash.
Spitfire looked back at Dash, a mix of uncertainty and joy etched into her expression.
“What happened to them?” asked Dash.
Spitfire paused. “Ah, let’s not talk about it. Somber is my least favorite mood.” She smiled.
Dash had great difficulty figuring out why this topic of conversation had come up. Past family members were the last thing she had expected to discuss with the most famous pony in Equestria.
"But when you did the rainboom-" Spitfire continued, deep in thought. "I don't even know how to describe it. It changes you. I've been doing and saying things lately that I never would otherwise. Like just randomly blurting things out about my dead parents."
Again, Rainbow Dash had nothing to say. Her mouth opened as she tried to form words, but only stutters came out.
"But at the same time," Spitfire continued, "I'm just really happy." She laughed. "It's so weird, I feel all confident and optimistic about everything all the time, and Soarin’s been acting weird too. It’s like it has this effect on ponies who see it...” She stopped in thoughtful silence. “Just imagine when you do it in Manehatten.”
Dash’s head began to fill with millions of outlandish scenarios. Effect? What did Spitfire mean by feeling “optimistic and happy?” Was this why the Wonderbolts’ personalities were nothing like she imagined they would be?
What would happen if she did it in Mane Arena?
The jet began to slow down. Spitfire looked out the window. “Ah, we’re here!”
Dash looked out her window. They had come to a flat plain that stretched out to the horizon, as far as the eye could see. Several lines and circles were painted on the surface in a pattern, making a large bulls-eye. The jet slowed to a halt in midair and slowly lowered to the ground.
“Welcome to the middle of nowhere!” said Spitfire as she got up and flipped a switch that opened the door. “C’mon.”
“But-” Dash took a few hesitant glances out the windows. “What if somepony sees me?”
Spitfire smirked. “Good, you’re thinking like a famous pony. Don’t worry, we have teams of unicorns stationed around the field with visibility enchantments. Don’t ask me how it works, I have no clue.”
“Awesome.” Dash followed Spitfire out of the jet and adjusted her eyes from the ambient lighting inside the cabin to the blinding sun.
“Jeez, what the hay took you guys? We’ve already got the lines painted!” said Soarin’, as he the Wonderbolts walked up to them.
“Can it,” said Spitfire, shooting him a look. “Alright guys, take five miles around the field, half-speed.”
The Wonderbolts took off, and to her own surprise, Dash took off immediately after them.
After going to entire day without flying, the wind blowing through Dash’s mane felt incredibly refreshing. As far as she could see, this truly was the middle of nowhere. The brown ground met the blue sky in every direction.
She then found herself flying next to a yellow stallion with a long, firey mane and bright, amber eyes.
“Hey,” he said, extending a hoof to Dash. She was amazed at how alike he and Spitfire sounded. “I’m Rapidfire. I’m Spitfire’s brother.”
“I know,” she said, taking his hoof and shaking it. Either she had finally come to terms with reality or she was still stuck in a very long dream, but she managed to suppress any outward showing of excitement. “Name’s Rainbow Dash.”
“I know.” They laughed. “So. I hear that Sonic Rainboom of yours is quite the sight.”
“Hay yeah,” she said, smirking with pride. “It has this weird effect on you when you see it, so I’d be careful.”
He laughed. “Oh, really? And what kind of effect is this?”
“You start feeling all optimistic and happy about everything.”
“Yeah, I’ve noticed Soarin’ acting a little... giddy lately.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, he’s been going on and on about it all day. It got pretty annoying. But he’s pretty annoying in general, so it’s normal.”
Dash laughed. She had never thought the Wonderbolts to be real, actual ponies, they had only been deities and idols to her.
“But listen,” said Rapidfire. “If you have any questions about anything, or you just want somepony to talk to, I’m always here. I know how it is, being new and all.”
She smiled at him. “Cool. Thanks.”
He winked at Dash, then returned to flying.
____________________
|
DongleKumquat
|
1208
| 5 |
Rainbow Dash,Soarin,Spitfire,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Want
|
Rainbow Dash's dreams come true, and fame begins to change her in more ways than she could imagine.
|
incomplete
| 195 | 6 |
<p>Rainbow Dash's dreams come true, and fame begins to change her in more ways than she could imagine.</p>
|
teen
|
2012-03-09T09:10:46+00:00
|
2012-03-09T09:10:46+00:00
| 2,832 |
NOTE: Copy-pasting here doesn't keep the original formatting. I recommend visiting one of the following links instead.
"Want" EqD Post
Want Ch. 5 in Google Docs
Chapter 5
Spitfire walked over to her big brother and sat down.
“Hey,” she said. Her gaze became lost in the flurry of activity in the sky as Rainbow Dash rehearsed a section of the show with the team.
“Hey,” he replied. “What’s up?”
She didn’t say anything. There was so much she could say, yet none of it came out. The dazzling colors and explosions in the sky held her eyes in place. Rapidfire read her like an open book.
“Something’s wrong,” he said as he turned towards her. “What’s wrong?”
A warm breeze casually and carelessly drifted through her mane. She sniffled.
“Nothing.”
Rapidfire scoffed. “You know I know you better than that.”
Spitfire suddenly dove for her brother and pulled him into a desperate hug.
“Woah! What is it?” he said.
Spitfire took in a deep breath, and slowly released it.
“I miss them so much.”
At a loss for words, Rapidfire tentatively returned the embrace “Hey. It’s ok.”
They stood in each other’s grasp for what seemed like an hour. To Spitfire’s surprise, her eyes stayed dry. Finally, Rapidfire spoke up.
“I’m curious.” He released her. “Why are you bringing this up now?”
She had wondered if she should tell him. He is her big brother, after all.
“It’s Rainbow Dash.”
“What about Rainbow Dash?”
“She’s just...”
A rainbow-colored bolt of lightning streaked across the sky and exploded in a shower of blue sparks as Rainbow Dash flew overhead.
“...amazing.”
“Soo...” Rapidfire began, trying to make light and humor of the situation. “Dash reminds you of mom and dad?”
“No, it’s what she does that reminds me.”
Rapidfire’s expression turned incredulous.
“I mean, all of her moves and tricks she does, her style.”
“I don’t follow.”
“The sonic rainboom! It does something to you. I don’t know how to explain it... it’s like nostalgia. Like really, really strong nostalgia.”
Rapidfire had begun to look worried. “Interesting. So Dash’s sonic rainboom makes you nostalgic for mom and dad?”
Spitfire sighed and returned her attention to the scene in the sky. She spoke as if speaking to herself. “And I just blurted it out, too.”
“Huh?”
“On the way over here, we were having a perfectly normal conversation, and I went all loopy, and just randomly brought up the fact that our parents died saving our lives.”
“Uh. You did?”
“I have no idea what the hay I was thinking. It was so random. Nothing made me do it, it sort of just happened. Even being around her makes me feel... strange.”
Rapidfire silently pondered his sister for a moment. “Do you need to go see somepony? That whole therapist thing doesn’t seem like such a bad idea now.”
She laughed. At least he was taking it lightly. “The rainboom made me cry, you know.”
Rapidfire turned and looked at Spitfire as if she had just punched him square in the face. “You cried?” He looked up as Dash sky-wrote her name in cursive. “Wow. I’ve gotta see this.”
Suddenly, Silvertongue’s silvery voice boomed out from behind them.
“SPITFIRE!”
He flared his giant wings and shook the ground as he landed next to her holding a rolled-up newspaper.
“I think we have a bit of a problem.” She took the newspaper from him, unrolled it, and came face to face with a huge headshot of Rainbow Dash, under a line of giant bold-print text.
A NEW WONDERBOLT
“Oh, great.”
_________________
The day before the Manehatten show, Rainbow Dash was on top of the world. She felt like she could do anything. She had perfected the show routines into virtuosic displays of limitless talent and ability. She moved with the Wonderbolts in perfect synchronization through the sky. She reached a level of visual excellence that she herself never thought possible.
It was no longer a sport. It was art.
Spitfire sat with a hoof on her chin in thought. “This is going to be the best show we’ve ever done.”
The Wonderbolts sat in a circle, water bottles in hoof, all eyes on their fearless leader.
“No, seriously,” she continued. “You have no idea how awesome it looks.”
“Splendid,” said Tyco, his Trottingham accent thick as ever. “At least somepony believes so. If it’s a complete disaster, we will have your opinion, dear Spitfire, to un-depress ourselves. As it were.”
“Hey!” piped up Fleetfoot. “That crash in Saddlesburg wasn’t totally my fault.
Tyco put a hoof over his forehead in dramatic fashion. “Oh, the tragic end to the performance! In this act, dear Fleetfoot once again denies any and all responsibility to everything!”
Fleetfoot smiled. “You wanna take this outside?”
“We are outside, dear Fleetfoot. And spare me the quarrel, I can win over you in no more than one bout.”
“Oh really? Let’s see then!” yelled Fleetfoot as she dove for Tyco.
Dash sat and watched the altercation from the sidelines. They were just kids. The public figures she had idolized and adored, the ponies who had everything, and they seemed only about as mature as she.
Fleetfoot and Tyco wrestled to the ground, the others laughing and cheering them on.
“Alright, alright, knock it off,” said Spitfire. “We should actually accomplish something today.”
Fleetfoot released Tyco from a headlock and punched him on the shoulder before returning to her spot in the circle.
“So we haven’t practiced the finale yet,” said Spitfire. “I think that’s a good place to start.”
“Le piece de resistance,” added Soarin’, and he bumped Dash on the shoulder. “Miss impossible over here.”
Dash smiled as Rapidfire whooped in response to Soarin’.
“Oh, we get to see it now?” said Fleetfoot. “The rainboom?”
“Alright, Dash. Ready to amaze us?” said Spitfire.
Dash smirked. “I dunno. If I’m feeling like it, maybe.”
Spitfire rolled her eyes. “Alright then, you’re with me. Everypony else, terminal-delta. Start the grouping at dead-center.”
The rest of the Wonderbolts took off into the sky and gathered in a group.
“I’ll be with them,” said Spitfire. “You’ll need to start a few miles out of the stadium, so leave yourself plenty of time to get away.”
“Ok.”
Spitfire signaled to the group. They began flying in a tight circle, a point of red light growing brighter and brighter at the center.
“That light is your cue. You’ll have all the time you need to get there, but you’re gonna time the rainboom so that you break the barrier right through the center.”
“Easy peasy.”
“Awesome, let’s try it. Oh, and do it horizontally instead of vertically.”
“Sure. Wait- what do you mean?”
“Go sideways instead of towards the ground.”
Dash’s stomach shrunk to half its size.
“Ho- horizontal?”
“Yeah, we want the shockwave to expand perpendicular to the ground. Is that a problem?”
She had never considered this before. How could she have missed it? Could she do the rainboom horizontally? Gravity had always aided her in gaining speed, but was it enough? She had never tried it. Her mind suddenly in a maelstrom of questions and scenarios, Dash could only stutter.
“I- I- I think- I mean- well, if-”
Spitfire raised an eyebrow. “You can do it horizontally, right?”
“Y- yeah, of course!”
“Alright, then. Give yourself some range, and when you see the light, punch it.” She flew off to join the rest of the team. Dash took off in the opposite direction, sweat beginning to accumulate on the back of her neck.
“How the hay have I never tried this before?” she told herself as she flew away. “I mean, if I can do the sonic rainboom plus hundreds of other amazing moves nopony else can do, theres no way I can’t do it horizontally.”
She flew for several minutes, racking her brain for any time in the thousands of attempts at the sonic rainboom that she had done horizontally. Finally she turned around, and the Wonderbolts were a barely visible, tiny dot in the distance.
“It’s fine, it’s fine.” She wiped the sweat from her forehead. “There’s nothing I can’t do. I can do everything. I’m Rainbow Dash.”
The red light began to shine. Dash took in a deep breath and exhaled. With all of her might she shot forward, clawing at every bit of air in front of her. Immediately, it became clear. She wouldn’t even come close.
“COME ON!” she grunted through gritted teeth. The cone began to form around her as she rocketed toward the field. The wind ripped past her face. The ground became nothing but a light-brown blur. Her eyes watered as she squinted harder and harder. Every ounce of strength she could muster propelled her toward the target.
“COME ON, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?” she yelled as she pushed harder and harder against the sound barrier. The bright, silvery cone around her had begun to move further and further away from her grasp. Lost in her stressed thoughts, she almost forgot to look up. The target was practically in front of her. She timed the jump, made a last push through the barrier, and time stopped.
Everything went completely still. Sound became non-existent. Dash un-squinted one eye. She had stopped moving completely.
“Oh horseapp-” She shot into the opposite direction, flailing around without control. Her face ate the dirt as she went head over hooves into the ground.
“Ugghh..”
“Dash! Are you ok?” said Soarin’ as he and the Wonderbolts landed next to her.
She snapped back up to her hooves, trying her absolute best to act as if nothing had gone wrong.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine.”
Everypony stared at her with nondescript expressions. Such an expression on Spitfire’s face was almost unbearable. Dash looked away as she made eye contact.
“Um,” Spitfire began. “You can do it. Right?”
She couldn’t let Spitfire down. She wouldn’t do it. Nor would she sap her own pride. She could do the sonic rainboom sideways. She had to.
“Of- of course! I was just, you know. Messin’ around.”
Spitfire raised an eyebrow. “Hmm. Kind of a weird way to mess around. We kinda wanted to see it.”
Dash held her breath, her heart about to blast through her chest.
“Well, as long as you do it tomorrow,” Spitfire finished.
“It- It’ll happen,” said Dash. She had signed her own death warrant, and there was no taking it back.
“Teasing us, eh?” said Tyco. He cracked a grin. “I like your style.”
Spitfire sighed, subtly yet obviously disappointed. “Alright then, we’ll wing it.” She looked up at the setting sun as it rested on the horizon. “I think we’ll call practice. Go home, get a lot of sleep. We have a hay of a show tomorrow.” She flew up into the air. “We’ll take the jet to Manehatten, so be at the HQ at noon.”
Dash’s insides squirmed around. She felt like puking. She took long, heavy breaths.
“Oh no. Oh no. Oh no. Oh no.”
“You sure you’re ok, Dash?” said Soarin’ as he took off after Spitfire. “You’re whiter than a ghost.”
“YES!” she suddenly yelled as she cracked a ridiculous smile. “I’M FINE!”
Soarin’ chuckled. “Kid, you really are a gem. See you tomorrow! Don’t party too hard.”
“Actually,” said Spitfire. “You guys go ahead, I want to talk to her.”
“Mkay,” said Soarin’. “See you later.” He flew away and the Wonderbolts followed.
Dash looked at Spitfire and her legs froze in place. She wished she could fly far away.
“Hey,” she said, her voice cracking.
Spitfire smirked. “Listen. About earlier, what I told you about my parents.”
“Y- yeah?”
“I’m really sorry. It was totally uncool, I have no idea what I was thinking.” She took a few steps toward Dash.
“No, it’s- it’s fine.”
“I hate to put you in this position, but that’s something that’s not supposed to get out. Even Soarin’ doesn’t know.” She took a few steps closer.
“Wow, r- really?”
“Yeah... yeah.” Her voice trailed off. She came even closer. She looked at Dash as if desperately searching for something, and expecting to find it in the most peculiar of places. She stopped in front of her, just on the edge of comfortable conversation distance.
Silence befell them. Dash felt the urge to speak, but something else matched it.
After an eternity, Spitfire looked away and finally spoke.
“You have no idea. What this means to me. What you do means to me. What...” she trailed off into silence for several seconds.
“...What you mean to me.”
She turned to face the orange setting sun and let out a deep sigh. “I’m sorry. I’m doing it again. I’m doing it again!” She turned back to Dash. “Ok, I’ve got to leave before I do something really drastic. I am having some serious issues right now.” She chuckled in an obvious attempt to laugh it off. “Can you get home ok?”
“Um. I guess.”
“Remember, the secret is out. Everypony in the world will know who you are by now.”
“O- ok.”
“Sleep like a rock. I’ll see you at noon tomorrow, no later.” She took off into the sky, becoming lost in the orange sky.
Dash’s rump hit the ground.
“Oh buck.”
____________________
Mane Arena: a worthy testament to the age of modern unicorn engineering. Visible for miles in every direction, its giant, concrete walls towered above the Manehatten skyline and spanned nearly half its width. Titanic, golden pylons extended out from the walls and curved into the sky, meeting at a single point above the field where a golden crest hovered in mid-air, shining bright in the sunlight. Rows upon rows of seats lined the inside walls, many of which were already filled. Crowds stood around the entrances, waiting and hoping for their chance to witness history.
Dash stared out of her airplane window. The sheer size of the structure crushed every bit of feeling inside her. She had only seen it on TV. In person, it seemed much larger.
“Quite a sight, huh?” said Soarin’. “Biggest field in the world. Quarter mile in diameter, capacity five hundred thousand.”
Dash shrunk into her seat as a shiver ran up her spine.
“Soarin’ would of course like to think of it in numbers,” said Tyco. “I find Mane Arena to be a stunning example of modern art.”
Soarin’ rolled his eyes. “Here we go.”
“The golden pylons,” said Tyco as he shot Soarin’ a look. “Represent the marvelous wonder of magic and the infinite possibilities it holds, extending upward into the sky with indefinite end. Princess Celestia herself placed the spell keeping the crest suspended in mid-air.”
“I hear she might even be at the show,” added Soarin’.
“Great,” said Dash. “Awesome.”
“‘Awesome?’ You mean fan-freakin-tastic! If your rainboom can do what it did to me and Spitfire, just think how that crowd is gonna react.”
Soarin’ continued explaining to Dash everything there was to know about performing to “ultra-large” audiences, each little fact and detail smashing her confidence to pieces. Scenario after scenario ran through her head, each one ending with apocalyptic circumstances. There was no escaping. There was no turning back.
They reached the side of the arena, where two large doors began to open. The jet slowed to a hover and slowly drifted inside. A crowd of camera-flashing ponies stood outside the entrance, taking as many pictures as possible before the doors closed.
Out of the total darkness and silence inside the cabin came Spitfire’s voice.
“Well. We’re here.”
Then came Soarin’s voice, much louder and much more enthusiastic.
“GAME TIME!”
The Wonderbolts yelled and hollered in response.
“Grab your bags,” said Spitfire. “Let’s go be famous.”
Rainbow Dash followed the Wonderbolts out of the jet and into a cavernous aircraft hangar lined with steel walls. The doors closed behind them and several overhead lights flashed on. A group of pegasi wearing suits and sunglasses stood next to a doorway in the corner. One of them stepped up and checked his watch.
“Half an hour.” He looked at Dash from behind his sunglasses and pondered her for an uncomfortably long period of time. “If you would, fillies and gentlecolts, follow me this way.”
The Wonderbolts followed as he turned on the spot and trotted towards the doorway in the corner. Dash’s saddlebag carrying her flight suit hung around her like a lead weight.
They moved through a long, steel corridor through which several pegasi flew back and forth, frantically making preparations for the show. Every few seconds, one of them would stop and stare at the Wonderbolts in awe as they walked by. The further they walked, the more Dash began to realize that they were staring at her.
“Is that... that’s... Rainbow Dash!”
“It’s her, the new Bolt!”
“DO A SONIC RAINBOOM!”
Soarin’ nudged her and grinned. Dash attempted a smile back. She never thought being famous would be so awful.
“The locker room is just around here,” said the escort.
They turned a final corner, and Dash’s legs froze. A bright light led out into the field at the end of the tunnel, and the sound of a half-million fans as they cheered over the filler rock music.
This was it. She was going to die.
“You coming?” said Spitfire from a nearby doorway. “Or are you too excited to move? I know that feeling.”
Dash slowly followed Spitfire through the door, no longer making any attempt to hide her distressed demeanor.
“You ok?” said Spifire. “You seem a bit... anxious.”
Dash waved her hoof. “I- I’m fine. Just a little- uh- nervous.”
Spitfire laughed. “You’ll be fine. Just have fun!”
They walked into a small, square room lined with lockers. Misty, Rapidfire, and the other Wonderbolts slipped into their flight suits without hesitation while Dash struggled to stretch the fabric over herself, her forelegs trembling profusely. She made occasional glances at the others as they talked to each other, laughing and joking without a care in the world.
Dash pulled the mask over her head and looked in the mirror. She didn’t deserve to wear this.
“Dash, are you ok?” said Spitfire.
Dash jumped. “NO! YES! I mean- yes, I’m fine! Why?”
Spitfire recoiled slightly. “Well... it’s just your ears have been flopped for the last two hours. You’re sure you’re ok?”
Dash scoffed with small, maniacal chuckles.
Spitfire shrugged. “Ok then.”
Suddenly, an extremely animated voice came over the loudspeakers in the stadium. Dash jumped a few feet off the ground.
“FILLIES AND GENTLECOLTS!”
An impossibly loud roar echoed the voice. The floor shook, the lights flickered, and the ceiling tiles rattled in their sockets. Dash clenched her head in her hooves.
“Oh no. Oh no no no no no.”
“Woohoo!” yelled Soarin’, barely audible over the roaring and trembling stadium. “Listen to that!”
Dash looked up at Spitfire as dust began to fall from the ceiling. They made eye contact. Spitfire just smiled at her. She smiled as if nothing at all was wrong. The entire world could have been falling apart, and she wouldn’t have cared at all.
Then, the crowd began chanting. Each word shook the stadium like a giant bass drum.
RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH!
“That’s you, kid,” said Soarin’.
The escort opened the door. “Three minutes.”
“HERE TO PERFORM DAZZLING, GRAVITY-DEFYING ACTS OF AEROBATICS...!”
_______________________
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Rainbow Dash,Soarin,Spitfire,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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Rainbow Dash's dreams come true, and fame begins to change her in more ways than she could imagine.
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<p>Rainbow Dash's dreams come true, and fame begins to change her in more ways than she could imagine.</p>
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teen
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2012-04-26T16:21:41+00:00
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2012-04-26T16:21:41+00:00
| 3,277 |
NOTE: Copy-pasting here doesn't keep the original formatting. I recommend going to one of the following links instead:
Chapter 6 in GDocs
Want EqD post
Chapter 6
Rainbow Dash stepped up to her place in the formation.
“LED BY THE BLAZING WONDER, SPITFIRE!”
The Wonderbolts walked down the tunnel in their trademark delta-formation. Dash’s legs became weaker with each step. Her flight suit squeezed her chest and tightened around her neck. Ahead stood the exit: a bright, white light from which the screams of thousands of expectant fans rang out like the trumpets of the apocalypse.
As they neared the overhang, Dash’s jaw slowly dropped. Night had arrived, and the stadium lights lit up the field in a bright green fluorescence under the black sky. Ponies leaned over the railing above, jumping and pushing one another to get a glimpse at the Wonderbolts. Dash tilted back her head to look at the opposite side of the stadium as it towered above everything, a sea of color blanketing its surface. She whimpered.
“You know the pre-show verse, right Dash?” Fleetfoot yelled over the crowd.
“The what?” Dash yelled back.
“Thirty seconds!” yelled the escort.
“We do this chant before we fly out!” Fleetfoot yelled again. “It’s really fun, you should try it!
Of course she knew the pre-show verse. She recited it practically every night before she went to bed.
“Alright guys!” yelled Spitfire. “This is the opener, first impressions are everything! Keep it close, keep it tight! GOGGLES!”
Each of the Wonderbolts snapped their goggles to their eyes.
“IT’S TIME TO FLY!” Soarin’ suddenly screamed at the top of his lungs. “FLY OVER DREAMS! FLY WITH ANGELS! BEAUTY WILL SCORCH THE SKY! FOR WE ARE THE SKY KEEPERS, OUR WINGS WILL SPREAD FOR THE HONOR, THE GLORY, OF EQUESTRIA!”
“Twenty seconds!”
The rest of the Wonderbolts joined in: “IT’S TIME TO FLY! FLY OVER DREAMS! FLY WITH ANGELS! BEAUTY WILL SCORCH THE SKY!” Dash mumbled along with them. The crowd began to drown them out.
RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH!
“FOR WE ARE THE SKY KEEPERS, OUR WINGS WILL SPREAD FOR THE HONOR, THE GLORY, OF EQUESTRIA!”
Dash couldn’t handle it any longer.
“I CAN’T DO IT!”
Everypony stopped and looked at her.
“I CAN’T-”
Spitfire rushed up to her. “Dash, look at me. Now is definitely not the time for a nervous breakdown. You’ll do fine.”
“No, I mean I can’t do it! Th- the rainboom.”
Spitfire’s expression faded. “W- what do you mean you can’t do it?”
“I can’t do it horizontally! I’ve never done it before. I’ve never tried it before.”
“W- what?”
“Ten seconds!” yelled the escort.
“ALL THE WAY FROM CLOUDSDALE...”
Spitfire’s face froze. “Please tell me you’re kidding. Please.”
Dash looked at the ground and shook her head. Spitfire retreated a few steps. Everypony looked at her.
now!”
She spun around and bounded back to her place in the formation.
“SET!” screamed Soarin’, and the Wonderbolts flared their wings in perfect synchronization.
“MARK!”
With an earsplitting CRACK they shot into the sky. The crowd exploded. A maelstrom of camera flashes sparkled across the stadium like a heavily sequined sheet of fabric. They reached the peak of their ascent, then dove hard at the ground. Dash kept as close as she could to the Bolts around her, matching their speed and every move. They pulled up sharply, producing a chest-rattling rumble that echoed through the stadium. The air twisted and contorted into several effervescent rings that rose into the sky.
“FILLIES AND GENTLECOLTS, INTRODUCING THE LIGHTNING FAST RAAAAAINBOOOW DAAASH!”
Dash broke off from the group, flew towards the rising rings, and accelerated. Aiming at the dead center, she punched a hole straight through the middle. An arc of lightning appeared and connected to several points around them for a split second before climbing into the sky and expanding. The crowd roared as the rings exploded into a shower of water and mist. From the bright stadium lights, a vivid rainbow appeared. She dove toward the stands and flew a low pass around the arena, trailing behind her a thunderstorm that soaked the audience.
Dash’s introductory solo went by like a blur. Before any thought entered her mind, she found herself flying over the top edge of the stands and out of sight where she caught her first break. Landing on a flat area of concrete, she heard the high pitched screams from thousands of fillies as Soarin’ and Rapidfire began their duet.
Out of nowhere, Spitfire landed in front of her. Chunks of cracked concrete went flying.
“WHAT THE HAY. WHAT IN THE HAY!!”
Her demented expression perfectly matched the furious way she walked as she grabbed her goggles and threw them off. Dash retreated several steps.
“You SAID you could do it! This whole time I believed you! YOU LIED TO ME!”
“I- I-”
“What do we do now, Dash? WHAT THE HAY DO WE DO NOW? Maybe we should just let YOU decide everything from now on!” She began pacing, biting her lip, and ruffling her wings all at the same time. Her tail flicked around like it was trying to escape. Her breathing became heavy and erratic. “It HAS to happen, there’s no way it CAN’T happen! Why Dash? Why would you do this? To THINK I even let you JOIN!”
“SORRY DOESN’T MEAN ANYTHING!” Tears began to fall from her eyes. “I wanted this for you! And you just threw it away!” She turned away.
Dash stared at the back of Spitfire’s stuck-up mane as the wind began to blow it back into place. Spitfire’s flight suit turned a deep shade of blue against the night sky. She occasionally brought up a hoof to wipe her face.
Dash thought of nothing to say. But she had to try something.
“Spitfire,” she began. Spitfire responded with a sniffle. “I never knew my rainboom would make ponies feel like this. Like you do, I mean.”
Spitfire scoffed.
“When you asked me to do it sideways, I panicked. I didn’t want to let you down.”
Spitfire’s voice dropped several dynamic levels. “Well you sure didn’t, did you?”
Dash gulped. It felt like Spitfire had just shoved a sword through her stomach. “I mean,” Dash continued. “There’s always next time! Can’t I just not do it? Couldn’t I do it vertically at another show?”
Spitfire turned around. She walked up to Dash and put both forehooves on her shoulders.
“Please.”
Her expression became unbearable. Tears streamed down her face as if she pleaded for her own life, amplifying the unidentifiable pain inside Dash’s stomach.
“Please do it. There won’t be another chance like this.” Her wet, fiery eyes pierced Dash’s soul. “You don’t know how much-”
Her mouth hung on the end of the sentence. Slowly, she began to back away. Dash suppressed the urge to question her.
Suddenly, she shot back into the sky and over the stadium wall. The crowd met her return with a thunderous roar. Dash stared at the concrete crater she left behind.
_________________________
“What the hay is wrong with you, Spitfire? WHAT THE HAY IS WRONG WITH YOU!?”
Her rage coming from nowhere and her mind slowly turning into scrambled eggs, Spitfire took her anger out on her duet with her brother.
“Hey!” Rapidfire yelled over the wind and ecstatic crowd. “You think you could tone it down a bit? You’re scorching the field!”
Spitfire turned her head, and her fire trail had grown nearly ten times larger than her brother’s. Hot magma waterfalls fell to the ground as the pegasi fire crew rushed back and forth to extinguish the blaze. She rolled her eyes and continued on. Twisting and twirling around each other, Rapidfire dodged the huge chunks of hot lava flowing from his sister’s trail.
“Spit- WOAH- Spitfire! Hey! Knock it off!”
“Shut up!” she yelled.
“What! Did you just tell me to shut up? You never tell me to shut up!”
“SHUT UP!”
They reached the finale of their duet, a move called the “Heat Wave.” They went to opposite ends of the arena and flew straight toward each other at extreme speed. Just before colliding, they turned sideways and banked in opposite directions, missing each other by inches and causing a fiery shockwave. The crowd roared as they rejoined each other in the air and flew out of sight.
Suddenly, something grabbed Spitfire’s back leg and yanked her to the ground.
“What is with you?” said Rapidfire in a scolding tone as Spitfire got back to her hooves. “I know you’re upset about the rainboom, but you nearly cooked me alive back there!” His eyes narrowed. “Wait, where are your goggles?”
Forget about it? No! We need to fly this show! You’ve got to slow down before you kill somepony!”
“I said forget it.”
“Spitfire, you have to focus while you’re performing, you can’t just fly off the handle like that.”
“Who’s the captain of the Wonderbolts, you or me?”
“Who’s bigger and older, you or me?”
Spitfire stamped the ground with a grunt. “Can’t you just come off it?”
“What is the matter with you? You’re never like this. And come to think of it, you’ve been acting like you’ve gone insane for the past two weeks.”
Spitfire began pacing. Her tail flicked around as her ears gave nervous twitches. Rapidfire studied her intently.
“I keep thinking about her,” she said finally. “I keep thinking about her, and the rainboom. And I can’t stop. I wanna stop, but I can’t. It’s so stupid! I mean, how hard can it be to stop thinking about somepony? Obviously pretty hard.”
“Wait. Rainbow Dash?”
“Yes Rainbow Dash, who the hay else? And she’s not going to do it. She has to do it! If she doesn’t do it, then no pony will see it. And if no pony sees it, then that’s going to be bad. Very. Bad. Everypony needs to see it. They’ve got-”
“Hey. Calm down. It’s fine.”
“‘It’s fine?’ How? How in Equestria is this fine?”
Rapidfire had no answer.
Spitfire sighed. “Something’s happening to me.” She continued pacing with worry. “Something’s happening to me, and I don’t know why.” She turned to her brother. “You don’t understand. I need this to happen tonight. I’ve got to see it again.”
Rapidfire looked at her sister’s imploring expression. He shrugged. “If she doesn’t do it,” he resisted the urge to laugh at the ridiculous situation, “She doesn’t do it.”
At that moment, a loud CRACK echoed overhead as Dash’s rainbow trail rocketed out of the stadium and into the night horizon.
“That’s our cue,” said Rapidfire. “Finale time. Ready?”
“No,” Spitfire muttered as she took off.
Rapidfire looked out towards the dark, moonlit ocean as Dash’s trail grew fainter.
“C’mon Dash,” he said to himself. “You got this.”
_____________________
The bright moon over the soft waves of the ocean below her offered no condolence as Rainbow Dash turned to face the luminous city lights of Manehatten. Her heart pounded against her chest. Her legs trembled. A large lump had formed in her throat, causing her to breathe heavily and erratically. Trying to snap out of her panicked stupor, she hit herself on the forehead a few times.
“C’mon, C’mon, C’MON!” She hovered back and forth, as if the air running through her head could clear her mind. “Just you and the sky Dash, you and the sky. No pony else, just you.”
She stared at the massive concrete structure on the distant shore, waiting for the signal. Thoughts flying through her brain, she quickly devised an exit strategy for when she would humiliate herself in front of Equestria.
“The mountains aren’t too far away,” she said to herself. “I could camp out in the clouds there for a while until everypony stops looking for me, then make the trip across the ocean to Canterburry... but what would I eat? I could swipe some stuff from a convenience store or something on my way out, half of Manehatten is deserted right now anyway... Ah, who am I kidding? I’m doomed! RUINED!”
Then, a flash of bright red light on the coast.
Dash giggled maniacally to herself. “You know what? I don’t even care what happens. I don’t even care!”
She accelerated. Leveling herself horizontally to the ground, she bit her lip as she pushed herself forward with all her might. “I DON’T EVEN CARE!”
The wind began to claw at her face. Her exposed snout numbed as the insides of her cheeks flared out like parachutes. Less-than-pleasant noises escaped her mouth through her gritted teeth.
Suddenly, Dash burst into song, screaming at the top of her lungs.
“I DON’T EVEN CARE, I DON’T EVEN CARE!
LA LA DA BE DAH DO BA LAAAAA!”
Her mind had gone. She went faster and faster, unaware of thought and feeling. Again, she let out a maniacal laugh. “SPITFIRE! I CAN’T LET YOU DOWN! BUT I’M GOING TO!”
“It’s beautiful here...”
A faint cone faded into existence around her. She scoffed. “DOESN’T EVEN MATTER!” In an attempt to imitate Soarin’, she began yelling out of an imaginary adrenaline rush.
Dash struggled to stay conscious. Little by little, the dark night rushing past her began to fade to black.
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be...”
“IT’S TIME TO FLYYYYYYY! FLY OVER DREEEEAMS! RAINBOWS WILL SCORCH THE SKY!”
Before she could continue the next verse, the world left her. Everything turned to black...
“Nowhere else...”
Rainbow Dash opened her eyes to a blue-filled sky. Spring dominated the day and the Cloudsdale weather factory ran at full speed, streaming rainbows in several directions and exhausting the puffiest clouds Equestria had ever seen. A light shimmer hung around the air as drizzles blew in the wind.
Suddenly, something heavy landed on her shoulder. Startled, Dash jumped up to her hooves. It wasn’t something, but somepony. It was Spitfire’s head.
Spitfire immediately blushed and jumped up as well. “Ah- I- I’m- I’m sorry-”
Not used to having her mane brushed, Spitfire struggled to keep its neatness out of her face.
“Are you-” Dash began.
Her mind blanking, Spitfire tried to come up with something to say as her mouth froze with the rest of her body.
“Am- am I-” Spitfire stuttered.
A silence fell over the space between them as it seemed to contort.
“Am I what?” Spitfire finally said.
Without reason and without a thought, Dash took a step towards her. “I- I think-”
A chill ran from Spitfire’s head to her hooves. “...What?”
A thought entered Spitfire’s head. A thought that had just become completely outlandish and ridiculous. However, something about this thought made it peculiar. And it seemed very reminiscent of the mare standing in front of her.
Without reason and with this thought, Spitfire took a step towards Dash.
“I think I think, too,” said Spitfire, her voice resolving into trembles. Dash shivered as if Spitfire had just dove into her mind and read it.
The bright blue scenery around them began to fade as they neared each other. Bright colors began to swell and surge like a raging ocean. A low, rumbling noise rattled Dash’s chest, growing louder and louder. Their faces right in front of each other, Spitfire closed her eyes, but she began to fade away behind the swirling rainbows.
The colors seemed to drain like water from a bathtub. The noise had become unbearable...
Dash opened her eyes, the Manehatten skyline suddenly right in front of her. The skyscrapers reflected the blinding rainbow inferno behind her, and Dash shielded her eyes.
She slowed to a stop and turned around. The shockwave hurdled towards her at the speed of sound. It blasted her back against the glass, accompanied by the same impossibly low rumble. The roar subsided and gave way to the erupting crowd.
Dash’s head swam. She felt light. Her eyes drooped as if she hadn’t slept in days. As she slowly made her way back to the field to join the Wonderbolts in the bows, the magnitude of what she had just done became increasingly apparent.
She crossed over the wall into the field, and the crowd erupted. The screams of five hundred thousand ponies hit her in the chest like a ton of bricks. A rainbow haze filled the arena in wake of the explosion.
Dash couldn’t tell what was going on. Things started to run together. She needed a nap. A nice, long nap on a big, puffy cumulonimbus. Right under the sun where she could bask in its yellow glory.
She continued to the center where the Wonderbolts waited. Taking her place on the left end next to Tyco, they locked forearms. Dash could feel him shaking.
She glanced up at him. Tears were pouring down his face, his expression forward and unchanging.
“Heh,” she said groggily. “Was it really that good?”
“Dear Rainbow Dash,” said Tyco. “You have no idea.”
Each Wonderbolt took their turn bowing to the stadium, Soarin’ and Rapidfire receiving higher pitched cheers.
Dash’s turn came. She hovered forward, and the crowd exploded once again. At first she took her time, soaking up every bit of it she could. Then, she began to slowly raise her forearms out from her side, conducting the crowd into a deafening crescendo. Chills and shivers ran up and down her body. Her arms stretched into the air, she closed her eyes. The sound went on forever. Endless admiration. It was all for her. Everypony screamed just for her.
The Wonderbolts took one last bow together before gathering in a circle. Soarin’ had to yell louder than Dash had ever heard him. “ONE PONY PER TUNNEL! READY? THREE... TWO... ONE... MARK!”
The Bolts shot off in different directions, leaving fire and smoke explosions behind them. Dash entered her dark, empty tunnel. She took off her goggles, fell against the wall, and slid to the floor. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. That nap seemed like a very good idea. She wondered if she could nod off for a second right here.
“DASH!”
A voice she thought she would never hear so hysterically. She snapped up to her hooves. Spitfire flew into the tunnel like a madmare, coming to a stop right in front of Dash. Goggle imprints looped around her eyes, her face soaked from crying, and a beaming smile stretching from ear to ear.
Time stopped. Spitfire looked at Dash as if she had seen her for the first time.
“I think I’m...” Spitfire breathed.
Suddenly, she threw her forelegs around Rainbow Dash’s neck and pulled her into a deep kiss. Dash’s body froze. Her eyes shot open. Surges of feeling swam up through her limbs and met in the center of her chest. She tried to push away, but she remained paralyzed. Tears began to run down Spitfire’s face and roll off Dash’s cheeks. Her brain shut down as her thoughts once again stopped processing themselves.
Finally, she gathered the strength to push Spitfire off. Spitfire began to back away as if Dash had turned into a horrific monster. A shocked expression slowly glossed over her face.
“I’m sorry,” she said. She backed further away, and her rump hit the opposite wall. “I’m sorry...”
“Sp- Spitfire-”
“I’m sorry...”
She took off down the tunnel and rounded the corner out of sight.
_____________________________
<Chapter 5|Chapter 7 Coming Soon!
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DongleKumquat
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1208
| 7 |
Rainbow Dash,Soarin,Spitfire,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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Want
|
Rainbow Dash's dreams come true, and fame begins to change her in more ways than she could imagine.
|
incomplete
| 195 | 6 |
<p>Rainbow Dash's dreams come true, and fame begins to change her in more ways than she could imagine.</p>
|
teen
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2012-08-27T07:34:54+00:00
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2012-08-27T07:34:54+00:00
| 3,381 |
NOTE: Copy-pasting here doesn't keep the original formatting. I highly recommend visiting one of the following links instead:
Want Ch. 7 in GDocs
Want EqD Post
Chapter 7
Spitfire flew as fast as she could. Wind ripping through her mane, she crossed Manehatten in record time to arrive at her penthouse suite. Landing on the patio, she flung open the sliding glass door and slammed it behind her, diving for the pull string and snapping the blinds closed.
In total darkness, she held her breath as she slowly backed away from the door. Her rump hit the wall behind her, and she slid to the floor. Every sound in the room became amplified. Flashes of rainboom echoed in her vision, as well as the faint silhouettes of her mother and father.
What had she just done? She couldn’t have. She knew exactly what she did, but there was no way. She brought her hooves to her mouth, the feeling of another mare’s lips on her own forever embedded into her mind. She pressed down, puckered them, smacked them, and twisted them into every shape possible. She then buried her entire face into her hooves.
“Oh no.”
Her own voice echoed through her brain: WHAT THE HAY DO WE DO NOW, DASH? WHAT THE HAY DO WE DO NOW?
“What the hay, Spitfire?” she whispered to herself. She pounded the floor with a hoof, producing a rather satisfying echo. She did it a few more times, punctuating each word. “What- the- hay- Spit-”
Suddenly, the door slid open. Spitfire’s heart exploded into her throat as she shot up to her hooves. The dark silhouette of a pegasus with a Wonderbolts flight suit stood in the doorway.
Spitfire stood against the wall, breath held and legs shaking.
“You know, you should really lock this door,” said Rapidfire’s chuckling voice.
The light switched on, revealing her big brother with a goofy grin plastered across his face. She sighed in deep relief and slid back to the floor.
“SHE DID IT!” He yelled. “She did it and I STILL can’t believe it!” He began jumping around the room. “I never doubted her! Never, ever doubted her! Ok, maybe a little, but STILL! She did it and I’ve never seen anything like it! I feel so... alive! I feel like I can do anything! I could even-” He stopped as he caught sight of his sister’s face. “What’s the matter with you?” said Rapidfire. “You look like you just saw a ghost.”
Staring at the ground, Spitfire simply shook her head.
“Dude! Come on! You just randomly took off, and I had to follow you all the way here! The most amazing thing in the world just happened, and you’re not even excited about it? We need to celebrate! Let’s go!”
Spitfire remained silent.
“Hey,” said Rapidfire as he walked over to her. “What’s up?”
“Not amazing,” she mumbled. Her voice rose, “ Everything’s ruined, out the window, gone!”
Rapidfire chuckled. “Quit messing around. What are you talking about?”
“I’m not messing around.”
“You know, sooner or later you’re going to realize that I can practically read your mind.”
“ I’m not messing around. I’m not.”
“Ok then, what is it?”
Spitfire looked up at her brother. His care-free and expectant smile made her cringe. She looked away. There was no denying the inevitable. She could never keep it secret, especially from Rapidfire.
“C’mon,” he said. “Tell me.”
“I did something weird,” said Spitfire. “Something bad. Really bad.”
Rapidfire laughed. “Really? And what is this ‘weird, bad thing’ that you did?”
“I-” Spitfire began. She sighed and hit her head against the wall a few times.
Rapidfire raised his eyebrows. “Hmm?”
Spitfire looked at him, then buried her face in her hooves.
“I- I kissed Rainbow Dash.”
A thick silence fell over them. Spitfire could feel the air as it solidified around her.
“Like...” Rapidfire began. “Kissed kissed? Like mouth to mouth kiss?”
Spitfire sat in silence. After a moment, Rapidfire began snorting with laughter.
“Ok, wait,” he said. “Let’s back up. Say what you just said again,” his voice grew into chuckles, “because it sounded like you said that you-” He stopped and put a hoof to his mouth, stifling laughter with obvious difficulty. “That you- you kissed Rainbow Dash.”
Spitfire stood up and confronted her brother, planting a hoof on his chest. “Don’t tell any pony, or I’ll kill you. You hear me? I will get a knife, go into your room while you’re sleeping, and stab you. Ok?”
Rapidfire’s grin widened. “Oh, no no, don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with me.” He broke down into laughter again.
Spitfire groaned loudly in frustration. “Will you listen to me! This is serious! My career, my life, maybe even yours could be in danger!”
“So how did the rainbow taste?” He said between laughs. “Would you say it was... spicy?” He lost it again.
“RAPIDFIRE!” Spitfire yelled.
“H- Hey,” he said, trying to catch his breath. “Come on. Lighten up. Listen, we’re heading down to Hoofbeat. DJ-Pon3’s playing tonight, and the place is supposed to be packed. It should help you relax and take your mind off things. Sounds like you’ve had a pretty long day.”
Spitfire sighed. Hoofbeat, the most famous nightclub in all of Equestria, was one of Spitfire’s favorite places to relax. The hypnotic bass rhythm constantly beating her body, the packed floor full of other ponies where she danced among them as one; it was the only time she truly felt normal, as if her life had more meaning than just being famous.
“Is Dash going?” she asked.
“Of course. Why? You looking for some more face time?” He chuckled.
She opened her mouth to raise her voice at him, but stopped herself and sighed.
“Nevermind.”
They made eye contact, just enough for Rapidfire to break into fits again. He held his stomach as he gasped despreately for air.
“K- kissed Rainbow Dash!”
Spitfire looked at her brother with a blank expression. He finally caught his breath and stood up.
“C- c’mon! Vinyl’s already started her set! We’re waiting for the captain of the
Wonderbolts!” He went to the door and opened it. Spitfire’s rump hit the floor as she watched her brother fly off into the moon, his laughter echoing off the neighboring buildings.
_____________________________
Through the cool quiet of the deserted streets in downtown Manehatten, a low, pulsating rumble resounded through the air. Hoofbeat stood just off to the side of a high-end shopping mall, a line of ponies from the entrance stretching down the street, around the corner, and out of sight. Its simple, cubic shape and monochrome facade heavily contradicted the party of epic proportions that took place inside.
Comprised of a lower and upper level, the circular dance floor sat in the dead center. The balcony railing overlooked the packed floor full of ponies under the strobing, color and laser-ridden air above them. The DJ’s booth towered over the floor, where Vinyl Scratch herself bobbed her head back and forth to the chest-punching bass, holding an earphone to the side of her head as she magicked around several switches and knobs.
Rainbow Dash stood against the wall with her forelegs crossed, hidden away in the dark corner. She stared with a blank expression into the hypnotic mass of dancing ponies as they lost themselves in the music.
“There you are,” said a familiar voice.
Dash turned and saw Rapidfire walking up to her.
“Hey,” she said.
“Come join the party! Why are you sitting back here all alone?”
“I’m not much of a partier,” she lied.
“Are you kidding? You should be the life of the party right now! Everypony’s ecstatic over you!”
Just then, the dance floor erupted in cheers as Soarin’ climbed to the top of the DJ booth and dove into the crowd.
“Where’s Spitfire?” said Dash.
“Oh, she’s around.” He laughed. “Your rainboom gave her a total hallucination earlier.”
“What?”
“She said that she kissed you.”
Dash’s insides froze.
“Rainbows do some weird stuff to you,” said Rapidfire.
“Heh, yeah. I guess.”
An awkward silence fell over them as Rapidfire looked at her for an uncomfortably long period of time. Dash tried to distract him by looking into the crowd inquiringly.
“I want you to know something,” he finally said. Dash met his eyes, the same dark-amber color as Spitfire’s. His mouth formed into a heartfelt smile.
“You are the most amazing pegasus I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.”
Startled, Dash nearly slid off the wall. “Oh, uh- um-”
“The rainboom was the most incredible, indescribable thing I’ve ever seen. You’re extremely talented and smart.” He paused for effect. “And beautiful.”
Dash knew where this was going. She desperately looked for a way to escape, but Rapidfire had her cornered.
He put a hoof on Dash’s cheek. “And I want you to know,” he said at a barely audible whisper, “You mean more to me than just a co-flier. I want you to know that-”
“WHATDYA MEAN WE NEED A PASS?! NO PONY GETS BETWEEN ME AND A PARTY!”
Dash’s ears perked up at the shrill sound of Pinkie Pie’s voice as it cut through the air like a diamond knife. Dash shoved Rapidfire aside while he was still distracted, left the ground, and glided over the dance floor, drawing cheers from the crowd below. She landed at the entrance, where Silvertongue held a struggling Pinkie Pie in his huge forelegs.
“Dashie!” She squealed. “Tell this- guy- to- let us- IN!”
Dash peeked over SIlvertongue’s shoulder and saw all five of her friends standing at the front of the long line.
“Rainbow Dash!” they said in unison.
_________________________
“I’m not going up there!”
“Why the hay not?”
“Because.”
“Because why?”
Spitfire stared at Soarin’s inquiring expression. “Just because.”
Soarin’ and Spitfire stood at the base of the DJ tower, just off to the side from the dance floor. Their argument drew several curious eyes.
“You have to say something. You’re the captain of the Wonderbolts.”
“Well why can’t you do it?”
“Because I’m not the captain of the Wonderbolts!”
Spitfire rolled her eyes.
“What the hay is wrong with you?” said Soarin’. “You always talk in front of ponies! Why can’t you do it now?”
“I just don’t want to.”
Soarin’ sighed heavily and grabbed her. “This is ridiculous.”
“Hey- NO! Stop! What are you-”
He dragged her through the air to the top of the DJ tower. The crowd caught sight of her and erupted into a loud cheer. She smiled nervously and waved a hoof. Vinyl Scratch stopped the music and picked up a microphone.
“Fillies and gentlecolts, I give you, Spitfire.”
As Vinyl gave her the microphone, her eyes darted around the crowd for Rainbow Dash. She was here, and she was watching. Her mind in a flurry of activity, she gave no thought to the first words from her mouth.
“Rainbow D- uh-”
Her mouth clamped. Her stomach turned to ice. The crowd cheered at the sound of Dash’s name as blood rushed to Spitfire’s face and darkened to a very impressive shade of scarlet.
“I- uh- I’d like to thank the crew from Mane Arena for coordinating the show.” The crowd applauded. “The entourage, Jetstream, Silvertongue, um-” Her mind blanked as she tried to block Rainbow Dash out of her mind. “Uh, yeah. Thanks everypony for coming out tonight, and yeah. Party it up!” She made a hoof-pumping motion in the air and handed the microphone back to Vinyl. The audience slowly began to applaud.
Soarin’ gave her an incredulous look as she gave the microphone back to a now befuddled Vinyl Scratch.
“And let’s not forget the most awesome of awesome fliers around, Rainbow Dash!”
The crowd roared. Several pegasi lept into the air in a very extreme form of standing ovation.
“What was that?” said Soarin’ as he and Spitfire landed.
“What was what?”
“That. What you just did.”
Spitfire turned to walk away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Soarin’s hoof met her shoulder. “No, wait. You’re gonna tell me what’s going on.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes, you are.”
“I don’t have to tell you anything.” She turned away again.
Soarin’ reached for her shoulder. “What is the matter w-”
Spitfire slapped away his forearm and her voice rose several dynamic levels. “Just lay off me, alright?!”
Soarin’ stared completely bewildered at Spitfire as she walked away.
_____________________________
“Rainbow, why do you keep glancing over your shoulder?”
Dash turned back to the table. “Huh? Oh, uh... nothing.” She turned her head the other direction.
Rainbow Dash sat with her five friends in a booth recessed into the wall. Paranoid that Spitfire might find her, she jerked her head around each time she thought she heard her name.
“Well, the suite we had was incredible,” said Rarity, continuing the conversation. “We were above the Manehatten skyline and had the most dazzling view of the arena!”
“Yeah,” said Twilight. “That stadium is gigantic! We could see for miles. I’ve always wondered how magical engineering and architecture works, especially on huge buildings like that one.”
“I didn’t like it,” said Fluttershy from behind her mane.
“Oh, come now Fluttershy,” said Rarity. “You’re a pegasus! Pegasi aren’t supposed to be afraid of heights!”
Fluttershy took a side glance at Pinkie Pie, who was giggling uncontrollably at the pictures of famous DJs and electronic artists along the wall, all dressed in ridiculous outfits and large amounts of makeup.
“It was weird when we walked out though,” said Applejack. “Everypony was cryin’, jumpin’ up and down, actin’ all happy.” She winced. “An’ makin’ out in broad daylight.”
“Yes, I thought that was rather... odd,” added Rarity. “Well, Rainbow Dash, that show of yours must have-” Rarity made eye contact with the back of Dash’s head. “Rainbow, my dear, are you alright?”
“Yeah,” said Applejack. “You’re actin’ kinda-”
Dash suddenly zipped back around. “Have you guys been noticing anything weird about everypony lately?”
“Uhh-” Twilight started.
“Because everypony, and I mean everypony is acting weird.”
“Dash, that’s what we were just talking about,” said Twilight. “Everypony just seems... really happy.”
“It’s the rainboom,” said Dash. “I think it does something to you. Remember when we were all fillies and you all saw it happen? Remember how we all got our cutie marks at the same time?”
“Interesting,” said Twilight. “It would explain a lot. But I’m curious as to how polychromatic magic would have an effect on psychological-
A random voice suddenly yelled out over the music, “RAINBOW DASH!”
Dash jumped ten feet in the air.
“I LOVE YOU, RAINBOW DASH!”
“Darling, relax!” said Rarity. “It’s only one of your fans! I mean really, what in Equestria has gotten into you?”
“So yer rainboom makes everypony happy and love ya,” said Applejack. “What’s the problem?”
Dash sighed. “Ok, if I tell you, do you promise not to tell anypony else?”
“Yes,” they said in unison.
“Ok. So after the show, Spitfire-”
“Yo Dash!”
Instead of reacting suddenly to Soarin’s voice behind her, she froze. Wherever Soarin’ was, Spitfire was bound to be with him.
His blue hoof landed on her shoulder. “Hey kid, wanna come hang with us for a bit?”
She slowly turned around. To her palpable relief, Soarin’ was with only Tyco and Misty. And to her slight surprise, Tyco had his foreleg around Misty’s neck.
“Well,” said Dash. “I’m kinda hanging with my friends right now-”
“Oh, Rainbow, It’s alright,” said Rarity. “You must go and enjoy yourself.”
“Yeah, we’ll still be here,” added Twilight. “We can chat some more later.”
“But- are you sure?”
“Go on, sugarcube,” said Applejack. “Live it up.”
“Well, I-”
“C’mon Dash,” said Soarin’. “Party’s waitin’ for ya.”
Dash looked back to her friends. “Ok- I guess.”
Shocked at her friends’ willingness to let her leave, she got up from the table and followed Soarin’. She had not expected it at all. It seemed like her friends would have wanted to hang out all the time, just as she did. Had they already come to terms with her newfound fame? Had they disowned her?
Ponies ogled them as they walked through the crowd, hurling cheers and praise toward them every other second. They came to a circular booth where a few other ponies were already sitting, and Dash’s stomach turned to ice.
She had made eye contact with the one pegasus she had hoped to avoid.
Soarin’ motioned Dash to the booth’s opening. “You first.”
No pony sat next to Spitfire, which meant Dash would have to if she went first. Panicked, her mind went blank.
“Uh-”
“Something wrong?” said Soarin’.
Dash could feel everypony’s eyes as they questioned her silently. She was back at the Wonderbolts headquarters, back in the chair as everypony stared her down. Whatever she did, she had to do it now.
“N- no- nothing.” Slowly and awkwardly, she climbed into the booth, forearms trembling and sweat trickling down her neck. She slid over to allow the other the other three Wonderbolts to follow and sat down, inches from Spitfire. Soarin’ slid in behind her, followed by Misty and Tyco. Dash looked up and made eye contact with Rapidfire. He winked, and she looked away. Spitfire seemed to emanate pure cold from her body.
“So!” Soarin’ began rather enthusiastically. “What are we doing?”
“You mean we don’t have a plan?” said Rapidfire.
Soarin’ shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t have a plan, do you have a plan?”
Rapidfire shrugged his shoulders back.
“Well what the hay are we gonna do?”
Dash heard giggles coming from her other side. She took a glance, and Tyco had his arm around Misty and his snout buried in her neck.
“Let’s get some shots, we’ll figure it out later,” said Rapidfire. “WAITER!”
A black-maned unicorn rushed up to the table with a pen and pad of paper floating next to him.
“Six shots, and bring the bottle.”
“Yes sir!” he said as he shot off into the crowd.
“Um,” said Dash. “‘Shots?’”
“Don’t worry about it,” said Soarin’.
A split second later, the waiter returned with a tray of tiny water glasses and a dark-amber bottle.
“Thank you, sir,” said Soarin’ as he took the tray, uncorked the bottle, and began pouring a light-tan liquid into the glasses.
“Uh,” Spitfire said suddenly, and Dash jumped. “That’s probably not such a good id-”
“To Rainbow Dash,” said Soarin’ as he raised a glass. “The baddest most awesomest flier in Equestria.”
Rapidfire, Misty, and Tyco followed suit. Spitfire hesitated.
“Oh, come on Spitty,” said Rapidfire. “It’s a party.”
She sighed and reached for a glass. Dash now had no choice but to follow.
They clinged glasses. Dash watched as Soarin’ downed his in one gulp, then sighed with his mouth wide open. The others did the same, as well as Spitfire, who seemed to melt into her seat. Dash looked down at her glass.
“Go on,” said Rapidfire. “Once it’s down, you’ll forget you even drank it.”
Dash sighed, threw caution to the wind, and took a gulp. The entire world around her burned away in warm serenity.
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DongleKumquat
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1208
| 8 |
Rainbow Dash,Soarin,Spitfire,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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Want
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Rainbow Dash's dreams come true, and fame begins to change her in more ways than she could imagine.
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incomplete
| 195 | 6 |
<p>Rainbow Dash's dreams come true, and fame begins to change her in more ways than she could imagine.</p>
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teen
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2012-11-29T22:40:23+00:00
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2012-11-29T22:40:23+00:00
| 4,455 |
Chapter 8
Dash’s skull pounded and throbbed against the softness it lay on. She tried to move, but her body roared in painful protest. Her mind filled with an unprecedented feeling of despair, she opened her eyes in a desperate attempt to find happiness in one of her other senses, only to be met with bright, blurry visions of yellow and orange. Continuing her search, she closed her eyes and sniffed the air. Surprisingly, it carried pleasant hints of shampoo and fresh linen. Each inhale she took blew a sweet flurry of fruity elation through her mind, yet the bubble of pain inside continued to fight back.
Another peculiar presence came to her attention. It seemed to encompass everything, as if it filled her from head to hoof. Serene and fluttering, like the same presence she felt when basking in the warm glory of the sun. Suddenly, a deep surge of desire for this presence bubbled up inside her. The throbbing in her head didn’t matter now. Nothing else at all mattered, as long as this warmth stayed with her. With her forelegs, chest, stomach, and legs wrapped around it, she pulled it in closer. She squeezed vast quantities of heat and happiness from its soft, plush surface. She began questioning the reality of the situation, as this sort of thing only happened in the weird dreams she had. Trying to derive every bit of warm euphoria from the dream she could for as long as she could, she nuzzled her head into the back of its neck. Then, much to her delight, it pulled her in closer. It wrapped its own forelegs around Dash’s and hugged them tightly to its chest. Then, something happened that exploded joy into Dash’s heart: It made a noise, a sort of soft, content sighing noise - a simple yet cacophonic symphony of sweet sonority.
It enjoyed her company, just as she enjoyed it. Despite the pulsating pain in her head and inability to move, it seemed like the only thing in the world she really wanted.
Then, a different noise came from behind her. She couldn’t tell exactly what it was, but it sounded like... snickering. Curious as to who had made the sound, she released the warmth next to her and sat up. She rubbed her sore eyes and opened them to the morning sun shining bright through a balcony window. Squinting, she looked around and saw Soarin’ standing just in front of a doorway with a very surprised look on his face.
“Uhh- what- Hi, Soarin’,” she gurgled.
He remained silent, frozen in an amused state of disbelief. Dash had never seen him with such an expression.
“Soarin’? A- are you ok?”
Slowly, through her blurred stupor, two and two began to come together. She looked around at the lavishly adorned room, decorated with granite, marble, golden chandeliers, microfiber carpet, and silk-white curtains. She made eye contact with Soarin’ again, then looked at the yellow mass lying on the bed next to her.
Her eyes slowly widened, and her mouth unhinged.
“AAAAAAHH!” She jumped out of the bed and shot into the ceiling corner with her back against the marble-columned wall.
Spitfire sat up, mane a disheveled catastrophe, and looked around with squinted eyes for the source of the commotion. She found Soarin’ and sighed.
“Soarin’? What-” Suddenly, she brought her hooves to her temples as she winced in pain. “Soarin’, what’s going on? Where are-” Her eyes found Dash’s ghost-like expression against the ceiling. She looked at Soarin’, his eyes flitting back and forth between the two mares. Then, she looked down and found Dash’s imprint in the feather-top sheets. Her eyes widened, and her face flared with the brightest orange Dash had ever seen. She silently muttered a rather harsh expletive.
The silence screamed in their ears. No pony moved or made a sound. Dash glanced at the doorway to the balcony outside. Her brain yelled at her body to move, but it refused. Spitfire began to feel around the lines of the imprint, as if trying to make reality out of the situation.
“WELP!” Soarin’ suddenly yelled, giving Dash and Spitfire a start. “This is sufficiently awkward, so I think I’m just gonna leave you two alo-”
“You’re not going anywhere,” Spitfire said suddenly. She raised her head and looked at Soarin’ with an expression that hid an extreme and almost demented fervor, of which Dash was relieved not to be on the receiving end. Spitfire’s lips parted, and she spoke with a calm, disturbed composure.
“What happened last night?”
“What- I- I don’t-”
“What. Happened.”
Baffled by her sudden change in demeanor, Soarin’ threw his hooves in the air. “How the hay should I know? I woke up in the hallway with a bunch of mares I don’t even remember meeting, and I’ve been knocking on doors all morning looking for you, and well...” He took a side glance at Dash. “I found you.”
“Soarin’?” called a smooth, deep voice from the hallway. Silvertongue’s large, brutish face peeked around the corner of the doorway. “I’ve been looking all over fo- Oh, are the young lovebirds awake?”
“Lovebirds?” said Soarin’.
“Silver!” squealed Spitfire. She jumped out of the bed and grabbed Silvertongue’s shoulders. “What happened last night? What happened? Who was there? Who saw us? Where was the p-”
He held a hoof over her mouth. “Woah, throw some breaks on the carriage kid, there’s nothing to worry about. As soon as Soarin’ ordered that bottle, we practically quarantined five city blocks. Nothing got in or out.”
“What about press? What about Paparazzi?!”
“We erased memories, destroyed cameras, the whole shebang, I even wiped the other bodyguards. As of now, I am the only witness to the events of last night inside Hoofbeat. Figured it was worth it, you know, with the celebrating and all.”
Spitfire let out a palpable sigh of relief. “But- what happened? I don’t remember anything!”
Silvertongue glanced at Rainbow Dash, who had now landed on the piece of carpet furthest from Spitfire. “Do you really wanna know?”
“Why? Is it bad?”
“I kinda wanna know,” said Soarin’.
“Well, see, I may have accidentally erased your memories along with everypony else’s.”
“W- what?” said Spitfire.
“Wait,” said Soarin’. “Are you sure they aren’t just hung over? Because I feel hung over.”
“Well,” said Silvertongue. “That’s the thing, I’m not entirely sure. The symptoms of memory deletion are pretty similar to hangovers. Depends on the unicorn that does the magic...” Silvertongue looked at Spitfire, her face a white tone of pleading and desperation. He sighed. “I don’t know what happened.”
Thoughts began running through Spitfire’s brain at a million miles an hour. Last night, the one segment of time she needed to remember, and it had escaped her completely. Something had happened, something amazing. She could feel the euphoric broken record replay in her memory over and over again.
“But look,” Silvertongue continued. “All I know is this. Last night was the most epic party I’ve ever seen. Everypony was so excited. The way they danced, how they acted with each other was very... sensual. And passionate. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Wait,” said Dash. “You said you were the one that erased everypony’s memories, right?”
“Right.”
“So you do know what happened last night. Right?”
The color returned to Spitfire’s face. She looked at Silvertongue with the same inquirous expression. He looked back, apparently deep in thought. “Soarin’, wanna get breakfast?” he said. “These two need time to themselves. I’ll tell you all about it.”
“I’m down,” Soarin’ said as he followed Silvertongue into the hallway.
“Hey! HEY!” shouted Spitfire. Soarin’ turned and winked as the door slammed shut behind him, and the silence deadpanned the room once again. Spitfire fell on her rump as she exhaled a frustrated sigh.
The white, silk curtain ruffled in the crisp, morning wind, embellishing the open balcony that led to a world of millions of newly-acquired Manehatten fans that would shower Rainbow Dash with unconditional love and attention. Every part of her being wanted to go, to leave Spitfire alone in the lavish hotel suite and get away to the center of attention.
Then, as if she had read Dash’s mind, Spitfire broke the silence.
“If you left,” she said, her voice hushed and nervous. “I wouldn’t blame you.”
Noises from the bustling street below had made their way through the window on a golden ray of morning sunshine, casting a brilliant mosaic of rainbow on the wall as it passed through the crystal chandelier. The smell of freshly baked croissant and espresso wafted in with the breeze. Dash sat, staring at the back of Spitfire’s ruffled mane as she faced the closed door.
“I-” Dash managed to say. One of Spitfire’s ears twitched. “I can’t just leave.”
Spitfire slowly stood up. She turned around and met Dash’s eyes. Her expression unchanging, she began walking toward her. Dash’s brain desperately tried to make sense of this. She had been here before. She couldn’t handle another kiss. She would lose herself entirely.
Spitfire stopped directly in front of her. She stared at Rainbow Dash the same desperate and confused way she always had. The curtain around the window continued to ruffle silently as the breeze carried in more scents of baked pastries.
“I don’t know-” Spitfire began. She swallowed and took a deep breath. “I don’t what’s happening. And I don’t understand it. I wish I knew.”
Something underneath her hooves caught her attention, and she looked down. Two Wonderbolts flight suits lay on the soft carpet, entwined in a pointless struggle for each other. Dash looked down as well, still trying to retrieve her memory. The incessant hustle-and-bustle of downtown Manehatten continued to deliver fresh breakfast smells through the window. Dash expected Spitfire to say something.
Then, Spitfire laughed through her nose. She began chuckling. Dash looked up at her with a quizzical expression. Spitfire took a breath and laughed out loud.
“Dash,” she began. She looked up with the goofiest grin Dash had ever seen. “I think we slept with each other.”
As Spitfire fell into fits, Dash could only stare, completely befuddled.
“How is this funny?”
“I don’t- I don’t know,” Spitfire squealed.
A smile tried to make its way across Dash’s face. “Are you ok? Should I... you know... get help?”
Spitfire fell over clutching her stomach. “I’m sorry- I don’t- I’m trying-”
She had officially snapped. Dash could do nothing for her. And peculiarly enough, she found this fact quite amusing. Suddenly, she broke out in laughter as well. Spitfire noticed this, and she began laughing even harder. Tears streaming down her face, she struggled for breaths as she lost control of her abdominal muscles. Dash began laughing simply for the sake of laughing. She didn’t know why or how, but she simply stopped caring, as if her worry blew away in the breeze coming through the window.
A few moments later, Spitfire caught her breath. “Sweet Celestia, I needed that,” she said as she stood up.
Dash tried to stand up while catching her own breath. “I- I still don’t understand- how this is- so funny.”
Spitfire looked at Dash. She had never really appreciated the way her dark-rose violet eyes complimented her cyan coat.
“You know what I need?” she said.
“What?”
“Breakfast. That smell through the window is really getting at me.”
Dash sniffed, and her stomach grumbled in response. “Well where can we go? There’s gotta be hundreds of ponies down there. We’ll get mobbed!”
Spitfire smiled. “A natural celebrity, Dash. Always assuming the worst.” She glanced out the window. “Don’t worry. I’ve got it taken care of.”
Dash had learned to trust Spitfire, no matter how vague she may be. “Well, my head’s still killing me. I hope this place has caffeine,” she said as she followed Spitfire to the door.
Spitfire smiled. "More than you can ever want."
____________________________________
Rainbow Dash, Spitfire, and two huge pegasi dressed in black suits stepped through the double doors into the biggest room Dash had ever seen. Gigantic crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Golden murals of pony mythology cascaded down the walls like a waterfall, sparkling with gems and rubies. Huge red pillars connected the floor to the thirty-something story high ceiling, encircling the check-in counter at the dead center of the lobby. The plain, black marble floor reflected the ceiling like a mirror. Mail pegasi flew in and out of the windows in well-organized chaos. Above the doors to the Manehatten streets, “Hôtel Cheval” was printed in large, cursive letters.
“Welcome to the most expensive room in Equestria,” said Spitfire.
To Dash’s surprise, no pony had immediately mobbed them. She wondered how Spitfire knew where they were going. They seemed to be walking towards a separate part of the room where a large group of ponies stood waiting to get in. Spitfire walked up to them and tapped one on the shoulder.
“Excuse us.”
The brown earth-pony turned around. His eyes shot wide open as he let out a sharp gasp. This caused the pony behind him to do the same. He stepped aside, letting the giant bodyguards and two Wonderbolts fliers pass, ogling them as they walked by. In a perfect chain reaction, the group of waiting ponies parted as they realized who had appeared in their midst. Dumbfounded murmurs and whispers echoed around as they walked through. Dash watched as Spitfire smiled and acknowledged random ponies in the crowd.
They walked up to a check-in counter where a blue pegasus dressed in a tuxedo was scribbling away at a long piece of paper.
“Si vous avez une réservation, s'il vous plaît, attendre à-” He made eye contact with Spitfire. His eyes began flitting nervously between Dash and the bodyguards. “Ah,” he said. “Mademoiselle Spitfire. And ze amazing Rainbow Dash. My apologies, please follow me.” Spitfire raised her eyebrows at Dash.
They walked into a room full of ponies that, given the attire of the wait staff, seemed very plain and cafe-like. The furniture consisted of nothing more than wooden chairs and tables. The bright morning sun shined through the glass storefront as hundreds of ponies went about their daily lives in the downtown streets. They walked through the dining proper and the noise dulled to a light murmur as they drew stares from every corner of the room.
The host stopped at a small table next to the glass window with two chairs facing opposite each other. A small, glass vase sat in the center with a purple tulip casually hung over the edge.
“My sinzerest apologies, zis is ze only open table. I can kick somepony out madame, if you like.”
“Nah, this is fine,” said Spitfire.
As Dash and Spitfire sat down, the host took a deep breath and wiped his brow with a handkerchief. He took a side glance at the two towering bodyguards on either side of him.
“So, eh, mademoiselles, may I interest you in zome of our fine espressos?”
“I’ll have a latte,” Spitfire began. She squinted and rubbed her temples. “And gimme a couple extra shots. I need it.”
“Ah, I see.” Dash noticed his hoof shaking as he scribbled on the pad of paper. “And eh, for you, mademoiselle Rainbow Dash?”
“A mocha’s fine,” said Dash.
“Ah, oui. Bon sélectionnés mademoiselles, I shall return shortly.” He took to the air and darted to another end of the restaurant.
“Mocha, huh?” said Spitfire. “You don’t strike me as a chocolatey kind of mare.”
Dash laughed. “I’m sorry, was I supposed to?”
Spitfire shrugged. “If you’d like.”
Dash began looking around at the not-so-lavish decorum of the cafe. “I don’t get it. If the waiters here are so fancy, then why isn’t the cafe fancy?”
“Because they have the greatest pastry chefs and baristas in the world in here.”
“So?”
“So they cut back on costs by not having a golden statue in the middle of the lobby spitting outrageous amounts of water every day.”
“How do you know so much about this place?”
Spitfire smiled. “I always stay here whenever we have a show in Mane Arena, which is rare in itself. It’s some pretty good alone time. I always come to this cafe and sit by the window. Watch all the normal ponies doing normal things.”
A flash went off in the corner of Dash’s eye. She looked out into the cafe and saw every eye facing her direction. A few ponies had taken out cameras, dodging back and forth to take as many different angles as possible. She turned back to Spitfire, who now had a huge smirk on her face.
“What?” said Dash.
“Oh nothing. You just remind me of... me.”
A small crowd had begun to form outside the window. Some of them had cameras as well. Dash tried her best to pay no attention.
“Spitfire,” she began.
Spitfire scoffed. “Please. Just ‘Spit.’ ‘Spitfire’ takes way too much effort.”
Dash laughed. “Ok. Spit.”
“Yes, Dash?”
More and more cameras began flashing as the crowd became larger.
“What happens when I do the rainboom?”
Spitfire’s smile faded. “What do you mean?”
“Like... what do you see? What does it look like?”
Spitfire looked out at the crowd. “Well. There’s the huge epic explosion, which basically turns into a rainbow and covers the entire sky. And when the shockwave hits you, you start feeling all warm and relaxed. And stuff starts happening that makes you really happy.”
“Like what stuff?” said Dash.
“What do you mean?”
“What happy stuff happens to you?”
Spitfire pondered for a moment. “Why do you wanna know?”
"Just... curious."
Spitfire looked back out the window. “Well. I see my parents. And I’m back with them. I remember it so vividly, but when it’s from the rainboom, it’s actually happening.”
“...Oh.”
Just then, an earth-pony broke through the front of the crowd outside. “Rainbow Dash? RAINBOW DASH? RAINBOW DASH!” He ran up to the window and began pounding the glass, his voice muffled and barely audible. “RAINBOW DASH! I LOVE YOU, RAINBOW DASH!”
Dash didn’t dare look nor acknowledge it. She snuck a glance at Spitfire, who seemed to have lost it.
“RAINBOW DASH!” He fell to his knees with his face and body pressed against the window, producing a rather unattractive screeching sound. “Please, Rainbow Dash please, have my foals... have my foals Rainbow Dash! HAVE MY FOALS!” He began bawling against the glass, coating it in a pitiful mixture of tears, saliva, and mucus. Several ponies in the crowd had already begun filming.
The host burst through the kitchen doors, carrying two tall coffee mugs. “Ok mademoiselles, zis will be-” he stopped dead as his eyes met the scene.
Dash firmly planted her hoof on her face.
______________________________________
Silvertongue walked down the long, golden hallway as a pungent air of exhaustion and regret formed in his wake. He caught glimpses of himself in the mirrors that hung along the wall at ten-or-so foot intervals. His bloodshot and droopy eyes decreased the effect of his cut, brutish face he was so proud of, yet it seemed all too natural. Hypnotized by the incessant images of himself, he had nearly forgotten about his unicorn assistant he had brought with him.
“I don’t understand,” she said. “If they’re already as wasted as everypony was saying, then why do we need to bother with erasing their memories?”
“They aren’t wasted,” said Silvertongue. “They’re completely sober.”
“But... how? I’ve never seen Spitfire act like that with anypony. Ever.”
“To tell you the truth, I don’t know either.”
They rounded a corner and came to a dead end, where a door outlined with marble and granite murals heavily contrasted the other plain, red doors they had passed in the hallway.
“Ok. Everything from when they opened the bottle and drank, up until now.”
“That’s a pretty long time frame,” she said. “They’re gonna wake up with a heck of a headache.”
“Just do it.”
“If you insist.”
She backed away from the door and pointed her horn directly at the knob. Her eyes squinted as she began silently glowing an almost blinding pink. A white beam quietly leaped from her horn to the door. Silvertongue sat and watched as he felt the warmth from the room quickly rush past him, leaving a cold stillness in the air. The assistant's horn dimmed. She jumped back as she breathed in a heavy lungful of air. She looked at Silvertongue as if he had just tortured a small animal. A tear ran down her cheek.
“Why?” she breathed. “Why them?”
Silvertongue remained silent as he stared at the door. The assistant started down the hallway without him. He heard sobs as she rounded the corner, and out of earshot.
He sighed. “Sorry kids.”
< Chapter 7 | Chapter 9 Coming Soon! >
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Main 6,Princess Luna,Adventure,Dark,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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Where the High Road Ends
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Princess Luna has arrived in Ponyville with a special mission for Twilight Sparkle and her friends; the destruction of a city of madness and
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<p>The ancient necropolis of Nightmare moon has been awakened by her brief return to Equestria preceding her defeat. Now its abhorrent denizens are revived after a thousand years of debauchery and decay and with no direction or control. They will soon break free from their dungeons of night and spill across Equestria spreading darkness and death. That is, unless six friends, accompanied by the better part of the city's creator, can stop the spread of chaos and and gloom before all of Equestria falls victim to the things made in secret by an angry heart.</p>
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2011-10-27T03:12:25+00:00
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2011-10-27T03:12:25+00:00
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Where the High Road Ends
An MLP: FIM Fanfiction
by Immolation_of_Senses
Chapter 1: A Collection of Friends
“I don’t get it Twilight, the princess has taken longer than this to reply before, why are you freaking out now?” The small dragon sat at the kitchen table watching his boss pace back and forth through the doorway.
“I know Spike, but her last letter said she had something important to tell me!” The unicorn froze, a scared expression creeping over her face. “Oh no, you don’t think something bad’s happened, do you Spike?”
“Twilight, relax, the princess knows how to take care of herself.” Spike had learned long ago how worked up she could get. He had found the best thing to do was roll with the punches, and do his best to assuage her fears.
Princess Celestia’s last letter had arrived without warning, and seemed hastily written. It lacked her usual formalities and flow; the short letter had been headed simply, ‘Twilight Sparkle’.
“Augh!”
Spike was brought back to the kitchen by Twilight’s exclamation. “I just wish I knew what I was supposed to do! The letter said she needed me to do something important, but what?!”
Her body tensed as her panic rose. “Omigosh, what if I was supposed to go straight to Canterlot? What if I’m too late now because I waited?” Spike sighed loudly.
“Twilight, the princess told you to stay here, remember? At the bottom of the letter.”
At his words the purple unicorn nodded and took a few breaths to calm herself enough to maintain some composure.
“You’re right Spike. I just need to calm down and wait for her to reply.”
Spike sighed again and smiled as he got down from his chair and walked to the sink.
“Sounds good Twi. Hey, why don’t you get out of here for a little while? I mean, I don’t think Celestia will send anything this late, and what could you do tonight even if she did?”
Twilight frowned and shook her head.
“Thanks Spike, but I don’t think that’s a good idea. if it’s as urgent as she made it sound I should really be here when it shows up.” Despite her words Twilight had to admit she would like to see her friends. Her doubt must have shown because Spike began pushing her towards the door.
“Look Twilight, you’re going to drive yourself crazy just waiting here; you haven’t even read anything all night!”
Twilight resisted, but not with much enthusiasm, and actually walked herself across the threshold and into the gathering dusk. Spike closed the door behind her and moved to an open window to speak.
“I’ll see you in a little while, okay?”
“Okay Spike, I guess I’ll try at Rarity’s, if it does come I want you to come find me immediately, understand?”
Spike nodded happily as he shut the window and headed upstairs for a well-deserved night’s sleep.
***
As Twilight trotted through the Ponyville square in the gathering dusk, she fretted over her teacher’s cryptic note. It had stated simply that Princess Celestia, the Goddess of the sun, and Twilight’s personal teacher had a special task for her and that she would write again in the next few days with more details.
The unicorn was so lost in thought she didn’t notice a rainbow blur speeding towards her until it was too late. The next thing she knew she was on her back, some distance from where she last stood. Twilight groaned and righted herself, hearing an answering grunt she looked around; a few hooves to her left a multi-colored pegasus sat shaking her head.
“Hey, wouldya watch where you’re--Oh, hi Twilight! Sorry I didn’t see you there, had somewhere to be and was running late, you know how it goes.” Rainbow Dash stood, smiling, as Twilight gingerly flexed her limbs, testing them for damage.
“What? Oh, hey Rainbow Dash, yeah I get it.” She shook herself. “Where are you going?”
“Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie Pie said something about a batter emergency and asked if I could help. Actually, I should probably get going again. See ya later Twilight!” With that, Rainbow Dash leaped into the air, starting back on her way to help her party loving friend.
“Wait, Rainbow Dash!”
Dash stopped, hovering in mid air and turned to face her friend.
“Does Pinkie need any extra help? I was going to Rarity’s but she’s not expecting me.”
Rainbow Dash shifted awkwardly and scratched her head.
“Nah, it’s no big deal. Between me and Pinkie, it’ll be sorted out in no time!”
“Well, ok Rainbow, I’ll see you around then. Good luck with the batter.” As she turned and flew away, Rainbow Dash heaved a deep sigh of relief before speeding on to her destination.
When Twilight arrived at the Carousel Boutique, Celestia’s sun had gone beyond the horizon and Luna’s moon started its long journey across the night sky. The storefront was dark, but light spilled from the second floor windows. She brought one hoof up and rapped against a metal plate set on the door, careful to avoid any wanton damage to the finish. Her knock was answered by a voice somewhere within.
“Just a minute! Ah! Sweetie Belle please! Just wait there a moment, won’t you?”
A few moments later the top half of the door opened to reveal a white unicorn with a well-groomed purple mane.
“Oh why hello dear! I wasn’t expecting you. Please, do come in!” Rarity’s head disappeared for a moment before the bottom half of the door followed its counterpart. Rarity closed the door as her friend walked into the closed boutique. “Just through here dear. I was helping Sweetie Belle finish an outfit for some cutie mark adventure her and her friends are going on tomorrow... What was it you’re doing again Sweetie Belle?”
“Cutie Mark Crusader street performers!” The smaller unicorn replied with a wide grin. Rarity cringed slightly at the thought, but maintained a serene smile of encouragement.
“Yes, of course; I don’t know how it ever slipped my mind. Now, just let me finish this seam and I think you’re ready.” She snipped a final thread and stepped back to examine her works. “Oh it’s absolutely perfect! Why don’t you come over here and show Twilight?” Sweetie Belle bounced off of the podium she had been standing on and walked towards Twilight Sparkle.
“What do you think, huh?” She spun and posed to show off the metallic looking cape and leg covers.
“It’s very nice, Sweetie Belle. Uhh, what’s it for exactly?”
“I’m gonna be a living statue!” The filly exclaimed, excitement almost bursting the seams of her new outfit.
“Oh, that’s… nice?” Twilight made what she hoped was an encouraging smile, but knew it likely came off as confused as she felt. The filly was undaunted.
“Alright Sweetie, run upstairs and get ready for bed, I’ll be up in a minute to tuck you in.” Rarity turned to face her friend. “Now, what can I do for you Twilight?”
“Nothing really. I just wanted to get out of the library for a bit. I’m waiting for a letter from the Princess and, well, I guess the waiting was starting to wear on me.” She sighed as the admission left her.
“I completely understand dear. Would you like me to make a pot of tea?”
Twilight nodded enthusiastically.
“That would be great Rarity; if it’s not too much trouble that is.”
“No trouble at all Twilight; I’ll just put the kettle on and go put Sweetie Belle to bed, yes?” Twilight nodded again and watched her friend ready the teapot and head upstairs. When Rarity had passed from sight, Twilight felt the anxiety that had been pushed away by her friends’ company well up in the back of her mind. She took several deep breaths and waited. It wasn’t long before the tea began to whistle and steam, summoning Rarity back down the stairs. She lifted the pot from the stove and poured the hot water into two waiting porcelain cups. Rarity turned and began sorting through a cabinet filled with various varieties of tea.
She pulled away from the cabinet, holding a pink tin aloft in front of her.
“Well I think I have just the thing. Rose hip is always a good choice, don’t you agree?”
Twilight smiled and nodded amicably as the cup was placed in front of her.
“Thank you Rarity, that sounds perfect.”
“So, was there anything in particular you wanted to talk about? nything new at the library?”
The purple mare shook her head.
“Not really, just, felt like getting out a bit.” She smiled at her little lie, not wanting to admit she had almost literally been pushed out the door.
“Well I certainly understand that feeling. Some days when all my dress orders feel like they’re starting to get the better of me, I get the notion to just pack my things and run away, start anew under a different name! In a different place!” She brought her hoof to her head in an overly dramatic gesture; the sight made Twilight giggle. Her friend was known for her melodramatic personality, and the thought of Rarity abandoning her home on a whim was almost too much. The fashionista lowered her hoof and sipped her tea thoughtfully.
“So what’s this about waiting for a message from the princess? Isn’t it usually you doing the letter writing?”
“Oh, yes, but I do usually get letters back from her, especially when it’s important. She sent me a letter a few days ago out of the blue saying she had some urgent task for me, but she didn’t say what!” Twilight almost shouted the last words. She gave a loud huff and slumped onto the table, worry and fatigue beginning to take their toll.
“I can see how that must be frustrating dear, but really, I think she would have told you if it wasn’t something that could wait. Maybe she’s trying to find the best way to explain it to you?” Twilight admitted she had thought of this herself, but the idea that there was something the princess was having trouble putting in to words sent a chill down her spine.
“I’m sure you’re right,” She took a sip of the tea and was relieved to find Rarity had told the truth about its calming effect. “but I just can’t shake the feeling something’s off.”
The two talked for a time until, half an hour later Twilight headed back out of the darkened store space. With a tone approaching cheerful, she bid her friend goodbye as she walked towards her library home.
***
Light seeped unbidden through her closed eyelids as the purple unicorn groaned herself awake. It had to be at least a few hours later than she intended to wake, but anxiety had apparently taken more out of her than she thought. She hoped, without much conviction, that Spike had woken up before her for once and opened the library in her absence.
A loud clatter from downstairs cleared whatever holdout pockets of sleep still clung to her mind as she raced to investigate. To her surprise, Spike was indeed awake and working the library, or had been until very recently. He was on the ground next to an overturned stepping stool, surrounded by fallen books.
“Spike, are you alright, what happened?”
He rubbed his head and gestured towards a scroll lying half-crushed by one of the wayward books. Twilight dashed forward to retrieve the scroll. Her horn glowed as she haphazardly stacked the books into a pile and brought the scroll to hover in front of her face.
To my most faithful student Twilight Sparkle,
It was in some excitement that I last wrote you; I apologize for the abrupt nature of my last letter as well as the somewhat delayed follow up and any undue concern I may have caused. You no doubt wonder what task I wrote of in my last message and, after some deliberation between my sister and myself, I have decided it would be better for you to hear the details straight from the pony’s mouth as it were. My sister, Princess Luna should be arriving within a few minutes of this letter reaching you to explain the situation in full.
Your caring teacher,
Princess Celestia of Equestria
Twilight’s embarrassment at her teacher’s apology was quickly overshadowed by frantic worry. What was it that warranted a personal visit from a princess to explain? Why Princess Luna and not Celestia? A few minutes? But that would mean… her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the front door. Twilight jumped at the sound and spun on the spot, rushing to the door. It opened before she could reach it, in the open frame stood a pair of stone faced, armor clad pegasus, they spoke in unison as Twilight screeched to a halt inches from their snouts.
“Announcing Princess Luna, mistress of the night skies and co-ruler of Equestria.”
Twilight gaped, mouth wide as the guards stood aside to allow the princess of Equestria entrance.
“Thank you sirs, that will be all.” Her tone was firm, but held the same serene benevolence of her sister as she spoke. “Oh, please Miss Sparkle, there’s no need for any formalities from you of all ponies.”
Twilight had regained some composure and was bowing at the hoof of the princess. At Luna’s words she rose with a blush and nodded. They stood for a moment before a small cough from Luna brought the smaller unicorn to attention.
“Oh, yes, please come in; welcome to the Ponyville Public Library your majesty.” She mentally chided herself for her words; of course the princess knew where she was. “The Princess’s, er- Celestia’s letter, said you were coming to tell me more about the task you have for me, right?” Luna nodded, smiling softly. She was smaller than her sister, but in some ways her movements carried a weight that her sister lacked.
“That is right, Twilight Sparkle, though I wonder if it could wait for us gather your friends, as I wish to request their aid as well as yours.”
“Oh, yes, of course Princess. Did you want to wait here, or come with me? It won’t take long if you want to wait.”
The princess smiled and gestured with a hoof for Twilight to lead the way out the door. The unicorn’s cheeks flushed at the idea of leading royalty, well, anywhere, but trotted forward all the same. She called back through the door for Spike to keep working and, as Luna closed the door behind them Twilight could feel her tension ease somewhat.
The errand was a short one for the most part. They found both Rarity and Pinkie Pie at the Carousel Boutique; the former had been working on a costume for a giveaway Pinkie was throwing at her work. Rarity, who had not seen the princess since the defeat of Nightmare Moon, was perhaps a little more than willing to show her reverence, but Luna took the fussing in stride, politely refusing the offer for a brand new dress and instead asking that he two accompany them on the core at hand. Both ponies were more than willing to drop their work to join the princess and Twilight.
After a brief stop at the bakery where Pinkie Pie worked the group moved on down the road to their next destination, a sprawling apple farm on the edge of the town.
Upon reaching the farmhouse, Twilight called out a greeting to an orange pony with a straw colored mane, wearing a weather beaten cowpony hat.
“Howdy Twilight, everypony, what brings y’all out here?” She bowed politely to the Princess, who smiled and spoke, her tone friendly.
"Hello again, Applejack, if you have a moment, would you mind accompanying us?”
“Of course princess, if yer happy with waiting another minute or two, Rainbow Dash oughta be back soon too. Ah asked her to pick up some extra nails a while ago; actually thought she’d be back by now to tell ya the truth.” As soon as the words left her mouth Rainbow Dash was among them. Setting down a bucket of nails, she turned to greet her friends, giving a cursory bow upon noticing the princess in their midst.
“Hey everyone, what’s up? why’s she here?” The pegasus emphasized her words by jabbing a hoof at the alicorn, only barely hiding the accusation in her voice.
“Rainbow Dash, be nice! The Princess is here to discuss some special mission she and Celestia would like us to do.” Rarity shook her head slightly as she spoke.
“How special? Y’know, last time she was here, it caused a whole lot trouble for everypony.” Twilight sighed at her friend’s coarse words, and looking up imagined she saw a look of hurt cross the stony face of the Princess. It was gone as quickly as it had come and the group moved on down the road to make their last stop.
Fluttershy’s home radiated comfort as the ponies approached. Twilight Sparkle, still heading the group moved forward and rapped her hoof against the hardwood knocking plate secured to the door. When no answer came she motioned for the other to wait as she moved around the outside of the house to check for the timid pegasus in her backyard garden.
As Twilight rounded the hill she could see her yellow friend resting in the shade of a tall, leafy tree.
Twilight quietly announced her arrival to Fluttershy, who in turn jumped, letting out a squeak of surprise as she turned to bring the new arrival into view.
“Sorry Fluttershy, we knocked on the door but I guess you couldn’t hear it back here. Anyway, are you busy? Everyone’s waiting for us.”
Fluttershy who, in her surprise, had mostly hidden herself in her mane, slowly drew forward again.
“Oh, hello Twilight, what brings you here, and um, why is everyone else here too?”
Twilight explained the situation for the third time that day. A few minutes later the two began to head back to the front of the house, only to be met by the rest of the group coming to meet them.
“We figured you were takin’ so long you must have found her, so we just decided to come on back ourselves.” Applejack announced as they drew up to where the two were standing. Fluttershy made a meeping sound upon seeing the princess, she scrambled, and seemed to be trying to bow as low as she could while simultaneously hiding herself as much as possible behind her tree.
“Oh, Princess Luna, it’s an honor.”
Luna smiled softly and gestured for Fluttershy to rise.
“Well, now that we’re all here, I suppose you’d all like to know why.” The princess gazed at the assembled ponies.
“Finally!” Exclaimed Rainbow Dash.
Twilight nudged Rainbow Dash in the side to quiet her.
“Yes well,” Luna continued. “first things first, I’d appreciate it very much if you’d all stop bowing to me. I find it slightly embarrassing to be shown reverence by one’s saviors.” She chuckled. “If you’d all like to sit, I think this is as fine a place as any to discuss the matter at hoof.” She sat back on her haunches beside the tree, the others quickly following suit. “Now then, before we get into the task before us, you all will need some back story I suppose.” She paused, and not for the first time, Twilight Sparkle noticed that there was a stilted feeling to the goddess’s formal wording, unlike her sister who seemed naturally eloquent; Luna’s tone seemed forced at best.
“Long ago, before my jealousy and hate had fully poisoned my mind, when I was still somewhere between worlds, I conceived the idea of a city of night. I intended it to be a place of wonder that would teach our subjects of the joys of night time; a beautiful place that the day never touched, where ponies would live happily and willingly in beautiful darkness. In secret I began its construction, slowly and painstakingly building the city into the very core of a great mountain far to the East. Tirelessly I worked, sinking deeper into my personal madness with every stone I shaped, until the skeleton was built, the city all but finished. I looked upon my creation with pride for a brief time. But with the haze of anger swirling before my thoughts I deemed the metropolis too grand to give to the ungrateful inhabitants of Equestria. I began to build again, but now it was not structures I raised but creatures, made from clay, and water, and the bitterness in my heart. I built my monstrosities to populate the city, beings that flopped and writhed wildly in the darkness and would never want for the light of day.” The Princess paused and Twilight felt a chill slither down her spine, the pleasant summer day all but forgotten to the group as the story unraveled before them. When the Princess spoke again, everyone listened with strained ears and rapt attention.
“I had created my world, and filled it with my monsters, but still it was not enough, my jealousy only enhanced by the feeling that I had somehow been trapped in my city, I wanted the darkness to expand, I wanted the world to know my love and would do anything to spread it. It was then that I refused to lower the moon to make way for the sun.” She paused, breathing hard, then continued. “The rest of this story is familiar to you I believe, I faced my sister, nearly defeating her before she summoned the Elements of Harmony and imprisoned me in the moon for those cold thousand years.”
Silence weighed heavy upon the circle, and a collectively held breath was released.
“Well, so what? There was a city of monsters a thousand years ago, big deal! What’s that got to do with us now?”
Rainbow received a few reproachful glances but nothing more, she had asked what the rest were thinking as they turned again to face the storyteller. When Luna began to speak again, there was some strain beneath her stoic persona.
“Sometime after my banishment, Celestia discovered my abomination and sealed the entrance, but she did not know the depths of my madness, or the depths of the city. True, she closed the largest entrance, but it was also the one farthest from the actual construction. She did not look inside, and she did not know the extent of the underground passages and plazas dug deep into Equestria.
“While I was present I held dominion over the city and controlled it’s inhabitants, keeping them docile and young. Once banished however, my control broke, releasing them of control and leaving them to crawl, rot, and reproduce for millennia, descending into such depravity that even as Nightmare Moon I would have been repulsed. Over time the city grew dormant and still, its horrid inhabitants sleeping and decaying from within, but with Nightmare Moon’s brief return I believe the necropolis to have been revived. I am afraid I cannot speak with certainty, for nearly all of her terrible knowledge has been locked away from me, deep in the darkness of my soul by some fail-safe I set in my insanity. Almost all of my knowledge of the city comes from logs kept by me during the time.” She finished with a deep sigh as silence fell over the hillside like a thick fog. There was a long time when no one spoke. It was Twilight who found her voice first.
“So, what you’re saying is that this city has been made active after a thousand years, and you have no control over it anymore?” The goddess nodded, her head hung slightly in shame. “Do you at least know where it is?” Luna shook her head.
“As I said, almost all of my knowledge of the place comes from my own notes from a thousand years ago, I don’t remember where it is nor did I ever write down any more than what I have told you already. It is in a great mountain to the far East, I do not believe it even had a name yet when I was banished.”
The ponies’ thoughts were almost audible in the quiet of the moment; even the wind seemed hesitant to interrupt their pondering.
“So just what is it yer asking of us princess, if you don’t mind saying.” The farm pony asked, though it was clear she feared the answer. The alicorn sighed and paused a moment before responding.
“I would ask you all to join me in seeking out, and destroying this city, I make no demands, and any of you are free to refuse, I’ll give you some time to think on it but please decide quickly as I will be departing first thing tomorrow morning. Time is of the essence I fear.” With those words Luna stood and turned to face Twilight. “I hate to impose upon you any further but would you have a spare bed for me to sleep in tonight? I don’t want to cause any undue fuss staying at the inn.”
Twilight Sparkle nodded dumbly, still working over the princess’s words in her mind. She already knew that she had to go, if not for Equestria’s sake, then for her teacher, who had trusted her enough to give this task. She looked around and saw that all of her friends had similarly dumbfounded expressions and dully wondered what they were each thinking. When she looked back to where Luna had stood she saw that the alicorn was already on her way back around the hill to the road leading into town. Recovering her wits, she quickly followed after the goddess.
When she came around to the front of the house, Twilight found Luna waiting by the front door as if expecting to be let in. The Princess watched quietly as Twilight approached.
“I expected you to follow. Celestia always says you are a pony for asking questions.” There was a tone of amusement underlying her words. Twilight blushed and looked away at the words she wasn’t sure were a compliment or a critique. When she looked back there was a hint of a smile at the edge of the alicorn’s mouth.
“Why us Princess? What good are we going to be against whatever it is we have to face?”
“You and your friends have more power to you than you know Twilight Sparkle; you especially. Besides,” The Princess allowed a tint of pride to enter her voice. “I may have been gone a thousand years but I still don’t think there are many dangers in Equestria that I cannot handle. No, the main reason I request your company is that, as the living embodiments of the Elements of Harmony, you are the best suited to combat the dark things made by a lonely, bitter soul.”
The last words were nearly lost to Twilight as Luna’s voice became quiet and sad with memory both remembered and not. When she spoke again, it was with the carefully formal tone that Twilight knew would sound almost silly under different circumstances.
“Now then, I do not wishto keep you from your friends and what I am sure is, by now a lively discussion, but would it be any trouble to ask you show me where exactly I will be staying?”
Twilight felt a tinge of embarrassment. The Library did indeed have a spare room for guests, but at the moment in was almost entirely filled with books, even the bed had been stripped of its mattress and moved to one side to make room. She shook herself and decided to address that problem when she came to it, Twilight gave the Princess what she hoped was a warm smile and started again down the road to town.
“Of course, Princess. it would be my pleasure, and it will be good to let the others talk among themselves a bit and decide what they’re going to do.” Twilight saw Luna raise an eyebrow out of the corner of her vision.
“You speak as if you had already made up your mind Twilight Sparkle, are you so eager to abandon your home for places unknown?” Luna’s smirk was betrayed by a hollowness in her voice. Twilight thought for a time before responding.
“No, of course I don’t want to leave, but if my friends are going it won’t be so bad, right? Besides, you and Princess Celestia asked me to do this, and it’s my duty to accept.”
The princess bowed her head but said nothing as the pair reached the front door of the library. Inside, the library looked as it had when they left, books neatly placed on shelves and organized appropriately, Twilight gave her home a happy smile and began to lead the way upstairs. “I don’t actually have a spare room, or, I do but right now it’s more of a storage space, so you’re welcome to stay in my room, and I can sleep downstairs, if that’s ok with you I mean.” The alicorn considered for a moment before nodding.
“Thank you Twilight Sparkle, I’ll do my best to keep it clean for you. You had better go find your friends now and see what they’re thinking. I’ll take a short rest here.” With that she entered the purple unicorn’s bedroom and closed the door behind her.
***
Sometime later the six friends sat around a table at Sugarcube Corner discussing what it was they intended to do.
“I’m telling ya it’s trouble! It was trouble last time she showed up too, remember?”
“Oh, hush Rainbow, and remember last time was partly yer fault.” Applejack tugged at her pegasus friend’s leg, pulling her back to the ground. Rainbow Dash landed with a huff, she was the only pony in the group who had outright refused to go, Applejack and Rarity had voiced concerns, but for the most part had been convinced. Applejack didn’t have too many responsibilities at Sweet Apple Acres; applebuck season was still three months away and the only thing happening at the farm was the chore of seasonal repairs that she swore Big Mac could handle on his own. Fluttershy, on the other hand had no pony to take over her responsibilities in caring for the local wildlife, but after some persuading she was convinced that, between Angel and Spike, the animals would be well looked after.
Pinkie Pie turned out to be more than ready to drop everything and head off with them, saying that the Cakes had been offering her vacation time for weeks that she just hadn’t seen any reason to use. After some discussion it was decided that Rarity would ask Scootaloo’s family to care for Sweetie Belle and simply close up shop for the time being, hopefully increasing demand for when she got back. Twilight knew that Spike was fully capable of taking care of himself, but just to err on the side of caution she intended to ask Derpy Hooves, the town mailmare to stop in and check on Spike when she had the chance.
With all the others in agreement, Rainbow Dash was still a holdout; the group had spent the better part of the afternoon convincing the multi-chromatic pony who stubbornly refused to join because of some personal distrust of the princess that none of the gathered ponies could understand.
“There’s just something fishy about it ok?” Rainbow glowered and crossed her arms. “First Princess Celestia sends Twilight a letter without actually telling her anything, and then when she finally gets around to it, she sends Luna here to drag us off the edge of Equestria!” Her words hung in the air as everyone quietly acknowledged the somewhat bizarre circumstance they were in. No one spoke for a long time, it was again Rainbow Dash who broke the silence. “So you all are really gonna do this, huh?”
Twilight and the rest nodded and Rainbow Dash Sighed heavily. “Well then I guess I better come along too. Somepony has to keep you all out of trouble.” That was all it took to break the tension, Pinkie Pie, who had been sitting across the table, seemed to instantaneously rearrange herself around Rainbow Dash, hugging her friend tight.
“Oh you guys know what this means right? We gotta have an adventure party tonight! It’ll be sooo great, we can make a cake that looks like a mountain and sing songs and play hide-and-go-seek, which is kinda like a mini adventure in itself if you think about it and we can all make adventure necklaces! Oh it’s gonna be so much fun you guys!”
As the rest of the ponies made noises indicating various levels of agreement Twilight Sparkle stood up and began to make her way to the door.
“I’ll be right back guys. I’m going to let the princess know that we’re all on board. And remember, we also need to pack tonight and make sure we get plenty of rest, so don’t get too wild while I’m gone.”
***
Twilight smiled the entire way back to her tree, glad that her friends were all coming and that she had good news to relay back to the Princess. The library was quite when she entered; she called for Spike, who quickly emerged from the kitchen holding a half washed dish.
“Oh hey Twilight, I thought you were up in your room, what’s going on?”
“Hi Spike, actually I was down at Sugarcube Corner; Princess Luna is taking a nap up in my room I think. Anyway I’ve got some things I need to do, and I’ll need you to take care of the library for me while I’m gone, ok?” Twilight quickly told Spike about the princess, relaying as much of their quest to him as she felt comfortable, leaving out the implied danger and grim specifics of what she thought they would be facing. When she was done, the young dragon gave her a skeptical look before rolling his eyes and shrugging.
“Do what you gotta do I guess. I’ll just be here, as usual.”
“I’m sorry Spike but this just isn’t the kind of thing I should be taking a baby dragon with me for, it might be dangerous.” She gave him a reassuring squeeze.“I’m going to ask Derpy to drop in on you from time to time and make sure everything’s going alright.” She patted the dragon reassuringly and started up the stairs to her room.
She had reached the door to her room and had almost brought her hoof forward to knock, but stopped just short as thoughts on etiquette rushed to the surface of her mind. Was it rude to wake royalty? Should she just wait downstairs for her to wake up? What if she wasn’t going to wake up until it was time to leave? The unicorn had turned back down the stairs with the intention of heading back to meet her friends when a noise came from the other side of the closed door that made formalities seem trivial, Twilight froze stiff, her ears raised to attention, listening for seconds that passed like hours before turning around once more and bursting into the room. She was sure she had heard a cry from beyond the wooden barrier, but once she had entered the room the only sight to greet her was a wide-eyed Luna, who Twilight saw had likely just been startled awake by her brash entrance. The Two locked eyes for a moment before Twilight blushed and hung her head.
“Um, sorry Princess, I thought I heard something and I didn’t think really, so I just barged in here and…I’m going to be quiet now.”
It took Luna another moment to compose herself, when she spoke it was with particularly strained formality, her words falling back into old habit.
“It is no trouble Twilight Sparkle, we had only intended to rest for a brief time and it would seem that our sleep has been anything but ‘brief.’ But tell us, what is it that you heard that would make you strain the hinges of your own doors?”
Twilight grimaced, there was a coldness in the words that had not been there earlier. It made her afraid to tell the truth, but she had never been a good liar, and felt sure the princess would have little trouble seeing through any deception she tried.
“Well, your highness, I mean it wasn’t really anything I’m sure but I er- I thought I heard somepony in pain.”
The princess eyed her with such intensity that Twilight felt sure Luna could see her soul. Her next words were very deliberate, and Twilight winced as they were spoken.
“Twilight Sparkle, we want you to make no mistake about what you heard, or thought you heard. It was nothing, a bird outside the window maybe, but we promise you nothing in this room made any noise whatsoever.” Her expression softened as she looked down upon the startled unicorn. “Now, I assume you have news, have your friends made their decisions?”
Twilight nodded, relieved that the princess had returned to a modern dialect.
“They all agreed to come, they’re throwing a party right now actually, I’m um, sure that you’d be welcome to join us if you want, you are going to be our leader after all.”
Luna sighed, thinking for a long moment.
“I suppose that it would be best for moral purposes if I were to join you. Besides, royal life is somewhat lacking in fun. Lead the way Twilight Sparkle.”
Twilight nodded sheepishly as she began the descent to the main floor of the library, the moon goddess quietly collected herself and followed suit.
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immolation_of_senses
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1210
| 2 |
Main 6,Princess Luna,Adventure,Dark,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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Where the High Road Ends
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Princess Luna has arrived in Ponyville with a special mission for Twilight Sparkle and her friends; the destruction of a city of madness and
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incomplete
| 33 | 0 |
<p>The ancient necropolis of Nightmare moon has been awakened by her brief return to Equestria preceding her defeat. Now its abhorrent denizens are revived after a thousand years of debauchery and decay and with no direction or control. They will soon break free from their dungeons of night and spill across Equestria spreading darkness and death. That is, unless six friends, accompanied by the better part of the city's creator, can stop the spread of chaos and and gloom before all of Equestria falls victim to the things made in secret by an angry heart.</p>
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teen
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2011-10-17T04:44:41+00:00
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2011-10-17T04:44:41+00:00
| 1,462 |
Where the High Road Ends
An MLP:FIM Fanfiction
by Immolation_of_Senses
Chapter 2: The King’s High Road
The day was already well on it’s way by the time all of the necessary arrangements had been made and the group of ponies was ready to head out. The party the night before had lasted longer than Twilight had thought genuinely wise, but she made no complaints. Through the course of the evening, Luna had loosened up some, conversing more freely with the unicorn’s friends. The result was that, even though the alicorn had resumed the stoic persona of the day before; the rest of her friends had grown more comfortable with the princess. By the end of the evening even Rainbow Dash was excited for the trip, kicking at imaginary foes as she boasted of her undoubted triumph.
===============
Twilight and Luna waited outside the library with Applejack and Fluttershy. Rarity had dragged Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie off to her boutique the moment she saw their saddlebags, loudly declaring them a crime against fashion and functionality.
So Twilight stood outside the library waiting, she cast frequent sidelong glances towards the alicorn from the corner of her eye. The words and tone of the night before when she had barged into her room still clung to the walls of her mind like taffy. Whatever the princess claimed, Twilight knew she had definitely heard something come from inside that room while the princess slept. She chanced another shifty look in Luna’s direction and had to stifle a surprised yelp when she found the goddess matching her gaze eye-to-eye. Thankfully neither Applejack, nor Fluttershy seemed to notice as they gazed off in the direction of the Carousel Boutique impatiently looking for signs of their friends’ return.
“You are not the most subtle pony, Twilight Sparkle. All these sideways looks make me think you’re up to something.” Twilight’s blush deepened as the princess laughed quietly. It seemed clear that the princess intended to pretend her harsh words the night before had never been spoken, Twilight thought briefly of raising the issue right there, but the smile on Luna’s face swept away any indignant feelings she held; the happy expression seemed so natural compared to the face she wore in company. Twilight sighed her resignation, and smiled back at the princess. Still, she felt some relief when the larger pony turned to look the same direction Applejack faced. When Twilight followed suit, she could see the last of her friends returning. Pinkie Pie bounded happily alongside a disgruntled Rainbow Dash, both of whom sported brand new saddlebags made from thick canvas material and lined with a fine fleece and trimmed with what Twilight guessed was silk. As they approached, Rarity called out to the waiting ponies.
“Sorry about that everyone, I just could not let these two go out adventuring with those terrible rags they claimed were traveling bags. They’d have fallen apart within days, and looked just awful to boot. I couldn’t let it happen.” Rainbow Dash grumbled something about wasting time, but her complaint went unheeded as the group finalized preparations for the second time that morning.
===============
Within minutes the group had managed to collect themselves and were trotting towards the outskirts of Ponyville at a decent clip. Luna had outlined the route they were to take as far as the map they had allowed; they would follow a small path with no name that skirted the Everfree forest for a few days, before joining a forgotten trade road that Luna called the King’s High Road.
“But, Princess, Equestria has never had a king, right? Why is it called that?” Twilight blurted, unable to contain her curiosity.
“Long ago, more than two thousand years I think, there was a rebellion against the crown that lasted for two years, and during that time, the leader of the rebellion, a stallion named Rock Tooth declared himself king of the new state he sought to create. They captured a swath of land on the edge of the Everfree Forest and made the high road. For a time it was the only safe passage for traders through the area and, when the rebellion finally ended the traders kept the name and extended the road far to the East, building towns and grand cities along the way.” Luna paused, her expression darkened. “I have no idea how many have managed to withstand the passage of time, or the ravages I have heard the East has endured these long years since.” They walked in silence for a time, the Princess lagging at the rear of the group. After a short while the friends resumed their cheerful attitudes, Rarity and Applejack chatting amicably about the saddlebags Rarity had given their friends. Rainbow Dash flew above them, occasionally zooming off into the clouds to flex her wings and show off. Fluttershy did her best to keep up with Pinkie’s enthusiasm, but was clearly having some difficulty. The only ponies whose spirits had not brightened by the time they made camp that evening were Twilight Sparkle and Princess Luna.
They made camp sometime before nightfall on a cleared off circular patch near the side of the road. By the time the tents were pitched and the fire started, Celestia’s sun was making its last appearance on the horizon before bowing out of sight to make way for the night and Luna’s moon. Twilight looked up from the fire she had been staring into just in time to catch the last wisps of the princess’s tail whip around the edge of a large tree and out of sight. She felt compelled to follow, whether by some ill-advised curiosity, or some concern she felt for the alicorn’s daylong silence she wasn’t sure. The purple unicorn stood slowly, trying not to draw attention to her actions, and quickly followed where the princess led. Twilight rounded the tree and stopped, Luna had only gone some thirty steps from where Twilight stood, and the scene laid out before her made her less than enthusiastic to let her presence be known. The moon goddess sat on her haunches looking up at the sky, eyes closed. For a few minutes, her expression was strained and her body showed signs of extreme exertion. Luna stopped and drew a few deep breaths before resuming her efforts, this time with visible results as the moon slowly rose into view. When the orbital globe had fully breached the horizon Luna released her breath again and panted for a few minutes. Without turning or diverting her eyes from the sky she spoke.
“Would you mind fetching me some water Twilight? I’m not entirely sure I could walk back to camp right now.” Twilight yelped in surprise of being found out, but quickly regained her composure and nodded, not sure if the princess could see her before she turned and headed back to camp. She returned a few minutes later, with a canteen held aloft by magic, which she silently set beside the princess. Luna gave her a small smile of gratitude before lifting the canteen to her lips and drinking deeply. When she finished, the Princess was still panting lightly but looked considerably better.
“I told you, you are not the most subtle of ponies, but thank you for that Twilight Sparkle. I am not yet re-accustomed to my duties, and I fear it will still be some time before I can perform them with the ease of a thousand years ago.” Twilight balked at the tired alicorn.
“Princess, I don’t mean to intrude, but it’s been almost a year since you came back. How long will it take for you to be fully recovered?” At Twilight’s words, Luna chuckled darkly and thought a moment before responding.
“Do not think of me as unwell Twilight Sparkle, merely obstructed.” Twilight’s expression reflected her confusion. “Imagine Twilight, that you cut a path all the way through the Everfree forest, a path so wide and well kept that three ponies could walk abreast in the middle of the night and never stumble or waver.” Luna glanced at Twilight, pleased to find a look of rapt attention spread across the mare’s face. “Now imagine that at some point you are forced to take a long vacation, say, a hundred years pass and you return to your path to find that another had been made through the forest and yours was left to a hundred years of overgrowth and neglect. Celestia meant well when she took over the duties of the night, but...” Luna thought for a moment, looking for the right words. “She is accustomed to controlling the sun, which is unruly to control and burns away everything in it’s path. The moon on the other hoof is cooperative to guidance but cannot easily clear obstructions in its path and so must follow the same route across the sky each night. Celestia did not know of the differences between our creations and for a thousand years has been dragging the moon across the night sky like a plow through a field of rocks, while my carefully maintained path has filled with stars and little known planets.” The princess looked tired once more and sagged gracefully to the ground. It struck Twilight how very old and terrible the pony in front of her really was. She suddenly felt like one of the stars Luna had to brush away every night to make way for the moon.
“So you have to re-clear this path a little bit more every night? No wonder that took so much out of you.” Talk of Luna’s effort made Twilight acutely aware of her own fatigue, she had walked farther today than she ever had before. Even the Running of the Leaves, though a marathon, felt incredibly short compared to the hours they had spent walking. She lay down some hoofs away from the princess and blinked heavily a few times, fighting sleep, before darkness took her and thought no more.
Twilight awoke the next morning to a sharp prodding in her side, she opened her bleary eyes to find her vision almost entirely obscured by a vivid pink.
“Ow…” She groaned at her earth pony friend.
“Oh sorry Twilight, I didn’t mean to hurt you, it’s just that you are such a heavy sleeper it was the only thing I could think of! I even sang a song to wake you up and nopony can sleep through a Pinkie Pie song. Well, nopony except you I guess!” Twilight groaned again and dumbly wondered how Pinkie Pie could possibly have this much energy this early. She looked around to find herself back in her own tent by the now burned out fire. She groaned again, her face flush at the realization that Luna must have had to bring her back after she fell asleep the night before. Doing her best to keep her reddened face from the rest of the group, Twilight rose and set about taking down her tent.
They had a quick breakfast of oatmeal, during which Luna told them them that if her memory served, there should be a town down the way they could stop at that night. A quick consultation of the map confirmed her memory and the group packed the last of their camp, setting off down the road at a brisk pace. In contrast to the day before, Luna walked solidly at the front of the herd, just ahead of Twilight. As with the day previous, the ponies quickly built up a cheery attitude, which made the travel go easier as the lands around them slowly turned from gentle hills to vast, dull, flatlands. Since the party in Ponyville, Rainbow Dash had been increasingly more civil towards the princess, but maintained an attitude that was, at most, lukewarm. She flew low to the ground for the most part, moving through the group, joining in with or starting whatever conversation was to be had. She had just finished a rather brief discussion with Twilight Sparkle about the importance of properly re-binding historic tomes, and had moved back to walk alongside Applejack who spoke to her in a hushed tone Twilight could just barely make out.
“Ah gotta ask Rainbow, what exactly is it you have against the princess? Ah mean, ah’ve my own reservations about this whole thing, but you were there, ya know the princess is fine now. So why the chip on yer flank?” Rainbow Dash responded in the same hushed tone as the earth pony.
“Look, it isn’t so much the Princess I got a problem with, she seems fine, I guess. But like I said, last time she showed up it was big trouble for everypony, and this time she just pops in and expects us to head off to Celestia knows where! I just think she’s trouble whether she likes it or not!” The last sentence hung heavily in the air over the group as if it had been screamed. Twilight Sparkle had stopped dead, and a similarly stunned Fluttershy quickly dodged to one side to avoid colliding with the unicorn.
Twilight snapped back to her senses and looked to where Luna walked. The alicorn still held her head high, but it seemed to Twilight, not quite so much as it had been. She cast Rainbow Dash a dark look that was met with rolled eyes before trotting to catch up with the indigo pony. When she drew level with the Princess, Twilight tried to apologize for her friend, but appropriate words seemed to elude her. After a few false starts, she opted to simply walk beside the larger pony, hoping that she would understand Twilight’s meaning. After a time the other ponies perked up and Pinkie Pie led an impromptu sing-a-long forcing them all to join in.
When they reached the town they had seen on the map it was still light out, but they all agreed that stopping for the night was in everyone’s best interest. The town was almost ghostly in its emptiness, in stark contrast to the green fields and deep forest on either side; out of the twenty or so buildings it appeared that maybe five were actively inhabited. Of these buildings, one was an inn and tavern. The sign out front was faded and worn by time; the chains it hung from creaked maliciously as the board they held aloft swayed lazily in a wind no one felt. Looking closely, Twilight identified the inn as the Horse’s Jig. She thought gloomily that there was very little about the place to give the impression that anypony had ever danced in the entire town.
Inside, the building was much more welcoming, the main room was small and clean, with four long, roughly hewn dining tables in rows down the length of the sparsely populated room. The bar itself was cut from the same wood as the tables, with what looked like a much larger store room behind it filled with assorted barrels and casks. Luna led the troupe to the bar and called out to catch the attention of the barmare, who was preoccupied with scrubbing a stain, left by some spill or another. The unicorn barkeep scrambled to stand and turned to face the new arrivals.
“Good evening friends...Princess.” She gave a small bow but continued undaunted. “Welcome to the Horse’s Jig. My name’s Dandelion Spring. What can I do for you?”
“We’d like rooms if you have them, and I think some dinner as well.” The Princess replied before anyone else could.
“Well that’s all fine, we don’t have too many travelers through town, so most all of our rooms are empty. Rooms are thirty bits a night each, dinner’s fifty for the lot.” The mare’s speech was somewhat curt but the sincerity in her voice exhumed warmth. Luna nodded and placed the appropriate amount of currency on the bar. Dandelion smiled and levitated the keys to their rooms onto the bar as well.
“First three when you get to the top. Number one jams a bit, but put your shoulder into it and it’ll open fine. Dinner will be ready in half an hour or so. Listen for the bell.”
The ponies took their keys and headed up the stairs. Finding the rooms where they had been told, the group found that they had been furnished with whatever Dandelion Spring had been able to gather easily. A mish-mash of single pony beds were arranged in each room, three in room one, and two each of both rooms two and three. Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack claimed the first, quickly followed suit by Rarity and Fluttershy in the second, the former of which gave Twilight an apologetic look before disappearing inside and closing the door. A bewildered Twilight Sparkle was left standing beside the Princess outside the third room. Luna continued her daylong silence as she walked into the room, casting Twilight a backwards look that prompted the unicorn to follow.
Once inside, Luna shed the small saddlebags she carried, Twilight followed suit and flinched at the heavy thump they made on the hardwood floor. She had only packed the most essential books on survival and travel, as well as her atlas and history books regarding all of the regions that she thought they might pass through. After catching a questioning look from the alicorn though, Twilight began to wonder if she might still have packed too much. She laughed nervously and pushed the bags under her bed with a stray hoof before flopping onto the mattress. As she stared at the ceiling she could hear the alicorn moving through the room, adjusting things in what Twilight discerned was likely a form of nervous tick. She was quiet for a time, studying the ceiling and listening. She felt that she ought to say something by way of apology for Rainbow’s words, but all the words that came to her seemed empty. Still, Twilight thought it best to try.
“I know she doesn’t mean anything by it, Rainbow I mean, she’s just…I don’t know, but I’m sure she’s sorry.” She groaned, thinking of how silly she must sound.
“I don’t take any offense Twilight. your friends are not here for me. The ones who aren’t here out of a sense of duty to their home have come because you did. I make no mistakes about that.” Twilight turned to face the Princess, who had stopped her redecoration and now sat calmly near the edge of her bed. Luna was not facing Twilight but the unicorn could hear the disappointment in her voice. She made to argue the point, but as Twilight opened her mouth a bell rang out from somewhere below. Luna stood, and quickly walked to the door, Twilight scrambled to follow.
Due in part to Luna’s speedy exit, the Princess and unicorn made it to the main floor first, the conversation they had held moments before forgotten as Twilight’s stomach reminded her how long it had been since the brief lunch they had earlier that day. The two were just getting situated at one of the tables nearest a wall when the rest of the ponies made their way down the stairs.
“Howdy Twilight, Princess. How’s yer room treating you?” Applejack greeted the early arrivals as she found herself a seat across the table.
“It will do nicely I think, right Twilight Sparkle?”
Twilight nodded at the words, but didn’t speak. She was busy keeping watch on the kitchen door. Luna turned back to the farm pony. “How are your rooms? Enough space?”
There was a collective nod before Applejack spoke again.
“Everything’s fine on our end yer highness but, while ah do appreciate the gesture; Ah’d like to at least pay you back fer the meal tonight. It don’t feel right just takin’ yer money like this.”
When the Alicorn replied, it was with the same strained formality she used the first day in Fluttershy’s back yard.
“I am sorry if I have offended you Applejack, but I’m afraid I cannot accept your offer.” She fixed the orange earth pony with a steady eye as she spoke. “I have taken you and your friends away from your homes and lives, with no guarantee of safe return. The very least I can do is pay for some comfort and food when I can.” The façade of formality slipped once more and her words rang through the group like a particularly deep gong. Applejack, not expecting this response, stammered to find a reply but eventually just sputtered a thick thank you. The food arrived shortly after and she tore into it with the abandon of someone seeking to avoid further conversation.
The meal passed slowly, with Rarity occasionally making efforts at polite conversation that quickly petered out into occasional grunts and nods. Applejack was first to finish, followed shortly by Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity. Twilight, who had felt ravenous at the start of the meal now looked glumly into her half finished salad and sighed before pushing it aside and leaving the table, she could see it was still light out, but decided to try and get to bed early to avoid any more prodding from Pinkie’s hoof when morning came. All that was left for a time was Luna and Fluttershy, both eating so slowly it almost seemed they were in competition. Eventually, Fluttershy finished her meal and headed back to the waiting bed, leaving the lunar goddess alone to brood over the last leafs in her bowl before going outside to raise the moon.
===============
Twilight was asleep when the princess returned to their shared room. She walked lightly across the space between the door and her bed. Once she was as comfortable as she could be, the alicorn gazed through the single window in the room and watched the night.
“I don’t seem to be endearing them to me, do I Twilight Sparkle?” She spoke quietly; her regal formalities forgotten, and her voice soft, her words falling on sleeping ears.
“Don’t worry Princess, they’ll come around, I like you anyway.” The princess jumped, almost turning over the bedside table the two shared. A bleary eyed Twilight Sparkle looked back at her with uninterested eyes, she blinked a few times and yawned.
“Well, that’s, that’s good to know, thank you Twilight.” Luna’s words caught in her throat even as she realized the unicorn was already more than halfway asleep, and had likely not been any more alert when she had spoken. The alicorn slowly re-situated herself, eyes still wide as she watched the unicorn yawn once more, cuddle close to her pillow, and fall back asleep. The moon was well on it’s way to the next horizon when the alicorn finally let sleep take her.
===============
The next morning Twilight awoke well rested. Looking around she was Pleased to see she had not needed any prodding or songs to do so. Happy with her small victory, she set about readying herself for the day. She returned from the hallway restroom to find Luna awake and packed, looking somewhat more chipper than the night before.
“Morning Miss Sunshine.” Twilight smiled at her little joke and, pleased to see her smile returned, set about making sure nothing would be forgotten.
“Oh, the washroom is empty if you need it, er, I mean…” Old habits die hard, and Twilight suddenly found herself quietly fretting over whether it was considered proper to even mention restrooms to royalty. Thankfully, her thoughts were cut short as Luna spoke.
“I do not think that will be necessary Twilight Sparkle, for you see, I only bathe myself with the darkest patches of the night sky.” The Princess proceeded to do her best impression of the mocking laughter of Nightmare Moon, stopping only when she saw the confused look spread across Twilight’s face. “I’m joking Twilight.” The unicorn’s look of confusion deepened, Luna sighed and started for the door. “Forget about it, I’ll be back soon.”
It was only after the door had been closed for a full minute that what had happened fully struck Twilight. The princess had told a joke, not a very good joke, true, but the fact that she had tried filled Twilight with, she wasn’t sure what emotion exactly, but it was positive. When Luna returned she was greeted by a warm smile and a push back out the door.
“You took too long. If we want food we have to go downstairs, right now.”
===============
The next few days passed without incident. The group did not pass another town, and made camp each night in one of the many copses of willow trees that began to appear beside the road. Luna continued to keep her words mostly to herself, but as the days passed, her answers became more candid when questioned.
In the late afternoon of the fourth day, the path the caravan had been following merged with what had at one time been a grand road. Though where once it was maintained by scores of travelers walking it’s beaten earth, it was now overgrown with weeds. Grass had long since begun reclamation of large swatches of the path. Luna, who had been leading the line, stopped as she reached the point where their small path joined the larger river of dirt.
“The King’s High Road. Not so grand as it once was, but I think you get the right impression. We won’t stop here, I don’t know how safe the way is anymore and would rather not be accosted this evening. There should be a town just a little way down the road that will do nicely I think.” The Princesses words were met with nods and gestures of agreement as the ponies merged onto the wide road and continued on their way.
The town they came to as sunset neared was larger than the last, and at first glance it was just as unpopulated. Once past the outer limits of the city however, the buildings grew closer together and life became more evident. The town was indeed severely depopulated, but only the far reaches were actually deserted. The city center was busy with shops and businesses. As the new arrivals wove through traffic it was almost possible to forget the apocalyptic suburbs they had just passed. After a short search the ponies found a suitable hotel and wasted no time in procuring rooms, one triple and two twin.
They quickly shed their travel gear in one room, and made for the nearest restaurant. Upon their return to the hotel, the group split of into separate quarters, with Rarity and Fluttershy taking one of the twin rooms, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash, agreeing again to share the triple. Twilight was once more left with the Princess, though she was far less nervous now and smiled amicably at her roommate who returned it in miniature.
“Twilight, could I ask something of you?” The princess sounded unsure of her words and concern rose within the smaller mare’s mind. “Would you accompany me while I raise the moon? It has not become much easier than the night you witnessed at the outset of our journey and it is much easier to forget my fatigue when I’m not alone.” Twilight didn’t say anything but nodded and, smiling, trotted to the bags and withdrew a water canteen before returning to the princess. Luna smiled again and led the way out into the hallway.
The pair walked all the way out of the city, continuing until the skeletal husks that haunted the city’s outskirts were far behind them and they stood in open field.
“I know my sister generally performed these duties from her balcony, but I’ve found the task much more comforting out in the open.” Luna’s voice was calm, her awkward formality forgotten. She took several deep breaths, pulling the quiet night air into her lungs. When she moved again it was only to sit back and look at the sky, she closed her eyes, focusing intensely for minutes on end without visible result. As sweat began to collect on the alicorn’s brow Twilight set herself beside the princess and wordlessly offered the water to her companion. The liquid sloshed lazily as it was raised. The noise was enough to alert the Princess, who opened her eyes slowly and looked from the water to the unicorn seated next to her and nodded a quiet thank you, putting her mouth to the brim of the canteen. Twilight was surprised that Luna had not simply taken the canteen with her magic, but it was a dull surprise that didn’t give her pause as she tilted the container to allow the pony drink. When she was finished, Luna voiced a small thank you before returning her attention to the night sky.
As with the last time Twilight witnessed the summoning of the moon, Luna’s second attempt was far more successful. It still took a fair amount of time before the moon breached the horizon, and as the unicorn watched she could almost imagine the debris being carefully moved aside as Luna’s creation moved slowly along it’s path. Again Twilight felt eclipsed by the power and age of her companion, but there was a comfort now as well that, for all her vocabulary she could not name.
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immolation_of_senses
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1210
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Main 6,Princess Luna,Adventure,Dark,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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Where the High Road Ends
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Princess Luna has arrived in Ponyville with a special mission for Twilight Sparkle and her friends; the destruction of a city of madness and
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incomplete
| 33 | 0 |
<p>The ancient necropolis of Nightmare moon has been awakened by her brief return to Equestria preceding her defeat. Now its abhorrent denizens are revived after a thousand years of debauchery and decay and with no direction or control. They will soon break free from their dungeons of night and spill across Equestria spreading darkness and death. That is, unless six friends, accompanied by the better part of the city's creator, can stop the spread of chaos and and gloom before all of Equestria falls victim to the things made in secret by an angry heart.</p>
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teen
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2011-11-22T22:36:17+00:00
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2011-11-22T22:36:17+00:00
| 1,646 |
Where the High Road Ends
An MLP:FIM Fanfiction
By: Immolation_of_Senses
Chapter 3: Our Own Devices
Night had given way to day and the party of adventurers rose to find Luna awake and waiting for them. She quietly informed the sleepy mares that she would be leaving for a few days, saying there was something that required her investigation in the mountains to the North. When questioned however, she gave only vague summaries of her errand, sidestepping any real description. She had left them with the map, and instructions for where they ought to head next, so the troop carried on without her.
They had been walking for almost half of the day, and for the most part it had been a pleasant one. At the start, the entire group had been somewhat nervous at losing their guide; even with Luna’s explicit directions there was a sense of security that was missing. Rainbow Dash loudly voiced her concerns at the loss of the alicorn, though they were carefully worded to hide her worry.
“Why does she bother coming along in the first place if she’s just gonna ditch us all the time?”
Rainbow had been repeating variations of the sentiment all morning, and it was beginning to wear on Twilight’s nerves. The night before, After Luna regained enough strength to walk, the two had strolled along the edge of the city for a time, speaking little and enjoying the warm summer night before walking back to the hotel. As a result, however, Twilight was still asleep when Luna had taken her leave that morning. It stung her that Luna had not thought to so much as leave a note for her. She admitted though, that she did not know what the note would have said; other than what was told to her friends and subsequently relayed to her. Twilight shook the thoughts from her mind, set her jaw, and trotted stiffly to the front of the group where the pegasus’s words would not be so easily heard.
“Please Rainbow, we know you’re concerned, we all are, but she gave us a… sufficient reason for leaving and I don’t think she has any intention of making a habit of disappearing.” Rarity chided, showing the annoyance she felt at Rainbow Dash’s complaining, but also leaking her own concerns.
“Hey! I am not concerned! You all might be worried about wandering around without your security blanket, but I’m not. I just think it’s rude, that’s all.” Rainbow huffed and crossed her arms as she floated alongside the rest of her friends. Pinkie Pie giggled
“Oh Dashie, it’s going to be ok. I’m sure she’s not going to leave us again; she even promised remember? I mean, it wasn’t a Pinkie Pie swear, but I think that a royal promise is almost as good!” She laughed and trotted over to where Rainbow hovered. The pegasus sighed, unable to stand up to Pinkie’s unrelenting good cheer. She smiled at her energetic friend before landing beside her as they walked.
“Fine, since you guys want to gang up on me like this, she gets a pass this time, but if she does go wandering off again she’s gonna have me to deal with!”
Pinkie laughed again and affectionately pressed herself against the pegasus who, in turn, blushed and took once more to the air.
The mood was set and the group carried on happily for some time until, during a break in the general conversation Fluttershy nervously made her way forward to walk beside Twilight Sparkle. The unicorn smiled pleasantly as her friend drew level with her.
“Hi Fluttershy, what’s up?”
“Oh, well, it’s nothing really, it’s just that I wanted to tell you I’m sure Luna wanted to say goodbye to you. She likes spending time with you, she feels more comfortable around you than the rest of us, I can tell.” Fluttershy gave Twilight a small smile as she finished.
Twilight looked curiously at her friend, who blushed and drew herself back into her mane.
“That is, I mean, I think I can tell, maybe not. Anyway I’m sure she just didn’t want to wake you.” Fluttershy’s last sentence was nothing but a rushed whisper.
Twilight’s expression was a blank canvas, unable to keep up with the thoughts racing through her mind as she realized Fluttershy’s implications.
“Well, I am the only one who’s spent any real time with her. I’m sure that if you all got to know her a little better she’d love to be friends with all of you.” Twilight rushed to find an acceptable response to Fluttershy’s words. She knew her argument sounded a little naïve, but she needed something to stand on, no matter how flimsy.
“Well I, um, yes I’m sure she would Twilight…” The pegasus conceded, deciding it would be better not to press the issue any further, and changed the subject. “So, does the map say if we’re going to reach a town tonight? Not that I mind sleeping outside, I think it’s rather nice actually.”
Twilight furrowed a moment, thinking as she drew out the map and examining the route they were on.
“It looks like if we keep up a good pace there’s a small settlement not too far away. I think we can reach it by nightfall.”
Fluttershy smiled and nodded as they continued on down the road.
***
It was dusk when they found the town. The settlement marked on the map was indeed there, but only as a ghostly reminder of what had been. Twilight thought for the first time that it was good the princess had left. The sight of the empty buildings, with their crumbling roofs and rotted beams would only serve to remind her of the time she had missed in Equestria.
After a quiet argument and a quick vote, it was decided that the ponies would spend the night in the shell of one of the buildings rather than make camp outside of town. They found a suitable building just off of the town square that looked to be in somewhat better repair than those surrounding it. As the quintet passed through the broken doorway they found what had likely been some sort of shop. There was a counter next to some stairs in the room they first entered and behind that, an empty storage room. A thick, even layer of dust covered every surface, giving all the colors in the room a dull grey tint. After a cursory look around the room, Rarity moved first, heading towards the staircase.
“Whoa there missy, just where do you think you’re going?” Applejack stepped between Rarity and her way to the upper floor.
“Upstairs of course, I expect that whoever owned this shop lived above it, so there are probably bedrooms up there.” Rarity huffed.
“Look, Ahm sure yer right about that, but this here’s a mighty old building and ah doubt the upstairs is safe. Especially for six full grown ponies to be traipsing around on.”
To illustrate her point Applejack put her weight on one of the lower steps, jumping back as it split underhoof.
“Oh, I see. Well then I take it you suggest that back room then?” Rarity waved a hoof behind the counter. Applejack nodded and started around the counter to the storeroom.
The room was larger than it looked from the front, with plenty of room to house the travelers. There were some blankets thrown down in one corner of the room.”
“Dibs!” Rainbow trotted forward to claim the sparse padding, pausing when her hooves made an empty thumping as she trod on the blanket. “Hey guys, I think it’s hollow under here, like another room or something.”
They spared little time in sweeping away the coverings to reveal what was unmistakably a trap door.
“Well, underground storage isn’t unheard of, even if it does seem a bit excessive with this much space already. Maybe we should check it out?” Twilight tentatively stepped towards the door. There was a moment when no one moved, none particularly eager to explore the hidden room.
“Oh all right, ah’ll go take a look.” Applejack stepped forward and took the iron door rung in her mouth. With a moment of effort, the old hinges squealed and gave way and the door fell open with a loud clatter. Without another word Applejack started down the stairs into the darkness of the basement room. A few seconds later, a call came from below.
“Well, ah don’t think there’s nothin’ down here, but can’t say for sure seeing as ah can’t see two hooves in front of my face.”
Twilight clapped a hoof to her forehead and stepped forward to follow her friend.
Once she had descended the old wooden stairs she found that the room had been dug into the ground and had no proper floor. Twilight supposed to herself that it was likely a later addition to the structure. She steadied herself and allowed her magic to flow into her horn, illuminating the room before them. What she saw drew a simultaneous gasp from both ponies. Lining the walls of the small earthen room were piles of decayed wooden cartons filled with clear glass bottles, in the far corner stood a series of tubes and rust eaten containers.
“What is this stuff?” Twilight lifted one of the bottles and brought it closer for inspection peering suspiciously through the thick layer of dust at the clear liquid within. “Is this just water in here?”
“No ma’am! This here’s a moonshiner’s set up if ah ever saw one, though from the looks of it ain’t nopony done any distillin’ in here for a good while.” Applejack pulled the stopper out of a bottle and gave the contents a cautious taste. “Wooo-eee! That’ll knock ya on yer flank! C’mon and give me a hand getting some of this stuff back upstairs, we’re gonna have fun tonight missy.” She grabbed hold of one of the larger bottles with her teeth and began walking back towards the stairs.
“Applejack, are you sure this stuff is safe? I mean it was just left here, everything else is gone.” Twilight had opened the top of the bottle she held and gave it a curious sniff. She let out an exclamation and jerked her head away from the bottle.
Applejack set her bottle down as Rarity’s voice drifted down to them from above.
“Applejack? Twilight? Is everything alright down there?”
“Everything’s fine, Twilight’s just a lightweight. We’ll be up in two shakes.” Applejack left the ponies above to wonder what she was talking about and turned to Twilight. “Look Twi, if I didn’t think this stuff was safe I wouldn’t be suggesting we drink it, you just gotta be careful not to overdo it, see? And as fer why it’s here when everything else is gone, I’d guess it’s because the shiner’s moved in after the town had already been deserted. Somethin’ probably happened to them, like they got arrested, so they couldn’t come and get their stash, alright?”
Applejack picked her bottle up again and headed up the stairs. Twilight followed her friend, carrying her own container aloft. She wondered absentmindedly about why it was applejack seemed to know so much about moonshining, but her questions were quieted by a voice in her head that asked if she really wanted to know.
When they emerged, the two found their friends in a crowded jumble at the top of the stairs, each trying their best to see into the gloom. Applejack appeared first, proudly presenting the bottle clutched between her teeth. Twilight followed, still apprehensive about the idea of consuming the contents of her bottle.
“Ooh, what’s that?” Pinkie Pie quickly gained the high ground, literally, climbing on top of her less excited friends to get a better look. Applejack smiled and set her jug on the ground, where it was quickly joined by Twilight’s.
“This here’s some good ole’ fashioned genuine moonshine, Looks like this was a den at some point. Not no more though.” She spoke the last words in response to some concerned looks cast about the group at her news.
“Now then, ah think that after all the walking and camping and such we’ve been doin’ we deserve a bit of a treat, don’t y’all?” Applejack gave the group a sly smirk.
***
“Alright, how ‘bout this, never have ah ever, kissed a mare what wasn’t family.” Applejack smirked across the circle as Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Rarity all took drinks from their respective cups. The miniature celebration had lasted long into the night, eventually degenerating into a round table of drinking games and conversation. Rainbow gave Rarity a surprised look.
“I didn’t know you were into that sort of thing Rare.”
“Well some experimentation is to be expected of anypony, isn’t it?” The unicorn blushed and averted her eyes, gazing into her cup. “Besides, what about you Rainbow? I always thought you were more of a ‘straight shooter’ as it were.”
“I am! I mean, most of the time but—“ Her words were cut short by a sharp cry from outside the building.
“Would you keep it down y’idiot? You’re gon’ ruin the element of surprise!” There was a quiet thump and the first voice yelped again, then seemed to resign itself to quiet whimpering.
“That’s better. If you wake ‘em up, they’re likely to run ain’t they? Do you want to go chasin’ ponies to the moon and back tonight?”
Silence greeted the admonishment as the travelers listened. Twilight dimly realized that the voices were probably talking about her and her friends. After quickly dimming her horn, she indicated to Rarity to follow suit.
“Hey, you, you don’t think they’re talkin’ about us, do ya Twilight?” Rainbow Dash whispered in the darkness. Twilight opened her mouth to respond, but all that came out was a small grunt. Rainbow took the sound as confirmation and leapt to her hooves, only to wobble for a moment and slump back to the ground.
“Ok, new plan?” She groaned.
“Ah think that, given our collective state of inhebriashen, we’d do better tah try an’ make ourselves scarce, right Sugarcube?” Applejack looked to Twilight, who nodded.
“What say we just mosey on down to that cellar yonder, and keep ourselves real quite like?” The earth pony’s suggestion was met with general agreement and, one by one, the ponies stood and walked slowly to, and down the stairs to the cellar as the voices outside grew closer.
Once safely closed inside the shiner’s den with the blankets again pulled over the door, a quick head count revealed they were one pony short.
“Uh, guys, where’s Fluttershy?” Rainbow Dash said as she finished counting for a second time.
“Aw, horsheapples! She fell ‘sleep, didn’t she?” Applejack cursed and turned back to the stairs. “Y’all just hold tight, ah’ll, ah’ll be back in a jiff.” With that, she set about going up the stairs.
She made it halfway up before the steps shuddered and broke. There was a resounding crash as one half of the stairs gave way and Applejack fell to the ground.
“Applejack!” Four Voices rang out in unison, their stealth forgotten as they rushed to help their friend. They found her lying on her side. By appearance she was fine, luckily, the stairs had not been made with and particularly heavy parts.
“Ahm… Ahm alright y’all, just a little bit surprised is all.” Applejack tried to stand, but when she put weight on her front hoof she cried out and fell again to the floor. “Ok, maybe ahm not so alright as I thought… Still, don’t think it’s broken, just sprained. Now what about Fluttershy?”
The other ponies snapped back into the reality of their situation and began examining the collapsed stairs. Their thoughts were interrupted, however, by a sound from above them caused all of the ponies to freeze. The door had been opened, and the sound of a two sets of hoofs rang through the silence. They walked slowly, each step a hammer strike as they came into the back room where Fluttershy slept.
“Well, wouldya lookit that? Precious the way she’s just snoozin’ there. Tie her up an’ get her outside, I’ll look for the others.”
There was a shuffling sound and a small yelp as what Twilight assumed to be the pony who cried out earlier gagged and bound the pegasus. At the sound, Rainbow Dash again jumped to her feet, this time getting so far as to flap her wings a few times before they gave out and she fell back to earth with a soft thump that Twilight hoped couldn’t be heard above them. Twilight herself tried to summon some way to help her friend; attempting to levitate a board she stood on. Thinking maybe if she could just raise herself enough to get to the door she might be able to help. She closed her eyes and tried to focus, but it was so hard, her thoughts floated to and fro across the front of her mind, making even something so strenuous as lifting a pony an insurmountable feat. She panted and opened her eyes to see Rarity in a similar position. They exchanged a fearful look as the five of them waited in silent terror, unable to help their friend above.
There came another shuffling, Twilight assumed the second assailant had dragged Fluttershy out the door. The ponies huddled together underneath the door, flattening themselves against the wall in their attempt to hide. The seconds passed as days while they waited, listening closely to the steps of the intruder above as they searched the room.
Once or twice the steps came dangerously close to falling on the hollow space where they hid and betraying their location, but luckily they never came quite close enough. After a few minutes of searching, the voice called out again.
“Get yer sorry flank back in here and help me carry this stuff.”
A second set of hooves entered the room.
“Did you find any of them Rose?” The second voice spoke for the first time.
“No I didn’t find any of em’, don’t ya think they’d be here If I did? And I told you not to call me that, m’names Thorn and you best remember it.”
There was a whimper and the second voice said nothing more.
“By my guess, they heard us comin’ and ran off, leavin’ that yellow one behind. They left their packs though so help me get these things onto the cart and we’ll go searchin’ for the others.”
“Ro… Thorn, why don’t we jus’ let them go this time? Ah mean, we got the yella one, and all their stuff, we got what we need don’t we?”
A dull thump sounded from above, accompanied by a sharp yelp.
“Don’t you go tellin’ me nothin’ about what we need! Now pick this stuff up an get going!”
There was more scraping and some grunts of exertion as the two moved about collecting the equipment before leaving. When they were gone, the hiding ponies exhaled a collectively held breath.
“Well, what do we do now?” Twilight bit her lip as she fretted over their next move.
“Ah think the only thing to be done right now is to wait a bit and sober up. Then we go after them rascals and get our Fluttershy back.” Applejack’s tone was very matter of fact.
The rest of the group reluctantly agreed, Rainbow Dash made one more go at reaching the door but once more fell to the ground.
“I don’t think you’d do much good on your own anyway Dash, even if you could make it out.” Twilight sighed and thought that the only pony she knew who could have done anything had likely reached Canterlot by then.
The group huddled together and set into waiting. Despite their worry, sleep slowly took Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie, leaving only Twilight and Applejack awake with their thoughts.
***
The sun shone through the cracks in the floorboards above them when Twilight and Applejack decided to wake the others. Once all of them had been roused it was a relatively simple, if time-consuming, task to exit the cellar. With Fluttershy gone, Rainbow Dash had to fly each of her friends out of the cellar one by one. When they were all standing above the ground again they set about planning.
“So, does anypony have any bright ideas about how we go find Fluttershy? They could be anywhere out there, and unless somepony knows how to track, it might take days to find their camp.” Rainbow Dash looked around the group.
“Well, whoever took her, they were looking for all of us. So I think it isn’t too unlikely that they’ll have an ambush set up along the road out of here. All we have to do is prepare ourselves and go along as if we were just going to leave.” Twilight didn’t sound exceedingly confident about her plan, but felt it was best to put it on the table.
“Well, yeah, that might work I guess, but what if you’re wrong? What if they expect us to try a sneakier way out since we know they’re here?” Rainbow countered.
“Well, if we go too far without any trouble then we could just turn around and start searching, right?” Twilight’s words were met with doubtful looks.
“Okay y’all, we don’t loose anything but time if we go with Twilight’s idea, and while time is important, just trying to find em’ straight out could take a lot longer.” She paused, thinking. “But I think that, before we go, we gotta work some things out. Who are these ponies? Bandits maybe, but if that’s true, why do they want us, and not just our stuff?”
“Well… Isn’t it obvious?”
All heads turned to face Rarity.
“They’re slavers, that’s why they want us, that’s why they took Fluttershy first then our supplies, they were just a bonus.” After she had spoken there was an almost expectant silence, all eyes still on Rarity. “What? Just because I am a lady, that does not mean I am ignorant to some of the less… Pleasant, facets of this world.”
There was another short silence, then Pinkie Pie spoke.
“Well of course it doesn’t! We were just surprised that’s all!” She beamed at her friend and the rest of the group relaxed a bit.
“Alright, so we know there’s at least two of them, they probably don’t want any of us dead, and they could conceivably be anywhere within a few hours travel. I think that’s all we’re going to figure out by sitting around here, so lets get out there and rescue our friend!” Twilight stood resolute, eyes hard and focused she looked at her friends who all nodded in solemn agreement.
The makeshift battalion strode confidently towards the edge of town, leaving the store and it’s cellar behind. Once they passed the last of the abandoned buildings the ground began to rise on either side of the ponies, the trees populated the small hills growing more and more dense as they walked on. Doubt began to creep into Twilight’s mind. If she was right, and they did get ambushed, then they were willingly walking into a trap with no real plan and no combat experience between them. On the other hoof, if she was wrong then they were leaving Fluttershy at the mercy of her captors for even longer. Doubt turned to worry, turned to concern, turned to a panic that she could barely suppress as they walked down the road.
“Maybe we should like, make some noise, y’know, announce our location or something.” Rainbow dash suggested quietly.
A few uncertain glances were exchanged before they all nodded. Applejack spoke first, in an exaggerated voice that reminded Twilight of the few times she had heard Applejack try to tell a lie.
“Wow! It sure is a nice day out! Don’t you agree Rarity?”
The unicorn blinked a few times before responding in a similarly phony voice.
“Why, it is indeed Applejack, I do so hope the weather holds out a few more days!” She gave Applejack a nervous grin while Rainbow Dash brought a hoof to her face.
“Y’know what? Nevermind, you two sound completely ridiculous! I mean I wasn’t expecting world class act-- What the hey… Woah!” Her words were cut short as a rope wrapped itself around her midriff and snapped taught, dragging her off to the side of the road.
“Alright boys! Have at em’!” A voice rang out from the trees, Twilight quickly identified it as the lead voice from the night before as three, ragged earth ponies leaped from their cover and began advancing on the group. Twilight looked towards Rainbow Dash who was doing her best to fight the rope that was dragging her along. She dug her hind hooves into he dirt and clawed helplessly at the ground with her front.
“Rainbow, you have wings!” Twilight yelled in panicked exasperation. The pegasus stopped fighting for a moment and stared at the unicorn before the words fully registered.
“Oh, right.”
With that she was airborne, dragging a fourth pony out of the bush and into the air by his teeth. Twilight sighed and turned to face the encroaching danger.
The slavers paused and two groups stood glaring at each other, deciding their next move. The attackers had clearly not anticipating Rainbow Dash’s wing strength and were now looking at the four ponies before them with a new sense of apprehension. There was a yell, followed by a thump and a sickening crunch. Twilight glanced towards the sound to find Rainbow Dash hovering about forty hooves in the air above a pile of fur that had, until very recently been a pony.
Twilight steadied herself as her stomach threatened to betray its contents. She tried to push the image from her mind and faced the largest pony, who was clearly the leader. He was a good head taller than any of them, with a physique similar to Big Mac, but he was thinner, emaciated. She swore she could count his ribs through his wine red coat.
“Stupid foal shoulda let go when he had the chance” His words were cold and distant, as if the death of his compatriot were no more interesting than the morning weather report.
“Where’s Fluttershy?” Twilight put every ounce of her building shock, horror, and rage into those two words, somewhat comforted to see that they had an effect. The back two ponies weren’t made of the same bedrock as their leader, and already looked half ready to just give in before she spoke. At her words they flinched, throwing sad, scared looks to their fallen friend and each other before hanging their heads and stepping to the side. All of this occurred in the span of a few seconds, escapimg the attention of their boss, but not the five facing them.
“Oh, you’ll find out soon ‘nuff miss. Ah guarantee ya that.” The large pony lowered his head and stepped forward. Applejack was there in a flash, spinning around, she delivering a thunderous blow to his jaw with her hind legs. Twilight thought she wouldn’t be surprised if the entire bone had been reduced to dust.
The stallion fell back while blood spurted from his nose and mouth. Applejack cried out and fell to the ground, her injured leg taking its revenge for being forgotten. The two behind him rushed foreward and began tugging at him as he tried to lunge forward.
“Rose, it ain’t worth it! There’s five of them and Road, Road’s dead Rose! Lets just give em’ their friend back.” The pony who spoke stood to Rose’s side, a pale blue stallion with muddy orange hair. The one they called Rose lashed out, catching him in the nose.
“Ah thold yeuh mah nameth Thorn!” He growled before renewing his attack. Something in Twilight broke. This was the first time she’d witnessed real violence, and it was having an effect. Her legs shook and threatened to betray her, but she was determined not let anyone else be hurt. A rage built in her for the Charging Stallion. How could anyone watch their friend die and still want to cause pain?
In a burst of adrenaline-fueled panic she dashed forward, past Applejack, and stood to face the charging stallion. Her horn glowed fiercely with a pre-emptive charge and she braced for impact, but that impact never came.
She opened her eyes and took in her surroundings. Her friends’ faces were blank, the remaining slavers however, looked horrified. There was a trail of blood on the ground that led from the two terrified colts and covered half the distance between them and Twilight before it simply, ended.
“What… What did yew do with Rose?!” The blue stallion shouted in a quavering voice. Twilight stared at him, what had she done with him? She had only prepared for combat, she hadn’t actually done anything, had she? She looked to her friends worried faces and spoke.
“Did I cast a spell?”
Rarity’s expression shifted to extreme concern as she and the others nodded dumbly.
“It sure looked like it Sugarcube, ah knew you could do that transporter thing with yerself, figured maybe take somepony with you if you tried hard enough, but ah didn’t know you could just do it to other ponies.” Applejack’s voice was quiet and she spoke slowly.
“I, I didn’t know I could either… But, I didn’t want that. I didn’t even try to do anything!” She gave the two would-be attackers a pleading look as she spoke.
“Well anyway, back to finding Fluttershy.” Rainbow Dash seized control of the situation and flew close to the two cowering ponies. “Where. Is. Our. Friend.”
Her every word carried the treat of death as she spoke, Twilight almost retched, and the raiders withered under their weight.
“Jus’ over the hill there, we got a shack she’s in there. We didn’t hurt her none I swear.” He pointed to the left of the path and in a second Rainbow Dash was gone looking for the missing pegasus. The blue stallion crawled forward, throwing himself at Twilights hooves.
“Please miss, we didn’t mean no harm, we was jus’ tryin’ to make a livin’. Yo’re getting’ your friend back, can’t you give us Rose back too?” His shaky voice dissolved into sobs. Twilight backed away, trying to think of what to do.
“I want to, I really do, but I don’t know how I did it in the first place, I didn’t even know I cast a spell!” She stammered, words running together in her panic as she continued to retreat.
“Twilight! Look out!”
Twilight looked to see who had spoken but as she did she stumbled and fell over something in the road. When she looked to see what it had been she was met by the vacant stare of that poor soul who hadn’t had the sense to let go of his rope as soon as he left the ground. At last it was too much for her, Twilight let out a small shriek and fell back to the ground in a dead faint.
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BrianBlessedPony
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1211
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Main 6,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Spike,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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Of Treachery and Traitors
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Treason is bound in Equestria, leaving the Guard Captain little time to bring the true culrpits in.
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incomplete
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<p>Acting on a tip off, Captain of the Palcae Guard Ironhoof, formally Field Marshall and Air Marshall of the Royal army, must do the impossible. With little to no training, the Guard must be ready to do anything to bring those that threaten the Princess' safety, no matter who the pony may be...<br/>(Once again, a huge thank you to Virgil pony for the image of Ironhoof!)</p>
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everyone
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2011-10-05T11:11:51+00:00
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2011-10-05T11:11:51+00:00
| 1,336 |
Rain flowed down the streets of Canterlot, partly flooding as the gutters overflowed. The dark clouds blotted out the sun Celestia provided, making it seem like it was after sunset. Nopony dared to venture out in the awful weather unless it was absolutely necessary.
Outside the Royal Palace, three dozen Palace Guard stood to attention, a dozen of each type of Pony. They all wore a water proof cape over their armour and bodies, the magically formed garments keeping the worst of the weather out. Behind them sat several chariots, one designed to look like a mobile jail. In front of the assembled Guard, in the shelter of an archway, was Captain Ironhoof, a medium grey Pegasus larger then most stallions. He had a jet black mane, tail and bushy beard, all slightly greying through age.
He liked the rain, he always said to the troops. It was true enough; as a career soldier he’d seen a fair few battles abandoned due to the rain. Even when they did still fight, the rain helped clean wounds. But for once, he wasn’t happy. This was a grim subject to be dealing with tonight.
He took a deep drag from the mug if coffee his assistant held for him. The young unicorn swapped the mug for an official looking document.
‘CAPTAIN IRONHOOF
CONFIRMED–STORM WILL COVER FROM EVERFREE FOREST TO CANTERLOT
CONFIRMED–STORM WILL LAST UNTIL 8PM
LIEUTENANT CLOUD (CLOUDSDALE GUARD)’
Ironhoof allowed a grim smirk to enter under his thick bushy beard. This information was key to his entire operation and had used only the most secure unicorn magic; few pegasai knew the exact timing of the weather patterns. He’d called in many favours for this simple information; he had to if this plan was going to work. Draining his coffee, the old stallion stretched his wings before pulling on his own cape.
A clock begun to chime in the distance, the bells muffled by the heavy rain. Ironhoof stepped out of the shelter and instantly became drenched. None of the Guards broke their stance as he trotted down to them. As far as they knew, this was a pre-planned exercise set by an old warhorse. He did them all the time after all. The Captain raised his right hoof, the signal to mount their chariots.
Most of the Earth ponies took up the chariots, leaving the Pegasai and Unicorns to rest. The weather was too much of a risk to fly and the Unicorns needed to conserve their energy. In each chariot there was a sealed scroll only to be opened once they were moving. Ironhoof mounted his own chariot and looked around. The ponies had all mounted up and were waiting for the next order.
His nerves hit him as he began to breathe in. His actions would be judged heavily the next day. Ironhoof thought of his Cutie Mark, a shield that was meant to defend family, Equestria and his rulers. What the Captain needed to do made him sick, but he had no choice; Duty called.
“Drivers, make for Ponyville!” he bellowed.
With a whiney, the ponies began to gallop. Behind the lead chariot, the Guard opened their scrolls and got the shock of their lives. There was no turning back now.
‘MISSION IS LIVE; THIS IS NOT A DRILL.
-
It took over an hour for the small convoy to make its way to the sleepy town. The Earth ponies were covered in mud and the chariots were all in a similar condition. The sky had darkened as Celestia had made way for her sister and the rain was beginning to ease off. Despite this, the streets were still barren, exactly as Ironhoof wanted.
The Guard formed behind him, steam rising from the panting drivers. In the distance there was a crack of lightning followed shortly by a roll of thunder. Ironhoof pointed at the target building.
“Surround it.” He commanded, hooves thumping over the cobbles as the Guard gathered around the structure.
Ironhoof finally stepped off of his chariot and strode up to the door. Taking a deep breath, he pounded on the door.
“Just a minute!” a mare’s voice cried back.
Ironhoof had faced griffons, Dogs, rebel ponies, plant monsters and high society. He’d survived the frontlines, breaching enemy fortresses, rescuing fallen comrades and the Grand Gala. Nothing had prepared him for this.
A purple aura surrounded the door and it soon opened to reveal a library interior built into a tree.
“Spike! What took you so long? The girls will be here soon and we still have to get ready for the sleepover!” the mare’s voice said.
Its owner, a purple unicorn, trotted up to the door, a large book blocking her view. She lowered the book and looked at Ironhoof’s hooves, eyes widening. She suddenly looked up to stare at the stern face of their owner.
“Twilight.” He said, stepping in slowly, wiping his hooves on the mat.
“Captain Ironhoof? What are you doing here?” Twilight Sparkle asked, taking steps back and noting the lack of cheer. She’d known the Captain for a few years back in Canterlot and he’d always been that cheerful uncle you found in every family.
“Sadly, my Duty. Twilight Sparkle, I arrest you in the name of the Princess’ under the suspicion of treason.”
For a moment there was no sound but the rain. Twilight blinked at the Pegasus.
“You’re joking, r-right?” she managed, eyes darting to the open door. A flash of lightning illuminated Guards staring into the doorway. She stepped away.
“Please Twilight, just come with me...” the Captain said as soothingly as possible. He moved forward slowly, but panic had already gripped the mare. She spun round on him and kicked him in the chest. Another flash of lightning showed more guards outside the windows as their Captain crashed into the wall. Options gone, Twilight had one last spell up her horn.
Grimacing under the dual pain in his chest and back, Ironhoof saw the unicorns’ horn begin to glow. He turned towards the door.
“Sergeant! Plan B right now!” he said with his normal booming voice.
“But sir, your still –“
“DO IT NOW!” Ironhoof roared as the unicorns spell neared completion.
Outside the library of Ponyville, a dozen unicorns focused on one spell. A dome fell around the tree as Twilights teleportation spell finished and tried to move her elsewhere. The dome reflected the spell and sparks, the reflected energy of that spell, began to fly around the library. Twilight poured her might against twelve well trained Guard; an unstoppable force versus the unmovable object.
At least, that was the plan. Blood began to trickle out of the Guard’s noses one by one. Twilight was in a similar condition and the sparks had turned into lightning bolts, getting bigger by the second. Ironhoof gritted his teeth and looked out the window. One unicorn had collapsed already when he heard the purple mare scream. As he turned back to her, he saw a large lightning bolt form, looking for a target. He was damp and wearing metal. It shot towards him.
“Oh hayseed.”
-
Captain Ironhoof opened his eyes. To say there had been a slight tingling sensation was an understatement. He could taste purple and smell burnt hair. He could also hear the crackling of magic. His eyes focused on Twilight as the spell began to wind down; he’d been knocked out only a few seconds.
Her magic depleted and physical exhaustion setting in, the mare gave up. Blood covered her mouth and she looked awful. She began to stagger about. With difficulty the old pegasus rose from the floor and stumbled towards her. He was just able to catch her before she fell to the floor, tears streaming from her eyes.
“W-why?” she muttered feebly before she passed out. He said nothing, instead just dragging her outside.
“Medic, take care of her. I want her legs bound and her horn suppressed.” He commanded to the assembled Guard. Only two unicorns still stood, and even those looked like pure willpower was the only thing keeping them that way.
“Corporal Fig, you and your team take over here. Nopony in or out, search the library from top to bottom. If you find either book, I want it sent to me instantly, understood?”
The purplish brown pony saluted the captain and pulled out a small piece of paper from her armour. Ironhoof already knew what was written on it. He nodded his head and trotted off behind the tree. He found a suitable looking bush, opened it up slightly, and heaved heavily until there was nothing left in his stomach.
-
In an alley just off of the street leading to Ponyville library, a squat figure lurked. Hidden behind some crates it had seen everything. As the rain finally came to an end, most of the pegasai Guards took up the chariots, two of the winged stallions remaining at the library. The figure began to tremble as the resting mare was placed in the jail chariot and took off with the convoy.
“Twi...”
-
The journey back to the palace was much quicker than the earth pony drawn ride. Within half an hour all the chariots had settled outside the main entrance once more. Ironhoof jumped off of his own before it hit the ground.
“Take her to one of the guest rooms in the East Wing. I want her watched at all times but treat her well, understood?”
The ponies unloading Twilight from the jail nodded. The East Wing was the closest to the Guards barracks and was the most quiet. The captain motioned a pegasus over to him and handed a note over.
“Swift, take this to my home and await the reply. Escort the package back here.”
The stallion saluted and headed off in the direction of the officers house. Alone, Ironhoof entered the large doors of the Palace and shut them firmly. Hidden, he sagged with a deep sigh. Pulling off the cape and wiping his forehead with the same hoof in one movement, worry spread across his face. “What have I done...”
“Yes, what have you done Captain?”
-
The once hidden figure stumbled through the partly flooded streets. It hadn’t attempted to approach the library after they had left. Alone and soaked, it made its way to one of the few places it knew it was safe. There, it could work on a plan
-
In front of Ironhoof stood Princess Luna. Celestia had long since made way for the Night Court. The captain took a moment to realise who it was. He made a deep bow.
“Your majesty, I’m sorry, I did not realise you were there.” He said with more honesty then would be expected. He’d spent 50 years fighting for one Princess, he wasn’t used to two.
“That’s quite alright Captain. So tell me, why have you arrested my sister’s personal student?” the younger alicorn said.
A barrage of thoughts hit the pegasai brain. They were all designed to skirt round the issue or make it seem as if it wasn’t any of Luna’s business. Sadly, nothing came to mind to get round the fact it WAS her business. He gave in.
“Information was discovered that insinuated that Twilight Sparkle in a crime that required urgent action. At this time, she’s being held for safety reasons and for questioning.” He was proud of ‘insinuated;’ he’d heard it off of his eldest son.
“Why is she unconscious and what are the charges?” the Princess demanded, eyes widening.
“We were forced to contain her home in an entrapment field to prevent her from escaping. And the charge is treason.”
Princess Luna’s mouth hung open at the revelation. Her left eye twitched as the information went round her head. Ironhoof seized the initiative before she could.
“I will gladly show you my evidence and reasons shortly your highness, but for now I need to collect it and also recover from a severe magic attack.”
Luna nodded having not re-mastered politics to her best ability yet. With the grace of her sister, the dark alicorn trotted away, allowing the captain to stride back to the barracks. This brought about a whole new problem. Guards rushed in and out of the barracks having been put on full alert. Ironhoof’s office lay beyond the mass of pony, forcing him to struggle and fight through.
Finally, after using his whole body as a battering ram, he shut the door to his office after staggering in. For an office in Canterlot, it wasn’t much of one. A few shelves held books, an old desk and a pair of large seat cushions on either side of the desk. There was also a second door that lead to a private bedroom and lounge for the captain.
Said officer collapsed into his seat and rubbed his temples after idly tossing his cape onto the clothes hook behind the desk. He allowed his wings to spread out, a small magic discharge shooting off into a book about armour. Ignoring it, the pegasus pulled out a few documents and a small notepad. Slowly like a pony taught writing as an afterthought and as small as possible, Ironhoof copied details down from the papers as the noise in the main room died down.
-
In the shadows of the palace corridors, half a dozen figures moved with as much stealth as possible. The lead figure stopped now and then to get its bearings, sometimes forcing the group to backtrack. Now and then they stopped dead when a mass of Guards surged by. Eventually they found the room they wanted and waited for the hubbub to die down.
-
Captain Ironhoof couldn’t help but look at the documents yet again. Even after writing it all down for his own records, the information still made no sense to him. His ears pricked at a sound outside in the main lobby, making him smile. It was short lived though as the noise quickly became shouting and somepony crashing about. He rose to his hooves; this wasn’t right.
His office door exploded open to allow for a light blue pegasus to fly in. Ironhoof was just able to see a rainbow coloured mane before they smacked into his chest, sending him to the wall. Wincing he was just about able to make out his assailant was female and VERY angry.
“What have you done with Twilight you armour plated meat head!” she snarled, standing on his chest.
‘She has to be a third of our age, if that...’ part of Ironhoof thought.
‘She’s young, she’ll heal and learn from her sill antics...’ another darker part of his mind thought. Instinct and relying on those thoughts for several decades drove him to a dark idea for a moment.
‘You don’t hit mares, especially ones just out of being a filly. No matter HOW annoying.’ A softer thought said.
Ironhoof’s rear legs found a compromise. Gripping the seat cushion between his hooves, he managed to flip it up and towards his head. Unfortunately the shot was a little too low, meaning that the pegasus mare was caught on the head. Bouncing off the confused mares’ cranium, the pillow hit the wall above the pair and fell directly onto the elder pegasai head. With his attacker confused, Ironhoof was able to sit up enough, grip the cushion in his teeth and swing. The rainbow ruffian was caught round the head again and fell to the floor.
The Captain managed to grab his cape off of the wall and began to tear strips off of it. Before the assailant knew it, her legs were being bound together and wings tied by her sides.
“HEY! GET OFF OF ME! I’M WARN-“she began before a bundle of cape was crammed into her mouth.
With a scowl set in his face, he hoisted the squirming pegasus up onto his back as a crescendo of noise continued outside, Carrying her, he stepped out of his office to find chaos.
The main Guard room was designed to be an all purpose room when needed. It could act as a meeting room, dining quarters, additional sleeping quarters and on three occasions a school classroom. Otherwise it held some desks for NCO’s to write up reports (two of which were too small) a few benches and some spare lockers. At quiet times it felt like a cavern and had the reverence of a temple.
This had been shattered by the sight of straggling Guards dealing with a group of intruders. The old warhorse saw in front of him one guard just being kicked by a Stetson wearing orange pony, whilst another was dazed on the floor. A pink pony with crazy pink hair was jumping up and down on three Guards with far too much joy. A white unicorn with a well styled purple mane had apparently cornered two Guards and was both berating and whining at them. A small purple dragon was sat on her back, backing up her accusations. In the corner sat the only real pony he recognised, the pegasus Fluttershy, cowering slightly in what appeared to be a night shirt with a white rabbit.
He now realised who these ponies all were, the Elements of Harmony ironically; Twilights closest friends. Rage instantly formed in Ironhoof, making him shake slightly. Something began to rise from his lungs to form the rage vocally. He wanted to stop, to try and avoid more chaos, but it was already too late.
“STOP THIS AT ONCE!”
It was a shout that that had been developed to be heard over a battlefield. It echoed through the room, sending papers flying, manes flowing and the dragon somersaulting in the air. One of the Guards ears began to bleed from being to close. It had the desired effect though as the fighting and shouting stopped.
“What is, the meaning, of this?” he managed, breathing heavily through clenched teeth.
“We want to know what you’ve done with Twilight you kidnapping meany!” the pink one blurted out, whom Ironhoof finally realised was Pinkie Pie.
“Y’all got no right to rustle anypony you like!” cried the other Earth pony. He was certain this was Applejack.
“Right? RIGHT?! You talk to ME about rights?!” he began, advancing on the girls. Rage was etched into his features. The intruders circled round Fluttershy.
You come here, you assault my stallions, assault ME, Royal Guard members, and think you can get away with this?! AND THEN YOU TRY TO LECTURE ME ON MY JOB?!”
The roar echoed round the room again. Ironhoof shrugged off Rainbow Dash, who was helped up by the trembling Guards. Nopony was going to be safe from the Captain.
“I don’t give a rats tail who you are, when I’m done with you, you’ll understand wha-“
“Daddy?”
-
Princess Luna smirked to herself in the throne room. Equestria ran 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so the Night Court still had enough activity. The shouting had managed to even reach her ears and those around her. This made the court slightly nervous. The smirk evolved into a genuine smile.
“I’m afraid I must see to another matter now. I believe I have some visitors.” She said, rising from her throne.
-
Stood in the doorway of the Guard room was a silver pegasus filly with a bright red mane, looking like she’d just got out of bed. Her initial look of shock quickly turned to joy as she galloped towards Ironhoof. Only four of the mares and the baby dragon noticed the odd noise as she galloped; the fifth had heard it before. It was the gallop of a three legged pony, having to use her wing to keep balance.
The rage that had been burning through Ironhoof was quickly extinguished but the sight of the filly. He lowered himself slightly, allowing the little pony to launch herself at the stallion. He caught her with his forelegs and hugged her.
“Silver, sweetie! I’m so sorry I can’t come home tonight.”
“Daddy, were there monsters? You were using the voice you use to scare off monsters...” the little pegasus said, a little worried.
“There was sweetie, but it’s gone now.”
He put her down gently and nuzzled her. A cough from the doorway revealed that Guardpony Swift stood there, holding a pink filly sized satchel in his mouth. He looked much worn out, having flown from the Palace and back, carrying the filly on the return journey.
With a giggle, Silver spun round and galloped back to him. The five mares and dragon now saw that the filly did have all four legs, but the hind left leg was out of proportion to the rest of her. It was smaller and less formed then a regular leg. When she was still it sat by her side like she was sat down, and when she walked about it attempted to aide in walking.
Silver took her satchel from Swift and gave him a hug around his leg before quickly bounding back to her father.
“Good work Swift, grab some hay time. If anypony attempts to wake you, send them my way.” Ironhoof said, a strict tone returning to his voice. The pegasus saluted and trotted off to the main sleeping quarters. Ironhoof turned back to the intruders, Rainbow Dash having been put with her friends.
“Guards, please escort the friends of my sisters student to the Guard meeting chambers,” Princess Luna said. Having waited for Swift to get out of sight, she was now leaning nonchalantly against the doorframe. “I’m pretty certain that Captain Ironhoof is keen to get his daughter to bed. And to also inform me of tonight’s events.”
“Of course, your highness.” The Captain said, joining the rest of the room in a bow.
-
Thirty minutes later Ironhoof strode into the meeting room. Like his office, it was spartan in design, forcing meetings to be rushed to allow a return to comfort. Princess Luna was sat at one end of the table, flanked by the six friends of Twilight Sparkle. They all sat down ahead of him. Ironhoof had had a quick glance on his files to remind himself of who they were. He took his seat opposite the alicorn.
“My apologies, it took longer than I expected.” He said, setting down folders of files in front of him.
“That’s fine Captain, I was listening to the girls explaining their side of this story. But tell me, since when did you turn your office into a full time school?” Princess Luna asked a smile on her face and joy in her voice.
“Silver Lining has problems getting off to sleep, as in; she won’t unless I’m there. I’ve also promised to bring her to the palace, so I’m shoeing two ponies at the same time.”
“Couldn’t her mother be with her?” Rarity asked.
“She, passed away as Silver was born...”
A chill descended across the room for a moment as Ironhoof flicked through his papers.
“Back to the matter at hand, three days ago I received this letter. It was sent directly to my office for the attention of me.”
He nudged a piece of paper towards Luna, who carried it along with her magic. The words had all been formed from clippings out of newspapers.
‘CAPTAIN
A MOVE HAS BEEN MADE AGAINST THE THRONE. THE BELOVED STUDENT TWILIGHT SPARKLE TURNS AGAINST HER MISTRESS. AWAIT FURTHER INFORMATION.
FRIEND’
“The clippings come from The Trottingham Times, Equestria Daily, the Hoofington Post, The Celestia, the now defunct News of Equestria and The Daily Sport, according to my unicorns. They also say the age of each clipping varies from a few days to a few weeks old. That came in the morning, this one came that afternoon.” Ironhoof slid a similar note up.
‘CAPTAIN
TWO BOOKS OF UNSPEAKABLE POWER HAVE BEEN TAKEN FROM THE PALACE, THE “HORSEADENIUM PRINCIPLE” AND THE “MAGIC COMPENDIUM.” IF COMBINED, OUR ROYAL’S SHALL BE IN MORTAL DANGER.
FRIEND’
There were a few moments of silence as the two notes were passed from royal to ponies to dragon. Finally Rarity spoke.
“Well, I’ve heard of the second book, most unicorns have...”
“What is it then? I haven’t heard of it!” Rainbow Dash blurted out, the other non-unicorn or alicorn members mumbling in agreement.
“It is a book of extremely old magick.” Luna stated, pronouncing the ‘Kay’ heavily. “It may have even been used to make Equestria, if not the entire universe. Only Celestia has seen its contents, and it almost blinded her. The magick is far too strong...”
“But maybe it’s possible for a pony whose special talent is magic itself?” Ironhoof asked, more to himself.
“What about tha’ first book?” asked Applejack, still looking at the second note.
“I thought it was destroyed...” Luna whispered.
“That’s what the teachers at the School for Gifted Unicorns said. The book has become more of a legend. The truth may be that the book does really exist, but it’s being protected by a bodyguard of lies and tales.”
“Even so, what’s this got to do with Twi?! This is just gossip!” cried Spike, standing up on the table.
“Shockingly Spike, we don’t just believe everything we’re told. My own Secretary and I checked the Library records and in the last few weeks, Twilight has been signed in and out more than a few times. The signature matched all previous entries.”
“But, she hasn’t left Ponyville in months...”
“Are you with her ALL the time Spike? Are any of you? And how far can she teleport?”
“Y-you can’t honestly think it’s her...” Fluttershy mumbled, hiding her tired eyes behind her mane.
“Miss Fluttershy, if I honestly did, I would have given her a head start. I asked her to come willingly, she attacked me and I had no choice but to stop her.”
“Why did you not consult my sister? And why have acted so quickly before a proper investigation?” Luna asked.
“Simply put, there wasn’t enough time in my opinion. Once rumours of treason get out they can be hard to control. Even worst, we may be dealing with a conspiracy cell. If I’d given any hint that I didn’t believe these letters, Twilight may not have been safe.”
“What is the penalty for treason?” Rarity asked.
“Banishment to the moon.”
Luna raised an eyebrow towards the stallion. He returned it with one of his own.
“No offence your Highness, but you are the only example.”
“None taken Captain. You said it’s hard to control talks of traitors and treason. What’s the worst that could happen? Especially to a trusted member of the Court?”
For a moment, Ironhoof was silent. With a deep sigh, he opened up a folder to reveal a stack of yellowing papers.
“These letters were sent to me, must be 30 or 40 years ago. They have no date, but I’m sure the Royal Archives can confirm the event of the Manechester Riots.”
“Ah heard of them from grandpappy Red. The local mayor was meant to be stealin’ funds. He sent soldiers in to deal with riots over food at one point.” Applejack said, thinking back to the tales.
“Protests. They were protests...” Ironhoof whispered, looking at the letters. “And it got worse, until, well. There are many salt houses called ‘The Mayors Head’ and the like for a reason. And if it becomes known the traitor is Twilight, then all of Equestria will chose sides, and the violence will begin...”
Silence fell again as the colour faded from the younger six members of the room. Idea’s flashed by of ponies fighting in the street, something that hadn’t been seen in decades.
“So, what happens now?” Applejack asked.
“We find the books. If we can prove the books are still at the library, then it ruins that theory. Then, we find the real culprits and bring them to justice. I’m going to draft you six in to help out as my Guard are now stretched thin.”
There was a general murmur of agreement from the group.
“Just, one more thing. How did you get here so fast? Or even know that Twilight had been arrested?”
Spike beamed at the officer.
“I saw the whole thing. Well, the bit where you put Twilight in the cage. I knew you were Guards, so we got together to get a plan sorted out.”
“Turns out we’re not that good at planning as we didn’t know where to find Twilight...” Dash said, looking a little glum. She quickly brightened up. “But thanks to me and Applejack, we got here super fast!”
“And Fluttershy’s birds helped!” shouted Pinkie, who had been strangely silent the whole time. “A huge flock of them had grabbed out cart when AJ and Dashy had got enough speed up and then Dashy guided us here!”
Ironhoof’s jaw dropped. This time, Luna seized the initiative from him.
“I don’t think the Captain expected such original thinking. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks after all. I think though that you five had best get started.” When a barrage of confused faces hit the Princess, she merely nodded in one direction.
There was a very gently snore coming from Fluttershy. She was still sat upright, most if her face hidden behind her mane still. There was little hint she’d been awake since her question. The white rabbit she’d come with was nested in her mane, fast asleep as well.
“There’s a sofa in my private quarters. She can sleep on that and keep Silver company.” Ironhoof whispered as an indigo aura went around the sleeping pegasus to carry her away.
-
“How can we trust him? After what he did to twilight...” Rainbow mumbled. The group were stood in the main guard room again, waiting for the Princess and Captain to return.
“We can’t really sugahcube, but Luna does, kinda...”
“And don’t forget Rainbow, he’s letting us help. By all rights, he could have us locked up in a filthy dungeon!” Rarity added, shuddering.
“Yeah, why is that...” Dash wondered.
“So, why are you letting them help?” Luna asked the Captain in his private room as she lowered Fluttershy onto the sofa.
“Mainly, it’s true.” He responded, carrying a spare blanked over to the two mares. “I’ve got almost two dozen Guards either out of action or not fit enough for heavy duties. What I have left are spread thin across the Palace to keep up appearance, Guard Twilight and searching here and Ponyville.” He covered the pegasus with the blanked and creped out after Luna.
As they entered the main chamber, they instantly noticed something as being different. Luna was the first to spot it.
“Where’s Pinkie Pie gone?”
Suddenly one of the lockers burst open and a pink and gold blur started hopping about. Nopony could believe what was happening; there were three synchronised face hoofs. Pinkie was bouncing around in Guard armour.
“YAY! I’m a Guard! That means I can’t break the law! I AM da Law!”
“What is she...?”
“What in the hay...”
“Was that the Rocky voice?”
She bounced right up to Spike, who appeared to be trying to hold in his laughter.
“HALT! You have violated da Law!” She slapped some oddly specific cuffs onto Spikes claws.
“Hey! What did I do?!”
Luna’s shoulders were shaking up and down as she tried desperately to compose herself. Ironhoof stood as still as a statue, allowing a genuine smile to creep under his beard as the pink Guard bounded in front of him.
“’Allo ‘allo ‘allo! What’s going on Here then?!” she cried.
“Loitering outside a tent.” Ironhoof responded dead pan, despite the bad joke.
“Gasp! Your nicked sunshine!” Pinkie drew a standard issue Guard short sword.
“Oh Please. I’ll resist arrest easier then it is for you to bounce.”
Pinkie gasped once more and lunged forward with the sword. It went into Ironhoof’s chest right up to the hilt.
|
BrianBlessedPony
|
1211
| 2 |
Main 6,Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Spike,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Of Treachery and Traitors
|
Treason is bound in Equestria, leaving the Guard Captain little time to bring the true culrpits in.
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Acting on a tip off, Captain of the Palcae Guard Ironhoof, formally Field Marshall and Air Marshall of the Royal army, must do the impossible. With little to no training, the Guard must be ready to do anything to bring those that threaten the Princess' safety, no matter who the pony may be...<br/>(Once again, a huge thank you to Virgil pony for the image of Ironhoof!)</p>
|
everyone
|
2011-10-21T19:41:51+00:00
|
2011-10-21T19:41:51+00:00
| 922 |
A pony darted through the corridors of the Palace. That stupid old stallion! He was supposed to blunder in during daylight! Make a big song and dance about arresting the traitor and all that!
He shouldn’t have acted this fast either! The pony still hadn’t found the time to place the second book! Ironhoof was known for his large battle plans and those took time, surely? The pony had read that the Pegasus had marched an army of 200,000 ponies into the Diamond Dog lands as Field Marshall; had that taken three days?!
All the pony had to do though was be patient. The one book alone should be enough. And then, with the fallen star sacrificed to masses, Equestria will enter a new renaissance.
-
Nopony moved. Eyes were locked on the pink pony as she stood there, expression still stuck from when she had gasped. Eons seem to pass before the struck officer finally looked down.
‘Have I really been stabbed so much, I can’t even feel it anymore? Though, they do say you don’t feel the last blow...’ raced through his mind. His eye twitched.
‘Wait! Yes you do! I’ve seen it hundreds of times! And where’s the blood?! There’s something not right here...’
Very slowly, he stepped backwards, eyes locked on the sword. The blade showed, but was thinner than it should have been. In fact, it was the point that was showing. In continuing to step back, more and more of the blade unfolded from the hilt. Pinkies expression changed to a wide grin.
"Isn’t it neat? I got it at Harley Quinn’s Joke and Toy shop! I mean, you didn’t expect me to really stab you or use a real sword?! That would be really messed up! Cupcake?”
The last question was presented alongside a cupcake on the end of the trick sword. Upon closer inspection it was revealed that it was divided into sections that allowed it to fold in and out of the handle. The cupcake had bright pink icing and a miniature version of Ironhoof’s shield Cutie mark.
“Well, thank you for the cupcake at least.” Ironhoof managed, taking both the treat and joke sword away from Pinkie.
“Ah think we better get going, right Pinkie?” the farmer finally managed. Before Pinkie could protest, Applejack had caught the pink tail in her teeth and was dragging her out the door.
“Yes, there’s a team of Guard at the library. Give them this...” Ironhoof managed to scribble a note out and passed it to Rarity, who picked it up with her magic. “Be gentle with them this time, I don’t need any more of my toys broken.”
With a sheepish grin, the remaining mares and dragon slunk out. A moment later galloping hooves could be heard. The stallion sighed and trotted back into his office. Luna raised her eyebrow and followed him.
“Is there something wrong Captain?”
Setting the sword and cupcake on his desk, Ironhoof promptly kicked his seat back into place. Suddenly he was holding a dagger that seemed to spring from the desk.
“I was never trained for this. Now I’m trying to solve a frame job before dawn in an attempt save everything we hold dear...”
“And your career?”
For a moment there was no sound. The Pegasus idly tossed the dagger in the air and caught it a few times. The final time he allowed it to drop, slicing the cupcake on the desk neatly in half.
“I forfeited my career as soon as I arrested Twilight. Now all I can do is my Duty.” He looked up with a grin. “Cupcake? I heard they’re the best.”
-
There was a loud crash as a pile of books slid into a desk of more books. This was followed by a loud sharp cry of pain.
“By Celestia’s beard, how did you manage to do that Stout?!” Corporal Fig yelled at the large stallion.
“Sorry guv, I didn’t see them there...” the ironically named Guard responded in his thick Trottingham accent. When it came to searching, the unicorn was second to none. But outside of magic, he was a dangerous calamity on hooves.
Fig facehooved and looked at the mess. She was a serious pony; you had to be when it came to fig farming. But she’d rebelled and joined the Guard. She lacked imagination, which made her an ideal Guard. Sadly, this squad had been forced onto her...
“Corp! I think I found something!” cried Ice Breaker, her other unicorn. He was arrogant but at lead he was agile.
“If it’s another joke Ice...”
A package floated in front of her with an almost white aura. She opened it slightly and shuddered.
“Good work Ice, keep lo-“
“I’ve also got some letters up here, addressed to her. They mention the books.”
“Send them down too, Bolt! Get in here!
A Pegasus trotted in and saluted. There were already satchel bags on his back. Fig handed over the package and letters.
“Get these to the Captain now. And grab some cloud for your ears, who knows how he’ll take this...”
-
"Y-your H-highness!” a voiced cried from the office door.
Princess Luna and Ironhoof looked at the source of the noise, both in the middle of eating the cupcake. At the door was a brown unicorn with a long golden mane. She was smaller than the average mare and lacked any real muscles. Her entire body shook as she stood in the door.
“Please, there’s no need to be alarmed...” the Princess replied.
“That’s just Parch, my secretary. I tell you, I’d be lost without her.” The stallion said, rising from his seat. “Come now Parchment, you’ve seen the Princess’ before!”
“N-not this close, sir...”
Ironhoof snorted and walked over to the mare.
“Just one moment Princess, I’ll just have a word with Parch here.” He walked Parchment out and shut the door behind.
On her own, Luna took in her surroundings as she finished eating her half of the muffin. She noticed that on the desk were the yellowing letters from earlier. She floated over the top one to reading height.
‘To Sergeant Feather Brain,
Hello little brother! How’s the war going? I heard your unit is heading to the desert in the local rag. Hope your feathers don’t fall off!
Father and the boys say hi. Well, father snorted, Lead smiled, Steel made a face and Platinum waved. Your mother and the girls definitely said hi though!
Not much news here. Mayor Hardtack is currently being accused of stealing money from the city. Ponies are saying that’s why food’s so expensive, he’s denying it but you know politicians.
Anyway, some of us still have to work the forge. Celestia protect you brother.
Brass.’
A thin smile appeared on Luna. The handwriting was like Ironhoof’s; small and written carefully like a foal’s first attempt. She chose another letter at random.
‘Ironhoof,
That piece of straw Mayor. Platinum was at the market when ponies started protesting at the raised taxes. Before they knew it, soldiers from the 7th Manehatten were in there. The doctor says Plat may get the use of his eye again. Ponies are angry, father is keeping the block calm here but it looks bad. Come home soon.
Brass.’
Blinking, Luna hurriedly put the letter back in the pile and tried to cover up what she’d been doing. As she did, the door reopened and Ironhoof trotted back in.
“Sorry about that. Parch is an excellent desk worker for me but she isn’t the most confident. Still I’d hate to lose her.”
“What did you have to discuss that I couldn’t hear?” the Princess responded, making sure not to glance at the letters.
“Just rotas, sick leave and other boring things I wouldn’t wish to inflict on you.”
“Captain, after 1000 years on the moon, little bores me now. I feel I have neglected the Night Court long enough. I’ll leave this in your capable hooves.”
“Thank you your highness.”
“And if you don’t mind, may I have a read of these?” she floated the yellowed papers up. Ironhoof looked shocked. “I get the feeling these may have more information than the Royal Achieves.”
“Of c-course. Just be careful, they’re a bit fragile.”
The alicorn smiled and made her leave with the letters. On his own, Ironhoof sat down at his desk and looked around the office. Smirking, a piece of fresh paper was pulled out of a drawer and began to write.
-
“Your here to help US?!” the Guard stallion cried, agog at the rabble in front of him. They were stood outside the locked doors of the Palace Library.
“Why yes, here’s the Captains note.” Rarity responded, passing it over. The unicorn stallion looked over it critically before grimacing.
“Fine. You two,” he waved at Rarity and Applejack. “Will come with me and Thunder. We’ll be covering the ground floor. You other three will go with Lightning and Käsemacher and take the upper floor.”
“I think not!” cried a very upper class voice. A grey unicorn with an extremely short white mane trotted up to them. He wore a pair of reading glasses right on the very end of his nose. His Cutie mark was a simple book.
“I have never, ever, let that walking fire into the Library! I am not changing my policy now!” he continued.
“Hello Mister Words Worth...” Spike managed to sigh with absolute disdain in his voice, rolling his eyes.
“Ah, he’s learnt some manners! He still can’t come in.”
“We can’t leave him on his own! Spike has a right to be in there! And he’s just a baby dwagon...” Pinkie burst out, still wearing the Guard armour.
“Do I look like I want to risk this fine building burning down?! One of you, ponies, can stay outside with him...”
“Sir, we are under orders to search this ‘fine’ building with these ponies!” the lead Guard said, getting annoyed at tonight’s events.
“Unless you have a Royal decree...”
Rainbow Dash interrupted him with a horrible grin.
“Have you heard of Captain Ironhoof?”
“Well of course I ha-“ he attempted before Dash cut him off again.
“Then you know that he has no respect at all for books. Too complicated you see? He’s just humouring you. He’s got a dozen Guards waiting to burst in and start tearing the place apart.”
“He wouldn’t!” Words squeaked.
“Oh he would!” Rarity joined in with her own grin. “They say when he stormed the Griffon Kingdoms capital, he ordered their main library to be burnt down! And well, the reason why the Diamond Dogs are sooo slow is because-“
“Alright! The little terror can stay by the front desk and that’s it! I’ll even get him something to read!”
A sickly grin was shared amongst the mares and Spike as the Head Librarian unlocked the doors. Only his jaw remained closed when they swung wide open.
The Palace Library was rightly named; it could have been a palace in its own rights. Although only a ground and upper floor, it seemed to stretch for miles. Rarity managed to regain her senses first.
“Well, standing here isn’t going to help Twilight. Shall we begin?”
After being given a description of the books and with a deep sigh, the ponies trotted in and fanned out over their designated areas. Words Worth guided Spike to the front desk and sat him down on a shockingly comfortable seat.
“Now, what would you like to read?” the pony shuddered as he asked.
“Can I just have the signing in book please?” the baby dragon replied, getting comfortable. “I’ve got something to look into myself.”
-
The pencil snapped as the last full stop was put into place. Ironhoof gave the note one last glance to make sure it made sense. He trembled slightly as he folded the note up and tucked it under his chest plate. There was a single knock at the door, an indicator that Parchment was there.
“Enter Parch.”
The door opened slightly.
“Sir, Bolt’s here from Ponyville.”
The stallion made his way out of his office with a grin. He hadn’t expected anything back from Fig for hours. Bolt was returning the grin as he saluted his Captain.
“Sir, we found something.”
The grin sunk a little and Iron’s eye twitched.
“What, did you find?”
Bolt pulled a large package out of his satchel. Ironhoof tore the paper off to see a brown book. The front cover said it all. ‘THE MAGI COMPENDIUM.’ The eye twitched again.
“We also found these.” A small stack of letters was pulled out as well. Ironhoof glanced at one.
‘Sister,
It is with great joy I write this letter. Soon we shall have the HORSEADENIUM PRINCIPLE. The spell you are crating will finally give us the ability to remove the powers of the Princess’ and this book will pinpoint their weakest time. Luna is unlikely to survive, but that is of no matter. The ruling council, chosen by us, will replace the Royals.
I await further progress,
Sister.’
“Sir, what should I do with them?”
“Destroy them...”
It was a whisper, shot as fast as an arrow. Bolt gave the Captain a confused look.
“Destroy them, you great foal! DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE DONE?! YOU’VE SIGNED A YOUNG MARES DEATH WARRENT! HOW COULD YOU MORONS BE SO STUPID TO FALL FOR THIS! I’VE SEEN MORE INTELLIGENCE IN MY YOUNGEST GRANDFOAL! AND THEY ARE STILL WAITING TO BE BORN!”
Every ounce of Ironhoof shook. That what he so desperately wanted to shout. It echoed through his brain, but he just about managed to bite his tongue.
“Nothing Bolt. Just give them to parchment and get some rest. If Fig finds anything else she still has Flash.”
The Pegasus saluted, allowed the secretary to take the items and left.
“Parch, get me my sword belt and helmet. It’s time to question the accused.”
-
Despite the size of the library, the two teams were making good progress in searching. The Guards, whilst not officially trained for searching the grounds, were slow and methodical. No shelf was left unchecked, each book closely examined and each stack marked.
Applejack and Rarity worked together, speeding through the corridors of books. The farmer, a proud student of the larger picture situation, was checking the shelves for any book that looked out of place with its peers. The fashion unicorn focused on the minor details, in case of either book had been disguised as another.
Above them Dash made similar checks to AJ, just several times and a lot faster. Words Worth had flat out refused the Pegasus to fly too fast, due to possible damage to the books. Pinkie meanwhile was bouncing around, somehow teleporting from stack to stack with no clear logic except to her. At one point Käsemacher attempted to track her progress, but gave up when she realised that the pink pony would be on one side of the room, then another, at the same time.
Eventually Parchment came by and gave the word that more likely book had been found, dropping morale faster than Ditzy Doo’s average parcel.
“This is gonna be like looking for a needle in a haystack...” Applejack commented sadly.
“More like looking for a needle in a pile of needles Applejack.” Rarity joked, getting a half smile from the earth pony.
As they carried on, Spike poured his energy into the signing in book. Very slowly, a smile was forming; a code may have been cracked. He licked a claw and applied it to the paper.
-
“Gentlecolts.”
The two Guards outside the guest room looked round. Striding towards them was Ironhoof. There was no emotion in the stallions face as he made for them. Both guards gulped as they saw his expression, then the sword belt. Unlike the regular belts, this held two separate blades. There was the standard short sword, but above it was a much larger sword, as long as his body if not more. It was a relic from the old days, but Ironhoof still kept it. He only wore when needed, such as official business, fighting or parent-teachers night.
The ponies snapped to attention as he stopped in front of him. There was a glare at the pair as Ironhoof judged them. Eventually he relented.
“Open it.”
Silently the door opened. It showed several Guards, Unicorn and Earth, stood there. On the bed was Twilight Sparkle, bound up round her hooves. She’d been cleaned up, but now wore a small black disk between the base of her horn and her head. She didn’t turn to look at him.
“Cut her bonds, leave the suppressor and get out, all of you.”
The ponies all gawked at Ironhoof.
“That wasn’t a request.”
Ponies rushed around him, one unicorn untying Twilight with their magic until finally the door clicked shut, leaving just the two ponies. Slowly, Twilight turned to the Pegasus in the room.
“Captain.” The voice lacked any emotion.
“Twilight.” he returned the greeting in the same monotone style voice. He sat on a seat and looked at her.
“I need to ask you some questions Twilight.” There was a snort from her and she tossed her head away.
For a while there was nothing but silence. Twilight stared intently at the wall, determined to ignore everything. Eventually though there was a metallic thud. Intrigued by this, she rolled back over to see Ironhoof had removed his helmet and dropped it to the floor. All this achieved was a rise in one of the mare’s eyebrows. Standing up, Ironhoof tapped a small button around his waist. A moment later the swords clattered to the ground. They were picked up via the belt and idly tossed next to her on the bed.
“It’s just you and me Twilight, nopony else. I need to know these answers so I can get you out of here.”
On the dresser he noticed a bowl of water and some goblets. He leant over and started to ladle water into two of the cups. At the last moment he caught the movement out of the corner of his eye. Instinct sent him into the air, the feather of his dirty grey wings brushing Twilight’s head as she rushed him. He hovered in the air, looking at her.
“That’s no way to prove your innocent, but it’s good to some life in you again.”
“I’ve done nothing wrong!”
“I believe you Twilight, but the evidence is against you.”
“E-evidence?”
The Pegasus landed and sat down on the bed, kicking the swords out of his way.
“Have you heard of The Magi Compendium?”
“Well of course I have!”
“Have you ever seen it?”
“Once, the Princess showed me it...”
“So you know where it’s stored?”
“Yes!”
“Twilight, the book has been unaccounted for almost a week and we‘ve found it in your library, along with letters that link you to a plot to remove the Princess’. Your name is also recently been in the signing book for the Palace Library.”
“But...”
“Do you know where the Horseadenium Principle is at all?”
Twilight shook her head with a puzzled look. She hadn’t seen the book at all. Ironhoof showed her the same letter he had read when Bolt had arrived.
“Do you recognise the writing?”
“No...” the voice was faint and cracking up.
“Do you know anypony that may have a grudge against you?”
“J-just a t-travelling show m-mare...” she managed before she broke down crying. Ever the father, Ironhoof couldn’t help himself hugging the sobbing girl onto his shoulder. He held her there until the sobbing died down.
“What’s going to happen?” she managed, muffled by his shoulder.
“We’re going to prove you innocent. Your friends came here and are helping us investigate.”
“Has, the Princess been told?” Twilight whispered. Ironhoof sighed and looked at the ceiling.
“Not yet. Princess Celestia remains asleep at this time. I’m avoiding informing her. Princess Luna is fully aware though.”
“Surely the Princess would-“
“Absolve you? It would cause riots that sompony’s guilt could be ignored without due process. Locking you up without trial may cause a similar issue. I don’t want to do this, but your life may be in danger. For now, you must stay here under as much secrecy as possible.”
Twilight pushed herself away and turned away from him.
“Then go and do your ‘Duty’ then.” It was the same monotone voice from earlier.
Knowing when he was beaten, Ironhoof collected his swords and helmet and left the room. The Guards filed back in to replace him.
“Keep her unbound but leave the suppressor.”
There was a nod to his order as he slowly walked away, head hung low.
-
“COME BACK HERE!”
The cry echoed around the library. The ponies searching through the shelves stopped in their tracks and looked round; making sure the shout wasn’t directed at them. That is, except Pinkie Pie. One moment she was upstairs by some book about how Magnets Work, suddenly she by the front desk.
“You know, of all ponies you should know not to shout in a library! You might disturb the other patrons!”
Words Worth looked at the party pony with wide eyes. In his mouth he held Spike by his tail, who was struggling to get loose.
“I’ve got to get to Ironhoof! This jerk thinks I was going to run into the library!”
With a look of pure hate, Words Worth went to open his mouth to shout at Spike, forgetting how he was holding the dragon. Spike fell onto the desk and quickly scampered behind Pinkie. The normally cheerful pony gave the stallion as stern a gaze as possible.
“W-well, the way he darted up like that, I couldn’t help but think he was going to rush into the library! Who knows what damage he may d-do!”
“That’s mean! Spike could have done anything BUT go in!”
The librarian looked sheepish and gazed as at his hooves. Seeing his chance, Spike made a dash for the exit, making sure to pick up the signing in book. Words Worth went to stop him before Pinkie shot him another glare. The stallion shrunk behind his desk under the stern cyan eyes. She only stopped when she heard a whimper.
Happy that her work was done there, Pinkie bounced back upstairs to continue looking, making sure to leave a muffin for the stallion.
-
Parchment looked up from her makeshift desk in front of the Captains office when the main door opened. She instantly ducked down, beating the spinning short sword with ease. It shuddered to a halt in the wood panel behind her, surrounded by slits of other sword throws. It was one of Ironhoof’s typical ways of releasing his pent up anger. The first time it had happened she’d fainted; now it was almost second nature. Ironhoof stormed up and idly chucked his helmet onto the swords handle.
“Coffee, black. Bring it in with the rest of the letters.”
“Already ahead of you, sir.” Was the cheerful response, the two entering his office.
Slinging the sword belt onto the desk as he sat, Ironhoof watched the unicorn pour the coffee with her magic. It was thick goo, more akin to syrup then regular coffee. Once the mug was filled, a sugar bowl was raised in the same brown aura; a single tea spoon was removed. The rest of the bowls contents were then dumped into the mug, the white mountain slowly dissolving in.
“If that is all sir, I’ll finish for tonight?”
“Of course Parch, thank you for tonight. Just-“
“Just don’t expect a full night’s sleep because you may need me/ I thought as much.” She gave a small smile and saluted her way out.
Getting over the initial shock of a suddenly confident Parchment, Ironhoof got on with reading the letters. He discovered Parch had done so as well, writing up a brief summary of the combined letters and possible the missing letters. Chewing the sweet coffee tar as he read, he slowly made sense of what was meant to happen.
The mythical Horseadenium Principle apparently had the details on all creatures on Equestria. How they came to be, their powers, strengths and weakness’. This of course included alicorns, albeit there being just two left on Equestria. The book was thought to have been lost over a millennia ago, before Princess Celestia began her rule. Other information on the book had been lost to time.
The plot seemed simple enough. Combining information from both books, a spell could be made that would drain the magic from the Royal Sisters and pass the abilities to another, “deserving” unicorn. A ruling council would then be formed to run the new republic.
This made little sense to Ironhoof. Firstly, it relied on the assumption that ponies were unhappy under Celestia and Luna. Few ponies remembered the wars these days, peace having reigned for the last two to three decades. THAT was when ponies questioned Celestia’s actions, or lack of. As for the council, well, there was already a parliament! His eldest son Ai was Deputy First Minister for Celestia’s sake! Most of the day to day handling went through parliament, with the Royals holding court for urgent or personal issues.
“The blasted plot makes more sense than the reasons...” Ironhoof mumbled at the coffee mug before taking another mouthful.
So, why implicate Twilight? It makes sense to shift the blame of course. When he’d been a colt, the youngest of seven foals, he realised how quick you had to act to avoid being punished. But Twilight was so far removed from the event; it had to be a setup. So why not a unicorn closer to home? And who let him know all this? Why the unsigned letter?
In the distance a clock chimed midnight, making Ironhoof stifle a yawn. Time was running out and he was further away from clearing Twilight’s name then a few hours ago.
|
Vopogon
|
1213
| 1 |
Adventure,Romance
|
Soaring Hearts
|
Rainbow Dash had always dreamt of becoming a Wonderbolt, but never imagined she'd fall in love with one.
|
complete
| 129 | 3 |
<p>On her way home from the Gala, Rainbow Dash is stopped by a familiar face, Soarin the Wonderbolt. They two begin to race, and eventually, create something magnificent. As time goes on, the two grow closer, but it isn't as smooth as Soarin had hoped. Can he save Rainbow Dash from allowing fear to rule her?</p>
|
everyone
| null |
2011-10-05T16:32:17+00:00
| 4,543 |
Rainbow Dash closed her eyes and took a deep breath, only focusing on the wind in her mane, and the soft sound of the air beneath her wings. It was a warm Summer night just after the Gala, and she was on her way back home to Ponyville. The rest of her friends had hopped in the carriage Twilight had made for them, but for some reason even Rainbow Dash herself did not understand, she wanted to fly home. She handed her dress to Rarity, thanked her for her hard work, and then promptly took off. The winds were calm, the temperature was perfect…
“A perfect night for flying” she said to herself. She glided for several minutes, occasionally flapping her wings with an audible “flumf” to keep her at her current altitude.
"If only I had someone to share it with..."
The Pegasus focused on the quiet howl of the wind as it passed by her ears, and the brisk cool on her face as she flew. This is why she loved flying. It was the ultimate sense of freedom anypony could ever experience. She wondered briefly how unicorns and earth ponies could stand not being able to fly. Not being able to feel that sense of joy that came from soaring through the clouds, with the wind in your mane and the view of the world from on high. Flying made her feel alive.
But still, something was missing. It was so... Solitary.
Dash decided it was time to open her eyes to check if she was on the correct bearing home. She must have been tilted to the left, as she was now facing the majestic mountains that stood to the side of her home. She corrected herself with a small tilt of her wings and once again closed her eyes.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Rainbow let out a large yawn and stretched her front legs out to the side. Dash had been up for nearly 24 hours. Her and her friends stayed out late in Canterlot, talking with each other and Princess Celestia. In fact, Applejack was already asleep in the carriage when her friends departed.
She didn’t know what time it was, she just wanted to get back to her soft, warm bed of clouds at her home in Cloudsdale.
Subtle warmth began to sweep across her face. She opened her eyes to see the sun rising over the hills to the East of Ponyville, casting beautiful rays of golden-yellow light over the landscape.
Rainbow Dash was awestruck with the beauty of it all, and became absorbed in the scenery. So much so, she didn’t notice the deep, thunderous growl of something approaching her from behind until it was extremely close. Rainbow Dash snapped out of her trance and turned her head around to see what was behind her , but as soon as she did, a dark gray column of cloud bolted by her face.
Rainbow Dash whipped her head forward to see what just passed her in the sky. The long, gray cloud dispersed and revealed a dark blue maned stallion clothed in a blue and yellow suit, wearing blue shaded aviation goggles.
She recognized the signature suit of the Wonderbolts immediately.
He wasn't much older than Dash was, making this Soarin the Wonderbolt.
“Y-you’re Soarin! From the Wonderbolts!” she stammered.
“And you’re that mare from the Gala, right? The one who saved my pie!" he said with a goofy smile "I almost didn’t recognize you without your dress!”
“He knows who I am!” Rainbow said in her mind.
“Uh, yeah!” She said, trying to act as cool as possible.
“Although...” He said “You forgot something”
Soarin reached over and poked the golden laurel around Rainbow Dash’s ears and smiled again.
“Oh...” Rainbow Dash blushed and let out a nervous laugh.
“I actually think it’s quite becoming of you, Miss....?”
“The name’s Rainbow Dash!” She answered, smirking and sticking out her chest a bit.
“Rainbow DASH, eh?” the Wonderbolt repeated. “Let’s see if you live up to your name!”
With that, the stallion blasted off into the purple sky, leaving a trail of thick dark clouds.
It took Rainbow took but a split second to gather her whits.
“Oh, It’s ON!”
Rainbow took off along the Wonderbolt’s trail, leaving her own Rainbow colored one behind her.
The loud rushing wind filled her ears and stimulated her senses and woke her up immediately.
After a lazy glide, her muscles were rather stiff, but she wasn’t about to be bested by ANYPONY. Even if it WAS one of her idols. The trail of clouds curved upward in a steep incline, but Rainbow Dash followed it perfectly, dipping the tip of one wing into the cloud itself. Adrenaline flooded her brain as she focused on the blue suited Pegasus in front of her.
“I’m closing in on him...”
Suddenly, and without warning, Soarin extended his wings and came to an abrupt stop in mid-air. Rainbow Dash tucked her wings close to her body and tilted out of the way as to not collide with him, but despite her efforts she felt her left cheek graze the tip of his right wing, cutting her slightly, although she didn’t notice it until later.
Rainbow unfurled her wings and looped around in a short arc, returning to Sorin who was now stationary in the air.
“What was that all about?! I thought we were having a race!”
The Wonderbolt was silent.
“Soarin? Is everything ok?” Rainbow Dash started to feel concerned.
“I need to know something” He said at last, in a deathly serious tone.
“W-what? Is everything alright?”
He turned his head slowly and looked directly into Rainbow Dash’s eyes. Even through the tinted goggles, she could feel his eyes staring into her very fabric of existence.
“What could he possibly be so serious about? Did I do something wrong?”
“I need to know...”
He paused.
“Where that DE-LISHOUS smell is coming from!” he said with a huge grin.
Dash was taken aback by this sudden change of attitude from Soren.
“Eh... What?” Rainbow Dash replied, confused.
Soarin raised one eyebrow and tilted his head to one side, peering at Rainbow Dash inquisitively.
“Uhh, I was wondering where that smell was coming from?” He smiled childishly at Dash.
Rainbow Dash floated there for a moment, unsure of what to think of this small turn of events.
Soarin seemed.... bipolar almost..
She was about to speak when Soarin moved foreword with one stroke of his muscular wings, came within inches of Dash’s face, and held a hoof up to her lips. With his free hoof, he flipped up his flying goggles, revealing stunning emerald eyes.
Rainbow didn't even know how to react, so she simply stared into the vast pools of green that were Soarin's eyes.
He directed his gaze to her cheek and moved the hoof that was keeping her silent to the small wound. He gently wiped away a solitary drop of blood that smeared her blue coat of hair.
"You're hurt..."
Rainbow Dash looked down at his hoof that was between them; a streak of red staining his uniform.
"It's nothing. Just a scratch." she said, waving her hoof in dismissal. "I've had worse"
Soarin looked into the other Pegasus's magenta hued eyes, scanning for an ounce dishonesty, but finding none, he gave a quick nod, serving both as acknowledgement and to flip his goggles back down over his eyes.
“Hey Dash.” He said, smile returning.
“What’s up?
“threetwoone GO!”
The wonderbolt retracted his wings back close to his body and dropped towards the ground, unfurling his wings and propelling himself closer to the earth below. Rainbow Dash saw his plan and immediately shot downward after him. Rainbow Dash flew as fast as she could and was only barely catching up.
“How fast is this guy?! He’s even faster than I thought he would be!” she said in her mind.
Soarin looked back to the slowly approaching Rainbow Dash
“You even tryin’ miss Dash?” He stuck out his tongue in a playful jab.
"Is that a challenge?" she retorted
"You bet your tail it is!"
When Dash heard this, she redoubled her efforts to pass the Wonderbolt. She flew faster and faster until a white cone of vapor formed around her body.
“There’s no way he could beat this. I’m the only one that can do a Sonic Rainboom” she said to herself, although she could barely hear herself think over the immense din of the wind roaring past her ears. Rainbow Dash was tempted to look back and see how far ahead of Soarin she was, but she knew that would only slow her down.
But Dash didn’t even have to look back.
In her peripheral vision, she thought she saw another Vapor Cone... She immediately dismissed it as nothing more than blurry vision.
“I’m the only pony who can do a Sonic Rainboom... right?”
“That’s right!” a voice said, barely audible over the noise of the rushing wind.
“But us Wonderbolts always have a little trick up our hooves!”
Soarin came into Dash’s field of sight, directly to her left.
He had somehow gone fast enough to create his own vapor cone.
Rainbow Dash wondered what would happen if he broke through... Could it be something similar to her Sonic Rainboom?
“Watch this!” he shouted, competing with the noise of the wind around them.
He came even closer to Dash and rested his right wingtip on her left wingtip.
“When I say ‘GO’ I need you to do a Sonic Rainboom, understand?” he shouted “Just like that time when you saved my flank at the best young flier competition!”
“Got it!” Rainbow Dash replied
“It’s imperative that you do it RIGHT as I say. Or else we could...” His voice trailed off. Rainbow Dash wasn’t sure if it was the noise of the wind, or if he cut himself off intentionally. Either way, it didn’t matter. She understood the gravity of the situation.
“3... 2.... 1.... NOW”
Both ponies pressed as hard as possible on their barriers. As they were approaching the threshold, the two separate cones of vapor merged into one gigantic funnel.
A deafening “CRACK” split the air, and their speed increased 10 fold . They had breached the Sound Barrier... together. And the effects were astounding.
A blinding rainbow colored bolt of lightning zagged violently behind the two pegusi, with smaller bolts arcing off in all directions, sure to be seen and heard from miles in any given direction.
Something like this had never been done before in all of Equestria, and these two young fliers made history during a friendly race before breakfast.
Rainbow took her eyes off the momentous sight and looked forward, and what she saw frightened the horse apples out of her.
Up ahead lay Sweet Apple Acres, hurdling towards them and intense speed. If they didn’t pull up immediately, they would be killed the moment they impacted the trees.
Neither of them even needed to speak, pure instinct and years of flying took over and they both slowed their momentum and broke off from one another, pulling up and leveling out just above the trees. Rainbow Dash looked over and saw Sorin glide slowly towards the old red barn that sat in the middle of the land. Rainbow made her way over to the now grounded Pegasus.
Rainbow Dash’s hooves gently landed on the earth, damp from the morning dew, and walked over to where Soarin was waiting
“T-that was A-AMAZING!” she yelled, unable to control her excitement about what she just accomplished.
“You’re telling me!” Soarin replied “ I never knew we could even DO that! That was just pure AWESOME!”
Rainbow Dash was still shaking from the pure adrenaline rush, causing her voice warble a bit.
“Wait.. Y-you’re telling m-me that you had NO CLUE what was going to happen?!”
Soarin stiffened and gave a nervous laugh
“What’s life without a few risks, right?”
Rainbow Dash was no stranger to risk, having almost died many times while practicing a new trick or doing something stupid, but she was still shocked at the tenacity of the stallion that stood before her.
Dash shook her head and laughed.
"You're even crazier than I am!"
"I'm the craziest Wonderbolt out of the bunch!" he said
" and I take great pride in that, too!"
"Jus' what in the hay is goin' on here?"
a familiar voice asked
"I come back ta put away all my apple treats, then all I see is a great big ol' light in the sky, and you two shootin' the breeze like t'was nuthin'!"
Rainbow Dash turned around to find one of her best friends, an orange earth pony named Applejack, standing a few feet away next to her apple cart.
"Oh, sorry AJ!" Rainbow Dash said.
"Sorin and I were jus-"
"AHHHhh, so THAT'S what smelled so
good! Say, you're the one who sold me that AWESOME Apple Pie, aren't you?"
"Ah' sure as sugar are!" Applejack replied.
"Excellent! Can I still get my hooves on a pie?"
Soarin now looked.... Hungry. The awe from the Lighting Rainboom had apparently worn off, and his sweet tooth took over.
"Yep! I still got plenty left over...." she finished with the annoyance at her poor sales evident in her speech.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Thanks a bunch for the pies, miss Applejack!"
Soarin said, leaning down to pick up the bag of fresh baked apple pies that sat before him
"Not t'all sugarcube, come on by if ya need anymore!"
He walked up to Rainbow Dash who had sat down and was leaning against a fence post, almost asleep.
"And thank you for one of the best flying sessions I've had in a long time!"
"It was an Honor!"
Rainbow said, half yawning
Soarin was spreading his wings and was about to take off when Rainbow Dash stood up behind him and tried to walk, but stumbled after two steps.
“You alright there, Dash?”
“Y-yeah. I’m just a bit tired...”
Rainbow Dash let out an immense yawn, one far too large for being “just a little tired”.
Soarin knew she couldn’t fly home by herself, not without injuring herself or anypony else.
He walked over to where the blue pegasus had tripped and helped her up.
“Come on Dash, this is stupid.” He paused for a second, reflecting on the many stupid things he’s done. “Not the good kind of stupid anyway. You’re going to get hurt, ya know? Let me help you home”
“No thanks, I-I’m fine-”
She was interrupted by a hoof on her chin, directing her head to look up at the Wonderbolt.
“Actually, miss Dash. That’s wasn’t a suggestion.”
The wonderbolt’s eyes were sweet, yet firm. An interesting contrast to his typically goofy personality.
Looking into his eyes, Dash felt a sense of safety. Maybe it was because they were her heroes in everyday life, she didn’t know. But she did know that she felt secure with him, and that’s something she wasn’t accustomed to. Rainbow Dash had a tough fillyhood, and because of it, she was very careful with whom she trusted.
“A-alright... I guess I don’t have much of a choice though, do I?” Dash said with a smile
“No, not really” he replied with a sweet chuckle. Soarin looked over his shoulder and hollered to Applejack
“I’ll be back later to pick up those pies, is that alright?”
“Sure thing! They’ll be here waitin’ for ya!”
The Wonderbolt put a wing under Rainbow Dash, and in one fluid movement, put her on his back, being sure that she wasn’t hindering his wing movement.
“Come on now, let’s get you home, shall we?”
Rainbow Dash was utterly wiped out from the past 24 hours, but she though she had enough energy to make sure she wouldn’t fall off of Soarin’s back as they returned to her home.
She lightly wrapped her forelegs around his neck, closed her eyes, and rested her head on his unusually soft mane. She felt the subtle spike in G forces as they took off, but despite them she still managed to drift off to sleep on her idol, and new friend’s, back.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Rainbow Dash awoke to the sound of Soarin’s voice...
“Hey Dash, sorry to wake you, but I need you to tell me where to drop you off at.”
She groggily opened her eyes, and looked around briefly. Even with blurred vision she immediately recognized her home in the clouds. She lifted one of her forelegs, pointed at it, and once Soarin turned in that direction, she let it flop lazily at her side.
The Wonderbolt made his way over the the sky mansion and landed on the front step.
“Well miss Dash, We’ve arrived.”
“Mhmm... Alright...” she replied, still half asleep. She nuzzled her face into his mane even further
“Just five more minutes...” she muttered.
“I ain’t your momma, Dash” He chuckled.
“I think it’s best we get you inside, you know, on a real bed? I’m sure it would be a bit more comfortable.”
“Yeah, I’ll be right there, ma... “
“... You’ll have to get off for that, Dash”
Rainbow Dash snapped awake at this, just now remembering the situation she was in.
Afraid she was being a nuisance she started gushing apologies.
“Oh! I’m so sorry!” She slid off his back and walked towards her home.
“I hope I wasn’t too heavy or anything.. was I?”
“Not at all! You were Light as a feather.” he said.
Dash began to feel heat rush to her face...
“Why am I blushing?” she thought to herself.
“Uh, thanks for the ride.. I was never any good at endurance races” she said to Soarin with a little laugh.
“Pshh, don’t get me started on those... I’m terrible! ”
The two ponies laughed harder than they should at this stale attempt at humor, a side effect of exhaustion.
After a moment, Soarin spoke again.
"Hey, if you're ever in Cloudsdale near our HQ, don't hesitate to stop by. I'll put you on the Very Important Pony list." Soarin said.
"You mean it?! You'd really so that?!"
"Sure thing! Besides, I like your style"
Rainbow Dash ran forward and gave him a one “armed” hug
“ThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyou!!”
Soarin returned the hug for a few seconds, then they both turned to leave.
“Oh and Dash?”
“Yeah?”
He reached one light blue wing out and touched the area around the cut on her face.
“Be sure to take care of that. I don’t want it to get infected.”
Dash smiled and looked in his eyes.
“Will do, Soarin. Although, it's just a scratch...”
Rainbow turned and began to walk to her front door.
Soarin hadn’t noticed it before when they were flying, but Rainbow Dash was an extremely attractive mare. Her frame was petite, yet toned, and her face was just one of those types that struck his fancy. Not to mention he’d always had a “thing” for Maroon eyes.
“I wouldn’t want that pretty face getting scarred now!” he added as he trotted towards the edge of the cloud.
Rainbow Dash paused for a moment, feeling heat once again find it’s way to her face and turned around, surprised that one of her idols had complimented her looks.
“Wait, what did you...”
But her voice was met with the open sky, now blue and filled with rays of light from the still rising sun.
Soarin had already taken off.
Rainbow Dash gazed off into the amazing sight for a minute, thinking about what Soarin said, but sleep deprivation was taking its toll on her.
Rainbow slowly shuffled her way up the steps to her room, opened the door and tossing the golder laurels from her mane on the dresser directly adjacent to her, and flung herself upon her bed of clouds.
Her eyes were shut before her head even landed on the pillow.
The last thing the Pegasus thought about as she drifted off to sleep were Soarin's emerald green eyes.
"I've always been a sucker for green eyes..."
Within moments, she was fast asleep.
|
Vopogon
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1213
| 2 |
Adventure,Romance
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Soaring Hearts
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Rainbow Dash had always dreamt of becoming a Wonderbolt, but never imagined she'd fall in love with one.
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complete
| 129 | 3 |
<p>On her way home from the Gala, Rainbow Dash is stopped by a familiar face, Soarin the Wonderbolt. They two begin to race, and eventually, create something magnificent. As time goes on, the two grow closer, but it isn't as smooth as Soarin had hoped. Can he save Rainbow Dash from allowing fear to rule her?</p>
|
everyone
| null |
2011-10-05T16:32:10+00:00
| 3,232 |
Rainbow Dash opened her eyes groggily and flopped over on her right side.
She wanted to go back to sleep, but the sun had other plans for her this morning.
.
The Pegasus gave in and sat up in bed, mane tussled and droopy eyed and looked to her left where she kept her magic sun dial, although she could have guessed at the time. Same time every morning, 7:45 AM sharp.
Rainbow Dash rubbed her eyes briefly then somnolently flopped back onto her pillows.
“What to do today.... What to do...”
She thought of yesterday, of the gala, the Lighting Rainboom...
And of Soarin. His emerald green eyes, his light blue coat... The scent of his mane as he carried her home... As well as his invitation to her before he departed.
Rainbow Dash sat up once more, exited at the prospect of being able to hang out with her idols. They had a big show coming up, so she might be able to watch them practice, IF she was lucky.
But her mind quickly wandered back to the one Wonderbolt that captivated her... That showed her something Amazing.
Letting her mind continue down the path of memories of last night, she pondered Soarin's parting words.
“Wouldn’t want that pretty face getting scarred now!”
Rainbow Dash felt a strange sense of warmth invade her chest... A feeling almost completely foreign to her.
The flight home may have been brief, but it was spectacular. She remembered burying her muzzle into Soarin's flowing dark blue mane.
Once she opened her eyes, she found she was hugging her cloud pillow tightly against her face.
Immediately, Rainbow Dash flung the pillow at the wall, impacting with a soft thud.
“What in Equestria am I doing?” she said, annoyed at her own foolishness.
She rolled off her bed, landing on all four of her hooves simultaneously, and made her way over to her bedroom doorway.
“Acting like one of those mushy-gushy mares... Ridiculous!” Rainbow Dash huffed as she walked down the stairs, forcing her own thoughts out of her mind.
As she descended the staircase, she looked at her home...
It was a beautiful house by any standards, but despite all it’s glorious furnishings and decor, the place somehow felt... Empty. Much like the sky felt when she was flying home from the Gala, until Soarin caught up with her at least.
Rainbow Dash didn’t want to stay couped up all day is such a melancholic setting, so she decided to take Soarin up on his offer to join him at the Wonderbolt HQ.
Rainbow Dash trotted over to her front door, and nudged it with her nose, opening noiselessly.
The blue Pegasus stepped outside with her wings above her forehead, shielding her eyes from direct sunlight.
The blue Pegusi slowly opened her eyes, forcing herself to adjust to the harsh sunlight, and once she was mostly accustomed to the brightness, she lowered her wing from her forehead, accidentally pulling her bangs in front of her eyes.
She examined the frazzled strands of hair for a moment, flipped them back into place, and returned her gaze to the sky in front of her. Out in the distance, miles and miles away, she spotted some violent looking thunderheads. She briefly debated whether or not to risk trying to get to the Wonderbolt HQ and back or not.
As she was contemplating, the young Pegasus let out a small yawn and walked towards the edge of her cloud, bouncing a bit to stretch out some of her leg muscles.
Rainbow looked over the edge expecting to see the green earth and town of Ponyville below, but instead found herself standing above something completely different.
Only 20 feet down, a sea of thick alto-stratus clouds were rolling past at a startling speed.
“I don’t remember seeing any of this in the weather report at the weather factory...” she said to herself.
“Unless....”
Rainbow Dash brought a hoof to her face, just above her eyes with an audible “clop” sound as she realized the reason for the unexpected weather occurrence.
“They put Ditzy Doo* in charge today...”
She sighed, removed her hoof from her face, and looked over once more.
Rainbow Dash shrugged and simply walked off the edge and aimed herself toward the dark river of fog below her, wings tucked close to her body to gain velocity.
She ploughed through the fog and within seconds emerged on the other side, drenched and spreading her wings to slow her already slow fall. Once she came to a mid-air stop, she shot back up into the dense cloud. The cold water served as a makeshift shower and also served to jolt her awake.
She shot out of the cloud once again, creating a plume of vapor behind her as she skyrocketed past her home and into the open sky. After several meters, Rainbow Dash slowed herself and hovered
As the sun beamed down upon her, the water in her mane and tail refracted brilliantly, creating a spectacular rainbow glow around her entire body. She looked over her shoulder in the direction where she saw the rainclouds, then turned back to the direction where the Wonderbolt’s Headquarters were and smirked to herself.
“I’m the best flyer ever born! No dumb rainclouds can stop me!”
Rainbow Dash stuck her tongue out at the thunderheads as if taunting them and bolted off towards Cloudsdale, a spectacular rainbow flowing behind her.
********************************************************************************************************
The Wonderbolt’s Main HQ was absolutely massive. Rainbow Dash had always admired it whenever she flew by, but standing directly before it, about to enter felt surreal
As Rainbow Dash stood in front of the coliseum sized building, she took time to study the huge Doric style columns stretched up almost out of sight, and the expert cloud craftsmanship on the door frame.
She took a deep breath, trying to quell her nervousness in her chest as she clip-clopped her way up the steps. She was actually going to hang out with her idols at last!
When she got to the door, there was a large button beneath a speaker to the right, and nothing else. Seeing no other course of action, and for her own curiosity’s sake, she pushed the button. Rainbow Dash released pressure on the button and stepped back. Moments later the speaker crackled to life.
“Hello?” A deep male voice said.
“Uh, yeah, Hi. I’m here to see Soarin, I’m on the VIP list.”
Rainbow Dash gave herself a mental buck.
“To see Soarin? What the hay is wrong with you, girl?!”
“Name?”
She shook herself out of her daze.
“Rainbow Dash”
There was a brief moment of silence over the intercom as the colt presumably checked the VIP list.
“Alright, come on in.”
The door to the left of the box began to open...
Rainbow Dash walked down a long gray cloud hallway, stepping ever closer to a white light at the end of the corridor. She was just visiting, but she still felt exhilarated nonetheless. She was going to spend the day with the Wonderbolts, every Pegasus’s dream! Maybe she’d even get to watch them practice, if she was lucky.
Rainbow Dash squinted as she emerged from the dark tunnel into bright sunlight, allowing for her eyes to adjust to the brightness. When she was able to open her eyes fully, she saw a large, oval shaped racing track with stadium seating, and right in the middle, the Wonderbolts were standing around a water trough chatting. She saw Soarin doing various wing stretches a few feet away from the group. She lifted off the ground and glided towards them.
A Wonderbolt with an ice blue mane noticed her approaching and stopped his conversation with the other female member of the group and turned to Rainbow Dash.
“Helloooo cutie! How you doin’? I’m Glacier Breeze... And you are?”
Rainbow Dash was surprised at the forwardness of the stallion; she had heard that he was a fillyizer, but hadn't expected him to hit on HER.
"Thanks, but I'm here to--" She didn't get to finish her sentence.
Glacier Breeze's face went from suave stallion to terrified school colt instantly.
"Oh Celestia, not another one... I can't keep paying these Foal Support checks!"
Rainbow Dash didn't know what to say, didn't know how to respond... She began to slowly back away from the now crying Wonderbolt, but bumped into someone standing directly behind her.
"Don't worry... He's always like that. All those wild parties after shows catch up with him about eleven months later (2)." Soarin's chuckled from behind.
Rainbow spun around to face her friend and apologized for bumping into him.
"Heh, sorry about that..."
Soarin waved a dismissive hoof.
"Don't mention it. Come on, I'll introduce you to the rest of the gang!"
He began walking down the strip of cloud where the Wonderbolts were, introducing them one by one as the two Pegusi walked.
Rainbow shook hooves with each and every member of the Wonderbolts, all the while trying not to squeal from pure fan-mare excitement.
"And last, but not least, Spitfire! You remember her from the Gala, right?"
Spitfire extended a hoof out and Rainbow took it.
"Heya Rainbow! How ya been?"
Rainbow Dash wanted to jump up and down in joy and scream at the top of her lungs how happy she was to meet all of her idols, but simply shook the hoof and returned the shake.
"Say, RD. We were about to practice for a show, you wanna-"
"Watch? That’d be awesome!"
Spitfire chuckled and shook her head.
"No Rainbow, I was wondering if you wanted to fly with us. Maybe a friendly race or two?"
Rainbow Dash froze. Spitfire actually wanted her to practice with the Wonderbolts... To fly with the Wonderbolts. The reality of this stuck her like a ton of bricks... This was her chance to show them that she was worthy of becoming one of them... A chance she’d been waiting for for years and years. A chance she gladly took.
A sudden spark of passion flickered in Rainbow Dash’s eyes, but a looming feeling of nervousness crept inside of her. This could be her big shot.... She would prove herself to the Wonderbolts... But would she prove that she was inadequate at flying, or skilled enough to ascend to their ranks?
Rainbow Dash looked Spitfire in the eyes, and accepted the invitation with a resounding “Hay. Yes.”
********************************************************************************************************
Rainbow Dash was struggling to control her breathing; she wanted to gasp for precious oxygen, but she knew keeping a steady breathing rate was vital to top tier performance.
Her practice with the Wonderbolts was much harder than she imagined it to be, in fact, several of them had already landed, and were resting on the sidelines. Out of the original eight Wonderbolts, only Soarin and Spitfire were left.
Her heart skipped a beat in disbelief as she realized... This wasn’t some practice or friendly flying session.
“...This is an examination... There’s now way we’d be flying THIS long and hard if it wasn’t.”
She said to herself out loud; or so she thought.
“That’s right.” a voice said behind her, making her skip yet another beat.
Dash turned to see Spitfire hover a few feet away, drenched with perspiration and breathing heavily.
“I’m surprised you didn’t catch on sooner.”
Rainbow Dash said nothing, her sweat was getting into the open cut on her face. she had forgotten to take proper care of it as Soarin suggested, and didn’t notice it until now. the salt in her sweat made her wince as it made contact with the small yet painful wound.
Then Spitfire folder her wings and let herself fall a short distance, then unfurled her wings and glided over to Soarin who was already making his way over to the pair.
“She’s all yours.” she said.
Soarin’ only nodded, looked up at Rainbow Dash, and took off vertically. She had earned a break, she flew hard today.
The pair climbed higher and higher, breaking through layer and layer of thick, curling cloud, higher than either of them usually go. The two emerged from the final cloud drenched in condensation and beheld the gorgeous sight before them.
Up here, far above Cloudsdale, the turbulent clouds melded into a flowing silver sea, reflecting the glorious sunlight shining down from above, tantalizing their eyes to look on into eternity. Up here, the two were mere spots of color between a crushing universe of gray, and a blinding world of light.
Soarin raised his flight goggles from his eyes, and looked at his companion, gleaming in a rainbow hue her mane and tail naturally emitted in the sunlight.
Rainbow Dash looked over, and their tired eyes met.
At that moment, everything fell away; clouds didn’t exist, the sun grew dim, and fatigue was nonexistent.
Up here, it was just Soarin and Rainbow Dash, adrift in their own reality, far away from any distractions.
Soarin needed not say a word, but simply fly, and Rainbow Dash would follow. Throughout his aerial tricks, he could feel her matching his every move. They became one in flight. They were no longer two different Pegusi, but flowed as if they were one entity.
This was the feeling Rainbow Dash had been longing for. She hadn't just wanted someone to share the sky with, she needed someone to be one with her in the sky.
The two slowed their speed and glided into a backwards arc, aiming themselves at the plateau of silver flowing infront of them. The two ploughed through the clouds, leaving two pony sized holes where they exited. The holes slowly filled back up, and the silence one again flooded the now vacant expanse of sky.
The two plummeted down for what seemed like minutes before they finally broke through the ever-thickening clouds, and the two pegusi eventually landed on the coliseum floor.
Most of the other Wonderbolts were nowhere to be found, but Rainbow Dash spotted Spitfire at the entrance to the stadium and trotted over to her, Soarin right behind.
“Impressive flying out there, Dash.” Spitfire said as the trio made their way down the long hallway Rainbow Dash had entered just a few hours earlier.
“Thanks.” was all she could muster, she was so exhausted.
The three Pegasus ponies stepped outside, and all were taken aback by the drastic change in temperature.
The skies had grown cold and desolate, no longer the beautiful ocean of cloud it was earlier. Swirling thunderheads threatened to strike with all their might, and long ominous cirrus clouds foretold a violent storm in the near future.
“I gotta get myself home.” a shivering Rainbow Dash said. “Thanks for letting me hang out with you guys today. It was awesome!”
She forced herself to say those words with as much enthusiasm as possible, but her energy levels were so sapped it came across exactly so: Drained.
“No problem, Dash!” and equally tired Spitfire replied.
“We’ll be in touch.”
Rainbow smiled and gave a quick nod, then turned and arduously walked down the steps she had so eagerly leapt up a few hours prior.
Soarin appeared to her left, spreading his wings.
“Here, let me fly with ya’. I wanted to talk with you about something, anyway.”
********************************************************************************************************
The two Pegusi landed rather sloppily on the cloud where Rainbow Dash's mansion rested.
"Gah, all this water is messin' with my balance!" Soarin said, sloppily fighting to retract his wings in the vicious wind.
“Same here! We should get inside, where it'll at least be dry!"
She stumbled over over to her door, pushed it open, and then turned to motion Soarin to step inside.
Soarin hesitated to follow.
“I don’t wanna impose or anythin--”
Without warning, a blinding flash of light illuminated the pair of Pegusi, accompanied by an immense sound of nearby thunder, causing Soarin to jump a bit in surprise.
He looked up to the turbulent gray skies. He couldn't possibly get home in this. He knew it, and he bet an experienced flyer like Dash knew it as well.
Soarin then turned his gaze to the rainbow maned pony, standing in the doorway with an amused smile on her face.
"Come on" she said. "Just 'till this storm lets up."
Rainbow Dash turned and walked into her dark home, swishing her tail playfully as she went.
Soarin half trotted and half stumbled over and followed her up the steps, and inside.
Once he was inside, he took notice of the lavish interior... Much nicer than your average weather pony could afford. He figured that her parents mush have paid for the house.
Soarin let out a short whistle.
"Some place you got here, Dash."
Rainbow Dash was over in her kitchen, which consisted of a large cooking area and a large pull-out box of cool, dark clouds serving as an ice chest. The contents though, were meager. She wasn't much for cooking, as she preferred delivery.
"Yeah, sure is...” she said, a tinge of sadness haunted her words, remnants of unpleasant memories. She cleared her throat and continued with her typical tone.
“Feel free to make yourself at home."
The cyan pony shook out her mane and tail once more, then stooped to open aforementioned ice chest. She looked at the few items of food she had. Not much, but there was enough to whip up something in a snap.
"You hungry?" she asked.
"Starved!"
Soarin's reply sounded like it was coming from another room in the house, but she couldn’t tell where...
"Say... You wouldn't happen to have any apple pie, would ya?"
"No, Soarin, I don't have any apple pie" Dash chuckled. “ I do have some apples, though, if you want.”
"Sweet, thanks.”
His voice came from just over the low counter top wall separating the kitchenette from the main living quarters. Rainbow Dash stood back up and was about to reply when she saw Soarin, not in uniform.
"I hope you don't mind, I hung up my suit in the bathroom. Don't want to catch a cold the day before a big show."
Without his suit, Soarin looked completely different. The first thing she noticed was his coat. It was almost the same color as her own, possibly a few shades lighter. Even though she saw his wings and tip of his nose through the holes in the uniform, it was very different than seeing the entire image. His cutie mark was that of an apple pie being struck by a large yellow lightning bolt.
“How fitting” she thought.
Soarin’s face was incredibly handsome and smooth. Rainbow Dash was taken aback by the stunning colt standing in front of her.
“What? Do I have something on my face?”
Rainbow Dash, suddenly realizing she had been staring at him and felt heat make it’s way to her face in embarrassment.
“I can’t let him know I was just staring at him....”
She decided to roll with it, and motioned for Soarin to wipe his face with her own hooves, a prank tactic Pinkie Pie had taught her just recently.
Soarin was wiping both sides of his face with one hoof, trying to brush off any imaginary crumbs that may have been on his muzzle.
“Yeah, you got em!” she said, still snickering at herself.
“Sweet! Oh, and by the way...”
Soarin bent down, out of her sight and returned a second later with a First Aid kit in his teeth.
“Leph tak car uf det cuu!” He said, still holding the box of medical supplies.
Rainbow Dash didn’t even try to stifle her laughter now.
“What are you trying to say?” she managed to squeak out in between fits of giggles.
“I said ‘let’s take care of that cut’!” he said once more, but this time he wasn’t muffled.
Soarin looked down at the open box of simple medical supplies and realized what let him speak with so much clarity, causing his face to turn a dull red.
"Aww horseapples..."
Rainbow Dash brought a hoof up to her mouth in some attempt to hide her laughter, but it was no use.
"Yeah yeah, now are we gunna take care of that cut or not?" Soarin said, slightly annoyed.
"Oh fine. I still think it's not that big of a big deal, though..."
She sat up on the ground, placing her front hooves on the floor between her back legs to support her as she leaned foreword.
Soarin walked around the low wall and sat on Rainbow Dash's left side where he would easily be able to treat her wound.
"Alrighty then, I'll be just a minute. Just relax and I'll be done any minute."
Rainbow Dash did as she was told and sat still, allowing Soarin to clean and disinfect the wound on her cheek, all the while admiring the gentle care he took as to not cause any pain.
But as he took care of the small wound, she couldn't help but back to yesterday yet again.
“Don't want that pretty face getting scarred now!"
Soarin’s words rang out in her head.
Rainbow Dash felt a nervous lump rise up in her throat, and she swallowed it immediately.
"H-Hey Soarin?"
"Eyaah?" came the muffled reply. Soarin was removing the sterile wrapper of a bandage for the wound he just dressed.
"I uh... I've been wondering about something you said yesterday..."
Soarin brought his wings around and took the bandage between the tips of his wings and moved to place it on his friend's cut, but said nothing.
"About my... 'pretty face' getting scarred.."
Soarin's wings were close to her face and stopped briefly but he continued, ignoring the brief hitch and began to gingerly smoothed the bandage over her cut.
"W-What did you wanna know?"
Rainbow Dash shifted her large magenta eyes to look at a nervous Soarin.
"Well.. I was wondering if you... Uh... T-thought I was... P... Pretty..."
Rainbow Dash didn't know why she was asking, but she felt like she needed to know...
No. She knew why. It was the reason she kept denying to herself over and over again. Something so obvious to her, and something she shouldn’t be afraid of.
She liked Soarin.
Soarin looked into her prodding magenta eyes his wings no longer holding a bandage, but now gently running along the soft contours of her face.
"I... Think that... Y-you're...
Her heart was beating at what felt like a million beats per second and it was increasingly difficult to keep her breathing from intensifying.
Soarin moved his left wing tip to the right side of her face and gently turned her towards him.
He drew nearer and nearer until he was only scant inches away from her face, as if he was asking permission for what was about to come.
Rainbow Dash finally gave in to what her heart had been telling her, and let go of any inhibition she had about liking Soarin. She leaned in and her lips met his in the dim room.
The two pegusi embraced for several moments, but something felt off.... Soarin was holding back.
The two slowly broke the rendezvous and returned to where they were moments before, both not quite sure what had really just happened. Soarin had a look of regret on his face, causing Rainbow Dash to jump to the conclusion that she somehow had caused this.
“L-look, Soarin, I didn’t mean to make you do anything you di--”
“No Rainbow, it’s not that... It’s all my fault...”
A look of regret melded into a look of self condemnation.
He looked into her eyes. They looked... Worried about him, but at the same time hurt. He couldn’t continue with the burden he had been carrying any longer.
He let out a heavy sigh and explained everything.
“The Wonderbolts have been observing you for quite some time now, and I’m sure you noticed today was no ordinary flying session.”
Rainbow Dash nodded, unsure of where he was going with this.
Soarin continued in a hushed tone comparable to a whisper, as if someone were listening in on their conversation.
“Well... I’m not supposed to tell you this yet, but... We want you to become a Wonderbolt.”
“What?”
She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Had she really reached her lifelong goal just like that? The one thing she wanted most in her life, achieved?
“Yep. We want you you to join us, but the thing is...”
Any fatigue or weariness or strange, foreign emotion immediately disappeared from Rainbow Dash’s body, and she leapt off the kitchen floor and shot all around her spacious living quarters. She had forgotten about the kiss, the conversation they just had, the grim tone Soarin painted with his words, and was simply overjoyed at the invitation to join her dream team. Her idols.
“OHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSH!!!!”
Soarin looked up at the ecstatic mare, jolting around with an expression of pure joy plastered on her adorable face. But that made what came next even harder.
“Rainbow Dash, that’s not all....”
At hearing her name, she immediately landed in front of Soarin and gave him a huge, two “armed” hug, standing on her back hooves to compensate for the slight difference in height.
“THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUU!!” she squealed, still not hearing what Soarin was saying.
“Rainbow!”
Rainbow Dash brought her joyous face in front of his, with her forelegs still crossed across his neck.
“Yeah?”
Soarin closed his eyes and drew in a large breath and let out what he was trying to tell her in one, rushed sentence.
“WonderboltsAren’tAllowedToBeRomanticallyInvolvedWithTheOtherWonderboltsOrElseThey’reKickedOut!”
He paused after saying these words, desperately hoping this situation would all go away and he wouldn’t have to hurt Rainbow Dash. Hoping that Rainbow Dash didn’t like him, for her sake... But it was not so.
He opened one eye slowly, praying that Rainbow Dash wasn’t sad, but again, things seemed to be working against him.
He was inches away from Rainbow, so he could see every detail of her disappointed face. The quivering lip, the teary eyes, and the sound of her upset breathing, despite her best efforts to hide it.
Rainbow Dash released Soarin from the hug and stepped back.
“Well, it’s not the end of the world. We’re just friends... Right?” He said, desperately trying to smooth over the situation.
“Yeah... Just friends”.
Rainbow’s reply was heavy with disappointment and sadness, and Soarin realized his best efforts didn’t help this hurt any less for her, in fact, they only seemed to make it worse...
The silence that hung between them was so crushing Soarin felt as if he were in the deepest part of the deepest ocean in Equestria. Rainbow Dash needed to be alone to thing stuff through, but he knew he still couldn’t fly home.
“I-I should go... It looks like you need to think about some stuff.”
He said said as he opened the door and stepped out into the gale.
No reply came from Rainbow Dash, only a brief nod as she turned and began to slowly walk towards the stairs.
Soarin’s heart sank as he watched her shuffle off. Without another word, he shut the door and stepped out onto the cloud.
“It’s all my fault... Every time I let my guard down, I get hurt...”
These were the thoughts than filled Rainbow Dash's mind as she ascended the stairs to her room, just as she did the night before. But instead of contentment, all she could feel was regret at her own actions. Soarin was right. She needed to just think...
Soarin sat on the edge of the cloud, dejected and angry at himself.
He caused a mare he was beginning to genuinely like to hurt. Now he felt he’d be lucky if she ever spoke to him again. He may have only gotten to really know her two days ago, but it felt like they were old friends. The way they flew together was unlike anything he had ever experienced before in his life....
He looked up at the bleak skies pouring frigid rain down upon him.
Warm invisible tears flowed down his cheeks and melded with the stream of rain water flowing down his body, and disappeared into the darkening white cloud below his hooves.
There he would sit for several more hours, waiting until the clouds blew away and it was safe to make the long, lonely return to Cloudsdale.
All the while he muttered the same words over and over again.
“I’m sorry... I’m so sorry...”
|
Vopogon
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1213
| 3 |
Adventure,Romance
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Soaring Hearts
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Rainbow Dash had always dreamt of becoming a Wonderbolt, but never imagined she'd fall in love with one.
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complete
| 129 | 3 |
<p>On her way home from the Gala, Rainbow Dash is stopped by a familiar face, Soarin the Wonderbolt. They two begin to race, and eventually, create something magnificent. As time goes on, the two grow closer, but it isn't as smooth as Soarin had hoped. Can he save Rainbow Dash from allowing fear to rule her?</p>
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everyone
| null |
2011-10-05T16:32:01+00:00
| 3,299 |
Soarin sat at the white table in the corner of a well lit room, an alfalfa sandwich sitting untouched before him. He craned his neck down and took a bite of the lunch item, but his appetite was almost non existent.
He chewed the morsel laboriously, willing himself to eat the piece of his favorite food. Up until a few days ago he would have powered though the meal as if it were nothing, but he just didn’t have the appetite...
The sky blue Pegasus jumped when he felt a feathery object lightly touch him on his left shoulder. He turned to find out what it was, heart still pounding. There standing next to him was a pony he’d known for many, many years.
“Geeze, Spitfire! You nearly gave me a heart attack!”
“Sorry about that.” the light yellow equine said with a light smile. “But I couldn’t help but notice... You’ve been acting rather down recently. What’s on your mind?”
Soarin turned back to his practically untouched sandwich and sighed.
“It's nothing really, I’m ok...”
Spitfire walked over to the other side of the circular table and sat.
“Come on now, Soarin, I know you too well. You should know by now you can’t get anything past me.”
Soarin looked at his friend, then looked down at the table. He pushed his sandwich out of the way and scooted closer. He and Spitfire were always able to talk to each other about problems they faced, but typically Soarin was the one in need of advice.
He knew it would be useless to try and hide it.
“Well, you see..” began Soarin, eyes floating around the room, trying in vain to ease the akwardness of the situation.
“Ah, Mare problems. Shoulda known. “ Spitfire interrupted.
The blue Wonderbolt began to protest when Spitfire shot him a disarming look, reminding him once more that she only wanted to help.
But Soarin couldn’t relax yet.... he basically knew what Spitfire’s immediate response would be, and he was NOT looking forward to it.
"Well, you know that one filly, the one with the rainbow hair? Well, I.... We... I kinda...”
The stallion, and consequently the rest of the Wonderbolt's cafeteria, was silenced by a deafening bang of furious hooves on the table.
“YOU WHAT, SOARIN?” Snarled the furious Spitfire.
All other members of the aviation team fell silent, stood up from their various places in unison,and hurriedly yet quietly vacated the room. Spitfire didn’t earn her namesake for nothing.
Soarin sat at the table, head hung in shame at himself, face burning with embarrassment, not wanting to look up at the furious mare.
The two sat alone, the dull hum of the light above their heads being the only noise for minutes. Minutes that stretched on for what seemed like miniature eternities.
Spitfire was the one to break the silence.
“Listen, Soar. You gotta colt-up and figure out a way to fix this. A mares heart can be a fragile thing.”
She paused, and Soarin raised his eyes to rendezvous with her gaze, knowing what she was eluding to. He wanted to look away, but he found it impossible.
The young mare’s eyes had a tinge of sadness, remnants of a greater sorrow that dissipated over time, but would never fully extinguish.
“I would know.” Spitfire finished the words devoid of emotion.
For a moment, her eyes weren’t gold. They were maroon. And her coat wasn’t golden, it was a beautiful light blue. Suddenly, he found himself standing infront of Rainbow Dash, in her home. Those same hurt eyes peering at him through a mist of tears.
Soarin closed his eyes, and opened them a moment later to find he was back in the Wonderbolt’s dining area, alone.
"Her eyes..." He thought "Her eyes looked exactly like Rainbow Dash's.."
After several solitary minutes of deep contemplation, The Wonderbolt rose from his spot and solemnly walked to wards the door.
He walked through the empty hallways and exited the main building, and sat himself down at the edge of the cloud in the direction of Rainbow Dash’s home.
Soarin knew what he wanted to happen, but didn’t even know if he had the courage to accomplish it.
~~~
Rainbow Dash was sitting on her bed, staring up at the open twilight sky infront of her, a few stars dotting the sky so many miles up.. Her cyan cheeks were streaked with dried tears that seldom stopped rolling down her face, but at the moment, all was calm and quiet, and she felt almost content. Rainbow Dash hadn’t cried for many months, but now she remembered how therapeutic it was for a mare to have a good, long cry once in a blue moon. Even her.
She sighed, filling her lungs with cool, evening air and opened her wings, stretching every muscle as she did. Once she was ready, she lifted herself off the miniature cloud, up and out of the hole in her roof she used to have easy access to the sky. She wanted to avoid her living quarters; she wanted to avoid the spot where she allowed herself to get too close.
Rainbow Dash closed her eyes during the slight decline to the earth many miles below. The scent of salty tears shed the previous nights and the lofty scent of cloud pillow filled her nostrils as she inhaled.
But despite her efforts to keep her mind off of last night, the thoughts kept sweeping into her head like the wind rushing of wind through her ears. She shook her head, trying to rid herself of them.
"I'm acting like a total foal..."
She brought her legs up to her face, wiping as much of the salty residue of tears away as she could from her eyes and cheeks. When she opened her eyes again, she noticed she was pointed in the direction of the same mountains she flew past on her way home from the Grand Galloping Gala a few days prior.
She remembered the golden yellow light radiating off the mountains in the morning light, promising a beautiful new day; but now they were a depressing shade of orange, growing less vibrant each second as the sun sank lower into the sky.
Rainbow Dash watched as the last sliver of light evaporated off the face of the mountain, sinking Ponyville in a calm dark evening. One by one, each one of the familiar stars of the Summer sky began to fill the vast expanse of sky.
The cyan mare was growing weary, and wanted to rest, but having drifted away from her home, the mountains were closer than the mansion of clouds. She didn’t want to return anyway. What was there to return to? Unpleasant memories and reminders of a more recent incident? To hay with that.
Rainbow Dash glided towards the mountains at a slow decent and spotted a lone cave on the face. She changed direction, headed directly for it, and landed.
The young mare turned herself about and promptly lay down at the edge of the cave mouth on a rock, scant inches away from a sheer drop.
"This always happens." she said to herself yet again. “I always fly too close to the sun.”
At this, her eyelids began to flutter, and her mind became fuzzy. She didn’t fight sleep, in fact, sleep was the only solace she could find. The Pegasus laid her head down in between her front hooves, and within moments drifted into unconsciousness.
~~~
Soarin stood at Rainbow Dash’s door, hoof hovering in front about to knock, when he heard a slight ruffling of Pegusi feathers above. The colt looked up and saw Rainbow Dash flying towards Sandalwood Mountain.
Had she seen him and fled? OR was it coincidence that she was leaving just as he arrived.
Soarin took a deep breath, dissipating the worry in his chest, and took off after her, keeping his distance. He followed her, and saw Rainbow Dash land in a small cave overlooking a darkened Ponyville.
Despite what his heart demanded, he kept flying, up to the peak of the mountain. He landed and immediately began to pace, trying to figure out what to say to her once he drummed up enough courage to speak to her. If he decided to say anything.
The young colt walked down a slight slope absentmindedly and found himself in a field of incredible flowers surrounding a small pond, brightly illuminated by a still rising moon. As he walked around, he thought about picking a few for the Cyan pony below, but decided against it.
“She isn’t that kind of mare.” he chuckled to himself in the silence.
He sat down and listened to the absolute still that blanketed the area. Not a creature was stirring, not wind was blowing. Just silence.
“Then again, she’s unlike any other mare I’ve ever met... She’s cunning, strong willed and gorgeous.”
The colt looked at the cool, still water, painted silver in the light of the moon, and saw his own reflection. He wondered for a moment how he ever got Rainbow Dash to like him. To kiss him.
“... and that’s why she’s too good for me. I’m stupid, weak and ugly.”
He melancholicly threw a hoof in the water, sending ripples throughout the small pool.
The ripples extended to the edges of the mass of water, and bounced off the dirty edge returning to the point of origin. Slowly they died out, losing their force as they went.
Soarin rolled over on his back, his mind a chaotic jumble of emotions, thoughts and worries. He liked Rainbow Dash alot, but at the same time, flying was the only thing he was good at. The only thing he'd known for as long as he remembered was the joy of flight. Whenever his mother and her coltfriend would fight, he would leave the house for hours at a time and just... Fly.
He became so good at it he joined his High School Flight Team and eventually earned a Scholarship to Cloudsdale University by his senior year. He would travel all over Equestria to compete against other teams of aviators for the honors of being top in the Nation.
At each major event, the Wonderbolts would observe and note the most promising candidates for drafting.
One day, after an especially long and grueling competition, the Leader of the Wonderbolts at the time, Captain Thunderhead, approached him and asked him if he wanted to become one of the best. To become a Wonderbolt.
Naturally, the young colt jumped at the opportunity. After all, it was what he wanted more than anything. From there he went to a special flight camp, and competed against other candidates for the position, some even his best friends since childhood.
Throughout it all, he noticed one thing. The other candidates were utterly consumed with the position. It was their drive. Their sole focus. But Soarin never lost sight of of his first love. The love of flying
One by one, the other candidates were dropped. And at the long, brutal end of it, only he and Spitfire remained. During the probationary period the two had started dating, but due to regulations they were forced to end their relationship.
Something Soarin regretted fully. He wished he never gave up on one dream for the other. He had even talked to Spitfire about quiting and returning to the way things were, but the mare didn't want to go back again, only to get hurt once more. She let a past pain rule her life.
But, it seemed as if history was doomed to repeat itself. He had begun to fall in love all over again, with a mare that loved the gift of flight as much as he did.
Soarin stared up at the millions of stars, formulating and thinking. He closed his eyes, but immidiately rolled back over on his stomach, wide eyed and hopeful.
"Maybe..." He said. "Maybe it's not too late! Maybe I CAN fix this!"
The young colt thought he knew what he had to do, but now there wasn't a shadow of a doubt. Come what may, He couldn't lose light of the joy that came from flying, and no matter what, he couldn't let Rainbow Dash lose sight of it either.
Soarin looked to the crisp, cool night, and took a deep breath, filling his lungs with his favorite scent; sky.
He knew what he had to do. And now, he finally had the courage to do it.
~~~
Rainbow Dash opened her eyes slowly, allowing herself to adjust to the harsh morning light reflecting off the clouds passing in front of her. She raised her head, yawned, and twisted her head side to side, cracking her vertebrae to relieve pressure, as was her daily morning ritual.
"Man, that rock was comfy...." She said aloud. still in a half awake state.
She paused. Rocks weren't comfy last time she checked, so she decided to check again.
Rainbow Dash looked at the boulder she had risen from, and to her complete surprise, a Wonderbolt's uniform had been folded up and placed under her head like a makeshift pillow.
She looked around the cave for a moment, searching for what she knew she’d find.
There, in the back, was a drooling Soarin. He was out of uniform and completely asleep..
She didn't quite understand what was going on, or exactly why he was here. All she knew was she had flown out here to get away from it all, but somehow it found her, even this far away from home.
Heat flooded her face, but the heat was from frustration. She picked the wadded up flight suit in her teeth and flung it across the cave, hitting the sleeping colt on the back of the head with a flop.
"What in the hay are you doing here, Soarin?!"
The male pony immediately rose from his spot and turned to face her. He began to explain himself, but was abruptly cut off by the fuming Mare.
"Didya just want to tick me off more? 'Cause it's sure working. Man, you reaally know how to treat a girl, dontcha?"
He took several small steps forward, stuttering around for he right words to say. For each step he took, Rainbow Dash took one step back.
"Rainbow, look, I'm sorry..."
"Oh, you're sorry! That makes it all better then."
The words she spoke were paired with a tone of biting sarcasm and a venomous look.
Soarin looked down at his front hooves, unsure of what he should say next. But he knew he had to say something...
Rainbow Dash shook her head, turned, and walked out to the front of the cave, spreading her wings in preparation for flight.
Soarin watched as she walked away. Something about her back as she walked screamed out "Don't follow me". But he knew if he didn’t act now, he’d run the risk of losing her forever.
He mustered up the new found courage he obtained the night before and ran to her. His hooves couldn't carry him to her fast enough. The colt skidded directly past her and stood directly in front of the mare, wings spread to their full span, denying her access to the sky.
Rainbow Dash waited for him to speak, waited for some sort of desperate apology to rush from him, but none came. Instead, Soarin threw his front legs and wings around her in a hug.
But it wasn’t just a hug. She could feel the remorse and sincerity emanating from every fiber of his body.
“Rainbow, listen to me for just a second. I know I’m the last pony you want to see right now, but I’m begging you, just come fly with me. We don’t even need to speak.”
Rainbow Dash gave no response.
Soarin released the embrace and looked in her eyes. The maroon eyes that were filled with pain only two nights before were cautiously hopeful, but he doubted their owner knew it herself.
The stallion turned to the edge of the cliff and walked right off, spreading his large blue wings and leveling out above the thick layer of rain clouds, golden in the light of the sun. Much to his dismay, the light sound of Pegasus wings following close behind were not heard. Soarin had one final card to play.
“Hey Dash!” He called out. “Try to keep up!”
Not two seconds later, a lightning fast light blue blur raced past him, rainbow trail in tow.
Soarin let a wide goofy grin stretch across his face, and a hearty chuckle escape his mouth.
“Rainbow Dash hasn’t lost that spark after all...”
With that, the Wonderbolt bolted off in pursuit.
The two pegusi tore through the sky like they never have before, letting their emotions of frustration and remorse give way to joy and excitement, blasting through clouds at blistering speed.
Soarin eventually took the lead and shot directly up with Rainbow Dash close behind. The pair flew higher and higher, until the Wonderbolt preformed a loop-de-loop and leveled out, parallel with the earth, and slowed. Rainbow Dash pulled next to him and poked his side with her hoof.
“Getting tired there?” she playfully jabbed.
Soarin laughed. “Not just yet. Hey, you remember what happened that first night we flew together?”
Recent memories of the spectacular Lightning Rainboom they preformed came back to her instantaneously.
“Hey yeah! What about it?”
“Let’s do it again.”
Rainbow Dash stopped flapping for a moment, until she noticed herself declining in altitude, then corrected herself and returned to her position.
“Are you crazy?! I don’t even know if we’d be able to pull that off again!”
He looked over at Rainbow Dash, multi colored mane wildly whipping about in the strong wind. Her beautiful blue coat almost melding in with the endless late morning sky. Her eyes, ready, wanting to alight with joy and passion again. But she still needed that extra push.
“So, you’re scared to take a chance, then?” Soarin said, knowing exactly what she needed to get her going.
No hesitation came from her.
At that moment, her eyes reignited, screaming at him, saying that she wasn’t going to let anything keep her down. She was ready to take another chance.
"Oh, you're on, flyboy!"
The two pulled up vertically, facing opposite directions, back to back, wing to wing. Each stopped flapping their wings and allowed themselves to float in midair for a brief period of time. To both pegusi though, the moment was of pure euphoria.
The two ponies surrendered themselves to gravity, and let themselves beginning their rapid decent.
No communication was needed between them. They were as one entity. They turned as one, they rolled as one and they flew as one.
Rainbow Dash and Soarin hit a string of billowing thunderheads, gathering energy and spare electricity on their coats as they plummeted towards the Equestrian ground ahead.
As they exited the final cloud, a large vapor cone formed around the two, signaling the near penetration of the Sonic Barrier. Any mistake or miscalculation at this point could prove disasterous.
The two passed the point of no return and pressed into the cone vigorously as the ground neared them. They were running out of time, and space!
But neither thought of that; it was only them against the odds now.
Rainbow Dash could tell she was at the threshold, but waited for Soarin to give the word. If she breached the barrier even a fraction of a second before him, he probably wouldn't survive. This maneuver required absolute synchronization.
“Three....” Soarin yelled over the incredible noise, signaling the beginning of the countdown. “Two.... ONE!”
The world fell silent. There was no noise of the wind, or a loud boom from the sound barrier being shattered. It was only Him and Her, ripping thought the sky, and ploughing thought the immense layer of golden clouds covering this part of the world, emerging in a much darker environment.
Both ponies looked back at the astounding sight behind. Several colassal rainbow colored lighting bolts fanned out from the duo as they continued rocketing towards the ground. The first time they did a Lightning Rainboom, the skies had been clear. But this time, their spectacular feat had drawn electricity from the clouds around them, creating a much larger spectacle.
Soarin tore his gaze away from the sky and redirected it toward the ground, and much to his horror, the ground was closer than he thought it would be.
“DASH! BRAKE, NOW!”
She got the hint, and the two pegusi broke off from one another, and braked harder than either of have in their lives.
Soarin saw that Dash wasn’t stopping as fast as she needed to. If he didn’t do something, she would be in a world of hurt. The colt immediately tilted his wings and glided under the mare, positioning himself so that he would break her fall, wrapping his legs around her torso.
The pair impacted a grassy hill overlooking a meadow with a wet thud. As they slid toward the base, the deafening roars of the Lighting Rainboom still resounded through the sky, and the massive bolts of lightning continually lashed randomly outwards.
When they came to a halt, Rainbow Dash opened her eyes, which were shut tight in the moments during impact, and noticed where she lay.
She was on Soarin’s chest, his eyes were closed and his breathing was shallow. Immediately, she thought the worst.
“...Dash?” the Wonderbolt said with labored breathing.
Rainbow Dash couldn’t tell if the water running down her face was rain or tears.
“Y-Yes?”
Soarin coughed viciously, retching violently.
“I need you t-to... Do me a favor..”
Rainbow Dash drew closer to his face, as his voice was growing dimmer by the moment, drowned out by the sound of falling rain.
“Anything.” she said, her voice trembling from the sorrow that was now welling up inside her.
“I need you to... to... get off my chest...”
“What was that? You need to get something off your chest?” she asked.
Soarin nodded with great effort and squeaked out his words.
“You.”
Rainbow Dash hurriedly tried to decipher what he was trying to say, thinking this might mean life or death, and then it hit her.
He literally meant off his chest.
The mare slid off the colt and lay beside him, holding his hoof in hers, hoping desperately he would be alright. There was a slight pause, followed by several sharp inhalations and a chuckle from Soarin.
“So, I take it you don’t hate me again?”
Rainbow Dash looked at his face, his signature grin smeared across it from ear to ear.
Immediately, she let go of his hoof and sat up, slightly annoyed and blushing.
“S-So... You’re not dying?” she asked.
“Not that I know of.” Soarin replied.
“Do your ribs hurt?”
“No, why?”
Rainbow Dash delivered a soft jab into his ribs without warning, causing Soarin to arch and roll over in surprise.
“That’s for making me worry, numbskull!” Rainbow Dash said, scoffing at the colt.
The colt rolled back over, laughing, and winced.
“Thanks.” he said, chuckling. “But couldn’t you have found a less painful way to show affection?”
The two looked at the ridiculous state they were in; covered in mud, in the middle of nowhere, and sopping wet.
Rainbow Dash began to laugh along with him. Both ponies began laughing harder and harder, until they both fell over in the meadow, side by side, in a fit of hilarity.
Once the cachinnation came to an end, the two caught their breath while staring up at the sky, still flickering alive with rainbow colored bolts of lightning.
The two lay there for several long minutes, just enjoying the company of one another, watching a rare phenomena in the sky. They listened to the dying growl of the thunder and pitter-patter of the rain falling.
The result of when two individuals come together and accomplish something extraordinary.
“Hey Dash?” Soarin said, breaking the relative silence.
Rainbow Dash said nothing but flopped over on her side, facing him, squishing the wet grass beneath her.
"I got something for ya’..."
"Oh? What is it?" asked the curious mare.
The sky blue colt paused for a moment, as if contemplating a serious quandary. At last, he took a breath and let it go.
"I want you to have my spot on the Wonderbolts."
Rainbow Dash was stunned at what she just heard, so much so, she didn't even know if she heard him correctly.
"Waitwaitwaitwait.... what?"
“I'm quitting the Wonderbolts." He said once more, matter-of-factly.
Rainbow Dash sat up and leaned over the supine colt, giving him a confused look.
"But why?! You're part of the most awesomest team ever! Why would you want to quit?!"
Soarin smiled sweetly at the girl. He had finally found something worth doing anything for. Or rather, someone.
"I've had my fun. Now it's your turn. You've always wanted to become a Wonderbolt, now's your chance. Besides..."
Soarin slowly sat up as Rainbow Dash moved out of his path. He then turned to face the mare, caked with mud and blades of grass, and gave her a long hug, tossing his head over her shoulder and holding her close to his equally filthy body.
“I don't need the Wonderbolts to be happy." He said softly
"I’ve already found the most awesomest team ever."
Rainbow Dash paused, reflecting on what he was saying. He was willing to give up his career to simply be with her.
She then closed her eyes and returned the embrace whole-heartedly, leaning her head against Soarin’s, hugging him closer with her hooves.
She let herself become consumed in the moment. The glorious moment when the rain relents, and the sun shines golden light through the silver clouds, promising a bright new day once more.
The beautiful moment when she was in the arms of someone that loved her no matter what.
She raised her lips up to his ears and softly whispered
“I think I did too.”
|
Conner Cogwork
|
1215
| 1 |
Main 6,Comedy,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Apple Folly
|
Appfelpfankuchen, a dessert pancake made with apples, and a perfect kitchen challenge for a pegasus like Rainbow Dash!
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complete
| 126 | 2 |
<p>Appfelpfankuchen, a dessert pancake made with apples, and a perfect kitchen challenge for a pegasus like Rainbow Dash! Question is, will she taste sweet victory? Or bitter defeat?</p>
|
everyone
|
2011-10-05T20:52:57+00:00
|
2011-10-05T20:52:57+00:00
| 5,704 |
Apple Folly
By Conner Cogwork
Appfelpfankuchen, a dessert pancake made with apples, and a perfect kitchen challenge for a pegasus like Rainbow Dash! Question is, will she taste sweet victory? Or bitter defeat?
-------------------------------
“Appfelpfankuchen?” the magician asked, thoroughly confused about her friend’s most recent project.
“Yeah!” Rainbow Dash cheered as she hovered alongside her purple friend down the road into Ponyville proper. “I’ve heard Applejack go on for hours about the stuff! And she always makes it sound really tasty! I mean, it’s an apple pancake! Pancakes are foal’s play!”
“Uh-huh.” She was given a flat look. “And you say you’re going to cook this... Appfelpfankuchen... by yourself?”
“You betcha!” the pegasus punched the air in excitement. “AJ even gave me the recipe and everything! How much trouble could it be to fix?”
Twilight simply raised an eyebrow. “Dash… I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in the kitchen before… Tell me, you can cook for yourself, right?”
A hoof was waved. “Seriously Twi, it can’t be that hard. I mean, it’s an APPLE PANCAKE. All I need to do is follow the directions, right? No problem at all!”
Her dark-maned companion wasn’t so assured. “Dash, I know you’re excited about this, but don’t forget to take your time! Cooking is all about chemistry and timing, and I happen to know you’re not real big on either.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” The cyan mare fixed her with a challenging look. “Hey, I’ll tell you what. At sundown, get your cloud-walking spell ready. I’ll treat all five of you to my pancakes, and prove that I’m just as good a cook as anypony else! You’ll see! I’ll drop by Sugarcube Corner, grab the right stuff, and mix it up! Easy as Pinkie Pie.”
The unicorn blanched. “Did you just call Pinkie ‘EASY’?”
Rose eyes widened as hooves flew to her mouth. “Uhm... I-I mean... N-No, not like THAT! I mean... oh just ferget it!” She flapped on ahead, her previous good mood having been soured by her slip.
Twilight couldn’t help but shake her head and sigh with a smile. Well, it’s free dinner. she mused. But with Rainbow as the head chef... her expression then clouded with worry. Would they be walking away with full bellies? Or green faces?
--------------------------
“OkieDokieDashie!” The party pony eagerly enthused, hopping up and down in front of her friend. “What’cha need for them appley goodies!?”
The pegasus referenced her list once more, a tongue stuck out in concentration. Both her and the pie filly were alone in Sugarcube Corner’s kitchen, the only place in Ponyville where Rainbow knew for certain would have the items she needed. After a length of perusing her list, she finally spoke.
“Well… I’ve only heard of half of these things before, so you’re gonna have to bear with me. Um… I’m going to need Baking powder.’
“Sure thing! Do you want Clabber Filly, Old Indian, or Generic Storebrand Name?!”
Dash blinked. That’s a lot of names. “Uhm… Storebrand’s cheaper, right? I’ll go with that.”
The Earth-pony gave a quick disapproving look, but other wise shrugged, no questions asked. She stuck a hoof into a cabinet, and retrieved a can of the leavening agent. “OkieDokieLokie. What else?”
“Er… Unsalted butter.” The blue pony made a face. “Butter normally has salt in it?”
“Uh-huh! The taste can be REALLY different, depending on what you use!” The pink filly then performed a cartwheel towards the fridge, opening it up and rummaging with her hind hooves alone, before somersaulting back with a stick of butter in tow. Placing it on the counter, she then asked “What else?!”
“Let’s see… what’s a Nut-meeg?”
“Oh, NUTMEG! It’s a nut! But it’s named Meg! I don’t know WHY they call it that, but it tastes REALLY good when it’s ground up and used to season apples! Sometimes I use it to season spinach too! Though I don’t suggest you use spinach and apples in the same dish at the same time, cause that would be weird.”
Rainbow raised an eyebrow. Why name a nut if you were going to grind it? Why would you use it to even season spinach? She hated spinach. “Okay, moving right along. The last thing I need is… either Vanilla sugar, or…. Vanilla ten times sugar?” She gave her list a disbelieving look.
“Ooooooooh~” Pinkie crooned. “That stuff’s STRONG. I’ll have to look for it! Be right back!!”
The pegasus waited patiently for her pink pony friend to return. She hadn’t thought it’d be so much. Everything else, she knew she had at home. Or otherwise, could make do. It’s not that hard. she assured herself. It’s just an apple pancake. That’s all there is to it. You’ll prove that you’re just as good at cooking as either Applejack or Pinkie Pie!
Pinkie did return, with a sizable sack that gave the little filly a good deal of struggling as she hauled it through the kitchen. “Got it all! Here you go Dashie! You’ll be on your way to Apple-fell-fanny-cutie in no-time!”
“That’s Appfelpfankuchen.” Rainbow corrected, but spread her wings as she motioned for Pinkie to load her up. The party pony glanced at her, then at the bag, and then back again.
“Uhm... Dashie? You sure you wanna be carrying ALL this stuff by yourself?”
She gave her friend a look of consternation. “Of course I’m sure. What, you don’t think I can handle it?”
“Well it’s not that.” Pinkie stated, eyes directed at the ceiling as she began to ramble. “It’s just that a cup of sugar weighs about seven ounces, and two cups plus a hoof-full makes for a pound, and there’s an awful lotta cups of sugar in this bag, which means a lotta pounds. Actually, I think it’s even got more pounds than Rarity, but don’t tell her I was talking about her weight, cause then she’ll get all mad and huffy and be all like-”
“Pinkie.” Dash interrupted, an even tone to her voice. “I’ve carried Rarity. And three Wonderbolts, all at the same time. I think I can handle a bag of sugar.”
The frizzy-maned one clopped her forehooves together in trepidation. “Well, it’s not that I don’t believe you, but, uhm, you’ve never hauled rocks before Dashie, like I have. And there’s a certain kind of-”
“PINKIE.” Louder, more firm, accompanied by a glare. “Load me up.”
Three minutes later finally saw Rainbow Dash leaving the corner. Equestria’s fastest pegasus trundled along at a snail’s pace, her face lined with strain, as she hoped to high Celestia that the results would be well worth the back pain.
--------------------------
It was not working out like she had planned at all.
Step one: Batter.
“Okay… let’s see here.” Rainbow Dash stated as she stood at the kitchen table in her cloud-home. She was fairly excited. Besides cooking instant Carrot noodles or cloud-zapping frozen flowers, she had never really had a need to use her kitchen all that much. This was her first real excuse to put it to the test!
I’ll show ‘em. she thought to herself. Twilight’ll see that I can do this just as good as anypony! Now... to see if I really CAN! So let’s start!
She squinted her rose eyes at the recipe. “For the pancake batter: Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into a small mixing bowl and make a...” she paused, her eyes jumping ahead a few lines. “Whisk the milk, egg, butter… until smooth…” Her rose orbs flickered again. “Pour into the dry ingredients, and whisk until creamy. Cover and let stand… Okay! No problem!” she then crowed. “It just needs me to put it all in a bowl and mash it all together!”
Flour and milk drops began flying as she proceeded to follow what she’d read. However, what she’d read, was not the whole recipe. Being an impatient sort usually encouraged one to SPEED-read through any piece of text that they encountered, instructions on batter-construction or not.
The bowl she was using, was finding itself quickly overwhelmed as Dash took a whisk to its contents and began to stir. And Stir.
And Stir.
And Stir.
Her eyes narrowed as her jaw cramped. Removing the whisk, she took a good long look at her bowl. The flour was clumping up and making the batter stiff, slowing things down.
“I know what it needs.” she declared. “More lube!”
Lube appeared in the form of two cups more milk than what the recipe originally called for. She then narrowed her eyes as she added “And secondly… More SPEED!”
The blue pegasus flapped her wings, took to the air, hovered herself over the bowl with the whisk in her mouth, and then proceeded to turn herself into a multihued maelstrom. Upon making contact with the batter, the kitchen walls were instantly redecorated in painted spots of beige and white.
She finished, and sat herself back down, admiring her handiwork. It was batter, alright. Lumpy and foamy batter, with chunks of unmelted butter bobbing on the surface. But batter nonetheless.
Dash then looked about the room, and discovered the impromptu redecoration that had blown through. “Whoops.” She chuckled nervously. “Got a little carried away there. Ahh well, I’ve been wanting to do something to the place anyways... hope the stuff doesn’t smell when it dries.”
--------------------------
Step two: Apple Mixture.
After a quick wipe-down of her table, Rainbow tried her best to ignore the clumps that were clinging to her mane as she stared down the collection of Golden Delicious apples she had been given from her farmer friend, with blessing.
“Okay.” She stated, glancing to her recipe again. “Quarter each apple, letting the slices fall... Add the sugar mixture and lemon, toss well... Melt the butter in a heavy 12-inch skillet over moderate heat, then… Ah! Just mix up the apples with stuff, and then cook it! That’s easy!”
She brandished an apple-slicing mold that she had obtained for this very purpose. Slicing the apples were a piece of cake. Sure, a few of them still had seeds, but hey, she’d seen AJ eat apples whole before. Surely a few seeds wouldn’t kill a pony, right?
She dumped them into a bowl, and added the sugar and cinnamon. Simple enough. The filly couldn’t help but beam in pride at herself for that flawless execution. She went and grabbed the next ingredient. A bag of… vanilla lemon drops.
It had called for lemon juice. She was certain she had some beforehand, but a quick search after her return from the Corner had revealed that she was out. For a minute, the pegasus had considered flying back to the bakery to see if they had any... but a glance at the clock told her it would take too long.
She would make do. Vanilla lemon drops were just as good, right? Besides, she figured they would melt when cooked anyways, so she didn’t see it as that big a deal. The whole bag was added as she enthused to herself “I bet these’ll be the BEST apple pancakes anypony’s ever EATEN!”
Finally, it came to the nuts named Meg. As she retrieved the bottle from the sack, it rattled in her grip. Surprised, she looked inside the vessel.
Pinkie had given her whole nutmeg, not ground. Did the recipe call for ground? She couldn’t remember right off the top of her head, and she didn’t want to waste time searching for a few measly words.
The blue pony shrugged. Grinding takes too much time anyways. she told herself as she added the contents of the whole entire bottle to the mixture, each nut making a dull sound as it landed.
After mixing and setting in a skillet over heat, she stirred the cinnamon mixture steadily. The cinnamon smelled heavenly, and she couldn’t wait for the drops to start melting too. Eventually she got her wish, but accompanied with unexpected results, as an aroma reminiscent to burnt sugar began to waft from the pan.
She didn’t see any burn marks on the final mixture. It had become a large, sticky and lumpy mass during the process. But the smell was bad enough to call for opening every window in the house.
“Hmmm… maybe I used too many Lemon drops.”
--------------------------
Step three: Pancake assembly
“Okay, so… the batter goes inside the pan FIRST…” The pegasus unsteadily held a pitcher full of liquid dough in her mouth, over a blazing hot skillet, her eyes switching back and forth between the stove and the recipe. “I need to… coat the bottom of the pan evenly. The bottom? Well… if it says so…”
She proceeded to grab the handle of her utensil with both hooves, before flipping the entire thing upside-down. The rising heat from the newly-exposed surface made her squint, as a smile of realization crossed her occupied lips.
“Welp, of course the bottom! That’s where the pan’s hottest! Makes perfect sense!” She grinned to herself as she proceeded to tilt her head, pouring her batter on-
-And then proceeded to scream in terror and shock as a gout of smoke erupted right into her face. The burner had been set too high.
The next minute or so involved Rainbow Dash running blindly about in her kitchen, wailing like a siren. When it was deduced that wasn’t getting her any results, she began groping for her kitchen sink. It was much to her relief when she finally found it and washed her eyes out. Doubtless they would be red and puffy for a day or so, but at least she could see straight again.
She returned to her stove, to see that her first pancake had, in her absence, become less of a pancake and more like a wheel of char. For the first time that evening, she grudgingly made herself re-read the recipe. At least, a certain portion of it that concerned her very much.
“Ooooooooh.” the pegasus chanted in understanding. “The Bottom, not the BOTTOM… geeze, why’s this gotta be so complicated?” She rubbed at a still stinging eye, face set in frustration. “How can anypony with half a featherbrain be expected to follow this?”
--------------------------
Halfway across Ponyville, a mailmare removed a rack of muffins from her oven, mouth watering as the aroma of real cooking drifted through her dwelling.
“Muuuuuffiiiiiins!”
--------------------------
Step four: Serving.
Despite being tired, sore, red-eyed, and coated in dough and flour in many places on her body, she was nevertheless feeling quite chipper as they all seated themselves.
“I’m SO glad you all managed to come!” Dash exclaimed happily to her gathered friends as they nestled themselves around her dining room table. “You guys have NO idea how much this means to me!”
“Well shoot, darlin’!” Applejack drawled. “If yer all gonna serve us some grub, y’all know ah’m more than happy to try’em! ‘Sides, ah’m dyin’ t’know how the recipe turned out fer yah!”
“Uh-huh!” Pinkie Pie cheered, bouncing up and down at her spot at the table. “You’re the bestest flier around, who says you can’t also be the bestest COOK?”
“Appfelpfankuchen, you say?” Rarity crooned, her eyes alight in curiosity. “It sounds delightfully foreign. I would be more than delighted to sample one, Rainbow.”
Fluttershy simply nodded her agreement, while Twilight kept a happy, if somewhat worried, expression on her face. I can only hope that Pinkie’s right! “So… when do we eat, Dash?”
“Just give me ten seconds!” the pegasus exclaimed, before zooming off back into the kitchen. The purple unicorn took the opportunity to briefly quiz her friends.
“Do any of you know if Rainbow’s ever cooked before?” she asked, unable to keep the worried tone out of her voice.
The farmer bunched her brows up as she thought. “Well... ah recall one time she packed watercress sandwiches fer a picnic. But sandwiches ‘n cookin’ are two different things. Ah can’t say ah rightly recall her ever doin’ a hot dish.”
“Neither can I, to be honest.” the dressmaker agreed. “I’ve run into her at the store multiple times, but every time I have, she usually has a few cups of instant carrot noodles in her basket.”
“Uhm...” Fluttershy finally raised her head to speak. “There was one time when she was helping me make hot chocolate for the local deer. I... I had her boil the water.”
Twilight quirked an eyebrow. “What happened?”
“The... the pot caught on fire.”
Before anypony could say anything else, their blue pegasus hostess returned with a bunch of plates balanced on her wings, head, and back. She had a content smile on her face as she served each pony with a flourish, the pride evident in her posturing.
As Dash seated herself at the head of the table, she allowed the plate on her head to rest in front of her. She then beamed at all her friends. “Here we go, everypony! Dig in!”
There was a bout of silence as gaping wide eyes stared at the meal in front of them.
Nopony had to heart to say this to Rainbow. But sitting there on each of their plates… there sat a monstrosity. It at least resembled a pancake. A pancake colored the shade and texture of an angry lava field. A pancake that emitted the aroma of burnt candy and toasted flour. A pancake that, when Pinkie poked at it, came apart with a crack like a dry and brittle tree branch, complete with falling bits of bark.
“Uhm…” Twilight stammered. She would gladly have drunken an entire bottle of hot sauce if it had meant avoiding this dish.
“Uh… guys?” The speedster-come-chef looked at her friends with a disappointed face, having caught their expressions. “Let me guess… I used too many lemon drops, huh?”
“Lemon drops?!” Applejack thundered, hat popping up slightly. “Weren’t you s’possed to use lemon juice?”
“Well, yeah, but lemons are lemons, so I thought-“
“You took a shortcut, didn’t you, Rainbow?” the student piped up. “You really thought that vanilla lemon drops were an acceptable substitute for lemon juice?”
The blue pony ducked her head, a sheepish grin on her face. “Uhm... yes?”
“Mmmph! Thishp ifp good, Rainbow!”
This had come from the opposite end of the table. Pinkie Pie had built up the courage to try the blackened dish… and was now in the process of wolfing it down. “Iph donth knof abouf you guyths, buht ah tink shphes good!”
“Y-you think?” Rainbow Dash grinned, heartened once more, before looking down at her own plate… and proceeding to take a bite.
The taste of burnt apples, bits of whole nuts, and prevailing odor of ash came in contact with her tongue. Instantly, she felt her eyes watering again.
“… oh.” she mumbled, before moving to the side and spitting it out.
“I especially like how you used whole nutmeg, instead of just grinding it up!” the party pony continued, her mouth apparently capable of withstanding the most charred of foods. “It really gives it that extra crunch. I’ll have to keep it in mind the next time I make spinach!”
“Whole?” Twilight whispered, before shaking her head. “I somehow knew this would happen. You got impatient, didn’t you Dash?”
“Yeah… I did.” Their friend sighed before taking a swig of water. “I thought cooking was gonna be easy… I really wanted to show you guys that I could cook as good as anypony.”
“Sugarcube.” Applejack began, politely shoving her plate away from her. “It’s nothin’ to be ashamed of. We all have our talents. An’ we all have our weaknesses. Say...” She then leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. “Did y’all know that though ah can make a pie with the best o’ them, ah cain’t cook pasta to save mah life? Ah always wind up overcookin’ ‘em, an’ they come out a right sorry mash.”
A round of chuckling surrounded the table, before the purple pony herself spoke up. “I can make tea, or coffee, or even toast by myself. But honestly... Spike does so much of the cooking, that I’ve become a little dependent on him. Usually I can’t make more for myself than a daffodil sandwich.”
“I can attest to being too hurried to cook at times. “ Rarity piped up as well. “There was one time when I had a client coming over, and I hadn’t had dinner yet. So I tossed some hay, carrots, and a clove of garlic into a pan of water and set the burner on high.” She rolled her eyes. “Never again. It took days to get the smell out of the Boutique.”
It amused Dash to think that even the glamorous unicorn had her off days in the kitchen. She couldn’t help but snicker as she took another swig of her water. “Okay okay, I think I get it.” she stated. “Not every pony is good in the kitchen. Least of all me. I guess I should stick to flying, huh?”
“It’s alright, Dash.” Fluttershy enthused. “If you ever wanted to give it another shot, you just simply have to slow down. Follow the steps carefully. Take the time to taste your wares before you serve them.”
“Oh indeed.” Rarity chuckled nervously, finally shifting her own plate away from her. “Cooking may not be your best strong suit, dearie. But that doesn’t mean you’re a weak pony. No-one here can clear the sky like you can.”
“That’s right, Rainbow.” Applejack added, a smile to her face. “An’ ah can’t think of anypony else ah’d rather have in charge of the weather. Don’t quit yer day job!”
For some reason, that made the vibrant-maned pegasus bark out a laugh. It wasn’t long before the entire table with filled with giggles and chuckles, as every pony, including Dash, shoved their plates away. That only left Pinkie glancing around at the burnt foodstuffs, eyes narrowed as she asked her question.
“So… if you guys aren’t gonna eat yours… can I have them?”
FIN
I
I
Unless you want a taste yourself! Then look down below!
I
I
Apfelpfankuchen
It’s a real dish! If you’re feeling as adventurous as Rainbow Dash, and know your way around the kitchen, then here’s the recipe for you to attempt your own! Good luck!
Ingredients
Batter:
1 1/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups milk
1 extra large egg
1 tablespoon melted unsalted butter or margarine
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Apple Mixture:
3 medium-sized Golden Delicious or tart cooking apples (about 1 1/4 pounds)
2 tablespoons sugar mixed with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons unsalted butter or margarine
1/4 cup water
Toppings:
2 tablespoons Vanilla Sugar or Vanilla 10X sugar
Can also use a lemon syrup sauce or plain vanilla ice cream!
Directions
For the pancake batter: Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into a small mixing bowl and make a well in the center. Whisk the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth in a 1-quart measure. Pour into the dry ingredients, and whisk until creamy. Cover and let stand while you prepare the apples. Do not use two cups more milk that originally called for, and most definitely do not use a tornado maneuver to stir.
For the apple mixture: Quarter each apple, then peel, core, and slice each quarter crosswise 1/8-inch thick, letting the slices fall into a large mixing bowl. Add the sugar mixture and lemon juice and toss well (Do not substitute with vanilla lemon drops at this time.) Melt the butter in a heavy 12-inch skillet over moderate heat, then let it foam up and subside. Add the apple mixture and saute 2 minutes, stirring often. Pour in the water, reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook 5 minutes. Uncover, raise the heat to moderate and boil, uncovered, shaking the skillet often, for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, just until all juices boil away. Scoop the skillet mixture into a 1-quart measure and reserve.
Preheat the oven to 150 to 200 degrees F.
To cook the pancakes: Generously oil the bottom (not the BOTTOM) and sides of a well-seasoned 10-inch omelet pan or spray with nonstick vegetable cooking spray and set over moderate heat for 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat, pour in a scant 1/3 cup of the pancake batter, and tilt the pan first to 1 side, then to another, until the batter coats the bottom of the pan in a thin, even layer. Set the pan on a hot pad on the counter, then by hand, arrange 1/2 cup of the apple slices on top of the batter in the pan, distributing them as evenly as possible. Pour in another scant 1/3 cup batter, covering the apples as uniformly as possible. Tilt the pan gently to distribute the batter more evenly, if necessary.
Set the skillet over moderate heat and cook the pancake, uncovered for 1 minute. Reduce the heat to low and cook, uncovered, 2 minutes longer, until the pancake has dried around the edge and holes begin to appear on top. Spray a small, thin-bladed spatula with the cooking spray, carefully loosen the pancake around the edge, then shake the pan over the heat several times until the pancake moves freely. Quickly spray a large, flat round plate with the cooking spray and ease the pancake onto it right side up. Using potholders to protect your fingers, invert the omelet pan on the plate, then invert once again so the pancake is in the pan uncooked side down. Set over moderate heat and cook the pancake, uncovered, for 2 minutes. Slide onto a large round, ovenproof plate, cover with foil, and set in the warm oven. Cook the remaining pancakes the same way, recoating the skillet with cooking spray before each new pancake. As each new pancake finishes cooking, slide on top of the foil covered pancake, top with more foil and return to the warm oven. When ready to serve, slide each pancake onto a heated plate and dust with vanilla sugar.
The method above is complicated. Below is a broiler method that may be easier for new cooks to handle.
Broiler method: Set the broiler rack 6 to 7 inches below the heating element and preheat the broiler. Follow the basic recipe, but be sure that the omelet pan or skillet you use has a flameproof handle. As soon as a pancake has browned 3 minutes in the skillet on top of the stove, transfer to the broiler and broil 3 to 3 1/2 minutes, until nicely tipped with brown. Carefully loosen the pancake around the edge with a spatula, ease right side up onto a large round plate, cover with foil, and keep warm. Cook the 3 remaining pancakes the same way. Dust with sugar and serve.
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Windchaser
|
1216
| 1 |
Apple Bloom,Big Macintosh,Main 6,Princess Celestia,Zecora,Adventure,Dark,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
The Sanguine Hibiscus
|
Twilight and her friends struggle to take Ponyville back from their own dreams.
|
hiatus
| 7 | 5 |
<p>When a mysterious flower is brought to Ponyville from the Everfree forest, many ponies begin experiencing incredibly realistic dreams. Most residents of the small town choose to lock themselves away, living in the dream rather than reality. When Twilight recruits the only other ponies still awake to help her, they discover the dark truth of what has befallen their kin.</p>
|
teen
|
2011-10-05T20:31:27+00:00
|
2011-10-05T20:31:27+00:00
| 1,762 |
“Lily, should we really be out this far? Everfree is off-limits for a reason!” Roseluck bemoaned from the rear of the group. Their hooves crunched on the leaves and twigs of the forest floor, sunlight dappling the scenery around them through the thick canopy above. While it was not too far into the forest, the atmosphere was much different than any of the three were comfortable with.
The pink pony laughed exuberantly at her friend. “Oh, Rosie! We need to find something to WOW the judges this year! Surely something exotic from here is sure to win us the Manehattan Botanist Competition! With us three on a team together, we’re sure to win!” Lily called back, leading the group into ever thickening foliage.
Daisy looked around the area nervously, trotting apprehensively. “I know the competition means a lot to you Lily, but is it worth getting eaten by a manticore? Turned to stone by a cockatrice?” Roseluck squeaked in terror from the thought of such fates.
“Oh, don’t be such fillies, you two! How about if we don’t find anything in the next clearing, we head back? Does that sound good?” The two earth ponies nodded, drawing a sigh from the lead mare.
The sun crawled tepidly across the sky, the hour passing at a sluggish pace. Lily’s eyes picked something out before them: the trees thinned out several yards in front of them. She surged forward, the two other ponies following her. Lily burst out into a large grassy field, flowers and bushes spread out across the large expanse. They all spread out through the long swaths of grasses and flowers, investigating each bloom for the special exotic quality Lily wanted.
“Anypony find anything?” Roseluck yelled from the edge of the clearing, her head poking up from behind a curtain of long grass. She spied her companions’ heads pop up one after the other, each shaking their head in frustration.
“Just some dandelions over here,” Daisy replied.
“Nothi- AAAAAAH!”
“LILY!” the two shouted in unison upon hearing their friend scream. They dashed through the grass, leaping and galloping to where Lily’s head had just been. Before they could halt their momentum, the two fell over a sheer drop into a deep ditch in the ground, piling on top of Lily.
After a few moments, the three finally each got to their hooves, brushing the dirt from their coats and manes. Lily nursed a small cut on her foreleg, before she noticed something. “Girls?”
“Yeah?” The pair replied simultaneously.
“I think I just found our flower.”
In the middle of the wide ditch sat a single, lone flower waving in the light breeze. Its petals were a deep scarlet, and appeared almost translucent with small white spots scattered across them. The stem was a deep green, two thick leaves sprouting from the base, bright green against the brown dirt beneath. The three gazed in wonder at the strange flower, completely enraptured with its beauty.
“It’s... so pretty! What is it?” Roseluck asked, her eyes locked on the flower.
“It looks like some sort of hibiscus... But I’ve never seen any kind like THIS before!” Daisy replied.
“I’m thinking this will guarantee us a win this year! And not a moment too soon! The competition’s coming up next week!” Lily brought a hoof to her chin. “I’m... gonna bring it home with me. I’ll... keep it at my place until then.”
Roseluck looked at Lily. She seemed hypnotized somehow by the flower, utterly lost in its beauty. “That sounds... okay. Let’s get out of here, though. If we leave now, we can make it back to Ponyville before dark.”
Daisy and Roseluck climbed out from the ditch, looking back to Lily. “Lily! Come on! We’re leaving!”
Lily shook her head, returning her attention to her friends. She pulled out her small trowel and scooped the hibiscus from the dirt and into a container, strapping it to her back, on top of her saddlebags. “Coming!”
***
“Lily! COME ON! We’re running late! We’re up next!!” Roseluck hissed, keeping her voice hushed. The lights in the auditorium were hot and oppressive on Lily. She was already sweating when they had just gotten to Manehattan earlier that morning, and the lights weren’t helping.
The judges were making their way around the displays, many large and elaborate, relying more on arrangements of common flowers and greens than anything too complicated or exotic while they had just the one hibiscus in a simple arrangement of ivy and evergreens. Lily had to be honest with herself. She was scared. She was out of her league if she just planned on winning with a single flower, and in some pitiful arrangement.
“Oh, Lily, it’ll be alright! I’m sure the judges will love it!” Daisy patted Lily on the shoulder, trying desperately to comfort her friend. Lily looked back at the hibiscus again. The petals were glowing in the bright light, the white spots shining like small stars. It turned out the petals were translucent, similar to a deep crimson stained glass window.
The flower was perfectly healthy. Lily took the small watering bottle and soaked the loamy soil the flower was rooted in, the dirt thirstily drinking it up. Lily checked the arrangement checklist. Water. check. Ivy in place. check. Evergreen needles pointing the right way. check. Not much to go over, but Lily wanted to make sure everything was-
“Miss Lily, Miss Roseluck, and Miss Daisy, I presume?”
Perfect.
“Y-Yes, that’s us!” Roseluck stammered, striking a confident posture. Lily turned around to see the three judges: two mares and a stallion, all earth ponies. Lily put on a feeble smile as the judges moved in closer for a look at their entry.
“Oh my.”
“What is this?”
“Good heavens!”
The three stared at the flower with the same enraptured gaze Lily and her friends shared upon seeing it for the first time themselves. One of the judge’s spectacles fell from her nose, clattering onto the floor. She didn’t even notice or care.
“I don’t even know what to say.” The stallion finally broke his stare, instead focusing now on Lily. “Miss Lily, was it? What in the world is this flower? It’s simply... the most beautiful flower I have ever had the fortune to lay my eyes on! What is it called?”
Lily was too shocked to speak. Were they truly that impressed with the display? And what was the flower called? She never came up with a name before. But before she could think on it, a name popped into her head.
“Um, it’s called the Sanguine Hibiscus.”
The judges looked up at each other from the flower and joined in a hushed discussion between themselves. They looked up at Lily and the flower before looking back at each other. After a short moment, they rose to their previous statures. The stallion walked forward and cleared his throat.
“Fillies and gentlecolts! I believe we have already found the winner! Miss Lily with her Sanguine Hibiscus! Congratulations!” A roar of applause from the entire room erupted into existence, deafening Lily’s ears. Tears began flowing from her eyes in joy. She had finally achieved the award that she had tried so hard in the past to get, ever since she was a filly.
“Thank you! Oh, thank you!” Lily cheered. She closed her eyes as the lights began to grow brighter as each spotlight focused in on her. They kept growing brighter until it started to hurt.
***
“Ugh.”
Lily moaned as she opened her eyes. The beige ceiling. The birds chirping from the window. The feeling of sheets on her body, a pillow beneath her head. It was a dream. A wonderful dream, but simply a dream. Lily rose from her bed, smacking her lips. Her head was spinning; the light from the sun became blinding, driving her to fall back onto the bed.
The mare stayed in her bed for a while. She stared at the ceiling, reflecting on the rapidly-fading memories from the dream. She was at the Botanist Competition with Roseluck and Daisy in Manehattan. She was showcasing the hibiscus. She had won. And yet... it felt so real. She could feel the beads of sweat that was on her brow, she felt the breath of the judges as they spoke, she could smell the wonderful aromas of the other flowers in the auditorium. Truthfully, she wished she could relive the dream again.
Lily kicked her hooves out from the sheets and off from the bed. She clopped slowly to her bathroom, readying herself for the day. As she walked past, a long root growing from the pot the hibiscus had been planted in swayed in the breeze, falling from the sheets of the bed to the floor.
*** One Week Later***
It was raining. She was sure of it. She felt the warmth sapped from her bones by the icy drops, but instead of feeling miserable from it, she reveled in the fact that she could simplyfeel it. She stopped in her tracks, letting her hooves sink into the loose mud as she bent her neck up to the sky, letting the drops of water rain down on her face.
“Twilight! We need to keep moving! Why are you just standing there?” a brash voice called from over the roar of the rain. Twilight didn’t move, but smiled.
“Ah gotta agree with Dash, sugarcube. We need ta keep movin’. We don’t have all night.” The southern drawl of the other pony reached Twilight’s ears, finally bringing the unicorn to opening her eyes.
“I’m sorry… it’s just so wonderful to feel something… something so real!” Twilight chuckled weakly. Her limbs felt shaky in the cold and her mind was foggy from her lack of sleep. She would need to reapply the spell before they went any further. “Come here, girls. I need to recast the spell.”
Applejack and Rainbow Dash both reluctantly stepped forward, their hooves sloshing in the mud as they walked. Twilight struggled to concentrate, her magic feeling more distant than ever before. She finally located the repository of energy in her mind and released it, a soothing yellow glow settling over the trio. Each one of their eyes suddenly opened a bit wider, their energy creeping back slowly but surely.
“Twilight, this can’t be good for us. We need to get some actual sleep sometime soon. We can’t keep staving it off with this spell of yours,” Rainbow chided.
“I know… but we can’t afford to stop. You said it yourself. And going to sleep only makes us more vulnerable to it.” Twilight shook her head back and forth, shaking the rain out of her mane, parts of it sticking to the side of her face. She could feel her attention coming back as well, but she didn’t know for how much longer. She had been needing to cast it more often the longer they had been using it. Eventually, she would collapse from exhaustion just trying to cast it.
“How much longer is it ta Zecora’s, Twi?” Applejack asked.
Twilight looked around at their surroundings, analyzing their route. “Uh… I think we have just a little bit more to go. We can rest once we get there.” Twilight pressed on, her friends following in her wake. The canopy overhead was thickening, the rain losing some of its power.
“Why are we going to see Zecora again, Twi? Wouldn’t it be better to get the Princess to help out? I mean Celestia could just fly in and WOOSH! Everypony would be all better!”
Twilight sighed. “No, we can’t afford to let the Princess get caught as well. Imagine how much more powerful it would get if it got her! All of Equestria would be doomed!” Twilight could feel the shaking creeping back into her legs. “Anyway. Zecora is more likely to know about this. If it’ll make you feel better, I’ll see if I can get a message sent to the Princess. Maybe Zecora has something I can use since Spike…” Twilight choked on her last words. She could feel the lump in her throat growing more and more.
“Let’s jus’ worry ‘bout gettin there first, sugarcube.” Twilight nodded to Applejack.
The trio walked on for another few minutes before the glow of the old cottage finally began to peek through the thick foliage of the Everfree Forest. The three traded grins as they all dashed forward, their hooves sinking into the mud with each step. Twilight slammed against the door, banging her hooves against the wood.
“Zecora! Let us in! We need your help!” Twilight stepped back as she heard rustling from within the hut, the door opening out, revealing the striped form of their friend.
“My goodness, Twilight, what brings you here on this perilous night?”
“Zecora, we need to come in. We need rest. I’ll explain everything to you.” Twilight, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash all tumbled into the zebra’s home, the latter two collapsing on the spot, falling directly to sleep.
“Twilight, you and your friends are exhausted beyond compare! What gave you all such a scare?” Zecora began pouring a small helping of her herbal tea into two mugs, setting one aside for herself and handing the other to the exhausted unicorn.
“Zecora… Ponyville is gone. And everypony with it.” Twilight shook with dread at the thought of what had happened.
“How could this come to be? And for that matter, why have you come to me?”
“Zecora… have you ever heard of a flower that can… affect somepony’s dreams?” Twilight saw the zebra’s eyes narrow at the mention of it.
“You speak of this flower. Yes, I know of it and its power.” Zecora stood up and paced over to one of her bookshelves, retrieving one of her older tomes. The title had long since faded; the leather bound covers worn with age. “It is a common belief held by my kind that the stars send their minions down for us to find.”
“What do they want with us?” Twilight asked. Never before had Zecora mentioned her race’s beliefs before.
“They simply revel in the affliction of pain on the rest of us. With this flower, they sap a pony’s life while they are unconscious.”
Twilight felt a weight press against her chest. “So wait… our friends are dying? Everypony?”
“The process takes a long time to complete. In this time, we can act to fix this while being discrete. Now first I must know of how this came to pass. Tell me everything up to the moment you ended up here in this morass.” Zecora took another long sip from her tea, setting it on the table next to her. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were both snoring away, their exhaustion finally catching up to them. Twilight could still press on, and the tea was certainly helping with it.
“It started about a week ago, when some friends of ours brought the flower to Ponyville for a competition they were going to enter it in…”
***
Twilight Sparkle looked around her library. Well, Ponyville’s library. But nopony ever borrowed any books, so it was effectively hers. And it suited her little independent studies. She frequently ‘entertained’ herself with these projects, from cataloging the migrations of birds around Ponyville with the help of Fluttershy, to natural weather patterns in the Everfree forest.
Her current project was very similar. After her encounter with the book ‘Supernaturals’ and Zecora’s advice, she was eager to begin cataloging all kinds of plants around as well as their possible medicinal traits.
“Spike! I’m heading out!” Twilight yelled. Spike popped his head out from the door to the kitchen.
"No breakfast? But I made toast!"
Twilight sighed. "Sorry Spike, but I-" Twilight was interrupted by the growling of her own stomach. She put on a weak smile as the dragon frowned. "I guess I could use some toast..." She trotted into the kitchen and saw Spike standing on top of a stool, a tall white hat sitting upon his head.
"Would you like anything on your toast?" Spike asked before breathing out a small spout of flame from his mouth, just barely brushing the slices of bread with it.
"I'll just have some cinnamon and sugar with mine, thank you." Twilight smiled as Spike brought over a small plate of the perfectly browned toast, light sprinkles of cinnamon and small crystals of sugar glistening on top from the morning sunlight. Twilight levitated the slice to her mouth and took a small bite, her face lighting up in joy as soon as she tasted it.
Spike folded his arms and smiled. "Another satisfied customer."
"Thank you, Spike. Sometimes I think you're too good to me!" Twilight trotted out from the kitchen and levitated her bags onto her back and pushed the door to the library open. "I'll be back later this afternoon!" she yelled before closing the door behind her.
It was a beautiful day in Ponyville, and perfect for what Twilight wished to do. As she walked along the dirt streets of the quaint town, many ponies were out and about, working and talking the day away. A flash of color blinded Twilight for a moment before the blur landed next to her.
“Hey there, Twi! What’s up?” Rainbow Dash asked a smile as warm as the sun worn on her face.
“Oh, hey, Rainbow. I’m doing some work today. Wonderful job with the weather! It’s positively beautiful!” Twilight exclaimed.
The blue pegasus basked in her praise. “Yeah, it was no sweat. Just had to puff up some smaller clouds, and that’s it! Got some nice cumulus floating around with some cirrus up high accenting the whole thing.”
“You’re sounding a bit like Rarity, describing it all like that!” Twilight chuckled. Rainbow Dash frowned, snorting.
“Cloud sculpting is so much more important than dressmaking! One false move... and BLAM! Thunderhead! Last time I checked, Rarity’s dresses didn’t try to destroy the town.”
“Uh...”
“Huh? Oh... OH. Oh yeah. THOSE dresses.” Images of the dresses they asked Rarity to make surged to their minds, as well as the embarrassment of what they had done. Rainbow Dash and her gaudy armor set. Twilight with her wearable star-map. They had an effect on the audience at the show, that was for sure.
“Well, uh, I gotta go... Um... fix that cloud! Yeah! Later, Twi!” In a blur of color, the pegasus disappeared into the sky and behind a cloud.
Twilight continued on her walk down the road. She had finally reached the center of town, a large open area surrounded by buildings and stores. Many carts were set up around the plaza, one in particular standing out to Twilight.
“Twilight! Over here!” the orange farmpony hollered to the unicorn. Twilight trotted up to the wooden cart, buckets on each side practically overflowing with crisp, ripe apples of every variety.
“Hey, AJ!”
“Howdy, sugarcube. Care for an apple?” Applejack pushed forward a red apple towards the unicorn across the carts top. Twilight levitated the fruit and took a small bite, lighting up as soon as it hit her tongue. “Don’t worry sugarcube. It’s on the house.”
“Thank you so much, Applejack!” Twilight took another bite as part of her vision was obscured by a red figure.
“Welcome back, Big Mac! Glad tah see yah got the last bushels of apples from the farm! Sure yah didn't pull anything this time?" Applejack teased.
“Nope. Not a problem, sis.” The stallion removed himself from the cart harness, pushing it up next to the apple stand before noticing the purple unicorn staring right at him. Twilight was fixated on the stallion, unable to bolster the willpower to look away from his statuesque form. “Why howdy, Twilight. How are yah this fine mornin’?”
Twilight stumbled over her words, her cheeks feeling warmer already from blushing. “I-I-I’m...” She turned her gaze away in shame, in fear of embarrassing herself further. She turned around and ran off, her tail waving in the breeze behind her as she disappeared into the crowd of shoppers.
She wandered around for a bit, looking over the various carts and vendors. Many of them were selling plants and flowers both as decorations and foods, but they were familiar and already categorized. She needed something newer, something exotic. She happened on one of the flower carts, bright lilies of many different colors giving off a wonderful aroma.
“Lily? Lily, are you- Oh! There you are!” Twilight looked over the exhausted mare standing behind the flower stand, her eyes sunken in, her expression slack. “Oh my! Lily, are you okay?”
The mare stifled a yawn and rubbed her eyes. “Oh, hey Twilight. Sorry. Slept in a bit this morning. Had the greatest dream, though. Wanna hear about it?”
Twilight put on an innocent smile. “Oh, uh, I was hoping to ask you if you found any-”
“I was in Manehattan at the Botany competition...” Lily began, completely ignoring Twilight. Her eyes were a bit glazed over, her gaze focused out in the distance. “I had brought the new flower I found in Everfree as my entry...”
Twilight’s attention snapped back at the rambling mare. “Flower? From the Everfree forest? Can you tell me about it?” Twilight levitated her notebook and pencil out from her bag and began scribbling.
“It’s the most beautiful flower I’ve ever seen. Vibrant red pedals, bright green leaves... the judges were hypnotized with it, just like how Roseluck, Daisy, and I were when we found it. Oh, Twilight!” Lily moaned in joy. “You should have seen how happy I was when I won! It... It was amazing!” Lily began tearing up, burying her face in her hooves from the recollection.
Twilight backed up a bit, looking at the mare. “Oh, don’t worry. She’s been like this all morning since she showed up.” Roseluck trotted up from her stand to the unicorn, looking down at the sobbing form of Lily. She slowly shook her head.
“Will she be okay?” Twilight asked.
“Just give her a bit of time. The Botanist competition is her life’s ambition. The fact that she had such a vivid dream about winning it... it’s only to be expected.”
“What about this flower? Lily said you and Daisy were out with her when she found it. Can you tell me about it? I’m trying to do some research on plants and flowers from Everfree Forest.”
Roseluck brought a hoof to her chin, her eyes pointed to the sky. “We found this clearing in the woods. Lily fell down into this great big ditch, and Daisy and I followed her into it. It was huge! No grass, just the single flower growing in the middle of it. But she was right. It was beautiful.”
“Can you describe it to me?”
“Uh... It was a hibiscus, that’s for sure. The petals... they were a bright red, and looked like they were glowing. White specks all over them. Dark green stem, bright green leaves. About a foot tall. Why don’t you ask Lily to see it yourself at some point today?”
Twilight turned around to Lily’s cart. The mare was nowhere in sight. “Uh, where is she?”
“Oh dear,” Roseluck sighed.
“I saw here heading back towards her house just now. Looked like she was in quite a hurry! Is everything okay?” Daisy asked, trotting up to the pair.
Twilight nodded and tucked her notebook and pencil away. “Yes, everything is fine. I just wanted to ask Lily about the flower you three found yesterday, is all. Thank you for your time, Roseluck. Good luck at the competition!”
Roseluck and Daisy waved Twilight goodbye as she trotted away from the town market, making her way to Lily’s small cottage near the edge of town. The cool air blew through Twilight’s mane as she walked down the road, her mind concerned for the poor mare. Finally arriving at Lily’s home, Twilight trotted along the stone path leading through the flower garden, up to the front door.
*knockknockknock*
Twilight tapped her hoof on the ground, waiting for a response, but none came.
*knockknockknock*
Still nothing. Maybe Lily was feeling ill? “Lily? Are you in there?” Silence was the only thing that responded to her. Twilight sighed, turning around to leave. She decided she’d come back tomorrow to see how Lily was doing.
***
Twilight moaned as the hooves pressed deeper into her back. She had never felt this good. They began to move in newer motions, tracing wide circles, inching their way down her back towards her rump. Her cheeks began to boil with embarrassment, but she didn’t object. It simply felt too wonderful, and the last thing she wanted was for it to stop.
“Oh, keep going...” Twilight moaned. She opened a single eye, but she didn’t feel the need to bother with focusing it. She could smell the scented candles from across the room, she could hear the crickets from the window, and she could hear his soft breathing. She was deluged with pleasure and delight.
The massage continued, stronger than before. She felt him press his chest against her back, his hooves digging into her shoulder blades, unwinding the kinks and knots from her muscles. It was simply heavenly. She might have to ask Rarity if she could join her and Fluttershy on one of their spa trips if all massages feel this good.
A cooling breeze blew in from the window, sending shivers down her spine. The air nipped at her skin, but the heat from his body kept her nice and warm. “Please... don’t stop...” she pleaded.
Much to her dismay, his hooves withdrew from her back. She tried to look behind her to see what he was planning, but her eyes still wouldn’t focus. She felt the bed depress on either side of her, a stocky red hoof coming into focus next to her head. His chest pressed on her back once more as he moved his mouth next to her ear.
“Now, this might hurt just a little...” Big Macintosh whispered.
***
“NOOO!” Twilight shouted, shooting out from her bed. She landed on her rump, her back against her dresser, her chest rising and falling in gasps. She blinked a few times as she looked around the darkness. She was in her own room. There were no candles. And he wasn’t actually going to...
Twilight felt her whole body shaking. She felt her whole body heating up, some parts more than others. She struggled to her hooves, her legs trembling violently, threatening to fall out underneath her. She made her way over to the window and eased it open, letting the cool night air waft over her mane and coat. The chirping of insects greeted her ears.
She stood in the breeze for a while, enjoying the cool air as it washed over her body. The shaking was finally subsiding, the throbbing also fading. Slowly, she snuck back into her bed, looking out into the night sky. The crescent moon hung low, the sliver of light meeting her eyes as she stared out in a combination of wonder and confusion.
What in Equestria was that?
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Silver Tail
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1218
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Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Alternate Universe,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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Clashes of Destiny
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The Ponies of Equestria venture beyond their peaceful lands, and find more than they ever imagined.
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incomplete
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<p>When the ponies of Equestria decide to explore beyond the bounds of their peaceful land, they find a world much different than their home, filled with wonders and dangers greater than anything ever known. Ponykind must forge their own destiny in a world where survival depends on much more than the power of friendship.</p>
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everyone
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2011-10-05T20:48:04+00:00
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2011-10-05T20:48:04+00:00
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Disclaimer: I do no own My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, that honor goes to Hasbro.
CHAPTER ONE: DEPARTURE
Princess Luna stood on the balcony of her tower as the moon slowly glided across the sky. The silvery light washed over her, the feeling one of the few comforts she still enjoyed. The Palace of the Royal Pony Sisters was silent at this hour; the only sounds were Luna’s hooves as she paced the balcony. Below, the trees of the Everlight Forest swayed gently in a breeze which brought the scent of wildflowers to Luna’s nose. She frowned and went back inside her chamber, magically closing the windows behind her. Ponies were always bringing flowers to her sister as gifts, but she was usually asleep for most of it. She had only become the Princess of the Moon a few short decades ago, and the strain of moving it across the sky still left her magic drained when the dawn came. Replenishing her magical energy usually left her asleep for most of the day, only waking as her sister’s sun was setting. The two royal Ponies would talk for a short while, Celestia telling Luna of all the appointments and other assorted business which took up most of her day. The elder princess confessed the found most of it profoundly boring.
“She doesn’t understand,” Luna said as she left her chamber and made her way out into the main castle. The moonlight cast everything in shades of grey and white, reflecting off mirrors and other decorations. Luna’s hooves clicked loudly on the stone floor, the sound echoing through the empty corridors. So many times she had walked this path, and each time the loneliness filled her a bit more. She had walked here in daylight before, and the sounds of conversing ponies and happy banter still echoed in her ears. Why did she have to be the ruler of an empty night? Her sister may have disliked the busy schedule the day forced upon her, but at least she was always surrounded by her adoring subjects. Luna had flown over Equestria many times, and each time found nothing but sleeping ponies and a moonlight land devoid of activity and laughter. It wasn’t fair! “She doesn’t feel the emptiness of the night.”
Making her way down a set of stairs, Luna passed through the main hall of the castle and entered her favorite area, the display chamber of objects from the Colonies. The moon shown in through a series of high, narrow windows, the light glittering off the displays of gifts and traded items received from the naïve tribes who lived there. The two-legged talking creatures were very different from the ponies; they fought and even killed members of other tribes and they ate the flesh of other creatures, yet at the same time they existed in harmony with nature just as the ponies did. The translation spell invented by Midnight Gleam had been a turning point in the settlement of the mainland. Establishing relations had been hard, with both sides having so many differences, but after many years the efforts had paid off. Now towns and farms were scattered over the eastern coast of the mainland, and many ponies were making the journey to the new land. Each knew the dangers, that they might not come back, but the lure of a new land awoke a spirit of adventure in many ponies.
Luna stopped in front of the newest display, set up only a few days ago. Inside was a collection of wooden carvings of animals Luna had never seen before. The craftsmanship on each was exquisite; indeed the bird and the one which looked like the dogs used for herding cattle seemed almost alive. Luna stood there for a long time, thinking of the land all the things around her came from. The explorers told the court that the mainland was dangerous for the unwary, home to poisonous reptiles and hostile native tribes, but the opportunity to be the first pony to chart a piece of the new land was hard to resist. She had heard of the rise in map related cutie marks among young ponies, and the ships being built in the new town of Manehatten to carry ponies across the Great Ocean were true marvels of pony engineering.
For most of the night Luna stayed in the chamber, trying to imagine what it would be like to see the new lands Equestria had settled. The idea of seeing things no pony had seen before excited her, and from what she had heard, ponies in the Colonies were often active both at night and during the day. If that was true, perhaps she could find a place where there were other ponies like her, who loved the night as much as she did. Her imagination went to work, creating a village where ponies watched the moon gliding across the sky, their happy voices joining with hers…
With a start Luna snapped back to reality as a distant clock chimed. It was nearly time for her sister to raise the sun! Racing back to her tower, she stepped out onto the balcony and focused her magic. The moon slowly began sinking down below the horizon as the sky lit from the opposite direction. The sun rose into the sky, bathing the land in color and warmth. Once her part was completed in the dawn light, Luna made her way past the bed which called to her tired body and entered the main castle. Many ponies in the castle rose with the sun, and their voices filled the halls. Everypony bowed to Luna as she passed, but she paid them little mind. Her destination was close, and several minutes later the Princess of the Moon entered the throne room, where Celestia was speaking with several unicorns at the base of her throne. “Luna,” the Sun Princess smiled, “a perfect moonset as always. What bring you here at this hour? Aren’t you tired?”
“Yes sister, but there’s something I need to talk to you about. It’s important,” Luna replied.
“Of course Luna,” Celestia nodded, dismissing the unicorns she had been conversing with. “Is something the matter?”
“I want to visit the Colonies,” Luna said. She could see the surprise on her sister’s face, though she hid it quickly. “I’ve read and heard so much about the new lands there, I want to see them for myself.”
“Are you certain Luna? You must have heard of the dangers our explorers have found.”
“I can handle a few poisonous snakes,” Luna smirked. “Sister, I’m going. Last night I felt the spirit of adventure which so many of our subjects have felt in recent years. The nights here are quiet, still. I want to experience the nights I’ve heard of in the new lands.” Luna was silent for a long moment as she tried to keep the sadness from her voice. “I need to do this for myself Celestia.”
Celestia was taken aback by the emotion in her sister’s eyes. Luna seldom spoke about her nights, but Celestia had told her sister that her door was always open if she needed to talk about anything. What had she been keeping to herself? She could see that Luna was determined, and short of confining her to the castle she doubted she could stop her from going. “All right Luna, I’ll get you passage on one of the ships heading to the Colonies. I’ll send two of my Royal Guards with you to make sure you’re safe.”
Luna was about to object, but the look on her sister’s face told her this was one condition she wouldn’t be swayed from. “All right, you can send your watchers with me,” she nodded, stepping closer to her sister. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“When you return Luna, promise me you’ll tell me what’s been bothering you. I’ve said my door is always open to you, and I meant that.”
“I promise,” Luna said, a smile growing on her face. It was the first true smile to cross her face in so long. Things would get better soon, somehow she knew it.
…
Two days later Luna’s chariot came in to land at the edge of Manehatten, nearby ponies looking up in awe as the two rulers of Equestria came into view. A second chariot holding the two Royal Guard ponies landed a few feet away. “Good luck Luna,” Celestia said as her sister stepped down.
“I’ll be fine,” Luna smiled, her excitement plain on her face. “Don’t worry, I’ll send you letters every day.” Levitating her saddlebags onto her back, Luna neck hugged her sister. A part of her still hesitated at the action, but seeing the ships in the harbor sent a thrill through her as the promise of nights in the Colonies filled her mind.
“I’ll be waiting,” Celestia smiled as her sister walked away toward the ships bobbing on the water. “Stay safe little sister,” she whispered to herself.
…
Luna entered Manehatten’s harbor, the numerous docks and construction yards rising before her like a forest. The sun was still high in the sky, the bright light glinting off the gold armor of the two Royal Guard unicorns accompanying her. The sounds of construction filled the air as various ponies worked on constructing more sailing ships for Equestria’s growing fleet. Hammers, saws and shouted voices all merged together to create an atmosphere of excitement that kept a bright smile on Luna’s face despite the hour. She didn’t even frown as everypony she passed took a moment to bow to her.
She eventually arrived in front of a dark hulled ship with two large white sails. A team of unicorns were moving boxes of supplies aboard, but they stopped and bowed when they caught sight of Luna and her guards. “Princess Luna, welcome,” a light green stallion with a deep blue mane smiled. “I am White Cap, the leader of the crew for the Sea Breeze. We received the message to expect you. I must say, it’s quite the honor to provide passage to one of the Princesses of Equestria.”
“Thank you,” Luna replied. “I’ve heard a great deal about the Colonies and look forward to seeing them myself. How soon until we depart?”
“The supplies should be loaded within the hour. Your cabin is ready if you’d like to get on board now. I apologize if it’s not as grand as you’re used to.”
“That’s quite all right, I’m sure it will be fine,” Luna said.
“Thank you Princess, Cloud Rider will show you to your cabin.”
A bright yellow pegasus with a pale orange mane came up to Luna. Giving a deep bow, he smiled up at the princess. “If you’ll follow me your highness. May I take your bags?”
“It’s all right, I can manage,” Luna replied. She followed the stallion up the ramp and to across the deck to a small hatch which led to a set of rooms.
“These will be your quarters aboard ship,” Cloud Rider said as he opened the door with a hoof. Luna stepped inside and looked around the small room. A bed with midnight blue sheets took up most of the room, leaving just enough space for a small bookcase in one corner. The banner of Equestria had been attached to the ceiling, and daylight streamed in through a small circular window in the wall. “I hope they’re to your liking.”
“This will be perfect,” Luna smiled as she levitated her saddlebags onto her bed. A yawn escaped her mouth as she looked out the window. “I’ve been up for quite some time, please wake me when she ship leaves the dock. I’d like to watch.”
“Of course Princess,” Cloud Rider smiled as the door closed behind him.
Luna lay down on the bed, her eyelids already heavy due to being up this late in the day. The pillow and sheets must have been sent from Canterlot as they instantly molded themselves to her body. In seconds she could feel sleep claiming her, the light coming in through the window the last thing she saw.
...
Seemingly only seconds after falling asleep, Luna awoke to a heavy knock on her door. “Enter,” she called. Cloud Rider entered, bowing as he stood before her bed. “Has it been an hour already?” She asked.
“It has Your Majesty. The ship is preparing to leave the harbor, and you asked to be awake for that.”
“Yes, thank you,” Luna yawned as she got to her hooves. She followed the pegasus back up onto the deck, where the sounds of hundreds of cheering ponies filled the air. They were all gathered near the docks, and their cheering increased in volume as Luna became visible. “Is every ship seen off by this many ponies?”
“Not nearly Your Highness, I would guess they’re here to see you off.”
“They’re here for me?” Luna said to herself. The last time anywhere near this number of ponies had cheered for her had been the day she and Celestia had assumed their mantles as rulers of Equestria. She waved back at the crowd and smiled as she felt their happiness.
“Cast off the robes and unfurl the sails!” White Cap called out as the crew went to work getting the Sea Breeze moving. The large white sails unfurled and caught the wind blowing from the north. Luna watched as each pony managed their own section of the many robes and lines which controlled where the ship moved. She trotted up to where White Cap managed a wheel near the back of the ship.
“It should take us a few weeks to reach the southern Colonies,” the crew leader said. “I hope you enjoy the trip; there are several interesting types of fish we may see on the way.”
“I’m sure I will,” Luna smiled, looking out at the immense ocean ahead. The shore was quickly shrinking behind the ship. “But for now I need to rest. I’m not accustomed to being awake at this time of day. I’ll rejoin you up here when it’s time for me to raise the moon.”
“Of course Your Highness,” White Cap smiled.
Luna mad her way back to her room and levitated the sheets over her. Sleep quickly overcame her, the last thoughts in her head the ponies who had cheered for her and what would happen once she got to the Colonies.
|
Silver Tail
|
1218
| 2 |
Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Alternate Universe,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Clashes of Destiny
|
The Ponies of Equestria venture beyond their peaceful lands, and find more than they ever imagined.
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>When the ponies of Equestria decide to explore beyond the bounds of their peaceful land, they find a world much different than their home, filled with wonders and dangers greater than anything ever known. Ponykind must forge their own destiny in a world where survival depends on much more than the power of friendship.</p>
|
everyone
|
2011-10-11T04:42:50+00:00
|
2011-10-11T04:42:50+00:00
| 739 |
Chapter 2: Moonlit Waters
Luna woke from a deep sleep, the light streaming in through her window showing the sun almost meeting the sea as it prepared to set. A gentle tingle in her horn let her know it was almost time to raise the moon. Rolling to her hooves, she quickly made her way up the steps onto the deck, her two guards following a step behind. White Cap was still at the wheel where she had last seen him. The rest of the crew ponies were working the ropes and lines to keep the sails full.
"Did you have a good sleep you Majesty?" White Cap asked as Luna walked up to the raised rear of the ship.
"Yes, thank you," Luna smiled. "The motion of the water is actually quite soothing."
"I'm glad to hear it; sometimes a pony's first time at sea consists mainly of leaning over the railing."
"How unfortunate," Luna said. She watched as the sun moved closer to the horizon. "It's time for me to raise the moon if you'd care to watch." With a single beat of her wings she jumped to the middle of the deck. Closing her eyes, she could feel the moon below the horizon, waiting for her summons. Closing her eyes, she willed the moon to rise, and slowly she could feel it respond. In her mind's eye she could see the moon slowly begin to rise as her sister's sun set, the endless cycle completing itself once more as the night began. She could sense the presence of the other ponies around her, and the knowledge that others were watching the moonrise filled her with a warmth she had not felt for many years.
White Cap and the rest of the crew watched in silent awe as Princess Luna called the moon over the horizon. As the light from the sun faded, a faint glow formed around the Princess. Her mane glittered with sparks of light like the night sky as moonlight washed over her, and a bright smile lit up her face as she rose into the air. Her wings beating gently, she basked in the first light of the moon, surrounded by a halo of silver magical energy. Everypony watching her felt a gentle calm fill them, a sense of peace and comfort that banished doubts and worries and left a warmth within, like a warm bed waiting after a long day.
Once the moon was fully visible Luna gently landed on the deck, smiling as she saw the ponies still watching her. "Did you enjoy the moonrise?" She asked.
"It was wonderful your Highness," White Cap smiled. The rest of the crew ponies nodded in agreement.
"I'm glad," Luna replied. "It's been so long since I've shared the moonrise with anyone. Nights in the palace are always quiet."
"Well then, would you care to join us for dinner?" The crew leader asked, trying to keep the nervousness he felt from showing on his face. "It may not be up to the standards you're used to in the royal palace, but if you're looking for a place to enjoy a good conversation it's the best onboard ship."
"I'd be delighted," Luna smiled. She'd brought food with her from the palace, but the offer of a pleasant dinner getting to know the ponies taking her to the Colonies was something she wasn't about to turn down.
"Outstanding," White Cap replied. He passed control of the wheel to a green coated unicorn and led the Princess down the stairs and into a room below the upper deck. About two dozen ponies were already inside and filling their plates from the assortment of dishes on the large table which dominated the room. When Luna entered they rose to their feet and bowed.
"Please, you don't have to do that every time I enter a room," Luna laughed lightly. "I'm starting to see why my sister prefers to spend her time in one place." Levitating a plate from a small stack, Luna looked at what the crew was eating. The food was simpler than what she was typically served in the palace, but if it was an enjoyable as the company she had been enjoying the moon Princess knew she would love it. Taking some daffodil and grass salad and a serving of sliced apples, she sat near White Cap and took her first bite. "Very good," she smiled.
"Thank you Princess. Flowers and grass don't keep very long, so we typically eat those first once we set out on a voyage," White Cap said.
As she ate, Luna could still feel the tension in the room and understood. She WAS a Princess of Equestria after all; it was only natural for other ponies to be nervous around her she knew. The two royal unicorns seated nearby didn't help either. She'd heard it often enough from Celestia how ponies were afraid to be themselves around her, how they said anything they thought would please her. That wasn't how Luna wanted the ponies on the ship to act around her; she wanted to see the happiness in their eyes she'd seen after she'd raised the moon. "Tell me, how do you keep the ship headed toward its destination?" She asked. "Do you use magic?"
"Actually your Highness, we navigate at night by using the stars," a blond coated Earth Pony seated to Luna's right replied. "We use the positions of stars and constellations to determine what direction we're heading. The earliest ships recorded their routes and the star patterns that let them keep on course."
"Fascinating, my night helps you find your way," Luna smiled. Without even knowing it, she'd been helping every ship which sailed the ocean find its way. The thought filled her with great joy as she imagined all the ponies sailing under her starlight, ponies she'd never known she was aiding. "I'm happy I can help so many ponies."
The rest of the meal passed fairly quickly. Luna asked about the specifics of navigating by the stars; White Cap promised to show her the various star formations later. The tension Luna had felt slowly went away, and laughter filled the room as several of the ponies told jokes made up during their long voyages. Luna smiled throughout the meal. It had been so long since she had felt happiness like she had felt since boarding the ship. She was finally with ponies that not only enjoyed her night, but used it to fulfill their special purposes.
Once the last of the food was eaten, most of the ponies retired to their rooms to sleep until the sunrise. White Cap and Luna made their way out onto the main deck area where the crew leader showed Luna the constellations the ship sailed by. Some she recognized, like the Ursas, while others were new to her eyes. She listened carefully as White Cap pointed out the Stalking Serpent, Midnight's Saddle and others. Her eyes took it all in, and her heart swelled as she shared the stories of the constellations she knew. "Thank you White Cap, for showing me all of this."
"It was my honor Princess," the Earth Pony replied, bowing his head slightly. "Not many ponies know the stories behind the stars we sail our ships by."
"Would it be possible for me to help with sailing the ship?" Luna asked after a short pause. "I feel like I'm the only pony onboard not doing anything."
"You're our honored guest your Highness," White Cap said quickly. "Simply having one of the Princesses of Equestria on our ship is more than enough."
"I could always make it an order," Luna said with a small smirk which lasted only a few seconds. "I've never met ponies who enjoyed my night before. I was always alone in Canterlot, with only my moon as a companion. Since I met you and your crew, I've been so happy. You loved my moonrise, and I want to repay you for all the kindness you've shown me."
White Cap brushed his mane nervously. Princess Luna was turning out to be very different than what he'd imagined her to be. He'd never imagined a princess wanting to help with the mundane operations of a sailing ship. "Well, if you really have your heart set on it, you could help with the ropes. Our Pegasi keep the wind in our favor, but we still need to adjust the sails to get the most out of it. It's not too difficult once you know all the lines and where they go. Blue Crest!" The crew leader called out, and a pale green stallion with a deep blue mane trotted over. "I'd like you to show Princess Luna how to work the ropes and lines. She'll be helping out a bit around here."
"Oh, I see," the Unicorn said, eyes widening for a second. "It would be my honor Princess," he bowed.
"Thank you, I promise to be a quick study," Luna said.
"Shall we get started then?" Still not completely believing what he'd been asked to do, Blue Crest lead Luna over to where a rope was tied to the deck railing. "We'll start with some basics. Have you ever manipulated rope or maybe a piece of string before?"
"Yes, I refined my magic control by making designs with string, but never anything as large as the ropes and lines on the ship," Luna answered.
"All right, then watch me. You have to know the knot you're trying to tie or undo or you'll end up getting it tangled or it may slip." Blue Crest's horn glowed a pale green and the knot slowly unwound itself. The line went straight before tying itself back where it had been. "Now you try."
"All right," Luna said as she focused her magic on the rope knot. She had watched closely at what Blue Crest had done, and thinking back to her early magic training, she easily undid the knot and held the line steady before tying it back up. "How did I do?" She asked.
"Well done," Blue Crest smiled. The look on the Princess's face was not unlike that of a young filly seeking her parents' approval. "But tying a knot is simple. You have to know what kind of know is best for the type of line you're tying off, and what the line itself does."
"I'm ready to learn," Luna smiled as she looked up at the forest of lines and ropes above her. "I've never met a lesson I couldn't master."
For most of the night, Luna and her new teacher went over how the ropes controlled the sails, the best types of knots for various tasks and how combinations of lines were able to move the ship. Luna's smile never left her face as she committed everything Blue Crest told her to memory. The sails above her almost glowed in the light of her moon, and by the time the night was coming to an end the Princess was confident she was ready to help guide the ship to land.
"You're a very quick learner," Blue Crest said. "I think you're ready for a shift as part of the crew."
"Well you're a very good teacher," Luna replied as she felt a sudden tingle in her horn. "But that will have to wait. It's nearly dawn and I have to lower the moon." Focusing on the silvery orb above her, Luna's horn began glowing with a bright violet energy. Slowly the moon started to move down toward the horizon, while at the opposite edge of view the sky brightened as the sun came into view. The silvery glow of Luna's night faded as the brilliant rays of Celestia's day filled the air.
As the moon fully set Luna suddenly gave a great yawn. "Oh, pardon me, but I believe it's time for me to get some rest. Thank you again Blue Crest for your lessons. Tonight I hope I can take you up on your offer to participate in helping move the ship."
"Of course Princess Luna," the unicorn bowed.
Luna slowly made her way down to her cabin and lay on her bed. Closing the small wooden panel in front of her window with her magic, the room quickly became mostly dark. Levitating over a scroll and inkwell, Luna began writing her first letter home, the glow from her horn illuminating the paper.
Dear Big Sister,
This last day has been such a change for me that I scarcely know where to begin. I've found ponies who love my night! When I raised the moon they were all watching me, and I could tell each of them enjoyed it greatly. It's been so long since I felt happiness like I did at that moment. White Cap, the crew leader, shared stories about the constellations with me, and I also learned about how to help sail the ship by helping with the lines and controlling the sails. Come tonight's moonrise I'll actually be helping the crew. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to that, nor can I say with words how thankful I am that you allowed me to go on this voyage. The last time I felt as happy as I do now was when I performed my first moonrise for our mother. I must get some rest now, but I'll send my next letter tomorrow.
Your sister, Princess Luna
Luna quickly rolled up the parchment and wrapped her seal around it. A brief spell and the letter vanished in a puff of purple spoke. As Luna rested her head on the pillows and draped the sheets over herself, memories of her mother and father rose unbidden in her mind. Even after so many years, she missed them greatly. Her mother had been so proud when Luna had shown how quickly her magic was growing, and the day she had inherited the power of the moon was Luna's fondest memory. As sleep claimed her, she could see her mother's face as the two of them watched the young princess's first moonrise together.
|
shalrath
|
1219
| 1 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Derpy Hooves,Discord,Main 6,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Human,Adventure,Comedy,Dark,Sad,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
The End
|
A friendly stranger delivers some unsettling knowledge about Life, the Universe, and Everything.
|
incomplete
| 674 | 40 |
<p>A visitor arrives in Equestria, bearing a wealth of knowledge and a troubled past. The Mane 6 are quick to befriend the stranger, who helps them to discover what they truly value in life, and how to achieve it.</p><p>But learning to overcome their fears and achieve their desires comes at a steep price, paid by their innocence.</p>
|
teen
|
2012-11-04T20:46:29+00:00
|
2013-01-21T07:14:33+00:00
| 29,453 |
* * *
“Applejack! Applejack!” The young pony cried as loudly as her burning lungs could manage. Her mane and flanks bore numerous scratches from her frantic dash through the underbrush of Everfree Forest, yet still she sped over the hilltop at a full gallop. Her voice, already hoarse and raspy, continued to shout with urgency as she closed the distance with her older sister.
“Applebloom! Tarnation, girl! You’re going to give me a heart attack if you keep on hollerin’ like that. Now slow down and catch your breath. Tell me what happened. Is anypony hurt?”
Applebloom wheezed as she approched, shaking her head from side to side while she caught her breath, but turning to point one hoof back in the direction she came. “Sis, we saw something.. “
“Tell me later,” Applejack stared her sister in the eyes. “Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo - are they okay? Tell me that first lil sis!”
“Yes,” she gasped. “They’re right behind.. “
The young filly turned to look back to the hill - no sign of her friends in sight. Her eyes widening as she stammered “They’re right behind.. they were right behind.. ohhhh” The gulps of air turned into a long sobbing wail as she collapsed into the tilled soil, her watery eyes still sweeping the horizon for her friends.
“Mac!” Applejack shouted. “Get her inside on the double. I’m headin out to find Scoots and Sweetie” She knelt beside her sister, placing one hoof on her dirty mane. “Now Applebloom, you have to tell me what you saw. Was it a monster out there? Did it follow you?”
“No sis. I don’t think it’s a monster. It’s different than that. Ah don’t know how to put it out, but it’s not natural lookin. Not natural at all.” Her gaze never left the horizon.
“Okay. You hang tight here. Get on up and go with Mac when you’re ready. I’ve gotta run now, but me and yer friends will all be safe and sound back here before you can say baked apple fritters.” With that, she shook off her fruit-laden saddlebags and dashed off towards Ponyville, leaving Applebloom weeping softly under Mac’s shadow.”
“Its not natural sis.. All made out of metal with a head of glass. Just not right.”
But she was already gone.
* * *
“Okay Pinkie, we give up. What does a zombie plant eat?”
Pinkie bounded on top of the park table, rearing her legs in the air and contorting her face into the visage of a reanimated corpse. “GRAAAAIIIINNSSSS,” she snarled. This left Rainbow Dash bawling in laughter on the grass, with Twilight Sparkle unable to decide if Pinkie’s joke or the pegasus’s uncontrollable braying was funnier. Pinkie leaped down beside her, doing her best impression of a bloodthirsty-yet-immobile vegetable stalk.
“Whew, that was a good one,” Twilight said with a smile. Studying magic all morning had left her in dire need of distraction. “Would anypony care to join me for tea and cakes at the bakery?”
“You know I can’t turn down that,” said Rainbow Dash.
“For your tea madame, one lump, or twenty?” inquired Pinkie in a posh accent.
“Enough sugar to knock out a hummingbird, of course!”
This cause another round of giggling.
“Well girls, let’s.. ”
“Twilight!”
“..go,” She stopped to listen.
“TWILIGHT!”
The three ponies turned to face the growing cloud of dust and flying gravel barreling towards them. Applejack’s hooves beat the ground frantically as she charged towards the group.
“Twilight! Thank Celestia you’re here. Y’all gotta come with me right away.”
“Is everything all right Applejack?”
“No, no it ain’t. Now keep up - I don’t have time to explain. Applebloom saw something in the forest. Can’t find Scoots or Sweetie Belle. I’m heading in there right now, but I need y’alls help.”
Twilight and Pinkie galloped alongside as Applejack barked orders. “Pinkie, you tell Rarity about Sweetie Belle. Round up some other ponies to help us search the Everfree Forest.
“Search Party!” Pinkie bounded gleefully, just before the smile melted from her face, and her witty outburst tailed off into concrete seriousness. She locked eyes with Applejack, gave a sharp nod, and turned to gallop towards Rarity’s shop.
“Rainbow, go high and start looking for Scootaloo.” The pegasus departed like a missile trailing every color of the sunbeam.
“Twilight, got a job for you, girl,” she gasped between breaths. “I need you to call up Boss Hoss and let her..”
“You mean the Princess?” Twilight gaped at the crude nickname.
“Darn it girl, you know damn well who I’m talking about. I wouldn’t be calling her for any old reason like somepony getting lost, or some beasty thing in the forest - but I ain’t never seen my sis get spooked like that. I reckon she ran harder than any of us put together when she saw it. I don’t know what we got ourselves up against, but it might be all the difference to let her know. Now.
“Okay.. ”
“GO!”
With that, Applejack bounded into the chilly veil of the forest’s shade, her hoofbeats steadily receding into the dim interior.
“Be safe,” Twilight breathed. Applejack was no where to be seen, and the staccato of her hooves had drowned under the rapid beating of Twilight’s heart. She turned to look back once more, before closing her eyes and feeling her horn flare with magic - leaving her standing in the familiar confines of her library.
Already, ponies could be heard assembling outside.
* * *
Sweetie Belle could hear something in the woods. It was coming closer. She dared not to move, laying under the gnarled tangle of tree roots washed clean by a slow moving creek. The cold mud of the bank felt oppressively close to her skin, and all manner of bugs were blindly leaping from the base of the tree to explore her quietly heaving chest.
The footsteps were coming closer. A slow rhythmic pace that echoed through the ground. Each footfall carrying the weight of a boulder, each step in perfect cadence. She dared not to turn and look. Once was enough. Her eyes were tightly shut, but she could only see the interloper. Standing taller than any pony, shiny like polished metal, with the head that looked vaguely like a dragon’s skull. Two legs, maybe. Two heavy blunt claws on arms that folded out from it’s midsection. And the eyes. It was hard to tell where the eyes stopped and the head began. So many of them.
The footsteps grew louder and more distinct, coming closer. Each step sending a subtle tremor through the mud bank that Sweetie Belle lay firmly against.
The footsteps stopped.
* * *
Everfree Forest was not well travelled by the ponies of Equestria. Least of all by Applejack. Her purposeful strides had slowed to a trembling walk, her only sense of direction reduced to the beeline path she took on the way in. Her trail of hoofprints melted away in the wet grass and waterlogged soil, leaving almost no trace of her passage. Just as the forest would leave no trace of brave little Applejack if she lost her way.
She shuddered at the thought of becoming no more than a lush patch of well fertilized grass. Or perhaps the mossy remains of a vaguely pony-shaped statue, should she cross paths with a cockatrice. The forest was not friendly to ponies. One hundred ways in, but only one way out. She shivered as she pressed forward, threading through the bushes that grew up to meet the hanging branches of the trees. In the stillness of the forest, the rustling of the branches and briers against her coat felt like an ever present cacophony in her ears, drowning out the din of voracious insects, and the predatory footsteps of the forest’s true denizens.
One hundred ways in, one way out.
But she was brave, even when she wasn’t. She never let her feelings show in front of her little sister. Even when the two were younger, trapped for a whole night in the old barn at the end of the orchard, listening to the curious footsteps of a winged basilisk pecking at the door.
“Don’t you fret now Applebloom. Your big sis ain’t afraid of nothin”. She had cooed to the young filly to keep her calm and quiet. Even as the door rattled and the wood began to faintly smoke from the basilisk’s caustic breath, the two ponies had stood firmly together without so much as a single noise that would pique the interest of the slithering abomination.
"Ain't afraid of nothin,” Applejack repeated to herself. “Ain’t afraid of nothin.”
She strode forth, ears perked and eyes wide. Her heart hammered rapidly inside her chest as every cautious sense inside her screamed to turn around and run until she could see daylight again. But she couldn't listen to that. Scoots and Sweetie depended on her.
Through the trees came a sudden shrill scream, cut short by a deep thud, and a high pitched crack that even the dense forest could scarcely conceal.
Applejack stood breathless for a moment, struck to her core by that terrified helpless cry; the sudden recognition of the young filly’s unmistakable voice shocking her body into action. Her nostrils flared, and her eyes focused into a baleful gaze. Trembling hooves turned to adrenaline pumped steel springs. She lowered her head as she turned to face the noise, whispering her mantra through clenched teeth as she charged through the brush with the force of an errant locomotive.
“Ain’t afraid of nothin!”
* * *
Scootaloo ambled quietly through the forest. The young pegasus felt very alone, even if she was not. Sweetie Belle had fallen behind in their short frantic dash, and Applebloom was long gone by then. She could barely remember why they were running in the first place, aside from that look on Applebloom’s face.
She sighed and stamped the ground. This was not turning out to be a good day, and it would probably only get worse once they got home. Hopefully nobody would find out about their trip into the forest today.
Scootaloo froze. In the bog and grass lay a near perfect circle of plump berries on small leafy shrubs. A gardener plant! She had seen one just like it in Zecora’s hut, as part of her exotic menagerie.
The gardener, as Zecora had instructed, was not to be trifled with. Its flat wooden leaves curled into the shape of a shallow basket, low to the ground where the splatter of rain would cover the bowl of leaves with dirt. In time, the dirt would collect seeds - some nourished by ducts in the gardener’s leaves, others culled by emissions of diluted acid. The gardener’s bowl would eventually grow a small thicket of fruit bearing plants. Their branches stunted by the gardener’s chemical secretions, but carrying unnaturally full and numerous fruits.
The fruit basket was just the tip of this horror.
The real bulk of the gardener was firmly buried several yards away. A thick vine lay just inches below the dirt, ripe with tension. The flat leaves at the terminus bore several hair-like spikes, waiting patiently for the touch and hot musky breath of a grazing animal. Triggering these two senses would prompt the thick woody leaves of the gardener’s bowl would twist and close abruptly, clamping down firmly around the neck of its prey. Then, the serpentine vine would suddenly coil around itself, tearing free from the soil and twisting the flower on the end around in a violent circle - hard enough to spin its victim like a ragdoll and wrench its head from its neck. Often leaving its prey paralyzed, yet still conscious.
The gardener could not completely envelope its prey, but this offered little reprieve. The sudden twisting squeezed the vine, pumping a concentrated jet of gastric fluids into the ears, eyes, throat, and lungs of the Gardener's new meal. The torrential release of searing caustic fluid would break down the fibrous bulk of the underground vine as well, pushing a slurry of plant fiber down the lungs and esophagus of the stricken animal, whereby growing into a branching root system that fed upon the partially digested flesh.
Zecora’s gardener was the size of a small saucer plate. This one was the size of a dinner table.
Scootaloo skirted around the small tuft of tasty fruits, having abruptly lost any trace of appetite.
It was nearly noon, but the forest concealed it neatly. Infrequent shafts of light broke through the leafy canopy, casting a glow through the blanket of haze. Scootaloo fluttered quickly through the red tinged air, casting furtive glances through the forest for her friends.
Her stubby juvenile wings were not strong enough to fly, but she still skipped across the ground in long shallow arcs. Dashing through a burbling creek into a small grassy opening, something caught her eye. The small field looked like an inviting place to rest - away from the hanging vines and twisted tree trunks that grew with wild abandon throughout Everfree forest. An oasis of warm sunshine. But the light revealed something odd; a sizeable clump of dark brown branches nestled beneath the vibrant greens, pinks, and yellows of a flowering hedge.
She set one hoof in the lush meadow, and froze - her wings beating madly to keep the rest of her airborne. Something moved in the bushes as she touched the ground. No, not moved. Tensed. The dark articulate shapes just under the hedgerow were locked rigidly in place, just as her limbs dared not to move.
The clump of wood lay between her and the hedge. She loosened her gaze from the hedge for only a moment, just to examine the oddly colored pile of bent sticks. The pile of sticks gazed back - two empty eyesockets and a jaw hanging open, as if still delivering it’s last mournful shriek. Bones bereft of any flesh, save for the ichor stains and ragged tissue that had been passed over.
Her other hooves never touched the ground. Scootaloo rebounded into the air, distancing herself from the macabre sight. She was nearly across the small field when her hooves touched down for a second time.
The hedge erupted behind her. Hundreds of hairy articulated legs stamping the ground rhythmically in swift pursuit. She ran, and did not dare look back.
* * *
Twilight’s hasty letter had barely disintegrated into the green magical aether that would carry it directly to the Princess when there was a knock at her door. She bolted past Spike and down the carved wooden stairs of her loft, flinging the door open with a bolt of magic from her horn. Rarity stood trembling - her eyes speaking what her lips could not.
“Rarity, did Pinkie tell you everything?”
A slight nod broke through her barely suppressed sobbing.
“She did, yes, and then she left. I could have strangled her for leaving like that, but surely it’s for the best that I let her work.” She motioned outside, where “Pinkie’s Army” had mobilized. Teams of ponies, still in afternoon attire, bolted towards Everfree forest as soon as they received their orders.
“Ohh..” Rarity’s head hung like a wilted rose. “I do hope we get to them in time. I know it hasn’t been long here, but I can’t imagine what they must be going through”.
“I think they’ll all be okay,” Twilight reassured her. “Applejack and Rainbow Dash made it into the forest before Pinkie got here. Besides, we’ve been through the forest before. It’s not the safest place in Equestria, but I know those girls are smart enough to stay out of danger."
Rarity allowed the trace of a smile to return.
“Oh, Twilight. Thank you. I know you have a positively uncanny knack about being right, even when we have doubts. They probably are quite all right.”
She thrust her head up, regaining some modicum of her usual composure.
“But I can’t help to think that all this commotion seems.. a bit unusual,” as she gestured out the window.
“It might just be an overreaction,” Twilight mused. “But you know what Princess Celestia would say. Better to be safe than sorry, and never to give a half-flank job when somepony could be in trouble.”
Rarity smiled at Twilight’s impish grin, giggling at the implication that the Goddess of the Sun might earnestly utter such a saucy remark. Her mirth was short lived however, as she leveled her eyes and let her concern show once again.
“Twilight. What did Applebloom see?”
“What?”
“What did she see in the forest? What if this is not an overreaction?”
“I.. I don’t know Rarity,” she said weakly. “I don’t think Applejack even knows.”
She sighed weakly, letting her gaze drop to the floor.
“I probably should go. Pinkie did say she wanted everypony to help search.”
Twilight placed a hoof over Rarity’s mane.
“I will go with you,” she said solemnly.
Before they could turn to the door, an immense crash was heard just outside the library, followed by the sound of many stampeding hooves and a shower of loose gravel. Twilight flung the door open, expecting to see somepony’s house laying sideways in the street. Instead, and perhaps more surprisingly, Princess Celestia’s royal coach was parked only yards away - its gleaming white elegance juxtaposed against the deep ruts that marked its violent landing. A compliment of four Royal Guard pegasi, golden armor reflecting brightly through the cloud of dust, stood ready to loft the carriage back into the air.
“Oh my..” Twilight intoned, mouth agape. “Princess Celestia! I’m glad you could come! We’ve been worried..”
A Lieutenant of Canterlot Palace leaped from the carriage, and shouted in their direction.
“Miss Sparkle! Your presence has been urgently requested. Miss Rarity, I understand that you may wish to join us as well.”
The brief statement spoke volumes.
Twilight and Rarity hurried to enter the carriage. Two empty seats awaited them.
“Where is Princess Celestia,” Twilight inquired.
The Lieutenant simply gestured skyward. A wide “V” shaped procession streaked overhead, with the fierce glow of the Sun Goddess at its crux. Her majestic wings beating the air with a force that left her Royal Guard escorts straining to endure the gruelling pace.
"Now this can’t be normal,” she whispered to Rarity, who nervously nodded in return.
Without further delay, the lieutenant ordered the carriage aloft, slamming the two ponies backward into the plush seating. The familiar landmarks of Ponyville raced away as they went airborne, careening towards Everfree forest.
* * *
The rustling of so many distinct legs had fallen quiet some time ago, but Scootaloo still pressed onwards at a breakneck speed. Bounding over obstacles, and weaving through the trees as quickly as her short wings could take her. She stopped eventually, more exhausted than relieved.
The forest was unnaturally quiet.
Wheezing hard as she fought to stem the burning sensations in her wings, she stepped slowly in a circle to take in her surroundings. More forest, just as expected. The ground dipped into a long shallow ravine; murky water lazily threaded through the trench as Equestria’s poorest excuse for a river. Nearby, a tall wizened tree nearly straddled the stream, leaving a flat thicket of roots jutting out above the soil which had long since eroded away.
Sweetie Belle!
She lay still beneath the thicket, one flank embedded in the cloying bog. Her vivid purple and pink mane lay streaked and dirty across her back. Eyes shut to the world.
Scootaloo tried to call out, but her voice choked within her. Tears welled in her eyes as she stamped the ground furiously, angry with herself for leaving her friend behind.
“No. No. No.. Oh Sweetie Belle,” she raised her head to look once again.
But Sweetie Belle’s eyes were open now. Shocked wide and staring directly at Scootaloo with no trace of joy or relief. Only the same terrified expression that Applebloom wore as she wordlessly tore past them earlier.
“Run,” she whispered.
But she could not. The young pegasus found herself enveloped by a shadow, abruptly cut off from the reassuring warmth of the Equestrian sun. Where there had been an open bog of wet leaves now stood a towering statue of blackened metal. It’s many eyes bearing down on the terrified young pony, silently peering as it stood motionless.
“RUN!” screamed Sweetie Belle, who had extricated herself from the riverbank, and rapidly closed the distance with the foreign creature. “RUN!” she cried as she planted her fore hooves in the soft ground, and spun to deliver a precise kick with all the force her hind legs could muster.
Scootaloo needed no further prodding. She leapt away in the confusion, pounding her hooves into the ancient forest floor as a sharp ear-splitting bang echoed from behind her. The interloper erupted with a gutteral scream, breaking into a rapid fire procession of unintelligible barking. The ground vibrated as the metal giant shifted its ponderous weight, moving much more quickly than before. But the two ponies were already speeding away in opposite directions.
Further down the river, another tree had nearly succumbed to the inexorable erosion. It slanted halfway between the vertical and horizontal, propped up only by the strained branch of a neighboring tree.
Scootaloo darted towards it, pushing her wings to the limits as she galloped straight up the dying trunk. Chunks of bark were sent flying by the force of her hooves. When the tree ended, she did not stop. Her wings beat frantically, despite never having flown successfully before. It seemed like a good time to start. But just as her arboreal assisted jump sent her arcing over the forest canopy, she felt the rush of wind and gravity reclaiming her struggling body. The sunlight disappeared as she crashed through thick leaves and thin branches, careening straight back towards the dark carpet of the forest floor.
* * *
The skies of Equestria had become remarkably crowded in a few short minutes. Flights of palace guards and pegasi citizens swept over the leafy carpet of treetops, furtively watching for any signs of life. The Sun Goddess Celestia was no exception, tirelessly pumping her wings for altitude, then gliding in long winding “S” patterns just above the tree tops.
Suddenly there was a burst of light, coalescing into a rainbow hue jet stream behind one light-blue pony, her wild multicolored mane flapping vigorously as she ploughed through the humid air. Her swift dive into the forest caught the collective attention of the other pegasi, who hurried to veer towards her.
She returned from the forest moments later, wings beating skyward as she clutched another young brown pegasus tightly with her legs.
* * *
The ground raced to meet Scootaloo. Her eyes squeezed shut as she prepared for impact, but rather than a cold hard thud she suddenly felt herself grasped tightly and pulled through a stomach-lurching arc - the firm unforgiving ground rushing away just inches behind her.
Her eyes opened, cautiously at first, but then wide with relief to see nothing but a swatch of light blue hair.
“Dash! You made it!” shouted Scootaloo.
Rainbow Dash turned her head to look at the young pony cradled tightly between her hooves, before letting her gaze drift back to the forest below. Her usual boisterous demeanor had melted into surprise and terror.
“Dash?”
“WHAT WAS THAT!” screamed Rainbow Dash. “What was THAT!”
“The metal monster?”
“No, no no! Something else! We have to go back.”
“What!”
“It got Sweetie Belle!”
Scootaloo barely felt the words register before she was flipped upside down again, clutched tightly through a sharp turn. They dove once again toward the maw of the forest. It was just then that something unusual caught their eyes - a trail of smoke that sped over the horizon, whistling distinctly as it crossed their path, and angled down sharply beneath the forest canopy.
A crack of thunder and a gout of flame erupted from the forest floor. Dash and the other pegasi reared away in panic as fire and debris shot upwards into their path.
“Dash! What about Sweetie Belle!” cried Scootaloo as soon as she regained her breath. “What happened to her?”
A stream of tears was her only response.
* * *
Sweetie Belle’s back hooves delivered a violent jolt against the towering legs of the metal giant. Still completely terrified, but sporting a grin from ear to ear, she listened to the interloper’s outburst of foreign profanity growing steadily quieter behind her.
There was a soft rustling in the bushes nearby.
There was an intense and terrible sensation in Sweetie Belle’s flank.
She spun wildly from the impact on her rear quarter, sending her flailing into the slick bog. Her rear legs had gone completely numb - with that cold anesthetic feeling slowly creeping along her spine as well. She was facing backwards now, forelegs fighting for purchase to prop her head up from the dirt and decay.
The metal giant was moving with an alarming swiftness. It’s tree-trunk sized legs stamping angrily as it bore down on Sweetie Belle. But something else was holding her attention, something much closer.
In the annals and encyclopedias and bestiaries of the kingdom of Equestria, there were a great many plants, animals, and magical apparitions that had been studied, catalogued, or at least vaguely mentioned in the findings of exploratory journals. On the other hoof, there were a variety of creatures that were not, or would not ever find their way into the written record. The elusive nature of these creatures could generally be explained on their innate and well honed ability to camouflage themselves from prying eyes, thrive in climates or regions that were rarely travelled by the ponies of Equestria, or simply and viciously devour anything that approached.
That which stood before Sweetie Belle was firmly in the third category. Long hairy spider-like legs bunched into hundreds of brown bristling segments; the juncture where the arachnid characteristics clashed neatly with “giant carnivorous centipede”. If only it were that simple to describe. The head of the creature bore no resemblance to any known insect. Where one might expect to find eyes or a mouth, there was simply a mass of tendrils; eel-like protrusions with gibbering tooth rimmed mouths that thrashed blindly, bearing the force to knock down smaller prey.
The fangs bore a venom as well. A paralytic agent. Not one powerful enough to completely silence the prey, but just enough to leave it thrashing the ground with one or two remaining appendages in a desperate bid for survival.
The panic-stricken flailing of the young unicorn's matted muddy limbs sent vibrations through the ground that could be sensed through the spiderpede's many articulated feet. A sense that held a particular meaning for the creature. Lunch time. Albeit an extended lunch, since the dozens of tiny mouths could only consume flesh and bodily fluids in small measured chunks.
The numbness helped with cooperation.
As the paralysis crept past her forelegs, and the tears in her eyes blotted out the nightmare world before her, she began to scream. She screamed as the spiderpede darted towards her supine form, as the otherworldly metal monster ran towards her, and even as a flash of rainbow hued blur heralded Scootaloo’s rescue. Her face sank into the mud briefly, as she struggled to roll her uncooperative body to the side. Brackish water stung her eyes as she forced them open to witness their last sights.
The spiderpede was held aloft, grasped in four separate places by the metal monster. Clumps of legs were torn free as the mechanical arms efficiently punctured and dismembered. Still it fought back, the poison tipped tendrils beating uselessly into the head and neck of the interloper. With a grunt, the metal monster spun and threw the spiderpede to the ground, where it lay writhing. Then it pointed, making a series of odd, but distinct gestures.
And then, it ran. It scooped up the screaming Sweetie Belle and held her close to its blackened steel armor, running with long purposeful strides. Moments later, there was a great and terrible explosion. Flames, debris, and the innards of carnivorous pony-eating insect flew in haphazard arcs past the interloper and Sweetie Belle’s field of vision.
The forest flew by at a dizzying pace, suggesting a far more jarring ride than the gentle support from the steel gauntlets. It was hard to tell if the interloper was exhibiting real concern, or if it was just the dream-like effects of near total paralysis.
Either way, she hoped before slipping unconscious, that it didn’t hold a grudge.
* * *
“Did you see that!” Twilight screamed over the whistling wind.
Rarity peered over the edge, her face bereft of any visible emotion. Slowly she closed her quivering eyelids, and turned to face rear of the carriage. Twilight averted her attention from the chaos below to hold her friend; gently shuddering as she softly wept.
There was a sudden commotion from the front of the carriage, as the Lieutenant scrambled to one side.
“INCOMING,” he shouted as the carriage rocked with a sudden thump. Twilight and Rarity twisted around in the increasingly cramped area, turning to see Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo, breathlessly sprawled across the seat.
The glances they exchanged conferred a distinct absence of good news.
“Have you seen Sweetie Belle?” Rarity asked through a facade of hope. “What happened to her?”
Rainbow Dash began to shake her head, but hesitated.
“I.. don’t know,” she breathed. “I don’t even know what I saw down there, it was so fast”
She still held Scootaloo tightly to her chest, almost afraid to let go.
“What did you see Dash? What caused that fire -”
“INCOMING,” the lieutenant loudly interrupted again. The carriage rocked a second time as the remaining space was taken by the gleaming majestic flank of Princess Celestia - straddling the side rail with two legs hooked in the car, and two dangling in the air. One wing folded tightly, and the other extended in the airstream to keep her aloft.
“Girls, I am glad to see you safe! But I must not delay.” She turned to Twilight. “I must commend your judgement for bringing this to my immediate attention. I know you had very little to go by, but there are no shortage of surprises in Equestria, and it never hurts to stay one hoof ahead of them. You have my thanks.”
She turned, a somber expression creeping over her regal disposition.
“Lieutenant, stay aloft until given the signal to land. Otherwise, if you see anything else out of the ordinary, return immediately to Canterlot. I charge you with their safety.”
“Understood, your majesty.”
“Rarity. Know this. Your sister is in my care.” She leaned close to Rarity, their horns touching for a brief moment as she whispered to her.
A tangible sense of calm washed over her, as she quietly nodded back to the Princess.
“Rainbow Dash. Your brave actions have made a difference today. The depth of my gratitude can not hope to match what you are truly owed.”
Dash tried to protest, shaking her head weakly.
“I couldn’t get to her in time. Something carried her away into the forest.”
“But there is still hope, is there not? Hold onto that thought like a candle in the darkness, and let it guide you.”
Rainbow Dash simply nodded.
“I will.”
“Now I must go. Be strong, my little ponies.”
And with that, the Princess Celestia kicked off from the burdened carriage, spreading her wings and diving into the jet stream. They watched as she swooped down into the fray.
“But.. where is she going?” asked Scootaloo.
They looked. Dozens of pegasi, citizen and soldier alike, had begun to descend through the cloud of smoke wafting up from Everfree forest. The first wave of Pinkie Pie’s search party were not far behind. But the Princess had turned to seek a different objective. She followed the smoke trail that still hung over the forest, before diving through the leafy canopy, out of sight.
* * *
Sweetie Belle laid nearly still on a silver blanket, breathing softly through fitful sleep. The punctures on her flank had been painstakingly cleaned, and bandaged with sterile cloth. A portable electric blanket rose and fell with the movement of her ribs.
The interloper remained still, holding vigil over its comatose patient. Nearby, a metal case lay open - nearly buried in the clutter of tiny wrapped packages and stainless steel implements.
A solid thump in the ground announced a new presence behind the interloper. The measured and uniform stomp of four hooves conveyed a very clear demand for attention.
A crown of eyes spun around to face the newcomer, even as the interloper kneeled motionless in front of the makeshift triage area. Slowly and deliberately, it began to stand, shifting it’s body to show the young Sweetie Belle laying safely in front of it. It’s careful and practiced movements bespoke considerable experience in this sort of situation. A seasoned veteran of awkward encounters at gunpoint. Finally it stood, rocking back and forth with small steps as it turned to face its visitor.
A big glowing unicorn with wings. The interloper shrugged plaintively, before slowly holding one hand in the air and uttering a deep electronically tinged greeting.
For Princess Celestia, this sounded virtually indistinguishable from a stagecoach sliding sideways over a gravel strewn cliff, and violently immersing itself in the bottom of a lake - except backwards and softer.
* * *
Applejack continued her trek through the forest, meandering through unmarked trails. Her burst of vigor had since faded, as with her sense of direction. Still she pressed on, even as her creeping doubt began to manifest as a bear trap snapped tightly in the back of her mind.
She was lost. No other way around it.
Her head hung low, she steadfastly continued - refusing to succumb to the choking sobs that swelled in her throat.
As she pushed past yet another low hedge, bespackled with tiny pink and yellow flowers, she came across something odd. A perfectly circular patch of berries and fruits, hanging delectably from short stunted branches.
“Well,” she said, putting aside her thoughts of Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo for a moment, “Ah never seen anything quite like that before, but I know them’s good eatin.”
A full stomach never hurt anybody.
* * *
Over the blanket where Sweetie Belle lay, the two giants among ponies faced off. The luminous alicorn, magestic in her splendor and graceful in poise, stared fervently across the space between them; eyes narrowed to angry slits and jaw set with fierce determination. Flank muscles tensed to lunge forward at the slightest provocation as she leveled her gleaming white horn at the interloper.
The visitor firmly held ground. Its suit of armor bore a very simple and utilitarian purpose; to inspire shock and terror in those unfortunate to face it, and swiftly follow through with brutish mayhem. Such a suit would find itself only mildly impeded as it smashed its way through flesh and bone, or hardened steel bulkheads. But despite the nightmarish appearance, it tried its best to appear friendly.
A rumble of countless hooves could be heard, encircling the standoff. A sea of hushed gasps and quiet shouting. No pony approached, even as the encroaching circle swelled with their numbers.
They stood this way for minutes, neither flinching from their mutual gaze. Their eyes locked unwaveringly, even through the sudden commotion, screaming, and frantic galloping of ponies clearing a path for one errant pegasi drawn royal carriage. It struck the ground hard, wheels fracturing in segments over the uneven terrain. In a panic, the Lieutenant hammered the release for the harness, allowing the draft pegasi to fly upwards out of the path of the impromptu missile. The remains of Princess Celestia’s royal chariot bounced and slid through the soft grass, wooden debris flanking the uneven furrow it carved.
The carriage skidded to a halt, settling just inches away from the dead broken limbs jutting away like a ring of spikes from the trunk of one particularly deformed tree. Despite the renewed and deep seated fear of Everfree forest held by the occupants of the carriage, they unanimously reached a wordless decision that it couldn’t be any worse than spending another minute in the wreckage, as they dove out in all directions.
With great and deliberate caution, the interloper perceptibly gestured with one steel gauntlet in the direction of the carriage, as if to say ‘Hey, did you see that?’.
She didn’t.
Sweetie Belle stirred gently, roused by the cacophony of vehicular carnage, and the screaming that accompanied it. Her eyelids fluttered open further at the shrill cry of her older sister.
Rarity had galloped straight away towards the trio, only stopping short of entering their mutual space. She looked at Sweetie Belle, anguished at the sight of her wounds, but buoyed by the monumental relief that she still lived. Flush with conflicting emotion, she settled back on her hindquarters, staring up with nervous trepidation at the formidable metal giant before her.
It looked back. With a soft hiss of hydraulics and artificial muscle, it slowly descended, placing one knee next to Sweetie Belle. Under the alicorn’s watchful eye, the interloper’s steel gauntlets gently slid under the young filly’s flank; lifting her up and into Rarity’s embrace.
Sweetie Belle broke the collective silence, whispering softly enough to be heard across the entire forest clearing.
“Is that you, sis?”
“Yes,” Rarity spoke, as she struggled to regain her voice. “I’m here now.”
Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash nearly bowled the two over as they joined to hug Sweetie Belle, followed closely by Applebloom - who threaded her way through the crowd and ran across the clearing faster than her older brother could give chase.
Not another word was spoken for some time, until Applebloom piped up curiously.
“Where’s Applejack?”
* * *
|
shalrath
|
1219
| 2 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Derpy Hooves,Discord,Main 6,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Human,Adventure,Comedy,Dark,Sad,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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The End
|
A friendly stranger delivers some unsettling knowledge about Life, the Universe, and Everything.
|
incomplete
| 674 | 40 |
<p>A visitor arrives in Equestria, bearing a wealth of knowledge and a troubled past. The Mane 6 are quick to befriend the stranger, who helps them to discover what they truly value in life, and how to achieve it.</p><p>But learning to overcome their fears and achieve their desires comes at a steep price, paid by their innocence.</p>
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teen
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2011-10-19T14:29:08+00:00
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2013-05-01T02:15:20+00:00
| 20,477 |
* * *
Applebloom weaved through the crowd, oblivious to the angry bellowing from Big Mac. The wall of ponies were pressed nearly flank to flank, but she squeezed through where she could, and crawled where she couldn’t.
She heard a pony shouting above and behind her. Applebloom turned briefly to see what was causing the commotion.
This was easily the second most horrifying thing she’d seen all day. Princess Celestia’s chariot, lacquered a brilliant white and trimmed with gold, was barrelling in just above the crowd. The four pegasi of the draft team held their wings folded tight against their bodies as they plowed through branch and bough of the forest. A brown and white pony in royal livery reared upright on two legs at the head of the carriage, screaming orders as the whole ensemble glided toward her like a well thrown brick.
“Make a hole! MAKE A HOLE!” the Lieutenant shouted.
The ponies moved. Not necessarily in the same direction at the same time, but it was a good start that strongly implied they were quite serious at not becoming Equestria’s first case of roadkill. Few however were afforded the luxury of an expedient extrication, and the entire swath of them simply threw themselves to the ground and hoped for the best.
The carriage roared overhead, narrowly missing a set of trees as it burst through the clearing. The pegasi pumped their wings furiously, pulling the carriage out of it’s dive before they were cut loose at the last moment. The unencumbered draft team rocketed skyward as the wheels met the forest floor with a heavy crack, sending spokes and wooden bands flying.
Applebloom clambered over the many ranks of awestruck ponies, exploiting the momentary confusion and chaos to reach the clearing. But then she stopped abruptly.
The metal monster was there.
* * *
In the center of the clearing, the metal giant kneeled before the focused gaze of Princess Celestia. It gingerly lifted Sweetie Belle from the ground, before passing her semi-conscious form to Rarity, who accepted her without fear or hesitation.
Sweetie Belle stirred against Rarity, whispering into her chest as her older sister answered through tears of joy.
Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo raced across the field. But just before they arrived, the interloper shot to its feet suddenly, in a state of panic. Those closest to it, even Princess Celestia, involuntarily reared up on hind legs. Tranquility giving way to fight or flight.
The interloper deftly turned on one foot, judging a path through the forest against it’s internal bearings. Celestia and her guard prepared to engage again, but it was already running.
There was a high pitched whine, and a loud *whump* as twin pillars of flame erupted from the interloper’s back. It bolted into the air with alarming speed, crashing forcefully through the thick foilage.
Celestia and her guards were already in pursuit, leaving Rarity and Sweetie Belle huddled together in the clearing. Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo zipped next to them, staring in awe at the sudden turn of events.
“Did you see that!” they shouted simultaneously.
Applebloom finally made her way to the middle, gasping for air from her labored journey.
No pony spoke for some time, until Applebloom finally caught her breath.
“Where’s Applejack?”
* * *
Applejack nibbled cautiously on the swollen berries. The sweet nectar soothed her lips and slid easily down her throat. There was a lingering sense in the back of her mind that these could be poisonous, but just a few shouldn’t give her more than a belly ache.
Besides, they were delicious!
It was around this time that she heard something odd. She looked up, and immediately recoiled backwards - tripping over her own legs and landing upright on her bottom.
The one half ton bundle of articulated armor landed heavily before her, two enormous metal boots embedded in the grass, and one claw-shaped steel gauntlet buried deep into the small circle of fruits and berries.
The wooden leaves of the gardener’s flower snapped shut over the interloper’s arm. The metal giant wrestled with it momentarily, before grasping the supple vine and ripping it from the dirt. Still it twisted and pulled, coiling hard enough to force the metal giant into a struggle for balance.
The interloper aimed a stubby metallic tube at the base of the vine. There was a brilliant flash and a thunderous retort, as the vine disintegrated into glowing embers. Flaming bits of peat moss showered the general vicinity.
Applejack continued to stare, all instincts set aside as she grappled with what she saw.
The metal monster still struggled to extract it’s arm from the vise-like grip of the gardener’s flower, bashing the fibrous wooden leaves repeatedly with it’s other hand. It held firm though, seemingly determined to crush the contents of its vicious maw.
That could have been her trapped in there.
Finally the husk of the decapitated carnivorous plant landed with a soft thud, and the interloper turned to face Applejack.
A million thoughts raced through her mind. Was this stranger friendly? Were Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle okay? Why did it come here when it did? What in the name of Celestia’s green pastures was that explosion?
What happened next was quite positively the last thing she would have ever expected. It picked her up easily, cradled in metal claws designed to tear holes in starships, and gave her a long heartfelt hug.
Her mind raced, but the gear was in neutral. Just over the giant’s shoulder, she caught sight of Princess Celestia - her jaw literally hanging in surprise.
There were very few times when “I can explain everything!” just simply could not. In the grand collection of history, throughout all such moments of epic awkwardness, this qualified as ‘Exhibit A’.
“Aw, what the hell,” she thought to herself as she hugged the metal monstrosity back.
* * *
“Can I have everypony’s attention please! Yes, I’m up here. All of you, please settle down for a moment!” The Lieutenant shouted from atop the wrecked carriage, stamping his hooves with impatience.
“Hi!” exclaimed Pinkie Pie, as she bounced up to the carriage. “Whatcha doing?”
“Trying to put things back in order here.. oh hey! HEY! You there! Stop what you’re doing and come back please! No wait. Go and tell those other ponies who just ran off into the woods to come back at once. The Princess is taking care of.. whatever we just saw take place. Tell them to come back immediately. We’re here for the fillies, who are now accounted for! We’re done with that, and now we need to.. OH! Catch hoof fungus you manure for brains goatmilk sucking salt licker! Anyways, pardon me about that, what did you say your name was?”
“I’m Pinkie Pie!” came the turbocharged saccharine response.
The Lieutenant sighed.
“That’s wonderful. Suppose you could tell me who in Celestia’s green pastures managed to round up the entire population of Ponyville and sent them into the middle of the forest here?”
“That would be me, silly! I know every pony in Ponyville, and I brought them all with me!” The cotton candy colored pony smiled like a shark in a swimming pool.
“Oh what.. you can’t be serious. You are serious. Gah.. Why on Equestria did you..”
“It’s a Search PARTY!”
The day of the Lieutenant’s inevitable debilitating brain aneurysm seemed that much closer.
“Auughh..” The Lieutenant rubbed his temple with one well polished hoof. “I don’t suppose it’s occurred to you that this is the Everfree Forest, and there are an awful lot of ponies who probably shouldn’t be out here. And if they start wandering off and getting lost, we’re going to have a real crisis on our hands. We need to focus on getting everypony back safely, rather than just standing around bumping flanks - er, pardon my language miss.”
“Well I can help!” she giggled with disconcerting confidence.
Without waiting for a response, she zipped into the milling throng of ponies. To the Lieutenant, she looked less like a pony, and more like a bouncing pink bulldog, as she swiftly herded the loose circle into a neat and terrified grid.
“Theeeey’re all yours!” She squealed, as she reared up on her hind legs and snapped off a salute that would bring a tear to a Drill Stallion’s scornful eye.
“Right then. First off, on behalf of Her Majesty Princess Celestia, and the Royal Guard of Canterlot, you have our thanks for coming here today. Bravely coming here, I might add. Great! Now that’s out of the way, I would like to remind everypony that we are in the middle of the forest, and the sun is going down soon! Now I know that not many of you are a part of Her Majesties forces, but I would ask that you follow my lead, and hopefully we can get everyone back to Ponyville in an orderly fashion.”
“Why should we take orders from you!” came a voice from the crowd.
There was a bright and terrible flash of pink.
There was a quiet whimpering from the heckler in the crowd.
“Theeey’re all yours!” Pinkie shouted.
* * *
“Applejack, my little pony. Are you okay?”
“Yes ma'am, I mean, Princess. I sure am glad to see you here.” She paused to look over her shoulder at the interloper. “Mighty glad the big fella was here too.”
Celestia overturned the gardener’s flower with her hoof, shuddering slightly.
“I would say so. Very fortunate,” she trailed off.
“Princess, pardon for interrupting, but have you seen Scootaloo or Sweetie Belle? I’ve been awfully worried.”
Celestia leaned forward, face to face with the cornsilk hue pony.
“They are both safe and well. And I believe we have our guest to thank for that.” She smiled warmly. “But know well that we all are indebted to you, my dear Applejack. Your bravery and determination has made a profound difference in the course of this day.”
Applejack nearly collapsed with relief.
The alicorn reared her head back gracefully, drawing up with magnificent regal splendor. She turned to face the interloper one more time, bowing her head with all sincerity.
The interloper raised it’s iron gauntlet again, waggling it around from side to side, and emitting a rumbling salutation that sounded not unlike a sick dragon gargling with a barrel of rainwater.
In the complete and exhaustive annals of awkwardness, this was ‘Exhibit B’.
After a few moments, the metal giant tried a different approach. It swung one of it’s smaller arms forward, fingers splayed ever so slightly with the palm facing up. Celestia eyed the strange pose, and attempted to mimic the otherworldly greeting; her hoof pressed softly into the mechanical gauntlet.
They shook.
* * *
“All right, is everybody clear? Task element Barley, your job is to proceed back to Ponyville, leaving two-pony teams at 50 yard intervals. You will be relieved by task element Oatmeal, as they pass through. Stay tight with your groups, and leave no pony behind”
The Lieutenant sighed with a small measure of relief. Not only for the satisfaction of an orderly procession, but the sudden stroke of brilliance in asking that shrill pink maniac to take a complete headcount.
“Now, Thank you again, everypony, for your cooperation. Task element Hayseed, are you prepared to embark?”
“Eeeyup,” affirmed Big Macintosh, towing a makeshift sled with Sweetie Belle comfortably strapped in.
“Excellent. Now If there are any volunteers, I’d like to see if we can do something about this,” he tapped his hoof on the stricken carriage. “It shouldn’t be too hard to strip down and carry back to Ponyville.”
The carriage already bore a conspicuously absent space where a Sweetie Belle sized plank used to be.
“Any volunteers at all? Love to get this thing home and slap on a little bit of glue and polish. It’ll be just like new, and no pony will ever know the difference.”
“Know what?” intoned a familiar voice.
The Lieutenant spun abruptly, losing his footing and tumbling from the roof of the carriage. He rebounded up from the pony-sized depression in the mud and came to attention. Years of well hardened discipline suppressing his sudden urge to brush away the wet leaves plastered to the side of his face.
“Your Majesty..” he stated, deftly concealing his sudden lack of anything to say as a declarative salutation.
Celestia peered across the clearing - the organized chaos of ponies marching home in staggered intervals, and the entourage surrounding Big Mac as he pulled Sweetie Belle on a gleaming white lacquered plank.
She looked at the carriage, and back to the Lieutenant.
“Permission to speak freely, your Majesty?”
“Go ahead.”
“I’m sure that will buff out.”
Many thousands of years of experience bearing the crown of Equestria came to bear in suppressing a very un-princess-like braying laugh. But only just.
“It’s perfectly all right, Lieutenant..”
“Lancaster, ma’am. Laurence Lancaster.”
“Ah. I apologize if we did not have the time to meet properly this morning. And I feel that our time here may be short as well. But I must stay to commend your quick thinking and superb organization.”
“I did have some.. help, your Majesty.” He let his eyes flick to the sides, nervously twitching at the thought of leering pink visage appearing from nowhere.
Celestia giggled softly. “I think I know exactly who you mean.”
“She has some natural.. talents, I have to admit. I have her performing a headcount to make sure there’s - “
“All done!”
If there was a terrible and abrupt end of the world, this was exactly how Lancaster had dreadfully imagined it; his vision filled with the bright eyes and wide smiling teeth of the gleeful rending of existence.
“Pinkie Pie, my resourceful little filly. Is everypony accounted for?” Celestia mused, already certain of the answer.
“Of course, silly!”
The Lieutenant’s fateful destiny with a brain aneurysm crept several years closer.
“I’ve got them aaaall right here!” She tapped a hoof against her head with a force that would leave larger animals in a six month coma.
“Well done my little pony,” she said with a trace of astonishment, glancing up at the sea of near-indistinguisable ponies, and back down to Pinkie - who’s attention had suddenly gone cross-eyed on a lavender butterfly, her lips whispering softly as she attempted to discern the secret language of it’s ancient and storied fluttery race.
“Lieutenant Lancaster, I have yet another assignment for you to partake in your service to the crown. If you would please, and with haste, inform Miss Twilight Sparkle that I urgently request her presence again. Please escort her back to the clearing, and I shall return shortly. Secondly, I will ask that you secure lodging in Ponyville for a brief but indefinite duration, as soon as you have finished seeing everypony out of the forest.”
The Lieutenant nodded sharply.
“One more thing. Please inform Twilight and her companions that their friend Applejack is safe, and will join them later this evening.”
“Understood Ma’am. But if I might say one thing, you can just call me Laurie instead of that other mouthfull.”
“I see. Then I shall call you Captain Laurie from now on.”
His lungs took a sharp intake of breath, though it felt as if the exact opposite had happened.
“You are dismissed, Captain.”
Laurie saluted, unwittingly adding another layer of mud and detrius to his proud bespackled face.
Celestia turned to depart, leaving the two next to the carriage.
“Yaaay! A promotion!” Pinkie cartwheeled around Laurie.
His eyes bore twin hollow pupils, a thousand yard stare that silently screamed for sweet release from this nightmare. Explosions rocked around him, sending his heart racing - the streaming confetti and showers of glitter from Pinkie’s emergency party rations. He turned briskly, and ran after task element Hayseed - where Twilight and the others formed a loose entourage around Sweetie Belle.
“Oh hey, did she say you’re going to be living in Ponyville! That’s great! I know just the place where you can stay too, it’s right next to Sugarcube Corner! I know we can be the best of friends! FOREVER!”
Captain Laurie broke into a sprint.
* * *
Applejack waited patiently, examining the odd plastic netting draped over the squat hulking structure behind it. She backed up and walked forward several times, amazed at how the facade of artificial leaves and mismatched colors blended seamlessly with the forest. Even the Royal Guards couldn’t help reaching through the fake foilage to gently tap the drab boxy metal craft.
“Is it still inside there?” Celestia asked, gliding silently behind Applejack.
The Royal Guard ponies of Canterlot abruptly snapped back to their posts.
“Yes Princess,” Applejack responded with a husky sigh. “Not sure what for, but I reckon it’s not polite to rush things.”
“Oh, I agree.”
They sat for a moment, before Applejack changed the subject.
“Never knew something that big n scary could be all affectionate like that,” she said with a chuckle, concealing a hint of blush. “Almost like it hadn’t seen me in a while.. which would be kinda silly, since neither of us ain’t met before.”
“I agree. It certainly was an interesting reaction.”
‘Interesting’ did not begin to describe the depth of what Celestia opted not to say.
From behind the netting came the sound of footsteps - much softer than before. There was a hiss of hydraulics and lubricated metal as the ramp lifted and sealed against the belly of the craft.
What stepped out was much smaller, but only slightly shorter than before. Eyes nearly level with Princess Celestia. An upright frame lacking the bulging haunches and chests of Equestria’s inhabitants. It raised one hand, pink fleshy fingers splayed flat in the evening air.
It opened it’s mouth. What came out sounded like a short singing note, combined with the winning entry in last year’s Apple Family annual “pie-eatin, cider-drinkin, belch-athon” contest.
* * *
“Miss Sparkle! Miss Sparkle, yes, sorry, thank you all for stopping. Miss Sparkle, I have instructions to escort you back to the Princess.”
“Oookay. It’s just Twilight by the way.”
“And I’m Laurie. Sorry we haven’t had a chance for proper introductions. Ah, Captain Laurie actually. No wait. I’d have to check the regs on how fast a field promotion from the Princess is supposed to take affect. Oooh, no wait - I need to check when my new pay grade takes affect first, oh god I hate the paperwork that comes out of that office. Augh! Anyways, sorry about that. Oh, good news! I’m happy to let you know that your friend Aa.. Actionjack.. Applesauce.. oh gods.. “
“Applejack?”
“Yes! That’s the one. I have some important news about her! She’s ahh.. good. She’s doing good. Don’t ask me anything else because that is everything I know at the moment.”
“Wow, you are good,” Rainbow Dash said with a snicker.
“Anyways, glad to see everything is proceeding smoothly. Miss Twilight, when you’re ready.. Oh hold on, Hey! HEY! You there! Get away from that! Those things are unbelievably dangerous, I don’t care how hungry you.. HEY! You dragon teat sucking, dung-wallowing, flank-on-both-ends, miserable excuse for a quadruped; back away from that thing, NOW!” Laurie stopped to catch his breath. “Now all of you, get back in line, and don’t go anywhere near those berry patches again! I will make you march single file all the way to Ponyville if you can’t keep your oat-stuffed noses out of trouble!”
The crowd looked back at the raving mud and leaf plastered pony. Pinkie was there next to him, bouncing back and forth between her fore and hind legs, chirping a constant stream of “Can I help, Ooh, can I help! I love to help!”
They zipped into line, marching away in lockstep terror as fast as they could manage.
“Ahh, sorry about that. Anyways, Miss Twilight, when you’re ready -”
“What’s a..”
“APPLEBLOOM!” shouted Big Macintosh, staring sternly at his younger sister.
“That’s when you..”
“PINKIE!” shouted the other ponies, save for Rarity, who immediately blushed beet red and threw her forelegs into a makeshift muzzle around Pinkie Pie.
Captain “or is it Lieutenant?” Laurie shot Twilight a glance that spoke “Let’s run and never look back”.
They did.
|
shalrath
|
1219
| 3 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Derpy Hooves,Discord,Main 6,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Human,Adventure,Comedy,Dark,Sad,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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The End
|
A friendly stranger delivers some unsettling knowledge about Life, the Universe, and Everything.
|
incomplete
| 674 | 40 |
<p>A visitor arrives in Equestria, bearing a wealth of knowledge and a troubled past. The Mane 6 are quick to befriend the stranger, who helps them to discover what they truly value in life, and how to achieve it.</p><p>But learning to overcome their fears and achieve their desires comes at a steep price, paid by their innocence.</p>
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teen
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2011-10-12T16:08:09+00:00
|
2011-10-12T16:08:09+00:00
| 19,332 |
Day broke over the lush rolling hills of Ponyville. Radiant beams peered in through windows and slowly crept over the face of one brown and white pony.
Two eyelids stirred, gently opening to take in the light of dawn; ears perking to the chirping of birds and the growing bustle of the streets outside.
The refreshing tranquility caused the pony to bolt upright from bed, gasping for breath with panic stricken eyes, in the same manner that one might rouse themselves from the gruesome climax of a soul wrenching nightmare.
“I’m LATE!” Captain Laurie screamed within his head.
Slowly he adjusted to the sight of the unfamiliar room, easing himself back down into bed. “No, no. False alarm,” he thought. There was no need to scramble out of bed, or sneak into the morning formation before headcount was finished. He had a special assignment today, free from the clockwork rigors of Canterlot Palace.
He reached for the bucket of water on the bedside table, greedily pouring it into his mouth. The cool water soothed his raspy throat, painfully inflamed from the past night’s screaming expletive laden orders, expletive laden words of encouragement, and expletive laden thank-you speeches. He coughed and sputtered momentarily, sinking back into the sheets as the memories of last night began to assault his tenuous grasp on sanity. The ponies, the forest, the mud.. Oh god, the mud.
Some pony had managed to get a nasty bruise, complete with lacerations on his foreleg. It was really the only blemish on an otherwise successful operation. Laurie sighed with exasperation, shaking his hoof angrily at the ceiling of the cottage inn. A stick! A stick! If you want to pull the berries out of a gardener plant, you used a blasted stick! It was right there in the damned Royal Guardpony field manual. He shook his head, awash with rage. Flipping over, he buried his face in the plump goose feather pillow and bellowed a single drawn out curse.
Through the soft pillow came a muffled cry, which sounded vaguely like “civilians”.
He hopped out of the makeshift foxhole of rumpled blankets. A sense of urgency drove him to get started on his tasks for the day. As he surveyed the room, he was taken aback by how small it was, as if someone took a normal sized room, shoved in an extra set of bedding, and tacked a bolt of fabric down the middle to divide it in half.
Which would explain the bolt of fabric, tacked hastily down the middle of the wall and ceiling.
Laurie knew exactly what had to be done. He cleared the writing desk, and emptied his satchel into three distinct piles. One well abused copy of the Royal Guardpony field manual, several sheafs of loose paper, and a writing quill. He opened the book, diving straight into the appendix. From there, he painstakingly copied several pages, taking obsessive care with the margin spacing, the neatness of the lines, and the strings of numbers adorned across the top and bottom of each page.
He went over them again, hastily scrawling his name, hoof number, and terse wording in the spaces he provided. Several minutes of furious writing later, he sat back to admire a job well done. One copy of Form P-4211-004, ‘Combined Multi-Part Request for Basic Housing Allowance, Cost of Living Allowance, and Substandard Accommodation Comfort Allowance, and one copy of Form P-2300-4-23, Request for Advancement of Pay Grade Due to Unscheduled Field Promotion.
He mentally wrestled with the last form. A set of check boxes near the end remained blank, demanding a choice which he could not answer. Laurie spat the quill onto the desk, rubbing his temples with both hooves. Who actually witnessed the field promotion? If he could remember, it would be a simple matter of checking the first box, and writing the name of somepony that could vouch for the event.
He chuckled with a tinge of pride at the previous block, the Granting Authority. It read:
[ ] Unit Commanding Officer
[ ] Surviving Unit Ranking Officer
[ ] Sword-Wielding Magical Aquatic Apparition
[x] Celestial Deity
That one was considerably easier.
With a sigh, he backed away from the desk. Curiously, he parted the curtains to peer outside at the bustling backwater town of Ponyville.
Directly across the street was a bakery. A pink hoof waved excitedly from the window.
Laurie fell to the floor, his heart thumping loudly in his chest. He crawled along his side against the base of the wall - all the while hearing the incessant shouting of his old Drill Stallions demanding that he go lower and faster. For a moment he stayed in the corner, curled in a fetal position, gently rocking back and forth.
He steeled himself for what came next. With a bolt of determination, he launched himself from the base of the wall and skidded to a stop in front of the writing desk. He grasped the quill quickly, suppressing his shaking hooves as he bent down to check “[x] Will submit additional form P-2442-84-2 ‘Waiver for Lack of Witness to Unscheduled Field Promotion’”.
* * *
“You look positively exhausted, sister,” Luna proffered a hoof to Celestia, helping her up from the pile of books strewn in a semi circle around the throw pillow. “You’re not planning to face the rest of the day like this are you?”
“I believe I can manage. The palace staff can handle today’s events without any hoof-holding. Just so long as we can reschedule any further crises until next week,” Celestia smiled weakly.
“I’m dying to know more about this visitor you mentioned. I caught sight of him briefly last night before they reached Ponyville. And I must say the Lieutenant down there was doing a remarkably entertaining job as well. A real way with words.” Luna smirked.
“That would be Captain Lancaster now, or Laurie, as he prefers to go by. He seems to be quite adept at handling crowds.”
“He can certainly speak their language.”
Celestia permitted herself to a loud snorting laugh. But just this once.
“I trust that he will be an excellent host to our new guest,” Luna continued. “Although I understand there’s something of a language barrier. Do we expect Captain Laurie to take on the role of linguist as well?”
Celestia tapped the pile of books and parchment at her hooves, and gestured at Twilight Sparkle, who had completely passed out in the middle of an open tome.
“We have something that may help with that. It did take us some time to research the elements of this spell, but it may help us to communicate.”
“While I understand your desire to bring your protege` in on this, were there not more experienced scholars of magic to help you develop this spell?”
“There were. I imagine they will be sleeping on your schedule for the next few days. But Twilight is who I trust to use the spell. It is not so simple to transliterate spoken word without an understanding of the meaning behind it. And that necessitates an ability to listen to the mind, rather than the tongue.”
Luna pondered this.
“Such a spell would allow one to read minds like a book.”
“I know what you are thinking. It would bear grave consequences if used improperly.” Celestia intoned. “Though pardon my figure of speech, I did not need the spell to discern your reaction.”
Luna looked back to Twilight. “And you trust her implicitly with this?”
“That is why she is my protege`”
“Mmm.. It will be interesting to see what she learns. Although our guest may grow tired of only having one pony to talk with.”
“That did not escape our attention. A variant of this spell may allow our guest to project the thoughts behind his, or her, words. Likewise, it can be used to delve into the meaning of our language as well.”
“Is that wise?”
“Do not fret sister, the spell has limitations. Our guest cannot read minds, and Twilight’s ability will only extend through the bond between her and the visitor. As for me, I shall take no part in this spell, for even the potential to do so would undermine the nature of my rule.”
“Does our guest possess the ability to harness magic? I can not see how this would work without it.”
“No, at least not that I can tell. But our research last night was not in vain. I have a plan to deal with that.”
“And what becomes of this?” Luna motioned towards the pile of books and hastily inked scrolls.
“Sealed away. Forever, I should hope. Much like their original author.“
“The Draconequus?”
Celestia nodded.
“Sister, could I ask of you a few small favors?”
“Anything, Celestia.”
“If you could send for our guest in a few hours, around Noon perhaps. And wake me before he arrives. Twilight as well.”
“Consider it done.”
“One more thing. Bring me a knife when you come for me. The sharpest you can find.”
Luna eyed her sister curiously. “I don’t suppose you have a plan for that too?”
“Yes, you’ll see.”
“Okay. Sleep well Princess.”
“That’s Boss Hoss to you, sister.”
Luna giggled as Celestia slumped over on her side.
“I’ll bet that was Applejack.”
“Eeeeeeyup!”
* * *
“Oh, good morning, Applejack.”
“Same’s to you, Fluttershy. What brings you around these parts?”
“Oh, I wanted to see what all the commotion was about last night. I was away tending to the frogs in the swamp behind my house when it happened. I was really surprised to come back and find Ponyville almost completely empty!”
“Sugarcube, I got enough tales from that night to tell all week.”
Fluttershy smiled, her thoughts partially elsewhere.
“Did you see that new pony?”
“Might wanna narrow it down a bit, sugar.”
“The one covered in mud and leaves.”
“Oooh, him. Some officer from Canterlot, I reckon. I was pulling up the rear of that wagon train, so I only spotted him a few times.”
“He had such a way with his words!”
Applejack winced, rubbing one tan hoof against her forehead.
“And the way he ran back and forth through that crowd. I’ve never seen anypony with such.. “ Fluttershy trailed off for a second, looking away suddenly, while tracing her hooves through the dirt.
“Any such what?”
“Um..” Fluttershy whispered. “Stamina.”
Applejack cocked one eye at her friend.
“I mean, well.. Do you think he’s nice?”
Applejack laughed nervously, trying to eject herself from the trainwreck of morbid embarrassment.
“Ohhh, no sugarcube. If I ever go cross eyed and head over hooves for somepony, I reckon he’d be more of the strong and silent type.” She smiled nervously herself, concealing a trace of blush.
The two friends went quiet, having reached a verbal detente` in mutually assured awkwardness.
“You know, I rarely see you this early. Are you all caught up with bucking apples for today?”
“Oh, no. Just came into town to fetch some supplies”
“Did you forget your saddlebags?”
Applejack looked back, feigning surprise.
“Aw shoot. Reckon I did. Need to add that to the list.”
* * *
The more Laurie thought about it, the less sense it made. The general condition of the dwelling, which he thought about briefly to determine the proper adjective; ‘adequate’, seemed out of place with the fabric curtain that bisected the room. It just smacked of a rush job. But why?
Something else nibbled at the back of his mind as well. Somewhere between his colorful public service announcement about “why to avoid gardener plants at all costs - unless you were really hungry, in which case you can try this little field technique”, and drearily stumbling his way into a decidedly inadequately lit cottage, there was something else. He strained to remember.
The memory involved a hoof tap on his shoulder.
Not just any hoof, as it suddenly dawned on him.
He turned to look at the curtain. He could hear a slight rustling behind it.
A guest? Laurie grimaced. He could barely remember anything about that. He approached the curtain and cleared his throat
“Ahem, excuse me. Hello. Is anypony in there?”
The rustling stopped.
“Anyways, hello, again. I think. I believe I should introduce myself. I am Lieu.. er.. Captain Laurence Lancaster. But you can call me Laurie for short. I hope I didn’t startle you there, but I believe we should get to know each other. After all, I understand you are a guest in Her Majesty’s kingdom of Equestria, and I am here to be your escort, your guide, and quite possibly your friend as well.”
Laurie paused for a moment, suddenly drawing in his breath. Memories of the previous day surged in his mind. The dawning horror of the branches slapping his face, the rush of the ground to meet them, his barely suppressed urge to scream “women drivers!”, and the abrupt painful crash in Everfree Forest. But there was something else that crept into his painful flashback. The metal monster!
From across the curtain, footsteps could be heard.
* * *
“You’ve been working on your list for a while now.”
“Don’t rush me girl, you know I ain’t the sorta filly that has to make two trips.”
“At this rate, I don’t see you making any trips.”
“Fluttershy, don’t you have some cutsie wootsie little green hoppers to handle back in the swamp?”
“Oh, I do!” She said through gritted teeth. “And you know what? It’s applesauce on the menu today!”
* * *
Laurie recoiled as the curtain began to pull aside, steeling his body into the panicked position of attention that had long since superseded the typical fight or flight pose of less disciplined creatures. The haphazardly placed tacks gave way from the ceiling, and the whole curtain fell to the floor in a *whump*.
Staring across the room were two surprised individuals. Not equally surprised, but sharing some mutual modicum of astonishment.
Laurie attempted to relax slightly, but the chain of command in his brain had efficiently lost or routed any such thoughts into bureaucratic oblivion. The ‘guest’ standing before him did not bear the formidable nightmare-inducing suit of armor he had seen earlier. In place of a dragon’s skull, forged from blackened metal, and rimmed with glowing glass eyes, there was a simple round face with a neat tuft of wavy hair. Only two arms, instead of four this time, and a white cotton fabric that draped loosely over a slightly rounded belly, in place of the many interlocking scorched steel plates.
It raised one arm, waggling it’s flat palm with five fingers pressed together as a shallow bowl.
To Laurie, the greeting that followed sounded not terribly unlike a bulldog clearing it’s throat in preparation of singing a baritone part in a Bel Canto style opera.
After a few brief moments, the interloper returned to its chair. It picked up a pair of boots, and began to rub a greasy black cloth in tiny circles around the toe.
Laurie looked down at his own hooves suddenly, and then to the small metal tin of ebony hued wax next to the interloper. He approached cautiously, pointing an inquisitive hoof.
The interloper dabbed the cloth in the tin, smearing it around on the face of Laurie’s hoof, and then brushing it vigorously with a wooden block stuffed with short stiff bristles.
He looked down in amazement.
Now, that was shiny!
With wide eyes and an exuberant grin, Laurie took a look at the rest of the Interloper’s belongings. He extended a hoof to delicately touch the crisp shirt hanging from a makeshift line strung across the room. The creases were impeccable, and the fabric itself held stiff with only a soft pliant give. Laurie stopped to look at his own royal sash wadded in a barely laundered heap at the foot of his bed. He turned back to face the Interloper.
It stood there, aiming a stubby metallic tube at Laurie’s neck.
There was a soft whine, and a blast of hot air. The damp hairs of his mane ruffled and dried with perfect wavy volume.
Laurie searched a moment for the best adjective to describe how he felt.
This was Fabulous!
* * *
Twilight stirred gently at the incessant prodding of one polished azure hoof.
“Ooh, what time is it?” she mumbled, blearily opening one eye just far enough to bare her pupil to the stone floor and wooden tables of Celestia’s private study.
Both eyes shot open. Luna stood before her in the dim library, deftly levitating a long wicked blade within the shimmering magical aether of her glowing horn.
A million questions raced through Twilight’s head. Foremost of these was just how well an entire wall of books would insulate her final gurgling screams from the rest of the world.
“I’m glad you are awake Twilight. I know it has been a while since we’ve seen each other!”
Twilight gulped.
“Anyways, I have a slight favor to ask. I have just sent for our guest, who should be arriving here soon. Celestia asked me to wake her before then, but I’m afraid she’s completely dead to the world!”
Twlight gulped, again.
“I have a few loose ends to wrap up myself.. Are you all right?”
She nodded weakly, glancing across to see Princess Celestia’s chest still rising and falling, as she sprawled loosely over the throw pillow.
“Okay. If you could wake her up soon, that would be tremendously helpful. Oh, and could you give her this as well?” The tip of the polished ornamental blade sank smoothly into the wooden bench.
Twilight drew her gaze to the sharp silvery implement, just as Luna leaned in closely - their horns nearly crossed.
“Between you and me, she can sleep like a bear - and the snoring isn’t that far off either.”
Luna turned to leave, making her way to the door before Twilight found her voice.
“What is the knife for?”
Luna stopped, and looked back.
“Beats me,” she said with a shrug.
* * *
Laurie’s hooves gleamed pitch black, and his sash hung smartly over his forequarters; the beleaguered fabric pressed flat with a silvery polished brick that blasted steam like a sleeping dragon.
The two stood to inspect and admire each other, helpfully correcting any minor imperfections. Despite not sharing a single word, they conveyed their thoughts easily through a wealth of common experience.
There was a slight muffled commotion outside the cottage. They turned to look, before exchanging a glance that clearly spoke “Ehh..”
Laurie’s guest gestured with one hand, pursing its fingers together against its lips and chewing.
The brown and white pony nodded understandingly.
Feeling the hairs rise on the back of his mane, Laurie stepped back towards the window, peering out through the curtains. He sighed with relief at the distinct lack of anything pink.
Just then, the door burst open.
“Gooood Morning!” squealed Pinkie Pie, delicately balancing a cupcake on her nose through her violent entrance.
Laurie could not scream, but he tried with all his might.
Pinkie jerked her head up with her teeth bared wide. The cupcake sailed upwards.
Laurie could not help but share a brief emotional bond with the tiny confection. His heart wrenched and his eyes glistened with fear and sadness as it arced through the air, before succumbing to the inexorable tug of gravity, and disappearing with a single wet snap in that voracious jaw. You and me both, brother. You and me both.
“Who’s hungry!” she shouted through frosting smeared lips.
The interloper stared quizzically, turning to look at Laurie, then back to Pinkie, then back to where Pinkie was looking.
“Fluttershy? Applejack? What are you doing there?” she asked through mouthfuls of masticated mush.
The tangled morass of tan and yellow pony stopped abruptly, staring up from outside the door.
“Oh well! Breakfast is served!” Pinkie announced as she bounced out of the cottage, and across the street to Sugarcube Corner.
Laurie and the interloper stopped to exchange a glance with Fluttershy and Applejack. Awkward transcends all language barriers.
They left quickly. Laurie would take his chances with Pinkie.
* * *
The tan pony gently spat out a tuft of delicate pink mane.
“Fluttershy?”
“Yes Applejack?”
“Reckon you’re in the mood for a bite to eat?”
“Ohh.. most definitely”
* * *
“You should’ve seen me!” boasted Scootaloo, through bites of a rainbow sprinkled doughnut.
“Oh I saw you allright. I thought you were going to launch all the way into Cloudsdale! Don’t try anything like that again tho, or you’re going to get picked up by the Wonderbolts before me!” Rainbow Dash ruffled Scootaloo’s mane.
“Wasn’t nearly as awesome as what you did, Sweetie Belle. I heard you kick that thing from fifty yards away!”
Sweetie Belle smiled, her body still sore from the near-fatal encounter with the spiderpede, her mind treading carefully around the terrible memories of the incident.
“Oh, it was nothing. Although, I just hope there were no hard feelings,” she grinned slightly, but hanging her head. “I know I didn’t feel very brave yesterday.”
The door crashed open.
“More tea, girls?” asked Pinkie Pie, as she bounded back into Sugarcube Corner.
“With lemon drops, and enough sugar to knock out a humming..” Scootaloo paused, looking across the dining area.
The otherwordly visitor, and a spectacularly well groomed officer of Her Royal Majesty’s Palace Guard stood at the threshold.
Laurie broke the silence - oblivious to the sudden tension in the room - as he sidled up to a free table, and motioned to Mrs Cake.
“Hello, and good morning. I was wondering if I couldn’t get a little something for myself and my, er, friend here. I’ll have my eggs runny, my coffee black, and my toast blacker. Oh, and a receipt please. Travel records, you know. And for him, eh.. oh wait, where are you going?”
Rainbow Dash’s hoof pressed firmly against Scootaloo’s, as the interloper approached their table.
Sweetie Belle held her head high, returning the gaze.
It gave a disconcerting smile, leaning over the table. Slowly it raised a fist, and brought it down hard into the side of its own thigh.
The diner grew unsettlingly quiet.
Slowly, the interloper reached across the table to Sweetie Belle, past the other nervously immobile ponies, and raised its fist again.
A gentle tap connected with Sweetie Belle’s flank, careful to avoid the bandaged portion.
A palpable sense of relief filled the diner, as the interloper tousled Sweetie Belle’s pink and purple mane. She smiled deeply as he returned to sit next to Laurie.
“Huh? What was that all about? Arghh.. You can’t understand me? Can you? Oh well - just thought I’d put that out there. So! What will you be having? Gah! Still no idea what I’m saying right?”
* * *
“Now that was the bravest thing ah ever did see,” breathed Applebloom.
Sweetie Belle shook her head. “No, I’m not that brave. Really.”
“That’s just it. My big sis used to tell me that being brave only happens when you ain’t, but you do it anyways.”
The Cutie Mark Crusaders each placed a hoof in the center of the table, wordlessly acknowledging that which did not need to be said.
“Speakin of which, what’s she doing here this early anyways?”
* * *
The two devoured their breakfast in relative silence. While every eye in the diner was locked onto Laurie and his strange looking guest, Laurie felt one set that seemed to be drilling a hole in the back of his neck with focused intensity. They both turned around to look.
Applejack and Fluttershy sat several tables behind them, their plates untouched. Applejack suddenly looked up with a start, reciting the next month’s rain forecast from the Apple family Almanac, while Fluttershy abruptly buried her face in an upside-down newspaper - in much the same manner that a blushing Victorian lady might demurely conceal herself with the switchblade deployment of a folding fan. If only she could be seen from behind it.
Laurie and his guest turned back to their meal, blissfully oblivious.
He watched Pinkie as she bounded industriously around the diner, feeling slightly more relaxed in the close proximity to her hyperactive pink presence. A humorous thought crossed his mind. ‘Give me a few more soldiers like these, and we’ll never see another war!’ He sighed with amusement. He really shouldn’t be so worked up when she was around.
“Desseeert time!” cried Pinkie as she barrelled towards Laurie with a large wobbling tray, overloaded with towering stacks of frosted and jelly slathered sweetbreads.
Laurie’s eyes darted from the structurally ‘temporary’ assortment, back to his groomed fur and crisp immaculate sash, and then back to Pinkie.
Oh god oh god oh god KEEP IT AWAY!
* * *
A gentle trumpeting heralded the arrival of the pegasi drawn coach, as it set down with the grace of a falling leaf on a still pond. It glided smoothly on well greased wheels towards Sugarcube Corner, narrowly missing one panic stricken brown and white pony who had bolted from the door scant moments prior.
Unfazed by the near brush with death, the pony could be seen looking back with alarm, as if it had forgotten something terribly important. The cry of “My receipt!” barely audible over the screeching of its hooves.
“Lieutenant Lancaster, I should presume,” the older black haired pony shouted dryly.
“Oh, hello!” Laurie trotted over to the carriage.
“Ahem”
“Huh? Ohhhh.. A salute. Right. Ahh, I figured that since we’re both Captains now, it wasn’t necessary. Sorry about that, one for old times sake eh?”
Laurie saluted smartly. The other pony performed a similar motion that might appear as a salute to the casual onlooker, but really looked like rubbing his temple in anticipation of a crippling brain aneurysm.
“Exactly how long have you been a Captain, Mr Lancaster?”
“Ahh.. about twelve hours now. No wait, more like twenty or so.”
The older pony glared.
“I have the chit right here too..” He ruffled through his satchel.
“Nevermind. We’re here for our ‘guest’. Perhaps you’ve seen him, or her, or whatever, in the last twenty hours?”
“Well speak of the devil, here he comes now.”
Laurie motioned towards his guest to enter the carriage, as he clambered aboard.
“Mr Lancaster.”
“Yes?”
“Get out.”
“Ahh.. right.”
“Normally I understand this would have been your job, but I hear you’ve been having some carriage trouble recently.”
“Gargle in a slit trench, sir.”
“What was that? Speak up Lieutenant, or whatever it is that you call yourself these days.”
“Understood perfectly, Sir!”
The two exchanged a mutually professional glare.
“Sir, permission to speak freely, Sir!” called out the lead pegasus.
“Go ahead.”
“Sir, permission to hydrate before we return airborne.”
“You’re serious? You are serious. Aghh. Fine! You have three minutes. Stay right here, and don’t let our guest leave. I’m going inside to de-hydrate.”
He turned to Laurie before he descended from the carriage.
“Enjoy your stay in Ponyville, Lieutenant. I’d love to stay and chat, but we have work to do back in Canterlot.”
The door to Sugarcube Corner closed behind him.
“Captain, permission to speak freely?”
“Huh? what? Oh hey, you’re the team with me yesterday. How are you guys holding up? But yes, ah, go ahead.”
“Get in.”
“Ahh..”
“Now.”
“You don’t suppose somepony might have an issue with that?”
“Negative sir. Orders state that we return to Canterlot without delay.”
“If you say so..” Laurie’s words cut short as the carriage rocketed forwards, slamming him into the soft plush seat.
* * *
|
shalrath
|
1219
| 4 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Derpy Hooves,Discord,Main 6,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Human,Adventure,Comedy,Dark,Sad,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
The End
|
A friendly stranger delivers some unsettling knowledge about Life, the Universe, and Everything.
|
incomplete
| 674 | 40 |
<p>A visitor arrives in Equestria, bearing a wealth of knowledge and a troubled past. The Mane 6 are quick to befriend the stranger, who helps them to discover what they truly value in life, and how to achieve it.</p><p>But learning to overcome their fears and achieve their desires comes at a steep price, paid by their innocence.</p>
|
teen
|
2011-10-17T15:12:34+00:00
|
2011-10-17T15:12:34+00:00
| 20,183 |
* * *
Twilight continued to prod, but the slumbering white alicorn did not budge. Exasperated, she leveled her horn at Celestia's flank, and nudged her gently. Still she did not stir, save for a low grumbling, and a faint whisper.
“..who brought the whipped cream.”
It was then that Twilight knew the utter depths of fear.
* * *
“Thank you so much gentlemen. Remember, this is all my fault. Direct orders from a ranking officer, and all that. Please do come see me at my inevitable court martial, and have a good flight!”
Laurie and his guest proceeded through the serenely decorated main hall, footsteps and hoof taps synchronizing into a rhythmic cadence.
“Okay, if you will just wait here,” Laurie tapped a seat in the Princess’s antechamber. “I will inform Her Majesty that we have arrived. Er.. Yeah. Still cant understand me, I know.”
The interloper seated himself at Laurie’s request, reclining slightly.
Laurie approached the door to the study. He took a quick inventory of his grooming, came to attention, and rapped his hoof on the door three times with perfect courtesy. There was no response, but he could hear something in the room beyond.
"Allright then,” he said to himself as gently parted the door. “Good afternoon your Majesty, I would like to present.."
Laurie stopped abruptly. What he had to say was no longer relevant to what he saw. Entering partway through the door, he caught sight of the Princess Celestia sprawled ungracefully across the floor. Her grand and massive body the lodestone against which one perspiring purple pony persistently pushed.
"Uh.."
The throw pillow slipped across the polished stone, sending Twilight sprawling across Celestia’s slowly heaving flank. She looked up angrily at Laurie’s shocked countenance. Her eyes glared with a message; not the look of “I can explain everything!” that Laurie was so well practiced with, but something more base and savage.
I Will End You.
Laurie exited the room quickly, slamming the door behind him. He stood there, breathing heavily for a moment, before turning to look at his puzzled guest.
"I will not lie. I'm going to need a cold shower after this. You still can't understand me right? Well don't worry, it's for the best."
Just then a familiar pony rounded the corner of the grand hall, striding silently towards the antechamber with the inexorable determination of an active tectonic plate. He stopped no less than a whisker's breadth from Laurie's face, his royal blue tunic sporting the indelible stains of pink frosting and raspberry glaze.
"I Will End You," He whispered.
Laurie gulped.
From within the study, came a deep rumbling sound.
“What was that?” the dark haired pony demanded, as he glanced around Laurie’s head.
“A bear, I think.”
“Get out of my way.”
“No, no, wait!”
Laurie attempted to shield the door, tripping backwards as the other officer attempted to push past. The dark haired pony tumbled on top of Laurie as they both landed, sprawled halfway into Celestia’s private study.
They scrambled to extricate themselves - pulling their heads clear as the door slammed shut. It vibrated with the distinct *thwack* of a long polished knife embedding itself in thick varnished wood.
They both faced away from the door, staring off into oblivion. After some time, one of them spoke.
“Ah.. Captain Lancaster, is it?”
“Yes, Captain Dornier?”
“We’re both fired.”
“What?”
“Medical discharge, you see. After I finish throttling your windpipe, I’ll be gouging my eyes out with the kitchen utensils.”
“Ahhh.. right.”
* * *
“Huh.. wonder what that was all about,” Applejack mused at the panicked flailing exit of one particular brown and white pony. She elbowed Fluttershy with a wink. “Yep! Definitely not the silent type!”
“Ohh.. I hope he’s not the silent type,” she responded dreamily.
Applejack found herself halfway across the room before she could speak again, torn between a sudden urge to follow the interloper out the door, a sudden urge to distance herself from any further brain melting single-entendres, and a sudden urge to chug every bottle of cider from the top shelf in the Apple family cellar.
“Love to stay and chat, ya know - but them fields ain’t gonna harvest themselves. I’ll just be.. Ooof!”
“Ach!” The dark haired pony cried, as they collided and tumbled to the floor. “Watch where you’re going!”
Applejack was already out the door, her autopilot apology suddenly drowned out by the beating of pegasi wings and the rattling cacophony of a royal carriage launching under “wartime emergency power”.
This left the dark haired pony in a state of distress. His eyes bulged, and their fierce unfocused stare seemed to be on the cusp of channeling a torrent of raw hatred into a formidably tangible manifestation. The same raw hatred that, were it to escape the rigor mortis of his lips, would erupt forth in a deafening roar of thunder, bellowing a wordless unholy curse that would rend asunder the many souls of all life in all universes.
However, he simply appeared to be choking. On air.
He turned with a snarl, steeling himself to burst out through the door in one predatory leap. It was then that he was given pause.
If there were a terrible and abrupt end to the world, this was exactly how Captain Dornier would have dreadfully imagined it; a leering pink visage with teeth bared wide, framed by two towers of sickly sweet confections stacked like the skulls of a conquered civilization; arms stretched wide to deliver a crushing embrace to all that remained good in the world; its throat warbling with the exuberant singsong malfeasance that heralded the end of time itself. It sang, “cupcakes”.
“Oh god oh god oh god KEEP IT AWAY!”
* * *
Applejack walked glumly back into Sugarcube Corner, halfheartedly tiptoeing past the frosted shrapnel and raspberry flavored ichor that one would expect if a wedding cake were to suddenly explode in a room full of crowded people.
As she sat down to finish her untouched breakfast, she turned to Fluttershy.
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d reckon you were part unicorn,” she said, patting her forehead with a hoof.
Fluttershy gasped, feeling her own forehead. “What makes you think that?”
“..Forget it.”
* * *
“We have a problem.”
“I’m looking at it.”
“No. Look around! What do you see missing here?”
“You, shortly.”
“Just shut up and listen to me!” Laurie gestured around the room. “That table needs to be turned sideways and moved to the center. Equal representation of parties, and all that. There’s no tea ready, those chairs have to be moved, we have to take up positions here, annnd here, and that flag in the corner needs to be unfurled and canted half-forward facing away from the door.”
Laurie threw his hooves up in exasperation. “And we need a second flag facing the opposite way on the other side! We don’t have much time!”
“What in her name are you going on about?” Dornier gestured towards the door.
Laurie turned and slapped the thick square deadweight in his satchel. “Chapter eighteen, section five! Protocol for official meetings between Equestrian Sovereignty and visiting foreign dignitaries, diplomats, or military officers! And I’m pretty sure that he’s all three.”
“Oh for the love of..”
“Listen! Duty comes before.. whatever it is you’re planning to do with a blunt kitchen utensil. Or what you’re planning to do to me, for that matter. Even if they’re probably the same thing. The point is, there will be a very important official meeting taking place in the very immediate future, and we can’t be standing around waving our campfire rations at each other when it takes place!”
The door burst open. Laurie and Dornier gasped, suddenly holding each other for protection in the face of what horrors were about to befall.
Twilight Sparkle stepped through into the antechamber. Her head hung in dejected frustration, the last traces of her energy directed in a glare at the two officers.
They held each other tighter, momentarily.
“Um.. okay. Right then..” The two distanced themselves, having quickly forged an unbreakable pact to never speak of this event again.
“Aaaghhh, it’s no use!” Twilight wailed.
“What is?”
“She will NOT wake up!”
“Perfect!” cried Laurie. “We can still do this!”
“Whaaat?”
“No time to explain. Here!” Laurie fetched the weighty slab of dog eared pages from his satchel, slamming it to the table in front of Twilight, and ruffling through the bookmarks until he found chapter eighteen.
“It’s all right there. Pictures and everything. I think I drew some annotations over in the corner there. But anyways! Please follow it to the letter!. I’m going to tell the kitchen staff to prepare some tea, and then I’ll be running halfway across the palace for another flag with the same size and insignia as that one!”
“But..” Twilight protested.
“Do it nooooooowww!” Laurie cried as he galloped down the main hallway, rounding the corner and disappearing from sight.
Dornier and Twilight looked at each other briefly, then to the interloper who had been sitting patiently through the whole exchange.
It raised one hand, waving it gently back and forth.
The greeting it issued sounded not unlike a wheel-less carriage plowing a furrow through a leafy compost-rich forest floor.
* * *
“Now what the hay was that all about?” Rainbow Dash wondered aloud.
They surveyed the damage caused by the dark haired pony’s sudden rush out the door. The first collision had sent Pinkie Pie flying, to say nothing of the twin plates of desserts. The next collision was not seen so much as heard, as the officer had barreled straight into Applejack a second time, outside of Sugarcube Corner.
There had been Words exchanged, followed by an indignant stream of noise that steadily diminished as it raced down the street.
The Cutie Mark Crusaders listened with eyes wide and mouths open.
“How would a whole bag of oats even fit there!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed.
* * *
Laurie returned triumphantly, brandishing the temporarily appropriated flag like a lance. The furniture of the antechamber had been moved into a rough approximation of the drawing in the Royal Guardpony field manual - even though the layout described was a few castles old.
“Are you happy now?”
“What, are you kidding me!” Laurie pointed at the tray of cups surrounding the steaming kettle. “No, no! Ahh.. Wait, perfect. Let’s move that stationary desk just outside of the room. That way when it comes time for tea, we can bring it in properly. Not have it staring them in the face during the initial meeting, or make them wait while we dash back to the kitchen. Even says so in the manual!”
“Un-rutting-believable!” Dornier turned back to Twilight. “Ah, pardon the language, Miss.”
Twilight stared blankly, barely noticing the minor impingement on her ears.
Laurie propped up the flag next to the door, before pushing the small desk out into the hallway. He motioned to the interloper with a series of quick gestures, who understood them perfectly - as he got up to push a sizable potted plant against the side of the door, and planted the unfurled flag at an angle that matched the first.
“Seriously! Where do you find time to read all this crap?”
Laurie looked up angrily. “I..”
“..well I’m lonely sometimes,” he finished defensively.
Dornier guffawed. “Pffffff.. I don’t think I’ve known anyone this pathetic since I heard of that one recruit that got caught clopping off while reading a field manual.”
“Those were two entirely independent actions!” Laurie shouted. “Err. I mean.. multitasking, you know. The section on woodland survival.. Oh go to hell!”
A malevolent grin spread across Dornier’s face. One that he appeared to enjoy immensely.
Twilight sat upright, snapping the Royal Guardpony field manual shut with a twitch of magic. Slowly, she brought her hooves up to the level of her unfocused eyes, shaking gently as she sought refuge in the portion of her mind that was not responsible for conscious thought.
“Do you have one useful thing to say? Hmm? Is there anything I could expect to come out of that horn polisher that you mistakenly refer to as a mouth that could, in any way, be helpful? At all?”
“Ahem.. yes. There is,” Dornier stiffened to a position of attention and saluted. “Good afternoon, Princess Luna.”
“Oh shit!” Laurie shouted as he spun around, snapping to attention.
“Uhh..” Luna regarded them through bleary eyes.
“Ahh. Belay my last. Good afternoon, Princess,” Laurie managed carefully.
“Oh, it’s all right. At ease gentlemen. Where is Celestia?”
Twilight shook her head.
“I see.. well don’t worry. I’ll take care of it. By the way, the room looks perfect! Good job making use of the extra time,” she smiled.
“Oh, and Captain Laurie, right? Um. Don’t worry. I like to read books too. Ahem, just not always in that way.”
Laurie stood mortified, but cocked an eye at the Princess’s choice of words.
“I mean..” her indigo face tinged with the slightest flush of red. “Twilight likes to read a lot too! You two should probably trade books sometime!”
The awkwardness in the room had manifested itself in a metaphoric three-way reach around.
Luna pushed open the door to the study.
“Huh? How’d that get stuck there?” She turned back to face the trio, plus guest. “I’ll have her out in five minutes. Be ready!”
The room was quiet, with the three ponies waiting for the arrival of Celestia.
One pony felt as if he was going to die of embarrassment.
One pony felt as if he was going to die from suppressed laughter.
One pony was in her happy place.
From behind the door, Luna’s voice could be faintly heard.
“Wake up sleepyhorn! Come on, lets go. I know you can hear me. What? No, I’m not the Phillydelphia Clydesdales! How would that even..? ARRGHH!”
There was a sound of a short running start, followed by the sound of two heavy sacks thrown together. Again. And again.
It was a very long five minutes.
* * *
“Are you okay, Miss?”
Pinkie looked up, still dizzy from her encounter with Captain Dornier. When any two ponies meet in such a manner, physics always wins.
“I invented the hippogryph!” Pinkie exclaimed, dispelling any indications of permanent brain damage.
“Ehh..” remarked the grey pony, not entirely convinced.
“Ooohh. Who are you?”
“Ahh, forgive me,” the grey pony said, turning one leg sideways and bending it into a crescent shape. “I’m ..”
“No, I mean who are you? I’ve never seen you before. Are you new here?”
He thought for a moment, letting his leg fall back into a normal stance. “Yes and no. I don’t live here, but I am visiting. I’m.. a reporter. And I’ve heard that something rather interesting took place last night.”
“Oh..” Pinkie’s bubbly smile returned. “Would you like a cupcake?”
“I would be delighted.”
* * *
Princess Celestia smoothly parted the doors to her study, her horn glowing slightly with the trivial effort as she entered the antechamber. Her body cast a gentle luminance across the room, as she stepped forward looking remarkably refreshed and envigorated.
“Captains, I see that everything looks perfectly in order. Very well done.”
Laurie allowed the hint of a proud smirk to cross his face, which prompted Dornier to respond with an imperceptible roll of his eyes.
“And Twilight Sparkle, my most talented and trusted student, I am so glad to have you here for this occasion.”
Twilight nodded weakly.
“I was having the most wonderful dream earlier. I think you might have been in it too! I simply must tell you all about it..” Celestia pondered her next words carefully. “..sometime later.”
Twilight hid her emotion behind the veneer of a smile. This was surprisingly easy, since horses and ponies lack the physiological capability to vomit.
“And now, to business,” she approached the table confidently.
The interloper stood across the table. He bowed respectfully, to which Celestia responded in turn. The alicorn extended her hoof, which was met by a firm grasp. They shook for a second time, with practiced fluidity.
“Luna, if you would please.”
Princess Luna approached the table alongside her sister. A long polished knife slid out from an ornate holster strapped across her foreleg, levitating over the table and laying itself down between the two parties.
Celestia nodded to the interloper, as she put forward one hoof. Her leg could not twist far enough to turn over completely, but the gesture was understood. The otherworldly visitor extended his hand with the palm facing upwards.
The knife rose into the air with a delicate precision, hovering directly over the outstretched palm. Their eyes locked together as the sharpened tip traced a fine line across the skin, which slowly welled up with a single drop of blood.
The interloper winced slightly, but remained still.
The knife rose again into the air between them, flipping upside down. Celestia closed her eyes, and lowered her head. It spun in a circle, coming to rest gently against the base of her horn.
It slid down the length, shaving away a glowing filament that curled into a loose spiral. The strand of Celestia’s horn floated down lazily, landing in the visitor’s outstretched palm. She braced her wings against the edges of the table, lifting both hooves to meet the interloper’s clasped hands.
They stayed that way briefly, as Celestia intoned a long and soft incantation. As she finished, her horn gently descended, pressing firmly against the crown of the his head.
There was a soft flash of light, and a brief silence that left everyone’s ears slightly ringing.
Princess Celestia returned her hooves to the floor, smiling at the visitor. The two stared thoughtfully at each other for some time, before Celestia spoke.
“Hello.”
The interloper’s eyes widened slightly, but not with alarm or undue amazement. It raised one hand, gently waving it side to side.
“Hello,” he replied.
The other ponies stared with rapt attention.
“I believe there is much we have to talk about,” Celestia stated. “But first, could I offer you tea?”
“I would be delighted.”
* * *
|
shalrath
|
1219
| 5 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Derpy Hooves,Discord,Main 6,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Human,Adventure,Comedy,Dark,Sad,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
The End
|
A friendly stranger delivers some unsettling knowledge about Life, the Universe, and Everything.
|
incomplete
| 674 | 40 |
<p>A visitor arrives in Equestria, bearing a wealth of knowledge and a troubled past. The Mane 6 are quick to befriend the stranger, who helps them to discover what they truly value in life, and how to achieve it.</p><p>But learning to overcome their fears and achieve their desires comes at a steep price, paid by their innocence.</p>
|
teen
|
2011-11-07T15:22:16+00:00
|
2011-11-07T15:22:16+00:00
| 17,540 |
* * *
“Good afternoon fillies, I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time?”
“What fer?” Applebloom asked cautiously.
“A story we’re hoping to publish for tomorrow’s edition of the Northern Lanshire Reader. Have you heard of them?”
They responded with a chorus of shaking heads.
“Well, it’s a newspaper, and I’m a reporter. Now, I imagine you can already guess what my story is about,” he gestured to where the Interloper had been sitting, minutes prior.
“And who might you be, again?” asked Rainbow Dash.
“Raines. Tory Raines,” he bowed slightly, canting one leg into a curved arc.
He looked across the table for a moment, before letting his leg relax.
“I’ll begin,” he said, as he unwrapped a pink frosted cupcake. “I understand you three..”
“Four.” Rainbow Dash corrected.
“Mm.. That you four were among the first to actually meet this visitor. What can you tell me about that.”
“Well, I know we were all a bit scared at first. But that turned out to be a big ol misunderstanding,” Applebloom said sheepishly.
“I see.”
“I think he’s a lot nicer than he looked.. the first time around anyways,” Scootaloo offered.
“I thought he was brave, and very caring,” Sweetie Belle spoke softly.
Tory finished swallowing a mouthfull of cupcake.
“It seems like he must be a very powerful user of magic as well,” he remarked. “After all, you saw what he did to that creature.”
Sweetie Belle looked up.
“Yes, very powerful magic,” she said.
“But..” Rainbow Dash was interrupted by a hoof kick from under the table.
“Hmmm?” Tory inquired of the light blue pony.
Dash looked back to Sweetie Belle for a moment.
“Yeah, sure looks that way. But I’ve seen better. I’d bet Twilight could run rings around him! You know.. in like a magic contest, or something.”
“I see,” Tory remarked.
“Excuse me, but what’s this all about?” Applejack interrupted as she walked up to the table. “Is this feller bothering y’all?”
Tory turned with mild surprise, a sudden grin appearing on his face as he recognized the newcomer.
“Ahhh.. You must be Applejack.”
“Reckon so,” she eyed him inquisitively. “Who’s askin?”
“Forgive me, Miss. Tory Raines, reporter for the Northern Lanshire Reader. I’m writing a story about our new visitor here, and I understand that you may have run across him.”
* * *
“Has everything been to your liking?”
“Ah, yes. Very much so,” the Interloper replied through sips of tea. “This really is a beautiful place. I have no other way to describe it.”
“I am honored that you feel that way,” Celestia took another sip of tea, her cup suspended in the air.
He stared at the teacup for a moment.
“I’m still not quite sure how you’re doing that. Or how exactly we can suddenly understand each other.”
“Do you not have magic, where you come from?”
“Nothing of the sort, save for stories and ancient beliefs. I will say that the word you used sounded a bit odd in my head. My definition of the word feels like only an approximate match to the way you spoke about it.”
“I see,” Celestia set her teacup on the table. “I find that very interesting, that you and your people have almost no concept of it.”
“I can imagine it perfectly well, but I have never seen it used in a manner that proves it exists.”
“But we, you even, are using it at this very moment,” she lifted the teacup and swirled it gently, as if to prove a point. “Not to mention that which allows us to speak by conveying our thoughts alongside our voice.”
“Mmm.. “ he contemplated. “As much as I would normally be inclined to dismiss such claims for lack of evidence, I can’t help but to notice that it’s staring me in the face. I don’t suppose that sliver of horn that you placed in my palm had anything to do with us being able to communicate?”
“It was a necessary step. The enchantment does need some magic to operate, even just a tiny amount. You had nothing of the sort. Please consider what I have given you as a gift. Perhaps one of many that we may share in building a harmonious relationship.”
“I am honored by your consideration, and I hope that we may grow together not just as allies, but as friends. I must ask though, did that hurt much?” He gestured to the Celestia’s horn.
“I’m sure that will buff out,” Celestia smiled.
The Interloper chuckled slightly.
“You know, we do have a saying from where I’m from. Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”
Celestia winced slightly at the unfamiliar word.
“Are you all right?”
“I’m sorry, but something you said was rather obscure.. very hard to put my hoof on. It felt like it meant ‘things that make things that make things that make things’, over and over again.”
“I see. I think I know which word you’re referring to, and I can understand if it’s not easy to grasp right away. The concept is simple, but the implications are many - and I must have been thinking about the latter definition when I stated it.”
“And how would that be, as you say, indistinguishable from magic?”
“Hmm. Let me think for a moment. Ahh, here’s an example.”
The Interloper raised his left hand, balled in a fist. All four fingers flipped open at once, leaving a grid of glowing squares across his palm, each with a strange symbol. He quickly tapped the squares in a sequence, and then curled his hand as if he were holding an invisible cone. A strange rhythmic beeping filled the room for several seconds, before he slapped his fingers closed against his palm. The beeping abruptly silenced.
The ponies in the room stared, absolutely dumbfounded.
“That wasn’t part of the spell,” Celestia looked across the table with a trace of confusion. “I thought you had no magic?”
“See?” the Interloper stated dryly. “No, in fact that was not magic. What you heard was the signal from an embedded private branch exchange client to indicate a loss of connection to any master or fail-over network.
Every pony winced at the perfectly understandable, but completely unintelligible concept attempting to force its way into their mind.
“And the symbols you saw were numbers, activated by a graphics driver controlling a bioluminescent grid array..”
“Enough, please,” Celestia raised one hoof in acquiescence. “I appreciate your explanation, but please understand - the concepts behind some of these words are completely alien, yet the spell attempts to force an understanding, even when it can not. It can be uncomfortable to grasp so much at once.”
“I understand. Perhaps we can save such things for later. But before we change subjects, I would point out that what you witnessed appeared to be magic to you, but is well understood by myself as a relatively mundane collection of interconnected systems.”
The ponies winced again.
“Sorry.”
Twilight cleared her throat. “Are there many powerful.. ‘technology’ users among your people?”
“That is a very good question, although I can not answer it with a simple yes or no. In a sense, everybody uses it, though not all understand it. But it works regardless, even if those that use it simply take it for granted without realizing how or why it works in the first place. Does that make any sense?”
“Sort of..” she replied - feeling more confused than before.
“Now don’t get me wrong. I still have no idea how you use magic, and I would be interested to learn. Although at the moment, I wouldn’t say that I even know the right questions to ask.”
“If you plan to stay for some time, “ Celestia interjected, “my student, Twilight Sparkle, may be able to learn of your ways, and help to offer an understanding of ours.”
“I will look forward to it.”
He looked across to Twilight, who was easily the youngest participant of the meeting. She looked back at the Interloper; her curiosity becoming the lifeline that tugged her conscious back into sanity.
“Your mentor speaks very highly of you, as I believe we both understand the depth of this undertaking. Tell me, what would you be most interested to learn?”
Twilight stared blankly for a moment, her brain whirling into action with all the coherence of a tornado in a trailer park.
“Thats.. hard to say. Everything, I guess,” she admitted sheepishly.
The Interloper smiled kindly. “Well, I must admire your enthusiasm, but ‘everything’ is quite a lot to take in. Believe me, I’ve tried,” he said with a wink.
“Well,” she continued, “I think that everything can be explained through rational examination leading to logical conclusions. I don’t see why that it couldn’t be done, given enough time.”
“It seems we have an aspiring scientist among us.”
The ponies in the room winced slightly, save for Twilight. The word did not exist in her mind, but it made sense easily.
“Are there a lot of.. scientists among your people? Are you one too?” she beamed with curiosity.
“Yes, and yes. To some degree at least.”
“This is exciting,” she exclaimed, as her thoughts began to inadvertently leak out as words. “Can you show me how you do it? Er.. science, I mean.”
The Interloper sat back quietly for a moment, contemplating her request. Celestia was about to say something before the conversation completely derailed, but she delayed just slightly too long.
“I know. Here, lets say I have a hypothesis regarding this magical ability that lets me talk. Based on my hypothesis,” several ponies winced again, “I will attempt to run an experiment to see if my observed results can support my idea.”
He looked at Celestia again and waved.
“Hello!”
“Ahh.. Hello?” she replied, slightly confused.
“Great! That worked.”
The Interloper stood, and walked around the table, approaching the potted plant near the wall that bore the weight of a wooden flagpole.
“Hello!” he spoke to the plant. Nearly every pony winced, but not because of the spell.
“Hello!” he repeated, tapping his foot impatiently. He swatted the small shrub with one hand, before leaning back on his heels, and crossing his arms.
“Oy, you could stand to loose some weight!”
The plant said nothing.
“Oh well,” he muttered as he returned to his seat. “So anyways, did you see that? I conducted an experiment to see if I could talk to any living thing, or just some living things. Now it didn’t say anything back, and that could be explained by the fact that it doesn’t have ears to hear me, a brain to come up with a response, or a mouth to say anything. It is a plant, after all. Either that, or I need to talk louder next time.”
Luna cleared her throat. “Forgive me if this sounds rude, but why on Equestria did you attempt an experiment for which thou knew the outcome?”
“Ahh, well I can answer that with three reasons. One, it was funny. Two, science is not a discipline about testing what we already know. It’s about challenging one’s existing assumptions, and letting curiosity reign over learned complacency. And three, that was her first lesson on the matter.”
The proverbial dam holding back a thousand other questions in Twilight’s mind was nearing the breaking point. Celestia reacted much faster this time.
“Twilight, if you would please, could you fetch the small wooden chest from my study? I trust you remember which one.”
“Ahh,” she paused, just nearly on the cusp of asking how the Interloper managed to perform certain bodily functions while wearing half a ton of articulated steel armor. And by ‘certain’, she meant ‘all of them’.
“Yes, your Majesty,” she ducked her head and proceeded through the door.
The room was blessed with blissful momentary silence.
“Ahem, pardon me, your Majesty. I would like to interject a question.”
“Go ahead, Captain.”
“It seems that my contemporary, Lieu.. er, Captain Lancaster.. has offered the suggestion that our guest may have a military background of sorts. Would he care to answer?”
Celestia nodded, looking at the Interloper. “I would be interested to know, as well. Are you a soldier?”
“Mmm. That is an interesting question, but my answer may not be very definitive. No, I am not a soldier, or an officer in any branch of any military. However, I have, in the past, carried a very close relation to them. The sort of relation that you may be quite familiar with,” he looked to Celestia.
“As a leader of your people?” Luna queried.
“That would be closer to the truth. But at this point in time, I would consider myself to be more of an envoy, or a diplomat. It is somewhat complicated,” he shrugged plaintively.
Dornier continued. “From the way you say that, it sounds like your relation to the armed forces of your people seems to have been closer than you let on. I am curious though. Have you seen war before?”
“Yes.”
“I see. Would you care to elaborate?”
“I am happy to talk about many things, but this is one subject I prefer not to discuss lightly.”
Dornier nodded.
“I apologize for the intrusion, but I would like ask something of a simpler nature,” Celestia intoned. “Would you say that you, and your people, are peaceful?”
“I would like to say yes. This is yet another question that has many answers, but for all intents and purposes, I would say yes.”
“You did mention that you have seen war, is this not true?” Luna asked.
“It is.”
“Forgive me for asking then, but would you still describe your people as a peaceful race, in light of facing conflict?”
“This is hard to answer with a single statement. I can not speak for everyone, but I would say that we are generally good, and peace loving.”
He sighed, before continuing.
“However, I must admit that war and conflict are not something that we are only superficially acquainted. It runs quite deep, nearly defining us in some manners. It’s been said that one day we may have known an end to war, not because we grew to shun violence, but that we became too good at it.”
He smiled weakly. “Does that help to answer your question?”
The room fell into nervous paralysis for a moment.
“Ah, yes,” stated Dornier. “But perhaps we could change the subject. This is something I prefer not to discuss lightly either.”
“Have?” Celestia asked, nearly under her breath.
Behind her, the door opened slowly. Twilight returned to the table, allowing the small wooden box to levitate gently down before her.
“Ahh, Twilight, you have such impeccable timing,” Celestia softly praised.
The Interloper eyed the small aged wooden box curiously.
Luna stared at it too, eyes wide and breath drawn in sharply.
“What is this, if I might ask?”
“An artifact,” Celestia responded. “One bearing potent magic.”
Her horn glowed slightly as she concentrated. The box was held shut by a lock with no key. Tiny rings and tumblers could be heard sliding gently within the tarnished bronze lock. After several moments it clicked, and the lid popped open slightly.
Luna backed away slightly, looking nervously back to her sister.
“It is perfectly safe, I should assure you,” she said as she gently opened the lid, revealing a dull silvery ring. “The magic imbued within this artifact was the basis for the spell which we now use to speak.”
“Ah. If we can already speak with each other, what is it for then?”
“To understand.”
The Interloper looked on with interest.
“It is my intention that Twilight Sparkle will bear this ring, as to help gain clarity into the depths of what you wish to tell her.”
“I see.”
“However,” the ring levitated into the air, just above the tip of her gleaming white horn. “I first wish to..”
She was interrupted by Luna’s hoof pressed gently against her shoulder. She looked down at her sister, who stared back fearfully into her eyes, shaking her head with gentle fervor.
“No..”
“Just once.”
“I’m afraid.”
They whispered back and forth for several moments. Luna quietly pleading for her to reconsider.
“Just once, sister.”
Luna looked to the side, lowering her head and nodding slowly.
The ring slid down Celestia’s horn, fitting snugly at the base. She contemplated it for a moment, not entirely sure of what could happen next.
“So far, so good,” she smiled. “Perhaps you could tell me..”
Her voice trailed off as she faced the Interloper. They stared at each other intently - his jovial demeanor melting into impassive sympathy, her regal and proud countenance giving way to awe and fear. Her legs began to tremble slightly as she lowered her hind quarters to the floor.
“Sister..” Luna spoke softly.
Hoof and hand shot across the table suddenly, meeting firmly in the middle. Their eyes closed as they held each other tightly, both seemingly afraid to let go. They remained clasped together for several moments longer, slowly relaxing as their grip loosened. Celestia’s trembling subsided, and they both raised their heads to regard each other once again.
“Are you okay?” they both asked of each other, with sincere concern.
“That would be my question as well, sister,” Luna deadpanned.
“Fear not, I am quite all right,” Celestia soothed. She rose up to her former stature, allowing her calm composure to return.
The Interloper drained the last of his tea, returning the cup to the saucer with an audible clink.
“I must say, that was interesting,” he stated.
“I agree,” Celestia said with a slight chuckle. “Not only do I know what a ‘firehose’ is, but now I know what it feels like to drink from one. Perhaps, I should have taken a smaller sip.” She swallowed the last half of her tea in one head-rearing gulp, before refilling each cup with a twitch of magic.
“Princess?” Twilight inquired. “Were you planning to ask our guest anything while you were using that ring?”
“I believe that we have both said enough.”
The Interloper nodded.
“Although,” Celestia pondered, “I did have one question.”
“Ahh, yes?”
“Do you recall that one plant from the forest, on the night we met? The gardener plant.”
“I believe I know the one you’re speaking of, and yes. I remember it quite well.”
“You burnt it into a crisp. Knowing you have no magic to speak of, I can only presume that you used some sort of.. ‘technology’ to do this. Can you tell me what that was?”
“Ah, yes. It was a gun.”
“A gun?” She looked puzzled for a moment. “Perhaps I can learn more about..”
*BANG*
*BANG*
*BANG*
Celestia jerked upwards three times in rapid succession, her pupils shot open, staring blankly. Her ears flared back across her head, as she stumbled backwards on her hind legs.
Laurie and Dornier rushed to her aide, steadying her as she clutched a hoof over her chest, probing expectantly for gaping wounds, but only feeling her frantic pounding heartbeat.
“What in thine name was that!” Luna exclaimed, having heard nothing.
Celestia gasped for breath, lifting her head to see the Interloper before her - with one hand pressed to her shoulder, reassuringly.
“I must apologize if that startled you. I truly did not intend or expect you to react like that.”
“React to what?” Luna asked hotly.
“Sister, before I grow tired of saying this, I am still okay!” Celestia exclaimed between deep breaths.
She stood slowly, and returned to the table. With a quick shudder, she lowered her head, and flicked the ring with her hoof back into the small wooden box.
Twilight stared at the small unassuming silvery ring with visible trepidation. She looked up to Celestia, uncertain about the prospect of accepting such a powerful artifact.
Celestia turned to the Interloper quickly.
“You did not bring that with you, I should hope.”
“No. I did not feel it would be appropriate, or welcome here.”
“Thank you.”
She turned back to Twilight.
“Are you willing to accept this?” She said, sliding the box in front of her.
Twilight gulped hesitantly. “Are you sure I should have this? I mean, well, you..”
“I am fine, my little pony. And you will be too. No physical harm will come from this,” she tapped the box.
Twilight looked at it again, before turning her confused gaze back to Celestia.
“I would trust no other pony to handle this. It will require wisdom, care, and responsibility - all traits that I know you hold in great measure.”
Twilight nodded slowly.
“Should I try it?” she asked.
“Go ahead. Just be careful.”
The ring levitated slightly at the behest of Twilight’s glowing horn. She was interrupted briefly by the tap of one polished azure hoof on her shoulder.
“Please, Twilight Sparkle. Do be careful,” Luna whispered.
Emboldened, she thrust her horn upwards, feeling the ring slide down firmly to the base. Nothing felt out of place, though she felt another presence within the room. Looking to the Interloper, the ring tingled her mind slightly, as if she could sense the well oiled ticking of many thoughts flowing at once.
“So far, so good,” she quietly spoke.
“Does it feel all right?” the Interloper asked.
Twilight nodded, looking back to the otherworldly visitor. The questions racing through her mind parted way for one more pressing than any other. Feeling her thoughts intertwine with the Interloper’s mind, she wordlessly put forth her request.
Who are you?
The response came back the same - not as any spoken message or coherent thought. Just as a feeling that manifested itself as two sentences burning brightly in her mind.
Emperor of a thousand suns.
Death of a million worlds.
She gasped, focusing on the smiling face sitting across the table. She tried to peer into his mind a second time, asking the same question, but was met by only a quiet thrumming.
“Oh, that was interesting,” the Interloper exclaimed. “It felt as if you were asking what I was called, or what my name was - I’m not quite sure which.”
“Yes..” Twilight answered shakily.
“Well, you can call me Trent. Pleased to meet you..”
“Twilight. Twilight Sparkle.”
“Ahh, yes.”
Further introductions were made, placing names to the faces that Trent had learned over the past day. The conversation shifted to more pleasant subjects, skirting away from topics that only invited more questions.
Before long, the tea had dwindled to droplets, much like the last grains of sand through an hourglass. As such, the meeting drew to a close. Much to the welcome relief of the two recipients of the enormous teapot normally reserved for Canterlot Palace staff meetings.
"I believe that wraps everything up. I would like to thank everypony, and every person, for attending."
"Yes. I feel it was very productive as well. Perhaps we will have time for more of these meetings in the future."
Every pony in the room groaned inwardly, save for Celestia and Trent. They lived for this sort of bureaucratic bliss.
"We will be out shortly," she concluded.
The room emptied quietly, leaving the two facing each other across the table. As the double doors clicked shut, they nodded to each other.
"I feel you have something more to say."
"Yes."
"Ask away."
"The gardener plant, you recall.."
"Yes."
"How did you know."
"Call it a lucky guess, I suppose."
"You landed almost right on top of it. How did you know where to find her?"
"Applejack, you mean?" The name sounded strange from his mouth, almost as if it were a foreign pronunciation.
"Yes. Applejack."
"Well.. I do have exceptionally good hearing while wearing that suit. Perhaps that.."
The glare from the gleaming white alicorn suggested a different answer was needed.
Trent sighed. "I do not wish to lie, as I deeply value our new friendship. And I consider myself to be an honest man by nature. But this is something that I can not tell you. I will let Applejack know everything, when she asks, and when she is ready."
Strangely, the pronunciation was perfect this time.
"I should not have to let you know that it puzzles me greatly."
"I know. It must be disturbing to consider the possible implications. But let us treat this as one of the many subjects that should not be broached until we both understand each other better. In due time, but not right now."
She nodded reluctantly.
"One more thing. Twilight seemed a bit.. shocked earlier. What did she ask of you, and what did you tell her?"
"It may have been a slight miscommunication. She asked what I am named, but she learned what I am called. It is not a title I wear proudly, and I shall leave it at that."
"I see."
The interloper shook his head.
"Someday you might see, but I would hope that it never comes to that."
“From any other, I might take offense. But from what little I know of you now, I will trust your judgement.”
“Thank you. Truly. From what we’ve shared, I feel as if we have much in common. But that is not the only reason why I have revealed certain things to you. Secrets that I would tell no other soul.”
He slumped forward on the table slightly, as if the weight of the world were suddenly felt upon his shoulders. His head sank into his cupped hands as Celestia leaned forward, rubbing one hoof across his back.
“You are kind..”
“I feel that is exactly what you need.”
Trent looked up, smiling weakly. “This really is a beautiful place.”
They hugged each other briefly, their firm embrace going beyond any trivial formality.
“Will you be staying?”
“Absolutely, yes.”
Celestia smiled warmly.
“Are there others, like you?”
Trent was taken aback slightly, as if not entirely sure how to answer.
“Many.”
“Will they be coming here?”
“I.. can’t answer that,” he sighed. “No, no. Don’t take that the wrong way, this is not me being secretive. I simply do not know.. and if I did know, I am not sure how I would feel about it myself.”
Catching her puzzled reaction, he continued, “In good time, Princess. We may both know the answer in good time.”
“I see,” she sighed.
“Hmm.. if you don’t mind, could I ask you a slightly personal question?”
“Go ahead.”
“Ah, do people, er, ponies.. or you in particular, normally drink that much tea in one sitting?”
She laughed softly. “No, never. Although I’ve been tempted to ask you the same thing.”
Trent nodded.
“Would you know..”
“Out the door, down the hall, second door on the left.”
“Thank you!”
They shook once again, hand to hoof, before departing in their separate ways at an urgent pace.
* * *
Some time later, Celestia returned to her private chamber. She opened the door to see Luna waiting impassively.
“Finally. What has taken thee so long?”
“My private discussion with our guest?”
“Nay. In there,” Luna gestured impatiently with one hoof. “It sounded like you started a shower.”
“Oh..” Celestia blushed slightly. “No, no. Nothing of the sort.”
Luna looked on, still puzzled.
“Did you try the tea?” she asked helpfully.
Before Luna could answer, a certain mental connection was made.
“Aaaauughhh!” she stated, slapping one indigo haired foreleg over her eyes.
“Oh stop that. Is this going on your list of ‘Troublesome and ghastly noises emanated by my fairer and much more gracious older sister’?” she asked mockingly.
“No, sister. For now, it would need a book to contain it!”
“Why you little..”
“Enough!” Luna exclaimed. “We have a serious matter to discuss.”
Celestia marched across the room, rolling her eyes with a force that only a goddess could conjure. She flopped across the bed, legs and wings splayed in all directions across the taut velvety sheets.
“Is this about Twilight?”
“Indeed. I cannot fathom why you seemingly thrust her into this. Are you truly confident in her well being, whilst bearing that ring?”
“She will be fine.”
“Thine self certainly did not seem fine earlier!”
“What you saw was not the ring’s doing. I do not fear it. I fear.. him,” her voice became much quieter.
Luna studied her sister carefully.
“Is he dangerous?”
“No, it’s not that. I bear no ill will towards him, and I can feel that he is good by nature. But there is a certain potency about him that I feel humbled before. I know that he is not old, not nearly a match to our collective millennia of life, but in our brief moments together, whereby he willingly bore open the chronicles of his past to me, I could feel something different.”
“Why, then?”
“He needs our help.”
“Help? He has come from what unforeseen land to seek our charity?”
“No, sister. Help not borne from our hooves, but from our hearts.”
“He needs a friend? I find your explanations increasingly tenuous.”
“Listen,” Celestia’s eyes bore a severe finality. “Before today, I have never known of another soul like his. I have felt his life, from the time when it must have burned brighter than the sun, until now, as a cold dying ember in my hoof. We must hold and kindle that spark, for I do not wish to see what will become of him when it sputters into ashes!”
Luna cocked one eye at her sister, puzzled by the sudden outburst.
“I have not seen you this distressed in some time, sister. I feel as if your insistence behind Twilight’s new role now bears a greater importance than simply learning about the ways of our visitor.”
Celestia nodded.
“Do you remember, when you said that the artifact could allow one to read a mind, as if it were a book?”
“Verily. Tell me, as I follow this analogy, what did you read that has you feeling so overwhelmed?”
“The table of contents.”
* * *
|
shalrath
|
1219
| 6 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Derpy Hooves,Discord,Main 6,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Human,Adventure,Comedy,Dark,Sad,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
The End
|
A friendly stranger delivers some unsettling knowledge about Life, the Universe, and Everything.
|
incomplete
| 674 | 40 |
<p>A visitor arrives in Equestria, bearing a wealth of knowledge and a troubled past. The Mane 6 are quick to befriend the stranger, who helps them to discover what they truly value in life, and how to achieve it.</p><p>But learning to overcome their fears and achieve their desires comes at a steep price, paid by their innocence.</p>
|
teen
|
2012-01-22T02:05:30+00:00
|
2012-01-22T02:05:30+00:00
| 13,568 |
* * *
“Bloody hell, that took forever!” Laurie hissed under his breath.
Dornier simply shrugged in begrudged agreement.
“Why haven’t they come out yet?” Twilight asked, as she tucked the small wooden box into her saddlebag. “Do you think they’re still talking in there?”
Luna turned to Twilight. “I would expect nothing less at this point. For I know my sister is keen of perception, and sharp of wit. Certainly she has her own questions to ask, for she knows that some pieces to this puzzle do not fit.”
Twilight giggled slightly. “For a moment there, you sounded like Zecora.”
“And you, young Twilight. Thy innocent mirth bears similar to the mewling of a lamb before the altar.”
Twilight was taken aback by Luna’s annoyed response.
“Um... altar?”
“You know not, the gods of yore. Be forever grateful,” she spoke evenly. “But know this, my concern for you runs deep, in light of this endeavour.”
“Because of this?” she nodded her head towards the bag hanging from her side.
“It is no trinket,” Luna stated. “I dare say I am still not comfortable with you, or any pony, bearing such power, but you have my sister’s trust, and I am not wont to question her judgement. However, I must impart upon you the gravity of this seemingly inconsequential weight that you now bear.”
“I, understand, Princess.”
“Nay, do not allow thy comfortable grasp of thine own domain to lend thee false confidence. A calm sea may conceal unfathomable depths, or the lurking of terrible denizens, yet only impart feelings of peaceful tranquility. Do not simply be careful. Remain careful.”
“Well, can you tell me anything about it? Anything helpful?”
Luna sighed, shaking her head slightly.
“I am afraid that I can not be too forthcoming, dear Twilight. It pains me to leave you ignorant of the past history of the artifact, but to reveal it completely would only tempt that history to repeat itself.”
Dornier muttered several words with a solemn whisper, far too low for any other pony to hear. Luna shared a glance with the old soldier, and nodded in turn.
“I might imagine our guest has felt the same way, in responding to some such questions. No doubt there has been sly concealment of the truth. But whether it plays to his benefit, or ours, is what troubles me.”
Twilight thought back briefly, to the single thought she gleaned from the Interloper’s mind.
“Luna? Does the ring ever lie?”
“Nay, Twilight. It’s clarity is a blessing and a curse, for it will only tell the complete truth. Why?”
Twilight stayed silent for several moments, before softly responding.
“No reason.”
Luna sighed, staring at the closed doors.
“I recall my sister telling me of an enchantment placed upon the ring. A limitation of its use.”
Twilight nodded. “Yes, it should only work on him.”
“Just him?”
“Ahh...” Twilight thought for a moment. “I think so. I’m not sure if it means just him, or just those like him. But he’s the only one, right?”
“Once again, thine faith does not readily lend reassurance.” Luna furrowed her brow.
“Twilight.”
“Yes, Princess?”
“Allow me this once.”
“What... what do you wish to do?”
“An experiment.”
Twilight nodded, still confused. With a flare of Luna’s magic, the small wooden box deftly rose from her saddlebag, opening in mid air, leaving the dull ring floating before her polished indigo horn.
Dornier stiffened his back, but bowed respectfully before Luna.
“Be careful this time, Princess.”
Luna acknowledge the request with a slight nod, knowing full well the depth of the statement. The ring slipped down her horn with a certain familiarity, resting snugly at the base.
“Hmmm...” she contemplated. She turned from the door, levelling her horn at each pony in turn, wielding the ring with fierce inquisition. Dornier flinched slightly, turning his head from her brief focused gaze.
Their thoughts remained silent.
“It appears that her handiwork has succeeded admirably. Know well that I still have my fears about this matter, but I may rest somewhat easier with this in your capable hooves, Twilight Sparkle.”
“Thank you, Princess,” Twilight replied. She levitated the box before Luna, holding it expectantly.
She looked down at the rough hewn container, reluctantly bringing her hoof up to her horn. She paused for a moment, turning to look back at the double doors.
The ring tingled slightly against her skull.
“A copper bit for thy thoughts...” she whispered softly.
Her head dipped gently, waving her horn towards the door. It was not but a moment later that she recoiled violently, rearing into the air with her wings flapping in alarm. The tips of her hind hooves scratched the floor in swift retreat.
“Princess!” they shouted in hushed voices.
Luna dropped back to the floor unsteadily. Her hoof hooked behind the ring, and flung it towards the wall with as much force as she could muster.
“Are you okay!” Twilight urged. “Did you... ask him anything?”
Luna stayed speechless for a short while, shaking her head and shuddering with disgust.
“Nay child. I asked nothing. I only saw.”
“Saw what?” Laurie asked, breathlessly.
“Only that which I will bear to my grave,” she growled.
Twilight gulped. Luna’s tone was suddenly more frightening than her botched wake-up call from a few hours prior.
The ring and the box shot into the air, one forcefully thrust within the other. The lock’s mechanism clicked loudly, as it descended before Twilight.
“This is now yours to possess. Guard it, and thine self, well.”
“Yes, Princess,” Twilight nodded firmly, as the box tucked itself back within her bag.
“Captains.”
“Yes, your Majesty,” Laurie and Dornier said at once, coming to attention before her.
“Lancaster. You are no doubt familiar with you mission. You will watch over our guest.”
Laurie nodded, before saluting, and stepping back.
“Dornier. I task thee once again. You will watch over Miss Sparkle, and her artifact. I grant thee whatever means necessary to ensure their safe keeping.”
“Yes, your Majesty,” he repeated, with a slow and deliberate salute. “Shall I make ready to depart for Ponyville?”
“No. Thou shalt remain here. We do not wish to place undue attention where it may draw more prying eyes. Our guest is no secret. The ring is."
"Understood."
The three ponies shared a quick glance, breathing a small sigh of relief at the prospect of limited mandatory socialization.
Dornier looked to Twilight, and back to Luna.
“Princess, if I might ask, how exactly am I to keep watch?”
“Allow me but a moment, Captain.”
Luna trotted over to the hastily relocated stationary desk, pulling out a single sheaf of paper, and two envelopes. The paper hovered just inches over the desk, as Luna bore the quill against it. In place of ink, a blinding spark shot from the quill’s tip, etching a several glowing runes of a long-past language into the clean white parchment.
As she finished, the paper rose into the air, and burst into swirling green fog at the touch of her horn. The glowing aether split into two smaller clouds, each funneled into the two open envelopes. The paper flaps closed, and sealed with a small electrifying flash.
“Take this,” she spoke to Twilight, as one letter drifted lazily towards her. The second envelope floated back to Dornier. “If you find yourself in dire need, then do not hesitate to open this, and help will arrive shortly.”
“What does the letter say?” Twilight asked curiously.
“Exactly what needs to be said.”
Twilight nodded again, tucking the envelope into her satchel, next to the small wooden box.
The four ponies found themselves facing the door again, expectantly awaiting the return of Trent and Celestia.
"Princess, what do you think about him?" Twilight asked.
“That remains to be seen.”
“He does seem to be a pretty decent fellow,” Laurie offered.
“Formidable,” Dornier contemplated in his own manner of respect.
“He does seem very intelligent,” Twilight continued. “I imagine the greatest scholars of Equestria would give anything to hear what he might be saying in there!”
Just then, the door opened swiftly, conveying the urgency of the hands that pushed it.
“Ah, hello!” Trent blurted to the assembled ponies. “Say, Laurie... right? It’s the second door on the left down this hall?”
“Uhh... what?”
“Does the phrase ‘like a racehorse’ mean anything to you?”
“Oh... Ooooohh... Yes, follow me!” They broke into a quick run.
“Sorry about the language,” Trent apologized to Twilight as he hurried past.
Twilight stood speechless, again. Her hanging jaw and wide eyes working together in perfect harmony to express shocked incredulity.
“Um... Wait for me!” she cried, as she galloped after them.
“Whaaat?” Laurie and Trent shouted in unison.
“I don’t knoooow!” she cried, pondering the meaning of her previous statement with mortified embarrassment, as she raced around the corner.
The three were nearly gone from sight.
Dornier shouted after them. “Lancaster! I hereby order you not to bring that damned field manual within fifty paces of a bathroom!”
A slightly mumbled response was heard, followed by a shout of “Sir!” Had his words been any louder, the paint would have cracked and peeled from the palace walls. Fortunately, the only collateral damage from Laurie’s weapons-grade retort were the ears of a young purple pony.
The double doors finally creaked shut, leaving Luna and Dornier alone together. She sidled next to him, as they both stared off into empty space. Not as Princess and Captain, but as two soldiers facing the interminable unknowns hinted by the rays of dawn breaking over a battlefield.
“Judgement. Inquisition. War. That is what I heard, was it not?”
Dornier nodded quietly.
She sighed. “I do apologize if I frightened you.”
He shook his head. “No, no. It’s different this time. I trust you are doing the right thing.”
Dornier turned to look at Luna briefly.
“It’s good to have you back.”
She nodded gently, placing a hoof next to his.
“Hmm... A set of crossed quills,” Luna remarked. “I should suppose that our new Captain’s mark bears the truth. He does seem to have a way with words.”
Dornier rolled his eyes, with noticeable purpose.
“Captain,” she said with a small grin. “Doth my ears sense the tinge of envy?”
His answer came as a drawn out sigh.
“I do feel that my sister’s field promotion was not without warrant. Just as I remain satisfied with my decision to grant thine own rank in the same manner, so long ago. Do you still remember?”
“I do remember it clearly. Gah... Thank you as well, my Princess, for dredging up memories of myself at his young and stupid age.”
“I find it surprising that thou hast not proceeded further since we last worked alongside. Many of thine contemporaries have long since adorned their sashes with the emblems of leadership, or returned to the green pastures of their formative years. Yet you have stayed as a humble captain, despite having a record that commands its own filing cabinet. Why, if I may ask?”
Dornier gestured to the crossed blades adorning his flank.
“My place is not one of comfort, your Majesty. I will not forget what appears to be my calling in life.”
“Mm. You need not bear such formality, for I already know the depth of your respect, Little Darling.”
“Now that is not a name I have been called in quite some time. Please, do feel honored that you remain the only one to remember it.”
Luna giggled slightly, elbowing Dornier with a wink.
“Since my return, I have not once seen you wearing the armor afforded by your rank. Thou were inseparable from it, so many ages ago.”
Dornier snorted derisively. “I shall wear it, when it is needed, and only then. The rest of these,” He stumbled for a moment, paring back the venom from his words. “toy soldiers. They hide behind their polished plates as a foal behind its mother’s legs.”
“Hmmm,” she smiled. “Polished plates never seemed to be your style. I imagine that if I were to inspect the breastplate tucked away in your quarters, it would still bear every dent, scratch, and bloodstain from so many years hence.”
“I never was good with such formalities,” he smirked.
They sighed together, continuing to gaze at the far wall.
“Do you think Laurie is cut out for his task?” Her voice fell slightly flat.
“Hmm? Well... I believe he will make a fine officer some day. But the time to prove himself has yet to come.”
“And this troubles you?”
“It does. I feel his time will be coming, soon.”
Luna nodded.
“Princess. Could I ask of you, what you saw earlier?”
Luna shuddered.
“For you, but a hint. Are you familiar with a certain pony, tan in color, and rustic of nature?”
“Does she wear a cowgirl hat?”
“Applejack, yes.”
“Ahh. I think I may have ran into her this morning. Why?”
Luna started to speak, but held her tongue.
“No reason... But I do feel relieved that you have witnessed her to be in good health.”
“Well... there might have been some bruises,” Dornier admitted.
Luna cocked an eye at the Captain.
“I feel the depiction of your encounter may have been more literal than I expected.”
“Eeeeyup!” Dornier softly bellowed, with a trace of mockery.
She sighed, giggling slightly.
“I bid the well once again, Little Darling. For now we must pursue our separate ways.”
“Rule Equestria. Rule these lands. Forge thy will as such our Princess commands,” Dornier smiled as he uttered the first lines of the long forgotten battle hymn. “Fare thee well, Princess.”
“Thine self as well, Captain.”
* * *
The sticky sweet confectionery carnage was nearly cleaned, and Sugarcube Corner had returned to some semblance of normalcy.
“Need a hoof with anything else there, Pinkie?” Applejack asked of her friend.
“Nope, I think we got it all. Thanks for the help!”
“Ohh, you’re welcome,” Fluttershy managed with a small broom clenched between her teeth. “We’re always here to help.”
“I know it. Unlike Some. Other. Ponies!” Pinkie said with a huff, turning her nose up towards the door. “I just can’t believe the nerve of that guy!”
“Are you okay? He ran into you pretty hard!”
Pinkie nodded, rubbing her bruised side.
“He got me twice, sugarcube. Darn fella couldn’t make up his mind if he was a coming or a going.”
“That other pony seemed a lot nicer at least.” Pinkie mused.
“Oh yeah, now that you mention it,” Applejack puffed up with pride. “Ah might just be a lil bit famous. That feller Raines says I’m going to be in a story he’s writing for that newspaper of his.”
“Don’t forget about me, Sis!” Applebloom shouted as the Cutie Mark Crusaders made a beeline for the door. “I’m bettin them northern Lanshire folks are gonna be slack jawed six ways from Sunday when they read about my brave an heroic adventure! Why, I bet they’ll think I’m bravest pony this side of the Dragon Mountains!”
“Oh you are so full of... Wait up a minute now, where's y’all headed?”
The trio stopped in their tracks, bristling with excitement.
“Rainbow Dash is gonna show us how she caught Scootaloo! Cutie Mark Crusader Stunt Doubles! Yay!”
“Uhh...” she rubbed her temples - partially from the noise, partially from the stupid.
“Hah, eh, yeah,” Dash admitted sheepishly. “They kinda twisted my wing into this. Don’t worry though, I’ll keep an eye and a pair of hooves on em the whole time. Heh. Who knows, I might turn this into a routine at the next Cloudesdale Young Flyers competition.”
They shared a glance, their matched expressions briefly conveying a sincere severity befitting those several times their age.
“Stayin outta the forest?”
“Nowhere near it.”
“Well, y’all have fun then.”
Applejack sighed deeply as they departed. Pinkie and Fluttershy had started their own conversation near the racks of pies and apple crisps. Their fervent exchange suggested that something big was afoot. Pinkie talked about parties in the same manner that other ponies would discuss world domination.
“Miss Applejack?”
“Oh, hey there Sweetie Belle. What can I do fer ya?”
“Um...”
“Better spit it out quick, or you’re gonna be late with your friends there, sugarcube.”
“I just had a question. Do you remember last night, when you met... him?”
Applejack looked embarrassed for a moment, remembering quite clearly. A nervous smile broke out as she tried to maintain her composure.
“Well, I remember it pretty well. Shoot, lotsa things happened that night, come to think of it. Wasn’t nopony that saw us, er, I mean... Getting lifted up like that... Um... Oh, hey! How’s that flank feeling there?”
Sweetie Belle continued to stare. Something more serious was on her mind.
“It’s fine, thank you.”
“Umm... Well yes. I did meet him. And nothing else happened!” she added quickly.
“Applejack?”
“Yes?”
“How did he know?”
“Huh? The big fella?”
“Raines. How did he know?”
“Ohh,” she pondered for a moment. “Well, I guess word travels fast around here. I’m sure it’s nothing Sweetie. Time for you to skedaddle now. Go on and get some sun and fresh air.”
Sweetie Belle left, still worried.
Applejack was left worried as well.
“Horsefeathers.” she muttered, before returning to Fluttershy and Pinkie.
* * *
The carriage streaked across the sky at a leisurely pace, overlooking the pastel yellows and earthy tones of the Whitetail Woods. Trent smiled as he leaned over the side, enjoying the wind in his hair, and the serene vista of the lands below. The pegasi team had long since grown numb to the breathtaking sights, in their many routine trips over the kingdom.
Twilight sat perplexed in the back of the carriage. Her mind bore a question that she did not dare answer herself.
“Excuse me, Officer Laurie?”
“Oh hello. We should be there in another fifteen minutes, I believe.”
Twilight shook her head. “Thank you, but I had a different question.”
“Oh?”
“Well... It’s something you said earlier. It’s not really possible, is it?”
“Ehm, what?”
“Well, you know. What you said to that other guard earlier.”
Laurie’s eyes suddenly grew wider.
“That’s not really possible, is it? To have... Um... it, go in one end, and out the other?”
“Umm, no no... Just a figure of speech really!”
“I mean, can that even work? Or even losing ‘that’,” She looked aside while mentioning the unmentionable. “if it’s going through from the other direction?”
It was Laurie’s turn to be mortified to the point of physical ailment. Even Trent turned around to gawk at the utterly clueless discussion of depravity.
Suddenly her brain caught up to her mouth, throttling her vocal cords until a high pitched “Nevermind!” squeaked out.
Curiosity. It’s a hell of a drug.
The three remained silent for the next fifteen minutes.
It was a very long fifteen minutes.
* * *
|
shalrath
|
1219
| 7 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Derpy Hooves,Discord,Main 6,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Human,Adventure,Comedy,Dark,Sad,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
The End
|
A friendly stranger delivers some unsettling knowledge about Life, the Universe, and Everything.
|
incomplete
| 674 | 40 |
<p>A visitor arrives in Equestria, bearing a wealth of knowledge and a troubled past. The Mane 6 are quick to befriend the stranger, who helps them to discover what they truly value in life, and how to achieve it.</p><p>But learning to overcome their fears and achieve their desires comes at a steep price, paid by their innocence.</p>
|
teen
|
2011-11-20T20:24:40+00:00
|
2011-11-20T20:24:40+00:00
| 14,276 |
* * *
“And then, after the livestock races, we can herd them into pens to make a petting zoo!”
“I see,” Fluttershy said, between sips of tea.
“So that makes two more staging areas, one for the musical instruments, and another for the hay and feed. We can’t use the hoist for moving the hay bales though, because that’s already going to be used by the flying platform for the barbershop quartet with pyrotechnic launchers.”
“Mmm hmm.”
“But I was thinking that the ponies on hay bale duty could also dress up in a parade style dragon costume! Won’t that be so exciting!”
Pinkie raced around the kitchen area on her hind legs, growling and hissing, as her forehooves swiped at the air in front of her.
“Ohh, my.”
“And that comes out to fifty-eight silver bits so far, with the singing quartet, pyrotechnics, dragon costume, and hay feed. Add that to the catering, dunk tank, bouncy castle, face painting booth, tightrope lessons, along with everything else I mentioned before, and we’re looking at...”
“Howdy y’all,” Applejack interjected.
Fluttershy had never been so relieved to see her friend.
“Oooh, you made me loose count!” Pinkie wailed. “But don’t worry about that! I simply have to tell you EVERYTHING that’s going on!”
“What now?”
Pinkie’s smile spread from ear to ear, locking her jaw in place.
“Go on, tell her, Fluttershy!”
“Umm... Well...”
“Yes?”
“Pinkie was telling me all about her idea...”
“Is she throwing a party?”
“Yes! That’s exactly what I’m planning.” Pinkie threw her hooves into the air, releasing twin bursts of powdered sugar.
Applejack rolled her eyes. “Lucky guess there.”
“Fluttershy said she could help me get everything ready. Would you like to help too?” Pinkie blinked her eyelids sweetly, attempting to draft yet another unfortunate soul in thrall to her diabolical scheme.
“Uhh, when are you thinking about having this little shindig?”
“Tomorrow night, if we all work together!”
Fluttershy stopped midway through her sip of tea. Her eyes shot open wide as she expelled the hot dark liquid with enough force to aerosolize her drink into a very fine mist. If tea vapor had a lower explosive limit, Sugarcube Corner would have been levelled.
“That seems like it’s kinda short notice,” Applejack remarked, judging by Fluttershy’s reaction of atavistic terror.
“Maybe just a little,” Pinkie conceded. “I still need to find a place to host everything.”
“Hmm... Wait up a second now. I think I might have just the thing for ya.”
Pinkie’s eyes lit up as she placed her hooves on Applejack’s shoulders.
“You know where I can find a top hat, bow tie, and monocle that can fit on an elephant?” She squealed with excitement.
“Ah, no, not that."
"Because I already have the cumberbund."
"Hold up a sec, Pinkie. This party is for our new guest, right?”
“Well, who else!” she danced on her hind hooves. “Actually, there is that other guest that was in here this morning as well. Hmm. Looks like I’ll be planning two parties.”
Fluttershy appeared to be in a state of distress, as if she were suddenly choking on air.
“Whoa there nelly, lets take this one step at a time. You need a place for this party, and I reckon you could use a few more days to get ‘er all ready.”
“Go on...”
“Well, it just so happens that we’re having a little get together over at Sweet Apple Acres next week. You know the one we have every year about this time?”
“The annual Apple Family Pie-Eatin Cider-Drinkin Belch-a-thon Contest?”
“None other,” she said with a grin. “Think we can kill two birds with one stone here, instead of tryin to organize em both separately.”
“Hmmm.. Oooh, that would be perfect!” Pinkie exclaimed. “Are you sure it won’t be too much to ask?”
“Ohh, I wouldn’t mind a bit! Love to help make that big fella feel welcome here,” Applejack responded, suddenly more excited about the prospect of a party than Pinkie had been, if that could be believed.
“You’re the best, Applejack!” Pinkie shouted as she threw her forelegs around her. “But there are still a few things that have to be worked out.”
“Like what?”
“Catering, for starters.”
“I thought that was your speciality there Pinkie. Well, I know we can help whip up a batch of pies, fritters, and cobblers, easy enough.”
“Nope, that’s not the problem. What about our guest?”
“Uhh... well I’m sure he ain’t gonna object to anything we make.”
“Anything we make?” She exclaimed. “No, no, no. The problem is we have to make something special just for our guest! It can’t just be anything!”
“And how is that going to be a problem? We’ve got all week to take care of it now.”
Pinkie gasped. “You’re right! Ohh, thank you Applejack. You know I’d go crazy some days if it wasn’t for you.”
“Ehhh... Yeah.” She reluctantly agreed.
“So now that we have enough time to make everything, there’s still the problem of carrying it out to the farm. I know the cake is going to weigh a ton by itself!”
“What now? Just how many ponies are we trying to feed here?”
“I didn’t say anything about ponies. Here, let me show you!”
Pinkie reached into a cabinet and pulled out a heavy burlap sack. She dumped it onto the counter, letting nearly a dozen small irregularly shaped metal disks spill out with a loud clatter. Each iron disk appeared as if it had been cast in the form of a chocolate chip cookie.
“Voila! Just for our guest! I asked Stampy Steel, the blacksmith, to make this batch just this morning!”
“Pinkie Pie.”
“Yes!”
“Just what is it exactly do you think the big fella likes to eat?”
“Well duh... He’s made out of metal! Therefore, I can only postulate that he comes from a world where everything is metal. Maybe not even a world at all! If a star were to eventually burn itself out, and leave nothing but a hot core of degenerate matter with a surface of heavy metals floating on top, that could be where he’s from! Oooh, wouldn’t that be exciting! He might even feel like he could fly here, given how much lighter everything would be! And maybe he can see with X-rays too, because all other forms of in-falling light would be blue-shifted towards the high energy end of the spectrum!”
Applejack and Fluttershy winced painfully.
“And, based on all that gobbledygook, you think that he eats...”
“Metal.”
“Arrrghhh... Pinkie, did it not occur to you that he was here, just this morning? And he didn’t eat the silverware for breakfast.”
“Whaaat? When was he here?”
“He was with that other officer pony - the first one that you scared away with your stupid mountain of cupcakes.”
“You mean that tall mostly hairless monkey thing in a wool suit that could balance itself on two legs?”
“One and the same.”
“Then that metal thing...”
“Was him, wearing some kinda suit of armor.”
“So he...”
“Probably won’t eat these!” Applejack slapped her hoof down on the pile of cast iron cookies with high carbon steel chips.
“Oooohh... Well that explains a few things,” Pinkie pondered aloud. “I was wondering who that other guy was.”
The sound of two ponies smacking their foreheads echoed loudly throughout Sugarcube Corner.
“Heh. Guess that cake probably would weigh a ton.” Applejack muttered to herself.
Pinkie’s eyes shot wide and her jaw dropped.
“Be right back, girls!” She shot out of the kitchen, burst through the door, and galloped frantically in the direction of Stampy’s blacksmithery.
It was a few moments before either of them spoke.
“Fluttershy, If I ever do something that dumb, promise me that you’ll be there for me. That you’ll do the right thing. That you’ll pull the plug.”
“Umm.” She looked aside nervously.
Applejack chuckled. “Hey now, I’m just kiddin ya.”
“Oh, no, it wasn’t that. I was just thinking about something.”
“Oh?”
“Well... It’s about this party.”
“Yes?” Applejack prepared herself for another game of twenty questions.
“Umm... Do you think he’ll be there too?”
“Who?” she said, rolling her eyes. “Oh wait a sec, do you mean that officer pony that was covered in mud and leaves last night?”
“Yes! That’s him!” Fluttershy beamed.
“Reckon he might. He’s new around these parts though, so he’d probably need an invitation to even know when an where it’ll be at”
“Oh, Umm... About that.”
Applejack sighed. “Fluttershy, do you want me to go and find that pony and invite him to the annual Apple Family Pie-Eatin Cider-Drinkin Belch-a-thon contest that’s set to take place next week?”
“Oh! Yes!” Fluttershy barely finished her response before she clutched Applejack in her forelegs and flew upwards, spinning them around in a tight circle.
“I mean.. I would appreciate that, if you would invite him.” She said bashfully, as they settled back to the floor.
“Uhh... You’re welcome.”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Fluttershy exclaimed. “I’ll see you later!”
“Oh, wait, Fluttershy!”
“Yes?”
“Ahh...” She turned her head slightly, looking down at her hooves. “Would you wanna see about letting the big fella know too?”
“Oh, I think I could do that...” Her brow furrowed in a manner that could only be described as ‘gracefully’. “But I don’t know if he can speak our language.”
“Oooh... Almost forgot about that.”
“But I’ll see what I can do!”
* * *
"I'm still not sure how you're doing that," Twilight remarked.
"Hmm? What's that?"
"Well, you only have two legs. You would need at least three to remain stable."
Trent rolled his eyes with a wry grin. “Well who’s to say that... Ahh, never mind.”
“To say what?” She inquired.
“Well here we are!” Laurie announced loudly, interposing himself between the two. This left Twilight slightly confused, as the carriage had rolled to a stop several minutes ago.
“Right then!” Trent exclaimed in agreement, as he hopped from the carriage. He landed with the practiced grace of a cat leaping from a balcony, his boots chalking up yet another firm contact with a strange new world.
“Now that’s exactly what I’m talking about,” Twilight said as she stepped out of the carriage. “Two legs just aren’t stable, and you should have fallen straight over into the dirt. Augh... And how are you even doing THAT?”
“Doing what?” Trent asked, as he hopped in place on one foot.
“Never mind...” she sighed with exasperation.
Laurie briefly attempted to mimic Trent, rising up on his hind hooves, wobbling unsteadily. The pegasi coach team rolled their eyes until he stopped.
“You are right, you know. Two legs are pretty unstable.”
“Huh? Then why aren’t you falling over?”
“I can balance perfectly fine, so long as the weight of my body is directly over my legs. But any other time, I am falling. I simply fall in the direction I wish to go.”
Trent started walking towards Twilight, freezing abruptly mid-stride, and awkwardly stumbling forward. He caught himself at the last moment, returning to a normal gait.
“Ohh... I see.”
“You seem to have a natural instinct to question everything. That’s good. Some people, or some ponies, would be content to accept a simple explanation, and never give it another thought. Don’t worry if you get confused though. Discovery and understanding are not always quick or easy.”
“It still does look kind of strange,” she remarked while watching Trent shuffle around. “Do you think it would be better to have four legs?”
“Naah... These two work just fine for me. And sometimes, I don’t even need them!”
“Okay... Wait, what?”
“I’ll tell you later. But don’t be fooled by these. They’re the fine product of millions of years of trial and error.” Trent gestured towards his body, from head to toe.
Twilight’s jaw dropped for a moment.
“You’re not really that old...”
“No, not hardly. That’s another thing I’ll explain later.”
“How fast can you run anyways,” Laurie asked. “I’d imagine that four legs would give you a bit more power than just two.”
“Ahh, now that’s a good question. While I might say reasonably fast, the more interesting question is how far I can run.”
He paused a moment, basking in the silence before continuing.
“You see, where I come from, there are plenty of four-legged creatures that share our world. Some are dangerous, and some are relatively harmless. But we’ve got em all beat when it comes to endurance.”
“Hmm, I’ll believe that when I see it,” Laurie muttered. “Why is that important anyways?”
“To chase them down, of course.”
“Umm...” Twilight cleared her throat, not entirely sure how to respond.
“To pet them?”
“Usually just to eat them.”
There was a small moment of silence as every pony and pegasi turned to look at Trent’s smiling bared teeth.
“Anyways, speaking of which... What’s the plan for dinner? I’m starving!”
Without further ado, the pegasi drawn carriage rocketed back into the air, making haste toward Canterlot.
“Oh, okay, see you later!” Trent shouted as he waved after them. They seemed to speed up noticeably.
“So as I was saying...” He turned back to face the wide eyed purple pony.
“Wait a second, just wait a second here,” Laurie interrupted. “I’m not sure how to put this, but you don’t really look like a...” his eyes darted upwards, looking for the right word.
“Bloodthirsty killing machine?” Trent offered helpfully.
“Yeah, that. More or less. I mean, you don’t have any claws, huge sharp teeth, poisonous quills, or what-have-you. No acid spitting, fire breathing, or lightning bolts shooting out of your eyesockets. I mean, just how exactly would you have a go at something?”
“Ahhh. Well, claws and fangs can kill individual creatures. But this,” he tapped at his forehead, “could subjugate or annihilate an entire species!”
Laurie was silent for a moment.
“Do you hit them with it?”
“What? Gaah, no! I was trying to make a point.”
“Well I’m not seeing it.”
“This!” he pointed to his forehead again. “We make tools. We’re a species of tool makers. If we can’t bend nature to our will, then we make a tool that can do it for us.”
“And your forehead makes the tools?”
“In a manner of speaking, yes.”
“So it’s like a hammer?”
Trent stopped to rub his forehead, as if it had been used like a hammer. He collected himself before responding. Linguistic misunderstandings were just another challenging and unglamorous part of inter-species diplomacy.
“No. I don’t mean it that way. We simply think up any sort of device that helps us meet our needs. Whether it’s slings and stones, spears, swords, rifles, or small area effect sub-orbital clustering munitions with inherent dispersal reduction capabilities, they’re all just different ways of solving the same problem.”
“Hitting things?”
“Well... Yes.”
“By the way, that last thing you said...”
“Yes?”
“Owww...” Laurie rubbed his forehead, still throbbing from a magical migraine.
“Ahh, sorry.”
“Why would you do that?” Twilight asked, still shocked at Trent’s dietary revelation.
“Hmm... You don’t, I take it? That is interesting actually. Most of the people I come across generally do.”
‘People’ sounded odd in Twilight’s head, almost as if her definition was only a close approximation to what she heard.
“Eating others?”
“Yes. We are predators, after all. Most of us, actually.”
Twilight’s face slowly changed from shock to a mixture of fear and revulsion.
“You wouldn’t... eat us, would you?”
Trent looked genuinely surprised.
“Ohhh, no, no, no. No, no, absolutely not,” he spread his hands with his open palms facing Twilight. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
He leaned in close with a disarming grin. “But for you, maybe a just nibble.” His lips smacked together quickly before he broke into a hearty laugh.
She responded with her own nervous laughter, before pressing back with another question.
“Well, which is it?”
“Ahh, well perhaps I should explain myself a bit more clearly. When I say that I am a predator, I do not mean that I start each morning sharpening my teeth, or making plans to thin out herds of grazing animals. It simply refers to what I am, not necessarily how I act. A fair segment of the people I knew, er... know, actually abstain from eating meat whatsoever. But like it or not, they still carry that legacy of being vicious flesh eaters.”
“Some of the nicest and most caring vicious flesh eaters you’d ever meet, mind you,” he added quickly.
“They can’t all be like that, can they?”
“Afraid so, which is why I find it interesting that everyone here seems to be strictly vegetarian. Sentient civilization-building species are almost always descended from some sort of predatory ancestor.”
“What about descendants of peaceful or plant eating species?”
“They typically became lunch.”
Twilight and Laurie gulped.
“What’s more, is that they don’t face the same competitive pressures, or have access to the same protein-rich diet, as a meat-eating species. Eating all that meat tends to grow bigger brains,” he tapped at his forehead a third time. “And facing competition from other predators tends to give those brains a workout.”
“That sounds... kind of terrible,” Twilight remarked sympathetically, though still intrigued by the explanation.
“I never said it was fair. But, if it makes you feel any better, we consider it a pretty fundamental tenet of our culture that we do not go around eating other intelligent species. Just because we can does not mean that we should, and that particular line of reasoning is the crux between civilization and barbaric anarchy.”
“So you can choose not to?”
“I certainly can. I can’t say the same about every single one of my ancestors, but I can’t really fault them for their decisions either. If you go back far enough, when our species was just another breed of uncivilized animals in a world where the only way to thrive was to eat the competition, I’m glad they made that choice. Otherwise, I, or perhaps my entire species, wouldn’t be here.”
“What if they didn’t make that choice?”
“Then we would have been replaced by a slightly more vicious pack of bloodthirsty killing machines, who may or may not have developed the same sense of moral restraint. Imagine a visit from one of them.”
Twilight grimaced slightly.
“I see your point.”
“Never judge someone for who they are. Only for what they do.”
She nodded slightly, still unsure how to feel.
“Is that something you would do here?”
Trent sighed softly, rolling his eyes with a slight grin.
“Look, I’ve come to accept that I belong to a race that’s both renowned and infamous for a great many good and horrible things. I am the final link in an unbroken chain of bloodthirsty meat eaters. I have hunted down innocent creatures for my own sustenance. However, I would personally find it despicable to end the life of a creature that had the wherewithal to ask me not to.”
He paused, bending down to Twilight’s eye level.
“If it makes you happy, I can have a salad tonight.”
“You really mean all that?”
“Absolutely. But let’s not get sidetracked here. It’s starting to get late, and I am getting rather hungry.”
* * *
“Is he one of yours,” asked the grey pony.
“No.” came the emotionless reply from the small metal box.
“But he is like you.”
“Yes.”
* * *
“So you say that light and heat are both the same thing?”
“Mmmhmm,” Trent managed through a mouthful of baked potato. “Electromagnetic radiation.”
The word still felt odd inside their heads, but no longer headache inducing.
“Are there other sorts of radiation?” Laurie asked, slowly working his way through a plate of steamed carrots.
Trent simply nodded, busy chewing.
“What do the other kinds of radiation do?” Twilight asked. The meal she prepared lay mostly untouched, due to her non-stop line of questioning.
“Mmm.. usually? They lower property values.”
“What?”
“I’m only halfway kidding. The other types of radiation are typically composed of small particles - and I mean very very small things - flying off at speeds that could damage living tissue. Now that’s not so bad in small doses, but radioisotopes tend to be rather persistent at what they do. Sooo... if someplace becomes contaminated like that, you really wouldn’t want to spend a lot of time in there.”
The headaches returned, in full force.
“Ughh... I feel like I’m making more questions than answers,” she rubbed one foreleg across her weary temples.
“Mmm. Well, as they say, ‘the more you know, the more you don’t know’.”
“But where does it end? Isn’t there some point where you can catch up with all the questions and just simply understand everything?”
Trent looked thoughtful for a moment.
“Maybe. But would you really want to?”
“What do you mean?”
“If you could truly know everything, then where would the magic of discovery be? Or logical deduction, or the thrill of exploration? And what would that say about nature itself? If we could really understand it all, then what would that say about the universe we live in?”
“Umm...” Twilight struggled for an answer. She looked up suddenly, and dashed over to the nearest bookcase.
“Okay, I think I know. Look at these,” she gestured to the set of bookends at either end of the shelf.
“I see.”
“All these books between here could represent all the knowledge in the universe.”
“I should only hope that your cookbook made it in there.”
“Oh, Um... Did you like everything?” Twilight was thrown off guard for a moment, letting a shy smile creep over her face.
“Dinner was fantastic, yes. But let’s keep going with the book analogy. I think I see where you’re going with it.”
“Okay. So there’s a certain number of books. Even if I added more books, there will still only be a certain number of them, right?”
“Mmmhmm.”
“As long as there’s a set to contain them... Then they, um... They’ll be...”
“Finite.”
Twilight gasped. The concept made such perfect sense with the thought she was trying to convey, that she bounded into the air with excitement.
“Yes! That’s exactly it.”
“Which implies...”
“Um, that there could be a limit to the amount of knowledge... Or that, oh... Hmm.”
“Here, lets say that you’ve managed to read every single book in this library.”
“But I already have read every single book in this library.”
“Okay, I rest my hypothetical case. But lets say that this was it. You’ve read everything, and there’s nothing left. Now what?”
“Well, I guess there would be nothing left to read,” she pondered.
“There is that. Not to mention the idea that the universe itself had some sort of limited boundary.”
“Hmm... I think I see. Is it actually like that?”
“To the best of my knowledge, no. Either it’s infinite, or simply large enough that we could never hope to see, or understand it all.”
“Infinite?”
“Unbounded. Endless. Larger than any number, or finite set. It goes on and on forever.”
“Oh...” She paused, letting the concept sink in. “How does that make you feel actually? If you could never really live to learn everything?”
“I can accept it.”
“But it seems like you understand so much.”
“By that token, realizing the depth of what exists, compared to what I’ve learned, I must know very little.”
“Does that feel frustrating?”
“I feel it’s more humbling, actually. It is a big universe out there.”
“Oh.”
Trent finished his dinner quietly.
“Say, Twilight,” Laurie asked, “were you planning to use that ring?”
“I will soon. But first, I don’t think that I even know the right questions to ask.”
“Ah, that will come in time,” Trent offered. “Preferably, some other time. I’m about to call it a night.”
Laurie nodded in agreement.
“Yeah, I could stand to take a little nap myself. Can somepony wake me up next week?”
“So I’ll see you tomorrow?” Twilight asked.
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
* * *
|
shalrath
|
1219
| 8 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Derpy Hooves,Discord,Main 6,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Human,Adventure,Comedy,Dark,Sad,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
The End
|
A friendly stranger delivers some unsettling knowledge about Life, the Universe, and Everything.
|
incomplete
| 674 | 40 |
<p>A visitor arrives in Equestria, bearing a wealth of knowledge and a troubled past. The Mane 6 are quick to befriend the stranger, who helps them to discover what they truly value in life, and how to achieve it.</p><p>But learning to overcome their fears and achieve their desires comes at a steep price, paid by their innocence.</p>
|
teen
|
2012-03-12T02:20:46+00:00
|
2012-03-12T02:20:46+00:00
| 14,008 |
* * *
He found himself alone on the concourse. His shoes squeaked against the polished tile, each reflecting the shimmering flicker of the cold fluorescent bulbs overhead. The silent crash of an ocean wave was depicted through the many irregularly shaped ceramic shards, their chaotic ordering conveying a brisk dynamic image through the silent still mosaic.
It was more vivid this time. He walked aimlessly in a tight circle, taking in the scene with stark clarity. The long plate glass windows of the concourse revealed a pitch black void on either side. Nothing discernible save for the faint twinkling of so many points of light. One side of the corridor neatly melded with the other. There was no way forward. Only a interminable winding passage that lead back from where he came. This was the terminus. This was safe.
His shoes scuffed against the low pile of the well trafficked nylon carpet. It felt familiar, much like the diamond stamped steel plates or the tile mosaic that he had trod upon before. Discolorations from years of neglect and mishandled coffee cups littered the utilitarian environment.
Don’t look back.
Before him stood a glass case, mounted neatly upon a rough hewn, but well varnished wooden pedestal. A bear stood within it. Brown fur draped over a lumbering frame, two sightless glass eyes staring listlessly down the never-ending concourse. Heavy paws rested upon sculpted boulders, propping the stuffed carcass up; mercifully unaware as it gazed eternally against the harsh empty vista.
Staring into the sun would only burn your eyes. Staring down the corridor would burn your soul.
He walked around with care. It left him nervous, not as if the beast would suddenly come to life, swinging sharpened claws or lunging forward with bared teeth. But rather, instead of roaring a hostile challenge, that it would merely utter a whimper. An agonized plea.
The single path stretched out ahead. Barren beige walls and shiny plastic flooring. He stopped for a moment, to glance behind. As he turned, the corridor’s path branched off into innumerable fractal hallways, each bearing their own unique features.
The paths did not beckon to be explored. They simply bespoke the travels of others. He quickly turned back to face the concourse.
All paths lead forward. One path lead back.
He was not alone. The concourse bustled with activity. A veritable migration walking in opposition to him, eyes glazed as they stared singlemindedly down their own path, striding purposefully towards their own destination.
Each one was him.
Each path, a choice once made.
The heavy rhythmic stomp and soft hiss of hydraulics caught his attention. Amidst the crowd was him, once again. The blackened steel breech suit with the head shaped like a dragon’s skull and the crown of glowing glass eyes towered slightly over the heads of others. He looked to it, and it looked back briefly, not saying a word. The bleak countenance of the utilitarian armor did little to hide the forlorn sadness of the man inside it.
He nodded sympathetically, knowing well the weight cast over that heart. The steel clad interloper strode past him, utterly resigned with regret. That which drove him seemed to be only a tiny sliver of hope, a candle in the harsh uncaring void. A sense that wrong could be righted, even at a terrible cost.
“See you soon,” he whispered, as the heavy metallic footfalls receded behind him.
He continued down the endless corridor for some time, lost in his own listless thoughts. Every rendition of himself shuffled past silently, unwavering in their journey.
Do I have somewhere to be?
The concourse was nearly as wide as a freeway now. The crowd shuffled by at their strident pace, briskly following the path that stretched as long as the universe was old. Each fleeting lifespan touching upon a fraction of that long branching thread.
He stopped, turning around to gaze into the depths.
The universe gazed back. Myriad alternate realities, each of their own unique structure and unfathomable detail. Each pathway forged by seemingly arbitrary or inconsequential decision. The total sum of all that he was or would be. Every one of him receding to an infinitesimal point in the distance, crossing the event horizon of a future he would never know.
He saw everything.
* * *
Laurie awoke with a start. Not from any imagined nightmare or panicked sense of anxiety. A deep guttural bark from across the room sent him bolting upright.
He looked across to see Trent, sitting up and perspiring heavily.
“Are you okay?”
“Ahh... Yes. Sorry, did I wake you?”
“Just me, as far as I know. No idea about the rest of Ponyville. Dear Celestia, I didn’t know you could make noises like that!”
“Sorry. I think I was having a dream.”
“Well I don’t want to hear about it. I’m going to have enough trouble getting back to sleep already! Bloody hell. I think I know the last thing those animals must have heard before they ended up on your dinner table.”
“Eh? Oh... Not really like that actually. I’ll explain later,” he mumbled as he flopped back into bed.
Laurie sighed. “Okay. Auughhh... What in Luna’s Oceans were you actually dreaming about there?”
“I can’t even remember.”
* * *
The first rays of sunlight cast their warmth over Ponyville, greeting those who started their mornings early. The streets were still mostly bare, and the beds were still mostly full, but one small grey pegasus stood ready to meet the break of dawn.
This was her favorite time of each day. The early sun warmed the soft fur of her neck as she craned her head upwards. Her haunches rested on a thick gnarled tree root that jutted out from the base of the Ponyville Library, as her bright blonde tail absentmindedly swatted at the packed earth. Every day brought something new and different, but she enjoyed the constant familiarity of her morning ritual.
A looming shadow slowly moved across her, marked by the soft crunch of gravel under boots. She looked back to see a tall strange figure approach. A pair of eyes that would match the level of Princess Celestia’s stature gazed downward curiously. She stared back; surprised, but intrigued.
It raised one hand, palm flat with fingers gently splayed, and waved.
“Hello,” Trent said.
“Oh, hello!” she replied, happy to meet a new friend.
“That bag looks pretty heavy.”
She nodded enthusiastically. “Yep! It’s all the mail from yesterday! And I know just where to deliver it!”
“Ahh... I hope I’m not keeping you from that.”
“Nope! No problem! I’m waiting first.”
She turned back to look up into the tree. Overhead, an obscenely swollen honeybee nest buzzed with activity.
“I see. What are you waiting for?”
“To get everything right!”
“Hmm?”
“My mail route! I need to get it just right, every morning. That’s why I’m here!”
“Oh. Do you have it written down?”
She gasped slightly, shaking her head and twitching her tail against her flanks.
“Oh no, no, no... If I wrote it down, it would be... It would be always... Always the same! No, I can’t do that. It’s never the same! Never. I keep it all in here instead!” she swiped her foreleg across her head and nodded vigorously.
“That sounds very... dynamic.”
Two yellow rimmed pupils widened, each locking their gaze on Trent for a brief moment. A smile broke across her face as she nodded her head with her whole body.
“Yes! I like that word! It’s all very dynamic! Dynamic!” She hummed to herself as the new word made itself at home. Her tongue happily slathered itself over the wet matted fur around her lips, as she turned back to look at the beehive.
“If you don’t mind me asking, what’s so interesting about that?” he gestured towards the hive.
“They have to make deliveries too! Just like me!” She watched the bees overhead - not seeing them for individual black and yellow specks, but for their flow and direction.
“Is that why you like to watch them?”
The blonde and grey pony nodded, her eyes still tracking the Apinae swarm.
Trent stepped over the tree root, settling down next to her, and looking up as well.
“I guess they have a very dynamic route to take too,” he observed.
“Oh yes. So many routes too! So many routes! If they all flew to one field at a time, they would just get crowded! And all the pollen would be used up! All that flying would be wasted. And then...”
She turned to look at Trent, torn with worried empathy.
“They would have trouble making enough honey. They did have trouble making honey! They didn’t make enough to keep them all fed!” she began to tremble slightly, shaking her head from side to side. She sniffed slightly, holding back a tear. “Those bees aren’t here anymore. These ones are.”
Trent looked down, intrigued at the sudden outburst.
“There, there, now. It’s okay,” he stroked the fur on her back. “Here, I think I have something that might cheer you up.”
“Oh?”
He reached into the paper sack, recently procured from Sugarcube Corner. Out came a steaming hot muffin. Derpy’s eyes locked on with precision.
“Ooooh! Thank you, thank you!” she exclaimed, diving forward and biting into the cinnamon sprinkled top. Trent held his hand out, pressing back against the firm nose and greedily lapping tongue until nothing was left but a crumb-laden paper wrapper.
“You’re welcome,” he chuckled.
She smiled gratefully, before looking back up at the hive.
“So what happened to all those other bees?”
“They’re just not here anymore. Not even the others. Just these. They’re here because they’re the best bees! The very very best!”
“Because the other bees were not as good at getting pollen and making honey?”
She nodded sagely.
“Hmm... It sounds like these bees were selected... Naturally.”
She turned to look at Trent. Her ears flapped against the side of her head, as she twisted her neck, deep in contemplation. The inconsequential pairing of words seemed to allude to a hidden meaning within her mind. A subtle reference that rattled around like a nut inside of a hard burled shell. A nut that soon cracked within a vice-like grip.
She gasped with excitement.
“Yep! They’re the best bees! That’s where they came from too! Naturally too! They were naturally selected, because they’re the best!”
She looked up happily at Trent. He returned the stare, wide eyed and mildly shocked. As if he were sitting next to a lit powder keg, but held in place by an overwhelming curiosity to see what would happen when the fuse ran out.
“So why do you like watching these bees?”
“Because they know just where to go!”
“There are a lot of places they could go...”
“Mmmm, yep! But these bees know the best way to go!”
She turned to look at Trent again, smiling from ear to ear, with her tongue poking out the side of her mouth.
“They’re the best!”
“Heh. Okay, I believe you there. Do you like to watch them every day?”
She nodded vigorously, one eye on Trent, and one eye on the hive overhead.
“They help me think! I have to think about my route every day. It’s always different!”
“Your route must be pretty long,” he said, eyeing the hefty brown sack of letters.
“With so many places to go,” she agreed.
“How do you usually plan it?”
“Oooh, it takes a lot of planning! There are so many places to go. And there’s so many paths to take between each place. And then, there are so many packages too! Most of them weigh just a little, but some weigh a lot! I have to think about that too.”
“Sounds like a travelling mailman problem.”
The blonde and grey pegasus bounced up, her head twitching as the gears in her mind started to spin. She kept her head low for a moment, backing up in a tight circle. Suddenly she spun back around to face Trent, ducking her head between her legs, and looking back up.
“But I’m a mail mare!” she whined.
“Ahh, of course.”
“And it’s not that hard! You just have to add more... More... Things! More things.”
“Hmm, I don’t follow.”
“Things! More things! Like going from one house to another. That’s like...”
“A route?”
“Yes. But no...”
“A vector?”
She looked up again, twitching her ears slightly.
“No. But yes! It’s like a vector. But it’s not. It’s like a vector with vectors all on it’s own!”
“A metric?”
She danced with excitement, her hind hooves tapping the dirt at a staccato pace.
“Yes! Yes! All routes have metrics! So many metrics too!”
“Hold on a second. I never said what a metric was.”
She looked back, confused.
“But I know what it is! I know what it is now! It’s like a trait, or like... Like a... Oooh! Like a price in a store, but its different for everything.”
“So each route has several metrics, each with a different cost?”
“Yes yes yes!” she nodded her head vigorously.
“Interesting. Did you know what a metric was before, but just needed to match a word to the idea?”
“Umm...” she looked confused again, crossing her eyes slightly and bobbing her head in a small circle.
“Did it make sense after I said it? Or more sense, for that matter?”
“I think it did.”
“I have a question for you.”
“Okay!” she exclaimed excitedly.
“What is spread spectrum frequency division multiplexing?”
Her eyes went wide for a moment, independently staring in their own direction. She sat down for a moment, letting her head twist about as she thrust her nose upwards.
“It’s like a piano!” she squealed, as she hopped back up.
Trent stared for a moment, before breaking into a smile.
“Very good. Would you like another muffin?”
She practically bowled him over as she dove head-first into the paper sack.
“Thank you!” she managed, with the paper wrapper still sticking out from her lips.
“You’re welcome.”
She finished the warm muffin, smacking her lips and running her tongue over her grey furry jowl.
“You’re very nice.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
“My name is Ditzy Doo! But a lot of ponies call me Derpy... I don’t mind really.”
“Mmm. I’ve been called a lot of things too. But you can call me Trent.”
They both turned back to look at the hive.
“Did you see that big metal monster the other night?”
“Hmm... can’t say I have. What did it look like?”
“Well it was really scary! But it also acted really nice. Everypony saw it, and even the Princess came to see it too!”
“Maybe it was from outer space.”
Derpy breathed slowly for a moment, deep in contemplation.
“No, I don’t think it would come from outer space.”
“Oh?”
“It must have come from another place just like this,” she stamped her hoof against the dirt.
“Another planet?”
“Yes yes! Another planet! A planet in outer space... Not this planet, but another one like it!”
“Would you like another muffin?”
“Oh yes please! But... I’ll save this one for later,” she smiled.
* * *
“Any day now,” Spike muttered, tapping his small claws against the floor.
“Mmmuurmmmghhhh,” Twilight responded, with all the lucidity she could muster.
“Finally. I hope you remembered to give the Princess a change of address, because I’ll be happy if I don’t see another one of these for a while!”
The juvenile dragon unceremoniously dumped the pile of letters next to Twilight’s bed, a mixture of clean white parchment and cracked yellowed scrolls, each coalesced from the magical vapors that emanated from the dragon’s belly.
“Whaaa?”
Spike did not dignify her question with a response. He simply held out the calendar pilfered from the downstairs kitchen, tapping one claw at the series of X’s that blotted out the next week.
“Ohh... Your grooming thing.”
“Molting! Do you see these?” he poked at the loose scales around his belly.
“Well, that just means your baby scales are going away.”
“Why, you’re exactly right! Thank you, wise and learned magical master of the obvious.”
“Spike...” she groaned.
“I know what you’re going to say. The books are shelved, the kitchen is swept, and your supply of ink and paper is stocked. Everything should be just fine here, while I’m gone.”
“The caves near Dragon Mountain?”
“Only the best place to get a mineral oil bath. And did you know they have fresh pumice from the lava pools? I’ll have my new scales polished until I can eat off them! I hear they have water polo in the sulphur springs too. And all the gemstones I could eat!”
“That sounds...”
“Like the most relaxing week of my life,” he said with a grin.
“Mmm, well don’t let me keep you waiting,” she said as she buried her face in the pillow.
“What did you make last night? The kitchen was a bit of a mess.”
“Oh, that was for our guest. You were already asleep when he came over last night.”
“Hmm... Meh. How’d that go?”
“Well it was interesting, but we didn’t have a lot of time. I think he’s going to come over here again today.”
“Ah. Well that would explain the mostly hairless monkey looking thing standing outside.”
“WHAT!” Twilight bolted out of bed.
“He’s been out there a while now.”
“Aaaagghh!”
Twilight tore around her bedroom in a circle, brushing her hair back into long straight strands, jabbing a toothbrush in her mouth, and spitting it back into a levitating bucket. The magical multitasking mare stopped to collect herself, breathing steadily as she marched down the staircase with measured restraint.
She turned to look back upstairs.
“Well Spike, I hope you have fun at the Dragon Mountain spa. I’m going to be busy learning new and amazing things from our guest. And it’s only fitting that he, where-ever he’s from, should make official contact with only the most intelligent...”
She paused for dramatic effect.
“Smartest...”
Her mane tumbled across her back as she propped herself up with the absolute worst display of false humility ever known to Equestria.
“And scientifically minded pony in all of Ponyville!”
The door opened swiftly, and she stepped outside with confidence. Moments later, her jaw dropped as she caught sight of Trent and Derpy sitting on a tree root, staring up absentmindedly at the hanging bee hive.
This left the proud purple pony in a state of panic. To the casual observer, it would almost appear if she was choking.
On air.
* * *
“Have you finished planning your route?”
“Almost done!”
“You must be very good with math.”
She shook her head.
“Oh, no. No... I’m not. But I wish I was.”
“Well, you must have a natural talent for it, if you can do this every day. It really is a very hard problem.”
“But I don’t... I don’t know how to do it like that,” she said, looking up with a hint of sadness and shame.
“You can still solve the problem though. You should be proud of that.”
She looked back and forth between the hive and Trent several times, still feeling uncomfortable.
“Other ponies at school always told me to solve problems one way, but I was never good at that.”
“Can you show me how you solve it?”
Derpy’s eyes lit up, as she smiled and nodded.
“Oh yes. Yes yes! I know a lot of ways!”
“I’m listening.”
“First you add things!”
“Ummm... you add the route costs first?”
She shook her head.
“No no... First you add things that make the costs! Things that change... Things...”
“Variables?”
She nodded vigorously.
“Yes! Variables! And some variables that change too! Sometimes a lot of variables change.” She stood up and pointed her hoof up, slowly tracing out a large circle in many discreet ticks.
“Sometimes time is a variable! Sometimes it’s a vector!”
“Okay. What do you mean when a lot of variables change?”
“It’s like... It’s like... Ohh, It’s like a tree!”
Trent looked at the enormous trunk of the glorified treefort library.
“I’m not sure I understand.”
“Trees grow up!”
“Yes, yes they do...”
“But they only grow up!”
“Hmm... And if they grew sideways?”
“They wouldn’t line up! Nope! Things fall down, so trees grow up!”
“So they line up with gravity?”
She thought to herself for a moment, before nodding slowly.
“Yes, but it’s not because of that. It’s because of what it is!”
“Trees grow up, because gravity creates a vertical gradient?”
Derpy shot into the air, spinning around several times with her wings outstretched, bouncing on her hind hooves.
“Yes yes! Yes! It’s a gradient! So is the wind! It changes so many variables at once.”
“Hmmm. So when you plan your route, you add all the variables to create route metrics, and then you add a wind gradient to follow...”
“Which changes during the day! It’s a gradient with a time variable!”
“Oy... That sounds like it makes things more complicated.”
“Nope nope! All that makes it easy!”
“Do we have the same definition for ‘easy’?”
“It’s easier to choose. It’s... There’s more choice. The choices are bigger, so they’re easier to make!”
“The number of choices?”
She shook her head.
“The relative cost of each choice?”
Her eyes lit up as she nodded excitedly.
Trent thought for a moment, rubbing his chin and studying the bubbly grey pegasus.
“So... You add many variables, such as the wind speed, wind direction, the weight of individual packages, distance between houses, density of houses, and whatever else... So that the costs of various paths will have a wider range of magnitude. Then you can group routes by similar costs, and use a selection bias to preferentially favor lowest cost aggregate routes?”
She stood still for a long moment, letting here eyes roll gently back and forth.
“Yep!” she said, with a curt nod.
“That’s really impressive, actually."
“Yep! Yep! Almost finished too!”
As they sat staring, they heard the unsteady trot of hooves approach from behind.
“Um... Hello,” Twilight said.
“Oh, good morning,” Trent returned with a smile. “Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, I did. Did you have a good night yourself?”
“Ah... It was okay. Woke up a bit early for some reason.”
“I see. Am I interrupting anything?”
“Oh, no. We were talking about trees just now.”
“They grow upward!” Derpy nodded her head with enthusiasm.
“Yes... Yes they do...” Twilight remarked. “Um, Derpy? You’re not getting sidetracked again, are you? I see you still have a pretty full bag of mail sitting there.”
“She’s planning her route.” Trent offered. The grey pegasus nodded in agreement.
“Well, do you need me to get some paper so you can write it down? I imagine it might be kinda hard to keep track of it all?”
Derpy’s eyes went wide again.
“Ohhh, no no no... Nope! It’s okay. I’ve got it all ready!” She tapped her hoof against the side of her head.
Trent nodded sagely.
“Goodbye Trent! And, thanks for all the muffins!” She squealed happily as she hoisted the hefty mail sack over her haunches.
“Have a good day. I know you’ll get it all delivered too, because you’re the best pony.” He winked. “The very very best!”
She danced around happily for a moment, before waving to the two, and departing into the cool brisk morning air.
Twilight approached slowly. “I’m sorry about that. I hope she wasn’t bothering you or anything.”
“Hmm? Oh, no, it’s quite all right.”
“She can be a bit... out there. But I’m glad you were nice to her. Not everypony is.”
“Ahh.” His brow furrowed.
Twilight sat next to Trent on the tree root, curious about his fixation on the bee hive.
“What’s so interesting about that?” she asked.
“They know just where to go,” he turned to look at Twilight with a grin. “They’re the best bees. The very best.”
“Uhh... Ok.”
“She’s brilliant, you know.”
The purple pony simply slapped her forehead by reflex.
“Ah... Good one.”
* * *
|
shalrath
|
1219
| 9 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Derpy Hooves,Discord,Main 6,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Human,Adventure,Comedy,Dark,Sad,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
The End
|
A friendly stranger delivers some unsettling knowledge about Life, the Universe, and Everything.
|
incomplete
| 674 | 40 |
<p>A visitor arrives in Equestria, bearing a wealth of knowledge and a troubled past. The Mane 6 are quick to befriend the stranger, who helps them to discover what they truly value in life, and how to achieve it.</p><p>But learning to overcome their fears and achieve their desires comes at a steep price, paid by their innocence.</p>
|
teen
|
2011-12-16T07:53:04+00:00
|
2011-12-16T07:53:04+00:00
| 13,037 |
* * *
Daylight crept over the fruit laden orchards of Sweet Apple Acres, rousing one young filly from her slumber. She descended the stairs gingerly, muttering a variety of recently learned expletives with each painful step. The rest of the family had already left before sunrise, tending to the ripened fields in preparation for harvest. She tip-hoofed into the kitchen, hurling her uncooperative body into the nearest chair and slumping forward across the table, savoring what few minutes of peaceful tranquility she had to herself.
Her reprieve did not last long.
"Mornin' sis. Sleep well?" Applejack asked cheerily, as she rounded the corner.
"Ughhh... Sorta."
"You okay, Applebloom?” she peered at her younger sister’s fresh bruises and uniformly scraped knees. “Land’s sake girl! You look like you’ve been dragged up one field and down the other. What in tarnation happened?!”
Applebloom shook her head slowly. “Ah’d rather not talk about it.”
A stern glare from Applejack suggested otherwise.
“I guess we’re not Cutie Mark Crusader Stunt Doubles after all,” she sighed.
“Ughh... Sugarcube, I’ve always had the sneaking suspicion that you were born with more spunk than sense. Days like today, Ah’ve gotta wonder why I spent so long wonderin,” she shook her head.
“I’m sorry sis,” she looked up worriedly. “Ya ain’t gonna be sore with Dash are ya?”
“Oh, I’ve got some words for that filly, believe you me.” She leaned across the table, eye-level with Applebloom. “But ah can’t rightfully say it’s all her fault, seeing how you three roped her into yer lil’ shenanigans.”
Applebloom sighed. “Ah know, sis.”
“Hey now, what’s done is done. Ya fall down five times, and ya get up six. Now you best get those scrapes washed up and get some grub in that belly. Big Macintosh has been out tendin’ them fields since well before sun up, so it’s time for you to get out and lend a hoof. We’ve got a busy week comin’ up, ya know.”
“For the big Apple Family get together?”
“More than just that. Pinkie’s got some ideas she’d like to throw in the mix. Seein’ on how she’s planning a party to welcome the big fella here, I figured we’d roll em all into one.”
“You mean he’s coming here!” Applebloom exclaimed in surprise.
“...Ya best clean out them ears, too. Yes he’s coming here, and it’s just right that we should try an’ make him feel welcome.”
“Gosh,” she breathed. “It might be like somethin ‘outta one of them books I borrowed from Twilight. Like, ‘The Day Equestria Stood Still’, or ‘Forbidden World’ or that other one, ‘Close Encounters of the Unnatural Kind’. Gee, that’d be exciting. Is he gonna be staying for a while then?”
“Reckon so. Not sure for how long... Wait up now, how long have you had those books?”
“Um, a while now... Prolly ought to give em back soon,” she mumbled.
“Mmm hmm,” She shot Applebloom a stern gaze.
“Ah promise, sis... Next chance I get.”
“You do that. I’m headin’ out for a bit.”
“What fer?”
“Oh, eh... You know that party comin’ up?”
Applebloom nodded.
“Got a few invitations to hand out. You know, the whole Respond You, Silver Play sorta thing.”
“Riiight...”
“Mmm, yep! Now be a good filly and get yerself washed up. Gonna be a busy week!” She said as she pushed open the door, and trotted outside.
Applebloom watched through the window as her sister steadily increased her pace, until the casual trot picked up into a gallop, and finally became an excited sprint as she raced over the lip of the hill.
She crossed her hooves over the old and polished planks of the kitchen table, and rested her throbbing head atop her forelegs.
“Invitations my flank... Wonder what pony she’s all hot to trot for.”
A disturbing thought crossed her mind - one inspired by the garishly romantic cover art of John Canter and the Planet of Mares. She shook her head violently, with what feeble energy she had.
“Naaaaahh...”
* * *
“This really is a beautiful place, don’t you think?” Trent spread his fingers and gestured towards the dew laden meadows.
The two sat by the enormous hollow tree trunk, basking in the glow of the rising sun.
“Well, yeah. You’ve said that a few times already. This place does have a certain charm to it, but I’d imagine you’ve seen more interesting places before.”
“Mmm... Some were quite interesting, yes.”
“So what do you really find so amazing about Equestria?”
“Oh,” Trent smiled as he turned to Twilight. “If I had to say one thing, it would probably be everything. But if you really must know, I find it to be very tranquil here. Rather peaceful. A certain unspoiled innocence,” he trailed off, deigning to add further pithy adjectives.
“Equestria has been at peace for just over a thousand years now. It’s hard to imagine anything different.”
“I can.”
“Oh... You mean, times where everything wasn’t peaceful?”
Trent nodded quietly.
Twilight remained silent for a few moments longer.
“War?” she asked.
Trent nodded again, more quickly this time.
“I’m sorry.”
“No, no. It’s quite all right. Conflict is a very... regrettable thing. Regrettable, but necessary at times.”
“Necessary? I can’t even imagine how or why that would ever be...” Twilight looked slightly appalled for a moment. “Is it something that you would... enjoy?”
Trent sighed. “You’re quite good at asking questions that require several different answers.”
“Well, what do you mean then?”
“There is a little saying that we have. ‘The billet does not become the blade without suffering the furnace and the anvil.’”
“I can kind of see what you’re getting at, but that doesn’t say why it’s necessary.”
“There is much to be said on the subject. But, even for all that is dark and terrible in the universe, loathsome as it may be, only serves to contrast against that which is good. Without strife, we would not know peace. Without struggle, we would not know strength. Without loss, we would not know happiness. And without sacrifice, we would not cherish that which we already have.”
“Oh...”
“I know,” Trent smiled slightly. “Sounds a bit melodramatic, doesn’t it?”
“Well, not really. Maybe just a little,” Twilight spoke, shuffling slightly closer to the otherworldly visitor.
“It’s okay. I’d think so too if I haven’t seen it for myself.”
Twilight brushed a hoof against Trent’s hand.
“Is that why you like it here?”
“It’s enough to make me shed tears of joy. Had I any left to spare.”
“Okay, now you’re being melodramatic,” she poked at him.
“Oh, of course,” he smiled. “I try not to take myself too seriously, and that goes for you too...” His voice trailed off again. “But, since you asked, I feel it’s only right that I tell you. With all sincerity. I have faced terrors that I would wish upon no other, and I would not change it for the world. And yet, I have known moments of glory and victory that will give me nightmares until the day I die.”
“That sounds...”
“A bit too melodramatic?”
“I was going to say absolutely terrible.”
“Mmm. I may have to agree with you there.”
“Do you still think about it a lot?”
“I try not to dwell on the past. The future tends to be where all the surprises are stored.”
“Hmmm.” She leaned back further against the tree, staring up into the clear blue sky. “What do you think the future is like?”
“I don’t know, but I’m sure I’ll find out.”
* * *
A firm insistent tapping roused Laurie from bed.
“Urghh... Already?” he mumbled.
The knocking continued.
“Jeez, hold your haunches... I’m coming,” he grumbled as he rolled out from under the rumpled mass of blankets.
He landed unsteadily on two hooves; balanced precariously between landing firmly on the floor, or tipping back into the warm inviting bed. A living analogue of a peculiar thought experiment whereby Laurie could be said to be both awake and asleep in two superimposed states, awaiting the gentle push from a decaying atom to firmly thrust the brown and white pony into one potential reality. Unfortunately for Laurie, physics is a cold and uncaring beast, with just the slightest bit of sadistic revelry.
Gravity planted his four hooves firmly on the floor.
Murphy’s Law strategically placed several sheaves of paper from his spilled satchel underneath those hooves. His legs flew out from under him, as he smacked his chin into the bedside table, and tumbled the rest of the way to the floor. A large candle, normally stable by its’ thick squat shape, found itself tumbling as well, connecting painfully with the side of Laurie’s head.
Gravity plays no favorites.
From within the cottage could be heard a slight commotion, followed by a whimpering cry of agony that gradually rose into a deafening crescendo of barking profanity addressed ‘to whom it may concern’.
From outside the cottage, Applejack only managed to hear the portion of this muffled rant that seemed to imply a very determined threat to ‘shove all the kumquats in Neigh Haven’ up somepony’s posterior.
Some short time later, following a peaceful interlude that bore a distinct absence of shouting from the inside and knocking on the outside, the door opened.
“Ahh, good morning,” Laurie managed through bleary eyes and a painful throbbing in his head. “Can I help you, Miss...”
“Name’s Applejack. Say, you’re that officer fella from the other night in the woods, right?”
“Ahh, yes Ma’am. I’m Lieu... er... Captain Lancaster. But you can just call me Laurie for short.”
“Gotcha. Say, I was wondering if by chance... Err. Is the big fella in there?”
“Who? Oh, right. Of course. He’s right over...” Laurie turned to gesture to the neatly made bed, bereft of its occupant. “I mean right back... he’ll be right back! Yes, I just remembered now. I believe he had some very important errand to run, and he will be right back... very soon!”
“Uhh... Sure about that, are ya?” She drawled as she peered through the doorway.
“Yes, absolutely! Oh, and that reminds me. I have an errand to run too! Um... Yes, let me just, uhh...”
Laurie tried to close the door as nonchalantly as possible, but it was stopped by one firm tan colored hoof.
“I’ll leave ya to that, then. But I’ve got a message for you and the big fella first.”
“Oh?”
“Seein’ how you’re both kinda new around these parts, a friend of mine got it in her head that we should throw a lil' welcoming party for the two of ya. A lil' somethin’ to make y’all feel right at home.”
“Ahh... Well that sounds very thoughtful. Is it taking place here? Tonight perhaps?”
“Next week actually. Just outta town, over at Sweet Apple Acres.”
“Okay. Ah... Thanks. Is it going to be a big party?”
“Reckon just about every pony in Ponyville will be there. Pinkie sure knows how to throw a party.”
“Ah, right. Well that sounds...”
Laurie froze for a moment. His eyes widened and his ears twitched nervously. Visions of a poofy pink mane and that perpetual psychotic smile squealed loudly in his head.
“...great,” he squeaked.
“Oh, and one more thing. Now don’t be tellin anypony I said this, but I think a certain friend of mine has her eye on you. I know she’s gonna be there, so don’t act all surprised if some pink haired pony can’t keep a hold of herself and tries to sweep ya off your hooves,” she said with a wink.
“Oh...” Laurie started.
“Especially since she’s the one that asked me to come and invite ya. Fair warning. Anyhow... See ya later, partner!”
The door closed, as Applejack trotted off towards the Ponyville Library.
“...GOD!” Laurie screamed.
* * *
“I see you have a telescope up there.” Trent pointed at the balcony of the library. “Do you like stargazing?”
“Oh, well, yes. I don’t do it all that often, but it’s fun sometimes.”
“Mm... Lots of stars to look at.”
“Yeah. I’ve managed to see most of them. There must be hundreds of stars out there,” she said proudly.
Trent’s brow furrowed, as he turned slowly to look at Twilight.
“Hundreds, you say?”
“Umm, yes. Maybe even thousands,” she stated, matter-of-factly. Princess Luna raises them every night, after Princess Celestia lowers the Sun.”
“They move the stars around?”
“Every day,” Twilight smiled.
“Hmmm... So what happened before that?”
“Before what?”
“Before the two Princesses took up a career in celestial mechanics.”
“Oh... I’m not really sure. I don’t think there was a time when they weren’t here.”
“I see.”
“Umm... Would you like me to show you some stars later?”
“I was thinking about asking you the same thing.”
“With my telescope?”
“Eh... Well, that’s one way of doing it,” he chuckled.
“Huh? What other way did you have in mind?”
“Well, there’s one for starters,” he pointed at the glowing disk, just above the red tinged horizon.
“Where?”
Trent slapped his forehead.
“Seriously? It’s hard to miss.”
“But, it’s daytime now. All the stars have gone down. Is there one that you can still see?”
“Ahh... what exactly do you call that?” he pointed again.
“The Sun.”
“Which is a star.”
“What? No...” she said uncertainly. “It’s way too big to be a star.”
“And exactly how big do you think a star is supposed to be?”
“Well, they’re almost the size of pinholes. Some of them are just barely the size of specks of dust, even when I’m using the telescope.”
“Ahh huh.” Trent turned to look off into the distance towards Canterlot.
“What are you looking at over there?”
“I don’t know, but it’s very rocky, shaped like a cone, and I can vaguely make out a tiny castle sitting near the top.”
“Uh... Do you mean that mountain?”
“Ohh, no. It’s way too small to be a mountain.” He held up his fingers, framing the distant rocky protrusion from the base to its peak.
“Arghh... Now I know you’re just being sarcastic. Why is it that everything you say has to be some kind of half-flank riddle... oh...” Twilight paused for a moment, as a very unsettling idea found its way into her mind; the enormity of it crushing many well formed pillars of unequivocal truths and card houses of knowledge.
“Oh?”
“Um... You mean that... I mean, if that whole mountain can appear so tiny from here, then the stars...”
“Your Sun is a star. And all stars are as big as your Sun.”
“Really?”
“Actually, no. Most stars are much bigger than that. They can be several hundred times more massive, with several million times more volume.
“Ohh... My...”
“And perhaps a fair number of those pinpricks of light you mentioned are actually cosmic juggernauts. Can you imagine how far away they must be to appear so tiny?”
Twilight was at a complete loss for words. Her head throbbed, and she cradled it with both forelegs, as she gently rocked back and forth.
“I’m sorry. Was that from the translation spell?”
“No.” she squeaked out, eyes still shocked wide as she tried to glimpse upwards at the brilliant blinding light from Equestria’s star.
“Understanding?”
She nodded weakly.
“There’s more.”
“More?” she cried with a tinge of panic.
“Ohh, much more.”
She simply stared, wide eyed.
“How big do you think the Sun is?”
“I... I don’t really know. I mean, it doesn’t really look that big. If I hold my hoof up to it, it’s practically covered.”
Trent nodded. He leaned forward to draw a large rough circle in the ground, roughly the size of a small wagon wheel.
“This probably isn’t completely accurate, but it should be pretty close. Let say that this circle is the Sun.”
“Okay.”
“And this dot,” he pressed his fingertip into the loose soil, “Is us.”
“Wait, what?”
“Like a marble next to a beach ball. Although thankfully, we’re a lot further away than that,” he gestured at the ground.
She stared at the diagram, puzzled.
“Hold on. What is that dot supposed to be, exactly?”
“A planet.”
“Which one?”
“The one we’re standing on.”
“Waaaiiit... Wait a second. I’ve seen planets before through my telescope. But they’ve always looked so tiny, just like the stars.”
“Well they are tiny, compared to a star. And much closer than any star, aside from that one,” he pointed lazily.
Twilight breathed slowly, deep in concentration.
“I wonder who moves the planets.”
“There’s your answer,” Trent grinned, as he pointed back to the Sun.
Twilight Sparkle looked even more confused than before. Unfortunately, this particular expression only made her more adorable.
“What do you mean?”
Trent picked up a small stone, and let it slip from his fingers. It accelerated towards the ground at a swift pace, landing with a quiet thud.
“Gravity pulls us down, right?”
“Well, every schoolpony knows that.”
“But gravity is proportional to mass... How big or heavy something is.”
“But what does that have to do with this?”
“Watch.”
Trent picked up the stone again, and hurled it in a low arc. It nearly vanished in the distance before it landed, bouncing up briefly above the tall blades of grass, and disappearing from sight.
“Umm...”
“Yes?”
“That looks like it could hurt somepony.”
“Ahhh... Well, I did say that we got along just fine without fangs or claws. Imagine if that was a long stick with a sharp point on the end, and you’ll know how we kept ourselves fed.”
She grimaced.
“Claws and fangs might make a creature fearsome, yes. But the real predators are those that can wait and plan to fight on their own terms. Ahh. So many tasty fearsome creatures out there,” he patted his belly in the manner which another animal might flex it’s claws. “Anyways, back to what I was saying...”
He drew another circle in the dirt, with a short line sticking out from the top.
“Let’s say this is me. And that rock I threw can be represented by this line.”
He drew a small arc from the top of the line until it intersected with the circle.
“Now if I threw it twice as far, that line would be even longer. If I threw it really hard, it might end up going all the way around and landing on the other side.”
“Around? Wait, what do you mean by the other side?”
Trent sighed patiently.
“Just how big is Equestria?”
“Well, it’s pretty enormous actually! Even a really fast pegasus like Rainbow Dash would take weeks to go from one end to the other.”
“What’s at the end?”
“The great oceans, of course.”
“And beyond that?”
“Umm... More ocean?”
“Has anyone ever tried to go beyond that?”
“Well, no. I mean, why would they? Not even a pegasus can fly that far, and I know that some have even tried. What does this have to do with that circle anyways?”
“I’ll get back to that in a moment. Has anyone tried sailing across the ocean in a ship?”
“Well, yes. But they’ve never seen anything. It’s just ocean all the way, as far as they can go.”
“Maybe they need a bigger boat.”
“Huh? why? It’s not like there’s anything out there. It’s all ocean, and it can be kind of dangerous too. Besides, there are a lot more problems to worry about here, than trying to explore something that has no practical value to anypony.”
“I’ve heard that argument before.”
“Ah... So you know what I’m talking about?”
“Ohhh, yes. I’m very familiar with that, as a matter of fact,” he glared at Twilight.
“Is something wrong?” she looked suddenly concerned.
“No. Just tragically disappointing.”
She looked confused again for a moment, before Trent’s words sunk in. The realization hit her like a kick to her belly, as her head gently sunk, and her eyes began to moisten.
“I’m sorry.”
“Now there, don’t take it personally. Do you remember what I said earlier? About science?”
“Umm... To challenge one’s existing assumptions, and to let curiosity reign over complacency?”
“Very good. And don’t forget to have fun while you’re doing it.”
She remained silent for a moment, as she considered her question.
“What would happen if they sailed all the way into one of the oceans?”
“They would come out the other side.”
“Huh?”
“Look,” he pointed back to the circle, tracing a line around the entire circumference.
“But, it doesn’t look round like that!”
“If you were the size of a flea on the surface of a watermelon, you might think the same thing. In fact, you could walk all the way around and never realize that you ended up where you started, but it would still look flat the whole time.”
She pondered this for a moment, before her eyes shot wide. She looked down at the ground, then back to Trent, and then turned in a circle, taking in the whole landscape of Ponyville; from the mountainous horizon back to the rolling plains, and distant thickets of forest. A vast rolling landscape under a bright blue sky, reduced to a single dot stretched over a tiny portion of an enormous sphere.
“I... Oh, my...”
“Now look back here. You asked how the planets moved, right?”
“Yes.”
“So let’s say I throw this rock so fast that it flies all the way around the world, and hits me in the back of the head.”
“Um... Ouch?”
“Yes, you’re right. It wouldn’t be pretty. We call those kinetic kill projectiles for good reason. Anyways now, if there was no gravity, I could throw that rock at any speed, and it would just keep flying off in a straight line. But because the planet has gravity, it will always be falling. The trick is to make it go fast enough that while it’s falling, it always misses.”
“So it flies in a big circle around the planet?”
“Ohh, no. It’s still flying in a straight line. But that line is curved into a circle by the gravitational pull.”
“Whaat?”
“Mm, I’ll explain that later. It gets a little complicated. But you know that gravity is responsible for pulling fast objects into a perpetual circle, or an ellipse. We call that an orbit.”
“I guess. It’s kind of hard to understand without seeing it.”
“The moon orbits Equestria.”
Twilight’s jaw dropped.
“And the Sun... It has gravity too. A lot more than the planet we’re standing on. Therefore we’re orbiting the Sun right now as well.”
Her jaw dropped further.
“Just look at it. Can you feel it pulling us closer? The speed at which we orbit is the only thing saving us from being pulled straight in. Could you imagine that? Hurtling towards that nuclear furnace without any hope of holding ourselves back. It would just grow larger and larger as we sped down the throat of its gravity well. Hot enough to turn our bones into ash before we got anywhere near it. Even now, it pulls us relentlessly, as we skirt just safely along the edge of it’s voracious grip.”
She stared up into the sky with a new found terrified reverence. Almost as if she could feel the pull from that hot blinding disc.
“The moon orbits us... We orbit the Sun... Does the Sun orbit anything?”
“That is a very good question, and yes, it does.”
Trent stooped down to draw several spiral arms radiating out from the middle of the big circle, each one traced with several fingers pressed together. A large oval shaped depression was pressed into the center.
“That looks kind of like a whirlpool.”
“Yes it does. A very apt comparison.”
He reached down again, tracing a tiny circle midway down the length of one spiral arm.
“What’s that little circle?”
“Well, you remember how you asked if the Sun orbits around something larger?”
“Yes. Is that circle our Sun?”
“No, but you’re close. That circle is much too big to be the Sun.”
“Well, what is it then?”
“All the stars you can possibly see from here.”
Everything hit Twilight at once, and she suddenly recoiled away from the picture in the dirt. She could not speak. She could not gasp for breath. She looked up, almost pleadingly at Trent, as if the joy of discovery had suddenly turned terrifying through the sheer oppressive enormity of all that she could suddenly comprehend.
“All that...” she breathed.
“I think your world just got a little bigger.”
“And we orbit around that?” she pointed to the thick oval in the center.
Trent nodded. “It’s a galaxy.”
“How... How many stars are in a galaxy?”
“Do you recall when you said ‘hundreds’?”
“Yes.”
“Hundreds of billions.”
She thought about it, and then thought some more. Then her legs began to shake, and she collapsed like a stack of potatoes. Trent dove quickly to break her fall, cradling her neck in his arms.
“It’s so much. I can’t... I just can’t believe it.”
“Well, you did say you wanted to learn everything. I feel compelled to oblige.”
“Is there more?”
“So much more.”
“But... How do you believe in it all?”
“I don’t.”
“What? After all that you just said... I mean, how do you expect me to believe it then?”
“What I tell you is not idle speculation. It is the product of theories supported by evidence, tested by experiment, and standing up to generations of questioning.”
“How is that different from believing?”
“Hmm... For the most part, they are very similar. Two sides of the same coin, as it were. However, there is a subtle, but key distinction. Belief withers under the spotlight of questioning, yet that very same scrutiny is the engine that makes ideas grow and flourish.”
“You say that, like questioning everything automatically makes your ideas right,” Twilight countered.
“That’s a good observation. I suppose what I’m trying to say is there’s an appropriate sense of humility at work. The hubris of absolute conviction builds itself into a grand and soaring tower, magnificent in splendor, and visible for miles. It boasts the truth, because it cannot afford to be wrong. But science does not build towers. It builds foundations. Those who admire the tower will do so because it is pretty. Those who admire the foundation will do so because it is permanent. It is the humble approach that imparts the truly humbling experience.”
“So that makes it safe from questioning?”
“Nope. Finding the truth is an impartial process that steps on many toes along the way.”
“Can science be wrong?”
“It wouldn’t be science if it proclaimed itself to always be correct.”
“But how do you know when it is right?”
“Think of it as carving a statue from a stone block. You simply carve away everything that doesn’t look like a pony. Sounds easy, right? At first, you may only have a vague idea of what it should look like, and you’ll probably waste a lot of blocks before you even get close. Then, after you get the rough shape worked out, you can go back and work on the details until it’s almost perfect. Science works the same way. You come up with an idea that explains how you think something works, and then you throw questions at it until you’re left with a theory that supports your observations, or a complete illogical mess that contradicts everything.”
“That sounds like it could take forever, if you’re just doing everything by trial and error.”
“Mmm, perhaps. Tell me, when you learned how to use magic, was it difficult? Did you make mistakes along the way?”
“Umm...” she blushed slightly. “Some. Well, more than I want to admit actually.”
“So if you could go back and change it all... Would you? If you had to start over from scratch, would you try to stop yourself from making those mistakes in the first place?”
“I...” she paused for a moment, thinking back. “Well, maybe.”
“All of those mistakes, failures, and frustrations. Just washed away. Where would that leave you? Would you ever have succeeded if you never tried?”
“I don’t really know.”
“Mmm... As long as you can admit to failure, you will never admit to defeat. Keep that in your mind at all times. It may take courage to face a challenge, but it takes perseverance to prevail.”
“Okaaay. What does that have to do with science again?”
“Because, sometimes the most audacious thing you can do in life is to question it. Believe what you are told, or believe in yourself. That is the crux between complacency and curiosity.”
“But what if I end up being wrong?”
“Then learn from it. Knowing when you’re wrong will inevitably help you find what is right.”
“Is that how you know?”
“This is how we’ve known. Long before we could see that up close with our own eyes.” he gestured towards the ground.
Twilight looked back to the large swirl in the dirt. A cosmic map of dizzying scale and terrifying distance that belied the humble tracing of its finger-drawn furrows.
“You’ve seen that?”
Trent nodded. “That, and more.”
“There’s more?” Twilight looked up weakly, her mind near the limits of fatigue.
“Mmm. You did say that you could show me the stars. Perhaps I can return the favor some day.”
Her jaw gaped, looking back and forth between Trent and the galactic map.
“But not right now. I imagine you could use a break first.”
She nodded weakly.
“Just remember. Question everything, but believe in yourself. Let that be your one true faith, and it will burn brighter than all of the stars combined. A candle in the darkness that will illuminate the very depths of the universe.”
A smile slowly blossomed over Twilight’s face. She stood before Trent, staring into his eyes with all sincerity.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
Trent smiled back at Twilight, as he sat down against the base of the tree, stretching his legs as he did. A wry grin crept over his face as he planted his boots in the dirt, straddling the curved arms of the spiral disc.
“This really is a beautiful place.”
“Why do you keep saying that?”
“Because I’ve been to a lot of places.”
They sat in silence for some time, contemplating the warm glow of the Sun.
It struck them both deeply. Twilight’s feeling of awe and respect against Trent’s perpetual feeling of child-like curiosity. Yet still they shared a particular feeling, that one could learn so much, and understand so little.
After some time, they could hear a knocking on the front door of the library.
“Twilight?” A call that came from Applejack.
“Hmmm?” She looked up suddenly.
The knocking continued, with barely measured restraint.
“Oh, that sounds like Applejack. Have you met her before?”
“I have, actually,” Trent replied.
“Let’s go see her!” Twilight bounded up, and trotted around to the front of the library. “Applejack, we’re over here!”
Trent followed, tiptoeing along a more circuitous route.
“Oh hey there, Twi. How’ve you been doin this morning?”
“Amazing! Just amazing! Ohh, I have so many things on my mind right now, it’s just... so much! Ohh!” She skipped in the air.
“Whoa there, Nelly, what’s got yer skirts all in a bunch?”
Twilight smiled maniacally. “The Sun! Just look at it!”
“Eh... I try not to.”
“Can you feel it pulling us in?” she exclaimed with amazement. “It’s the speed at which we orbit that keeps us from falling into a quick agonizing death by nuclear inferno!” She exclaimed with a cheerful smile.
“Aaaannnd... What in the hay is all that supposed to mean?” she cocked her eye at Twilight, backing away slowly.
“Oh... Well. I just mean that it’s really beautiful, the way it all works,” she said with a slight blush.
“Are you all right, Twi?”
She nodded happily. “Yes. I just feel amazing right now!”
“Well, I guess I’m happy that you’re happy. Say... Have you seen the big fella around?”
“Ohh, well...”
“Because I’ve... I mean, ah... Been kinda wanting to see him again.”
“Huh?”
Applejack stepped close to Twilight, her face wrought with nearly conspiratorial levels of shyness.
“Now don’t go tellin nopony about this. But you remember back to that night when we met the big fella? Somethin’ happened that ain’t nopony knows about ‘cept me, him, and the Princess herself.”
It was Twilight’s turn to back away slowly.
“I mean, it all happened so fast. But it seemed like he jumped in at just the nick of time and kept me from losin’ my head in one of those fiendish lil snapping berry patches. And you know what else? When he saw me, it was like he ain’t seen me in a while, and just swooped me up off my hooves and gave me a big ol’ hug like some long lost kinfolk that’d been waitin’ for years to come an see me.”
“Uhh...”
“And now I don’t trust nopony to keep a secret, other than you and myself, pretty much. But I gotta tell you anyhow. I don’t know how I’m gonna say it, or even why I should be getting myself all worked up over it in the first place. I mean, I don’t even know how to tell him, and I’m not even sure if he’ll be around long enough for us to learn how to talk to one another. But I just gotta tell him how I feel...”
“Uhhhh...”
“I mean, I’m mighty grateful and all. But there’s more that I gotta get off my chest. If I could, someday, I’d just like to give him a big ol’ hug, and just not stop. It’s not that I feel like I owe it to him as returning a favor or anything. I just want to let him know that... Well... I know it sounds a bit strange and all, but I wish I could just be with him, till the end of time itself.”
“Applejack?”
“Yes?”
“He can understand everything you just said.”
“What!” she cried out in alarm, her face flushed with a deep burning red.
“Long story...”
“Well... Twi, promise you won’t tell him what I just said. Not yet at least. I mean... Oh horsefeathers, I’m sounding like some dumbstruck filly with her heart all a pitter patter.”
“Ehh... He’s right here.”
“Where?”
“Huh?” Twilight turned around suddenly. Trent was nowhere in sight.
“You said he was right here, just now?”
“Yes, he was just right behind me!”
Unfortunately for Twilight, this could not be further from the truth. There was a sudden rustling from behind the two ponies, as a large hulking mass hurled itself from behind the trunk of the tree, flinging towards them in one predatory leap; hissing through bared teeth and raising many fingers in a mimicry of razor sharp talons.
“Boogedy Boogedy Boo!” Trent shouted as his boots landed with a crunch behind Twilight and Applejack.
Unlike cats, ponies could not ascend trees in the face of danger. This did not stop them from trying. They tumbled back to the ground, holding each other tightly in anticipation of their final moments as living, breathing, metabolizing organisms.
Trent stood there, bent over with his hands on his knees, giggling madly. He broke into a deep braying laugh, snorting and gasping for breath.
“AAUUUUGHHH!” Twilight shouted. “Why would you do that!”
The ‘Emperor of a Thousand Suns’ collapsed to the ground, slapping his palm against the packed dirt as he cried through tears of laughter.
Applejack stared in shock, her heart still racing from the sudden adrenaline fueled endocrine explosion. There were a million things that she wanted to say, but only one sentence blurted out.
“You can talk!” she exclaimed.
Trent restrained his laughter for a moment, looking up from his doubled-over stance.
“Oh yes. For the last sixty thousand years, give or take.”
The giggling resumed with full force, much to the bewilderment of the two ponies.
“Ahhh...” Applejack breathed. “Did you catch what we were saying just now?” She asked nervously.
“Hmm. Well I heard something just after I made it all the way around. Stupid tree is a lot bigger than it looks.” he waved his hand at the enormous trunk.
Applejack’s eyes went wide.
“Umm... You didn’t hear what I was sayin about...”
“Oh, hey now. If you’ve got your eye on some dashing young colt out there, I’m not one to gossip. Your secret is quite safe with me, and I’ve got the security clearance to prove it!”
“The what?” they asked in unison.
Trent sighed mirthfully, letting the last fits of laughter escape his system.
“You must be Applejack. I’m glad to see you again.”
Applejack’s mouth moved, but nothing came out.
“It seems that your friend Twilight is quite the up and coming scientist, scholar, and a top notch chef to boot. What do you like to do in Ponyville?”
“I... Uhhh... I like to buck apples!”
Trent’s face screwed itself into a mix of surprise, shock, and gutter-level amusement.
“You what apples?”
“Umm, yep! All day long!”
“Uhhhh...”
Twilight came to the aid of her friend.
“Ah, what she means is...”
“Ya see, it’s like this!” Applejack shouted nervously. She leaned on her forelegs, and turned to deliver a solid kick to the trunk of the library.
A shower of apples did not descend.
A swarm of bees did.
“OH GOD OH GOD OH GOD, KEEP THEM AWAY!” Trent shouted, as he tore across the field, waving his arms and swatting at his neck.
* * *
A quick burst of magic from Twilight’s horn calmed the angry swarm, sending them back to the confines of the buzzing nest in an orderly manner.
She turned to look at Applejack, who watched Trent disappear over the horizon, still flailing his arms in panic.
“Umm...”
“That could’ve gone better,” Applejack sighed, hanging her head.
The door burst open, and Spike ran out to meet them.
“What was that! What in the name of Celestia’s tracts of land was THAT?”
Applejack raised one hoof sheepishly.
“Are you serious? You are serious... Agh! Do you know how long it took to put all those books on the shelf?” Spike demanded.
“I... Umm...”
“Oh, wait. Let me finish that for you. I’m leaving for Dragon Mountain, and someone else is cleaning that up!”
“Spike...”
“I love you too, Twilight. Have fun while I’m gone. Don’t forget to write, and by all means, please don’t destroy anything. Else.”
They watched as the baby dragon marched back inside the library, returning moments later with two swollen suitcases; their tiny wheels dragging a set of ruts through the polished gravel near the door. Nearly on que, a carriage arrived near the library, and was quickly boarded by one impatient young molting dragon.
Spike waved, and then he was gone.
* * *
|
shalrath
|
1219
| 10 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Derpy Hooves,Discord,Main 6,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Human,Adventure,Comedy,Dark,Sad,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
The End
|
A friendly stranger delivers some unsettling knowledge about Life, the Universe, and Everything.
|
incomplete
| 674 | 40 |
<p>A visitor arrives in Equestria, bearing a wealth of knowledge and a troubled past. The Mane 6 are quick to befriend the stranger, who helps them to discover what they truly value in life, and how to achieve it.</p><p>But learning to overcome their fears and achieve their desires comes at a steep price, paid by their innocence.</p>
|
teen
|
2012-05-20T21:33:55+00:00
|
2012-05-20T21:33:55+00:00
| 12,017 |
* * *
Fluttershy raised her hoof with nervous trepidation, hovering inches away from the cottage door. She wanted to knock. She was driven to knock. Every waking moment of this new day had compelled her, against all fear and uncertainty, to bring her to this very point. Yet she hesitated. Seconds became minutes as she stood before the cottage, fighting against the doubt that shackled her limbs as surely as forged chain. Still, she struggled. Every day of her life bore the oppressive weight of timidity. Every inaction, every overwhelming feeling of inadequacy, only served to underscore that meek subservience. That the breadth of adventure and depths of joy; every fleeting opportunity for glory wrought triumphantly from an indifferent world; could only be glimpsed from afar. Only tasted by an insatiable palate. The albatross of obsequiousness that hung heavily over her soul bore a persistently depressing and bleak ultimatum. The very magnitude of her happiness could only be measured in meager portions, humbly accepted as an animal that only knew freedom within range of its leash.
She breathed deeply, steadying herself. The journey that began from her home this morning would not simply end here. She raised her hoof, even as her mind tried to conjure any rational excuse to abstain. To postpone. To go her separate way. In the span of seconds, she faced a million reasons not to continue forth. A burning pit of anger welled deeply within her, spiteful and mocking of who she was. Shy. Tame. Fearful. Her eyes stung with the faintest glistening of tears as she rebelled against that very nature. The fire in her trembling belly grew as a roaring furnace within her mind, forging her resolve, and empowering her with the forceful impetus of an errant locomotive. It was just enough.
Beyond the door was a pony unlike any that she had even known. The complete polar opposite to her. Forceful, yet reserved. Belligerently confident. A way with words that simply made her knees tremble. A patchy brown and white coat that screamed undaunted pride in the face of imperfection. A pony that she had never met; who was everything that she was not.
She hesitated for one final moment. It was foolish at best, and futile at worst. The raging torrent of hormonally fueled romance roared like a river within her, but rational arguments and pessimistic logic stood stubborn as boulders jutting from a stream bed. It really was absurd to think that even if all went well, her life would be satiated. That meeting the living embodiment of all that she secretly yearned for would somehow complete her.
Fluttershy sighed, but looked up suddenly; her jaw set with renewed determination.
If she failed, so be it. The courage to simply try was all that she wished for now. In doing so, she would complete herself. Her hoof raised towards the door, with renewed and unwavering purpose.
Just as her hoof connected firmly against the door, there was a sudden, shrill, shriek. A comically high-pitched squeal from the direction of the library. Fluttershy looked back in surprise.
The door was abruptly yanked open from inside.
“Treeeeennnnt!” shouted Laurie, as he shot from the cottage like a missile, the sash of his royal uniform only vaguely in place around his neck.
What happened next took place faster than either pony could comprehend. A short sharp smack, followed by a smattering of stars.
As Fluttershy’s vision cleared, she looked up to see another equally stunned pony just inches from her nose. The loose gravel of the road pressed firmly into her back, as the brown and white haired pony pressed warmly against her belly. Two heartbeats hammering just inches away, but miles apart.
“I...”
“Oh, my, I am so sorry, Miss. Terribly sorry about that, really. Bit of a rush here.”
“Oh...”
“Anyways, the name’s Laurie. Officer Laurie I mean. Er, Lancaster actually. Again, terribly sorry about that. Feeling okay there, I hope? Yes? Anyways, my apologies again. Was right in the middle of carrying out my duties... Er, ongoing mission in service to the crown of Canterlot. Long story there. Very important duties. Afraid I can’t stop to chat and tell you all about it. Highly secretive actually. Shouldn’t be talking about it all, come to think of it. And it’s quite urgent I must say! Thanks for understanding. Oh... Um. My apologies. I should probably get off you, perhaps?”
“It’s...”
“Right then, there we go,” Laurie stammered as he untangled his legs from Fluttershy’s shocked supine body. “Anyways, sorry about all that again, but I must really be going. Ahh.. It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss...?”
“Fluttershy.”
“Miss Fluttershy. An honor and a pleasure to meet you. Anyways! I, um.. have to meet up with someone. Right now actually. Sorry about everything there. These sort of accidents do happen. I do hope there are no hard feelings. Or concussions, or broken bones, for that matter. Ahh... Hope to see you again soon. At some point in time that isn’t this one in particular. So, yeah. See you later then, of course. Um... Goodbye!”
Laurie turned and took off with a start, coming to a full gallop in a matter of hoofsteps. He stopped suddenly, skidding to a less than abrupt halt.
He turned to look back at Fluttershy, as she laid still on her back, breathing heavily.
“You have a very nice mane!” he blurted out. “Very nice, really.”
She rolled her head back to look, but Laurie was already sprinting away.
A smile began to slowly spread across her face. An upwelling sense of satisfaction that surged to the very extremities of her sore and tender body. It hadn’t gone exactly as she planned, but she wouldn’t trade that for the world now.
“You did it, Fluttershy,” she whispered to herself.
She rose unsteadily, still tingling from her small victory and still aching from the violent collision. Grey dust and dirt matted her bright yellow fur and feathers. A shower was needed... A very cold shower. She bit her lip gently as her eyes closed, playing back through the indelible memories of the past minutes.
The soft staccato of Laurie’s hooves tickled her perked ears, barely audible over the horizon of the gently rolling meadows. She began to trot in that direction, all rational compunction rolled aside like the broken boulders of a bursting dam.
The shower would have to wait.
* * *
Trent ran. His adrenaline-fueled foray left Laurie struggling to catch up. The bounding strides of the alien visitor looked completely bizarre and unnatural, yet carried him surprisingly fast.
“Trent!” Laurie shouted in alarm.
“Oh! Hey!” he shouted back over his shoulder.
“What happened! Why are you running?”
“BEEEES!”
“What? Beads?”
“Beees! I hate bees!”
“What? Are you serious? Oh for the love of Celestia’s flank, would you stop already!”
The two slowed to a jog, and then to a meandering shuffle.
“What the hell was that all about!” Laurie demanded.
Trent bent over with his hands on his knees, gulping air as he tried to recover his voice.
“Best bees, my ass!” he swore.
“What about them?”
“Just got swarmed by a whole hive. Angry little bastards. Some little cowgirl pony got the bright idea to turn around and kick the side of the library - which happens to be a giant tree, mind you! Bees, bees everywhere, and here we are! Gah!”
“That tree is a library? Damn, I knew it looked kind of funny in the dark. Who the hell would build something like that?”
“Don’t know, don’t care. Just.. Ugh... I HATE BEES.”
Trent stopped for a moment, looking introspective.
“Except bumblebees, maybe.”
“Ahh, why?”
“Because they taste like fruit juice.”
“What?”
“Motorcycle. Open helmet.”
“What?!”
“Long story.”
“Oh for the love of pay and hay, I get it! Eating things is your answer to everything! When in doubt, you just cram it down your snout. No wait, that doesn’t really make sense. Aaaghh! Just what were you doing out this morning anyways?”
“Couldn’t sleep.”
Laurie drew a deep breath, closed his eyes, and let out a long measured sigh. A martial trance to tame the seething rage that boiled in his gut.
“I see. Now let me get this straight. You couldn’t sleep, so you decided to go out for a stroll this morning. Maybe swing out for breakfast while you’re at it, and then pay a visit to a certain prancing purple pony, hmm? Does that sound about right?”
Trent nodded. “Stopped to check the mail, too.”
Laurie’s eye twitched.
“Did it ever occur to you, that maybe... Just maybe, you could have TOLD ME FIRST!”
“Ehh...”
“I’m supposed to be guarding you! Not to mention being your guide, concierge, crowd control, and whatever the hell else Celestia only knows. It’s not like I just woke up one day with half my tail shoved up my arse thinking, ‘oh, gee - today might be a GREAT rutting day to play bodyguard to some carnivorous two-legged jackass!’ No! It’s my job! I take it seriously, and I need you to remember that! Just... Just don’t sneak off like that again. Please. I was worried this morning. Not just about what might happen if you had managed to get yourself killed in some spectacular manner, or accidentally started a riot because every damned pony in Ponyville decided they wanted to be first in line for some sort of alien autograph. And not just because that would be really rather difficult to explain to not just one, but TWO living celestial goddesses, slash commanders in chief, slash royal Princesses, slash signers of my paycheck... Who have both specifically instructed me, in particular, in no uncertain terms, to NOT FUCK THIS UP in exactly the manner I previously described!”
Laurie stopped to catch his breath. “But most of all, because I was worried about you. Really.”
“Mmm. You’re right, actually. And you do have my apologies. Although I do have to wonder, what exactly would I need to be guarded from, around here.”
“Beats the hay out of me. Never can be sure about that sort of thing, though.”
“True, that.”
“Say... Did you say you met some pony dressed like a cowgirl earlier?”
“Ahh, yes. Why?”
“Hmm. No reason.”
* * *
“Ah think that’s the last one, Twi,” Applejack said, as she pushed the thick tome back into place on the shelf. “Really sorry about that, earlier.”
“It’s okay. You don’t need to blame yourself”
“I know, I know. Don’t know why I get all a flustered around him. Really ought to keep a level head, but ah keep thinking back to that night in the forest. Ever since, it’s just... Well it’s hard to describe. Reckon he probably saved my life and all, but there’s just more to it.”
“Like what?”
“Well, it’s like he knows me. Like he knows me better than I know myself some days. And more than that, it felt like he honestly cared about me deep down enough that I’d be an ungrateful whelp to not see that, and show how I feel about it in return.”
“How you feel about him, you mean?”
Applejack sighed, shaking her head at the ground. “Yeah. Just like that. And the first chance I get, I make myself out to be the biggest donkey derriere in all the history books.”
“I...” Twilight began.
“Please promise you wont tell nopony what I just said, Twi. Please.”
“I will. You have my word, as a friend. But I wanted to tell you something,” she looked around before leaning in close. “You’re not the only pony that’s come close to dying from terminal embarrassment around him.”
“Wha... Who would that be?”
“Promise you won’t tell?”
“Cross my heart, sugarcube.”
Twilight leaned back, rolling her eyes and blushing.
“Me.”
“Do I want to know?”
She shook her head. “You really don’t want to know.”
“Ah huh... I’ll take your word on that. Don’t suppose it’s anything like my little faux pas of the century?”
“No... No, no. Nothing quite like that,” she giggled. “But I don’t know if it’s better or worse!”
“Eeeyeah...”
A momentary silence ensued, as the lull in the conversation left them glancing awkwardly around the living room.
“You know, I’m starting to notice that he seems to act completely different to everypony he meets...” Twilight trailed off.
“Sorta like one of them color changing lizards?”
“A chameleon, yeah. Like he changes how he acts to match anypony’s personality. Or tells them exactly what they’re most interested to hear.”
“Like a spy...”
“What?” Twilight’s voice fell to a whisper. “Do you really think that?”
“No, Twi. Not him. Least I don’t think so.”
“Some other pony?”
“I ain’t namin names just yet. Not especially if I don’t know the whole picture. Look - daylight’s a wastin outside, and as much as I’d like to spend the rest of the day hiding under a blanket with a tub of chocolate marshmallow swirl ice cream...”
“Oh god I love that flavor.”
“...Yeah. Me too Twi. But I’ve gotta get back to the farm and start catchin up on the work there.”
“Oh...”
“But before I go, promise me this. If some pony comes up and starts askin you about the big fella, powerful magic, or any sorta thing where they seem to know the answer before they’re askin the question... Let me know. Okay?
“Well, okay. Who is it?”
Applejack sighed. “Do you remember what I said about me meeting the big fella in the forest? How nopony saw that ‘cept the Princess herself?”
“Yeah?”
“A grey pony named Raines. He knew. He didn’t say it outright, but he knew!”
“Well, he could have been part of the search party.”
“Celestia’s guards cordoned that off. I never saw anypony from the search party make it over to where we were. Now Twi, I know I’m not the best with math an all, but would you mind calculatin the probability that this Raines feller just happened to be taking a stroll through the Everfree forest that time of the evening, and just so happened to end up close enough to see me and the big fella together?”
“Um...” Twilight shifted her eyes upwards as she started to multiply numbers in her head.
“It’s a rhetorical question, Twilight. Ain’t a snowball’s chance in July that he’d just be there by accident.”
“Wait a second. Do you mean where he had Sweetie Belle, or where he found you?”
“Where he found me.”
“Urrgh.. this is making my head hurt. How did Trent know where to find you in the first place?”
“Huh? Is that his name?”
“Yes. How did he know where to come and find you? You were about a mile away from Sweetie Belle!”
Applejack went slightly pale. The sickening snap of the gardener’s leaves played back through her mind.
“A whole mile away?”
“Yes.”
“Oh sweet gravy... I ain’t feeling so good right now, Twi.”
“It just doesn’t make any sense. If Trent knew where to find you, how did this Raines pony know where to find Trent?”
The two were silent for some time, as they pondered a rather unsettling question.
“Twilight?”
“Yes?”
“Think I best be going, before my head starts to spin worse than it already is.”
“Okay. Um, Applejack?”
“Yes, sugarcube?”
“When did he get there? Were you anywhere near that gardener plant when he showed up?”
Applejack’s ears twitched erratically as she responded with a lengthy silence.
“See ya around Twi...”
* * *
“You ready to do this?”
“Been ready all morning! This is gonna be the best!”
“I know! It’s gonna be Sooo Awesome!”
Rainbow Dash traced an arc in the dirt with one light blue hoof, followed by a second line that corkscrewed around until it met up with the other end of the arc.
“Just so we’re clear. This is where you get released, and this is where I pick you up.”
“Yep!” Scootaloo nodded with excitement.
“Then we break into the next routine,” she said while drawing a set of parabolic arcs, one inside of the other. “This smaller arc is you, and I’ll be taking the longer route.”
“Lets do it!”
* * *
“Ehh. So, what were you planning to do today?”
“I dunno.”
“Back to see Twilight, perhaps? Was she using that.. ah.. ring, this morning?”
“Nope. I imagine she’s tempted to try it though.”
“We should head back that direction, although the town is probably awake by now. Most of them haven’t seen or met you before, so I don’t know how they’re going to handle you strolling around in broad daylight.”
“I get mixed reactions. You know that place next to the cottage, where we had breakfast the other day? Sugarcube Corner I think it’s called. The owners of the place could barely move when I went in there by myself. Had their eyes glued to me the whole time. Even worse when I started talking, and they realized that I could understand everything they were saying to each other.”
“Ouch.”
“Can’t hardly blame them. It’s not every day that something from another star walks into your establishment with an empty stomach.”
“Yeah, I can imagine that would feel, oh great devourer of helpless tasty creatures. Wait a second. Another star?”
“Yep.”
“Those tiny little things that only come out at night?”
“Urghh... Long story; explain later.”
“Whatever.”
“Anyways, good thing that other pony was there. Pinkie Pie, I believe.”
“That shrill pink maniac? Oh gods, are you still in full possession of your sanity?”
“Hmm? She seems all right to me. Very polite and rather charming individual, with a great sense of humor.”
“Charming?” Laurie nearly choked on the word.
“Yeah. We hit it off pretty well. She’s rather bright too. It’s like the two of us practically think on the same wavelength.”
“You mean like a caffeine fueled chipmunk in a broken hamster wheel?”
Trent shrugged. “Yeah, sorta.”
“Oh gods... No wonder that ring sends ponies into catatonic shock when they try to peer into your brain.”
“Mm, yeah,” Trent said as he casually glanced across the field, and back to Laurie.
“Very nice pony anyways. Oh, you’re going to find this interesting!”
“What?”
Trent pulled a small irregular metal disk from his pocket. A cast iron cookie with high carbon steel chips.
“What the blazes? Where did that come from?”
“I told you she was nice. Turns out, she had some blacksmith make these, because she thought I was made out of metal. And by logical extension, that I would probably eat metal as well!”
“Oh what? That has got to be the stupidest...”
“Well I thought it was pretty ingenious. Even if it was completely wrong. And it was nice of her, after all.”
“I... I have no words for this. So she just gave it to you anyways?”
“Well, she did try to see if I was going to eat it first. Can’t blame her for trying to experiment. I took it anyways, and told her I’d save it for later.”
“Oh, you tricky bastard!” Laurie chortled.
“Heh,” Trent’s eyes glanced across the field again, then back to Laurie. “Say, whatever you do, keep talking. Keep looking at me.”
“Eh, what?”
“Keep talking. Don’t turn around.”
“Why?”
“We’re being watched.”
“Ohh... Right, then. Hate it when that happens. So tell me, Trent, how many, how far away?”
“Just one.”
“Armed?”
“Can’t tell. If it comes to that though, get behind me. I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve.”
“We’re not that far out of town. Probably should try to make a break for it. Lot harder to murder someone in public.”
“You’d be surprised...”
“That’s not what I wanted to hear!”
“Hold on a second.”
Trent’s hand rose into the air, his fingers tapping at invisible buttons. He waved his palm around ever so slightly in a series of confusing gestures, before curling up his fist with one index finger pointing straight out.
“What’s that supposed to do?”
“Vertical Launch System with clustered anti-personnel munitions. It’s armed now.”
“What?”
“I point, it shoots. Things go boom.”
“Oh... That sounds kind of cool actually. Um, what are you waiting for?”
“Making damned sure before I use it. There’s a saying, you know. ‘Friendly fire isn’t’. I’ve got no idea who’s back there.”
“...I see your point.”
“Lets try to get out of here. Slowly. Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
“On three, we both start walking to town. Stay behind me. Count thirty paces, then you stop to tell me something, got it? I’ll turn around and see if we’re being followed.”
“Ready.”
“Okay. One... Two...”
There was a tremendous explosion.
* * *
Twilight’s soft slippers padded against the carved wooden staircase as she carried her tea to the upper floor of the library. She sprawled over the edge of her bed, shuffling her hind legs around until they were evenly covered by the warm fuzzy bathrobe.
The library wouldn’t open until Noon. She was going to enjoy this next half hour all to herself. She sipped from the steaming tea mug, as she eyed the piles of letters that littered her bedroom.
“Down to business,” she sighed.
The first letter floated up before her, chosen randomly from the loose pile.
My Dear and Faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.
Have you seen my copy of the “Canterlot Royal College Handbook of Alchemy and Magic”, Edition 332? The only one I have here is from a few centuries back. Really wish you were here, because the Canterlot Library leaves something to be desired in comparison to your organizational skills.
Yours,
Princess Celestia.
“Next...”
My Dear and Faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.
I must sincerely apologize regarding the sudden deluge of mail. Much has been written in the past days and nights since the encounter with our visitor. I trust that you can follow this correspondence in the proper chronological sequence, as I imagine that by the sheer volume, it has likely become a sizable pile in the corner of your room.
Please offer my thanks and condolences to Spike for delivering these letters. Our line of communication bears great importance in light of recent events.
I apologize in advance if any other letters get mixed in among more pressing topics. Again, our filing system here is a bit turn-of-the-few-centuries-ago. I hope your meetings with our guest are productive and enlightening.
Yours,
Princess Celestia.
“Next.”
The crisp white scroll joined the first. The foundation of a growing parchment pyramid. A new scroll hovered before her, musty yellow parchment that she unfurled delicately. Princess Luna’s writing desk appeared to have been left untouched for some time as well.
TWILIGHT SPARKLE.
KNOW THAT IT HATH BEEN MANY LUNAR CYCLES SINCE OUR LAST CORRESPONDENCE. AS SUCH, I WISH TO REPEAT MY PREVIOUS INQUIRY AS TO WHETHER THE PONYVILLE LIBRARY HATH AVAILABLE A COPY OF “JOHN CANTER AND THE PLANET OF MARES”. IT WOULD BE MOST PLEASING TO OBTAIN THIS AT THE EARLIEST CONVENIENCE.
THE COVER ART IS SIMPLY AMAZING AS WELL, WOULDN’S’T THOU AGREE?
PRINCESS LUNA.
Twilight rubbed her forehead, still feeling the stentorian voice ringing in her ears with the subtle impetus of a hurricane.
“Neeext...”
Dearest Twilight Sparkle,
Have I ever told you how much you’ve grown over the last summer? I can hardly conceal my envy at the supple curvaceous shape of your flank. The way it flexes as you trot can only be summarized in a single word, one which scarcely conveys the full depth of the meaning it is meant to express.
Delectable.
Yours...
“NEXT!!!!” she screamed.
TWILIGHT SPARKLE.
WE ARE PLEASED TO HAVE YOUR FORMIDABLE SKILLS TO AID US IN THE ONGOING STUDY AND WELCOMING OF OUR VISITOR. KNOW WELL THAT WE PLACE OUR UTMOST FAITH IN THINE ABLE HOOVES.
IT APPEARS THAT OTHERS HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN YOUR WORK AS WELL. I HAVE BEEN APPROACHED BY A JOURNALIST WHO WRITES FOR THE NORTHERN LANSHIRE READER, WHICH I CAN ONLY PRESUME TO BE A THRIVING COMMUNITY THAT HATH COME TO BE DURING THE TIME OF MY ABSENCE.
HE IS AN INTERESTING FELLOW WHO’S UNDERSTANDING OF POLITICS AND HISTORY SEEM TO BELIE THE MODEST ACCUMULATION OF HIS YEARS. PERHAPS I CAN ARRANGE FOR HIM TO MEET WITH YOU AT SOME TIME OF YOUR CHOOSING.
FARE THEE WELL.
PRINCESS LUNA.
“Next...”
Dearest Twilight Sparkle,
I have some good news! Recently, I have been reading through a book that describes numerous therapeutic exercises. I know. I am the Princess of Equestria and all, but sometimes even a Princess needs to relax, and mentally refresh one’s self.
But I must say that it has been an incredibly rewarding experience. The act of carrying so many thoughts in one’s head can exert a terrible strain on one’s facilities. Fortunately, I have found a chapter in this book that describes the act of writing letters to convey your deepest feelings, and simply not sending them. It is quite brilliant, I must say. You should try it sometime too!
Just make sure those letters never get sent! Ha ha.
Your mentor and friend,
Princess Celestia.
The sound of one hoof smacking a forehead could be heard throughout the library.
“Next...” she sighed.
Dearest Twilight.
While we’re on the subject of my previous letter, don’t forget to ask him how they calculate casualty figures in Mega Deaths per initial incident versus post-attack casualties due to radioactive fallout, lack of medical care for injured, and subsequent periods of logistical and societal breakdown as it relates to levels of urban population density.
I know this is not a subject to be broached lightly, and I can agree with his reluctance to discuss such matters. As terrible as it may be to learn, I am compelled to have more information, than to remain blissfully ignorant.
If my choice of words are not entirely familiar to you at this point, they will be soon enough. In but a brief moment, I have learned of many great and terrible things that exist in the world outside of our own.
Use the ring. I implore of you to learn as much as you can from him. As I write this with an unsteady quill, know that I understand the gravity of your undertaking, and the implication that for better or worse, that this may be an irreversibly defining point in your life.
For this, I can never truly express the depth of my gratitude, nor will I ever forgive myself for forcing you along this path before your time. You are an adult now. I can imagine that you have not considered yourself as a filly for some while, but allow me to state that from my perspective, perched atop a veritable mountain of lifetimes, this is where the joyful innocence of childhood ends, and the sobering responsibility of adulthood begins.
You’re welcome...
Princess Celestia.
Twilight furled the letter, and shakily placed it upon the growing pile.
Her eyes squeezed shut as she opened the next letter before her. She peeked slightly to see the familiar bold strokes of Luna’s hoofwriting.
TWILIGHT SPARKLE
I HAVE RECENTLY RECEIVED AN ANONYMOUS CORRESPONDENCE THAT HAS DESCRIBED A FORTUNATE TURN OF EVENTS FOR A FAMILY OF PONIES THROUGH ANECDOTAL CIRCUMSTANCE. THE CHANGE OF FORTUNE, AS DESCRIBED, IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE FORWARDING OF THIS CORRESPONDENCE TO FIFTEEN OF ONE’S CLOSEST FRIENDS, IN THAT DOING SO WOULD GRANT THE SENDER OF THE LETTERS GOOD LUCK AND FAIR FORTUNE. AS SUCH, I DO HOPE TO SEE YOU BENEFIT FROM THIS SUDDEN WINDFALL AS WELL. I KNOW NOT WHAT SORCERY ALLOWS THIS TO HAPPEN, BUT SURELY YOUR STUDY INTO THE MAGIC OF FRIENDSHIP MAY SHED LIGHT UNTO THE UNDERPINNING NATURE OF THIS AMAZING PROSPECT.
P.S.
PER INSTRUCTION, I AM TO SEND FIFTEEN COPIES OF THIS LETTER TO MY FRIENDS. AS SUCH, I CAN ONLY THINK OF YOU, MY SISTER, AND CAPTAIN DORNIER, TO WHOM I HAVE SENT FIVE COPIES EACH. I HOPE THEY FIND YOU WELL!
PRINCESS LUNA
From within the confines of the library, a muffled scream could be heard through a thick goose down pillow. It sounded vaguely like “idiots!”
Dearest Twilight Sparkle
If my sister asks you for that “John Canter and the Planet of Mares” book again...
Don’t.
Just don’t.
I am completely serious. I’ve read the pages where her bookmarks are kept. That is, when she even reads at all, instead of staring at the “art” on the cover . And don’t even ask how I know which parts she seems to enjoy the most.
If you need me, I will be gouging my eyes out with various kitchen utensils.
You have my thanks.
P.S.
I don’t know where that book is right now, but if she ever returns it, color me surprised if some of the pages aren’t stuck together.
P.P.S
Wash your hooves.
Yours,
Princess Celestia.
Twilight rolled her eyes and flicked the letter towards the growing organized pile.
“Gods... What’s next?”
dearest twilight sparkle
you asked me if the ring always bears the truth
i said yes
i pray to what gods ruled this land since before equestria arose that i am wrong
keep applejack safe
princess luna
Twilight stared for a moment. It was Luna’s writing. Concise yet cryptic, but a pale shadow of her bold assertive voice.
“Keep Applejack safe,” Twilight whispered softly. She shivered, thinking back to how Luna had recoiled away from the antechamber doors.
What did she see?
The scroll slowly furled itself, and set atop the pile of read letters.
Another letter at random presented itself.
Dearest Twilight Sparkle
As I write this with trembling hooves, I am overwhelmed with the sensations the day brings to us. Just us two. The brilliant rays of sunlight cast their glow over our land. The morning dew clings to the grass, and fights for purchase within our prickled fur. In the chilled air, our heaving breath bursts forth as plumes of steam, laden heavily with our musky aromas...
“Oh god!” Twilight shouted, rearing her head away from the letter. She leaned back for a closer look.
...the bit fits snugly behind your teeth, and I pull gently upon the reigns. Tugging firmly as I thrust...
“OH GOD!” Twilight leapt from the bed, huddling beside it. She peered cautiously over the edge, to see the letter still floating mid-air, suspended with a slight glow of magic.
She stared for several moments longer, breathing heavily. Her eyes narrowed at the tawdy prose from across the bed. Slowly she stood, regarding the letter with a fiercely judicious and disapproving gaze.
Her head turned to each side. Her ears pricked up, listening for any sounds within the library. She checked her clock. Fifteen minutes until Noon.
Swiftly she jumped back onto the bed, flattening the scroll against the headboard. Her eyes darted back and forth fervishly. She bit her lip at one paragraph, and let her jaw drop at the next.
“Ohhhh god...”
It was three minutes until Noon.
Twilight’s breath came in fast shallow puffs. The letter was nearing it’s end, and she could not be torn away.
Just then, a loud terrible explosion thundered overhead. Twilight leaped in alarm, impaling the parchment with her horn, and punching through the thin wooden headboard behind it.
The meticulously stacked pyramid of scrolls tumbled into an incoherent mess, intermingling with the other indistinguishable letters that had not yet been read.
Overhead, a rainbow hued shock wave could be seen spreading across the bright blue sky. Residents of Ponyville looked on in awe, and the whole town briefly experienced a moment of near silence.
A moment of silence, cut short by an enraged scream from the Ponyville Library, in a language that would have left Captain Laurie awestruck.
* * *
Laurie and Trent threw themselves to the ground as the shockwave rattled their lungs and rang within their ears.
“What did you do!”
“Nothing! That wasn’t me!”
“Flaming slit trench barbecue! What the hell was it, then!”
“Look! Over there!”
They stared upwards at the spreading rainbow colored ring that blotted out the sky.
Overhead, a blue streak released a brownish orange dot. A tiny juvenile pegasus beat her wings against the thin rarefied air as she arced across the sky on a ballistic trajectory. The faster blue pegasus sailed around the arc in a tight loop, fighting centripetal acceleration through the constant hard turn. The two met again in a shallow dive, before sharply executing a Split-S maneuver.
“Ohhh, wow... Wait! What about that pony that followed us? Trent!”
“It’s all right,” he said, as his finger curled back into his fist. He waved his hand through another series of gestures. “VLS disarmed. I don’t think she’s after us.”
“She? It’s a she? And what do you mean she’s not after us?”
“I think she’s after you.”
“What! Wait, what color is she. Pink? Is she pink? Tell me!”
“Yes.”
“Oh god, oh god, oh god...”
“And yellow.”
“Pink and yellow? Ohhh... Hey, that sounds familiar. Yes. Ah... Fluffer... Flutter... Fluttersomething!”
“Know her?”
“Ehh. Ran into her once.”
The blue and orange pegasii screamed overhead, just above the treetop level.
“Whoooa... ho, ho, hoo! Did you see that!”
Trent nodded. “Not bad.”
“Freaking amazing! She’d run rings around some of the palace guards, lemme tell you. Oh! Forgot to mention. We can all stand down now! False alarm there. Everything is under control. Threat level has returned to condition four.”
“Who are you talking to?”
“Ahh... Well just you, I guess. Anyways. Glad that’s all over. Good work everyone!”
Trent rolled his eyes. “Thank you, Captain Obvious.”
“It’s Lancaster actually... Hey!”
The two pegasii rocketed straight into the air, trailing a stream of condensed vapor behind them.
“Oooh, this is gonna be good. Oh, wait a minute! I think I recognize that blue one!”
“They both look familiar to me too.”
“Wait, what now? When did you meet them?”
“Once at Sugarcube Corner, and once back in the forest.”
“Ohh, right.”
The light blue pegasus raced down from the top of her arc, deftly grabbing hold of the younger pegasus as they swooped into level flight. Laurie stood on his hind hooves, whistling and waving at the two, who rolled in acknowledgement as they passed overhead.
“Did you see that? Did you see that!” Laurie shouted as he tracked the flying duo.
Trent’s attention was elsewhere. A bright yellow and pink pegasus had taken to the air, straining her wings as she attempted to speed past the sky where Laurie had been looking moments ago. She attempted to roll in a tight spiral, but her legs flung outward from the sudden angular acceleration, tumbling her body into an end-over-end spin. She attempted to recover with a panicked flapping of her wings, but to no avail. Trent watched as she slowly arced into the treeline, disappearing in a shower of leaves and small branches.
“Naah, think I missed it.”
“Well, they just landed. Wanna go meet her?”
“Be with you in a minute. Going to take a quick stroll into the woods over there.”
“Ahh. The call of nature. No worries there. I’ll be waiting. Anyways! Hey! Hey, you there! Remember me from the forest the other night? Name’s Captain Lancaster, Imperial Canterlot Guard. Lemme just say that was absolutely brilliant flying! Brilliant!”
* * *
Fluttershy lay still within a webbing of branches. The epicenter of surprise and terror to the many birds and squirrels that had occupied the leafy boughs just moments prior.
Her muscles were tender and her bones were sore, but her pride had been completely eviscerated. Tears slowly dripped from her eyes, falling far and fast to the compost rich forest floor below.
“Stupid, stupid, stupid...” she sobbed.
Her thoughts raced. Half of them urged her to reconsider. To eschew adventure. To live the life that she was cut out for. The other half jeered loudly in her mind, “I told you so!”
The sound of footsteps approached, suddenly drawing her attention.
“Um, Hello?” a voice called from below.
She froze for a moment, not sure how to respond.
“Oh. Hello,” she softly spoke after some hesitation.
“Are you okay? That looked like it hurt.”
“I... I’m fine.”
“You don’t sound fine. Can I help you down from there?”
“That’s very nice, and I appreciate the offer, but I can get down by myself. I just.. need a minute.”
“I have all the time in the world.”
Fluttershy blew a frizzled tuft of pink mane from her face, as she slowly positioned herself to stand on the thicker branches below. Her hooves offered a merely tenuous grip upon the thin bark. Getting down was becoming much more difficult than she had anticipated, and there was very little room to attempt to spread her wings. She shifted her weight slightly, reaching one hoof for the next branch below.
The bark slipped from the branch, sending her rear hoof flying out from under her. She tumbled through the mesh of thinner sticks and twigs with a frightened squeal, racing towards the unforgiving ground.
Just before she struck, a set of arms wrapped around her body. She collided heavily with Trent, as he fell backwards with the weight of one terrified pink and yellow pegasus on top of him.
“Ow...”
“Oh my, are you all right?” Fluttershy gasped. “Oh, its you! And you speak! I couldn’t be sure when I followed you earlier. I mean, when I saw you earlier! Ohh...”
“Owww...”
“Oh, right. I should probably get off of you. I’m sorry.”
Trent tried to sit up, sending pain shooting through his back where he had landed on a knotted tree root. He hissed as he moved, with his teeth bared.
Fluttershy’s eyes went wide as she backed away slowly.
“Arghh... Wait. Don’t go. You don’t need to be afraid. I don’t bite.”
She paused, still eyeing him with apprehension.
“You really shouldn’t sneak up on people like that. You actually had us a little scared,” Trent groaned as he propped his back against the base of the tree. “Why were you following us, if I might ask?”
“I had you scared? Oh my. I don’t look scary to you, do I? I’m sorry. You don’t need to be frightened though. I’m really nice.”
“Likewise,” Trent groaned.
“Umm...” The pink and yellow pegasus averted her gaze momentarily, brushing one forehoof through the leafy soil. “I’m sorry about following you before.”
“Were you following me, by chance?”
“Oh, no. Not at all. Well, actually, yes. Just a little bit. But it’s for something else. It’s not important right now.”
“Some pony in uniform, rather?”
Fluttershy squeaked. Her face erupted with a gleeful smile, before disappearing into wide-eyed shocked embarrassment.
“Oh, well. Eep! I mean... Ohh...”
The ‘Morse Code’ series of nervous squeaks and gasps told Trent everything.
“Have you tried to talk to him?”
The squeaking rose in pitch and tempo.
“I see... Would you like to go talk to him?”
She gasped for breath, shaking her head side to side as she peered out from behind the smooth locks of pink mane.
“Still working up to it?”
She nodded weakly.
“Is that why you tried to fly past us earlier? To, ah... Introduce yourself?”
Fluttershy looked down meekly. “Not really.”
“To show off in front of us?”
An imperceptible nod conveyed her response.
“Sort of like that other blue pony? Er... pegasus. The one that Laurie is talking to right now?”
Fluttershy’s head jerked up, eyes level with Trent.
“You know, I’ve heard that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But somehow, I don’t think that’s what you had in mind.”
“No.” she softly growled.
“Do you know her by chance? That blue pegasus with a the rainbow hair. It’s really quite dashing on her.”
“Yes.”
“Ahh. Are you good friends with her?”
“Yes...” she spoke through gritted teeth.
“Hmmm...” Trent furrowed his brow, as he contemplated the seething ball of barely contained rage before him.
“You’re not mad at her, are you?”
“Well, no... I’m...”
“You’re mad at yourself?”
Fluttershy marched forward several steps, placing her nose within inches of Trent’s. Her wide eyes had narrowed to angry slits, each pupil gleamed with the polish and precision of an interstellar warship’s laser collimator.
“Yes,” she hissed.
“Mmm. But you don’t want to be like her, though? Am I right? You want to keep being yourself, but you want yourself to be something... Something more. Something you can be proud of.”
“Well... Yes.”
“But you cant.”
The glare returned at full intensity.
“Or... At least you think you can’t.”
“Why do you ask?”
“Because I already know the answer.”
The human and pegasus stared at each other for an interminable time.
“You know... I could teach you to fly.”
Fluttershy’s face screwed into a visage of incredulous annoyance. She hopped up, flapping her wings gently as she hovered in front of Trent.
He pretended not to notice.
“Can you fly? I don’t see any wings.”
“Don’t need em.”
“Then why are you wasting my time?”
Fluttershy dropped to the ground, and turned to leave.
“She can fly pretty fast, right?”
“Her name is Rainbow Dash. And yes, she can.”
“I can make you go faster.”
She paused, mid-stride.
“Higher. Farther. Longer...”
“She’s the fastest flier in Equestria!”
“Yes. For now.”
“...How fast?”
“The light of day would have trouble keeping up.”
She turned again to face Trent, staring with exasperation.
“You can’t be serious.”
“You’re quite right. I shall only be exactly as serious as you are willing to be, which is to say, not at all right now.”
Trent leaned forward from the tree, standing up and turning back to the field.
“But the offer stands. You know where to find me. Hard to miss, and all that.”
Fluttershy watched as he strode off. She shook her head and began marching home.
* * *
“Oh, hey! There you are! Took you long enough.”
“Good to see you too.”
“So, anyways! Had a great meeting with that pegasus we saw. Really hit it off. She goes by the name of Rainbow Dash. How cool is that?”
“Mmm. Pretty cool, I suppose. Is she still here?”
“Nah, took off a few minutes ago. Her and the orange filly too. Real chip off the block, that one is. Bet she could melt the ears off a drill stallion when she grows up. Feisty and fearless.”
“Fearless, hmm?”
“Anyways, while you were out doing god knows what, we got to know each other a bit. Says she’s been trying out for the Wonderbolts team. Lifelong ambition of hers there. Gotta admire that sort of commitment.”
“Yeah.”
“And I told her how I felt about that. Really impressed, that is to say. And it’s true. Not just me sprinkling out compliments like birdseed. Guess she saw how sincere I was, and next thing ya know, there was a bit of the back n forth. Got mushy enough to make that orange filly nearly gag! Hah! Know I was that way at her age. She called me some things that I haven’t heard since the academy! Now that filly’s got some spirit!”
“Is there a point to this?”
“Yeah! Yeah, I was just getting to that. So while you were out, we got to talking, and one thing lead to another. And I sorta popped the question.”
“Oh?”
“And... Well, she said she’s gonna think about it. Definitely interested though. You know how it is. Big decision and all that. I mean, here’s me. Grizzled old Royal Canterlot guardspony Captain. Veteran. War hero... Someday, maybe. And her. Just getting into her prime. Whole life ahead of her. Just brings a tear to my eye imagining the two of us growing old, seeing the world, building up a solid career.
“I see.”
“Ohh, and there’s a bonus too!”
“What’s that?”
“Uhh... Well, It’s... It’s a bonus. Typically a lump monetary sum on top of a regular paycheck. Usually handed out for exceptional performance, or on a regular yearly cycle.”
“No, no. What’s the bonus supposed to be?”
“Ohh. Ahh, I’d have to look it up. Tends to change up every few years. I think it starts at about three hundred bits for the first recruitment, and then goes up in twenty-five bit increments from there for additional recruits.”
Trent’s jaw hung open for a moment.
“I know! Right?” Laurie squealed with excitement. “Then I think its another hundred on top of that for picking up someone who’s got the aptitude to fast track to officer academy. She’s a right shoe-in for that. Oh, and you know what else? There’s a thirty bit per month stipend for recruitment duties, and that lasts half a year right there!”
“Laurie?”
“Huh?”
“Do you like her?”
“Uhh, well... She seems pretty allright. Wouldn’t mind joining her for a brew sometime when she gets old enough for that sorta thing. Probably have to wait a while anyways, otherwise it’d seem like fraternizing - and I wouldn’t want her to get in trouble over that. Gotta keep it professional, you know.”
“Ahh... Yes, of course. For a minute there is sounded like...”
“Ohhh! Ohhh, no, no, no. Not exactly my kinda type for... well, that. I mean she’s great and all, but I don’t think I could handle a twenty-four slash seven stream of whatever she’s full of. I mean, you know me, right?”
“Not really.”
“I mean I’m generally the quiet type. Like to read a lot, generally keep my nose clean. Sorta shy sometimes too. Not really that good at dealing with other ponies.”
“Never would have guessed that.”
“So, you know... I’d probably do better with someone that was kinda like that. Quiet, demure... Just a bit of an assertive streak. Hard to find somepony like that though. I probably wouldn’t know though, even if I smacked right into their flank.”
“Mmm.”
“Eh, what’s that now? You’ve got that ‘I’m thinking up some bastardly scheme’ sort of look on your face again.”
“Oh, it’s not that, I assure you. I was just about to head over to the forest again for a bit.”
“Again? Already? And is that really the face you make when you... Nevermind. Nevermind. Don’t wanna know. Um, you gonna meet me back here when you’re done?”
“Yes.”
“Where to afterwards, then?”
“We’ll see.”
* * *
The afternoon sun beat down upon the grassy clearing. From either side, one pony and one human entered, striding forth at a slow deliberate pace.
They did not turn.
They did not look at each other.
They stopped in the middle of the clearing, separated by a mere arms length.
There was a period of silence for some time, as they regarded each other. Words were not needed to convey what was said.
Eventually, one of them spoke.
“Are you sure this is what you want?”
“Yes.”
“It won’t be easy.”
The yellow pony nodded.
“It will require, in no uncertain terms; courage, commitment, and perseverance.”
Fluttershy’s head drooped like a wilted rose.
“But I’m not brave like that.”
Trent kneeled before her.
“You wouldn’t have come back, if that was true. Keep your chin up.”
A genuine smile began to creep over her face.
“Why are you doing this?”
“Because I see potential in you. I feel that you have the proper drive to do something great with your life. But it’s not a matter of showing you how. It’s a matter of showing that you can.”
“Thank you. But, why?”
“I like to help.”
“Oh.” Her smile brightened perceptibly. “I love helping others too.”
“That’s wonderful, actually. In fact, you’ve given me an idea.”
“Oh? What kind of idea?”
“A good one. Something better than just teaching you how to fly fast.”
“But... I thought that’s what you wanted to show me?”
“That goes without saying. But there’s something more now. Something more important than just teaching you to show off.”
She looked up expectantly, yet puzzled.
“You’ll see.”
She nodded firmly.
“One more thing, I forgot to mention. I’m Trent.”
“I’m Fluttershy. Oooh. That reminds me! I was asked to invite you to a party next week.”
“Ahh. Who’s it for?”
“It’s for you,” she beamed. “My friends are putting it together. We wanted to show you that you’re welcome here, and that we’re all very very excited too meet you.”
“Ahhh. Next week, you say?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Perfect. That gives us more than enough time.”
She gasped slightly.
“You mean that you could show me how to fly really really fast before the party takes place?”
“Of course! As long as you’re willing to keep up.”
Fluttershy nodded with excitement.
“When do we start?”
“We already have. But we have some preparations to make first, so it will be a little while before we’re ready to begin. Need to gather some supplies, make you a suit, and start your training regimen.”
“Ohh... I thought you said we would be ready by the end of the week.”
“We will.”
“How?”
“I have all the time in the world. Remember?”
* * *
|
shalrath
|
1219
| 11 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Derpy Hooves,Discord,Main 6,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Human,Adventure,Comedy,Dark,Sad,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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The End
|
A friendly stranger delivers some unsettling knowledge about Life, the Universe, and Everything.
|
incomplete
| 674 | 40 |
<p>A visitor arrives in Equestria, bearing a wealth of knowledge and a troubled past. The Mane 6 are quick to befriend the stranger, who helps them to discover what they truly value in life, and how to achieve it.</p><p>But learning to overcome their fears and achieve their desires comes at a steep price, paid by their innocence.</p>
|
teen
|
2012-01-24T13:54:38+00:00
|
2012-01-24T13:54:38+00:00
| 12,091 |
* * *
“Has anyone ever told you that you have a very nice mane?”
Fluttershy blushed slightly, looking around furtively before she answered.
“Oh, yes. Just this morning.”
“That was nice of them.”
“Yes. Well, I mean...” She sighed wistfully. “I hope he thinks that way.”
“Ahh.”
“Trent?” she beat her wings softly, hovering alongside him. “How do you fly?”
“Ahhh... Well, first, an airfoil or lifting body generates a pressure differential...”
Fluttershy rubbed her head gently, at the unexpected tingling sensation.
“No. I mean, how can you fly, if you don’t have wings?”
“I can fly without wings as well as I can run without shoes.”
She gazed quizzically at him.
“Which is to say, not very well.”
“Oh.”
“But, where shoes can help me walk, something called an airplane can help me fly.”
“Eep!” She rubbed her forehead vigorously.
“I’m sorry, did that... Try to make sense?”
“...Yes. How did you know?”
“A bit of magic imparted by your Princess. I can understand what you’re thinking...”
Fluttershy’s eyes shot wide, and her face turned beet red. She slowed to stay behind Trent, out of his view.
“...as you say it. Kind of interesting actually. And it works the other way around too. I say something, and you suddenly think about the meaning of it.”
“Umm... Are you able to read anypony’s thoughts?”
“No. It just helps me understand what they say.”
“Ohh,” she sighed with relief, quivering slightly as her heartbeat slowed back to a hummingbird’s pace.
“But, as you’ve just felt, it doesn’t work right unless we both understand what’s being discussed. Like you’ve probably never seen an air... Eh... You know what I mean.”
“Won’t that be a problem?”
“Only slightly. I can teach you from the ground up, the old fashioned way. That way, you can understand things as you go, rather than trying to understand it all at once.”
“I see.”
They continued to walk, leaving the forest clearing for the rolling meadows.
“Where are we going?”
“The Everfree forest, I believe you call it.”
“Oooh!” she gasped. “No. No, we can’t go there. Not by ourselves. It’s not safe!”
“Hmm... You’re quite right. I hear that it’s the home to the most dangerous creature in all of Equestria.”
“Oh?”
“One that devours tasty animals.”
“Eeeep!”
“One that shoots fire from its hands,” he intoned in a deep rumbling pitch.
“Ooohh! No!”
“One that has set cities ablaze, and left fields of ash in its wake,” he said, as his arms swooped wide in the air.
Fluttershy began to quiver, and fell over on her side. Her legs twitched erratically, despite their imitation of rigor mortis.
“No, no, nooooo!”
“One that has toppled powerful nations!” his voice rose to a booming crescendo.
She gasped.
“One that has ended the lives of entire worlds!” his hands clapped together with a final thunderous retort.
Her mouth hung open, a drawn out silent scream.
Trent stood over her, looking down with an amused grin.
“It’s me!” he exclaimed with bashful modesty. He broke into a mischievous smile as he touched his pinkie to the corner of his lips.
“Whaaaat?”
“Ohh, Fluttershy,” Trent said as he sat down next to her. “Don’t worry. I like to make jokes sometimes.”
She stared at him, her chest heaving rapidly. A nervous laugh bubbled up from within her, as she tried to calm herself.
“Ahh. Ha. Ha. Ha...” she laughed in stuttering bursts. “G..Good one.” Her wide shocked eyes did not dare to waver or blink.
She rolled upright, looking over to Trent.
“But why are we going there?”
“Before we start, I want to show you something. Something that no other pony has seen. Later, I will present you with a choice. One that decides whether you wish to continue, or whether you want to return home. I will support your decision either way.”
“Oh.”
“But before you make that choice, I want you to think deeply about who you are. What drives you. What defines you. It will be a very important decision, and I want you to weigh both options equally.”
“Why? Why would you offer a choice like that?”
“It is not mine to offer. It’s yours entirely.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Well, I don’t want to spoil any surprises... But let us say that I can show you what you could become. And then, you will decide if that is who you want to be.”
“Oh... I thought I already said yes?”
“You did. That’s a great start.”
“But...”
“I want to know that you will continue to say ‘yes’, all the way through till the end. Like how a bird always flies south for the winter, makes a nest for its eggs, and takes time to feed it’s young. What would happen if they decided to shirk that responsibility? It would be fine for them. No consequences. But what happens the next year, when the nests are empty and the air is quiet. Not a song, warble, or chirp.”
“Oh.”
“You said you like to help others, right?”
“Yes. Very much so.”
“Then show me. Show me how deeply ingrained that is. Show me that compassion is your conviction, rather than your hobby.”
“Ohh, but I...”
“No, no. Don’t tell me now. When the question is asked, you will know the answer. Tell me then.”
The two travelled in silence for a short time, plodding through the lush green meadow.
“Umm, Trent?”
“Yes?”
“Do you remember that joke you made earlier? It... Well, it wasn’t very funny.”
“Hrmm? Oh... Yes. That would have been absolutely terrible as a joke.”
Fluttershy looked at Trent for a moment, before shaking her head.
* * *
“Oy! Took you long enough this time! No idea what you’ve been eating lately, but I can safely assume it’s by the shovel-full.”
“Good to see you too, Laurie.”
“Oh, what’s this now? Heey, did you make a new friend there?”
“Yes, indeed. Have you met Fluttershy?”
The pink and yellow pegasus timidly peeked out from behind Trent.
“Ahh, yes. So it is you. Knew we’d see each other again. Or rather, you’d be seeing us. Isn’t that right?”
She nodded, still retreating from Laurie’s chastising gaze.
“Now, now... No need to worry. You’re not in trouble or anything. If Trent’s okay with you getting up close... Ahh... Breaching our defensive perimeter, yeah. Then it’s all right by me. Lot less paperwork that way too, you know. Incident reports. Filed in triplicate. Real world of pain that you don’t want to set hoof upon. So I can let you off with a warning here, see? Please don’t sneak up on our visitor like that. Gave us a bit of a scare earlier, and I was whisker breadth away from springing into action. Didn’t look that way, did it? Just goes to show how well they train us back at Canterlot. Strictly professional. Elite. The vanguard of her Royal Majesty’s armed forces.”
Trent’s eyes rolled far enough to complete a full circle.
“Another minute like that, and I might’ve had to assume the worst. And that’s where the fun starts. All those years of training kicking in. All at once. Take your eyes off us for one second, and then... Gone! Vanished! Look around to try and to spot us again, and that’s when you hear a little rustling in the bushes. Next thing you know, you’re flat on your back, and there’s me! Holding you down against your will... Er... Well, that’s the way it has to be, I mean. Holding you down, until backup arrives. Or till you’ve learned your lesson, I guess. Could be a while, anyways. Holding you down. Probably have to rethink that a bit.”
Fluttershy darted out from behind Trent, her expression erupting into gleeful ecstasy.
“Umm... Yeah. Sorry, let’s forget I said that. Just sorta came out wrong there.”
“I wouldn’t mind!” she blurted out.
“Ahh... That’s the spirit. Cooperation with authorities, due process... All that. Right then. Okay. Sooo... Trent! What’s the plan for today?”
“Taking a little trip into the Everfree forest.”
“Splendid! Er... I mean that’s crazy and dangerous, but great idea nonetheless! Yeah. Ahh, Miss Fluttershy. Sorry to run here, but it appears that duty calls.”
“She’s coming with us.”
“Beg your pardon?”
“There’s something I’d like to show her.”
“It’s not slow agonizing death, or sudden evisceration by some nightmare-given-flesh that might be lurking around in there, is it? Because there is plenty of that.”
“No.”
“Trent. It is dangerous out there,” Laurie repeated.
“That may be. Fortunately, we have the vanguard of Canterlot’s royal forces here, to ensure us safe passage,” he grinned at the nervous brown and white pony.
“Ahhhh...” he raised one hoof in protest - a placeholder for a lengthy verbal rebuttal against the idea of wasting a perfectly good afternoon by dying horribly.
He looked aside to see Fluttershy staring at him expectantly, her hooves clutched together over her chest as she gently hovered with her wings flapping excitedly.
“Lead the way. Captain,” Trent smirked.
Laurie drew a hissed breath through clenched teeth, before shaking his head in resignation and marching towards the treeline at the far end of the meadow.
“...hate you,” he whispered, as he trod by.
The two followed Laurie from a short distance back.
“Umm... Mr. Trent?”
“Yes, Fluttershy?”
“It is dangerous in there. What if we do see a monster?”
“Good question. Some monsters can be quite friendly, you know.”
“But aren’t you scared?”
“No.”
“Because you’ve never met one before?”
“Because they’ve never met me before.”
* * *
The clock read Noon. There was a knock on the door.
Twilight groaned. Partially from the throbbing in her head, and partially from the fragments of the headboard encircling her neck. She tugged back slightly, but found herself stuck.
“Well Twilight, there’s always a logical and rational response to any problem!” she said, to no one in particular.
She smiled. Her horn flared with a twitch of magic. The bed exploded.
“That’s better!” she exclaimed, walking through the maelstrom of wood chips and splinters. She casually brushed the impaled scroll from her horn, watching it lazily drift to the floor.
“And what a great idea. Writing letters to convey your deepest feelings. And just not sending them! Ha. Ha.”
She turned her cheerful gaze to her writing desk. It exploded.
“Ohh, they just don’t make them like they used to...” she trotted happily across the room.
A single scorched sheet of paper floated above the carnage of it’s former home. It was gripped violently by an unseen force, jerked upwards, and slammed against the wall.
Twilight grinned at the blank sheet, contorting her lips into the smile of a Cheshire Cat, and lolling her head to one side. A quill floated alongside her - ink still dripping from it’s sharpened nib.
“Never can decide what I’m going to write...”
The quill shot forward at the immobile sheet. It slashed, it stabbed, and it drew tiny hearts over the letter “i”. The corners of her lips twitched upwards with each violent stroke.
The paper fell to the floor, lifeless. She wrenched it back into the air, hovering just inches before her face.
It read:
To whom it may concern.
AAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!
Twilight Sparkle.
“Nothing like a job well done!” she exhaled happily. The letter hung in the air for a moment, before abruptly bursting into flames.
Not the magical aether kind.
The burning kind.
Oddly enough, it did make her feel better.
The knocking at the door repeated. She checked her clock again.
Two minutes past twelve.
“Well, time to open the doors to Ponyville’s book reading public!”
The clock imploded into a steel ball the size of a marble, and fell to the floor.
* * *
Applebloom raised her hoof to knock a third time, but thought against it.
“Horsefeathers...” She turned to leave, just as the door opened behind her.
“Oh, hello Applebloom. Please do come in.” Twilight greeted from beyond the threshold.
“Hi missus Twilight. How’re you doin today?” she trotted inside.
“Just wonderful actually. I’ve been trying a few therapeutic exercises recently, and now I’m feeling very relaxed and refreshed!”
“That sounds mighty swell. Shucks, I know there’s some days I’m feeling a bit steamed, and it just makes me wanna see the whole town go up in a big ol ball of flame. Might hafta try some of them exercises myself sometime,” she grinned sheepishly.
“Yeaaah... I know how that can feel,” Twilight said with a wistful roll of her eyes.
“Anyhow, I figured it was high time I brought these back,” Applebloom reached into her saddlebags and tossed a small stack of books onto the nearest chair. “And you can keep this one too. Wasn’t much all that interesting,” she picked up John Canter and the Planet of Mares with her teeth and set it atop the pile.
Twilight’s ears twitched.
“Gotta wonder who reads this stuff. I mean, just look at it.”
The cover depicted an enormous warhorse, standing atop a ruins of a castle wall. The sky was a blackened tapestry with a smattering of stars, and the barren landscape was dotted with towering spires of grey rock. A metal tube with wide fins and a tapered nose sat upright in the distance. The warhorse clutched a spear within it’s yellowed teeth, holding it’s head high, with knotted muscles that rippled all the way from it’s neck to it’s obscenely bulging hindquarters. A bevy of green hued otherworldly mares lay supplicant around it’s stout hooves.
“I don’t think they even bother reading it.”
“Heh,” Applebloom replied, as she wandered into the library, zipping from one shelf to the other.
“Missus Twilight, do you know if there are any more of these sorta books? Any more with excitin adventure and all kinda unknown things happenin?”
“I think you’re looking at all of them right there,” she pointed at the stack.
“Awww.”
“But we do have a fairly wide selection of other genres. Books that deal with what we know, rather than any made-up fantasies.”
Applebloom’s enthusiasm deflated noticeably.
“That’s allright Miss Sparkle. Don’t think I got time for all that, what with all the chores I gotta get to.”
“Hmm... Why do you like those books so much? I’ve read them myself, but I didn’t learn anything, and they weren’t even very well written.”
“Oh, I don’t read em to learn about things. I read em to think about things!” Applebloom pranced with wide eyed excitement.
“Eh?”
“I know it sounds like a whole mess of gobbledygook in there, and often times they can’t even get it straight themselves. But I like it when they talk about ideas that are all new and exciting. Not for what’s it themselves, but because fer what they can do! How things get all changed up. Like... Like... Ohh, I know. One of them books talked about planets actually being whole giant worlds all of them own, and because of that, they had to travel between em in giant metal tubes that shoot flames out the back. Crazy huh? And another one where everypony could talk back n forth to any other pony out there - but without havin to put a letter in the mail, or havin some dragon spit fire on it. It’s little things like that, that make it all exciting. Thinking that someday we could see that sorta thing fer ourselves.”
“Planets?” Twilight eyed Applebloom curiously.
“Yes Missus Sparkle. Ah know. They’re really just tiny lil dots that come out with the stars. Just like we learned in school.
“Ooh, no. It’s not that... Um...” Twilight wrestled with her response for a moment.
“It’s okay, I know what’s in them books is all just made up make-believe.”
Twilight shook her head, through no conscious effort of her own. She leaned in close to Applebloom, with a nearly conspiratorial expression.
“It’s okay to question things. It’s good, actually. There’s a lot that we don’t know yet.”
“But I thought you knew near just about everything?”
Twilight shook her head again. “I thought I did, too.”
“Huh?”
“It’s hard to explain.”
“Missus Twilight, I think I might kinda know.”
“Oh?”
“It’s kinda like a dark room with all the lights turned off. But just because you c’ain’t see nothin, doesn’t mean there ain’t nothin in there.”
“Oh... And asking questions is like lighting a candle to help you see your way around.”
“Well, kinda, yeah. But here’s the thing. What if that room’s so big that the candle can’t light up the walls on the far side. Still doesn’t mean it’s full of nothing. There’s just more stuff out there that we can’t see yet, till we get some more candles.”
“Or turn on the light switch.”
“Yeh, but you ain’t never gonna find that light switch until you get in there and start flailing around a bit.”
“Is that why you like those stories so much? Because they like to talk about the unknown?”
“Ahh... I guess. Sometimes they have pretty neat pictures in em too.”
They both turned to look at the book on top of the pile.
“‘Cept that one...”
Twilight giggled.
“You know - I think you should meet Trent sometime. You kinda talk like he does.”
“Who?”
“Our visitor.”
“You mean the giant metal thing with a head made outta glass?!” Applebloom’s eyes went wide with a mixture of fear and excitement.
“Yes, and no. That’s him, but that metal armor is just a suit he wears.”
“Oh! Ooohh... I was wondering who that tall mostly hairless monkey thing was. Gosh. How do you think he does his business while wearin a whole ton of moving metal?”
“I never thought to ask...” Twilight deadpanned.
“Wait a second. Did you say he can talk too?”
“Yes.”
“That sure is convenient...” she remarked suspiciously.
“Oh, it’s not that. He can’t speak our language on his own. We used magic to help him communicate.”
“Ah... Wonder how he got here too. More magic?”
“He doesn’t have magic. If he used something to get here, it was probably something called technology.”
“What’s that? Is it like magic?”
“Only when it’s sufficiently advanced, apparently.”
“What if... What if he got here in somethin that’s made outta technology?”
“Made out of it? That’s just... How can you make something out of a skill or ability.”
“I dunno.”
“Well...”
“And you don’t neither!” she snapped.
Twilight sighed. She had a point.
“Er... I’m sorry, missus Twilight.”
“No, it’s okay. Asking questions like that is what helps us discover new things. And it never hurts to ask, even if we’re wrong.”
“Cuz if we never ask all the wrong questions, we might not ever find the right ones!” Applebloom beamed.
“Are you sure you haven’t met Trent before?”
“Umm...”
“Besides that.”
Applebloom shook her head.
“Hmmm... Miss Twilight? What other sorta things did he talk about?”
“Well, he did talk about science. The act of observing natural phenomena, creating a hypothesis that attempts to describe how it might work, and then performing testing and experimentation to see if the hypothesis can match or predict the observed results.”
“Oh? Well, that kinda makes sense pretty well.”
“I know. It’s something I’ve done myself, even if I didn’t know it at the time. But he told me how much they use it, and how many things they’ve discovered before they could even see them directly. It’s like they have the act of doing science, down to a science!”
“Gosh... That’d be somethin fun to try.”
“After you finish school, you mean?”
“Well, not really... I mean, why wait around to get started?”
“Because you’d need to learn the fundamental laws first. And then...”
“Yeh, I get all that. But just learnin about things ain’t gonna do me a lick of good if I wanna think about things.”
“Why don’t you learn things first, and then think about them later?”
“Because thinkin about things is what makes me wanna learn about em in the first place! Don’t work the other way ‘round.”
“But how would that even work?”
Appleblooms eyes widened. “I know. You said that science involves making an idea, and then running an experiment to see if it matches up, right?”
“Yes... That’s part of it, at least.”
Applebloom ran to the chair, and tapped her hoof on the stack of far-fetched stories.
“Just like this here! Some of these books have ideas that are outta this world. That’s like a hypothesis right there!”
“But there’s no way to test that.”
“Not yet! But someday maybe. Someday we might be able to build giant flaming metal tubes that can take us out there and see what them planets actually look like up close. Someday we might all be able to fly around without wings, or travel back in time to keep ourselves from doin’ something we didn’t know we was gonna regret. Can’t know till we try and test it out, but we ain’t gonna test it out if we don’t got the ideas to start with!”
“Yes, but there’s no way that you can experiment like that. Some of the ideas in those books won’t even be possible for a very long time.”
“Oh, I know it. But that’s just the thing. Coming up with those ideas now means somepony can try and run an experiment way off in the future!”
“In the future, you say?”
“Yep! Reckon that’s where all the fun stuff is, anyhow.”
“Are you sure you haven’t talked to Trent?”
“Not yet... Any reason in particular?”
“No reason...”
The two ponies stared at anywhere but each other for a short time. Adrift through the sudden lull in the conversation, as a ship without the wind beating its sails.
“Well, it was very nice of you to stop by...” Twilight began. “If I see any more books like those, I’ll be sure to let you know.”
“Mmm, yeah... Uh, missus Twilight?”
“Yes?”
“Do you have any paper? That I could borrow?”
“Borrow? It’s not exactly borrowing if it comes back covered in words.”
“Well this is a library, ain’t it? Figure I’d be doin you a favor if it came back like that.”
Twilight rolled her eyes and furrowed her brow. A thick ream of paper floated up from the lower shelf, and firmly crammed itself inside Applebloom’s saddlebag.
“There you go...”
“Oh, and do you have a pen or a quill I could borrow too?”
From the upper floor, a sharpened quill darted upwards from the ruins of the bedroom, flitting about in the air, before aligning on the young red-maned pony. It shot forward, covering the distance in a heartbeat, stopping just inches from her nose.
“Ah, much obliged,” she stated, as she gripped it with her teeth and placed it within her bag. “Gonna need it back anytime soon?”
“Keep it.”
* * *
The trip through Everfree forest had been fairly quiet. Not necessarily because Trent had instructed them to be quiet, but rather that Laurie and Fluttershy were equally terrified of saying anything further within earshot of each other.
He walked slowly. A casual pace where he seemed to know his footsteps well in advance, and simply allowed his body to slither along from one to the next. As he walked, he held his arm out in front of him, swinging it lazily from side to side. A rounded rectangle of polished metal with a ring fused to one end lay within his upturned palm, held loose within his fingers.
“We’re here,” he announced as he slipped the device back into his pocket.
“Where?” the two ponies asked at once.
Trent stuck his fingers into the plastic camouflage curtain and tugged it aside.
“Inside here.”
They stepped through. The sunlight filtered through the plastic mesh, showing each irregular swatch. Overhead, a drab metal structure hung over them, vibrantly coloured in many shades of grey and black.
“What is this?” Fluttershy trembled.
“Think I know... This is what those guards were looking for earlier. The draft pegasii team told me about it our last flight. Said they were ordered to go find it, and setup a perimeter. Thing is, they never could find it! Said they ended up searching for a few hours, before just setting up camp someplace, and telling the rest of em that’s where they were supposed to be. Case of ‘lets not, and say we did’ sorta thing.”
“Hmm... Our little secret for now, then.” Trent mused.
“You know what this thing is?”
“Of course.”
He pointed his finger at the structure’s belly and bent his wrist downward. There was a sound of many slick steel pins sliding out, and the blackened hull plate lowered with a soft hiss. A second ramp laid down over the first, telescoping out until it pressed into the forest floor. A cavernous black gulf stood before them, beyond the sharp edges of the rectangular threshold.
“After you.”
Fluttershy stood at the base of the ramp, nearly paralyzed. She looked up at Trent with pleading eyes.
“You will be fine.” Trent stated.
She gulped, closing her eyes and letting one hoof fall forward. It struck the ramp with a metallic ting. The second hoof fell, causing the ramp to echo with a tiny reverberation.
“Trent. Trent! What are you playing at?” Laurie hissed. “What’s inside there? Why are you making her go?”
Fluttershy’s hoof slid backwards slightly, towards the familiar soil of Equestria.
“What is inside bears no importance at this point. And I am not making her go. She has to do that on her own.”
“Trent. What is inside there?” he raised one hoof at the inky black shade.
“The unknown. The future.”
Fluttershy let her hoof slide back, until just the tip was touching the ramp. She looked sidelong at Trent again.
He smiled reassuringly. “You will be fine.”
Trent marched up the ramp, stopping at the halfway point. He turned back, and offered his outstretched palm.
“Are you sure this is what you want to do?” he asked.
Fluttershy raised her hoof from the ramp, staring at it for a moment. She turned to look back through the camouflage mesh canopy, to the filtered beams of sunlight, and the lush vegetation of the forest outside. Beyond the shimmering mesh veil, the life that she knew well.
Beyond the ramp, a dark gulf. That which she knew nothing of.
Fluttershy turned without flourish, marching up the ramp with measured pace. She hesitated as she approached, nearly stopping short of Trent. Her hoof thrust out, coming to rest firmly in his hand, just as her legs would carry her no further. She looked up, trembling and breathing heavily through nervous shudders.
Trent smiled back.
“You did very well.”
Fluttershy’s back stiffened, and her legs straightened. She rose to look at Trent.
“I don’t think I could have come this far without you.”
“I don’t think you would have come very far without yourself.”
She broke into a short laugh.
“Um, Trent? That joke was pretty terrible too.”
“Heh. Yes it was, wasn’t it.”
Trent turned to look at the brown and white pony standing by the edge of the ramp.
“Captain Laurie!”
“What.”
“Did you say that the Celestia’s guards were looking to setup a perimeter around here?”
“Yes, assuming they haven’t buggered off and left already.”
“Ahh... It appears to be your lucky day then!”
Laurie groaned hard enough to make himself heard.
“We won’t be longer than a minute. Just going inside to get something.”
“Whatever.” Laurie snapped off a salute, before turning and stiffly marching several paces toward the opening in the mesh. At this point, he tossed his satchel to the ground, fished out a dog-eared pocketbook, and laid down.
“Miss Fluttershy, are you ready to continue?”
She looked up at the dark interior one more time, swallowing nervously.
“Yes, I think...”
“Splendid!”
Trent snapped his fingers, and the two ramps shot upwards, sealing against the belly of the craft with a tight hiss. Trent and Fluttershy were gone.
* * *
|
shalrath
|
1219
| 12 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Derpy Hooves,Discord,Main 6,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Human,Adventure,Comedy,Dark,Sad,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
The End
|
A friendly stranger delivers some unsettling knowledge about Life, the Universe, and Everything.
|
incomplete
| 674 | 40 |
<p>A visitor arrives in Equestria, bearing a wealth of knowledge and a troubled past. The Mane 6 are quick to befriend the stranger, who helps them to discover what they truly value in life, and how to achieve it.</p><p>But learning to overcome their fears and achieve their desires comes at a steep price, paid by their innocence.</p>
|
teen
|
2012-12-13T20:27:52+00:00
|
2012-12-13T20:27:52+00:00
| 10,595 |
* * *
Fluttershy buckled from the sudden jolt upwards. The acceleration stopped abruptly, leaving her suspended in air for a brief moment, legs scrambling to regain their purchase.
The last rays of daylight narrowed to a thin band. A razor-fine sliver that shone brilliantly against the pitch blackness surrounding her. And then it was gone, leaving no hint of the world outside.
She swung her head from side to side in panic, straining to see.
“Trent! Trent!” she cried softly.
“I’m here.” She could feel his steady grip around her forehoof.
“I can’t see. I can’t see anything!”
“Ahh, but you can hear me, yes?”
“Yes,” she whimpered.
“You can sense many things, even without your sight. Concentrate on those. What can you feel?”
“I’m scared.”
“That’s okay.”
“No, no, no. It’s not. I’m afraid Trent.”
“It’s okay,” he said soothingly. “I’ve been afraid of many things too.”
“But... What about this? Are you afraid of this?”
“No. It’s just a dark room. Now, I’ll turn the lights on in a moment, but there’s something I want you to do for me first.”
She responded through a whimper and a nod.
“Relax. Don’t panic. You’re perfectly safe here, even if your mind is screaming otherwise. Can you do that for me?”
“Y.. Yes,” she stammered.
“Just try to relax. Relax harder, if you have to. Breathe slowly. You’re in control of yourself, even if it doesn’t feel that way.”
“Okay,” she said. Her hoof returned to the floor. A metallic tap that pinged into the cavernous space, echoing back softly.
“Are you still afraid?”
“Yes! Well... No, actually. Just a little, now.” She tapped at the floor again.
“You’re doing very well. I think that’s rather brave of you.”
“Ohh, but I don’t feel very brave.”
“That’s okay. If you didn’t feel a little afraid at first, then you wouldn’t be brave at all. Just foolhardy, or overconfident. And that sort of approach can end very badly.”
“Oh, I see.”
“You can never really know what the future holds, and every little step along the way may bring it’s own surprises.”
“And the future is the unknown. That’s what you said, right?”
“Yes. And there’s no shame in being cautious. Anyways, I’m about to turn the lights on. Close your eyes for a moment, will you?”
“Okay,” she said. Her eyes squeezed shut.
There was a high pitched humming noise, and a short silence. It left her feeling dizzy for a moment, which quickly grew into a deeply unsettling sensation. She was falling.
“Trent! Trent!” she shouted, as her eyelids shot open. The lights overhead flared to life, causing her to wince as she shut them tightly again. Her hooves scrabbled at the steel floor until she could no longer feel it.
“Easy there,” he said.
Fluttershy’s hooves tapped the steel deck again, as the feeling of weight returned, and her stomach no longer felt as if it was trying to crawl out through her throat.
“What was that?” she demanded, cautiously opening her eyes again.
“Fun!” he squealed, through a big stupid grin.
She looked aside from Trent for a moment. Smooth steel walls surrounded her, slowly coming into focus through the bleary afterimage of the overhead lights. Blackened spots resolved into a regular pattern of squat mushroom shaped rubber protrusions. A coarse mesh of vivid purple and muted grey rope netting strung taut between them.
The room was spacious, yet it felt cramped. A minuscule volume compared to the hulking mass of the structure outside. The utilitarian scheme left any single feature as wholly unremarkable. Yet taken together, they conveyed a sense of dizzying precision and fluidly organic design.
“Trent?” She asked again. “What was that, really? It felt like I was falling. No... I was falling! I left the ground without moving my wings!”
“Ahh, that was artificially induced gravity. Mind you, not quite the same as artificial gravity. Two totally different principles. Even if we sometimes use the word interchangeably...”
“What? What do you mean by artificial?” The words made sense by themselves, but felt unpleasantly foreign when used together.
“Come to think of it, that was actually the lack of gravity. Artificial, or otherwise.”
Fluttershy lowered herself to the deck. It pressed back against her, reassuringly.
“But... Gravity pulls everypony down. How could it stop? Did you make it stop?”
“Errmm... No and yes, but not really.”
“Trent!”
“Well, you know what gravity is, right. Or at least we both have the same general concept. It’s the force that pulls you down. But that’s not exactly the most accurate way to describe it.”
“Okay...”
“In a nutshell, mass makes gravity. Planets have a lot of mass, so they make the gravity that holds you down.”
“Oh, thank Luna.”
“What?”
“For bringing out the planets at night.”
“Ehh... The ball of rock you’ve been standing on all morning is a planet too. That’s what makes the gravity that you feel.”
Fluttershy responded wordlessly with a look of stunned disbelief.
“So, there’s that. Gravity. Scary stuff actually... You know we used to think it was the weakest of the four fundamental forces in the universe. I mean, it still is, for most intents and purposes. And that’s not to say that it’s as strong, or stronger than the other forces, because that’s a meaningless comparison. There’s no fixed way to measure it really, especially since we haven’t really nailed down whether it’s weakly interacting, or it simply has a.. “long” way to get to our dimension. Either way though, thank whatever deity you ascribe to that we’re pretty well insulated from it.”
“...What?”
“I’m sorry, I’ll try to keep it straightforward. Planets have lots of mass, mass makes gravity, and that’s why trees grow up, and we fall down. Any questions?”
Her usual countenance of surprise and terror has been firmly stuck in baffled incredulity for some time now. Finally she spoke.
“Then where did the gravity go?”
“Ahh, perhaps you should ask, ‘where did the planet go?’”
The look of surprise and terror returned with a vengeance.
“Did something happen to Equestria! Is it still there?”
“Nothing happened to it. I’m sure it’s fine.”
“Then... Oh... What’s going on?”
“Discovery!”
“Oh... You don’t make any sense... Ever!” She huffed in frustration.
“Well lets step back for a second. Where are we right now?”
“Inside of a metal box,” she looked around nervously.
“Are you still afraid of this metal box?” He gestured around the cavernous confines.
“Well... No. Not really.”
“Ahh. Splendid! You were afraid when you first ventured inside, but now that you’ve seen it, it’s not nearly as intimidating.”
“But what does that have to do with anything?”
“Well, to venture off on a tangent for a moment, I’d like to say that I’ve appreciated the welcome I’ve received from those I’ve met. Welcomed to Equestria, that is. I only hope to return the favor, and welcome you to my home.”
Fluttershy turned her head around again, looking at the steel bulkheads covered in rope netting.
“Oh... Ah, thank you.” She looked around a bit longer. “Um... Do you like living in a metal box?”
Trent’s hand slapped against his forehead, massaging it firmly.
“Ehh. This is more of a memento than an actual home. Sort of a keepsake, rather. But yes, a steel box is all right, given the alternatives.”
“Oh. Well, it’s.. nice.”
Trent burst out laughing. He leaned over to Fluttershy’s eye level, kicking his feet out as he stooped over. Surprisingly enough, given his sudden panicked flailing, this left him flat against the deck.
“Are you okay?”
“Ugh, yes,” he propped himself up on his elbows. “Sorry about that. Force of habit. Stupid gravity. Anyways, I appreciate your false modesty in my aesthetic adornments. Really isn’t much to look at in here.”
“Um. I could help you.. decorate, maybe?”
“Ohh, no. I appreciate the offer, but I’d prefer not having any free float projectiles bouncing around my hull, no matter how pretty they look. Long story, you’ll understand soon enough.”
She looked slightly miffed.
“Now now... Lets get back to what I mentioned earlier. Discovery, right?”
“What did you mean by that?”
“Discovery! That’s why you’re no longer afraid of a metal box. You know what it is now!” He shuffled towards her across the floor, pushing himself up to her eye level.
“Oh...”
“And not just that, but you faced your fears, even if you were more afraid that you’ve ever been in your whole life. Before you had any idea of what was inside here.”
“Well, maybe.”
“You did. Don’t be shy about it.”
She squeaked softly, as she nodded in begrudging agreement.
“And most important of all - you had the drive to press forward. You could have backed off easily enough, but you didn’t. Just stepping onto that ramp was a profound decision on your part. Think about it... Think back to all the times where you were given the opportunity to take part in some sort of adventure, activity, or romantic pursuit. All those chances lost forever, simply because you never took that first step.”
“Oh. Um...” She blushed slightly. “Was it really that important?”
“I would say so. Do you remember what I said while we were back in Equestria?”
“What?”
“I mean, when we were still outside, before we stepped onto the ramp?”
She eyed Trent strangely.
“You told me what was inside here.”
“Yes.”
“The unknown. The future.”
“Yes. Then what happened?”
“Oh... I came, and I saw it” she said meekly.
“And you conquered it!” Trent cheered, grasping her forehooves and standing, holding them high in triumph.
“Meep!” she replied. The maniacal grin of flesh-rending teeth bared just inches from her nose.
“Sorry, I’ll put you back down. Anyways, as I was saying, the future is the unknown. It will always be the unknown. You may fear the unknown, or you may face it. And to face it, you only need three things. Curiosity, conviction, and courage. And you have demonstrated all three just now.”
“Oh, my... Um.”
“Don’t argue with yourself. You know it’s true.”
The hint of a smile began to spread over Fluttershy’s face.
“Is that what you wanted to show me?”
“Ohh, no. This is just the start of it. There are many things ahead of us that are much scarier, and much more dangerous than just a dark metal box. And you will face them. This was just practice.”
The smile vanished.
“Um...”
“Stop saying ‘Um’.”
“I... I don’t think I can go through with this,” her voice trembled.
“Hmm. Are you sure of that?”
She nodded quietly.
“Even if it meant that you never learned how to fly fast, gain self confidence, face down terrifying encounters, or even find the love of your life?”
She nodded again. Her eyes clenched shut, as several tears began to stream down her soft yellow fur.
“Would you do it, if it meant that you could help others?”
Her head hung like a wilted rose, but it did not rise.
“Is that a maybe?”
Fluttershy nodded firmly.
“Well, you have time to think about it. All the time in the world, really.”
“Thank you.” she breathed.
“Now, you did ask me, how I fly... Did you not?”
“Y... Yes. You said something about an... Air... Plane.”
“Would you like to see one?”
She was quiet for a moment, before whispering, “Okay.”
“That’s the spirit. Let’s go!”
“Go where?”
“Right outside,” he gestured back to the leveled ramp.
“Ohh... Are we done in here?”
“Yep. No more scary metal box.”
She rolled her eyes, and sighed, stepping forward onto the ramp.
“Thank you for inviting me in here.”
“The pleasure is mine. Anyways, brace yourself, I’ll lower the ramp now.”
“Okay,” she exhaled, as her gaze sank to the deck.
There was a soft hiss of metal sliding against metal, and the ramp twitched with a loud twang. Slowly it began to lower.
It was pitch black outside.
“Trent!” she gasped. “Something’s wrong! Why is it so dark now?”
He walked past her, unperturbed; disappearing within the inky void at the base of the ramp.
“Trent! Officer Lancaster! Hello?” She raced down the ramp, her hooves tinging against the folded metal channels. She reached the base, and froze.
She had left the ramp, but her hooves still tapped loudly against metal. The echos of each step reverberated from far in the distance.
“Trent?”
The ramp lifted with a soft whirr, sealing against the belly of the craft, and shuttering away the only source of light with it.
“Fluttershy?”
“Trent!”
“Remember what I said. Just relax.”
Far overhead, tiny pinpricks of light began to glow and flicker. Fluttershy looked up with relief.
“Ohhh... Thank Luna for the stars on this night.”
“And thank the Kreshtahl - Phillips Electric Glass Company for the XAP 7500 halide arc element array.”
“What?”
“Close your eyes.”
“Why!”
The pinpricks of light exploded like a string of firecrackers; each blazing with fury of a bottled star, each flash accompanied by the sharp retort of high amperage breakers slamming closed. The light bathed them, and the heat shone through the bright yellow fur of her back.
“EEEEEeeeee!” She squealed, huddled against the deck with both forelegs pressed across her face.
“I told you,” Trent sighed.
Slowly she peered out, blinking away the searing after-images through wide bleary eyes. The world slowly came into focus.
She stood upright, forcing her eyes open. Her jaw slowly dropped. She blinked again, several times, trying to comprehend what was before her.
It was a canyon of metal.
Steel platforms jutted from the far wall, like the many parallel combs within a honeybee hive. Embossed panels laid flat over each cell. The smallest doors were packed into many layers of neat rows. The largest doors surpassed their entire length. Every flat surface bore a myriad of geometric lines that followed unseen contours. Each set of lines tracing out a network of paths and regions, each colored from one of many unique rainbow hues.
A haze hung in the gulf before her, twinkling as motes of dust within the beams of the sun. It obscured the far wall slightly, but only slightly, compared to the distance that stripped away any sense of scale.
“Trent?” she asked, her voice shaky and nearly cracking. “Where are we...”
Something had caught the corner of her eye, and she turned to look. Where the far wall could be discerned as a tiled mosaic of steel doors, the wall to her left appeared just the same - but from the perspective of an ant. She swiftly turned around. The wall to her right stretched onward in the same manner. Above, both walls met along a vaulted ceiling. An impossibly large rectangle, framed by the harsh blinding glow of halide arc lamps, loomed overhead. If it were a door, it would span the Ghastly Gorge.
“Okay, okay,” Trent intoned. “It’s just another metal box. Just a bit bigger than the last one. Oh... Just don’t look down.”
She looked down.
The floor beneath her was yet another door - opened away from the vast wall, hanging as a tiny precipice over a cavernous pit. The platform extended nearly fifty feet out into the empty space, and its width spanned twice that distance. But as she turned her gaze down, past the sharp edges of the steel platform, did the sheer enormity of the bay began to sink in. It stretched out below, farther than the height of the ceiling. The depths receded into darkness, punctuated only by the sporadic flickering of smaller burnt out fluorescent bulbs.
Fluttershy responded with a long slow gasp, steadily inhaling as her eyes tried to fixate on the distant reaches of the entire bay.
“Told you...”
She shivered, backing away slowly. Her legs fighting against terror stricken paralysis.
“Where are we?” she gasped. “There’s nothing nearly this big in Equestria!”
“Yep.”
Trent stood with his thumbs hooked into his pockets. The toes of his boots extended just over a green and red line that bisected the platform. Fluttershy dashed towards him, flapping her wings to bring herself to his eye level.
“Ohh, careful about that line there,” he pointed at the deck.
She barely had time to look before she flew over the line. The uneasy sensation of falling returned immediately.
“AHHhhhh! Trent!” Her legs galloped mid air, furtively clawing towards the steel deck, less than a foot out of reach.
“Now just relax. Use your wings... Oh, wait.”
She tried to twist around to face Trent, and began pumping her wings furiously. However, instead of flying back to the platform, she simply shot up like a cork in a bathtub.
A high pitched echoing scream steadily diminished as she sailed onwards and upwards.
“Told you...” Trent sighed as he shook his head. He looked up at the flailing yellow and pink pegasus, as he absentmindedly kicked himself across the green and red line with the tips of his toes. He folded his arms together and threw his head forward, slowing his body as he bent his legs. His arms shot upwards as he crouched, moving smoothly with the grace of an underwater ballet dancer.
The deck pressed against the soles of his boots for just a moment, and he was off.
* * *
By most standards, which included week days, weekends, week nights, holidays, or besiegement by hostile supernatural beings, it was a relatively slow day at the Ponyville Library. Twilight paced the main floor with mechanical determination. She was too engrossed in thought to read, and too impatient to relax. The thick walls of her wooden sanctuary grew imposing as the hours passed, a solitary confinement within a fortress of knowledge.
She trotted up the stairs again, surveying the wreckage of her bedroom. Coiled metal springs, torn strips of fabric, and wooden splinters carpeted the polished wooden floorboards where her bed once stood.
“Urrrghhh...” she muttered. The thoughts racing through her mind demanded to be discussed, yet there had been nopony to talk with since Applebloom had left. And even then, that which she had to say could not simply be told to anyone.
“Spike, take a letter. Ohh...”
Spike was gone.
She trotted over to her writing desk, sighing in exasperation when she remembered that it too had become no more than a mound of jagged sawdust.
“Oh sweet Celestia, how much longer is it going to be.”
A small flare of magic from her horn, and her bedside clock zipped in front of her face. Unfortunately, it had been crushed into a small shiny ball, the size of a marble.
“Ughh... No, wait. You can fix this, Twilight. Just have to un-crush it until it’s exactly how it was before.”
She concentrated. The magical glow from the tip of her horn brightened considerably. She tried to unfold the steel ball, but it had become fused together as a single lump. Her teeth gritted as she tried a new approach, squishing the molten steel like a piece of clay, flattening it into a bowl shape, and painstakingly forming a sharp crease to make the base of an open cylinder.
The result of her horn-work was held high for inspection. However, while looking vaguely like a clock, it lacked certain important functions, such as the counting of time. And while she did pour a considerable amount of effort and perspiration into the reconstruction, the most positive aspect she could think of to describe it was that it wasn’t completely lumpy everywhere.
Twilight sighed. The clock dropped. A small patch of her floor began to smoulder and smoke.
“Eeep!” she exclaimed, stamping the ersatz timepiece into the approximation of a tin platter. Tiny flames began to creep out from underneath.
“Oh no, no no...” she frantically looked around her bedroom for something to extinguish the miniature blaze. There! A small wooden bucket with a toothbrush sticking out, and a frothy solution of mint-flavored baking soda inside. Perfect! She darted over to the bucket, jammed her face into the rim, and slurped up as much of the regurgitated mouthwash as she could hold, before racing back to the small charred spot on her floor. The flames had nearly died out, leaving a few charred spots where the hot metal had touched. Though, still In a panic, she straddled the minuscule conflagration and spurted the foamy fluid all over the floor. The remains of the tin clock sizzled briefly, and all was silent.
Silent, save for the despair laden groan of the most intelligent, smartest, and scientifically minded pony in all of Ponyville.
She looked back to the small bucket, experimentally lifting it with her magic, before letting it drop. The bucket hit the floor, and her hoof smacked her forehead, both with a loud synchronised *thwack*.
“Oooh, don’t break anything else, Twilight,” she mumbled derisively in Spike’s deeper voice. “Oh, whatever would I do without you, Spike?”
This, obviously.
Twilight flung open the doors to the balcony, seeking escape from the demolished bedroom. Her hooves kicked through the pile of rolled scrolls as she stepped outside into the afternoon sunlight.
It warmed her fur, and set her eyes squinting. She looked up cautiously, shuttering her eyelids as she tried to look at the glowing orb that hung motionless in the blue sky. At the edge of the balcony, her telescope hung in it’s cradle, pointing down at the wooden deck.
“And the sun is a star...” she said absentmindedly. “Hmmm.”
She walked over as she lifted the wide lens with her magic, pointing it at the stellar furnace.
“What do they look like up close... Wait... What!”
A small spot on the deck quickly charred and burst into flames. She stared at it momentarily as she let the telescope drift. An invisible line of flame sprouted up, tracing away from the first spot.
“Oh Celestia! Not again!” She raced back inside, bringing out the bucket with the last few ounces of liquid. It splashed across the deck, extinguishing the guttering flame, and dripping down to the branches below.
She collapsed to the deck, sobbing quietly. The telescope had returned to it’s original state, staring blindly at the ground.
“I can’t do anything right,” she wailed.
She stayed that way for nearly a minute, before her head shot upright. An inquisitive look vied to replace her expression of despair. Slowly she approached the spot on the deck where flames had mysteriously erupted.
They traced a line, punctuated by larger spots where the fire had been more intense. But still, it made little sense. The element of fire could only be conjured through a set number of well defined conditions.
1. Dragons.
2. More fire.
3. Close proximity to things that were previously on fire.
4. Friction.
5. Lightning
6. Meteorites.
7. Angry mobs.
8. Sparks - electrical, or otherwise.
9. Unattended children.
10. Improper handling of magnifying glasses. (See 9. Unattended children)
She tallied the list in her mind, paying attention to the last entry. A telescope was very similar to a magnifying glass! Yes! She was making progress. And when combined with the ninth entry, ‘unattended children’...
Twilight rolled her eyes and scowled, shaking her head with a snort.
Moving on. Magnifying glasses focused light. However, a focused point of light was simply very bright - and thus no different from standing next to a very large light bulb. And while a large light bulb could be very warm, you could only feel that within inches of the surface, yet you could see its light for miles away.
She scowled a bit longer, mentally wrestling with the many varying sets of data. As she thought, she wished that Trent were here to give her a clue - as he seemed to know everything about anything.
Electromagnetic radiation. That’s what he called it. He even said that heat and light were both different kinds of electro...
Twilight’s eyes shot open. Heat and light were both electromagnetic radiation - but differing in terms of energy. Energy! Both heat and light had energy, the same sort that could be measured in the work done by a draft pony, or the energy in a speeding locomotive. She pranced back towards the telescope, feeling the warmth of the sun beat down upon her back and flank as she left the shade.
If a lens could focus light, then perhaps it could focus heat as well. And where focused light would appear brighter, focused heat would simply be hotter. Or, perhaps it wouldn’t even matter, since both light and heat were simply invisible carriers of energy.
She tilted the telescope back to the sun. To her delight, a tiny patch of the deck began to smolder and burn within seconds.
Science!
* * *
The steel plates drifted by as Fluttershy sailed along weightlessly. Her breaths came in fast shallow puffs, as her heart pounded within her chest, and the contents of her stomach demanded immediate relocation.
Suddenly she caught sight of Trent, drifting up alongside her. He stood casually with his thumbs hooked into his pockets, appearing to lean back within an invisible elevator.
“What’s up?” he asked casually, concealing the traces of a smirk.
“Trent! Help!”
“Why?”
“We’re flying upwards, out of control!” she shrieked.
“Ohh... Okay. Don’t worry, I’ve got just the thing.”
Trent slowly lifted his knee and extended his leg, before swinging it down swiftly. He began to tumble through half a rotation, before he kicked his leg out again, and slowly brought it back. His arms extended, and he brought them in suddenly, one clutched to his chest, and the other behind his back. As he spun around to face Fluttershy again, he flung his arms back out, and slowed to a stop.
“Now we’re falling downwards! Problem solved.”
“But we’re still moving!”
“Says who? What if we’re standing still, and the whole ship is moving?”
“Ship? What?”
“Listen, I could use your help here in a second. You have wings, and I have a B plus in college physics. I think we can work together here.”
“How?”
“Well, you know how gravity always pulls you down, right? Your wings are designed to lift you up. However, without gravity, that seems to throw you off a bit. But you can still fly in here! You just have to know which direction to flap them.”
“Oh... Okay,” She stuttered.
“Look towards me, and push your wings behind you, like you were pushing yourself through water.”
Fluttershy bent her wings downward, and flapped a few times experimentally. The distance between her and Trent narrowed.
“Oh, my! Trent, I’m doing it!”
“Very good. Now give me your hooves.”
Hand and hoof clasped together in the free floating void.
“Now if you want us to slow down, you just need to spread your wings, and let air resistance take care of the rest. Okay?”
“Okay!” She said, as her wings thrust outward to plow into the still air. As promised, she began to slow down quickly, yet Trent kept going.
The two tumbled wildly, holding on as centripetal forces firmly stretched their bodies apart. Fluttershy gasped at Trent, who smiled as the vista of steel plates, bright lights, and cavernous depths spun behind him.
“Now this next part is a bit tricky. We want to get back to the walls there, because the catwalks have artificial grav... I mean, artificially induced gravity.”
“TREEENNNNTTT!”
“Just remember, keep your hooves pointed downwards. I mean, in the direction you’re travelling... No, wait. Keep them pointed in the direction of whatever you’re going to run into first, and then just flap your wings normally to slow down. Okay?”
“What?!”
“Here we go! Frame change, frame change!”
Trent’s hands sprang open, and the two parted ways at a modest velocity with respect to each other.
“You’re doing very well,” he shouted across the bay. “It might be a little confusing at first, but I’m sure you’ll pick it up as we go. In fact, this is a really good way to demonstrate Newton’s three laws of motion!”
A terrified scream echoed back in response.
“And Doppler shifting too. Anyways, hold tight, and I’ll be over there in a minute.”
As he sailed towards the wall, Trent pulled up the legs of his pants, and kicked. A set of stilts unfolded from the back of his calves, locking in place beneath his boots with the quickness of a switchblade. He scissored his arms and legs as he floated, orienting his feet towards the rapidly approaching array of steel doors.
The rubberized talons at the tip of each stilt connected firmly with the wall, compressing a stiff spring just above his heels. His legs bent as he came to a stop, and then he rocketed back out into the bay. He pressed his toes down, and the stilts unfolded into a set of fins, clear plastic stretched taut between the carbon fiber poles.
“Now, just open your wings up like we practiced. Burn off some of that delta-V you’ve got.”
Fluttershy had tried to point her hooves towards the oncoming wall, but exactly the opposite had occurred. She looked directly up in horror, to see the enormous array of steel bulkhead approaching rapidly. With nothing left to try, she shut her eyes, and spread her wings wide, feeling for a moment like she was laying gently on her back, with only the soft puffy vapors of a cloud holding her up. The feeling slowly diminished, and the sensation of falling returned. Her eyes squeezed shut even tighter as she prepared for the impact that should have happened already.
After some time, after Fluttershy was sure that she should have crashed painfully into the far wall, she timidly opened one eyelid to peer out. She had half expected to see Nurse Redheart, and the ceiling of the Ponyville hospital. Instead, there was Trent.
“Well done!” he exclaimed.
“Whaa?” She looked up. The steel wall of the bay was only several feet away. The catwalk, several yards off to her left.
Trent swam through the air, circling her with the patient undulation of a shark in still waters.
“You’re getting the hang of it.”
“No!” she cried. “No, I’m not! This is too much for me, Trent! I can’t do the things that you can.”
“Look. There’s nothing special about me. If I can do it, you can too. You just need to relax a bit. More thinking, less panicking.”
She whimpered, looking sidelong at the catwalk.
“Now, I’d just like to point out something here to make this a bit less confusing. This is artificially induced artificial gravity. Rather than centripetal artificial gravity, or actual artificially induced gravity - because that’s what we use to tear starships in half, smash planets from the inside out, or strip the coronal gas from stars. Told you, it’s scary stuff. Anyways, it’s a bit different, which is why it feels like real gravity, but it only has a few yards of range before it tails off. Whole loads cheaper on the energy requirements too. Many orders of magnitude. That’s why we can use it all over the place here... Ugh, are you even listening to me?”
She looked back at Trent, still too frightened to respond. Trent sighed, and gave her a gentle push. She drifted towards the catwalk slowly at first, and then more quickly. Her wings flapped, and she settled down normally, hugging the metal pole that served as a guard rail.
As she watched, Trent floated down outside the catwalk. His leg shot out, and the rubberized talons of his stilt grasped the rail, pulling him inward. The other stilt pressed firmly on the catwalk, and he towered before her, standing nearly a foot taller.
“Are you okay there?”
She looked past him, staring at the wall that joined the two sides of the bay. It appeared as several massive segments of steel plating, with unreadable inscriptions that towered as high as a small mountain.
“Trent? What does that say?”
“Hmm, that? Two Alpha dash Three Alpha.”
“What does it mean?”
“It means we’re in bay Two Alpha, and Three Alpha is on the other side. So we’re facing aft.”
“What?”
“And we’re going to bay Four Bravo, so we’ll have to go through here, and transit across Three Charlie. That stands for centerline, by the way. That’s the maintenance area on this ship.”
“I... I don’t understand.”
“You will. Just follow me.”
“But, where are we going?” she asked, as they approached the expansive barrier.
“Through this door.”
“That’s a door!?” she shouted in surprise.
“Yup. Watch this.”
Trent thrust his hand into the air, and snapped his fingers. All around the door, red lights began to spin, and green lights flashed. An ear-splitting klaxon alarm blared, sending Fluttershy’s hooves to clamp over her ears. He pointed at the door with two fingers outstretched, and swept his arm to the other side of the bay. The door shot open along its rails, each segment racing aside and slamming into the next with a terrible crash that made the catwalk shake repeatedly.
Beyond the door lay a pitch black cavern. Lights flared overhead, and the terrifying expanse of the next bay was abruptly revealed. Not terrifying for it’s size, but for the simple fact that it was exactly the same size as the enormous steel canyon that they already stood in.
Several seconds passed. Fluttershy’s jaw hung open and her eyes bulged. Eventually she gasped for breath, despite her exemplary imitation of a stone statue.
“Ready to go see an airplane?”
A high pitched squeak came as her reply.
“We need to get to the other side over there. It’s about half a mile altogether, so you’ve got the choice of taking the catwalk, or going there directly. You can take your time, either way.”
“All the way over there?” she whispered.
“Yep. See ya on the other side,” he said, as he stepped to the edge of the catwalk, his stilts gripping the polished rail.
She peered over the edge, retreating back from depths with a newfound sense of acrophobia.
“Ironically enough, it only feels like you’re falling when you’re in the place where you aren’t falling.”
“Whaat?”
Trent rolled his eyes. “In other words... Screw gravity!”
He bent his knees and kicked off from the rail, swimming through the expanse with his fins kicking behind him.
She watched as he departed. As she crept back to the edge of the catwalk, she cautiously stuck one hoof over the rail, feeling the tug of gravity diminish. She flapped her wings and lifted away from the catwalk, prodding the weightless space again with one outstretched foreleg.
Several deep breaths later, she closed her eyes, gritted her teeth, and fell into the free float void.
* * *
Twilight scribbled furiously in her notebook. She flipped back several pages to re-read her findings.
Name: Twilight Sparkle
Experiment: Study of the effects of focused sunlight on various objects. For Science.
Hypothesis: Direct sunlight appears to have several components, including heat and light, as well as potential others not yet discovered. This experiment uses the assumption that heat and light are both forms of electromagnetic radiation (see footnote 1), which differ only by the energy inherit to the wavelength (see footnote 2) of each. Furthermore, it is theorized that wave-like properties of light may have an additional component of amplitude (footnote 3), which may play into the energy conveyed (footnote 4), yet the experimental apparatus does not yet allow for any discernible measurement of this distinction at this time.
Experimental Apparatus(s):
1: The Sun (1)
2: One (1) telescope, pointed at the Sun.
3: One (1) small wooden bucket with a thermometer inside, and a marking inside to allow the bucket to be refilled with the same volume of water between experiments.
4: Secondary bucket (1) to refill the first bucket, and provide unexpected conflagration control.
5: Various objects, (many) as described in Observational Reports.
Observational Reports:
1: Wooden planks.
Observation: Caught on fire.
Notes: I’m sure that can be buffed out.
2: Toothbrush.
Observation: Melted, then caught on fire.
Notes: This wasn’t really my best idea.
3: Large rock.
Observation: Warmed up considerably over the course of ten (10) seconds. When dropped in bucket of water, noticed the temperature rose by three (3) degrees.
Notes: Acquire oven mitts.
4. Small rocks
Observation: Exploded.
Notes: That wasn’t supposed to happen!!
5: Loose paper.
Observation: Caught on fire immediately.
Notes: Lost due to fire. Previous entries of this report have been transcribed to this notebook from memory.
6: Mirror.
Observation: Nothing happened.
Notes: Acquire sunglasses.
7: Remains of former bedside clock.
Observation: Melted within seconds.
Notes: Former bedside clock suffered magically induced topological deformation prior to experimentation, which also produced a buildup of heat. It is possible that magical energy, when applied through momentary lapses of sanity, can also induce a transfer of energy, which in turn exhibits a buildup of heat.
8: Hoof clippings.
Observation: Did not melt, so much as bubble up vigorously, before catching on fire.
Notes: Dear Sweet Celestia, this smelled horrible! Acquire nose plugs.
9: Hair clippings.
Observation: Ditto.
Notes: Ditto.
10: Spoon.
Observation: Heated up unevenly, and deformed when moved. Raised water temperature by about one (1) degree.
Notes: Spoon still serviceable, but no longer matches set.
11: Candle.
Observation: Caught on fire. Vigorously.
Notes: Acquired second bucket of water to deal with unexpected fires that are not part of standard testing procedure.
12: Wooden planks.
Observation: Caught on fire. Vigorously.
Notes: Unplanned repeat of first experimental observation while acquiring secondary water bucket.
13: Glass salt shaker with salt inside.
Observation: Salt melted. Glass exploded.
Notes: Construct barrier to prevent potential exposure to molten salt. Owwwww.
14: Small potted plant.
Observation: Deceased, despite plant’s natural affinity to sunlight.
Notes: This is stupid!
15: Clay pot, containing deceased potted plant.
Observation: Exploded.
Notes: Didn’t see that coming.
Findings: Focused sunlight appears to have many potential uses, if it can be learned to be harnessed safely in large scale. Potential practical uses may include, but not be limited to, renewable energy, fiery destruction of encroaching armies, ore smelting, and demolition of structures that are primarily composed of wooden planks and/or tiny rocks.
It was observed that the ratio of the telescope diameter to the focal area diameter was approximately twelve (12) to one (1), which corresponds to an area ratio of which is considerably smaller. It has become unsettling to consider that the warmth of the sun over a broad area can be turned into such violently hot pinpoint with the use of simple refractive or reflective lenses. Please note that figure three (3) depicts a representational drawing consisting of the Sun, Equestria, and a hypothetical lens between the two, where the lens is depicted as approximately the same size as Equestria itself. This is NOT TO SCALE. I do not want to even imagine what could happen if someone built a lens that big.
Note: Every time I try to divide the ratio of a circular area’s circumference by it’s diameter, I ALWAYS get an answer somewhere between 3.13 and 3.145, with my most accurate measurement being close to 3.1415. This is incredibly frustrating, and I feel like I must be doing something completely wrong. I, as your faithful student, and in the interest of my elective scientific pursuits, will vow to figure out what’s going on here.
Twilight slapped the notebook shut, surveying the disaster that had become her balcony. Still, it was oddly satisfying, despite the numerous mishaps.
And by numerous, she meant nearly all of them.
A copy of the Canterlot Royal College Handbook of Alchemy and Magic lay open next to her. The list of ten (10) conditions for the creation of fire were crossed out, with the word “Energy!” scribbled in the margin. This too was crossed out, and replaced with “Energy divided by area x time”. She felt giddy at the thought of publishing a correction to the venerable old book. The “Big Red Paperweight” as it was known in scholarly circles, and the “Twelve Inches of Terror” to students who were unlucky enough to punished by transcribing various chapters.
Her hooves rubbed together gleefully. There would be fame! There would be recognition!
There would be a big fat research grant!
The telescope faced back to the charred deck again, and she looked wistfully back towards the sky - her eyes skirting the glare of the Sun.
Something didn’t quite look right though - and it wasn’t because of the botched mirror experiment. There was a tiny shape casting a shadow at the edge of the fiery disc. She squinted her eyes tightly for a better look.
The tiny shape was growing larger.
She gasped, and threw herself to the balcony’s deck as the shape sprouted a pair of wings, and rocketed through a fishhook turn, clearing the railing of the balcony by mere inches and sweeping through the open doors to her bedroom.
Twilight stood gasping at the intruder. While it vaguely resembled an overgrown pegasus, her eyes could barely focus upon it properly. It bore a patchwork suit of irregular swatches, each overlapping like the scales of a dragon. Where she could have sworn that the suit was a perfect sky blue with traces of puffy white and grey just moments before, it now resembled the colors of her bedroom. Brown and tan, with a smattering of other colors she recognized as belonging to the covers of the many books that littered her floor and shelves.
“Who... Who are you!” Twilight gasped.
The intruder’s horn flared beneath the hood of the camouflaged suit, and Twilight felt herself picked up, and swept inside.
The balcony doors slammed shut behind her.
|
shalrath
|
1219
| 13 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Derpy Hooves,Discord,Main 6,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Human,Adventure,Comedy,Dark,Sad,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
The End
|
A friendly stranger delivers some unsettling knowledge about Life, the Universe, and Everything.
|
incomplete
| 674 | 40 |
<p>A visitor arrives in Equestria, bearing a wealth of knowledge and a troubled past. The Mane 6 are quick to befriend the stranger, who helps them to discover what they truly value in life, and how to achieve it.</p><p>But learning to overcome their fears and achieve their desires comes at a steep price, paid by their innocence.</p>
|
teen
|
2012-03-14T05:55:05+00:00
|
2012-03-14T05:55:05+00:00
| 9,382 |
* * *
“Yaay, Fluttershy! You’re doing it! Woohoo!”
She flapped her wings with growing confidence. Her head craned up as far as it would go, and her hooves dangled behind her. Trent swam lazily ahead, kicking his fins through the air as he pretended to backstroke across an invisible lake.
“Now I want you to try something real quick. I want you to kick your left legs backwards, and your right legs forward. Hard as you can. Okay?”
“Ooo.. Okay!”
She kicked forward and backwards simultaneously, and the world began to spin.
“Eeeeee!” she squealed, as she spiraled along.
“Now do it again, but exactly the opposite. Left legs forward, right legs back.”
Her eyes closed as she kicked again. She cautiously opened them again to see the whole world upside down, but more or less stationary again.
“Good job!” Trent clapped.
“Ohh. Thank you!”
“Now, do you see that wall we’re about to painfully crash into?”
She did. She gasped.
“Right... I’ll take your moment of silence as a cognizant response, pursuant to my previous comment...”
“TRENT!”
“Just follow my lead. All of your legs, kick them back at the same time, and then forward once you’ve spun around. Just like me. Watch!”
He curled his knees to his chest, flipping backwards through half of a somersault. His legs straightened again, and he came to rest staring back at Fluttershy.
“Your turn!”
She kicked and rolled, angling her neck downward to follow the new orientation. The wall was nearly upon them, and she began to flap her wings instinctively.
“Ahh, very good.”
“Trent!” her voice rose with a hint of panic.
“You’re doing fine, don’t worry!”
“No, no! Trent!”
“What is it?”
“Behind you!”
“What? Oh Shi...”
Trent smacked into the bulkhead with a resounding bang, and then fell to the walkway above, landing with all the grace of an anesthetized cat.
“Oooh! Trent!” Fluttershy cried, as she vectored in to land. She kicked the wall, rebounding up to the underside to the ledge, and settled next to the supine pile of askew limbs.
“Are you okay?”
A semi-lucid groan came as the only response.
“Will you be okay!” She asked again, gently nuzzling his shoulder.
“Eventually... Owwww... You don’t mind if I lay here for a few minutes, do you?”
“I don’t mind. Um... You don’t feel any broken bones, do you?”
“No. Don’t think so, anyways.”
“Can you feel this?” Her hooves pressed gently along his shins and thighs.
“Yes...”
“And what about... Ohh! Ohh no.”
“What?”
“Ohh! It’s horrible!”
“What is it?”
“Trent! You’re bleeding!”
“Huh?” He tried to lift his head to look, but a hoof to his chest gently pressed him back.
“No, stay there. Let me think for a second. I know it looks bad, but I need you to stay with me,” she commanded.
As she trotted nervously in a tight circle on the narrow catwalk, Trent looked down and prepared himself for the worst.
The non-skid polycrete of the catwalk had thoroughly lacerated his trousers around the knees. Beneath that, the flesh was bruised, and lightly perforated with thousand tiny pinpricks. Blood oozed forth as semi-coagulated droplets.
“Ooh, that does look serious,” he said.
“What can we do?”
“Well, there is a medical facility, about thirty decks down,” he gestured with his thumb hooked towards the dark abyss. “Centerline, near the first beam.”
Fluttershy crept to the edge of the catwalk, looking down. The light from above did not reach all the way below. Strange shapes sent sinister shadows as spotlights strobed silently.
“Down there?” she asked quietly.
“Mmm hmm.” He laid his head back and rolled his eyes. “Don’t know if I’ll make it without an aspirin and a band-aid.”
As he tried to sit up, Fluttershy pressed him down again.
“Trent. Hold still. I have an idea.”
“Whaaa?”
Fluttershy bit into Trent’s belt, and tugged him towards the edge of the catwalk. She trotted to the other side, and pushed in the small of his back until he slid under the handrail and fell off the ledge, floating freely in the bay.
“Oh.. Thanks...” he mumbled, slowly tumbling into the void.
Fluttershy dove from the catwalk, flapping her wings in tight controlled bursts until she was just underneath Trent.
“Now hold on tight!”
“Ahh...” He lay across her back with his arms around her neck. “You’re the best, Fluttershy.”
* * *
Twilight let out a surprised yelp as she dropped to the floor. The intruder towered before her, asymmetric and indistinct behind the patchwork camouflage. It let out a mirthful sigh in a feminine voice that sounded both vaguely familiar, and just slightly sultry.
The purple pony bolted. She headbutted the balcony door and burst outside, filling her lungs to scream for help. A glowing haze of magic gripped her hind legs firmly, and yanked them from beneath her. Her forehooves scratched frantically at the wooden planks, clutching a thick heavy object just before she slipped back into the bedroom.
The doors closed again, locking with an audible click.
She whirled to face the intruder, standing high on her hind legs. She hoisted the twenty pound cube of empirical observations - the bright red CRC Handbook of Alchemy and Magic - high overhead, tensing her body to throw it as hard as she could.
“Back off, lady! I’m a SCIENTIST!” An angry snort underscored her fierce narrowed gaze.
A light chuckle came from the hooded figure.
“Ohh, Twilight...”
She froze briefly, stunned at the sudden familiarity of the voice.
“I have been looking everywhere for that, actually.”
The CRC tome zipped away from Twilight’s hooves, hovering gently beside the intruder.
“Princess... Celestia?”
The hood withdrew, revealing her mentor. Her head bore no crown, and her face was streaked with thick black lines over a patchwork of dark green and earthy brown.
“Twilight, my most prized student. I trust that we are alone?”
Twilight gulped. Her head nodded involuntarily with shocked obedience.
“I have had much on my mind lately. Many thoughts that simply must be shared...” She strode resolutely towards the quivering young unicorn, rustling quietly within her patchwork suit. Her head dipped close to Twilight, as their horns nearly crossed.
“...In private.”
Twilight raised one hoof in meek objection, a placeholder for a lengthy rebuttal against...
She gasped suddenly. Her eyes went wide, her ears folded alongside her head, and a deep blush crept across her face.
“Hmm?” Celestia murmured. She looked up suddenly, casting her eyes about the wreckage of the bedroom. A long whistle escaped her lips as she turned slowly.
There was a short pause before she spoke.
“You know, Twilight,” she said evenly. “I have a book you may wish to borrow. It describes some very useful therapeutic exercises for relieving stress and tension.”
“Princess...”
She turned back suddenly, giving Twilight a sly wink.
“I should know. It’s saved me a small fortune on new furniture lately. Ha ha.”
“Um...”
“Ohh my...” Celestia exhaled with a deep woof. “I wish my bed could end up like... Ahh... Excuse me. Twilight, my faithful student. You have my apologies for this sudden intrusion, but we have much to discuss.”
“Ohh. Is that what you’re here for?” Twilight asked in confusion. The relief in her voice carried a faint tinge of disappointment.
Celestia eyed her strangely for a moment, before giving a slight shake of her head.
“Yes, I’m afraid.”
She unhooked the clasps holding the patchwork suit around her body, and let it shuffle off to the floor. The colors of each ragged cloth faded back to the dull yellow of unbleached cotton. Her wings stretched majestically within the confines of Twilight’s bedroom. Feathers ruffled, and drops of perspiration flew from her flanks and chest.
Twilight could scarcely recognize her. Where her face was swatched with simple black lines and earthy colors, her body was a bedazzling tapestry of stripes and swirls. A canvas of dark pitch and light shades, with brilliant jagged streaks of red and yellow. Where her mane and tail once undulated with a palette of pastel hues, a hot glow of crackling embers radiated in their place.
“Does it suit me, still?” she asked carefully.
Twilight stared, mouth agape. She was at a momentary loss for words, wrestling with the mental image of a phoenix mating with a zebra, and the logistical challenges that implied.
“Princess! I.. I’ve never seen you wearing anything like that!”
“Ahh. It has been some time. Nonetheless, I must remind myself on occasion... Lest I forget my true colors.”
“Your true colors?”
“A figure of speech, dear Twilight.”
“What about that suit you were wearing?”
“Oh... That,” she pushed the lumpy mound of torn fabric with her hind hoof. “It breaks the outline and deceives the eyes.”
She waggled her hips with a mischievous grin.
“And it can add an extra ten pounds where you’d least want it.”
“Huh?”
“It allows me to travel unseen, with only a slight enchantment imbued within it. No magic otherwise. The keen eyes of the Palace guard, and the ethereal senses of the court unicorns are left none the wiser.”
“But... I’ve never seen you wear that either!”
Celestia rolled her eyes.
“Exactly.”
“Why?” Twilight breathed.
“Because!” Celestia exclaimed hotly. She kicked the patchwork suit into a mound and collapsed onto it. “Because... Because.” Her voice grew soft and tailed off, as her head lay heavily across folded legs.
“Because what?” Twilight asked.
Celestia looked upward to her student. She blinked several times, her puffy eyelids wiping away the traces of tears from an unfocused stare. Eyes which bore weary witness to the march of time, yet steadfastly carried depths of wisdom, kindness, and comfort. Eyes which now simply stared back at Twilight, vulnerable and pleading.
The wild colorful patterns of her coat screamed with a predatorial ferocity. Yet, as she lay there in Twilight’s bedroom, atop a patchwork of rags, she looked frightened. Hiding behind the guise of war paint as a young colt might clutch a toy soldier for protection against the shadows lurking at the foot of the bed.
“Twilight... Have I been a fair leader?”
“Um... Of course! Princess, why would you even ask...”
Celestia raised one hoof.
“Have I been kind?”
“Yes.”
Twilight’s earnest words fell upon deaf ears.
“And where my hooves step, and my light warms... Has Equestria been better for it?”
“Princess!” Twilight shouted.
Celestia jerked back slightly, shocked at Twilight’s outburst. Two purple hooves firmly clasped the sides of her head, pulling her eye to eye with her protege.
“I don’t even know where to start with you! First you nearly scared the living oats out of me, flying in here like that. You’re dressed up like it’s Nightmare Night, and you’re set out to win the most terrifying costume category. And now you’re asking me how I think you’re doing as the Princess and ruler of Equestria! It’s crazy! It’s completely unlike you!”
“Twilight, I...”
“Who’s the nicest Princess in Equestria!”
Celestia stared into Twilight’s raving eyes, inching backwards ever so slightly.
“Saaay it!” Her hooves shook Celestia’s head into a forced nod.
“I... I am,” she stammered.
“Who’s the fairest Princess in all the land?” she raised her voice.
“I am,” she sighed.
“Who rules Equestria, and has given us a thousand years of peace and harmony!?”
Celestia stared distantly for a moment, before shaking her head and blinking hard.
“That would be me.”
“That’s right!” Twilight hissed. “That’s you. The Sun Goddess and Princess of Equestria! None other!”
“Yes, Twilight. Now...”
“Now buck up and start acting like it! Don’t ever forget that we always look up to you, and that... Well, and that we will always love you!”
Twilight pulled her close, and planted a kiss to underscore her declarative ultimatum. Celestia’s eyes bulged from the sudden affection, staring wildly in every direction as the seconds passed with glacial swiftness. She backed away suddenly, just as she felt the slightest hint of tongue crossing her lips.
“Ooh my... Thank you, Twilight. Ahem...” She stood quickly, blushing furiously beneath the mottled paint.
“Princess...” Twilight’s voice had raised several octaves until it resembled a high pitched squeak. “I’m sorry. It’s just that I’ve never seen you like... Like this, before.”
“I could easily say the same,” Celestia gasped.
The two stared intently in every possible direction except than at each other.
“So, how...” Celestia thought fervently for a moment. “...has Spike been?”
“He’s doing good! Ahh, ha ha. His usual fiery little self. Haven’t seen him since this morning, but I’m sure he’s, ah.. around here somewhere.”
“Ahh. Isn’t he starting his vacation today?”
“Yes! That too. You know how baby dragons can be sometimes.”
“Oh, of course!”
“Ahh... Has Princess Luna been doing well? I see she’s been busy writing a lot lately!”
“She has! It has really been.. pleasant to have her back!”
There was a long uncomfortable pause.
“Really?” asked Twilight.
Celestia sighed, rubbing one hoof against her head.
“Yes... I do love my sister. Even if she can be.. nevermind,” she shook her head lightly as she settled back down on the pile of fabric. “Twilight, we have something important to discuss, and I don’t have much time right now.”
“Why is that?” Twilight asked carefully.
Celestia held her head high this time. Despite Twilight’s boldly delivered words of encouragement, she still looked emotionally drained.
“Do you recall the letter that you sent last? Scarcely two days ago? You had very little information to go by, yet you felt that whatever was happening was important enough to warrant my immediate attention.”
“Yes...”
“And now, I come to you.”
“Huh? What’s going on?”
“I do not know. I wish I did, but alas, I have very little to go by.”
“Then why...”
“Why did I come to you? Because I trust you, Twilight. This matter must be treated with the utmost secrecy for now. That is why I made my way here unseen, and why I must return to Canterlot soon, before I am noticed to be missing.”
“Oh...”
“And for what I’ve gone through to come here in secret, I should expect that my words, and the knowledge of my presence shall remain equally guarded.”
Twilight nodded. “Yes, Princess.”
“It does involve you, as well as the other Elements of Harmony.”
Twilight’s eyes brightened.
“Well, you can count on us, Princess! There’s nothing that we can’t handle,” she tapped her hoof on the floor, flexing her foreleg with confidence.
“Twilight...”
"Has Discord, the god of chaos, been released from stone imprisonment?"
"No."
"Outbreak of cutie pox?"
"No..."
“Rampaging elemental apparitions that feed upon negative emotions and sow further dissent among once-peaceful societies?”
“Twilight, I said I don’t-”
“Has an elder god of cosmic evil arisen from its underwater tomb in an ancient sunken city?”
“Wait, what? I don’t even-”
“Has there been a national shortage of chocolate marshmallow swirl ice cream?”
Celestia’s eyes shot wide with panic. “Oh dear sweet Me, I hope not... Aughh... No!”
“Well,” Twilight scowled in confusion. “What could it be?”
“I do not know.”
“But... You said it involves the Elements of Harmony, right? The physical embodiment of a magical enchantment that will ensure the continued and peaceful existence of all Equestria?”
“Yes.”
“Then... What do we need to do?”
Celestia sighed, and opened the satchel strapped to her flank. She pulled out a plain polished wooden box, and set it before Twilight.
“Nothing, I’m afraid,” she said as she opened the lid.
Twilight gasped, fixated upon the contents. Nestled within the velvet interior lay a golden tiara, beset with sapphire gems, and crowned with a pink ruby carved in the shape of a twinkling star. One of the six Elements of Harmony. Her Element of Harmony. Where it had once gleamed and glowed, now laid tarnished and dull. She upended the box, and the tiara fell, clattering to the wooden floor.
She swiftly placed it atop her forehead. Where the powerful bond of potent magic had coursed through her, was now merely a faint tingling. Only a trace. No different from any number of museum artifacts that only held a faint whisper of the torrential magic they once wielded.
Twilight began to shake. She looked back to her mentor, scarcely concealing the fear within her eyes.
“Who? Who could have done this!”
Celestia rested one hoof upon Twilight’s shoulder, steadying her with comfort and assurance.
“It is not a matter of who. It is a matter of what. And that, I do not know yet.”
“Something did this to the Elements of Harmony?” Twilight exclaimed in alarm.
“The Elements did this themselves. I have seen it happen several times along the span of my life.”
“Disappear?”
“No. They change.”
“Change into what?”
“Exactly what Equestria needs to survive.”
Twilight sighed. “I’m not sure I understand.”
“A candle may be all but invisible during the day, but a shining beacon within the depths of night. The Elements will present themselves as they are needed, but only where and when.”
“But why would they change?”
"Only to provide safeguard against that which threatens us all."
"But what is it?"
"I do not know, and we may not find out until it is upon us. This is not our fight to wage, dear Twilight. We can only watch, and help... And hide."
Twilight laid her head down upon crossed forelegs.
“Does it have anything to do with Trent?”
Celestia shook her head.
“No. Not him. Not that. I can not say with any certainty as to what this may entail, but I feel that the very obscurity of this may hint as to what we must face.”
“What is it?” Twilight repeated.
“The unknown...” Celestia said softly. “The future.”
* * *
Fluttershy beat her wings gently as she sailed into the abyss. The cavernous space narrowed steadily as she drifted downwards. Latent feelings of claustrophobia gripped like an invisible vise, squeezing tight as the walls crept closer.
Jagged shapes jutted ahead in the gloomy distance, as teeth within the mouth of a serpent. Cranes on inlaid rails held their burnished brass claws aloft, patiently poised to snatch their proximal prey.
The walls closed in, and her heartbeat raced. A steady thump that beat through her veins and hammered loudly within her head.
“It’s okay,” cooed a voice from behind her. Trent’s hands pressed firmly against her chest, cupped over the frightened staccato of her heart. “You’re doing great.”
The whispering echoed and reverberated from within the still dark depths. She glanced around furtively as they threaded through the forest of articulated steel towers.
“We’re almost there.”
Fluttershy nodded sharply through forced quivering breaths. Tiny beads of tears shook loose from her shut eyelids as she resolutely pressed forward.
“Are you okay?”
Her head nodded as if to say yes. The telltale trembling of her body said otherwise.
“Are you afraid right now?”
The answer caught in her throat. She shook her head quickly.
“We didn’t have to come this way.”
“No!” she asserted. “We have to!” Her voice trailed off in a whimper.
“It’s okay,” he patted her shoulder. “Really, it is.”
“Trent... I have to.”
“I understand. And I think you’re very brave for coming all this way, just for my sake. But I have something I need to tell you.”
She nodded quietly.
“First off, I’m going to be fine. It’s just a little scrape. We didn’t need to come all the way down here, but I’m glad you did.”
“We didn’t?” she whispered incredulously.
“It’s just a few scratches. I’m pretty sure I’ll live. But that’s not what’s important. I want to talk about what you did just now.”
Fluttershy spread her wings and the two drifted to a stop.
“Is it because I over-reacted?” she asked quietly.
“Yes!” he cheered. His voice echoed many times over, resounding as a booming crack and a dull whisper from the near and far reaches of the bay.
“Ohhh... I’m sorry,” she wailed.
“No, don’t be. I’m really happy that you did that for me, just because you thought I was hurt. But there’s something else you did that was really important. About the decision you made.”
“Yes?”
“Well, that was it. You made a decision, and acted upon it.”
“But I made the wrong decision!”
“Who cares! You made the decision anyways, and that’s what counts.”
She couldn’t look back at Trent directly, but she wrinkled her brow in confusion regardless.
“What.. do you mean?”
“Come on. Lets keep going. I’ll tell you along the way.”
Fluttershy turned to look back at the steady glow from the far end of the bay. Ahead, through the forest of cranes lining the narrow trench, was nearly pitch black.
“Um, Trent?” she gestured at the inky abyss with one hoof. “Can you...”
“Hmm? Oh, yes. Of course.”
He pushed himself off from Fluttershy’s back, gesturing in the air for several moments with his free hand. He straightened out, posing with the martial concentration of a wizard preparing to summon the elemental forces of nature, arms outstretched as if commanding the heavens to rain fire upon an encroaching army that bore their weight upon the trodden land as far as the horizons.
“And the Lord spoke... LET THERE BE LIGHT!” His voice thundered throughout the empty cavern.
Nothing happened.
“Umm...” he tapped his fingers at empty air. “Light! Let there be some of it!”
Nothing but the echoes of a frustrated shout returned from the depths.
“Oh, come on!”
He tapped at the air with angry forceful strokes. The trench illuminated with a soft red glow, revealing a wide flat tunnel beneath them.
“And the Lord spoke... Close enough!”
Fluttershy looked strangely at him, shaking her head slightly.
“Um, Mr. Trent?”
“Yes?”
“You have, um... Its just that... Your jokes are really weird,” she pawed her hoof awkwardly at the empty air.
“Nothing wrong with being a little bit weird. Anyways, lets keep going.”
Trent kicked his legs, but the fins had snapped in the crash, flapping uselessly. The ragged fabric of his pants rubbed against his bruised, abraded skin, and he hissed in pain.
“Ow... Um, a little help?"
“Oh, okay.” She hooked her legs under Trent’s arms, clasping firmly around his chest. “Where do you want to go?”
“I take back what I said about the extent of my injuries. Let’s go through here. Medical is next to the embarkation platforms, which are next to the runway below us.”
“Ow.” Fluttershy winced.
“I’m sorry. A runway is a long flat area...”
“Where the airplanes land?”
“Yes, exactly. How did you know?”
“Oh, well, when you said that, it made my head hurt. But just a little. It made me think about airplanes, and how they take off, and land.”
“Interesting. I never mentioned that.”
“No. But it made sense when you said it. Just a little bit.” Fluttershy spread her wings in alarm, suddenly looking from side to side, peering down the long narrow passage that opened up along the bottom of the trench.
“What’s wrong?”
“Airplanes go really fast when they land!” she gasped. “And they’re really loud and scary sounding too! Ohh, we shouldn’t go down there. We might get in the way!”
She darted towards the lip of the hangar, quivering softly as she stared down at the twin tracks of red lights.
“Well... That’s a rather good observation. I never mentioned anything about that, but it seems that you have a grasp on what this is for. Interesting. I say what it is, and you understand what it does.”
“Just a little bit,” she squeaked.
“It’s a good start. Anyways, you don’t have to worry. There won’t be any planes landing. We can go down there, and cross the embarkation platform into the medical bay. Won’t that be fun?”
She nodded nervously.
“Is that where people get on and off the airplanes?”
“Yes. Very good.”
“And is the medical bay like a hospital?”
“Yes it is. You’re getting the hang of...”
“Why is the hospital next to the place where the airplanes land?”
Trent paused. The innocent curiosity of the question prompted for a somewhat unpleasant answer.
“Well, sometimes airplanes carry a lot of people. And sometimes, those people might be hurt.”
Fluttershy was silent for a moment as well.
“Is that what ‘inbound with casualty’ means?” she asked slowly.
“...Yes.”
She half stepped, half fluttered past the edge of the hangar into the landing raceway. Her head swivelled back and forth, cautiously peering for the signs of a hulking high-speed aircraft barreling down the tunnel, as one might look both ways before crossing a railroad track. Trent gestured towards the stack of platforms set into an offshoot from the main raceway.
“There,” he said.
She nodded, pushing off, and ascending towards the flat runway overhead.
“I’m going to close the door.”
“What door?”
“Watch this.”
Alarms blared, three blasts in quick succession. Fluttershy winced at the noise, but didn’t panic. Below them, a pair of steel doors slid slickly from their smooth recesses, coming together where they had passed through just moments before. The bright glow of the halide arc lights winked out of sight, and they were left floating upside down above the raceway. The tracks of small bright red lights trailed off in either direction, casting their dim illumination.
“Oh...”
“Was that scary?”
“Just a little bit,” she admitted. “But not really. Not anymore.”
She flapped one wing gently, flipping the world right-side up. The runway grew closer, and she angled into a swooping dive, arcing gracefully towards the stacked platforms.
“Is that where the airplanes.. dock?”
“Yes. Each one of those platforms can accommodate several.. airplanes.”
“And each one carries a lot of people, right?”
“Yes.”
Fluttershy furrowed her brow with a hint of confusion.
“Then where is everybody?”
Trent was quiet for several seconds.
“I’m not sure.”
* * *
Twilight paced erratically about her bedroom, glancing at the dull golden tiara, and back to the knowing eyes of her mentor.
“Princess? You once bore the Elements of Harmony. Back when Nightmare Moon was banished.”
“Yes, Twilight.”
“What happened after that? Did the Elements of Harmony.. change?”
“It is not that simple. As I said, they take their form as they are needed.”
Twilight sighed forlornly.
“Then.. what happens to me? To my friends? Are we no longer important?” she asked shakily, rubbing one foreleg across round moist eyes.
“Twilight...”
“What happens to us?!” she pleaded.
“Ask yourself, what has happened to me, dear Twilight. The Elements do not chose their avatars on a whim, nor simply cast them aside.” She leaned close to her student. “So long as you remember what has been asked of you, and cherish that which has been given.”
Twilight looked puzzled.
“What has been asked of me? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“There is a certain foregone finality when the Elements choose those who will bear them. They ask for unwavering commitment, and they know the answer long before you even realize the question.”
“What question?”
“That you are willing to give your life in their service. Without fear or hesitation.”
Twilight’s eyes widened in horror.
“My... My life?”
“Your life, for so long as you lead it.”
She stared for some time, mouth agape. Her head slowly shook from side to side.
“No. No... I couldn’t. I wouldn’t have... Why? Why?!”
Celestia laid one hoof over Twilight’s shoulder.
“Twilight...”
“Why? Why would it ask that of me? Why would the Elements even accept me if I would never have agreed to something like that?” she breathed heavily.
“Because, my dear student. Your actions speak louder than your words. The Elements do not choose incorrectly.”
“But... My life?”
“Shall be long and fruitful, I should hope. Just as mine. So long as you bear the Elements for the sake of Equestria, the Elements will help to bear the number of your days.”
It was Twilight’s turn to speak. However, she simply slumped forward, landing heavily upon Celestia’s shoulder, cradled within her firm embrace. She stayed that way for several moments, sobbing softly.
“It will be okay.”
“No. I’m not ready for all of this. I never was!”
“Ssshhh...” Celestia patted Twilight’s back. “You have a calling in life. It is only asked that you fulfill it.”
She stared long and hard, slowly drawing in a breath to ask one simple question. One simple demand. One thought that bore the weight of a galaxy within a swirling constellation of stars.
“Do I have to die?”
Celestia shook her head.
“No, no. Forgive me Twilight. I did not wish to give you cause for concern. It is the purpose to which you devote your life, rather than a blind sacrifice. It is a pact that will endure... Until the end of Equestria. Until the end of time.”
“But, what about this?” Twilight prodded the wooden box. “It’s gone. The Elements have changed into something else. How am I supposed to...”
“It is not gone, dear Twilight. It is sitting here before me.”
“What?” she turned to look at the dull tiara.
One white hoof, streaked with dark lines and vibrant colors, turned Twilight’s cheek back to face her mentor.
“You don’t need that. It has served its purpose.”
“But...”
“It is not an Element of Harmony. You are.” She tapped at the box. “This was no more than a crutch. An extension of yourself.”
“A crutch?”
“A candle to guide oneself through darkness. A match that ignites a bonfire. A spark. As I said, the Elements will present themselves as they are needed. When, where, and to whom. It dwells within everypony, but few ever realize it. Sometimes they just need to take that first step, and they will be met halfway.” Her mane and tail blazed brightly as she fervently spoke.
Twilight breathed deeply, still reeling from the sudden clarification.
“Will I live as long as you?”
Celestia swallowed hard, a lump in her throat that she stumbled over briefly, before finding her voice.
“Yes, I should think.”
“Oh...”
“So long as you do not forget. So long as your faith holds strong.”
Twilight averted her gaze for a moment, glancing at the floor. One smooth white hoof touched beneath her chin, and lifted it to meet the wise and knowing look of her mentor.
“Buck up, kiddo,” she said sweetly. “Don’t forget that you will always have my trust, my faith, and my love.”
Twilight nodded quietly.
“Princess...”
“You seem a bit apprehensive.”
“Yes,” she sighed.
“And you have good reason. Had you blindly accepted what I have said, I would wonder if you really understood it.”
“Sometimes,” Twilight spoke softly to the floor, “the most audacious thing you can do in life is to question it.”
She looked up nervously. Celestia’s smile did not waver.
“Those are wise words.”
“Trent told me that.”
“It sounds as if you’ve had much to talk about.”
Twilight wiped her eyes again, smiling as she sniffled.
“He’s given me a lot to think about.”
“I should hope to hear about it sometime,” Celestia smiled. “But I must be leaving soon. We will have to continue this later.”
“Okay”
“If you need me, or if there is anything I can do to help...”
They both stopped, glancing around the demolished bedroom.
“...such as providing a yearly stipend to pay for upkeep and replacement of Library furniture due to routine wear and tear...” She spoke evenly, crafting her words in the manner which a Palace accountant might use in casual conversation.
Twilight giggled deviously.
“Yes, that would be very helpful.”
“I daresay that’s another story I’ll need to hear about, but in good time.”
Celestia stood, looking down at the thick red CRC tome near her hooves, and back to the thin empty satchel that hung across her side.
“Can you send this by mail, when you get the chance?”
“Of course! Um... Do you mind if I finish reading it first?”
“Reading it?”
Twilight flashed an awkwardly sincere smile.
“Sort of...”
Celestia shook her head slightly in exasperated disbelief.
“Twilight.”
“Yes?”
“Go outside sometime.”
“Yes, Princess,” she blushed.
“I’ll leave you to this... But remember what I have said. Always remember what has been given, and never forget what is expected.”
“I will.”
Celestia smiled warmly. The flaming embers of her mane and tail faded into the familiar rainbow of pastel hues. She leaned down to nuzzle the top of Twilight’s head as she made ready to leave.
As she turned to pick up the patchwork suit, a broken steel spring from Twilight’s bed slipped and rolled beneath her hoof, swiping its jagged tip across her leg.
“Oww!” she cried, holding her hoof close to her chest.
Twilight gasped.
“Princess! Are you okay?”
Celestia stared at the tiny gash. It was only a scratch, but a thin line of tiny blood droplets had already started to seep out.
She stared for a moment longer, before rubbing it across her other leg. The hair quickly became slick and matted with a dull red.
“Twilight.”
“Yes Princess?”
“Your washroom. Allow me, please.” she spoke uneasily, still staring at the bloody stain.
“Of course,” she nodded. “It’s right there...”
Celestia darted into the bathroom, hurriedly opening the taps to the wash basin. She thrust her hoof under the hissing stream of water, scrubbing furiously at the tiny red tinged spot.
“Are you okay, Princess?”
Celestia’s head nodded silently, as if to say yes. The fervent washing of her foreleg said otherwise.
The torrent of tap water splashed loudly in the basin, drowning out the few words that Celestia quietly repeated to herself.
“I will not forget... I will not forget... I will not forget!”
“Did you say something?” Twilight asked.
The faucet handle twisted closed. The white hairs above her hoof were clean. She stood there for a moment, her foreleg held firmly before her, as she shivered slightly.
“No. Nothing of importance.”
“I’m pretty sure you’ll be okay,” Twilight offered helpfully. “I’ve had worse scrapes than that.”
“As have I,” Celestia murmured.
She turned quickly, leaving the washroom and striding swiftly back to the bedroom. She lifted the patchwork suit with her teeth, hurling it across her back, and shuffling her wings and limbs into its recesses.
“Will we be seeing each other again soon?” Twilight asked.
“Soon. But not like this, I should hope.”
Twilight watched quietly as Celestia finished donning the ragged patchwork suit. Each swatch seemed to be made of a different weave, imprinted faintly with patterns long since faded.
“Um...”
“I know you must have many questions for me.”
She did.
“Well, yes.”
“I may have time for but one,” she stopped to turn and smile.
Twilight nodded.
“Princess? What is that suit supposed to be?”
Celestia’s smile did not waver, though her eyes briefly lost their focus - staring far into the distance. She shook her head softly and turned to look back at Twilight.
“Penance.”
“Pennants? You mean, like flags and banners?”
She swallowed hard, as she nodded.
“Yes.”
“Oh... Well, that’s kind of interesting. I guess. Sounds like a fun craft project, or an interesting way to recycle older flags...”
“Twilight.”
“Ohh, yes, Princess?”
“I must go now.”
The purple pony nodded, opening the balcony door with a slight flickering of magic from her horn.
Celestia crept forward, shuffling softly within her suit. Her head swivelled slowly as she stepped back into the afternoon sun. She turned, one last time. Her face barely visible through the veil of the suit.
“Be strong, my little pony.”
And with that, she leapt from the balcony, landing below with all the noise of a falling leaf.
Twilight ran out to look, but she was already gone.
* * *
|
shalrath
|
1219
| 14 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Derpy Hooves,Discord,Main 6,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Human,Adventure,Comedy,Dark,Sad,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
The End
|
A friendly stranger delivers some unsettling knowledge about Life, the Universe, and Everything.
|
incomplete
| 674 | 40 |
<p>A visitor arrives in Equestria, bearing a wealth of knowledge and a troubled past. The Mane 6 are quick to befriend the stranger, who helps them to discover what they truly value in life, and how to achieve it.</p><p>But learning to overcome their fears and achieve their desires comes at a steep price, paid by their innocence.</p>
|
teen
|
2012-05-17T15:31:48+00:00
|
2012-05-17T15:31:48+00:00
| 10,214 |
* * *
Ingress. Triage. Quarantine. The unfamiliar words swirled within Fluttershy’s mind as she drifted across the expansive landing platform. The concepts themselves were not completely foreign, but the enormous scale and clockwork coordination they implied were dizzying to comprehend. Stranger still, how the feelings simply manifested as she passed the lip of the platform, drifting closer to the rows of doors at the far wall.
“Mr. Trent?”
“Yes?”
“What do you mean, you don’t know where everybody is?”
“Well... It’s hard to say. They could be anywhere.”
“Somewhere on this... Ship?”
“No. I think they might have left.”
“All of them?”
Trent shrugged. “All six of them.”
She spread her wings and coasted to a stop, rubbing one yellow hoof against her forehead.
“I’m sorry, was that from the translation spell?”
“No,” she winced. “It just didn’t make any sense. That wasn’t one of your jokes, was it? Because it didn’t sound like it.”
“Huh?”
“It’s just that, well, this place is really big. And it wouldn’t make sense to only have six people here.”
“That is a good observation.”
“How many people can this ship hold?”
“The crew, or rather the people that run the ship, would be about seven thousand or more. Similar to an older aircraft carrier, but this is actually a lot bigger.”
Fluttershy winced again, squeezing her eyes shut for a few moments.
“Oh... Um, Mr. Trent? Does an aircraft carrier float on water?”
“Why, yes it does. This spell is pretty handy.”
“So... Is this a spacecraft carrier?” she asked slowly.
“Okay, now that’s just spooky. But yes, it is. And this is where the spacecraft come in to dock.”
She nodded slowly, contemplating the steady stream of new ideas.
“Space feels very empty,” she shivered.
“It is very empty.”
“How many people can this spaceship hold? I mean, besides the crew?”
“Oh, between embarked commands, civilians, science teams, and other ancillary positions... About a quarter million.”
“A quarter of a million people?”
“Yep.”
“That’s almost as many ponies that live in Phillydelphia!”
“Ahh, that’s interesting.”
“But why? Why only six? Who would send out a ship this big with only six people?”
“We only needed six people to run the ship.”
To Fluttershy, the word ‘We’ sounded odd in her head. As if it were somehow talking about the same person.
“Um... If you only needed six people, why were they sent on a ship like this? On a ship this big?”
Trent smiled wistfully. “We had a ship like this to spare.”
Fluttershy’s eyes bulged, and her mouth hung open.
“But why... Why was it sent?”
“To conduct an experiment.”
“Ow,” she rubbed her forehead again.
“Sorry.”
“It’s.. okay. I’m sorry, this really doesn’t make a lot of sense yet,” she meekly protested.
“That will come soon enough.”
“Oh. Okay. Um, Mr. Trent? Where do we go now?”
Trent raised one hand, and pointed at the far wall. His fingers twitched, and a door quietly slid open. Unlike the rest of the doors, this one was just big enough for one person and one pony to walk though.
“Through there.”
Fluttershy nodded, flapping her wings and sailing across the platform. Her forelegs grasped Trent against her belly, carrying him as a torpedo bomber would firmly clutch its precious payload.
“Um... I still don’t understand how you’re doing that. Is that some kind of magic?”
“Doing what?”
“How you open doors, just by pointing at them.”
“Ah. Radio.”
“Ow! Ow! Ow!” she squealed.
“Ach... Sorry about that.”
She wrapped both forelegs around her head this time. The magical migraine was nearly excruciating. Trent drifted free, scissoring his legs until he turned around to face Fluttershy.
“Well... You’ve listened to a radio, right?”
She nodded quickly, legs still pressed across her throbbing temples.
“Yes, Well, some of my friends have a radio. Sometimes we listen to the news, or music on there.”
“And it doesn’t make your head hurt when I say it like that, does it?”
“No, not really.”
“Do you know what a radio uses to play music?”
“Um... Magic?”
“Radio.”
“Oww...”
“Sorry.”
“Um, it’s okay. It wasn’t as bad as the first time you said it. But what do you mean, that it uses radio?”
“Well, do you know how light comes from a light bulb?”
“...Yes.”
“Radio comes from an antenna.”
She clenched her teeth as she inhaled, feeling the headache subside slightly.
“Are they the same kind of thing? The antenna and the light bulb, I mean?”
“In a way, yes. They both produce electromagnetic radiation.”
“Ooh...” She winced slightly. “So light and radio are both kind of the same thing?”
“Yes.”
“And, heat too?”
“Yes. Well, infrared radiation, which induces heat when it's absorbed. But very good anyways.”
She whimpered softly as she rubbed away the last traces of pain from her head.
“Then what was was that word you used the first time? It sounded exactly the same.”
“Sometimes the same word can have many different meanings.”
“Well, I know that.”
"Like feather."
She looked at him oddly as she ruffled her wings.
"Like these?"
"Yes. Not to be confused with feather."
Her face scrunched up in confusion.
"To.. twist?" she asked slowly.
"That's part of it."
“Or fold, like this?” She tucked her wings against her body, until they were perfectly streamlined.
“That’s pretty close too.”
“Um. I don’t really understand,” she sighed.
“Don’t worry, I can explain later. I’m going to turn on the gravity first.”
“Ohh. Okay. Do you turn on the gravity with radio too?”
“Sort of.”
Trent tapped his fingers at the air, and the platform began to pull them closer. Fluttershy trotted against the deckplate as her weight slowly returned, while Trent simply touched down and slid on his back for several feet.
“Here we are!” Trent announced as he sat upright, and stood gingerly.
Fluttershy walked towards him, her hooves tapping with a metallic tinge against the platform.
“Does radio carry information?”
“Yes.”
“Or is it made out of information?” she pressed the question, already knowing Trent’s response.
“Yes. That too.”
“This isn’t one of your jokes, is it? Because it’s very confusing how you say it’s both at the same time,” the yellow pegasus stated succinctly.
“Oh, no. It’s not a joke. But understanding it probably will make your head hurt - even without the translation spell.”
“What do you mean?”
Trent stretched his back, as he wobbled slightly within the artificially induced artificial gravity.
“Never mind what it’s made of. Forget about that for now. Let’s focus on what it can do, rather than what it is.”
“How it.. carries information?” she asked.
“Yes. And like any sort of information, it has to be interpreted for it to be useful, right? Sort of like how everything I say would sound like complete gibberish, if it wasn’t for that translation spell.”
“Okay.”
“And do you know how that spell lets you know if I’m telling a joke - or when I’m being a sarcastic ass?”
“Um.. yes,” she blushed slightly.
“So, I can say the same exact set of words, but they can have completely different meanings - all depending on whether I’m being serious or silly. Now when a radio system is conveying information, it has to send the information itself, along with a signal to tell what the information means. Or it has to have some sort of pre-defined language used on both ends. A protocol, basically.”
“A protocol is like a language?”
“Yes. Very good.”
“And radios have many many different languages? I mean.. protocols?”
“Again, yes,” he shook his head. “Fluttershy? Do me a favor, and never get a job as an interrogator.”
“Am I asking too many questions? I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s not that. Just another one of my jokes. Don’t worry...”
“I wouldn’t want to hurt anyone. By asking questions, I mean.”
Trent sighed.
“Let’s forget about that for right now. I’m just surprised that you’re able to get the right answers without asking hardly any questions.”
“Oh. Um... Okay,” she paused briefly, as they began walking towards the door. “Um, Mr. Trent? If radio can be used for a lot of different languages.. or protocols, then who is actually talking?”
“Ahhh...” he muttered as he slowed to a stop. “Okay, this might be a little hard to explain, but I’ll try anyways.”
“Okay,” the pink and yellow pegasus stopped, and looked up attentively.
“Now, do you remember how I said that a planet’s mass creates gravity?”
“Yes.”
“Well, something called a superconducting electron channel collimated quantum field induction array.. or SECC-QFIA, for short.. that can create artificial gravity. Like what we’re standing in, right now.”
Fluttershy blinked slowly, wordlessly acknowledging that she had heard what he said, despite not understanding any of it.
“Ohh... I hope that wasn’t painful to listen to.”
“N.. no,” she lied as convincingly as possible. Tears welled in her eyes as her head pounded, but she tried her best to hide it.
“Okay, moving on...”
“Um... It doesn’t create gravity, does it? It just.. lets it through?”
“Ahh, yes...”
“But just a very tiny amount?”
“...Yes.”
Fluttershy shuddered as she looked at the deckplate.
“I’m scared of gravity.”
Trent nodded quickly before he quietly spoke.
“I am too.”
Her ears flattened against her head as she considered the statement. It wasn’t a joke.
“Anyways,” he continued. “Let’s not get too sidetracked. You wanted to know what uses radio to talk, right?”
She nodded.
“So gravity can be made naturally through mass, or artificially through technology.” He tapped his foot at the deckplate.
Fluttershy winced.
“This ship is made out of technology, right? A lot of different technologies?”
“Yes. Now we’re getting somewhere.”
“I still don’t really understand it though. Not all of it, anyways.”
“We’re getting there, don’t worry. Now, this,” he tapped at his forehead, “is what gives me thoughts, and intelligence.”
“Oh... Well I know that already,” she said evenly, resisting the urge that any other pony might have to cross their eyes and shout ‘Duh!’.
“And just like superconducting electron channel quantum induction thingy can create artificial gravity... A computer can create artificial intelligence!”
She blinked, genuinely not expecting to hear that.
“Is a computer a kind of technology that thinks?” she asked in a high pitched quaver.
“Almost. It’s not quite that smart yet. But it’s still very good at certain tasks. Like, how a plow is really good at digging furrows in the ground, but it doesn’t know anything about how to plant crops. Someone still needs to tell it what to do, right?”
“Um, yes. Okay.”
“So some computers just exist to calculate or process tasks. Like solving math problems, or recording information. Others are designed to act as artificial intelligences. And some others, are just designed to help us communicate.”
“By radio?”
“Yes.”
“And the computer that talks with radio knows all of the.. protocols?”
“You’re pretty quick at this.”
“Are you a computer?” she asked, her eyes opened wide.
“Ehh... No. But I do have one inside of me.” He waggled his fingers in the air. “I talk to to the computer, and it talks to other computers by radio.”
She stared at Trent contemplatively. The word no longer sent her head spinning.
“Did you understand all of that?” he asked hopefully.
“Yes, I think... The superconducting quantum interference array attached to your C3 vertebrae picks up signals from your central nervous system, processed by a field programmable gate array which sorts recognizable signals through a buffered memristor loop channel. Then the primary command module compares modulated nervous signals in the buffer against the precompiled symbol library, which are interpreted as actionable commands when the synchronous control channel is active. Then, the processor nodes attached to the thoracic T3 through T5 vertebrae interprets the commands through portable runtime software cluster, and sends packetized data to the software modem controlling the radio interface on your C5 vertebrae, which then modulates the data signal with an intermediary frequency, before sending it to one of the antenna arrays in your forearms, back, or shoulders.”
Trent crossed his arms, and the two stared at each other for a short time.
“Did you understand any of that?” he asked again.
She shook her head gently, as she cradled it upon her crossed forelegs.
“No. Not at all.”
“But it’s a good start,” he smiled as he kneeled next to her. “You already seem to grasp that a computer can act like a person, and carry out lots and lots of complex repetitive tasks. That’s a good thing to know, because you may end up learning a lot more about that.”
“Is that why the ship only needs six people? Because the artificial intelligence can run everything by itself?”
“Mm, yes. Very good observation.”
“What does it like to talk about?”
“Oh, I’m not really sure. It’s designed to run the ship, not to hold conversations.”
“Have you tried asking it? It might be lonely out here. In space, I mean.”
Trent chuckled. “I haven’t asked it how it’s feeling, but I suppose I could give it a try later. Or maybe I could let you talk to it.”
There was a brief pause as she looked up nervously.
“Would... Would I need a computer inside of me? To talk to the ship?”
“Well, that’s one way...”
“Are you going to put a computer inside me?” she asked quietly.
“Umm... I’ll leave that up to you. Sometime later. Don’t worry about it right now.” He stood, and offered his hand to Fluttershy’s trembling hoof.
“Mr. Trent?”
“Yes?”
“Does the ship know where those six people are?”
“No. It just knows that they’re not here. It doesn’t know why they left.”
She looked around nervously, before staring back to Trent.
“But I’ll try to find out, okay?” he said reassuringly.
“Okay.”
Trent pointed his hand at the unlit room beyond the doorway, and snapped his fingers. The clinical glare of harsh white fluorescent lighting flickered to life, revealing the entrance to the medical bay.
“Finally... Good to find some lights that aren’t burned out already.”
“Um.”
“Yes?”
“Is Officer Lancaster okay? We’ve been in here for a while now.”
“Oh, I’m sure he’ll be fine. He brought a book, after all.”
“Yes, but we’ve been in here nearly an hour.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll be back before he knows it.”
* * *
Countdown. Four minutes to impact. The stopwatch ticked silently in the dark cramped compartment, strapped tightly to the cuff of the secondhand space suit. There was no light to see the dial, and no air to convey the incessant mechanical ticking of the large brass gear inside. Only the muffled tapping through the back of the watch as the seconds were sliced away. Tap, tap, tap, tap. Three sharp taps and two soft taps in rapid succession. Three minutes, thirty seconds. Tap, tap, tap, tap. Just like her rubber reflex mallet in her toolkit. Just hard enough to be felt through the suit against the terminal spur of her ulna.
Not the radius. The ulna. She should know. She had to know. She was going to be a doctor.
Six cervical vertebrae. Twelve thoracic. Five lumbar. Five sacral. No... Seven! Seven cervical vertebrae.
She clenched her fists in frustration. She was going to be a doctor! Doctor’s can’t make mistakes like that. Seven cervical, twelve thoracic, five lumbar, five sacral.
Hangman’s break. Fracture of the pars interarticularis or pedicles of the C2 axis vertebrae. Common injury sustained due to hyperextension of the neck during sudden deceleration.
During a crash.
TAP, TAP, TAP, tap. Three minutes, fifteen seconds to impact. She reached out to touch the console, feeling it in the dark. Airbags on both sides. Nitrocellulose charges. Easier to make than sodium azide. Not as touchy as some of the other propellants. She hoped they would fire anyways. The heaving of her breath came as a muffled rush of hot air within the glass faceplate. That’s what the airbags were for. To keep the glass from shattering against the console, or the canopy.
Vacuum exposure. Exhale as fast as you can. Scream until all the air is out of your lungs. Scream until you pass out. No way to know if you’ll wake up, but it’s the only chance you’ve got.
TAP, TAP, TAP. Three minutes.
Fifth cervical compression fracture. Paralysis from the arms down. T12 disc herniation. Loss of feeling in the lower limbs. She hooked her fingers beneath the spiderweb of thick nylon straps, and pulled. The restraint harness still didn’t budge. She kept checking anyways.
Nothing floating in the cabin. No free float projectiles. She felt her forearm. The stiff metal handle of her scalpel was sealed within the riveted sleeve of folded leather. She unsnapped the sheath to feel the smooth roundel at the end of the milled stainless steel rod. The counterweight. Her fingers squeezed the familiar shape through the silicone pads in her gloves. It was reassuring to her. The only thing within her reach that she felt comfortable with.
Seven hundred and sixty five kilograms of steel, carbon fiber, and propellant. A singleship quietly adrift in the plane of Sol. Ahead, a small B-type carbonaceous chondrite asteroid. Low albedo. Nearly invisible from the dull distant glimmer of the sun.
Seven hundred and sixty five kilograms of spaceship. One scared little girl. Two minutes, thirty seconds to impact.
Dim pinpoints of light burned quietly overhead. The old stars. The remnants of the early universe. Children of the stellar titans that forged the first heavy elements. So few remained, high in their eccentric orbits above the galactic bulge. She stared longingly at their steady glow, thinking back to the times when the sight of the universe outside instilled a sense of amazement and wonder. Back when space was a rich and beautiful vista that beckoned for discovery. Back before the war. Before the raids. Before the colony firefights, and the vacuum deaths. Before the hunger and the long silence. Before life became a vicious and vindictive game of cat and mouse.
Before they made ten year old girls learn to pilot spaceships.
When she was little, she had wanted to become a doctor. After the raids started, it became a necessity. But that changed nothing as far as she was concerned. Learning a little about everything was a necessity. Specializing in medicine went beyond that. It was her drive. Her duty. Her hand drifted back to the leather sheath strapped to her arm, feeling the long heavy scalpel silently rattling inside.
Kids her age, kids back on Earth. Those kids got presents. They got toys. The scalpel was neither a present, nor was it a toy. It was a gift. A tool. A symbol of her special talent.
Her instrument.
The scalpel could harm, or it could heal. A spectrum of potential. But the scalpel was useless without the hand to guide it. Just like her. Useless without her instrument. It was an extension of herself. An infinitesimally narrow edge through which she could touch another life.
To harm, or to heal. Her legacy written by the scalpel, as a pen within her fingertips. That was her purpose in life.
Their purpose.
The light from above shone down faintly. The same light that had witnessed the birth of humanity, and the fiery genesis of the planet that borne them. Light that sang across the heavens since long before the furnace of Sol flickered into a stellar inferno. The ancient stars. Wise and stalwart in the immense measure of their years. Cold and uncaring in their unfathomable distance. Feeble pinpricks of light that silently whispered the violent and breathtaking history of the early universe.
For what stories they could tell had long since been lost to the void of space. All that remained was an undisputed moral. That all things, meek and magnificent, will someday end. Even the stars. Even the cosmos. Time had the final say.
The crude grid of welded tubing cast a barely perceptible shadow across her. The waffle grate was wired shut across the crumpled rim of the cockpit, where the glass canopy would have been. She reached through the gap, seeing the glove of her suit illuminated brightly outside of the dark confines of the steel bathtub. A distinct shadow crossed her arm where it passed through the metal grate of the ersatz canopy. The brass bezel of the watch glinted in the void.
TAP, TAP, tap. Two minutes, fifteen seconds. She quickly pulled her hand back inside.
She leaned forward, and the seat leaned with her. Solid stainless steel segments that followed her body like a second spine. Metal ribs that curved with her back. Thick nylon straps that embraced her limbs and torso. She was not sitting in the ship. She was melded with it.
Her helmet pressed against the grate, and she peered through. Where the stars above were sparse and distant, those to her side were thick and bright. Clouds of gas became clouds of stars, stretching brilliantly across the disc as far as she could see.
Seven hundred and sixty five kilograms of spaceship, adrift in a river of stars. A young girl, at peace with the universe. Gliding quietly through contested space.
A species of hateful factions, vying for control of a damp rock circling a glowing mote of gas, as ants fighting for purchase upon a leaf within a turbulent stream. Resolute in their reasoning and prideful in their prejudice. Words shouted into microphones were amplified into the roar of nations. Indignant in their imagined impotence, united against one another. Strained by their incessant squabbles until they were stranded upon that very rock, defiantly dictating their will upon those who had left them behind. Hurling their enraged epithets to those who watched from above.
Yet those who looked down from high above were not immune. Gravity held back the mass, yet light still carried the message. A message of dissent, and polarizing division. At one time, they were explorers and entrepreneurs. Scientists and scholars. Colonists of the void, one and all. Those few of Earth’s burgeoning population that were driven by their own free will to nail their names into the pages of history. To simply go forth, and leave behind the world they knew.
Those times were gone. The ties had been severed, the bridges burned. The Van Allen belts burned hot with radioisotopes, their magnetic regions grossly swollen and impassable. Dirty bombs. The few and final shots fired in a war of independence. An act of containment. Defiance against those who sought to carve up the colonies into their far-flung fiefdoms.
Across the barrier, through the many years, two branches of humanity endured the sacrifice of separation. Resentment stewed and smoldered, but slowly fell by the wayside. New conflicts emerged. New hatreds festered in the minds of good men.
All from a simple decision.
Indecision kills you faster than the wrong decision. That was drilled into her head many times. Many clung to it as a spiritual mantra. Their last refuge against self doubt.
The decision to go to war against Earth. To blockade her orbits with hot fissionables. It was not the right decision, as some would argue, nor was it the wrong decision, as others steadfastly claimed. It was simply the decision that they lived by. It had been argued for and against many times, by many words. Many impassioned speeches, fervent debates, and pleas for compromise.
Now it was argued by the barrel of a gun. The scientists and explorers and colonists were no more. There were no citizens of space. It was simply us against them.
Stupid, stupid, stupid...
TAP TAP. Two minutes.
Too dark to check her notes. She had to go by memory. Thirty minutes since the last burn started, seven minutes since it ended. Frame change. Low thrust with the flame suppressor bolted on. Didn’t want to be seen. Push the throttle too hard and everybody on this half of Sol will see the infrared plume. Don’t want that. Don’t want to be here at all. Two impulse turnaround from the reaction wheel. Not a good idea to use thrusters. Delta-V burned off, relevant velocity knocked down to about fifteen meters per second. About thirty-five miles per hour. Whatever a mile was supposed to look like. Stupid unnamed rock, relevant in less than two minutes. Six hours of being strapped into the ship. All going to be over in two minutes.
Assuming her math was right. Assuming she flew the ship properly. Didn’t want to miss. Or come in too fast. This was her test. Her training day. The last place she wanted to be.
TAP tap tap. One minute, thirty seconds.
She leaned back, feeling the seat recline as straight as a ramrod. Checked the straps again. Still tight. The faint pinpricks of light peeked through the grate of steel tubing. She laid back and blinked her eyes for a moment as the singleship sailed quietly toward its destination.
Interloper. Intruder.
She hoped that she was alone.
TAP. The brass watch snapped against her wrist with one last solid thwack. One minute.
She felt at her arm again, pushing the end of the scalpel home into the leather sheath. Pressing the button on the end of the flap until it clicked shut.
Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap.
Training day. Nobody cared about birthdays anymore. Didn’t matter. Three hundred and sixty five days. Days didn’t make any sense. Not out here. Not in the harsh monochrome palette of space. The bright sunlight of the day and the muted twinkling starlight of night were always there, just depending on which way you looked. To the sun or to the stars. Days, months, and years were meaningless. Just an arbitrary increment on a clock or a computer. Nobody kept track of days. Nobody kept track of birthdays either. No. It was training days that mattered. That’s when your name changed. Today she was going to become a pilot. Someday she would become a doctor. First things first.
She closed her eyes and sighed, nervously clenching her fists within the loose fitting gloves. Today would be over soon.
Tap, tap, tap, tap.
Impact in about thirty seconds. Her last test. She pressed her back against the seat and checked the harness again. Solid. She didn’t want to crash. Even if she knew exactly what she was supposed to do. Can’t use the radio. Rescue beacon disabled. Had to pretend it was active, and wait. Waiting was the worst. Waiting could make you claustrophobic. Even with just millimeters of rolled steel between you and the rest of the universe. No way to see out, but they can’t see in. She’d be lit up like a light bulb in the IR spectrum. The ship could be kept cool. She couldn’t. Had to stay inside. And wait.
Tap, tap, tap.
She hated waiting.
The seconds ticked by. Impact any time now. No way to tell if she was going to be perfectly on time. No way to tell if she was going to hit her target. She didn’t want to crash, but she didn’t want to fail. She’d just have to do it all over again.
Tap, tap.
The cockpit was dark. The world was silent. Her body was calm, but her mind raced.
She wanted to be a doctor.
Tap.
The watch stopped. She did not dare to look. Laying flat, and staring through the grate, she forced herself to relax.
Never close your eyes. Ever.
Seconds passed. The watch had stopped, but she could still feel the invisible tapping.
No! Something was wrong! It should have happened already. No, no, no! Her hand shot towards the watch, grasping the bezel and twisting it a quarter turn. Tap tap tap. About fifteen minutes. Had to keep it ticking. Had to keep track.
What if she missed. What if she had to do this all over again! No! Her breaths came fast and shallow. What if...
There was a short sharp shock, and a long silence.
Tap, tap, tap...
* * *
The medical bay did not share the vast quiet expanse of the hangar. As Fluttershy stepped through the door, the abrupt transition to a straight narrow corridor within the belly of the ship sent her heart racing within a renewed grip of claustrophobia. Back in the hangar, the hot steady glow of the arc lights cast their diffuse glow through the twinkling of dust and reflected from the grimy texture of every steel surface. Inside the medical bay, bright artificial lighting flickered across shiny sterile tiles that melded neatly into the beige plastic walls. It felt lifeless, as if the corridor strove to be impartial and wilfully ignorant to the lives that passed through it.
“Is this the hospital?” she asked quietly.
The corridor stretched on for a ways, ending in a set of tall imposing steel doors with circular glass windows.
“Well, this is the entrance to the hospital,” Trent began.
“The ingress?”
“Ah, yes. You see how long this corridor is. Imagine how it would look when it’s filled with people, all standing in line.”
Fluttershy nodded.
“And not everybody that comes in needs to be treated, but it’s a good idea to check them out, just in case.”
“What about the people that are hurt?”
“Well, they would go into one of these rooms,” he gestured at the wide squat doorways that marked the corridor at regular intervals. “That’s where they can get treated.”
There was a sharp gasp.
“Is something wrong?”
She shook her head, but stared fervently at the doors running along the wall.
“That’s not really where they treat people, is it? That’s where they decide who gets treated,” she uttered nervously.
“It can be,” he said slowly. “It’s called...”
“Triage,” she finished.
“Yes, very good!”
“But why would they do that? It would be just awful to make that kind of decision!”
“The decision about who gets treated?”
“Yes!”
“Well, you see how many people can fit in here, right? Imagine if a lot of them are hurt. Seriously hurt.”
Her knees began to shake at the vague imagery of Trent’s idle thoughts.
“This isn’t like any hospital I’ve ever seen. Hospitals are where sick ponies go to get better. Not... Not like this.”
“Ohh, Fluttershy. Don’t worry. It’s not always like that. Just, sometimes.”
“Sometimes? You mean that only sometimes people are hurt really badly?”
“Yes. But sometimes, a lot of people are hurt really badly.”
“But... Is there another place they could go? Is there a hospital like this for every platform outside?”
“Yes. Now imagine if every one of them is being overrun with refugees, survivors, and the seriously wounded. It’s not an easy decision to make, you know... To say who dies so that others might live. But they try to do the best they can, with what they have.”
“Is that what the doctors on a ship have to do?”
“Yes.”
Fluttershy shuddered at the thought.
“Trent?” her voice cracked as she slowly asked the question. “How do they decide?”
“As quickly as possible.”
She started to look sick.
“That... That wasn’t one of your jokes. Even if it did sound like one.” Her voice carried no trace of question.
“No. It wasn’t. There are times where they don’t have the time to choose carefully. At that point, it’s not about who gets saved, but how many get saved.”
She stepped back, and sat near the base of the wall, shaking her head firmly.
“I don’t think I could ever do that. I’d never, ever want to make that kind of choice.”
Trent kneeled next to the pink and yellow pony.
“Nobody wants to make that choice. But sometimes they have to. Life isn’t always easy.”
“I couldn’t do that.”
“Are you so sure about that?”
She started to nod, but looked back up at Trent.
“Are you asking me, because you already know the answer?” She sniffled, staring back through wide wet eyes.
Trent grinned.
“Well maybe. Maybe. It depends on you, really.”
“I said that I can’t do something like that. Not ever.” Her head shook resolutely.
“Ahh! But you did! Just now!”
She started to look surprised, but no longer had the capacity for it.
“What do you mean?”
“When you brought me down here. You thought I was seriously injured, right?”
“Yes... But I was wrong.”
“Doesn’t matter. You acted, and you acted because you knew what had to be done. You acted when any other pony might have just screamed and ran around in circles.”
“But I am the pony that screams and runs around in circles!” she wailed.
Trent shook his head. “You did it when it mattered. That’s what was important. And it was very brave of you.”
“Oh... Um, I mean...”
“You’re welcome.”
“Why do you keep saying it’s so important? You said that you’re going to be okay. I didn’t really do anything to make a difference.”
“Because... Indecision can kill faster than the wrong decision. And not just yourself, but perhaps the lives of those who depend upon you. Remember that. Imagine if I had been injured badly. Perhaps bleeding out, and unconscious. In that case, you would have made a difference. You would have saved both of us.”
“Both of us?”
“Well, without me, you would be trapped here.”
Her only response was a sharp intake of breath.
“Sorry. I probably should have mentioned that sooner. But don’t worry though. I’ll try not to die or anything. Or become otherwise incapacitated.”
“Tr... Trapped?” she choked out.
"Well, yes. I don’t think we’re in Equestria anymore, Toto.”
“What do you mean trapped?” her voice rose several octaves.
“It doesn’t matter right now. We’ll be fine. But I wanted to point out that you had a very hard choice to make. You were terrified of coming down here, right? But you did it anyways, because you knew exactly what needed to be done, and you didn’t let your fears get in the way of carrying that out. You didn’t hesitate. You did the right thing.”
Her head nodded slightly. Her eyes simply gazed at an invisible point far distant from the confines of the corridor.
“Sometimes, the doctors who would work in here, would have to make hard choices like that. Sometimes it’s an absolutely terrible choice to make, but if they let that slow them down, then more people would have perished. They couldn’t stop, because others depended on them. The same goes for the pilots that repeatedly threw themselves into harm’s way for the fleeting chance that the risk to their life might save another.”
“I can’t make that kind of choice...”
“Sometimes... It’s hard to make the right choice, and sometimes the right choice is hard to make. But be aware that time is very rarely on your side. You have to think quickly, and act quickly.”
Her head shook. “I’m not a hero.”
“That’s what they all say.”
She turned to look quizzically at Trent, seated next to her. He flashed a quick smile, and patted the base of her neck.
"Come on. Let's go."
She nodded.
“Through there?” her hoof gestured to the end of the corridor.
“Nah. Nothing we need in there, right now. Let’s go this way,”
Trent stepped to the squat wide door set against the hallway, pressing his palms against it, as if he were listening through his fingertips. It lacked the slick automation of the other doors in the ship. Instead of pointing and gesturing, Trent grasped a long bent stainless steel handle, and threw his weight behind it. There was a loud groan as metal slid against metal, and a soft hiss as the bar reached the horizontal position, clicking into a mechanical detente. Satisfied, he rotated the bar to the floor, and pushed to the side, sending the large steel plate sliding along its rails.
What lay before them appeared to be a hospital emergency room, but unlike any that Fluttershy had seen. In place of soft comfortable beds, there were rows of folding steel gurneys topped with thick plastic slabs. At one corner of the room, dozens of these beige slabs were stacked like plates at the end of a buffet table. One slab laid atop supports jutting from a track in the wall, ready to carry its contents elsewhere within the ship at a moments notice.
“Are those the hospital beds?”
“Yes. Well, not really. They’re just temporary until the patient is, ah...”
“Stabilized?”
“Yes. Exactly. Anyways, they’re used to transport the patient to a specialized room, depending on what sort of injury they’re being treated for. It’s really rather quick and efficient, and it does help speed up triage.”
“Oh...”
“Hmm?”
“Well, I was just going to say, they didn’t look very comfortable,” she tapped a hoof at the utilitarian slab of plastic.
“Ahh. Yes. The comfy beds are elsewhere in the ship. Just not here.”
“I see.”
“And sometimes it’s not even a bed. Sometimes it’s a pool, a walk-in freezer, or something that looks like a tanning booth.”
“For all the different kinds of people?”
“You guessed it. Anyways, let’s get me patched up, so we can get out of here.”
“Okay. What do I need to do?”
“Two things. First, do you see that bag hanging on the wall there? Grab one of those.”
She flew gently up to the wall, where a bulky plastic package hung on two metal rails. A plastic strap emblazoned with bright red letters stretched loosely across the top.”
“Trent, what does this say?”
“Pull here.”
“Oh.”
She grasped the strap with her teeth, and pulled. The plastic rings tore away from the rails, and the bag fell against her chest. Suddenly, there was a quiet shuffling sound from above her, and she darted backwards.
A new bag fell down from an open chute, sliding along the rails until it slapped into the wall. ‘Pull here’, emblazoned in bright red letters across its handle.
“See? Guaranteed fresh. The Autofab never sleeps.”
Fluttershy winced.
“Ahh. It makes things.”
“It made this?” she said, dropping the bag on the gurney.
“Yep.”
“And this?” she tapped at the plastic slab where Trent was sitting.
“Eeyup.”
“And even the whole ship?” she gasped incredulously.
“Well... No. But it could, if it had to. Things wear out after a while, and it’s easier just to make replacement parts than carry them around.”
“What if the Autofab breaks?”
“Then the other Autofab would build a replacement.”
Her eyes went wide, and a soft whimper escaped from her throat.
“And you had a ship like this, to spare?”
“Ah, yes. Doesn’t mean it was cheap, though. Just happened to be the right tool for the job.”
“Are there.. a lot of ships like this?”
“Yeah. Don’t know the exact number off the top of my head though. Kinda lost count. Anyways, lets not get sidetracked here.”
“O... Okay. Um. What was the second thing you wanted me to do?”
“Ahh... Well. Kind of an odd question, but do you, or the other ponies, generally wear clothes?”
“What? Well, um... Yes, sometimes. Why?”
“I suppose what I’m asking is, is it generally considered vulgar or obscene to not be wearing clothes?”
She winced, again.
“Ah... No idea what I’m talking about, right?”
“Not really,” her head shook at the completely alien thoughts. “Why?”
Trent sighed.
“Nevermind. I was going to ask you to turn around for a moment, but I guess it’s not really necessary. Or applicable.”
“Oh. I could still turn around, if you want,” she said, thoroughly confused.
“It’s fine. My sense of modesty died out a long time ago.”
“What?”
“Nevermind.”
He reached into his pockets and emptied their contents onto the gurney. A matte black plastic cylinder, the rectangular metal handle with the ring on the end, and a thick brass timepiece.
A pen, a knife, and a watch.
From his back pocket, he proffered the cast iron cookie that Pinkie had made. Fluttershy stared at it briefly.
“Um... Mr. Trent?”
“Yes?”
“Did Pinkie Pie give you that?”
“Oh, this? Yes. I thought it was very nice of her.”
“Oh. Um...”
“What is it?”
“Can you see in X-rays?”
“What?”
“Um... Nothing. Nevermind.”
Trent shook his head, as he pulled his belt from his waist. He kicked his boots off, and shuffled his pants down, before hopping up and sitting on the gurney.
“Mr. Trent?”
“Yeeessss?”
“Why do you wear two pairs of pants?”
“...I’ll tell you later.”
“Do you need to take those off too?”
“No.”
“Oh. Um... Mr. Trent?”
“Look! You know how male ponies tend to keep it tucked away when it’s not in use? Not us. It just hangs out, all the time. Ponies go clippity-clop, and humans go flippity-flop. I’m sure you’re dying to learn all about human anatomy in the context of emergency medicine and trauma response, but probably not on the first date.”
She blushed until her face was as nearly as pink as her mane.
“I’m sorry. Is that what you were asking about?”
Her head shook. Her eyes stared straight at his midsection.
“No,” she squeaked.
“Ahh. Sorry about that.”
There was a long awkward silence.
“Mr. Trent?”
“Yes?”
“When you said that we could be trapped here...”
“Don’t worry, we won’t.”
“Okay. But... This ship is in space, right?”
“Yep.”
“Then where is Equestria?”
“On a planet.”
“Is the planet in space too?”
“Yes.”
“Are they in the same space?”
“Do you mean, are they near each other in space?”
Her head shook.
“Umm... Probably. I don’t really know, to be honest. I just got there a few days ago.”
“Twice?”
“Huh?”
“How did you get there twice?”
“Ahh, I’m just loving this translation spell... Yes. I can come and go to the same place. Just like we’ll be going back to Equestria when we’re finished here.”
“Oh, well I understand that. But how did you arrive twice, at the same time?”
There was another long awkward silence.
“No more questions right now, please. I’ll tell you later, when it can make sense.”
“Okay...”
“Now do you see this bag?”
She nodded.
“Let’s start with this,” he said, as he pulled open it open. The thick plastic hissed and inflated as the vacuum seal broke. Trent dumped the contents onto the gurney, and shuffled them with his free hand.
“Here we go. Gauze, bandages, a saline sponge, and an iodine sponge. Don’t touch anything yet.”
“Okay.”
“Now first you need a sterile covering - but I don’t think this would fit you,” he waved a five-fingered latex glove, before setting it aside.
“Is that to minimize.. contamination?”
“Yes. Very good.”
“Against germs?”
“Yes.”
“What are those?”
“Ahh, well... Do you know what happens when a pony gets sick?”
She nodded. “Do the germs make ponies get sick?”
“Well, sort of. Being sick is what happens when your body is fighting off the infection caused by the germs.”
“Ohh. But... How do germs make ponies sick? They’re very very small, right?”
“Yes, but they reproduce and spread very quickly. Fortunately, your body can fight them off, and kill all the germs that make you sick.”
Fluttershy blinked.
“But, how do you know that? You’ve never met one of us until just a few days ago, right? How do you know that our bodies would um.. kill germs?”
“Because. You’re still here, right?”
“That doesn’t make sense.”
“Well, just about every creature you know of has the capability to fight germs. And it’s been that way for a very very long time.”
“What happened to the creatures that didn’t kill germs by themselves. By getting sick, I mean.”
“They’re not here anymore.”
Fluttershy breathed deeply.
“I’m sorry. No more questions,” she shuddered.
“It’s fine, don’t worry. Although, I have a question for you.”
“Oh, yes?”
“Are you able to grab anything with those? Er, your hooves, I mean.”
She nodded, once again resisting the urge that any other pony would have to roll her eyes and shout “Duuuh”.
“Can I see?” he held out the packet containing the saline sponge.
Her hoof pressed over it and flexed, squeezing it between the horseshoe shape.
“Oh, that’s interesting. So your hooves are kind of flexible?”
“Well, yes. Everypony knows that. How else would we hold things?”
“Where I’m from, we have ponies too. But they don’t look anything like you. Their eyes are a lot smaller, they don’t have binocular vision, and their hooves are completely solid.”
“Oh! How do they eat then? Or pick up things?”
“Straight from the ground, or a feed trough. And they don’t pick things up, build houses, or organize themselves into nation-states either.”
“Oh.. my.”
“And they don’t have wings and horns. Or speech. Or tool making. I mean, they’re sentient, depending on who you ask, but not sapient.”
“Um...”
“Yes?”
“What’s binocular vision?”
“Ahh, that’s when you have two or more eyes facing straight forward for better depth perception, or stereopsis. Like you and me. It’s common in most...”
“Predators?” she asked quietly.
“Er, yes. Just like animals that have eyes on the sides of their head are usually...”
“Prey?”
“Yep!”
“And the other ponies, where you’re from... are prey?”
“Well, technically.”
“And you’re a predator?” she shirked away slightly.
He sighed again. “Yes, yes. Just as much as you are,” he pointed two fingers at Fluttershy’s wide eyes. “But don’t worry. We don’t eat ponies. Just... No more questions for right now, okay?”
“Okay,” she squeaked.
“Right. Now, put this on,” he held up a large floppy plastic tube.
It was the sort of tube that caused universally widespread snickering among any heteromorphic species that shared a similar reproductive topology.
“Umm...” she eyed the luridly dangling plastic sheath. She took a deep breath, and swallowed.
“Yes?”
“I don’t think I can do that.”
“Huh? Why not?”
“Well, it’s just that... Um,” she looked nervously from side to side. “I don’t think I have the right... I mean... I’m not sure if I ever told you that I’m actually a mare,” she stammered.
Trent slapped his hand to his face.
“It goes on your hoof.”
“Oh! Ohhh. Okay.”
“Urghh... And in case it ever comes up, never ever use it in the manner you were just thinking.”
A high pitched embarrassed squeaking came back in acknowledgement.
“It’s just like a regular glove, but this is the one-size-fits-all variety.”
“Oh,” she held her foreleg up high. The sheath slid down past her knee.
“It’s called heat-shrink latex, despite being made of neither. Really complicated chemical name, but that’s the best way to describe it. Now do you see that loop at the end? Pull it.”
A seam ran down the length of the tube, terminating with a small loop. Fluttershy bit it with her teeth, and tugged. The whole length of it stretched like taffy, until the rest of the plastic suddenly shrank around her leg until it resembled a sausage casing.
“Eeep!” she darted into the air, shaking her leg in a panic.
“It’s perfectly fine. Just relax. I told you it shrinks. Mechanically catalyzed chemical reaction. It’s not too tight is it?”
“No,” she stared at her encased hoof.
“Once again. Never use it as a substitute for... Oh, nevermind. You’d be surprised how often people can’t follow simple instructions. Anyways! Moving along...”
“Okay.”
Trent pulled his knees up to his chest. The flesh was raw and abraded, with dried blood caked around the jagged bits of torn skin. He picked up one tiny packet, and tore it open. A moist sponge fell out.
“Saline.”
Fluttershy rubbed the sponge over the wounds, washing out dried blood and blackened flecks of non-skid.
“Iodine,” he said, opening up the next packet.
She grasped the reddish sponge, and pressed it against the wound. Trent hissed.
“Ow... No, no. Keep going. You’re doing good.”
“Is this what sterilizing means? Killing all the germs?”
“Yes. You’re pretty astute at this.”
“Thank you.” Her wings ruffled with pride.
“Now for the last bit.” He tore open a package of gauze. “Hold this here, and put some pressure on it. If someone’s bleeding, always apply pressure first. You can think about the next step later.”
“Okay,” she said, as her hoof pressed firmly.
He started to roll a long bandage around his knee, holding the gauze in place.
“This can be kind of hard to do without opposable thumbs. But you’re doing a great job so far.”
She smiled. “Well, I have had some practice. I take care of many animals near my cottage, and in the nearby swamp. All kinds of pets and woodland creatures, really. Sometimes they get sick, or hurt really badly, but I was always there to help.”
The roll of bandages passed from hands to hooves, and she finished wrapping it around Trent’s knee.
“That’s quite admirable of you.”
“Thank you,” she said, carefully pressing the wet sponge against his other leg.
“Did you ever have to rescue an injured creature from something dangerous?”
Her head shook. “No. Well, not usually, I mean.”
“Not usually?”
The iodine sponge pressed firmly against Trent’s knee, beneath a gently quivering hoof.
“There was one time,” she started softly. “When a log rolled down from the edge of a stream bank, and there was a baby deer drinking from there...” her voice trailed off.
“Oh? Was it trapped?”
She nodded. “It was. It was nearly crushed too. The stream was only a few inches deep, but... But the baby deer could barely keep its head above the water.”
She pressed the gauze to Trent’s knee, and rolled the bandages with mechanical precision.
“Did you have to call for help?”
“No. No, I couldn’t. It was inside the forest, and there were no other ponies around. Just me.”
The bandages pulled tighter.
“I’m sorry.”
“The log was so heavy. But when it happened, it didn’t feel that way. I tried to move it later, but it wouldn’t budge. I couldn’t even make it roll. But when I was there... I lifted it by myself. Enough to pull the deer out and fly us both out of there, before I dropped it.”
Trent listened.
“I did everything I could. Everything. But it didn’t move. It couldn’t move. It... It was still breathing, for a while. I don’t think it could feel anything. It must have been really painful, but It didn’t seem to feel anything where... Where it was broken.”
“Have you ever told anyone about that?”
Her head shook.
“I think... That must have been very scary for it. Not being able to feel. I wasn’t able to help. I really wish I could have. But all I was able to do was hold its head in my lap. I sang to it too. Mostly lullabies. That’s all I could think of.”
She looked up at Trent.
“I told it that everything would be okay.”
Her head sank. One stiff palm rested atop her shoulder, and squeezed gently.
“You did everything you could. You did exactly what needed to be done.”
An imperceptible nod came as her only reply.
“It wasn’t enough,” she whispered.
“I’ve been in some situations like that. Not that I can say that it’s anything like what you’ve been through. No. I’m not going to make your experience sound cheap by saying that I feel exactly what you’re feeling. But... I’ve seen things before. The kind of things that I don’t like to tell to anyone.”
There was a long pause, as the two sat on the gurney. One hand softly patting beneath a pink mane.
“Were you a doctor?”
“No. No... I had a good friend that was one though. Picked up a few things from him. Swell guy, even if he was a bit of goofball.”
“Did you ever see anypony... I mean, any person, die?”
Trent pursed his lips together, holding his words back carefully.
“Stransky. I remember Stransky.”
“Oh? Who was that?”
“Third platoon leader. Down planetside in Colombia. He got hit.”
The fur pricked up on the back of Fluttershy’s neck.
“I wasn’t really there to help,” Trent continued. “Had more pressing matters at the time. But I stayed with him for a bit. Good kid. He came from a different country with a different language. He taught me a bit of it, but Меня зовут Трент Питерович is about the most I can remember. Anyways. It was pretty dark at the time. Third platoon was making an advance, trying to keep up the pressure. Had to stay low. Plasma and counterbattery fire coming from downrange. Bastards just wouldn’t climb that hill. We sent the banshees after them. Pneumatic cutters and discus launchers. Shaped charges that looked like a frisbee. Puff puff puff, POW POW POW! There was this godawful scream when they recharged their differential tanks. Hilsch tubes. Maxwell’s Demons. That’s how they got the name. Robots made out of razor blades. They tore into em while we beat them down with the auto howitzers and the fission drones. Still wasn’t enough.”
He paused to breathe.
“Anyways, like I said... It was pretty dark. Pitch black jungle lit up by the criss cross of green plasma and flashes from the shot-fall. Everybody stuck out like a sore thumb on the thermals. Even them. Couldn’t see them up close, but they didn’t look like anything natural on the IR scope. That... That’s around the time he got hit. Some people scream over the radio when they get hit, you know. Not Stransky. No. He tried though. Just... Didn’t have the lungs for it. Diaphragm torn out. Wasn’t plasma though, that would’ve been easier. Rail shot. Took out half of his torso. Made my way over to him, but I couldn’t do much to help. Fleet Surgical Team Four did the real work. Up on the Houston. I wired a teleop circuit into a few grunts on the ground and they got him stable. That’s pretty much all I did. All I could do at the time. Had to keep the pressure up. Had to keep moving.”
Fluttershy listened quietly. Her head swam with hundreds of thoughts, all bizarre and unintelligible. The descriptions were meaningless, yet the emotion struck with profound clarity.
Trent continued to speak, breaking off into disjointed sentences and slurred fragments of dredged thoughts. His lips moved, but his eyes simply stared.
“Ninety thousand feet. Skipping like a stone over a river. Dove in over El Atlantica Concordia. They used to call that Venezuela, you know. Dove hard. Down to thirty thousand in a few minutes. Glowed red like a cherry, all over. Ground came up fast, and so did the streamers. We traded hard. Lit em up with the bright lights. Dumped every point defense we had. God... Just so many of them.”
“Mr. Trent?”
“Counterbattery fire looked like a red carpet. Nowhere to run. Just had to stay put and let the mechs sort it out. Thunderclaps in the sky. Thunderclaps on the ground. All walking towards you. Everyone was a statistic eventually. Pencil rain made sure of that. Trying to fight two wars at once. Shot-fall tearing up the jungle. Streamers and pop tops slamming into the hull. Engine three gone. No lateral control. Pitched her into a dive while streaming a forty tesla coronal loop behind us like a kite tail. Lost power, and the field collapsed hard enough to induce a paramagnetic ionization heave in the thermocline. Dropped past five thousand, and the potential equalized. Whole forest canopy lit up. Lichtenberg lightning off the tip of every treetop, all in one big blinding swoop from everywhere at once. Then there were the big flashes. Electric field strong enough to jam the reset button in your brain for a few seconds. So bright you couldn’t see. Loud enough to give you a concussion. Couldn’t remember much from that. Nobody could.”
“Um... Mr. Trent?”
“They had a whole army in front of us. Planetary beachhead. But they were too late though. Ohhhh.. ho ho. Just a little too late. I got to stand there and watch. I watched them burn.”
“Trent?”
His lips peeled back into an angry snarl. Short breaths hissed through bared white teeth.
“Bastards almost got away with it. Oh, how they pleaded. And we fell for it. Lambs to the slaughter, each and every one of us. Even those poor bastards we fried in the jungle. Even them.”
“Trent,” she laid one hoof on his shoulder. His head snapped up with a jolt, eyes coming back into focus, staring back at Fluttershy in confusion.
“Huh? Oh, yes?”
“It’s okay.”
“Yeah... Yeah. It’s okay,” he sighed.
“You did everything you could, right?”
His head shook quickly.
“No. I didn’t really. I could have stayed. Wouldn’t have changed anything, though. He’d probably still be dead. Myself too, perhaps.” He slumped forward, resting his head on his freshly bandaged knees.
“But... I thought you said you saved him? Stransky, I mean.”
“High explosive round. Didn’t hit him directly, but the shockwave did him in. Him and the other three guys teleop’d back into the Houston. It might have been different though. The mechs and the mobile platforms were keeping the sky clean, but... I had the priority. So much shot-fall. Not enough pinpoint beams to go around. I had my job to carry out, and I did. We traded pretty hard, but we won. Anything else might have gone differently. But that was the choice, and it was the choice I made.”
“I’m sorry.”
“They tried to call me a hero when we got back,” he closed his eyes and shook his head. “That’s us. The survivors. The Heroes. Everyone else was a statistic. None of us believed that for a minute.”
“I think,” she said quietly, “that you all were heroes.”
“We were all just statistics. Task force against a forward army. Had to play it by numbers. Wasn’t any choice there. That’s the game we played. Could have saved a lot of people that night by not engaging. Let it be someone else’s problem. But that... That would’ve been a full scale war, with exponentially higher losses. The lives of many were paid for by the lives of us few. We could have done it differently though. Might have found a better way. We had at least that much of a choice. You didn’t. There was nothing you could have done differently. But you did it anyways. You did everything you could when there was no hope of changing the outcome. That... That’s something more than being a hero. That’s compassion. Selflessness. That’s who you are.”
His head lifted, eyes locked with the pink and yellow pegasus.
“I told Stranksy that everything was going to be all right.”
They stared at each other for a short while. Hoof and hand grasped together, silently speaking what words could not convey.
“Are you ready to go?” Trent asked, after some time.
“Are we all done here?”
“Yes. I believe so. Lets just clean up here, and pack everything else back into the bag. Waste not, want not, you know.”
“Oh, of course. Um... Trent? What about this?” she held up her gloved foreleg.
“Ahh. That’s easy,” he said, hooking his finger into the plastic loop, and giving a sharp pull. The glove split down the seam, all the way to the tip of her hoof, shedding like a skin of a snake.
“Thank you.”
Trent stood, and dressed, slipping the various items back in his pocket, and cinching his belt.
“Fluttershy? Do you remember a little while back, when I said that we didn’t need to come down here?”
“Yes, I do. But I’m glad that we did. You’ve shown me that I really need to face my fears, and press on when I might be too scared otherwise. You showed me that the greatest obstacles are sometimes in my mind, rather than directly in front of me. And that sometimes, others might depend on the actions I take, and how quickly I can do it.”
“Mmmhmm.”
“Um... Is that what you wanted to ask me?”
“Oh, not really. I was just going to mention earlier, before you pushed me off the platform... That we could have just taken the elevator,” he pointed at the wall and flicked his fingers.
A single smooth recessed door slid to the side.
“Ready to go see a spaceplane?”
She smiled and nodded, waiting for Trent to turn around before twisting her face into the most grotesquely profound visage of incredulous annoyance.
Yet, for her, it was still graceful.
***
|
shalrath
|
1219
| 15 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Derpy Hooves,Discord,Main 6,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Human,Adventure,Comedy,Dark,Sad,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
The End
|
A friendly stranger delivers some unsettling knowledge about Life, the Universe, and Everything.
|
incomplete
| 674 | 40 |
<p>A visitor arrives in Equestria, bearing a wealth of knowledge and a troubled past. The Mane 6 are quick to befriend the stranger, who helps them to discover what they truly value in life, and how to achieve it.</p><p>But learning to overcome their fears and achieve their desires comes at a steep price, paid by their innocence.</p>
|
teen
|
2012-09-25T05:56:06+00:00
|
2012-09-25T05:56:06+00:00
| 6,820 |
* * *
"Trent? Why are you doing this?"
‘Hmm?”
“I mean, why are you doing this for me?”
He shrugged.
"Well, I mean its very nice of you, and I really do appreciate it. But why are you spending so much time just to show me a space plane, when there are so many other things you could be doing."
“I have all the time in the world, remember?”
The elevator hummed to a stop.
“That joke is getting a little old,” she mumbled.
“Well I am old! So I get to make all the dumb jokes I want,” he harrumphed, as the door slipped open.
"It doesn't sound like a joke though..." Her head shook. “Mr. Trent? Do you remember how you said you wanted to teach me to fly?”
“Yes.”
“Did you really mean that you were going to teach me how to fly a spaceship?”
“Well... Maybe.”
Fluttershy sighed.
“Well, it’s just that when we first talked, it sounded like you were just going to teach me how to fly faster.”
“Still technically true.”
She trotted alongside him, her hooves squeaking softly on the Polyslick deck.
“Was it a trick?”
“Hmm?”
"Why did you really bring me here?"
‘Well, do you remember what I told you earlier?”
“Yes. You said that you would show me what I could become. And then you would ask me if that is what I wanted to be.”
“Mmmhmm.”
“Then why are we doing this?” She flew in front of him, face to face, eyes wide and imploring.
“Seeing the spaceplane?”
She nodded curtly.
Trent stopped, leaning against the glossy white bulkhead. He scratched his chin for a moment, as Fluttershy hovered patiently before him.
“Well, here’s a question. Do you know any ponies that work on a farm?”
“Oh, yes, as a matter of fact. One of my best friends runs her own farm.”
“Ahh, and how much farming would she be able to do without a plow to till the fields, or a wagon to harvest the crops?”
“Apples.”
“Eh?”
“Oh, um. She runs an apple farm. The largest apple orchard in Ponyville, actually.”
“Okay... So, um... What if she had to pick all the apples by hand, er, hoof. Ugh, this probably isn’t the best example.”
“It’s not a problem for her. She’s one of the strongest apple buckers in Ponyville!”
Trent’s hand slapped across his forehead, before sliding down to clamp over his mouth. His belly quivered as he struggled to hold back the staccato of explosive chortling.
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
“Yes! It’s all fine,” he blurted out through a forcibly restrained smile. “Anyways, as I was saying...”
“And her brother Big Macintosh can buck enough apples in one day to fill a hundred barrels!”
Mr. Trent was in a state of distress. Both hands pressed over his mouth as he slid down the wall, and fell to one side. His body convulsed with chest spasms as he lay twitching against the blue and white speckled deck. To Fluttershy’s sudden horror, it appeared that he was choking.
On air.
“Oh! Oh no, Mr. Trent!”
She sprang into action, swatting his hands away from his face just as his mouth snapped open to gasp for breath. One surprisingly tactile hoof squished his nose shut as she planted her lips across his, and the canary yellow pegasus huffed with all the force her lungs could muster, forcing Trent’s chest to rise, and his eyes to bulge from their sockets.
“MMMMMMPPPHHH!” he said, as his limbs flailed in the body language dialect of thrashing gesticulation.
“Are you okay!” she gasped breathlessly.
He rolled to one side, panting through fits of laughter.
“Yes! Yes, I’m fine,” he wheezed several times before slapping his palm to the floor and letting the last of the giggling subside.
“What’s so funny?” she demanded.
“Oh, nothing. It’s just that this Big Macintosh fellow sounds like quite the ladies man... Er, stallion. Heh, quite the stallion indeed.”
“Ohh,” she said, nervously looking to one side. “Well, he is really nice. Very quiet, but nice.”
“Ahh. Too quiet?”
She shrugged slightly before returning to face Trent.
“Why are you doing this? Why are we here?”
He sat up with deliberation, leaning back against the smooth wall; trapped between the steel bulkhead and Fluttershy’s unwavering stare.
“A farmer can plant seeds, but he needs a plow to sow fields. He needs a tool.”
She took a step back, looking back down the corridor towards the elevator.
“You said I could help people. This isn’t going to do that.”
“The plow is what separates a flowerbox from a field. The farmer needs a tool to farm.”
She stamped her hoof, echoing sharply in the silent corridor. She turned back to glare at Trent, but he was already kneeling inches away from her, serious and sincere.
“You want to help others. I know. How many then? What kind of a difference do you want to make?”
“I don’t understand. Yes, I want to help, but...”
“Then you need a tool.”
“And the spaceship is the tool?” she nearly shouted, thrusting one hoof toward the far end of the corridor.
“Exactly.”
“Then what do you need me for?”
“Because a plow doesn’t till a field on its own. Just like spaceships don’t save people by themselves. People save people. But sometimes, they need the right tool for the job.”
“And that’s it? You want me to teach to fly a spaceship? That doesn’t make sense.”
“Not yet.”
Fluttershy sighed, sitting back on her haunches.
“You said... I would have the choice to continue, or to go home. Mr. Trent, I really appreciate everything you’ve done so far, but I don’t know that I want to continue this.”
“Mm... Still technically true.”
“What is?” she sighed weakly.
“Well, I did say that I would show you first, before you made that decision. Then perhaps you would know the answer. But as of right now, the question has not yet been asked.”
She looked toward the elevator, then back down the corridor.
“You just want me to see it, right?”
“Yes. I know that everything about this sounds very far-fetched, but I would appreciate your trust in my simple offer. I think you might find it rather interesting.”
“I do need to get home soon. It’s nearly dinner time for my pets. I know Angel, my little bunny, always expects dinner to be ready on time,“ she trailed off wistfully.
“Ahh. Well, we’re not far now. Would an extra five minutes be too much to ask?”
“No, it’s fine,” she sighed, stood, and turned toward the far end of the corridor. “Oh, Mr. Trent?”
“Yes?”
“Do you know what time it is?”
Trent’s fingertips twitched absentmindedly as he walked. He stopped suddenly, his face contorted into an incredulous scowl. He shook his head, and stared again at the empty space in front of his nose.
“Well, that’s weird,” he muttered; his train of thought racing down the tracks with the line of cars still parked at the station.
“Hmm?”
“Huh?”
“The time.”
Trent stopped again, turning around with a confused look.
“Oh? What about it?”
“Do you know what time it is?” she repeated, grating out each syllable.
Trent clapped his hands together gently, staring upwards. His body swayed in the manner of a doctor who was ready to announce that the operation had been a complete success, but wasn’t entirely sure which leg was meant to be amputated.
“Ahh... That. Well, you see, I don’t know exactly. The clock seems to be off.”
“The clock?” she looked around, seeing nothing but a web of right-angle conduit and polished brass boxes adorning the white enamel walls of the corridor.
“Ah, the ship’s clock. Radio, you know,” he waggled his fingers in the air.
“Oh, I see. Um, is it off by a few minutes? A few hours?”
“About seventy thousand years.”
* * *
Tap, tap, tap.
She gasped for breath. Air filled her lungs, and she relaxed with palpable relief. Step one on the self assessment checklist completed. She wiggled her body from her neck down to her toes. No problems there. Step two finished, on to step three.
After a cursory examination, she concluded that she was not on fire.
She checked her suit’s gauges. About half full. She initiated a software check on her radio. Diagnostics passed, reception active. She checked the ship’s propulsion control. No thrust. The gimbals sat motionless. The navigation console reported no translation, post frame change. Everything looked good.
On a minor positive note, she also reached her target.
She settled back with a deep sigh, looking up.
The waffle grate over the cockpit was open.
She jumped back, retreating by what few millimeters the restraint harness could afford. Within the dark confines of the cockpit, a gloved hand was slowly reaching toward her. Her fingers crept quickly across the belly of her suit to the leather holster strapped to her other arm.
The glove felt around in the dark, fingertips tapping at the metal collar of her suit. The hand opened, and pressed firmly over her faceplate.
A glowing greenish cross filled her vision, drawn with photo-luminescent paint on the palm of the glove. She sighed with relief, reaching up to grasp the probing hand.
It withdrew from the cockpit, and returned holding a thick wire wrapped in neon yellow electrical tape. She grasped the jack, and plugged it in; listening to the metal contacts clicking softly as it seated home. The headset strapped across her ears crackled to life.
“Good job, kiddo. Now tell me how my kidneys are functioning!”
Goddammit.
“Umm...” she started. “The... Um... The nephrons within the kidney contain the glomerular structure, which filters particulate from the afferent arteriole input side, which, um, passes to the Bowman’s capsule before transport by the proximal tubule. Umm...”
“Close enough. How are you feeling down there? Everything okay?”
“I think so.”
“Well, good to see that the ol’ noggin is still working,” the gloved hand patted her faceplate. “And that’s my official diagnosis.”
“Did I pass?”
“Oh yeah. Looked great. You came in a little fast, but not too fast. Good thing too, because I forgot to bring my spatula! Hah!”
“Ughh,” she groaned. “That joke is really getting old.”
“Well I am old! I can make all the dumb jokes I want! Anyways now, lets get you outta there. I bet your dad’s gonna be proud that his little girl wrecked her first spaceship. Haah! Not sure if he’s gonna be thrilled when he sees the new insurance premiums though.”
“Insurance what?”
“Tell ya when you’re older. Now, quick! How many thoracic vertebrae?”
“Twelve.”
“Uhm hum. Now, what would we do if one of those slipped? Number ten for example.”
“Lock the restraint harness, and decouple the scaffold from the post,” she recited from memory.
“Mmm, good, good. You can wiggle your toes, right? Nothing out of place?”
“I think I’m okay.”
“Course you are. God-given gift of indestructibility. Enjoy it while it lasts. Before you know it, you’ll be hunched over with hair growing out of places it shouldn’t, and making two trips to the bathroom for every cup of coffee!”
“Ughh! Gross!”
“Hey, that’s no way to talk about my ex wife! Haah!”
Within the vacuum of space, nobody can hear you smacking your helmet.
“Okay, freakishly tall apprentice of mine, few more questions. What’s the channel for a craft in distress?”
“Um... One thousand sixty four kiloHertz...”
“Nope.”
“Two hundred and eighty two...”
“Agh, never pay attention to anything that doesn’t involve physical trauma, do you? Oh well, you were kinda close. The two you mentioned are both search and rescue. Want me to give you a hint?”
“Okay”
“Ahem...” He cleared his throat, “You’re listening to One Twenty One point Five, FM! All craft disasters, all the time! ‘Oh god we’re goooing down! Ahhhhhh!!! Cabin pressure dropping, oh god oh god nooooo! Pssshhhhhhhh!’”
There was a short awkward silence.
“Um, Okaaay. I think I can remember that. But why did you try to sound all weird there?”
“What, you’ve never heard how a DJ talks on the radio? Jeez, kids these days...”
“What’s a DJ?”
“Aaaaghh! Stop it, stop it, stop it! You’re making me feel way older than I already am! Anyways, one more thing. Show me how you’d get out of there if the release was jammed. Use your wire knife, but don’t open it, capiche?”
She dutifully reached into her thigh pocket, pulling out a rounded rectangular handle with a ring attached to the end. Lightly, she brushed it across her right shoulder strap, and then across each strap running down the left side of her torso.
“Good job. Didn’t miss any. Now pop the release and shimmy your skinny little butt outta there. We’ve got people waiting on us.”
Before she could respond, the gloved hand wrapped around the audio cable, and yanked it from her helmet.
Peace and quiet, once again.
The release handle pointed left. Left for locked. She gave it a twist, pulled, and rotated it down until it was between her legs. Half a dozen nylon straps zipped away into the steel ribs of the articulated scaffold behind her. She ducked her head to clear the canopy opening, folding her six foot frame into a near fetal position as she pulled herself upright. She released the hook-snap umbilical connecting her suit to the craft, replacing it with the hose bundle from her support pack stowed in the side of the cockpit.
Straddling the lip of the craft was a man who’s rotundness was scarcely concealed by the stretched synth-fabric of his space suit. Nor could the thick impact-rated polycarb faceplate conceal the torrent of hyperactive inappropriateness radiating from his doughy grin.
He rapped his gloved knuckles on the side of his helmet, pointing with his other hand.
Hey dumb-dumb! Anyone home? Are you forgetting something there?
She grabbed the wire knife and shoved it back into her thigh pocket.
He stood with one boot hooked inside the rim of the cockpit, careful not to mar the pitch black mirrored foil that enveloped the craft. He reached down and snapped a tie-off line to her suit, before helping her the rest of the way out.
She patted the top of her helmet.
Thanks, Terry.
The craft had crumpled at the nose and starboard hardpoint pylon. It drifted slightly as she pushed away, tethered by a thick cable to a small breakaway anchor embedded within the wall of dark grainy rock. The asteroid bore pockmarked depressions from the impact, with the few slowest jagged pebbles still gently drifting nearby.
Soft sunlight cast sharp shadows across the pits and prominences of the asteroid. A line of spacesuited silhouettes stood on the sunward face, clapping their hands silently and cheering without a sound. She knew each of them, mostly teenagers from an earlier creche. Kids in suits casting shadows of giants.
Their eyes turned to Terry. He raised both hands with his fingers spread, as if grabbing an invisible box. His thumb hooked over his shoulder, as his other hand splayed three fingers sideways across his chest.
Allright twerps, you know the drill. Loot and scoot. Thirty minutes!
* * *
Fluttershy gasped in panic. Her head shook and her chest heaved, until the words finally escaped her throat.
“Seventy thousand years!”
Trent stood with his thumbs hooked in his pockets, tapping his foot in impatient contemplation.
“I know. It’s impossible.”
“That this ship could be that old?”
“I never said the ship was that old. I just said the clock was off. Hell, this class of ship is only about three years old. I have boots older than that!”
“Oh,” she relaxed slightly. “So it really would be impossible for the ship to be seventy thousand years old, then?”
“Never said that either. I just meant that it’s impossible for the clock to be off. That’s what’s got me stumped.”
“What?”
“Look, you know how clocks have a pendulum, right?”
“Well, yes.”
“And the smaller you make the pendulum, the faster it ticks, right?”
Fluttershy nodded.
“The ship’s clock uses a single atom of aluminum for a pendulum! It’s trapped in an electromagnetic bottle, and measured with an ultraviolet laser. It’s so accurate that it wouldn’t drift by a second in nearly four billion years! And not just that, but there’s five of them scattered around the ship, so they can all keep each other in check. And do you know what else? If one of those atoms spontaneously decays, the clock just inserts a new one. Do you know what happens when an aluminum atom decays?”
“No...” she gritted her teeth from the painfully pedantic translation.
“We don’t either! It should be stable until the universe eventually fizzles out. And if by some random chance that the clock uses up all its teeny tiny pendulums, or breaks in some other spectacularly miraculous manner, then the Autofab would just build a new one.”
She pressed one yellow hoof firmly to her forehead.
“Ohh, well that’s nice to know. Really great,” she winced as the uninvited party of bizarre thoughts rudely made themselves at home. “I’m sorry, I was just a little surprised when I thought you said that the ship was seventy thousand years old.”
“Didn’t say that either. It’s more like seventy thousand years young.”
“Whaaat?”
“I know, right? My species was just learning how to bang two rocks together around that time. Definitely not building starships.”
“Well, what does it mean then!”
“A detour,” Trent sighed. “I’d like to find out what’s going on.”
“Oh... Will that take more time?”
“Yes, but not much. There will be a lot of information to go through, but I just need to download it for now, so I can read it later.”
“Like checking out a book from a library? Is that what a download is?”
“Yep. You’re getting really good at this.”
A smile crept over her bashful face.
“Thank you.”
“Now we just need to take the tram to the bridge. Shouldn’t take very long.”
“Is that like an elevator that can move sideways?”
“Exactly!”
* * *
The singleship had been stripped to its aluminum spars. The Rocket Jocks had started first, securing the fuel lines and surgically removing the cryogenic reaction mass tanks. Zip guns and cutting wheels quietly eviscerated the crafts underbelly, unbolting what could be unbolted, and unwelding that which was welded. Meanwhile, the Sparkys gutted the cockpit and the sensor pods, carefully stockpiling their precious electronics. Two of the older kids, the Spectrum Spooks, had peeled the mirrored foil onto rollers, careful to preserve the swaths of midnight colored metal.
Terry floated at the end of the tether, arms crossed, judiciously observing the ant-like disassembly of the ship. He watched as they deployed a device that looked like an inside-out umbrella - a blackbody radiator capped with a half-inch polarization filter.
He gestured with one palm flat, and the other hand pointing straight up.
Out of plane.
They didn’t need to ask. The radiator sat at the end of an anchored stalk, pointed parallel to Solar North. A thick insulated cable ran to the thermocouple within the ship, dumping the craft’s pent-up heat from its reservoir of molten sodium into the blackbody radiator, shining an infrared pencil-beam away from watchful eyes.
Never can be too sure.
Tap tap tap tap. Twenty three minutes elapsed. She waved to Terry, holding up all five fingers, and lowering three. He tapped the top of his helmet in lieu of a nod, and repeated the gesture to the organized chaos of the teenage crowd.
Listen up twerps! Seven minutes! Hustle hustle hustle!
Terry glanced back to his apprentice. With deliberate exertion, she pressed her fingers together and tapped the faceplate of her helmet.
Hungry...
He patted the back of his helmet.
I know. I’m sorry.
She quietly returned the gesture, before turning back to watch the recovery operation.
The singleship was scarcely recognizable. A bare skeleton of the craft that once plied the coastline of the cosmos. The piecemeal plundering of parts had passed, and the looted remnant lay lashed against the face of the rock. Pneumatic anchors as long as a man’s leg were buried to the hilt within the primordial planetoid, pulling taut against the webbing of steel rope threaded through the ship’s frame; ensnaring their Lilliputian prize.
Downspinning the reaction wheels would normally take hours. They had five minutes. There was no emergency stop for the dynamo of invisible inertia that the craft perched upon, as stopping suddenly would constitute an emergency of its own.
A single cable snaked away from the craft’s gutted innards, floating just above the dark gritty chondrite, running past the junkyard bundle next to the utility craft some distance away. Beyond the artificial barricade, eight suited figures knelt - shoulder to shoulder, belly to backpack. The cable plugged into an adaptor. The adaptor plugged into a control tablet. The control tablet plugged into one pair of keyed gloves. One pinkie finger extended, and tapped at empty space.
The craft lurched violently within the steel webbing, pulling hard at the unyielding restraints. The competing gyroscopic forces played against each other, forcing the singleship to writhe in lockstep with their torque fueled tango. It spun nearly one quarter turn despite the strained wire rope, carving ruts in the soft rock as a stricken animal might make its last anguished claw marks against the jaws of a spring loaded trap.
After some time, four minutes and thirty-nine seconds to be exact, the craft gave one final shudder and lay still. Eight suited figures turned to look at the doctor and his apprentice.
Radio silence was still in effect, but the two thumbs up from the bulky gloves said everything. Terry clasped his hands together, then slapped one hand across his chest with two fingers extended.
Good job twerps! Haven’t seen a chop job that fast since I made the mistake of stopping for coffee off the Jersey Turnpike. Err.. wait. Have any of you even seen a car before? Pfeh. Kids these days. Wouldn’t last a minute in I-95 traffic. Never mind. Swell job anyhow. Don’t get too comfy though. Rendezvous in twenty minutes!
Seven of the kids made their way to release the singleship from its ad-hoc anchorage. One kicked off from the utility craft, and dove in the other direction, coming to a stop with a short puff from his suits hypergolic thrusters.
She couldn’t make out the face behind the one-way permeable mesh. The six foot spaceman reached over and slapped it’s glove over her faceplate, showing off a glowing arrow with a spiral wrapped around it; a force diagram depicting an electromagnetic mass driver.
Her hand patted the back of his glove, before waving dismissively.
Well if it isn’t Jake O’Dwyer. What’s the matter Jake, can’t find any other girls to pick on out here?
He raised both arms and shook his hands, laughing heartily at her response. He tapped two fingers over his wrist, and hooked his thumb over his shoulder. Then one hand curled into a thumbs up, while the other hand swung out and punched her in the arm.
Ach! Well our blade fulla cheek, inn’it? Or whatever. Aight, anyways, nice one scutchin` up into this ol rock. Bleedin header of a bang up job ta is. Give us a bell sometime an maybe we’ll run a tear. Later, ya gobshite wee yank!
Before he turned to leave, she slapped her hand against her thigh, and pointed at his leg. His suit was mottled with sewn patches and SuperTape, all showing the telltale signs of age. However, the patch on his right leg was still bright and clean.
He patted his leg, and tapped the top of his helmet.
Nice one, no joke. Feelin right fine that is now. Ey, no free snogs outta the deal tho!
She smiled behind her darkened faceplate, watching as he bounded away in a flying leap towards the utility craft. He snapped his suit hook onto the seat of the ‘crotch rocket’, deftly straddling it while twirling his arm overhead.
Oy! Takeoff, takeoff! Skive off ya ha’shilling knackers!
A puff from the forward thrusters sent craft and rider rearing up, like a cavalry soldier from an earlier time. A short blast from the wide rocket bell sent him flying towards Solar North, spraying nuggets of loose rock across the face of the asteroid, and trailing a coil of wire rope.
Terry leaned over and plugged a cable into her helmet.
“You know, when I was your age, we didn’t ‘play doctor’ that literally. Haah!”
She elbowed him.
“Not a bad job though. Not bad for a rookie.”
“Thanks,” she conceded.
“Just make sure you don’t get too close to me for the next week.”
“Huh? Why?”
“Oh, well you know. I can’t take the chance of getting infected.”
“What?”
“COOTIES! Haaah haaah!”
She flicked the cable from her headset as Terry’s laughter devolved into a series of guttural snorts and gasps. She rapped her fist on the side of her helmet and threw a backhanded gesture as she kicked away.
Peace and quiet, once again.
There was a short bright flash, followed by a low hiss.
She turned to look. Terry had gone as still as a statue, raising one hand and cupping the other against the side of his helmet. The other kids heard it too, glancing among each other to see if anyone would fess up to accidentally transmitting.
The static in her ears slowly resolved into something more organic, a faint voice drowned out by the whistling rush of air. A whisper. An agonized plea.
“...help.”
Her eyes raced up the beanstalk of wire rope. It seemed to stretch off into infinity, as the crotch rocket had become an indistinguishable dot within the few short minutes.
There was a short bright flash from the end of the wire. The hissing stopped.
A rough shove sent her barrelling toward the rest of the group, gliding within fingertips reach over the porous gritty rock. She turned back to look, moments after colliding into the outstretched arms of the others. Terry tapped the side of his helmet and fanned his glove at his neck. Then both arms folded over the top of his head.
Radio silence! Radio silence! We’re under attack!
* * *
The tram ride lasted less than a minute. The most terrible and intense set of adrenaline drenched consecutive seconds that Fluttershy could ever remember.
“Fluttershy?”
Her heart raced and her chest heaved. Falling from Cloudsdale as a filly had been one defining bookmark in the tome of atavistic terrors that occupied the library of her memories. This wasn’t like that. This was worse. This was like being propelled straight into the ground with the aid of a three mile long slingshot. The acceleration had gripped every fiber of her body, leaving her sanity hanging on for dear life.
“Fluttershy...”
So much power! Even the roaring furnace and hissing boiler of a steam locomotive could not hold a candle to the raw torrent of force that she just felt. The simple interior of the modest tram car did not even begin to hint at the violent wellspring of energy on tap just beneath the fuzzy red carpet. It was like being pitched towards the horizon with the snap of an invisible giant’s hand, yet with the careful precision and gentle reserve of a father rocking a foal to sleep.
“We’re here.”
She shivered, eyes blinking in swift sharp snaps. Trent stood at the threshold, one foot propped against the edge of the persistently protesting door.
“Ooohh... O.. Okay.”
“You can come out now.”
“Okay.”
“You need to let go of the handrail first.”
“Okay...” she squeaked, as she gingerly unwrapped her foreleg from the polished stainless steel pole.
“Now do the same thing with your other three legs.”
She gulped. With slow deliberation, she peeled the rest of her limbs from the reassuring anchorage.
“You’re doing very well,” Trent deadpanned.
She gingerly lifted her haunches from the floor, and scooted back from the pole. Her outstretched wings and swishing pink tail slapped against Trent as she darted through the door. Fine fluffy feathers flapped furtively as she fought to fold them flat against her flanks; feelings of fight or flight forcing the frightened filly to flutter frantically.
“I’m sorry if that scared you. I didn’t really think about that.”
Her wings flapped erratically and her legs wobbled like jelly, but her hooves stayed firmly on the deck.
“Oh, it’s...” her words softly huffed through the hint of a smile. “It’s okay. It is really.”
“What’s going on with your wings?”
“Umm, well... Sometimes when I get frightened, my wings will snap closed all by themselves, and stay there,” she said bashfully.
The canary yellow feathers were spread open like a fan, their tips pointed to the ceiling. An embarrassed smile crossed her face, as she tried to fold them neatly against her sides.
“Are you still frightened?”
She gave a halfhearted nod, peeking out behind a waterfall of pink mane.
“Just a little.”
“Are you.. excited?”
The wings sprang back into the air of their own accord.
“Maybe a little,” she squeaked.
Trent gave a bemused sigh, facing the open end of the corridor. They exited the narrow terminus, stepping into a wide funnel-shaped vestibule.
He stopped, turning slowly. Behind him, the vestibule branched off into several other corridors, each with their own terminal stations.
“Mr. Trent? What does that say?” she pointed one hoof at a rectangular placard on the wall.
“Hmm? Frame three hundred and seventy two.”
“Oh... That’s interesting,” she paused. “It doesn’t look like the other words.”
“That’s because it’s a number.”
She cocked her head at the brass plate. It bore a series of pits and pyramids in three separate lines.
“Is that how you write numbers?”
“It’s a way of writing numbers.”
“Oh..” she furrowed her brow.
“See these?” he tapped at the brass pyramids along the top row. “Two hundred and fifty six, sixty four, thirty two, sixteen, and four. Those add up to three hundred and seventy two. That’s how many cross frames are between us and the bow of the ship.”
Fluttershy grimaced, feigning comprehension.
“It’s like coordinates on a map,” Trent offered.
“Ohh,” she looked from side to side. “I guess that’s kind of like a map. But why are there three lines if a map only has two directions?”
“Back and forth, top to bottom, and side to side,” he pointed at each row in turn.
“That makes a little more sense,” she spoke softly. Her hoof tapped at the tile floor, nervously pondering how many more rooms and corridors lay hidden beneath.
“Well, it’s usually like that now. We used to have a saying that a ship at rest is very long, and a ship in motion is very tall. Before we started laying artificial gravity decking everywhere, that is. Come on, I can tell you more about it later.”
As she followed Trent, her eyes were drawn to the deck. A mosaic of tile shards, arranged in the shape of a crashing wave, lay still beneath a thick layer of clear polished plastic. It stretched across the center of the room, a violent crescendo of white foam upon a thrusting juggernaut of blue ocean. Chaos contained within a frozen snapshot, a vast circle cut into an unbroken slab of black granite. Flickering fluorescent light reflected from the crystalline rock, twinkling as a tapestry of stars on a pitch black night.
The teardrop shaped room came together towards the end, both walls curving as a slice of an hourglass turned sideways. Two unlit windows lined either side; impassive sentinels to the narrow aperture before them.
“Fluttershy.”
She jolted at the sudden break in the silence.
“Oh... Yes?”
“Wait here.”
She nodded, hooves squeaking on the tile mosaic as she came to a stop.
Trent stepped forward to the glass, tapping his fingertips at empty air. He stood still for a short time, as if regarding what lay behind the darkened window.
“There, that’s finished. Fluttershy, can you stand next to me now? Right here?” he pointed to the deck.
“Okay,” she trotted forward, propping herself up on the tips of her hooves to peer into the window.
“Now stay still.”
She looked. Where she had expected to see her own reflection staring back, there was nothing. A chill crept down her spine, as she nervously faced the towering slab. The light from the room reflected faintly from the smooth obsidian surface, yet appeared as devoid and uninviting as the mouth of a cave.
“Just a few seconds...”
Her legs trembled and her eyelids refused to close. She stared into the void, and the void stared back. A reflection of herself, as yet unmade.
“There we go, all done. Sorry about the wait.”
She tore her gaze away, retreating by several timid steps. A quick glance over her shoulder showed the other monolithic black mirror quietly querying her quivering form. She turned swiftly, facing toward the narrow exit, eyes averted from either window. Her back stiffened and she raised her head, resolutely suppressing the heavy metronomic pounding within her chest.
A small recess opened in the wall, and Trent pulled out a pair of lanyards, white plastic cards dangling from each.
“Here you go. Please wear this while we’re inside, and make sure you stay close to me at all times.”
The card bore a stunningly detailed picture of her wide eyed face, with a smaller picture of Trent’s slightly bored grinning countenance inset on the corner. Red blocky letters ran along the bottom, with a small pulsing green light just beneath the skin of the plastic.
“Oh. Trent? What does that say?”
“It says Escort Required. And do you see my picture there? That means I’m your escort.”
He chuckled quietly as he placed the lanyard over her neck.
“But please, think of me as your guide, your conciergerie, and your friend.”
“Um, okay,” she blushed softly. “Why do I need an escort?”
“Well, think of it like this. If you had to go to your nation’s capital... Um. The one on the mountainside with all of the tall pointy towers.”
“Canterlot?”
“Yes, that one. And you had to go and meet with the Princess...”
“Celestia.”
“Yes. Okay, I knew that one. Anyways, if you had to go up there and meet with her for some reason, like say...”
“Being called upon to save Equestria from some terrible, awful, nightmare-given-flesh that intends to terrorize and enslave all of ponykind?”
“Suuurrre. Let’s go with that. So what happens next?”
“Well, we would meet with Princess Celestia. Or maybe Princess Luna. It’s been a little different since she’s been back,” she contemplated.
“Before that. How do you get into the castle itself?”
“Through the front doors.”
“Right,” Trent rubbed his forehead. “And who opens those doors?”
“The Royal Guard.”
Trent’s eyes rolled hard enough to rebound his gaze from the ceiling to the floor.
“And what do they say when you ask them to open the doors?”
“Oh, umm. Usually it’s ‘Right this way, Miss Fluttershy’,” she gruffed in a baritone imitation.
“Uhh. Don’t they ever say something like ‘Halt!’ or ‘Identify yourself’?”
“Well, yes.”
“Okay then. So...”
“But then they usually apologize later. After Princess Celestia talks to them.”
Trent slowly sat down, kicking his legs out straight, and flopping his back against the cool polished granite. Both hands pressed over his face as he shook his head from side to side, groaning in resignation against Fluttershy’s impeccable logic.
“This probably isn’t the best example.”
“What do you mean?”
“Okay. So the Princesses both know you well enough that you’re allowed to waltz right in, anytime you feel like it, right?”
She nodded.
“Well, the ship doesn’t know you. Not yet anyways. And if this ship were a country, then this would be the gate to the palace,” he pointed toward the narrow entrance.
“But.. I don’t see a gate.”
“It doesn’t need one.”
“Oh.. What if someone tried to walk through there?”
“Well, it would alert the ship’s security forces, who would meet up with the individual of interest, and politely ask them to return to this area, so they can be properly registered and assigned escort.”
“Umm. What would happen if they tried to make their way in by force?”
“Then the ship would deploy countermeasures, and the intruder would be neutralized.”
Trent sat up, the slightest hint of a smirk crossing his lips. He stood, brushing himself off as he rose, slowly turning to face the terrified pink and yellow pony.
“Oh, my. Fluttershy, I am so terribly sorry. I just don’t know what I was thinking.”
Two large round tepid eyes gazed forward, locked in a thousand yard stare amidst the imagined booming staccato of heavy autocannon fire. Her jaw hung open, gasping for gulps of air through her tightly clenched throat. One hoof patted expectantly across her chest, feeling only unblemished silky fur in place of ragged gaping wounds.
“My apologies again. Perhaps we should try to save those sort of questions for later. Much later, perhaps?”
Her head jerked up and down in the semblance of a nod, eyes darting between the many well hidden recesses and grooves within the walls and ceiling.
“You don’t need to worry. The ship trusts me, and therefore it trusts you. It won’t hurt you...” He paused for a moment, pointing at the flashing green dot on his badge. “But just to be on the safe side, you might want to stay close to me, otherwise this little dot will turn yellow, and then red. And the ship might not like that.”
Shivering, she slowly lifted the card with her hoof. As Trent walked through the opening, she saw the tiny light begin to flash with a faint tinge of amber.
“Right this way, Miss Fluttershy...”
Trent’s footsteps grew softer as he passed through the opening. The green dot began to flash with a sickly yellow tone.
“Please proceed, Miss Fluttershy.”
Her eyes fluttered closed for a moment, and she inhaled deeply. One hoof swung forward, followed by another, tapping against the tile mosaic and stone slab. Her wings pressed tightly against her sides as she trotted swiftly through the aperture.
“Ahh, there you are,” Trent grinned. “Next stop, ahhh.. eenie meenie miney moe.. combat information center, here we go.”
He paused.
"Did you hear something a few seconds ago by chance?"
Her head shook with the trace of a nod, not entirely sure of her answer.
"Hmm. Oh well. This way, please."
“Welcome back, Miss Fluttershy.”
Trent stopped again, twisting his head around, puzzled at the strange noise. After a moment, he shrugged, and opened the door with a flick of his fingertips.
* * *
The audio jack clicked into the port on her helmet. The other end snaked away into the homemade junction box - a coffee can with switches drilled into the side and dozens of cables belching out of the open end. Nine spacesuited figures crouched around the ad hoc communication hub, staring with fearful faces behind featureless faceplates.
“Set your watch. Five minute countdown. Now!”
She twisted the brass bezel, and pressed a lever on the side of the watch - one made for manipulation by bulky pressure gloves. The mechanism whirled inside, coming to a stop with one sharp clack. She turned it again slowly, five clicks. TAP, tap, tap.
“What happened!”
“What happened to Jake?”
“What are we going to do?”
“SHUT UP!” Terry boomed.
They did. It was the best plan so far.
“I think they used a laser,” Terry continued. “That means it’s probably another ship out there. Too much power draw for a small craft. And in case it’s not obvious, they’re close enough to engage.”
“What about our ship? They’re going to be here in fifteen, right?”
“What about us? We’re sitting ducks here, if they shoot some back scratchers around this rock!”
“Once again, SHUT UP! Now they probably don’t know we’re here, or they would’ve zapped us on the way in. I think the asteroid was blocking their field of view. Count your blessings there. Now, they probably don’t know about our ship either, otherwise they would’ve stayed quiet and gone for the bigger kill.”
Despite their space suits, Terry’s last words seemed to knock the breath out of everyone.
“We have to warn them!”
“How do you know they don’t know we’re here?”
“Because there aren’t any frag cannisters coming over the horizon,” one kid suggested.
“Yet...”
“HEY!” Terry shouted. “Do you know what Jake would say right about now if he could hear you? It’d probably be something like ‘Oy! shut yer cake holes and get yer bleedin arses a movin!’ He’s still out there, and we gotta go get him!”
“They killed Jake,” came one shaky voice.
“They shot Jake. There’s a difference,” Terry spoke, slow and measured. “Now first things first. You two, go grab all the mirror foil that we scavenged from the craft, and get me the twenty millimetre wire guide. You, give me your pogo stick. I’m going to wrap myself up in that mirror foil and get Jake from the top of the beanstalk!”
A chorus of “No!” came from the suited figures.
“SHUT UP!” Terry boomed. His finger jutted out to his assistant. “Time?”
“Four minutes, thirty...”
“Hear that? That’s how long we’ve got! That’s how long Jake has.”
“You can’t go!”
“I don’t have time for this!”
“We don’t want you to get shot too! We need you down here.”
“They can’t see me if I’m wrapped up in the foil.”
“It won’t fit! The pieces aren’t big enough.”
“Huh?”
“Your ass is too big.”
One wide glass eye levelled a blank baleful gaze at the bearer of bad news. A stare that suggested a different answer was needed.
“Uhh. I mean your mass is too big.”
“That too,” came another voice.
“Oh for fucks sake! Sorry twerps, but we don’t have a choice in the matter. I’m not going to sit here and piss away our only chance at saving Jake.”
“No! One of us has to go.”
“Ehh, no. No. I’m not putting any one of you in that position either. You could get killed.”
“If you’re not down here, we could all get killed!”
Terry sighed. “Jake is going to need a doctor. We don’t have time to reel him back down here. Hold on a second..”
He stood and waved his arms at the others returning from the scrap pile in the universally understood sign language of ‘Hurry the fuck up!’
“What about warning the others? We have to get a message to them!”
“I’ll think about that in a minute. One thing at a time, please!”
“We can use the thermal radiator beam. Take off the filter, and point it sunward. The craft still has some heat in the reservoir, so we can do it in Morse code, without flashing in their line of sight.”
“Fine. Good idea. Get on it.”
“I don’t know Morse code.”
“Oh. Right. Hold on a second,” Terry sighed. He pulled the plug from his headset, turned around, and bellowed a string of profanity at the top of his lungs, clenching his fists and doubling over from the sheer volume of vitriolic verbal exertion.
Unfortunately, in space, no one can hear you scream.
Terry turned around, snapping the plug back into the headset jack. His eyes widened and his jaw dropped.
“WHAT IN THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING!”
The hydrazine fuelled pogo stick was strapped to the wire guide with several wraps of Supertape, its rollers latched to the beanstalk of steel rope. One skinny girl in a tall slender spacesuit was standing on the footrests, her legs wrapped in a cocoon of null spectrum mirror foil.
“She weighs the least, so she can get there the fastest. Once she goes up, we can send the warning message back to our ship.”
“No!”
“And then we’re going to bolt the engines back onto the singleship and get it ready to fly.”
“Jesus H Fuck... Wait, what? Why? Fly us out on that thing?”
“It’s a diversion. After she gets Jake stabilized, we’ll launch the singleship. That should keep their attention while we reel them back down. Hopefully the other ship will try to shoot at it, and give away their position.”
“Right about the same time our ship gets here. If they start shooting, we can light em up.”
“Who’s goddamn idea was this?”
The children went silent. The girl on the wire rope turned back to look at Terry.
“Ohh.. No.”
“You said he needs a doctor,” she spoke just above a whisper.
“God. No... Don’t do this,” his voice cracked.
“He needs help.”
“Please. You don’t have to go. Nobody is making you go. Let me do it. I can help him.”
She pulled the watch from her wrist, and dropped it in the weightless void between them.
“Three minutes, fifteen seconds. Warn the others.”
He numbly reached for the brass wristwatch, slipping it over his wrist in sullen surrender of his protests.
“Terry! We need your help with the Morse code.”
“It’s dot dash, dash dash... Agh, just get the radiator setup and I’ll be there in a minute, okay? Just go, now!”
The two suited figures stared silently at each other across the wire rope.
“Look. Um. If the wire is cut, the forward rollers on the guide should make contact and fire the explosive clamps on the back. Just don’t go faster than twenty five meters per second.”
“I know.”
“And tune to the search and rescue channels. Uh...”
“Ten sixty four kilo and two eighty two meg. I know.”
“Right. Don’t transmit until I break radio silence, got it? Um... Just stay safe up there. I don’t know what’s going to happen in the next ten minutes. Fire the pogo stick at full throttle for about five seconds, but don’t burn after you get over the starward horizon of this rock.”
She nodded.
“And make sure that you... Um. Ah... Just...”
“Terry, can I borrow your marker?”
“Ah... Yeah. Sure.”
She took the photo-luminescent marker from Terry, and scribbled a symbol on her palm. Her glove curled into a loose fist, clutching the glowing symbol away from prying eyes.
“Hey, I guess you’ve earned it. Just be safe. I don’t want to lose you too. Er... Shit. You know what I mean.”
“I know.”
“Terry! Move outta the way!” one kid shouted urgently.
Terry placed his palm over her faceplate, and plucked the jack from her headset. Her glove pressed the back of his hand for a moment, and they separated. Two kids wrapped the mirror foil wrapped around her upper body several times until only a narrow slit was open across her helmet.
He kicked backwards and leaned forwards, scraping the toes of his boots across the cold dark rock, pulled down by the perceptibly pitiful gravity of the asteroid.
His fists curled into two thumbs-up, and he rapped his knuckles together.
Good luck, skinny-butt.
The rest of the suited figures backed away, save for one standing directly before her. He whirled his arm in a small circle over his head, and whipped his arm out straight. The nearly invisible cocoon of foil, darker than the starless voids of space, shot upwards on a hazy jet of superheated gas.
The children watched her ascent until the flame winked out and she disappeared from sight. The semicircle of suited figures looked back down to see one angry ogre of a spaceman barrelling toward them.
“Get that rope anchored! You have about three minutes before she hits the brake rings. You two! I want walking wires strung out for fifty meters in four directions! And someone tell me WHO THE HELL TOLD HER TO GO UP THERE?”
A nervous silence gripped them for several seconds. One voice finally broke through.
“It was her idea.”
“Bull.. SHIT!”
“It was, Terry!” The rest of the kids nodded in agreement. “Kind of your idea too. You trained her to do this sort of thing.”
“I taught her medicine. Not crazy goddamn stupid! Gah! No, I think she gets that from her idiot father.”
The was a nervous silence, cut short by a more pressing matter.
“Um... When is he getting here?”
Terry reset the watch, and twisted the bezel.
“About ten minutes. Now get to work! Anchor that rope, setup walking wires, and get that piece of ship ready to fly!”
“Terry, look behind you.”
He turned. Two of the kids had plugged the thermal radiator back into the singleship’s heat reservoir. One of them was holding onto the inverted umbrella with a piece of foil covering the aperture, and the other was waving his arm at Terry with urgency.
Hurry up and get over here, you fat bastard!
Terry sighed.
“Twerps! Back to work! Rendezvous in ten minutes! The day’s not over yet!"
He yanked the cord from his headset, and dove toward the singleship.
* * *
“Here we are. Now this should only take a minute,” Trent spoke as he strode into the room of short ceilings and stout steel beams.
“Oh? What is this place?”
“Forward Dorsal CIC. Err.. Combat Information Center. It’s a command center for the whole ship. There’s about half a dozen rooms like this scattered around, actually.”
Fluttershy crept forward, shaking off the dull throbbing in her head from the attempted magical translation. Dim blue lights cast their dusky pallid glow from the far corners of the room, faintly illuminating the many rows of squat square steel terminals. A shaft of white light bathed the raised dais near the center, the foundation for a plain padded chair atop a polished metal pipe.
“You said this was like the palace, right? For the whole ship?”
“More or less.”
“Then... Is that the throne?”
She stared with reverence at the aluminum chair with blocky foam cushions. The slick sheen of the shiny blue synthetic seat reflected the bright overhead lighting, a dazzling artifact within the center of the dim metal cave.
“Sort of...”
She circled it slowly, subtly bowing her head as she went.
“Is that where the Prince, or the Princess would sit?”
“Eh?” Trent looked up from the glass console. He stepped closer to the wide eyed yellow pegasus, straining to hear her excited whispering over the low rhythmic thrum of the command center.
“Or maybe... Is this where the King would sit?”
“Not really. Not a king, anyways.”
Fluttershy’s eyes widened as far as they could within the physical bounds of her intrinsically adorable countenance. She stooped to the floor, looking up at the gleaming chair.
“An Emperor?” she shivered softly.
Trent rolled his eyes and let out a long forceful sigh through the corner of his mouth.
“No. Just a Captain. Maybe even an Admiral. Anyways, there are a lot of fancy chairs in this ship, and some of them are for pretty important people. But this one is just a glorified drivers seat.”
He spun on one foot and flopped backwards into the seat hard enough to set it spinning.
“See?” he twirled with one leg hanging out. “Just a chair.”
“Oh..” she blushed slightly. “I’m sorry. You must think I’m awfully silly, getting all worked up over something like that. I mean, like you said, it’s just a chair.”
“Well, it’s not just any chair. This one commands the whole ship.”
The magical meaning of the words hit Fluttershy like a near miss from a meteorite, a mere hint of unfathomable power hidden behind Trent’s casual description.
“Mr. Trent?”
“Yes?”
“What does the ship do?”
“Well... Lots of things, really. But if you want a short answer, it’s like a home away from home.”
Her thoughts turned back to the grassy meadows and vibrant pastel colors of Ponyville. The singsong warble of the birds near her cottage, her menagerie of animals, her close circle of friends.
She blinked hard and inhaled softly, opening her eyes again to face the calculating stare from the man of many things, sitting atop the throne of light, entombed within the fortress of steel.
“Are you far away from your home?” she asked.
“Mm...” he leaned back. “You have one question, and I have two answers.”
“Never mind.” She sighed, softly shaking her head.
“No, I’ll tell you. I think... I think that I am very far from home. But I do not know yet, whether my home is the one that I left, or the one that I will someday reach.”
They stared at each other for a moment.
“Do you want to sit in the chair?” he offered.
Fluttershy gasped slightly.
“Oh, me? Really? Are you sure... Um...” She looked around fretfully. “Is that okay? With the ship, I mean?”
“Sure, why not? After all, it’s ‘bring your cute cuddly alien companion to work’ day.”
“Really?”
“No.”
An exasperated hiss escaped through her suddenly clenched smile.
“But there’s a first time for everything!” Trent hopped out of the chair and hooked his hands under Fluttershy’s forelegs, hoisting the startled yellow pegasus into the air, and twirling her around. Her legs squeezed together around her long pink tail, as the cold plastic seat cover pressed against her back and flank.
She blinked again, resigning herself to the fact that she would never cease to be surprised by Trent’s stupid impulses.
Her rear hooves dangled over the edge of the seat. She looked around around the command center with a heady feeling from the high vantage point. Before her was a blank wall, striped with bare girders, flanked on both sides by rows of consoles with their own smaller chairs. She leaned back slightly, imagining for a moment the ranks of officers and enlisted manning their stations, looking up to her. Awaiting her orders. Running the ship to her calculated whim.
The excitement faded, and the oppressive weight of reality settled atop her. It was getting late back at home, and here she was, sitting in a dark metal room in a dumb metal chair.
“Oh. Thank you. Um.. Mr. Trent? Are we ready to go soon?”
Trent’s hand patted her shoulder.
“Yes. Soon. But I was wondering though, if you wanted to see my home. The one I came from.”
“What? Where? It’s not here, is it?” she whispered, looking around in confusion.
“I’ll show you.”
His fingertips reached out, and the lights dimmed. There was a soft crackling buzz from beneath the round white platform, and a shimmering translucent veil rose around them, as if tracing the smooth curve of an invisible sphere.
And just like that, the curved veil flashed into a pitch black sheen. The round dias faded from bright white to a muted grey, and the command center disappeared from sight.
She gasped, stiffening her back and folding her wings tightly to her sides. Trent squeezed her shoulder again, and she relaxed slightly.
Before them, dim pinpricks of light hung on the black ephemeral tapestry. Most were faintly perceptible, but two shone brighter than the others.
“There,” he pointed at a single speck of light. “That’s us. That’s home.”
“That? But, what is it?”
“Do you remember how the stars look at night?
“Oh, yes. Um, are those stars?” she pointed one hoof at the cluster of tiny lights.
“Yes.”
“I see,” she stared inquisitively for a moment, her brow furrowing. “But, I remember there being a lot more of them than this. Hundreds more, in fact.”
“There are.”
“They’re so tiny, though. How do you live on one?”
“They look tiny, because they’re very far away. And no, we don’t live on the stars themselves.”
“Oh... Where do you live then?”
“On the planets that orbit the stars.”
Her hoof shot to her forehead. The concept of an orbit did not make itself known as an academic explanation or a mathematical formula. Rather, as an instinctive ingrained feeling.
“Ow...”
“Sorry.”
“Um... How far away are they? The stars, I mean.”
He waved his hand at the screen. A thin green circle encompassed the bright tiny dot. Strange letters and numbers scrolled next to it.
“Oh, about one hundred and fifteen million light years.”
The translation spell managed to imply a sense of ‘really far away’, and then simply gave up.
“That’s about a thousand times far away as our galaxy is wide.”
Both hooves cradled her temples.
“Eeep!”
“And that’s not just one star. Each of those pinpricks is a whole galaxy. Do you want to know how many stars are in our galaxy?”
She quivered, eyes fixed on the tiny dot. Two different answers screamed within her head to Trent’s simple question. But when she opened her mouth, nothing came out.
“Let’s count them!”
The tiny green circle grew to the size of a hula hoop. Another circle took its place around the cluster of galaxies. It exploded in size, followed by another, and another, and another. Hundreds appeared and expanded, giving the impression of racing down a tunnel at speeds that would leave even the fastest pegasus at a standstill. With each passing circle, a tiny counter incremented. She could not read the numbers, but she watched as it quickly sped into the range of three digits.
It was then that she noticed something. The tiny dots of light were beginning to grow. It was slow at first, as the pinholes of light became small shimmering blurry blobs. The one at the center began to grow into an oval shape.
And suddenly that tiny bright oval, no bigger than a grain of rice, exploded in size as it rushed towards her like the business end of a speeding locomotive. A galaxy of light, stretching across her entire field of view, looming silently within one wide green circle, coming to an abrupt stop just inches from her face.
Fluttershy could not scream, but she tried with all her might.
“There we go!” Trent exclaimed, pointing at the blinding white disc. “Ahh, lets see. One, two, three, ninety nine... Three hundred billion!”
She gripped the armrests surprisingly well without the benefit of fingers. Her chest heaved and her belly quivered, two shocked wide eyes reflecting the many twinkling lights of the vast cosmic engine.
“They do look so small, don’t they?” Trent mused.
She tried to respond, but her voice had shifted into the octave of dog whistles and electronic toothbrushes.
“It’s strange, really. You grow up with the stars over your head. All your life, staring up in awe and fear and envy. And then one day, you look down to find the stars at your feet. And here you are, standing upon the shoulders of giants, crawling from the teeming cradle of your world into the empty throne of the cosmos.”
Along one curving arm of glowing gas, a smaller green circle appeared. The galaxy exploded in all directions as the view raced towards one tiny glowing speck, zooming in until it was alone among the pitch black void. Fluttershy shivered, still reeling from the depth of scale.
“From that vantage point, everything seemed so much smaller. We left home, and became part of a much larger world. There was no going back. The sense of belonging among the stars was exhilarating. Intoxicating. We tamed gravity and outran light. We shattered the barriers of time and distance to please our whim. We became the means for the universe to know itself, and we wrought the tools to shape it as we saw fit. We wielded and witnessed power that made the wrath of any imagined gods seem insignificant by comparison.”
The tiny dot burned distantly, yet did not rush towards her. Trent’s fingertip gestured to it, and a list of indecipherable runes appeared alongside. He tapped at one.
The screen went black, and then the whole world flashed white.
Her eyes snapped shut, but she could still see the afterimage of the hellish glow. An immense orange and yellow sphere hung before her, boiling and blazing with appalling energy. Wispy strands of gas erupted from the roiling violent surface, writhing along invisible magnetic lines as a snake roasting on a spit.
“Look at it, Fluttershy. Don’t be afraid.”
Her body retreated as far back as the seat would allow, but her eyelids crept open.
“This is a star. There are many like it, but this one is ours. Every light you can see in the sky. Every speck, every pinprick, every fuzzy glowing cloud... Even your own sun, warm and brilliant in the bright blue sky. All are stars, from the meek to the magnificent. Even the tiniest stars are still terrible behemoths in their own right, but those very largest of them are the stuff of awe, beauty, and nightmarish reverence.”
The glowing orb shrank to the size of a softball, ensnared within a rounded green rectangle, still burning brightly within it’s shrunken cage. It was joined by several other animated icons: stars, planets, a galaxy, and one looming mass of rounded steel and angular protrusions. Trent gestured at the display, and the icons rearranged themselves. The first icon glowed, and the starship exploded into focus. A floating city, armored and armed, aquiline and angular. A patient peaceful predator within the vast void.
“But as we looked beyond our domain, we saw the universe looking back. That which we commanded, was but a speck within a cold uncaring cosmos. For as long as we imagined ourselves to last, the universe would last longer still. And for all that we could hold, we were surrounded by that which we could never truly reach.”
The dreadnought shrunk down to an invisible speck, dwarfed by the planet that appeared next to it. The cloudy marble of blue oceans, greenish land, sandy steppe, and ivory ice caps, hovered before her momentarily, then shrinking down as the ship had done. A new planet took it’s place, smooth swirling bands of brown and reddish clouds. A sphere of hazy gas that beckoned travellers through its siren call, to peer into its well of hopeless gravity.
“We were proud of how far we had come. Sitting upon the throne we had built, wearing the crown of hubris, we felt beckoned to explore the cosmos. Entitled to it. To take it and bend it to our will. But that is a journey that knows no end. To imagine ourselves as the lords of all creation is to enter a race where you must go as fast as you can, just to remain still. Lest the total sum of all your works is someday lost, spread by the solar winds and evaporated by the steady cadence of time. A race that nobody can win.”
The gas giant shrunk down to the size of a tiny marble next to the blazing sun. It too was replaced by another star that made the first seem as insignificant as a candle to a sunrise. Fluttershy gulped, whetting her throat and filling her lungs. The view zoomed out once again, and the bright blue behemoth disappeared as a tiny mote of dust within a spiral arm of the galactic disc.
“I am Ozymandias. King of Kings. Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair! So sayeth the inscription on the crumbled statue buried beneath centuries of sand. It is the oldest and most seductive of all religions. A belief as old as our species. The foolish confidence that our legacy may outlast time itself.
The galaxy sped away into nothingness, a tiny pinprick of light on a black backdrop.
“It’s a great big universe out there, no matter how high we sit and how far we can see. No matter how big we may think we are, we are still tiny. But, we are still a part of the entire cosmos. Small, yes. But, insignificant? No.”
The ship drifted back into view, enormous against the backdrop of distant galaxies.
“And here we sit. A universe of atoms, an atom within the universe.”
Trent sighed contentedly. He withdrew his arm carefully through Fluttershy’s outstretched upright wings, patting her shoulder as he went.
“You’re a part of a great big world, Fluttershy. The biggest one there is.”
She turned to look at him, her face straining to show every emotion she felt at once. She had not the words for all that she wanted to say, save for one dense meaningful phrase.
“Thank you,” her lips parted with a soft whisper.
“My pleasure. Now, no need to get up. I’ll just be a minute with the computer terminal. You can keep looking if you want.” He brushed past her outstretched feathers, stepping off the dais and disappearing through the protesting buzz of the plasma projection screen.
Her hoof rose from the armrest, shaking slightly as she gestured toward the tiny green box. It glowed as the tip of her hoof passed through it, and the galaxy sprang back to the forefront of her view. From the corner of her eye, she saw Trent through the translucent veil, scowling at the grey metal terminal.
“Whaddya mean I need to change my password? Again already? Pfeh..” Trent glared at the terminal. “Oh come on. Three special characters? Ughh.”
She sat back and stared at the great glowing disc, a brilliant white pinwheel with faint tinges of blue. It was as terrifying as it was magnificent. Striated arms trailing outwards from the blazing ring at the core. Her heart still thumped loudly, and her lips were frozen in a permanent state of amazement, but she did not avert her eyes.
It was beautiful.
“Warning. Database integrity failure QS-00899. Multi-coherence state exists for database grid.system.events. This should never happen. Please do not contact your Systems Administrator. Depot level maintenance required for following event: QS-00899.”
Fluttershy turned her head to the side. The veil turned transparent as she locked eyes with Trent’s exasperated expression.
“Well that’s what it says!” he pointed an accusing finger at the terminal.
“Oh..” she nodded at the cryptic message, pretended to understand.
“Okay, lets see here. Don’t care about fixing it right now - just want to pull some data. Um... Oh, great. Completely unreadable at the table level. Oh hell. The metadata has multiple coherent quantum states too? What the hell is this? A rejected Star Trek script? Gah! Oh, wait. Here we go. Reconstruct all table data by unique state. Think that’s what we want. Uhh... Ohh... My.”
Trent gasped. He turned to look at Fluttershy, eyes wide and quivering.
“That is a preposterous amount of data,” he said, sincerely shocked.
She nodded again. Of all the cryptic thoughts flying through her head, she recognized some of them as words.
“It says it will take several hours to complete the operation. I know I said I was planning to just download it and look at it later, but it won’t all fit!” he pointed at the base of his skull.
“Oh...”
“But don’t worry! I’ve got an idea. I just need something bigger to put it all on. Something like... Ah! There!”
He jumped up, pointing at a small square tablet sitting on an empty table. He reached for it with his hand outstretched, curling his fingers in anticipation.
The small grey monolith sat there, unperturbed.
“Oh, what? Come on!”
He thrust his hand towards the table again, quivering angrily as his palm remained empty. Finally his arm fell to his side, and he huffed loudly, stomping towards the table some ten feet away.
“Use the force, Luke. Great idea. Pfff...”
He snatched the grey tablet and thrust it into the air before him. He let go, and the tablet fell swiftly to the floor with a sharp bang, cartwheeling several feet away on its rounded corners.
Trent’s mouth fell open, utterly flabbergasted. He stooped down to pick it up, regarding it curiously. His fingers jabbed at the blank metallic surface to no avail.
“Hmm... Must be completely dead,” he muttered.
He held it in one hand, as the other pinched two fingers together around an invisible cable. He brought his pursed fingers towards the edge of the tablet, and looked expectantly.
The tablet did nothing.
“Oh we’re gonna do this the hard way, are we? Okay, lets see how you like a taste of this!”
The tablet was unceremoniously jammed into his back pocket.
“That’s better,” he grinned, pressing the tablet against his posterior as a hen would hatch an egg. “Near-field power transmission. My ass can jumpstart anything!”
A dim green dot blinked through the metallic veneer. He pursed his fingers together and pressed them again to the side of the tablet. The green dot flared brightly, and raced across one edge of the device. The metallic sheen disappeared, and he dropped the tablet next to the computer console. It hung motionless in the air, a thin slab of glowing glass.
“Okay, so like I was saying. I just need something to put the data on. This will do.”
He grabbed the glass slab by the corners and pulled, stretching it from the size of a paperback to a picture frame.
“Now the database is like a library. We just want to check out a book. However, for the book that we want, there appears to be two copies with the same title, but their contents are completely different. Actually, all the books are like that. Two different copies. We’ll need to read both to figure out what’s really going on. Oh, and I should also mention, that someone’s taken all the pages out of all the books, and shredded them into thin narrow strips. So we’ll need to wait for the computer to put those all back together first and sort everything out. Also the library is about the size of all the libraries in Equestria. Except maybe a few million or a few billion times bigger. Make sense?”
She nodded again. Applejack was the Element of Honesty.
“Ahh, good. I can give you the rundown in a bit more detail. The process for re-assembling the quantum multi-coherence is already taking place on the ship’s computer. We can encapsulate that within an exportable virtual machine instance, and transfer it to this tablet here. That includes the data it’s working on a well, which is several compressed petabytes. Not a problem for memristor state caching arrays with a deoxyribonucleic acid synthetic base octet storage, though,” he tapped at the edge of the glass tablet.
They waited. Fluttershy turned back to look at the image of the galaxy again, two hooves pressed firmly against her aching forehead. It hung still, but as she watched, she could just see it slightly spinning.
“There we go! All done. Told you it would only be a few minutes.”
He squeezed the tablet down until it was the size of a matchbox, and dropped it in his pocket.
“Ready to go?”
She nodded gently, slipping out of the seat, and stepping forward through the screen. It prickled her fur as she walked through it, and disappeared as she stepped off the round dais.
Trent pulled the tablet out of his pocket, fiddling with the screen as he walked back to the door.
“Oh, this is good. The clock is off on this thing too.”
“What time is it set to?”
Trent turned and knelt, holding the device on two upturned palms. His eyes grew wide as he whispered in hushed reverence.
“The beginning of time itself.”
Fluttershy gasped, regarding the timeless artifact.
A grin broke through Trent’s serious facade.
“January first, nineteen-seventy. The dawn of the computer age,” he held back a snickering laugh.
Fluttershy rolled her eyes, pushing past Trent. She stopped behind him, as he giggled at his own joke.
“Um, Mr. Trent?”
“Oh, yes?”
“What does that say?” she gestured to a scrawling sentence written across the face of the door.
“Hmm? Ohh...”
He stopped and stared.
“Umm.”
“Well?”
Across the door, written neatly in with thick hasty strokes, a single sentence meant for a single person.
God damn you, Trent.
“Uhh...” he looked down at Fluttershy, his face stretching into a shaky smile.
“It says: Last one out, turn off the lights!”
She sighed. He shivered.
“You...” she growled.
“What?”
“YOU! Ooohh! You... You’re like the king of a thousand dumb jokes!” she erupted.
Trent’s fingers flicked at the door, sending it racing into the recess in the wall.
“And the death of a million punchlines,” he muttered.
The lights dimmed, and they left.
* * *
|
shalrath
|
1219
| 16 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Derpy Hooves,Discord,Main 6,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Human,Adventure,Comedy,Dark,Sad,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
The End
|
A friendly stranger delivers some unsettling knowledge about Life, the Universe, and Everything.
|
incomplete
| 674 | 40 |
<p>A visitor arrives in Equestria, bearing a wealth of knowledge and a troubled past. The Mane 6 are quick to befriend the stranger, who helps them to discover what they truly value in life, and how to achieve it.</p><p>But learning to overcome their fears and achieve their desires comes at a steep price, paid by their innocence.</p>
|
teen
|
2014-12-25T06:09:16+00:00
|
2014-12-25T06:09:15+00:00
| 3,780 |
* * *
It was a beautiful day in Ponyville.
It was a miserable afternoon for Twilight.
The sun lay waning, plump and shimmery in the pale blue sky. A milky white orb that cast crepuscular rays through the roiling cloud bank that soared across the western horizon.
The cool light warmed Twilight’s face, but could not match the inferno within her head. Where one might stare at the sun with a squint, Twilight simply scowled ahead.
She turned with a snort, stamping back to her bedroom. Books lay strewn in discarded heaps, arranged as sandbars within a flowing stream. Her mind raced as her hooves paced. The sum of written knowledge within her trust placed had failed to answer the questions she faced.
“Come on, Twilight. Think.”
She did, ever so painfully.
The sun was a star. Equestria orbited the sun. Gravity caused less massive objects to orbit around more massive objects.
Or so she was told, earlier that morning.
She tapped her hoof as she contemplated Trent’s matter-of-factly stated principles. It seemed so natural coming from him. No trace of smug condescension, or haughty declaration forged from fervent faith. He didn’t even believe in what he said. He didn’t have to! He simply knew it to be true beyond any reasonable shadow of a doubt. Unmistakable unshakable confidence.
Just as she knew that Princess Celestia brought the light of the sun to Equestria, and Luna raised the veil of night’s starlit tapestry.
A chill ran down the length of her spine. One innocuous little thought that sent shudders down to the tips of her hooves.
She considered Trent’s explanations again. They made sense, even with her admittedly tenuous understanding. Had it been any other subject, she might accept it on face value, with the same trust she extended to the many authoritative reams of knowledge penned within many books of many libraries. Silent sanctuaries of immutable wisdom.
Yet, it tore at her. Knowledge was truth. Truth was inviolate. It was comfort and stability within a tumultuous existence. Contradictions were heresy.
The sun was a star. Stars were the same size as the sun, if not larger. Equestria orbited around the sun.
Sometimes, the most audacious thing you can do in life, is to question it.
Her thoughts turned briefly to Celestia. A mentor like none other. She respected her. She challenged her to excel. She trusted her, and Twilight drove herself to deserve it.
Equestria orbited the sun. Celestia raised the sun every morning.
Question everything, but believe in yourself.
It was treachery. Two-timing. Treason. And probably a whole lot of other words that began with the letter ‘T’. Her horn glowed as she absentmindedly pulled another book from the shelf.
She shook her head. The tome titled ‘Thesaurus’ tumbled to the trestled floor.
Celestia raised the sun every morning. Equestria orbited the sun.
A low whisper escaped through the hairline crack between her lips.
“Prove it.”
* * *
Into the black she arose. The dark chalky asteroid disappeared from her narrow band of vision, and she released her thumb from the throttle. The thrust from the pogo stick ceased, and she held tight to the handles as the stick began to pull down and away. The guide wheels raced along the braid of wire rope, sending an angry buzz through the palms of her clenched gloves. Several wraps of SuperTape held her boots fast against the stubby metal rods that served as footrests. She was losing speed slowly, but she could almost feel her ankles pressing into the collar of her boots, as if she was hanging upside down.
Three minutes, or thereabout. Counting down from five. Couldn’t be counted on, though. Longest recorded survival was shy of four minutes. And even then...
She shuddered.
Don’t hold your breath. Scream until you pass out. That’s the only hope you’ve got. Hope that someone’s there for you. Hope they get there in time. No good if your blood boils from the outgassing, and every vein ruptures in your body.
She squeezed her glove around the glowing symbol she drew. She hoped she would be there in time.
Through the narrow gap in the pitch black foil, she could see out. She watched fervently for movement, searching for a single speck among the backdrop of a spiral galaxy. A hunter was out there, stalking between stars as a lion would watch patiently behind stalks of amber grass.
The radio hissed softly, crackling with the faint afterglow from the dawn of creation. She could be seen if she wasn’t careful. The clockwork hum of a turret motor would be her death knell. Then the whistle. The screaming radio whistle of a hot slug trailing metallic plasma as it crossed the distance. The ship could be kilometers away. It would be all over in less than a second.
At this range, even a gas rifle would be point blank. You couldn’t hear those. Just a tiny flash. Easy to miss. Not for them.
She strained her eyes, peering through the gap in the foil that masked her telltale infrared signature.
A thin metal collar shot through the forward rollers of the wire guide, squeezing the brake calipers with a ratcheting click. The pogo stick jerked downwards in her hands, and she could almost feel her feet slipping from her oversized boots.
*Click* *Click* *Click*
The cable pulled taut behind her, whipping from side to side in a meandering metronomic fishtail. She gripped the pogo stick with all the force she could exert with her bony arms, crushing the bulky gloves around the handles with toothpick fingers.
It was starting to get rather warm inside the suit. Nowhere for the heat to go. Only two minutes, and it was starting to feel like an oven. Her gloved fingers could still move freely, but the joints in the suit were starting to swell from the pressure.
With a sickening lurch, the wire guide stopped. She could feel the cable behind her undulate and sway, as if standing atop the tallest rung of the narrowest ladder. The suit didn’t give her the mobility to look up, but she raised one arm tentatively, and felt something solid. It was the towing bar from the crotch rocket. Raising her other arm, she felt her way along the tail of the vehicle, reaching further towards where Jake would be sitting.
A jagged gap swallowed her probing glove. She pushed herself away to see.
The craft had been eviscerated, ruptured from the inside out where the lance of light speared through the pressurized reaction mass tanks. She unhooked herself from the pogo stick and pulled herself up smoothly, careful not to push away from the craft.
Jake was nowhere to be seen. Nearly blind, she reached forward and tugged on a white nylon strap concealed within the floating seaweed growth of shredded flex hose, ruptured brass pipe, and stripped copper wiring.
She tugged, and the strap went taut.
There was a soft steady hiss from the radio.
No time to think. The wire knife was trapped in her leg pocket, but the scalpel found it’s way into her hand readily. She pulled the nylon ribbon, and slashed through it with a flick of her wrist, pushing away from the craft with one panicked push from her long gangly legs.
The craft pushed back. For a split second, she could feel a rapid staccato of taps through the tips of her toes, and then the craft tumbled away from beneath her. She pulled firmly on the strap, turning her back as she climbed. Jake’s spacesuit nestled between her arms, now concealed by the foil cocoon wrapped around her suit.
Through the corner of her eye, she could see the craft gaining momentum, lurching away as a hailstorm of invisible slugs silently tore through it.
She shuddered silently, not daring to move a muscle. Her voice refused to betray her as well, even if she was the sole audience for one final shrill shriek.
It was nearly four minutes. The watch didn’t remind her. The severed hose dangling from Jake’s suit did.
As quickly as she could risk moving, she tore a hole through the inky black foil wrapped around her belly. She squeezed the release on the hook snap, and detached the life giving umbilical from her suit. She wedged her pinkie finger between the pair of hoses, holding it within reach as she deftly removed the coupling from the other suit, slapping hers in place with a quick fluid motion.
The suit inflated quickly, revealing a perforated line across the belly. Droplets of blood leaked through in some places, fizzing as the gas boiled away from the dull red plasma. She held her breath as she worked, shutting down any portion of her mind not responsible for guiding her hand. A small silvery tube was procured from her belly pocket, which sprayed a clear sticky sealant across the holes. A roll of inside-out tape stuck firmly to the side of his torso, and she pulled it quickly across the breach.
It was getting very hot inside the suit. Her faceplate began to fog up, cutting her off what narrow band of vision she had left. It was starting to get hazy, not just from the oppressively hot and humid air, but within her mind too. Slowly starved for oxygen. The tank strapped to her leg was their oasis in the void. She pulled the hook snap release and plugged it into her suit once more, feeling one last respite of cool air.
The hose returned to Jake’s suit. Her arms wrapped around his chest, and she squeezed as hard as she could, compressing his chest several times. She held him within her arms as the foggy dreamlike state returned. With one last motion, she reached around his helmet, and pressed her hand against the faceplate.
A blocky medical crossbar set within a squiggly drawn heart. It glowed in the palm of her glove.
It was getting too hot. Her lungs were burning from the lack of oxygen, but she was past caring. Pain slipped away beneath the encroaching comfort of sleep.
No! She couldn’t sleep. He needed to wake up. She needed to stay awake... Awake. The day would be over soon. Just need to stay awake. Her vision blurred.
She could still see everything, yet her eyelids had long since fluttered closed.
Please wake up.
* * *
It was a boring day in Ponyville.
It was an exciting afternoon for Applebloom.
The pen laid still for a moment, a slick black instrument that seemed out of place atop the cheery cherry red tabletop. It was a good pen, much better than those favored for the routine and mundane acts of jotting notes or scribbling shapes onto the backs of cocktail napkins.
It rolled smoothly beneath a small yellow hoof. A slow and methodical rhythm that passed the time as one’s limb would lazily dip in a fast moving stream, drawing ripples with the absence of effort. Each measured movement as the silent swing of a pendulum. An impatient ticking in the background of calm pensive contemplation.
This particular pen’s days of scribbling and jotting were long past. For some time, the pen had served as a keepsake rather than a writing utensil. Carried as a memento of many brief momentous moments, where the flourish of its tip would write history. A time when words shaped worlds, and a signature spoke for civilizations.
It rolled, and stopped. The hoof holding it against the table paused in anticipation.
The history of the pen would remain secret beneath the unassuming ebony finish. Were it to be properly appraised, one might expect a bidding war from collectors willing to hurl their fortunes with the same zeal that warring nations would hurl thermonuclear bombs, consumed by the glinting hope of a pyrrhic victory.
The red haired filly bit firmly on the pen, holding it between her tongue and cheek as the glistening black tip pressed tentatively against the coarse white paper. It nestled comfortably between the crowns of her molars, as the glossy synthetic hardwood gave with the firm pliancy of ballistic rubber.
The pen was not a toy. It was a gift. A tool brimming with potential and purpose.
Ideas swirled within her head. A roaring furnace of imagination that stoked the forge of creativity. Every idle thought built relentlessly upon a towering edifice of ideas. A tower that pierced the constant constraint of the pale blue sky, soaring higher than any pegasus, and seeing farther than any telescope. A perch of dizzying heights that revealed the full majesty of unseen lands, unparalleled in scope and scale.
Applebloom slashed the first sentence into the sheet of paper.
The pen once shaped the course of worlds.
Now it would build them from the ground up.
* * *
“Almost done, I guess,” Trent sighed.
They walked through the narrow aperture, back into the vestibule. Fluttershy trailed behind, not speaking a word.
“Look... I’m sorry about this. This probably isn’t my best idea, not by a long shot. We’ll be on our way out soon, unless you’d like to go right now.”
“It’s okay,” she whispered softly. “I mean, I really do appreciate what you’ve shown me. We can still see the ship. I don’t mind.”
“Okay,” he conceded.
The vestibule widened, revealing the circular stone mosaic set into the floor. A breaking wave driven by typhoon force winds blotted out the distant dry land. Just above the wave, a tiny gleaming gray glass shard soared above the battered harbor. A symbol for the ship itself, as a still bridge over turbulent waters.
Trent stared at the end of the vestibule. The far wall branched off into several corridors, each departing in their own direction. It somehow felt familiar, and at the same time, unsettling.
A strange noise crackled to life from recessed speakers. A whisper that seemed to reverberate from every compartment within the empty hull.
“What?” Fluttershy asked.
“What? Oh hey, did you hear that too?”
Fluttershy nodded slowly, still looking up at the ceiling.
“Sounded like gibberish to me. Ship must be having some problems. Have to look into that later, when there’s time...” Trent groaned.
The speakers spoke once again.
“Everything will be all right, Miss Flutter...”
“There,” Trent announced with a snap of his fingers. “Speakers muted.”
“Ohh. Okay,” she gulped nervously.
He sighed.
“Sure you want to see the ship?”
Her eyes shifted from side to side, unsure which answer to give.
“Well, you did say you wanted me to see it.”
“I know, I know. Just that, I’m not sure if it’s still such a good idea. I mean, teaching you to fly it as well. Even if that meant that you could help some.. people,” his voice trailed off.
“Um... Mr. Trent?”
“Yes?”
“You did say that a bad decision was better than no decision, right?”
He smiled weakly.
“Never can be sure, until you’ve tried it.”
“I think..” she paused for a moment. “That everything will be all right.”
Trent shuddered, ever so slightly.
“Which way do we go?” she gestured one hoof toward the array of passages.
He paused for a moment, before the flicker of a smile crossed his face.
“Oh? What do you mean by that? There’s only one way we can go."
“Where?”
“Forward!” he grinned.
“Oh,” the corners of her lips curled upward. “Um.. Mr. Trent? That joke wasn’t nearly as terrible as the other ones.”
“Pff. Tough crowd.”
“Lead the way, Mr. Trent. If that’s okay with you, I mean.”
There were many passages leading to many tram stations. One would take them to the ship, and one would take them home. A simple decision with any number of outcomes.
Don’t look back.
Trent shivered.
“Second passage on the right. That will take us to bay Four Bravo.”
“Okay,” she trotted across the tile mosaic.
“Ah, Fluttershy? I’m sorry if the tram frightened you earlier. We can take a detour and walk the rest of the way, if you’d rather.”
“Oh. No. I think it will be fine,” she said nervously.
He shrugged, and waved his fingertips in the air. The tram doors opened, and she darted inside. She was already seated when he entered, her hooves hooked over the back of the seat, and her wingtips nearly brushed the roof of the cabin.
An unmistakable smile radiated through the nervous facade. One that Trent returned as he sat down in the seat behind from her, their eyes locked together for a brief tender moment.
“Fluttershy?”
“Yes?”
“You’re facing the wrong way.”
“What?”
The tram departed with the speed of a bullet, and a high pitched squeal.
Trams do not usually squeal.
* * *
It was a slow day in Ponyville.
It couldn’t be fast enough for Scootaloo.
The wind whipped through her fuschia mane as the grass receded behind each sharp stamp of her hooves. Her short wings buzzed as they bit into the air, pushing herself with every erg of energy she could muster.
Tap tap tap.
The brass watch rode high on her foreleg, nearly up to her shoulder. It threw off her balance when it had been fastened near her hoof.
Tap tap tap.
Her sight blurred as she forced herself forward, speeding past her own persistence of vision. A small hill was fast approaching, followed by a dip that curved down into a wide open meadow.
Time it just right...
TAP.
She leapt into the afternoon sky. Her wings spread further, slowing their rhythm but pushing harder with each swoop. The ground fell away as she drove onwards and upwards with exhilarated determination.
Tap tap tap.
Scootaloo’s wings were undeveloped for a pegasus of her age. Not to say they were small or stunted, because that would be a very insensitive thing to say to a nervous young filly. Even if it was true. Undeveloped was the preferred choice of words, as most doctors would agree. It pointed out the obvious, while offering some meager measure of hope that the wings might someday develop normally, while retaining plausible deniability in the case that they most likely would not.
Tap tap tap.
It was a difficult subject to broach. Pegasi were born to fly, much like giraffes were born to reach the leaves from the high branches of tall trees. Not to say that a giraffe was born with a long neck to reach those leaves, as that’s not quite how nature works. Rather, the giraffes that could not reach the tall branches simply ceased being giraffes after repeated and sustained bouts of malnourishment.
Nature is so fascinating.
Fortunately for short giraffes, people with glasses, and pegasi with underdeveloped wings, there was little pressure for selection on these traits. The same could certainly not be said for their ancestors, whereby natural selection honed such features to a needle-like point. A sharpening of the species paid through the whittled sacrifices of the many undeveloped individuals that ended up on the wrong side of the cut.
Tap tap tap.
Pegasi of yore were a fierce and proud race. Warriors and poets, one and the same. They wore their emotions on their shoulders, and their personalities were often as fiery as the brilliant colors of their manes.
While nearly all animals are subject to the “Four F’s”, that genetically hardcoded programming of fight and flight, feeding and.. well.. fucking, pegasi bore the notable distinction of taking ‘flight’ a bit too literally.
They had asked for it, after all.
If one were to pick a specimen to personify the valiant spirit of the pegasi, you would be hard pressed to find one more fitting than Athon. A thoroughbred brute with a heart of gold and a vocabulary that could tarnish steel. Her coat was a deep cobalt blue, a luscious hue, as if stolen from the very depths of dawn. Her mane and tail bore the brilliant fury of a sunrise, a sight oft seen streaking across the morning sky, as night was routed before the break of day.
She stood nearly shoulder to shoulder with Princess Luna, and could match her bellowing timbre with ease. Yet where a Princess was the very model of calm reserve, Athon remained proudly bereft of this concept.
Patron saint of awesomeness, if such a word existed in her day. If not, she would be the one to invent it. There was little doubt to her physical prowess, though it remains in question as to whether the word ‘athlete’ was named after Athon, or if it were the other way around.
Tap tap tap.
Scootaloo may be a far cry from Athon physically, but if the Iron Mare herself happened to be watching from beyond the veil on that particular day, seeing that tiny orange pegasus putting forth every effort to defy the towering edifice of low expectations that had been built up over her entire life; brick by brick, every condescendingly hopeful prognosis, every sympathetic shake of the head, every eschewed pick for the hoofball team; she would have bared her teeth and grinned.
There was more to being a pegasus than just having wings. There was a spirit to it. A spirit of moving forward. Charging forth into the unknown. Treating every challenge as a juicy morsel to appease an insatiable hunger. To define predator and prey with the same blind distinction as ‘me’ and ‘everything else’.
This particular sense of spirit was not well remembered by the pegasi of today - some particularly more than others. The doldrums of peace and harmony afflicting Equestria had left that sense to atrophy over the ticking centuries.
Tap tap tap.
Athon was a rather notable pegasus, alas one lost to history. Few remained to recall her exploits, but for those few, they are remembered vividly. She was a champion to the royal court, long before the first stones of Canterlot Castle were set to mortar. A confidante to the Princesses themselves, and ambassador to the kingdoms of Dragons and Gryphons in the days when such alliances were raw and tenuous.
While it is unknown whether she bore a foal to carry on her genetic jackpot, she was certainly responsible for birthing numerous stories and legends. Yet, even the most outrageous embellishments of these tales often suffered from an imagination that was far too modest. As they say, truth is often stranger than fiction.
She had never slowed down to consider the placid pace of family life, and spent many years living outside of the loosely drawn borders of Ponykind. Indeed, she had drawn many of these borders in the first place, along with the maps to keep track of them. However, if one were to place a wager, it would be safe to bet that one or more descendents of Athon lived on within modern day Equestria.
Athon was a mare who took her “four F’s” very seriously.
Tap tap tap.
Her renown was not limited to the Royal Court, nor even the surrounding nations. Her importance extended far beyond any distant horizon, or any line drawn on a map. She bore an Element of Equestria. One of six.
The Element of Sacrifice.
While there are few who remember Athon, and even fewer that remember her personal brand of vitriolic vibrance for squeezing the most out of every moment of every day, there is just one that remembers her final minutes. Her final words. Her last blood choked whisper.
“A pillar of light strikes the East, and moves to consume us!”
Few words. She had made them count.
Tap tap tap.
Despite Scootaloo’s best efforts, her flight was looking more like a parabolic trajectory. She strained and struggled, but the apex was behind her, and the ground was coming to meet her. It was a fight that she would not win, but one she would not concede.
The nature of a pegasus was not simply to fight. Anypony could play that game. Any pony that was certain of victory, would play to win.
Cowards.
It took a special sort of derangement to fight against hopeless odds. An honor of acquired taste. One did not simply wrestle a full grown dragon, lash a sinking ship to an enemy vessel, or challenge a Type III galactic civilization, and then scream in defiance as claws pinned your chest to a cavern wall, or as your ship sank beneath your boots, or as planets burned under the onslaught of an interstellar armada; “I have not yet begun to fight!”
Tap tap tap.
In a roundabout way, Athon was the inventor of penmanship. Not as a champion of succinct legibility, but rather that her infrequent illiterate illegible drunken scrawlings left such a blighted besmirchment upon the heart of wordcrafting that entire generations of scribes and schoolteachers were united in their cries of ‘Never again!’
Yet, she did leave one lasting written legacy. A short and lucid treatise of her reflections on a life of adventure and turmoil. One clear message hidden amidst the charcoal chicken-scratching that occupied the careers of a small legion of historians and graphologists to decipher.
“The measure of a mare (or a stallion (and I do not mean *that* kind of measure (though I shall admit freely to receiving the measure of a great many))) lies not upon such tally of bygone victories, but rather the hunger for challenge (and stallions) and resolve to carry on through defeat. Those who play to win shall never prevail against those who play to lose.”
Scootaloo was playing to lose.
Yet it was not gravity that Scootaloo fought, despite all appearances to the contrary. She had challenged a far more insidious beast. One that drove the engines of the cosmos. One that laid eternal siege to the bounds of mortal existence. One which ground away the traces of kingdoms and empires with inexorable impassive aplomb. A vulture that patiently awaited the demise of the stars themselves. A beast that eternally laughed with shrill mindless prejudice as it delivered the one rule of its game; that one must run as fast as they can to simply stay in place.
She was fighting time. And she was determined to prevail.
She could hear it.
Tap tap tap.
The brass watch ticked against her foreleg. The heartbeat of the invisible demon that spanned every measure of the universe.
Tears streamed from her eyes and her wings burned from exertion. The ground was approaching quickly, and she raised her hooves to forestall the inevitable.
Her wings were noticeably undeveloped. In fact, they would certainly stay that way if she never learned to flap them properly. Buzzing along like an overgrown hummingbird does not properly stimulate the full range of muscles needed for flying, and she would certainly not be flying if she never flapped her wings properly. And why would she? The official prognosis was always to wait for her wings to develop.
Waiting. Indecision. Inaction. The demon laughed.
Ha ha ha.
Tap tap tap.
Scootaloo landed fast, the tips of her hooves tearing through the soft grass as she skidded to a gallop. She slowed to a trot, and finally stopped, panting for breath. Her heart pounded with a tempo that outpaced the methodical ticking of the brass watch by three to one.
Her flight was finished, but she was not. A manic grin spread across her sweat drenched face as she craned her neck around to look at the glass faceplate. Thirty-one seconds! She had stayed aloft for thirty-one seconds!
This was not a record that most pegasi her age would be particularly proud of. Yet, she was.
It was four seconds longer than the last time.
For one brief moment, time was given pause. A respectful nod to a worthy opponent. This little orange pegasus wielded one of the few weapons that could pierce its Achilles heel.
Impatience.
A small tremor ran through the ground, a vibration in the very firmament of bedrock that could be felt from Ponyville all the way to the outskirts of Canterlot. It briefly captured the attention of those who felt the tremble through their hooves, as a moment of mild interest in an otherwise ordinary day. Such trifling events could be readily explained by recent theories of geology, whereupon tectonic activity was actually caused by great slabs of underlying rock grinding against each other, powered by the millennia long nocturnal stirring of great and terrible elder leviathans entombed many score of miles beneath the upthrust rise of mountains and plateaus. It certainly was not caused by the long dead spirit of a long forgotten mythical pegasus stomping her hooves in exhilaration as she whooped and cheered for those few and far between who let their actions speak for their convictions.
Scootaloo bit the lever on the side of the brass watch, and the gears whirled inside, resetting the countdown. She twisted the bezel by five clicks. Four to cool down, and one to fly like her life depended upon it.
Five minutes.
TAP, tap, tap, tap.
* * *
TAP, tap, tap, tap.
Five minutes.
The parabolic radiator faced the distant sun. A glowing marble that grappled all within its reach. Bodies of gas, rock, and flesh swung round in their eternal ballet, guided by gravity’s indiscriminate precision.
The polarizing cap floated against the face of the rock, falling in the slowest of motions. In it’s place, a sheet of foil that absorbed everything yet emitted nothing, save for frequencies that could not be easily perceived.
A hole was torn in the center of the gossamer metallic sheet. A hole covered by one large glove, belonging to one even larger person.
He waved.
Dot dash. Dash dash. Dash dot dot dot. Dot dot dash. Dot dot dot. Dot dot dot dot.
* * *
“Pelorus, bridge.”
“Pelorus. Go ahead bridge.”
“Interrogative, ready status.”
“Pelorus manned. Chain locker tapped for thermal dump. Negative sixty and sitting pretty.”
“Good. Standby. I want you to bring me that floating fat man.”
“Hah. Load called at one-four-eight-zero kilos. That’s Terry plus the singleship, and the kids are a rounding error.”
There was a loud snorting symphony of laughter over the intercom, echoing from many different compartments at once.
“Okay. Very good. Frame offset two-two dot three meps, bearing one-eight-zero, relevant ten minutes.”
“Shite! Bleedin arseholes. Ya could’na just said about fifty miles inna hour. Or is ye too busy playin pirates up there? Swabbin each ya other’s pretty little poopdecks?”
“Never knew you were so fond of the English system, O’Dwyer.”
“Oh feck off!”
“No love for the NATO phonetic standard these days. Damn shame.”
“Think they’re still using that?”
“Eh, probably.”
“No, I mean, do you think NATO still exists down there?”
There was a pause. A weary collective sigh.
“Don’t think that really matters much anymore.”
“Okay, okay, kill the chatter. Day will be over soon. Just a pickup and a frame change. Naught seven degrees off axial. Next hop is about seventy-six hours.”
“Hey!”
“...is for horses.”
“Line discipline on the net, please.”
“Bridge, Comms. EM return on forward element.”
“Whoa.. okay. Um.. Comms, Bridge. What sort...”
“Bridge! This is Dorsal lookout.”
“Dorsal, stand by. Comms, Bridge. Report.”
“Weak signal in the S-band. Peak at two dot four-four-three-seven. No sideband data. I’m guessing it’s voice. Terry’s group is using channel eight, right?”
“Ahh... Confirmed, channel eight. Could you hear what they said?”
“Negative. Signal’s too weak. Only lasted a few seconds. Someone might’ve keyed their mic on accident.”
“Roger that. We’re still about twelve miles out. Can you calculate the driving power from isotropic falloff? Make sure the range matches up.”
“Guessing about ten to fifteen milliwatts from the source. And, um.. twelve miles out. Yeah, looks about right.”
“Bridge! Dorsal! Flash spotted!”
“Dorsal, Bridge. When you’re giving a report, you need to tell me properly. Like, IR return, bearing such and such. I’m assuming that’s what you’re seeing, right?”
“It’s IR and visual! I mean, it was.”
“Right... Now, where exactly did you see it.”
“About three arc degrees above the asteroid.”
“Dorsal, that’s the rendezvous point. You’re looking at the tail end of a crotch rocket.”
“Um.. Bridge, I don’t think so.”
The mute button flickered red with a quick jab from Jones’s finger.
“Someone needs to relieve that kid...”
“Bridge, Dorsal. There were two flashes. IR return was...”
“Och.. I’m bettin thas me boy showin off for the lassies. I’ll be havin a talk with ‘im, believe you me.”
Jones tapped the mute button.
“Understood. Thanks O’Dwyer.”
“Bridge, Dorsal..”
“Dorsal, standby! All hands, can we get any cateyes up to Dorsal and verify what he’s seeing?”
There was a momentary lull on the bridge, save for the soft static hiss of the ventilation.
“I’m on the way, Jones. Gimme a minute to get up there. Still in my rack with the blackout goggles on.”
“Load Toad here. I’ll take Hobgoblin up to Dorsal.”
“What.. and sacrifice your precious beauty sleep, mon ami?”
“C’est bien. J’ai besoin de regarder le RCB, bientot.”
“A watched kettle that never boils.”
“Ha ha, oui.”
“Okay. Dorsal, bridge. Report on IR return.”
“Nothing hotter than a spacesuit. I don’t see any exhaust plume.”
“Dorsal, I want you to check the calibration indicator. Has it popped up?”
“No.”
“Is the scanner set to ‘static’ or ‘pan and scan’?”
“Static.”
“Hmm. Okay. Go to pan and scan. Widen the FOV until you’ve got it trained on target.”
“Bridge, the second flash was really bright, but it’s gone now. I’ve got no visual, and just a weak IR return at the rendezvous. I do have normal IR return on the rest of the group though.”
“Well, sit tight. Hobgoblin is on the way up to lend a pair of eyes. Do you have magnification on visual, by chance?”
“I don’t have access to the big scope. Just a pair of binocs. Can’t make anything out clearly.”
“Acknowledged.”
Jones sighed. The forward telescope was stowed. A short squat cannister with a big wide shiny lens. A telltale twinkle in the starlit sky.
Couldn’t risk that.
The monitor showed the same unfocused patch of pitch black plate. The same image for the last three weeks. A high precision piece of Earth engineered optics, staring at it’s own servo mount. A dangerous liability, if pointed elsewhere.
His fingers drummed the console. If there was some cock-up with the rendezvous, it would be worth knowing now. Worth the risk. Jones reached towards the small black box mounted above the console. It would be quick. A flip of a switch would let him know everything.
“Do you think you’re being a bit hard on him?”
Jones paused, his fingertips hovering over the camera’s servo control. He turned to look back at Trent.
“Well, he’s a good kid. But he’s gotta learn a few things. Comms protocol for starters.”
Trent leaned back in the padded chair, idly swatting at the floating straps of the restraint harness.
“They grow up fast, out here,” he mused, staring ahead at the whitewashed wall.
“Pff. Literally. They’re taller than us before they hit puberty. First humans born off Earth.”
Trent sighed. “You know what I mean.”
“They’re tough. They’ll adapt. Hell, they’re doing things that we wouldn’t have dreamed of back at their age! Like how O’Dwyer’s boy built a working railgun a few weeks ago when nobody was looking, or Saeed’s girl managed to fabricate a bipropellant actuator with better flow control than the standard Energia kit. And your girl just piloted a four frame course by instrument, dead reckoning, and a pocket watch. I know you’ve gotta be proud of her for that.”
“I am. Don’t get me wrong. It’s just..” Trent sighed.
“They’re gonna make it,” Jones declared. “We’re gonna make it.”
“I hope.”
“Trent, we all hope for the same thing. That’s what got us into this mess, and that’s what’s gonna get us out. I know you like to wax poetic sometimes, even when nobody is actually listening. And I know you can be a moody sonofabitch when you stop and think about what’s been riding on your shoulders. But you need to get over it, and start looking forward again. The ship’s set sail, and you need to remember that everyone out here still thinks you’re in charge.”
“I never said I was in charge.”
“I didn’t say you were in charge. I said everyone thinks you’re in charge. I’m the captain of the Hornet here,” he slapped his hand against the command console, “And I still think you’re in charge.”
Trent sighed, staring blankly at the confines of the steel bunker.
“Sometimes, I wonder why.”
“Because I’ve got a nuclear starship, and you’ve got a way with words. Odds go to you.”
“Some starship. I hear it’s a long way to Alpha Centauri.”
“Gah. You and Terry are the king and queen of stupid jokes.”
Trent cleared his throat, speaking with a solemn and steady measure.
“..And here we are, past the familiar blue horizon of starless skies, looking forth upon the interminably vast cosmos. Leaving one home to seek another..”
“Oh fuck me, he’s going to give a speech, ladies and gentlemen!”
“Ah, no. I’ve spewed out enough hope and promises already. I’d rather not start another civil war before this one’s finished.”
Jones snorted in amusement.
“It’s been months since the last major raid. We’ve got some agriculturals back in operation, and the capacity to manufacture new ones. Give it another three months and we can go back to rationing instead of just plain starving.”
“Please stop talking about food.”
“The point is,” Jones continued, “That war is over. They’re hurting for resources more than we are, despite what they’ve managed to pilfer from us. But it won’t be long before Earth gets its shit together and tries to colonize in force what we’ve built out here. And when that happens, they’re not going to dole out any favors to those Benedict Arnold scumbags. It’s going to be quick and indiscriminate. There will be kangaroo courts and lynchings for us, and everything and everybody else is going to be divided up between the highest bidding Transnationals and continental Protectorates. That’s where we’d be right now, if it wasn’t for you. And if our former compatriots have any brains, they’ll get with the program and realize that.”
“I wouldn’t put it past them to try and hang us in zero gravity.”
“Never underestimate incompetence combined with imagined authority. Anyways, we can be ready for them. We’re rebuilding, we’re training, and we’ve stopped fighting. Well, mostly. And do you know why? Because we’ve got hope. We’ve got a future. When we meet up with Earth again, it’s going to be on our terms. I know it’s been tough on you, and I don’t blame you for staring out the window sometimes. But, we need you. There’s a whole lotta people out here that look up to you, because they’re hoping for a future without food shortages, kinetic jousts, supply raids, or having their livelihood auctioned off by the Powers That Used To Be. Trent, I can tell people what to do, but you’re the one that makes them want to do it in the first place. So for everybodys’ fucking sake, we need you to put on a big smile, lend a guiding hand, and keep all of us looking forward to that day where we get to choose how we’re going to live the rest of our lives.”
Trent plastered both hands over his face and groaned.
“I thought I was the only one that loved to hear myself talk.”
“Touche. Anyways, back to work. I’m starting to wonder if Terry’s got a problem getting the rendezvous set up. I’m thinking about deploying the 280mm scope to see what’s going on.”
“Would they call us if there was a problem?”
“If there was a problem, yeah. If it was serious enough. I’m not too worried about using the radio here. Million to one odds that anyone’s going to listen, and a billion to one that anybody’s in range to take a pot shot. Terry would radio us if there was some sort of cock-up.”
“Suppose so.”
“Hey, Trent. You remember that one thing you said a while back?”
“Mikey, I’m a thirty-eight year old senior citizen. I don’t remember shit anymore.”
“And I’m a forty-four year old Lieutenant Commander in the old Wet Navy. Now you’re making me feel old. Anyways, that thing you said.. something about ‘hammering our names into the history books’ or words to that effect.”
“Oh, that. Back before we even got the Public Space Infrastructure Group off the ground. Something like ‘Space is not a spectator sport’. ‘Get there first’... And..”
“Don’t look back,” Jones finished.
“Don’t look back. Yeah,” Trent sighed wistfully. “For a second, I thought you were going to ask about that other speech.”
“Well, you managed to take ‘Give me liberty or give me death’ and turn it into a five minute dissertation, but it got the job done.”
Trent grunted. “Dirty bomb diplomacy.”
“Without any casualties either. I’ll take Cold War part Two in Space for eight hundred, Alex.”
“..What?”
“Oh. Yeah. I think Jeopardy was before your time.”
Trent shrugged.
“Anyways, what about this?” he gestured at the telescope console.
“Right..”
The intercom crackled to life as Jones reached for the controls.
“Bridge, Dorsal lookout. IR return forward. Repeating flashes. On the face of the rock.”
“What?” Jones and Trent whispered in unison.
“Ah, Dorsal, Bridge. Say again your last. Repeating flashes?” Jones’s fingertips rested on the telescope servo joystick.
“I think it’s Morse code, Bridge.”
“What does it say?”
“Um. Bridge, Dorsal. I don’t know Morse code.”
“Ahhh. Shit. Okay, I think we have a codebook up on the real bridge. The one with all the painted windows. Can someone traverse there and grab it?”
“Bridge, Hobgoblin. I’m at Dorsal lookout now. Don’t worry about the code book, I still remember it. Used to operate shortwave sets back on Earth. I’m looking at the scope now. Yeah, definitely reads as Morse. Stand by.”
“Is this part of the exercise?” Trent whispered to Jones.
“No. Shut up for a minute.”
They waited. A minute passed.
“Bridge, Dorsal.”
“Bridge. Go ahead, Captain Greybeard.”
“Jones, You need to set Ship Condition One, and Suit Condition Two.”
“Whoa, what?”
“Just do it, Mikey.”
“What the hell is going on? What do you see?”
There was a brief pause. A slow raspy intake of breath.
“O’Dwyer, are you on the net? Trent, you too?”
“Aye.”
“Listening.”
“All stations this net, Dorsal lookout. Message received as follows: ‘Ambush. Ambush. Laser. Jake hit. Rescue underway. Make ready to return fire’.”
* * *
It was a tranquil day in Ponyville.
It was a waking nightmare for Sweetie Belle.
A scenic trail meandered along the shore of a shallow pond. Through a break in the vegetation, a brown muddy beach claimed ground between the placid water and the thick burl of grass that marked the edge of the meadow.
Sweetie Belle drew her breath as she stepped past the thin green line, her hooves sinking softly into the smooth brown sand. Her hind legs followed numbly in turn, pushing forward despite her silent screaming protest.
She was alone. She was scared.
A gentle breeze wafted across the meadow, rustling the leaves of the bushes surrounding the pond. It was a soft innocuous sound, amid the chirping of larks and warbling calls of unseen insects. Just like what she heard only two days before; a rustling of branches followed by the rhythmic stamp of so many black bristling legs.
She shivered.
The beast haunted her through dreams and waking hours. A segmented chitinous carapace that silently stalked the spaces out of sight, but not out of reach. In lieu of a head, dozens of gibbering tooth rimmed tendrils flailed blindly with violent vile ambition. She could see them still, no matter how far she fled from that afternoon in the Everfree.
Such a creature was seldom seen by ponies. Just as ponies were seldom to never return from the lush labyrinthine jungle. Fortunately such meetings were rare, in spite of how unfortunate they were.
The meadow near the pond was a well trodden playground for Sweetie Belle and her filly friends. A sanctum of innocence and laughter, mirth and play. But those feelings were behind her now, beyond the green line of the meadow’s edge, and a distant memory of recent days.
Against all rational compunction, she felt compelled to step to the very edge of the pond. The mirrored surface shimmered and sparkled, a wavy reflection of the far bank. The gaping maw of the Everfree Forest spread far and beyond the distal shore, a fortress of hidden terrors near the place she used to play.
She was scared. But it was not the forest, nor it’s quick quiet denizens that caused her heart to race. It was a something small and innocuous. Something carried with her, and something carried within her.
A candle to light the darkness.
She could faintly feel the small object tucked away within a cloth purse, and braided securely within the base of her mane. A little secret that she could not reveal to her older sister, nor even her closest friends.
A spark to ignite the flame.
It was a strange gift. Hers to use, provided that she did not. Not without reason, anyways. The cloth purse was tied tightly within her mane, and sewn shut with sturdy thread. Retrieving it would be either painstakingly slow, or painfully quick.
A path to true purpose, and a promise to be met half-way.
It was not the small silvery object that had brought her here, to the edge of the pond, within a stone’s throw of the forest; but it had helped.
“Being brave only happens when you aren’t, but you do it anyways,” she whispered.
Her flank still stung from the paralytic venom, and the tiny sutures that pulled the skin tightly back together. Despite the tiny scar, it was still white as eggshell, and blank as a newborn foal’s.
She sighed. The last few years had been a fruitless struggle to find her cutie mark, but that felt pointless now. Not that she didn’t want to keep trying, if only for the fun she had with her friends in the frequently disastrous process.
There were many things that she dreamed about doing someday, and a great many more that had been unceremoniously crossed off that list with a vow never to attempt again. On the other hoof, singing seemed to come naturally, and she was quite good at it. She actually enjoyed singing from time to time. It was a nice hobby, but to define herself by that single talent, it suddenly seemed a little underwhelming.
Sweetie Belle sighed as she tapped her hoof at the water’s edge. She spied a small branch that had fallen from the far forest and beached itself upon the near sandy shore. Long lapping waves gently nudged the piece of wood, beckoning her attention.
It was about the right size.
Living under the shadow of her older sister had instilled a fair amount of awe and envy for her talent and fame. Though she gagged inwardly at the thought of being so fussy in exchange for such fabulousness. She gagged again at that last word too.
Her horn glowed weakly as she attempted to lift the stick from the sandy shore, but it scarcely budged.
Rarity’s command of magical telekinesis was quite exceptional among unicorns. Elegant efficiency and delicate control that even Twilight couldn’t pretend to match. Sweetie Belle wished for a mere fraction of her sister’s ability. Yet, while Rarity was busy summoning a hurricane of strange shiny fabrics and assorted metallic implements within her workshop, Sweetie Belle was exerting the very limits of her concentration to pick up a stick from the mud.
At least it had kept Rarity preoccupied enough for her to sneak out.
She tried again, focusing her ethereal sense upon the waterlogged branch. It felt much different than it looked. Had she picked it up, it would have felt grainy and solid, albeit rather damp. Through her magic though, it felt like bundles of tightly woven fibers composed of impossibly small membranes packed together like a foam of tiny bubbles, each filled with graveyards of inert chemical machinery, adrift listlessly within a sea of derelict protein chains. Not that she knew what those were, or why it felt that way.
It probably just meant that she wasn’t focusing properly.
Her eyes squeezed shut and she concentrated; attempting to focus on the stick, rather than its innumerable components. A glowing corona surrounded her horn as the stick began to stir.
A gentle breeze washed across the pond.
There was a rustle in the bushes.
There was a sharp stabbing sensation on Sweetie Belle’s flank.
She bolted away with one panicked heave of her legs. The stick shot into the air, and slashed viciously across the space where she once stood. A prickly bush exploded in a shower of pointed leaves, leaving stripped bare branches waving in their wake.
The waterlogged stick remained firmly fixed in the air, enveloped by a bright green magical haze. Jets of steam whistled from both ends of the stick, crushed tightly within her telekinetic grip.
After several long laborious seconds, she remembered to breathe again. The stick dropped to the ground as she forcibly exhaled, gasping for air to appease the ravenous hunger in her chest.
What if somepony had been next to her?
What if she was holding something other than a wet stick?
The thought sent shivers down her spine.
A cutie mark in singing would be okay. It would be nice and safe. And she did like to sing. She really did.
What if that hadn’t been a bush full of prickly leaves?
It wasn’t a desire to sing that brought her out here today, near the edge of the forest. She tentatively lifted the stick again, somewhat more easily this time, but she didn’t imagine it as a microphone before a captive audience.
She could be anything she wanted, so she was told. And it could be whatever she wanted, rather than something specific or predetermined. Or safe.
The stick hovered unsteadily before her, and she closed her eyes once again. She would need to practice, if this was what she wanted.
There were monsters in this world. And maybe even beyond this world as well.
The stick speared through the remains of the brush, straight and true.
She was scared. But it was not the forest, nor its skittering abominations that terrified her.
It was her.
* * *
The tram hummed to a halt.
Trent spat out a delicate tuft of pink hair.
Fluttershy was no longer kneeling on her seat, which was absolutely the wrong way to ride the tram. It even said so on a series of glossy white public service placards on the wall, describing the several ways to properly ride the high speed eMag, and the several other ways explicitly depicted under a big red slashed circle. No loose objects, no weapon discharges, no unrestrained children or wild animals, and no sitting backwards on the benches.
Failing to heed these warnings, she was splattered across Trent’s lap like one big yellow feathery snowball.
“Um, Fluttershy? I’m sorry. That was probably my fault.”
A low growl issued forth in response.
“Anyways, you’ll be glad to know that we’re finally here! We can see the ship, and then go back home, if you like. Whenever you’re ready.”
She shook her head the way someone might slap the side of an old television, attempting to merge several blurry images into one clear signal.
“Again, sorry about that. But I will have you know that these trams are perfectly safe. Er, as safe as they can be while still doing their job. I mean, this isn’t exactly a civilian ship, so it doesn’t have all the safety protocols you’d expect. They go really fast for a good reason, because you don’t want to skimp on acceleration when you’re trying to send firefighters to fires, technicians to hull breaches, or just trying to outrun.. um.. really bad things.”
Fluttershy rolled off of Trent’s lap, and looked up with a forced smile, taking deep breaths through clenched teeth.
“They’re actually vacuum rated with self-contained life support systems. In case.. you know, one gets stranded, or ejected from the ship. The odds of that happening are pretty rare, but they’re built for contingencies like that. They also provide quick egress to the Torpedo, which is kind of like a giant escape pod, except it..”
Fluttershy smiled a little wider, bearing a grin that could be best described as ‘mostly herbivorous’.
“..Right. Ah, follow me please. This way.”
Trent strode briskly out of the tram. Fluttershy followed moments later, after successfully resisting the urge to hurl herself upright on two legs and wring Trent’s neck as best as she could without the benefit of opposable thumbs.
“Miss Fluttershy?”
She halted, just inches from the tram door.
“We are so glad to see you again, Miss Fluttershy.”
“Oh..” she looked up to the speakers set in the tram’s ceiling.
“We are so glad that you made it, Miss Fluttershy.”
“Um. Thank you,” she said nervously.
“You’re welcome,” Trent called from the platform outside.
“We never forgot about you, Miss Fluttershy.”
“Okay..”
“You don’t need to be scared. Just step onto the platform. Mind the gap though. We’re almost there.”
Fluttershy poked her head out of the tram, setting one hoof on the suspended steel grate.
“Miss Fluttershy?”
“Yes?” she asked softly, turning her head to look behind her.
“What time is it?”
“Um..”
“What time is it?”
“I.. I’m not sure..”
“Come on, it’ll be fun!” Trent coaxed.
“WHAT TIME IS IT!”
Fluttershy dashed out onto the platform and huddled behind Trent, looking back at the open doors of the tram. Her wings folded tightly against her sides.
“WHAT TIME IS IT!” the voice thundered throughout the station.
“Ow!” Trent clapped his hands over his ears. “Noise, noise, noise... Mute! Hah!”
Fluttershy watched the tram doors close and seal with a soft hiss, before it sped away.
“What the hell was that all about?”
“I.. um,” Fluttershy gulped. “It was nothing.”
“Huh? No, I was talking about that noise we just heard. You heard it too, right?”
She nodded slowly.
“Weird. Oh well. Are we ready to go?”
“Um.. Mr. Trent?”
“Yes?”
“What time is it?”
“Ahh.. it’s the year Sixty-Seven thousand, Nine hundred B.C., give or take. I was wondering why I felt so jet-lagged.”
“That was a joke, right?”
“Yes. Mostly.”
“What do you mean by ‘mostly’?”
“Okay, we didn’t magically travel into the past just now. And I’m using magic as a metaphor for anything completely inexplicable here. Not your kind of magic. Anyways, the year is.. um.. what did I say earlier... Ah, yes. It’s the year Two Thousand One Hundred and Twelve, minus about one hundred and fifteen million.”
Fluttershy blinked.
“Remember how I said that this ship is one hundred and fifteen million light years from where it departed? That, then, and there was the year Twenty-one Twelve. But from here, what we see is one hundred and fifteen million years old! That’s how a light-year works. It takes one year for light to travel one light-year. But the ship travels faster than light! So we’ve arrived at a place that’s a hundred million years in the future, relative to where we left, which is now a hundred million years in the past, relative to us right now. Mind you, this is the incredibly simplified version, and I don’t have a differential chronometer to give me an exact answer. If you want me to get any more specific, I’d say it’s probably Tuesday.”
Trent crossed his arms, rubbing one thumb pensively against his chin, oblivious to the pounding magical migraine that Fluttershy suffered from his helpful explanation.
“Now, the ship thinks it’s still seventy thousand years before it was invented. I don’t know why, and I really don’t have the time to fix every starship with a clock blinking twelve. I can’t! That’s a really complicated job on something like this! It’s not supposed to happen in the first place! I mean, seriously! If the clock was off, the hyperdrive wouldn’t work, the AI systems would fence off into a split-brain condition.. not much of anything would actually work. Ohh. Oooh, wait a second...”
“What?”
“The hyperdrive!” he waved his hands excitedly. “It’s what makes the ship move! If it wouldn’t work then.. then they’d be stuck here! I mean the big ship would be stuck here, so they would have probably left on the smaller ship. But the other smaller ship is still here! So that means they could be back already!”
Trent’s fingers flipped open, showing a patch of glowing green symbols on his palm. He tapped at one, and curled his fist in front of his face.
“Any station this net, any station this net. Please respond. This is Trent. I say again, this is Trent. Please respond. Wilber, Branson, Richards.. you guys there? Jones? Terry? Anybody?”
Trent’s voice boomed from the overhead speakers, yet to Fluttershy, the words sounded like gibberish, and the names foreign.
He tapped his foot, waiting expectantly. After a minute though, he shrugged and sighed.
“They’re probably out there somewhere..”
“Why do you think they’re here? Didn’t the ship..” Fluttershy glanced upward nervously. “I mean, didn’t the ship say they were gone?”
“Yes it did. But can we trust it?”
Fluttershy’s eyes grew wide.
“I mean, we’ve got complete database corruption, a minor case of clock skew, the entire crew is MIA, hyperdrive probably doesn’t work, and we’re literally the farthest away you can get from any star system in the whole local group. Fat chance of getting towed home. Anyways, when I said we can’t trust it, that’s because it could be wrong, rather than, well, being malicious or deceitful. Computer’s don’t do that, so there’s no need to worry. Well, not unless you explicitly program them to do that, but that’s also unlikely. Then again, it’s pretty unlikely to be wrong too. Hmm.”
Trent blew a raspberry with his lips as he swung his arms back and forth, lost deep in thought.
“What about the ship? I mean, the one you wanted to show me?”
“Huh? Oh.. yeah. Yeah. It’s right this way.”
He pointed his finger at the wall, as if he were firing an imaginary gun. A light blinked red, and a metal cage descended.
“No ordinance, no unsecured objects, and no gravity. Hang on to the rails, please,” he gestured at the sign on the wall.
Trent stepped past the green line on the floor, and drifted weightlessly into the white wire cage. Fluttershy followed, flapping her wings as she slowed to a stop in the center. The feeling of falling gripped her like a python’s embrace, but she took a deep breath and exhaled calmly.
“I mean, about the ship, are we just going to take it?”
The wire cage moved, and so did they.
“I don’t see why not.”
“Doesn’t it belong to somebody? Will they need it?”
“It was registered to a Mr. Simon Hadley,” he said with a smirk. “Knowing that, where it came from, and where it is now, I can safely say that it’s sitting there waiting for nobody but me.”
An airlock slipped open as the lift cage zipped through.
“But what about Mr. Hadley?”
He chuckled.
“I wrote a silly little story once, a long while ago. Mr. Hadley happened to be in it. However, he is fictional, along with any claims to who owns that little ship. So I probably left it there for me to find.”
The wire cage started to coast, and Trent flipped his feet toward what used to be the ceiling. Fluttershy followed, flapping one wing as the world rotated around.
“Probably? Do you mean you can’t remember?” she furrowed her brow. It didn’t sound like a joke.
The cage started to slow, and they fell to the ceiling.
“Eh, sometimes I forget where I put things. Keys. Wallet. Atmospheric dropships,” he counted on his fingers with a wry grin. “Anyways, that ship is there for me to use however I want, as long I want, and I have all the time in the world to figure out why.”
Fluttershy decided not to ask any more questions, as it only made more of them. Trent continued, blithely disregarding any such plea.
“Anyways, if the crew of this ship needed to get away, they could have borrowed it. But since it’s here, then they would be back. On the other hand, they could have left on their own ship, or had the AutoFab build them one. But then they’d be gone, and I’m fairly sure they need to be here. Hmm. At least they’d be safe..”
In Fluttershy’s mind, the word ‘safe’ didn’t sound the same as it meant.
“Will they come back?”
The cage rattled to a stop, and they were flung back to the free float void.
“They would be back,” he stated flatly.
“But...”
“It’s complicated.”
Trent kicked away from the cage, rolling his feet towards the deck as he flew into the field of false gravity. He resumed walking without breaking stride, flinging aside a solid steel door with a flick of his fingertips. Lights flickered in the compartment beyond, revealing a bathroom and a break room, a table and a television.
There was a small glass window set into one wall, black as obsidian and as reflective as the depths of a well. He sauntered up to it, and raised two fingers in a vee shape.
“Two, please.”
Fluttershy stepped over the groove in the doorway, listening as it scraped shut behind her. The room was dingy, but not dirty. A vacuum cleaner was clamped to the wall, just inches above the threadbare green carpet. Rows of lockers stood as silent sentinels across the far wall, each concealing a pile of dust where a space suit once stood.
She lofted into the air, traversing the dimly lit room. A solid door occupied the far corner, with a window inset in the upper half. Light flickered in the far room, revealing a vault of machinations standing as hollow men, a tomb of steel sarcophagi awaiting their occupants.
“That’s the armory,” Trent spoke nonchalantly, as he pulled two plastic cards on lanyards from a receptacle on the wall.
Fluttershy hovered in front of the door, still peering through the window.
“You know how most of the guard ponies wear suits of armor, right? Same goes for the people that would work here.”
“What do they need it for?”
“For whatever awaits beyond this wall.”
Fluttershy frowned.
“You don’t really mean it like that. There’s no monsters. Or things that would try to hurt people. Are there?”
Trent smiled.
“No.. no monsters. No storybook ones, anyways. But it’s always good to be prepared.”
The door near Trent opened.
“Come on, this way.” He jingled the lanyard, and tossed the access card into Fluttershy’s waiting forehooves.
Fluttershy followed Trent into a small vestibule. To one side, there was a wide door emblazoned with the red cross that she had seen earlier in the medical bay. Straight ahead, there was another door, slick with condensation and cool to the touch.
Trent slid his hand across the door, flicking the water droplets from his fingers. He tapped at a round gage, noticing the needle was slightly off center.
“Hmm. A little pressure differential. This will probably feel funny.”
Trent twisted a handle on the wall, and the air rushed out with a whistling wail. The needle slowly returned to vertical as the pressure equalized.
To Fluttershy, the sudden drop in pressure felt like a quick trip up a tall mountain, but it didn’t feel terribly odd otherwise. On the other hand, Trent winced as he alternated between puffing his cheeks and opening his jaw as wide as he could.
“You okay?” he asked, while pressing his palm against his ear.
Fluttershy nodded.
Trent turned his attention to a long metal handle set into the door, throwing his weight against it. There was a squeal as spring-loaded catches ground against well worn metal ramps, and a small sudden whoosh of air as the door was pried away from the frame. He finished rotating the lever until it pointed down and away, and then pushed with a labored grunt as the door slid sideways along slick steel rails.
The room was black as pitch, save for a small square of illumination that spilled from the vestibule. Two silhouettes stretched into the interminable abyss, huddled upon an island of light within the empty gulf; standing at the threshold of what was, and what may become.
Fluttershy shivered. The air was chilled, teeming with fine dust that swirled within the plumes of steam from her nose. A blackened veil encroached from all sides, offering no hint of what lay beyond. Yet, even in the absence of sight, her ears perked forward at every creak and groan of the ship’s labyrinthine structure. The very whisper of her breath could be heard from the depths of the void, a soft siren’s call that echoed in vast distant chorus.
“After you, Miss Fluttershy,” he beckoned.
Her wings folded tightly against her sides, as surely as her hooves remained rooted to the deck. Trent crossed his arms, waiting patiently.
“You’re still curious to see it.”
She nodded. It had not been a question.
“And you know there’s nothing to be afraid of.”
“It’s just another dark room,” she nervously asserted.
Trent tapped his foot, toeing the line where the door once stood.
“Just another dark room,” Trent mused. “One that could contain anything. Anything and everything, or exactly nothing at all. Adventure and excitement, romance and fulfillment, or despair and anguish. Any of these. An infinite number of paths leading out from the crossroads beneath your very hooves. The paths are meant to be taken, Fluttershy, and you will travel them, no matter how still you stand. We have no say against the cadence of time. You will march to the drumbeat that drives the universe.”
He drew his breath, kneeling down to stare directly into Fluttershy’s eyes.
“But you do have a choice. Any path to choose from. All depending on where you step. Standing still will not lead you to what you desire, nor will it delay that which you fear. You will find both in many forms, just as it will find you. The path is not clear, and the choices are not always safe or easy. But you can still decide. You have that freedom to choose, Fluttershy. Curiosity is your candle to light the darkness. Courage will be the spark that ignites that flame. All that remains is the conviction to take that first step, and you will meet your destiny half-way.”
They shared a short silence, a quiet lull suspended within the very center of the vast eternal nothingness that dwarfed the galaxies surrounding it.
“Mr. Trent?”
“Yes?”
“You really do like to talk a lot.”
Trent erupted with a loud bellowing laugh that reverberated from the far end of the maintenance bay.
“Onward then! To the unknown!” Trent thrust his arm into the dark room, his fingertips crossing through shadow and disappearing from sight.
Fluttershy gulped, uneasily raising one hoof over the threshold.
“To the future,” she whispered.
Hoof and boot stepped across together, plowing forth into the cold still air. They marched side by side, stepping off the island of light and plunging into the sea of shade.
Trent waved his hand, and light flooded the bay. It burned bright and brilliant, as expected from the Kreshtahl - Phillips halide arc array.
The bay stretched tall and wide, stopped short by an immense door. Cranes dangled from the ceiling and towering cages rose from the gritty gray floor. Tools lined laden chests, slick with grease and arranged neatly within their metallic nests. A broad boulevard through the city of steel offered passage for two long awaited guests.
Hangars stacked along the walls in sweeping expanse, an empty hive where hulking spacecraft once moved and danced. The scope and scale hinted at the bustling activity that took place in the brightly lit room. Now quiet, save for their footsteps. Silent as a tomb.
Red lights spun and green lights flashed. A klaxon blared with shrill warning as Trent waved the mountainous door aside with a deafening crash. Onward they strode with purposeful gait.
Onward toward their prize.
Onward to their fate.
* * *
|
FanOfMostEverything
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1220
| 1 |
Other,Twilight Sparkle,Crossover,Comedy,Random,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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Cracked Prism
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A Double Rainbow metafic. As spacetime frays, Twilight calls in an expert from another world.
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complete
| 82 | 5 |
<p>As worlds collide and causality takes a mental health day, one of an ever-increasing number of Twilight Sparkles (or is it Twilights Sparkle?) calls in a specialist. A metafic of <a href="/story/836/Double-Rainbow" rel="nofollow">Double Rainbow.</a></p>
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everyone
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2011-10-11T21:17:21+00:00
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2011-10-11T21:17:21+00:00
| 4,100 |
The Council of Twilight Sparkles (or possibly Twilights Sparkle; the Grammar Committee was still wrestling with the tense issue,) had begun as a quintet of the lavender unicorn gathered in one of the temporaspacial duplicates of the Books and Branches Library. As the knot of time loops and causal insanity that at least one of the magicians had engendered expanded to consume ever more timelines, more of her showed up to help. Well, they showed up, boggled at the sheer number of themself present, were brought up to speed by the Welcoming Committee, and were assigned to a given committee by the Logistics Committee. Eventually, there were simply too many instances of Celestia's student to fit in a single tree, so they spread out into the rest of the town. The Ponyvillians didn't mind too much, since there were an ever-increasing number of Ponyvilles that weren't infested by Twilight Sparkle, Destroyer of Time and Space. (The Public Relations Committee acknowledged that they were in way over their heads.)
It was a shame, reflected one of the first Twilights to get involved in this mess, that she couldn't just go back in time and tell herself that time travel was too much trouble to get involved with. Alas, that would result in a paradox that, at this point, could very well wipe out not only her Equestria, but the very possibility of the country ever existing in the first place. Probably. In any case, she certainly wasn't going to risk it. Or any other time travel for that matter. If she ever saw a sonic rainboom again, it would be too soon...
"What the—!?" Twilight Alpha (a name every Twilight used to refer to herself, but one that will only be used for this specific Twilight for the sake of convenience and sanity,) sighed as she heard the all-too familiar cry of yet another unicorn expressing incredulity at a town full of herself. Then she paused. That exclamation had been of a deeper timbre, almost as though it came from a... No. No, surely that was impossible. Sure, there were minor differences between timelines, but nothing so extreme as—
"Excuse me," said the definitely extant, definitely spark-of-magic-cutie-marked, and very definitely male lavender unicorn, "but what exactly is going on here?"
Twilight looked plaintively towards the heavens. "Really? Really?" All those Celestias in one place must have resulted in some kind of critical mass of mischief. It was the only logical explanation. That or the Pinkie Pies.
"Er, yes, really. I really would like to know why dozens of what appear to be female versions of myself are doing in what in turn appears to be an exact duplicate of Ponyville."
She looked flatly at her stallion counterpart. "Welcoming Committee's in Quills and Sofas. It's their job to explain how I ruined everything. I don't suppose your name is Twilight Sparkle?"
"Dusk Shine, actually."
"Well, everyus else is Twilight, so you shouldn't be too hard-pressed for names. Get moving, we need every me we can get, gender notwithstanding."
"Pronouns are going to be problematic, aren't they?"
"You'll only have to worry about it if you end up on the Grammar Committee. Now move that flank, buster!"
Dusk rolled his eyes and made for the exceptionally specialized store with a mutter of "Didn't think I was that hard on myself."
Twilight Alpha returned to her own ruminations for a moment before the peace was again interrupted, this time by excited shouting. For the sake of ease of reference, the elated unicorn will be dubbed Twilight Beta. She, like Twilight Alpha, was on the Primary Committee, devoted to trying to restore something that at least resembled normal spacetime if you tilted your head and squinted the right way. Her shouting went like this: "I think I've made a breakthrough!"
Alpha gave Beta a grim look. "The last thing we need is anything breaking through anything else."
"You know what I mean! I found an area of research that's been almost totally unexploited until now!"
This merited a raised eyebrow. "Really? Where did you look?"
All of the energy and excitement seemed to drain out of the second main protagonist, who suddenly became fascinated with her forehooves. "Oh, you know, here and there..."
"Where, specifically?"
"...the Necronomicon."
Alpha's eyes widened. No. No, she must have misheard herself. "I didn't quite catch that."
"The Necronomicon."
The first unicorn facehoofed. "The Necronomicon. Because collapsing all of reality wasn't enough. You had to awaken ancient demon-gods to eat the place before it went bad!"
Beta glared defensively. "Hay, I didn't actually open the thing! I just performed the Rite of Recommended Reading on it."
Alpha considered this. The Rite of Recommended Reading was one of the first spells she'd learned. When cast on one book, it either summoned a book on the same subject from the same room or, if one was unavailable, created a short-lived magical copy. "Okay... What, exactly, did you get out of it?"
Her answer came in a telekinetically held tome. While its binding appeared to be devoid of poorly tanned pony skin (which was more than she could say for some volumes), it still managed to disturb her. The cover was so black it seemed hewn from obsidian, throwing the stark white type and illustrations into sharp relief. On the bottom of the cover were scattered bones and skulls of an obviously equine origin. Above them was an amoeba-like being, a circle with eight evenly arranged tentacles, a single, staring eye, and a mouth that seemed midway through pronouncing a word that would shatter mortal sanity.
Twilight Alpha tore her eyes from the cover for a moment to let her imagination calm down before reading the title. "Grimoire for Summoning the Zoologically Dubious." The eyebrow came back up. "You really think this will help us?"
Beta shrugged. "Hay, its not like anything else has."
Alpha pondered this for a moment before shaking her head. "I don't like it. Existence is fragile enough as it is. We don't need to risk tipping the balance by letting in something... dubious."
Her counterpart gave a nervous chuckle. "Um, about that..."
The first unicorn got on her knees so she could bury her face in both forehooves. Through them came a muffled "What did you do?"
"Well, I may have contacted the Noble Circle of Horrorterrors who forever lie veiled in the Furthest Ring."
"You 'may' have."
"They're really quite nice if you're polite and don't start screaming immediately."
Alpha glanced up from her one-mare misery fest. "Are you the Twilight who had to deal with a time-travelling Pinkie Pie?"
"What idiot did that!?"
"From a certain perspective, the same idiot who's providing both ends of this conversation. You were saying?"
"Oh, right. Well, once I made our situation clear, they agreed to send us a specialist."
This dragged Alpha back to a standing position. "What specialist?"
"Yo."
She turned. The pony standing before her was, mercifully, not her. It wasn't even a her, and clearly wasn't a Dusk Shine either. His coat was vivid red. His short-cropped mane and tail were a platinum blonde bordering on pure white, a horn poking out of the former. His eyes were concealed behind sunglasses that simultaneously seemed cool and mildly ridiculous. His expression indicated a complete and total lack of available bucks to give.
He was only a few inches taller than one of the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
She turned back, pointing at the newcomer. "That's a horrorterror?"
"'That' can hear you perfectly well," noted the crimson colt. "And no, 'that' isn't one of those gurgling douchebag refugees from a bad hentai. 'That' has been unceremoniously belched back from the fucking dead like a pretzel that went down the wrong pipe so it can save your ridiculously duplicated ass from your own goddamn temporal fuck-up, because you, unlike 'that', can't navigate a stable time loop to save your edutaining, pastel-colored, merchandisable life." This was all said in the same laid-back, matter-of-fact deadpan, colored with a hint of accent reminiscent of Applejack. "Also, 'that' is still trying to get past the fact that it is now a fucking horse."
The two Twilights traded looks. Beta's was a well-worn "Isn't this great?" Alpha's was a mint condition "You've doomed us all, you idiot." It was clear who got the better part of the deal.
"A'ight," sighed the apparent resurrectee, "guess I better go see just how badly you managed to mangle causality."
"Bad," came the reply as another instance of the colt walked up to the first. The Twilights noted that his cutie mark was a record with the teeth of a gear, split in twain. "Like, 'John as Hero of Time' bad."
This coaxed the first red foal's eyebrows out from behind the shades. "Damn. I'm gonna have to see that for myself." Two strange devices that appeared to be record turntables mounted to hovering assemblies of gears manifested before him. He brought his forehooves to the vinyl, then paused. "Uh..."
"Just do it," advised his doppelganger.
"'Kay." He scratched the disks and vanished from sight.
The second colt turned to the identically agape mares. "So, where were we? Aside from you being a gigantic flaming moron who shouldn't be trusted with anything sharper or more magical than a plastic spoon, of course?"
Alpha stammered out syllables. "You... He... How..."
"Yeah, that ain't helpin' your case."
Beta glowered at her hellishly hired help. "Look, I understand that we could have handled the situation better, but is some degree of politeness too much to ask?"
He sighed. "Look, I tend to vent stress through snark, and we're in the middle of a goddamn paradise for both. Besides, this whole situation is pretty much shot beyond repair."
"WHAT!?"
"Wow, synchronized yelling. Nice. But yeah, you've basically created a sort of tumor in space and time, and the thing is metastasizing like nobody's business. Seriously, thing'd be growin' hair and teeth if it was in some poor fucker."
Both lavender unicorns took a moment to digest this. Alpha spoke first. "Is... is there a way you could excise the tumor? Cut it away from the rest of continuity before it consumes it?"
The colt shrugged. "Well, much as I'd love to perform timeline surgery like some sort of alternate continuity Doctor Who, it wouldn't do any good."
"Why not?" chimed Beta.
"This here's an alternate timeline."
"Well of course it is," scoffed Alpha. "Something like this clearly wasn't supposed to happen."
"Well, yeah, but that's not what I mean. Y' see, here and now? This whole tableau? It's an offshoot. If I'm right, and I see no reason why I wouldn't be, once Mad Achmed here," he nodded towards his summoner, "decided to go with Operation: Klaatu Barada Nikto instead of, say, something sane, you guys jumped off the rails. Now we've just got to wait for the crash."
The mares needed another moment to process this latest twist. Beta drooped and broke the silence. "So... I doomed us all? Again?"
"Hey, if it's any consolation, I've been in time-travel tech support for a while, and I've seen worse. Much worse. And that's just the wait between calls."
"So how long do we have until we crash?" Alpha asked anxiously.
The bespectacled coolfoal gave another shrug. "Hard to say. Probably until just after I leave. Which is hopefully soon. No offense, but I miss fingers."
The Twilights traded another look. This one wasn't in the standard print runs. Beta turned to the young unicorn. "Say, did you find any point in time or anypony you wanted to look at in more detail?"
After a muttered "'Anypony'? Really?", he replied, "Well, your partner in temporal up-fuckery seems pretty cool when not violating causality with a rusty butter knife."
The crazier of the two Twilights (though which one that was is left as an exercise to the reader,) gave a look somewhere between sly and what might be dubbed seductive on any other mare. "Why don't you go spend some time with her? I'm sure she'd love your company."
An eyebrow peaked over the sunglasses. "Welp, I can tell when I'm not wanted." He scratched his way into the past.
The mares looked at one another. "Plan X?"
"Plan X."
As one, they moved to Books and Branches, current home of the Implementation Committee. A knock on the door was rewarded with what we will call Twilight Omega. "Yes?"
"Plan X."
Omega's eyes widened with a mix of joy and horror. "Really?"
"Really."
The third unicorn opened the bottom half of the library's door and, horn aglow with a voice amplification spell, cried, "FILLIES, NONE OF US ARE GOING TO DIE VIRGINS!"
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TimeBomb0
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1224
| 1 |
Original Character,Spike,Twilight Sparkle,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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The Way to a Unicorn's Heart
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Your favorite purple customer comes to your cafe starving. Romantic shenanigans ensue
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complete
| 275 | 7 |
<p>As the head chef of your own cafe in Ponyville, food has always been your one true passion. However, a certain purple unicorn may help you discover a new love....</p><p>Sequel to my fic <a href="/story/1959/a-welldeserved-break-the-other-way-to-a-unicorns-heart" rel="nofollow">here.</a></p>
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teen
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2011-10-05T22:40:31+00:00
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2011-10-05T22:40:31+00:00
| 11,565 |
It was a pleasure to cook.
Even as a young unicorn colt before you found your cutie mark, you knew you were destined to be a chef. Like your father, you loved just about everything regarding food; looking at it, cooking it, thinking up new and crazy combinations of ingredients, and of course, tasting it. The greatest thrill, however, came from the smiles and satisfaction of each pony you served. It was a mutual happiness shared by both chef and customer: The latter enjoyed the meal while you derived pleasure from their enjoyment.
This was why you were elated when your parents delivered the big news to you a year ago: The owner of a cafe in Ponyville had won the CanterLottery and was selling the place so he could enjoy his early retirement. Not only that, but he was selling the restaurant for much cheaper than the estimated value, and your parents were willing to pool together their money and cover a large chunk of the cost. You were all too eager to accept their offer, and soon you found yourself running the cafe as both manager and head chef, turning the second floor of the building into your living quarters to save on cost. It was a small unassuming business, but for you there was surely no greater pleasure in life.
...or so you thought.
It had only been a few days since you took over the place when she came to dine. You had yet to hire anypony to help wait on tables, so you had to act as both waiter and cook. It was exhausting, but at least you got to see the smiling faces of every customer that enjoyed your food. More importantly, it allowed you to see her smiling face: The purple-coated unicorn with the sparkling cutie mark.
You can recall her first visit to your new restaurant with near-perfect memory. She had already sat herself down at one of the tables furthest from the cafe, seated with what you could only assume was a baby dragon across from her. It was quite the sight: The dragon was rambling on about something involving moustaches and a "rarity" of some kind, while the unicorn was not even looking at him. Instead, she was engaged in a book she had brought with her, displaying a small contented smile on her face. It had been at least a full minute before you realized that you were standing in the open staring at them like a goofball, and, for a reason that continues to elude you, another thirty seconds before you worked up the courage to walk up to them and take their order.
"Hi there", you said as you closed the final steps towards the table, "Welcome to my new cafe. What would you like?"
The dragon was first to respond, his head still in the menu: "Um, yeah, hi there. Under new management, right?" You reply with a simple "Mmm-hmm" and a quick head nod. He turned to you with a giddy expression. "So, uh...do you have any diamonds? Or rubies? How 'bout emeralds? Sapphire?"
"Er...no, I...don't..." you say. The dragon's words had left you dumbfounded, which came through in the puzzled look on your face.
"Hay fries, then. And some apple juice." The dragon responded, his tone heavy with disappointment as he slouched back into his chair. Is that seriously part of his diet, you wondered. The many mysteries of dragons....
Using your magic, you levitate a quill and clipboard in front of you to take down his order. "...and for you, miss?" you called out as you turned to the unicorn. Your question seemed to fall on deaf ears, as she didn't move or answer you.
"...um, miss?"
Again, no response.
"...let me handle this." The dragon spoke up before turning to his companion. "Hey, Twilight!" These words were loud and accompanied by a couple snaps of his fingers close to her face.
As if on cue, the purple mare jerked her head up. "What!?" she snapped at her friend, her voice holding a twinge of irritability. She turned her head towards you and, upon seeing you slightly taken aback at her outburst, immediately adopted a look of embarrassment. "Oh! Um, sorry about that...just a daffodil sandwich for me...with a lemonade." You could see her visibly trying to fight back a blush to little avail. You could tell because you were having the same problem as her, with just as much success.
"Uh, yes, right away!" You managed to force out before sheepishly retreating into the cafe to prepare their food. Both of their orders were pretty easy to throw together; they were some of the first things you learned to make in Coltinary School, in fact. Through repeated experimentation, however, you had learned how to put your own personal twist on each dish you prepared, no matter how basic they were. In a couple minutes, you had already put the final touches on their meals. With the tray floating in front of you, you headed back outside to their table, hoping your food can make up for the odd introduction.
"...I'm tellin' ya, he was giving you a funny look!"
"Spike, you're imagining things! I know he's new in town, but that doesn't mean we can't trust him-"
"Your sandwich, madam?"
At your words, both dragon and unicorn nearly leaped out of their seats and then nervously looked about in every general direction but yours. It seemed that the suspicions you had from the conversation you unintentionally eavesdropped on were true: They were talking about you.
"Um, yes! My, er, sandwich! Of course..." The unicorn spoke up, her voice steadily growing weaker while her cheeks steadily grew pinker.
"Uh, yeah, my fries, too, I guess..." The baby dragon responded, mimicking his companion's nervous voice while rubbing the back of his head.
"...alrighty then, enjoy your lunch." You replied, gently setting both of their plates down with your magic. You were all too quick to leave the table once their food and drinks were in their hands and hooves; not only did you have other customers to attend to, but you also wanted to keep things from getting more awkward than they already were. You had had your fair share of awkward customers before, but for some reason these two were making you especially uncomfortable.
The time to give them their bill and get their payment came all too quickly. With a hint of trepidation, you slowly walked back to their table, this time putting a bit more heft into your hooves to make a small noise and let them know you were coming. It must have worked, as they dropped their conversation, one that you tried your hardest to tune out, when you got near.
"...and here is the bill for your meal," you explained as you lowered a piece of paper and a couple mints onto the table. While the unicorn fumbled in her saddlebags placed at the edge of her chair, you lifted their dishes off the table, which had somehow remained spotless during their lunch. Eventually the mare pulled out the bits needed to pay the bill, and you levitated them into the pocket of your chef's jacket for the time being. With their meal paid for, there was only one thing left for you to do, and you did it while staring into the space between them, never making eye contact with either of them:
"Alright, thank you very much for dining here. I hope to see you again soon."
Forcing a smile, you turned away from the table and began your walk back to the kitchen. For the first time, it had been a relief not to see a customer's face after their meal. You were sure the food you made was good, but for some reason you couldn't bear to look either of them in the eye after such a weird first impression, especially not her. She might have been just another customer, but there was something...unique...about her, and it wasn't just her scaly friend-
"Wait!"
The word nearly caused you to jump into the air as much as she did a few minutes ago. Snapping back to reality, you turned around and saw the purple mare standing before you. It took most of your strength to fake a friendly smile. Truthfully, you had no idea what was about to happen, but you were worried to find out.
"..a-heh, sorry if I caught you off-guard there." She began, slightly moving her head back out of embarrassment before returning it to meet your gaze. "Look, I just wanted to say I'm sorry for giving you such a weird time. I...have a bad habit of focusing too much on whatever's in front of me, and this isn't the first time it's caused a situation like this." Upon finishing, her eyes shifted to her left towards what you assumed was nothing in particular. You guessed that she was recalling an event similar to yours, which made you ponder just how socially adept this unicorn was.
"Oh, don't worry about it," you responded, trying to keep your imagination from thinking up possible scenarios involving her being awkward in front of others. "I get weird customers all the time. It just comes with the job. My first day running the place, I had a guest who gasped and ran off when I told her I was new to town...." You briefly stopped to reminisce about that odd customer.
"Yeah, sorry I couldn't be at that party, either." The unicorn spoke up. Apparently you weren't the first to have a surprise welcoming party. "...anyway, I know how it feels to move to a new place and not know what's going on, so if you need to know anything else about how Ponyville works, just stop by the town library and I'll give you a hand..er, hoof." She reached her forehoof out towards you and gave a small friendly smile. "I'm Twilight Sparkle, and the dragon you met is my friend and assistant Spike."
You raised your forehoof in return and shook hooves with the unicorn. Her hoof had a certain softness to it, even if her shake had a respectable level of firmness to it. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Sparkle." You replied, giving her your name afterwards.
"Just Twilight will do," she said back to you, letting go of your hoof and bringing hers back to the ground. "Well, I've got some stuff to take care of back at the library and I see you have a few things on your *ahem* plate as well, so I'll get out of your mane. You take care of yourself, alright?" With that last line, she walked back to her table, threw her dragon friend on her back, and left in the general direction of the Ponyville library. You stared at her as she walked off into the distance for much longer than you normally did for any other customer.
It wasn't until she walked out of your field of vision that you remembered you had dirty plates to wash, customers to wait on, and a couple meals that needed to get off the stove ASAP. Jerking your head back to the cafe, you returned to your hard work and finished out the rest of the day with no other notable incidents.
***************
Twilight Sparkle....
There was just something to that name that made you repeat it in your head over and over again, occasionally saying it out loud to nopony in particular. It had been quite a few months since the day you first met her, but it was certainly not the only time you ran into the unicorn. It wasn't too long before she came back to your cafe to dine, and before you knew it she was visiting the place enough to become a regular sight. Sometimes she would come with friends, sometimes alone, sometimes with a book, sometimes with a quill and parchment, sometimes bringing nothing but herself. No matter how she showed up, you were always glad that she came to the place where you knew her name. You would often share interesting conversations while waiting on her, ranging from herself and her latest adventures to your personal background and some tips regarding how to use an oven without causing the smoke alarm to go off. In fact, you could almost consider her arrival to be the highlight of your day whenever it happened.
You were also happy for your cafe. Thanks to some particularly positive pieces of press in the papers, business was doing well enough for you to stay profitable. You had eventually hired a second chef to help you with orders as well as a waiter to service customers and take more work off your load. Even with the waiter, you would still occasionally wait on tables, especially whenever Twilight came to dine. There was just something to seeing the customer's pleased face at the end of each meal that you couldn't get enough of, particularly if it belonged to the purple unicorn.
You had yet to share these inner feelings with her, however. For one, you didn't want to unintentionally makes things awkward with her again and damage the friendly relationship you had with her. Why risk ruining a good thing, after all? Secondly, you were still unsure as to how deep these feelings for her went. Would you consider her just a friend? Like a sister? Or was it something more substantial? What if you were in l..l...like-like with her?
Shaking your head, you return your focus from your reflective daydreaming to the present day. For some reason, the cafe was surprisingly empty today. You were certainly open, but hardly any customers were showing up. It may be a blessing in disguise, you thought at first, as you were also the only one running the cafe today. Your sous chef had the day off, and the waiter had to leave town for a family-related crisis. Things were so slow today that you had taken up reading one of your books - The Healing Candy by The Gentlecolt Sneaker - at one of the tables to pass the time.
The hours continued to drag, and still no sight of customers. At this point, your attention was diverting further away from your book and towards possible explanations for why nopony was showing up. Is there some kind of special event in town? Is it a national holiday? Did you accidentally send out some rotten frui...no, wait, you would have definitely seen a subpoena or two if that was the case. No matter what, you had a sneaking suspicion that the rest of the day was going to be like this. With any luck, you could take advantage of the lull in traffic and get some housework done. Deciding that would be a bit more productive, you close your book and take it away from your eyes...
...and see the one unicorn you wanted to see most slowly walking towards your cafe.
At first glance, you nearly jump for joy on the inside. Surely this was like something out of one of those cheesy romantic novels! However, as she gets closer, you begin to notice something...off...with her. Her steps are a bit sluggish, her mane is wet and stuck to her coat, and even from this distance you could see sweat droplets coating a good portion of her body. These are all the telltale signs of a pony that had just been through something physically demanding. Just what on earth has this pony been up to?
She hadn't made it to a table yet before you walked over to her. "Twilight!" You begin, making the concern in your voice clear, "Are you okay? What on earth have you been up to?"
Raising her head to meet yours, she begins to explain: "Um, well I was just-" Unfortunately, she couldn't continue any further. After the word "just", a loud and deep rumble started out of nowhere, and Twilight lowered her head and scrunched her face as if she was in pain. As a chef, you knew exactly what the source of this sound was and had grown to treat it as your ironic worst enemy: An empty stomach. Whatever Twilight had been up to, it was clear that it caused her to skip out on lunch, and perhaps even breakfast.
Once the growling finally subsided, Twilight raised her head back up to yours, with her face now relaxed but also with a slight blush on her cheeks now. "Uh, is it okay if I have something to eat first?" She says to you, her voice containing a hint of physical exhaustion to it, "It's kind of a long story, and I really need some food in me."
Normally, the idea of leaving someone who looks like they could keel over at a moment's notice by themselves is something you would object to, but somehow she knew just where to strike to get you to change your mind.
"Of course, Twilight." You reply, "A daffodil sandwich would be the quickest dish to prepare. Would that be okay?"
"Sure...um, can you make it a double?" She says, giving you a coy smile in the process.
"Right away." With those words, you retreat into the cafe and immediately go to work on making her meal. Once inside the kitchen, you move to the cabinets where all the necessary ingredients would be. With your magic, you open the doors and nearly smack yourself in the face with your hoof at the sight and realization:
You had forgotten to restock ingredients this morning.
You're not sure how you could have forgotten something as basic as this, but here you are standing before cabinets that are almost completely devoid of ingredients needed to make any quick-to-prepare foods. You had plenty of food inside your walk-in fridge as well as upstairs in your living quarters, but all of it needed 10 minutes or more to properly cook, and Twilight looked like she needed something to eat right away.
Fortunately for both you and her, you spot the key ingredient needed for the sandwich hiding in the corner: the daffodils. You would be completely out of them once the double-order was made, but it was enough for the moment. Grabbing the daffodils and the rest of the ingredients, you grab a plate and immediately go to work on cutting, plucking, and dressing up the flowers to get them ready. You prepare the dish as quickly as you can while still being careful and attentive to detail. You had taken up a habit of putting extra effort into all of Twilight's meals when she came to dine, but this meal was especially important, perhaps the most important sandwich you have ever had to prepare.
In just a little over a minute, you finish putting the final touches on the sandwich, even going so far as to place one of those fancy silver covers over the plate. It was just a tic of yours you picked up since opening up shop here, and Twilight is a customer, after all. Reminding yourself the urgency of this dish, you head back outside to the table that Twilight had chosen to sit at. Her head is lying on the table's surface and her violet eyes are half-shut; whatever she did today must have really taken the energy out of her, you mused.
"Here you are, Twilight." You call out, setting the plate down in front of her face and lifting the cover off with your magic. Almost immediately, her head perks up and a small line of saliva escapes her lips. Wasting no time, she grabs the sandwich with her forehooves, lifts it up to her face, and tears off a sizable chunk. As she chews on her meal, she lets out a faint sigh of relief from deep within her throat. You smile a little at this sound; you couldn't stand to see somepony starving in front of you, and yet the sights and sounds of them finally getting a nice bite to eat always stirred a contented feeling inside you.
You could watch Twilight eat a hundred sandwiches (and she probably had the appetite for that, too), but you still need some answers. As she swallows the first bite, you speak up before she can grab another. "Wait, Twilight." you begin, making her stop in mid-air with her jaw open. She gives you a look of both annoyance and pleading at the same time. "Sorry to interrupt your meal," you continue, "but what have you been doing today? You look like you just went through one of the royal guard's training regimens."
"Oh, right...I guess I owe you an explanation. I do kinda look funny after all," She replies with another shy half-smile. Setting her sandwich back onto the plate, she begins with her explanation: "You see, I've been up all day working nonstop. I had to tidy up the library and make sure that Spike and I had enough food there and the windows and books were all secure. I was gonna get some lunch when I finished, but I got a visit from my friend Fluttershy right when I got done. She needed help getting her home ready and rounding up all the animals there, so I left right away. It took way longer than I thought it would to get everything sorted out even with her...stare..." she pauses to give a quick shudder, making you curious and nervous about her friend.
"...Anyways, we were just about done when we found out that some of her chickens got loose when we weren't paying attention, so we had to chase them down. Luckily they all took off in the general direction of Ponyville and didn't separate, but it was still quite a chase. I never knew chickens had that much stamina, even after reading all those books about them....well, we finally caught up to them and then Fluttershy gave them another one of those...stares..." again, she pauses to shudder, "and then she told me that she could lead them back to her house by herself, so we went our separate ways...and that's pretty much why I'm here, starving and out of energy."
It was quite the story. "Wow," you manage to say after finally absorbing everything she had to say, "Sounds like you've had a really busy day." There is still one question left in your head, and you had to ask: "...but Twilight, what exactly were you and your friend getting ready for?"
She was in the process of grabbing her sandwich and taking another substantial bite, but your words once again bring her to a halt. She gives you another look, containing the same amounts of annoyance but this time with a hint of concern to them. "You...don't know what's planned for today?" She asks.
"....no," you answer, "is someone having another welcoming party?"
"...uh oh." Her response now has you worried. She puts the sandwich back down, even placing the cover back on the plate. She doesn't even have to say anything to let you know that whatever's planned for today is no laughing matter. "Look," she starts up again, adopting a serious tone and expression, "If I were you, I would go through your cafe right now and start locking all the windows and then move all this furniture inside. It's not going to be long before....oh no..."
She immediately halts her conversation and widens her eyes when she briefly glances up at the sky while talking to you. Taking the hint, you look upwards and mirror her shock perfectly at the sight: Dark clouds had gathered while you were waiting on her, quickly blocking out Celestia's sun and covering the sky like a large blanket. You can only gawk at this rapid change in weather for a few seconds, until a sudden flash of light and a deafening boom causes both of you to leap up in fright.
Your heart racing, you turn your head back to Twilight, and see that despite knowing about this in advance, she looks just as frightened as you are. For a moment, you are paralyzed with fear and uncertainty. It isn't until you feel a fat drop of water hit your back that you realize what you need to be doing this instant.
"Hurry! Get inside!"
***************
You and Twilight were only out in the rain for less than ten seconds, but by the time you reached the cover of the inside of the cafe, you both were drenched in cold water. You were still in shock over the sudden turn of events; the only thing going through your mind concerned what was happening, and there was only way to find out.
"Twilight," you speak up at a louder volume than normal so you can be heard over the deluge outside, "What in Celestia's name is going on?"
You glance at Twilight and catch her shaking her mane out of her eyes. "It's a storm, and a big one at that," she begins while trying to shake off some loose strands of rainwater, "The weather pegasi had to whip up a strong one to counter out the drought we've been having the last few weeks. It's supposed to last..." she pauses to take a deep sigh "...all night."
You pick up on the deflated tone in her voice and for a second are unsure as to why that tone exists, but the answer soon hits you like a horse-drawn freight train. Travelling in this weather would be borderline suicidal, which means that she had no choice but to stay in the cafe for the evening with...you.
BANG!
You nearly hit your head on the ceiling at this new sound from jumping so high. In a panic, you turn your head and discover the source: The wind had blown one of your windows open, the wooden blinds now smacking against the outer walls. The downpour was blowing into the cafe, soaking everything within its reach. You dislike the idea of getting even wetter, but you had to get that window shut before the water could cause any serious damage. You rush towards the window, having to push against the fierce winds blowing plenty of objects around. The combination of the chilling wind and icy water is nearly overwhelming, but with enough concentration, you force the blinds shut with your magic and engage the lock.
Why on earth would they schedule a storm this strong, you think to yourself. Talk about over-correcting. "Listen, Twilight," you say as you turn your focus back to her, "I gotta make sure all the windows down here are secure." You walk back to her, leaving a trail of water behind you. "I need you to go upstairs into my flat and grab some towels out of the bathroom, and lock any windows you see, too. This water has to get cleaned up soon, and I don't know about you, but being warm and dry sounds rather nice at the moment."
"Yeah, me too..." she replies, adding a small giggle at the end. You aren't entirely sure, but you possibly detect a bit of nervousness to her laugh. "Right, I'll get them right away." She continues before turning towards the stairs in the back and heading off. You don't take your eyes off her until she rounds the corner of the staircase. It's only until she leaves your field of vision that you remember you have windows to shut before they blow open and drown out the floor.
Moving quickly, you head to each window and put the locks in place with your magic. There were quite a few inside your cafe, even within the kitchen. Eventually you reach the last window and lock it, breathing a small sigh of relief. At least you don't have to worry about rain getting all your food and equipment wet. Still waiting on the unicorn to come down with the towels, you decide to stare into the storm for a little bit. It is certainly a doozy of a storm: The rain is coming down in sheets, there are near-constant flashes of lightning and booms of thunder, and you can hear the wind howling outside. You feel dismayed somewhat when you scan the outdoor section of your cafe. All those tables, signs, plants, and chairs are at the mercy of the elements, and all you can do is watch them get battered, especially that silver centerpiece at Twilight's tab-
THE SANDWICH!
Against all odds, the plate containing Twilight's meal was still on the table, the silver cover protecting it from the winds and rain. Your heart sinks at the sight; Twilight had been deprived of a good meal all day, and just when it was within her reach, the fates seemed to conspire against her, denying her of one of life's most basic necessities. Your disposition as both a chef and a friend only made you feel more empathetic towards her series of unfortunate events. You couldn't, nay, wouldn't allow a customer of yours to suffer like this, especially her of all ponies.
Inching towards the door, you look outside the decorative window and eye a straight line to the table. You raise a hoof towards the doorknob, but you stop and hover it just before it reaches its target. You idiot! your mind shouts to you. It's just a sandwich! You can make her something else! It's not worth it! Your common sense has several good points. This is possibly one of the dumbest choices you could ever make....
...and yet, you can't stop yourself.
Forcing the door open, you lower your head and run towards the table. In an instant you are soaked in cold water, and the deafening winds chill you to the bone, but you press forward. Once you get close enough to the table, you begin to channel the magic from your horn to the plate. The extreme conditions make it difficult for you to concentrate, but slowly you make the plate rise off the table's surface-
BOOM!
For the next few seconds, all you can hear is a dull ring. A lightning bolt had struck a lamppost near the table, missing you only by a few yards but still close enough to make you more scared than you had ever been before. There was no doubt in your mind; you had to get that sandwich and get your plot back inside the cafe now. Doubling your magical efforts, you lift the plate, cover and all, and position it just in front of your chest. Turning around, you can barely make out the doorway in the rain, but you run towards it as quickly and carefully as you can.
Despite being even colder and wetter than before, you feel an incredible sense of relief once you cross the doorway back into the safety of your restaurant. Setting the plate down to the side, you lower your head and take some much-needed deep breaths. You had just risked life and limb all so a customer you secretly admired from a distance could have a sandwich that may not even be good anymore. It was an incredibly stupid move, but at least no one could accuse you of not being passionate about serving customers. Speaking of which, you figure it would probably be a good idea to get this sandwich to Twilight in case it was still edible; as hungry as she made herself to be, there was no way one bite would have been enough to fill her up. Taking one last breath, you lift both the plate and your head up...
...and see the one unicorn you wanted to see most right in front of you, only this time she doesn't look happy to see you. She is giving you an incredibly furious glare, one that pierces you to your very core. You had never seen the unicorn this mad, and her gaze is making you feel like you had been caught breaking your mother's favorite vase as a foal.
"...Why did you do that?" She finally says to you in a voice that is much calmer than you expected but still able to bring her anger across. You try to explain, but at first you can't even speak. The sheer terror you had felt just a moment ago from barely avoiding a lightning strike is nothing compared to the panic you feel now.
Slowly and filled with trepidation, you start to explain yourself: "Uh, I, um....the sandwich, I couldn't-"
"I don't care about the sandwich!" Twilight snaps at you, making you jump back a couple inches and feel smaller than ever. "Did you see that lightning strike!? You could have died out there, and for what, some sandwich!? Do you really not care for how much others care about you!?"
"I...I..." you felt like you were about to break down and start bawling your eyes out.
"Why do you keep doing this to me!?"
"I...uh...huh?"
You were no longer on the verge of a breakdown, but her last question has left you bewildered beyond belief. Your confusion only deepens when you take a good look at Twilight's face. Her glare had weakened as she spoke to you, slowly being replaced with a look of...desperation, perhaps? And is that glimmer in her eyes just rainwater she had yet to dry off, or could it possibly be...? What is going on in this unicorn's head?
"Twilight, I....don't follow," You slowly respond. "I never meant to hurt you. It's just...you were so hungry when you came in, and I hated to see you like that, so I-"
"Please, just stop!" Twilight cuts you off again, her tone no longer angry but now filled with another equally strong emotion. "Stop making it so hard for me to...to..."
Her words trailing off, Twilight lowers her head to the ground and remains silent for what feels like an eternity. Finally, she speaks up again, but with her head still lowered and her voice much slower and delicate: "I...got this book to help me. It said I had to become familiar with you first, so I visited as often as I could. I've been wanting to say something to you for a while, but I...couldn't get up the courage to do what the book said next..."
This revelation was still leaving you dumbfounded. You had never thought of Twilight as the kind of pony who has trouble getting her feelings across, especially after all the conversations you had with her before seemed to flow so naturally.
She let her voice trial off again, so you decide to fill in the silence: "...what did the book tell you to do?"
It takes a little bit for her to say anything, but she eventually finds her words again: "It said...once we were comfortable around each other, that I should...ask you...out on a...on a..." she doesn't say the next word, but deep down you know what it is.
"..and after that?" You say to her in an attempt to keep her from getting stuck.
"...well, if it went well enough, then I would tell you that I...I..ugh, why is this so hard!?" She continues, turning her head back up to yours and sounding more frustrated with each word spoken. "I just want to say these simple words to you, but I can't! No matter how hard I try, they get stuck inside me, but I just...I just..." You were now certain of what that glimmer in her eyes was a while ago as you spy a lone tear gliding down her cheek. Your state of confusion has changed into one of disbelief. Was she really trying to say what you thought? Did she feel the same way that you did-
Your train of thought stops cold when you feel a pair of warm lips pushing against yours.
Before you could have reacted, Twilight had lunged her head forward and was now planting a firm kiss on you. Your eyes widen as shock as you try to make sense of what was happening, but your brain is already overloaded with information and shock. All you can make out is that her kiss feels warm and soft and, for lack of a better word, heavenly.
As quickly as it began, Twilight breaks the kiss and moves her head back. She stares at you with her eyes and mouth open as wide as yours. You could swear she is trying to mouth some words, but nothing intelligible comes out, and you had an inkling that she didn't know what she was trying to say either. In any case, you couldn't care less. There is only thing on your mind now, and you have to have it.
Before Twilight can put together any coherent words, you close the distance to her and lock lips with her again, tilting your head slightly to avoid bumping your horns together. You close your eyes upon contact, completely lost in the moment. You no longer cared that you are soaked to the bone or that you had cheated death mere moments ago. Your world only exists as far as this unicorn, and at the moment you wouldn't have it any other way.
You begin to feel Twilight returning the kiss, pressing her lips into yours. You also feel her forehooves hug the base of your neck, pulling you deeper into the kiss. Lifting your hooves up, you swing them around her neck to return the favor. This turns out to not be one of your wiser choices, as both of you now have no frontal balance except for each other.
In no time, you feel your balance slip out, and you both end up falling to the floor as one, never breaking the kiss. Upon impact, your mouth opens just a crack. Before you can close it, you feel something warm and wet push through the opening and begin exploring the inside of your mouth. You panic for a moment before you deduce that you were now having a very pleasant taste of Twilight's tongue, a taste far more pleasurable than your favorite meals combined. Reaching your tongue out, you begin to play around with the unicorn's tongue, and soon you were in a full-fledged pseudo-wrestling match with her mouth. The match goes on for some time, pausing only for taking quick breaths, with equal opportunity for both of you to become acquainted with the insides of each other's mouths. You could occasionally taste bits of her sandwich while spelunking, but otherwise her taste is one you cannot get enough of.
As you explore and wrestle with the unicorn's tongue, you feel her body shifting around. Before you knew it, you were feeling her chest pressed up against yours, all four of her hooves wrapped tightly around you. Despite being out in cold rain, she is surprisingly warm and soft, more so than any blanket you've slept under. You worry at first about how cold and unpleasant you must feel in comparison, but she doesn't seem to mind if her squeezing and pressing is any indication. You decide to return the favor once more, moving your forehooves down her neck and onto her back, gently massaging and pulling her further towards you. She lets out a contented sigh similar to the one she gave after taking that one bite, tickling the inside of your mouth and further enhancing your state of bliss.
Once again needing air, you break the kiss and open your eyes for the first time since you started. Mere inches away from you, you can make out every last detail of Twilight's face. Her eyes are shut and her mane is tussled with individual hairs scattered every which way. You turn your gaze downward, stopping on her lovely lavender neck. Unable to resist, you move your muzzle down and begin delivering light kisses all over her neck. Pleasantly surprised by your gesture, Twilight lets out another moan, making her throat vibrate and the sensation all the more pleasurable. As you kiss, you can taste a slight hint of elderberry in your mouth. The taste is simply divine, so much so that you briefly imagine concocting another signature dish with that taste, one that is surely destined to be a success. Of course, it could never taste as good as the real thing, and hers was a meal you had all to yourself.
You begin contemplating whether or not guiding your kisses down to her ribcage would be a good idea, but your thoughts come to a halt when you hear the sound you loathe most once again emanating from Twilight's stomach. As the rumbling continued, you break away from her neck and lift your head slowly up to hers. She had stopped pressing into you and looked back at you with an embarrassed smile on her face and a deep blush across her cheeks. "...I...um, guess that one bite wasn't enough." She eventually says, letting out a nervous giggle. "I hate to ask, but do you think we can put this hold for a little bit? I mean, you did go through the trouble of saving my dinner and all..."
You cannot help but chuckle a little at this scene. "Perhaps that would be for the better," you agree, "I need to get this water cleaned up, after all." At your words, the unicorn releases you from her grip, and you both stand up off the floor. You raise the plate containing Twilight’s meal in front of her and lift off the cover. Miraculously, the daffodil sandwich is still in great condition, with not a single drop of water making it underneath the cover. Giving you a smile, Twilight grabs the plate with her own magic and sits down at a nearby table, happily munching away at the sandwich and savoring every last bite. The happiness you derive from seeing a satisfied customer is once again hitting you in full force; you had done what you loved doing most with great results, and for you there is no greater feeling.
...wait, that's not true. As you dry yourself off with one of the towels Twilight brought down, you realize that you had just found a new passion, one that possibly exceeds your love for cooking, and it goes by the name of Twilight Sparkle.
It was a pleasure to love.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Note: You now have a thing for flower sandwiches, thunderstorms, awkward first impressions, growling stomachs, and what else...oh right, Twilight Sparkle. Yep, that about covers it.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own the rights to My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic or its characters, and I make no money from this story. All rights reserved by Hasbro.
|
Longshanks
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1225
| 1 |
Big Macintosh,Main 6,Adventure,Dark,Romance,Sad,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Aftermath
|
The Great War Against Discord is finally over, but at what cost?
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Harmony has returned to Equestria once again. However, the traumatic events of the Great War Against Discord have left a mark on the hearts of the Elements of Harmony and their loved ones. One autumn evening, a nightmare prompts them to revisit the days of the War... and confront a secret or two.</p>
|
everyone
|
2011-10-05T23:47:13+00:00
|
2011-10-05T23:47:13+00:00
| 1,567 |
Aftermath
Prologue: A Time of Peace
Discord had been defeated! The Elements of Harmony had been re-united, and all of Equestria had returned to its normal, non-chaotic state. But the costs were unlike anypony could have predicted…
For the first time in a thousand and one years, war had come to Equestria. The mutating powers of Discord allowed him to raise an army of evil doppelgangers and lay siege to Canterlot. For five years, chaos tore at the very heart of the kingdom. Armies of corrupted ponies, four-headed Hydras, and stranger beasts fought against the loyal defenders of Equestria, almost none of them having seen battle. In a climactic conflict at the palace of Canterlot, Luna and Celestia managed to slay the Lord of Chaos, while the Elements of Harmony unleashed their powers to defeat his army.
But peace had come at a terrible cost. Trottingham and Manehattan lay in ruins, while the great farmlands of Appleloosa were reduced to crater-marked plains. Ponyville and Canterlot, where the fighting had been the fiercest, were not much better off. However, life in Equestria was slowly making its way back to normal. Five years after the beginning of the war, ponies all over the world could sleep easily once more.
However, for the Elements of Harmony, things would not return to normal for a long time…
Applejack sat under her favorite tree with the pony she loved, a tear rolling down her cheek. “You OK, Applejack?” Rainbow Dash asked, though she knew perfectly well what her friend was crying about. Two fields away, behind the barn, were two simple gravestones; one marked CARAMEL, the other BRAEBURN.
The earth pony forced a smile. “Oh, Dashie… Ah know Ah’ve got a li’l sister to take care of an’ a farm to run, but if Ah didn’t have you, Ah don’t…” Her voice trailed off. Rainbow Dash put a foreleg around her, pulling her close. “Shh, Applejack… shh. It’s OK, we’ve still got our friends! We’ve still got eachother! Think about how lucky we are.” Applejack knew that Dashie was right. Applebloom was almost a grown mare, but as a filly who had grown up in the midst of a war she needed her big sister around more than ever. Big Macintosh had taken the loss of his brothers hard, but Fluttershy had been helping him through it all, and these past few weeks Applejack seen him the happiest he’d been in years. And Granny Smith, the tough old mare, still moved with a swiftness that belied her years.
She leaned in towards the pegasus for a kiss, feeling better as their lips met in the cool autumn twilight. Just being around Rainbow Dash was enough to lift her spirits. “Dashie, sugarcube, can we go pay ‘em a visit? Please?”
“Of course, babe,” Rainbow Dash replied. “Here, hop on my back. I’ll fly us over there!” The Pegasus strained for a second before taking off, scattering red and orange leaves behind her.
“FLUTTERSHY! FLUTTERSHY, HELP ME!”
The bedroom door flew open. Fluttershy, rubbing her eyes, dashed into the room, followed closely by the lumbering form of Big Macintosh. “Somethin’ the matter there, miss Pinkie?” Fluttershy was already holding the sobbing earth pony, rocking her back and forth. “Oh, Fluttershy, I had the dream again! THE DREAM! The one with the violence and the knives and the blood… Why does this keep happening to me? WHY??!” Pinkie Pie buried her face in Fluttershy’s mane, Big Macintosh placing a protective hoof on her back. “There, there,” Fluttershy whispered, holding her friend tightly. Pinkie’s nightmares had started about three days after the Battle of Canterlot, and almost every night she woke up screaming. She never told anypony exactly what the nightmares contained, but from her nocturnal mumblings they seemed to entail blood, carving knives, and… cupcakes. After a week or so of the gory dreams, Fluttershy and Big Mac had taken her in, and although the dreams were becoming less frequent she still woke up the house at least twice a week.
“Fluttershy, listen to me… All those horrible things in my dreams… Things I see myself doing… Oh, Fluttershy, I’d never hurt you! I’d never hurt any of my friends! She sniffed, wiping her nose on her foreleg. “You… you know that, don’t you?”
“Of course, of course,” the yellow Pegasus soothed. “We all know that. Now, don’t you think some nice cocoa will get those nasty dreams out of your little head?” Pinkie Pie, still sniffling, nodded. “All right, then. I’ll go put on some water…” There was a sudden knock at the front door, making Fluttershy jump. “Oh my goodness… Mac, please go see who that is?”
Twilight Sparkle and Rarity stood on the doorstep, worried expressions on their faces. They had heard the screams, and knew at once what had happened. Pinkie… Big Macintosh opened the door grimly. “Evenin’ Miss Twilight, Miss Rarity…” The big colt looked like he hadn’t slept in weeks. Between the loss of Caramel and Braeburn, and Pinkie Pie’s recurring nightmares, he probably hadn’t. “Mac, we brought some tea,” Twilight said sadly. “And brioche!” Rarity piped up. “Please let us help, any way we can…”
The five ponies gathered around the dining room table, Pinkie Pie shaking like a leaf as she sipped her cocoa. Rarity had wrapped the hysterical earth pony in a warm shawl, and Twilight Sparkle had conjured up a tissue box for her friend. “Thank you,” Pinkie Pie squeaked. “Thank you all so much, I’m so sorry… Please, please forgive me.” The door opened again, and Rainbow Dash and Applejack came running in. “We heard the screamin’ and figured somepony was havin’ a nightmare!” Applejack said. The orange-coated pony and her girlfriend sat down at the table on either side of Pinkie. Rainbow Dash patted her on the back. “Look,” Fluttershy whispered, taking the earth pony’s hoof. “Pinkamina Diane, look at all these ponies who love you, who care about you!” Pinkie Pie smiled weakly. “It’s… it’s the war, isn’t it, Twilight?”
“Yes, Pinkie,” Twilight frowned. “But we should be grateful for all of this, for what we have, after so many ponies lost so much.” The ponies all shifted closer to eachother, remembering what life had been like during those dark years…
|
Longshanks
|
1225
| 2 |
Big Macintosh,Main 6,Adventure,Dark,Romance,Sad,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Aftermath
|
The Great War Against Discord is finally over, but at what cost?
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Harmony has returned to Equestria once again. However, the traumatic events of the Great War Against Discord have left a mark on the hearts of the Elements of Harmony and their loved ones. One autumn evening, a nightmare prompts them to revisit the days of the War... and confront a secret or two.</p>
|
everyone
|
2011-11-01T23:00:28+00:00
|
2011-11-01T23:00:28+00:00
| 1,215 |
A medical tent was frightening for any pony, but these past few weeks had been especially hard on Fluttershy. The timid Pegasus was eager to help in any way she could, but this was different from mending a mouse’s hurt paw or curing a sick ferret. These were her fellow ponies getting hurt out there, in a real war with real injuries. Every day brought new horrors- just this morning she’d held the hoof of a white Pegasus whose wings had been badly singed. It was Cloudkicker, the cute, outgoing new recruit to the Air Corps. The expectant look on the poor mare’s face, and the grim news that she would never fly again, were more than Fluttershy could bear. While Nurse Redheart comforted the sobbing pony, she stepped outside into the cold, rainy morning.
“’Scuse me, ma’am,” drawled a low voice behind her, making her jump five feet in the air.
“Oh, um… hello…” Fluttershy squeaked.
“Ah beg your pardon, didn’t mean to startle ya. Big Mac’s the name, and Ah’m in charge of the defenses ‘round these parts. The Mac’s short for Macintosh, if you’re wonderin’.” Fluttershy looked up for the first time. The red colt in front of her must’ve easily been seven feet tall. Around his neck were a heavy wooden yoke and a tarnished medal, and scars covered his muscular frame. However, his eyes were kind and he was very polite, and Fluttershy knew that this was a pony she could talk to. “Oh… hello,” she said. “Um… My name is Fluttershy…”
The Pegasus and the earth pony sergeant walked through the camp, occasionally stopping to give an encouraging word to Fillydelphia’s beleaguered garrison. The Pegasus Corps had suffered the hardest- only a few of them sat around the fires, huddling under blankets or clutching mugs of strong tea. There were dark circles under their eyes- most of the army hadn’t slept in days. Big Macintosh led the way to the mess hall, where they collected a mug of tea apiece. Fluttershy took a sip and almost spit it back out. The tea wasn’t very good quality, but it was a nice gesture nonetheless. She smiled up at the earth pony. “Thank you. This is… wonderful.”
The two ponies sat down under a nearby oak tree, away from the hustle and bustle of the encampment. “Now then, Miss Fluttershy, what’s troublin’ ya? Ah couldn’t help but notice that ya seem a mite down.” Fluttershy raised her head, peeking out from behind her mane. “Well, um, you see…”
And just like that, it all came pouring out. Her concern for her friends on the front lines, the heart- wrenching events of the medical tent that morning, the constant fear of-well, everything these days. Much to her surprise, the big colt was a very good listener, nodding in solemn agreement and encouraging her with a friendly “eeyup”. Amidst the sounds of artillery fire and Pegasi streaking overhead, the two ponies chatted for what seemed like hours.
“Sergeant Macintosh! What in Celestia’s name do you think you’re doing?”
Big Macintosh snapped to attention immediately, while Fluttershy squeaked and hid behind her mane. The stern voice belonged to a slim-waisted but powerfully built earth pony, her brown mane streaked with gray. “Ah do apologize, Captain Deadeye,” Big Macintosh replied. “Ah was just tryin’ to help poor Miss Fluttershy here.” The captain looked at Fluttershy appraisingly and mouthed the words: New recruit? Big Macintosh nodded. They’d both seen what a campaign like this could do to a pony like Fluttershy. “Well met, Nurse,” said Captain Deadeye, smiling grimly. “Macintosh, as much as I appreciate what you’re doing, you need to be preparing for the attack tonight.”
The red colt saluted. “Will do, Captain.” He turned to Fluttershy. “Beggin’ your pardon, Miss, but If you’ll excuse me...” He hugged the yellow pegasus gently. “Oh,” Fluttershy replied, blushing. “Um... Please be careful.”
Big Macintosh looked around at his squad, slumped around the campfire. These ponies would go “over the top” again tonight, in an effort to take the fight to Discord. Lyra looked over a crumpled note for the hundredth time, tears falling on the paper as she read. Caramel re-adjusted his war-harness again and again, trying not to betray how nervous he was. As the youngest member of the squad, he was determined to prove himself on the battlefield. Bluegrass strummed a few chords on his old guitar, humming weakly. Only Braeburn seemed unperturbed, munching on an apple as he gazed into the flames.
“What’s up, big bro?” Braeburn chuckled, tossing his apple core into the fire. “Nice night for a rumble, ain’t it?” The younger colt grinned recklessly. “Can’t think of anythin’ I’d rather be doin’... of course, there is a little filly waitin’ for me back home in Appleloosa.” Big Macintosh shook his head. “This is serious, Braeburn. Ah don’t want any o’ my kin gettin’ hurt out there!” He gestured with one hoof to the rest of the squad. “These here are the finest ponies Ah’ve ever had the privilege of servin’ with. Now, Ah know y’all can look out for yourselves, but I want ya to stick with Caramel, OK? Just make sure the kid don’t get too roughed up.” Braeburn nodded. “Don’t worry, Mac, I’ll take care of the li’l fella. YA HEAR THAT, CARAMEL?!” he shouted. “LOOKS LIKE I’LL BE SAVIN’ YER FLANK!” Caramel chuckled in spite of himself. Even Lyra cracked a smile, folding up her letter from Bon-Bon. “I’m ready for anything, Sarge,” she piped up. Bluegrass swung his guitar over his back and pawed the ground. “Ah reckon Ah’m as ready as I’ll ever be,” he murmured. The five ponies tensed, eagerly awaiting the signal.
Back at the medical tent, Fluttershy’s heart pounded in time with the war-drums. Nurse Redheart glanced nervously at the little pegasus for what seemed like the hundredth time- she was shaking like a leaf. Macintosh and Deadeye were leading the attack tonight...
Thunder crashed. War-drums boomed. All around, the maniacal laughter of Discord could be heard as an army of evil ponies teleported onto the field. The first Pegasus squadrons darted out to engage the enemy. “This is it, y’all!” Big Mac cried over the sounds of battle. “Jus’ stay behind me an’ don’t do anythin’ stupid! CHARGE!!!!”
The earth ponies galloped forth, charging into the jaws of Chaos itself. Boulders and lightning bolts crashed to the ground around them. Pegasi fought against each other in the skies above, and every so often a small, winged form would fall to earth. Oh, please don’t let that be anypony Ah knew, Big Mac thought. His squad was approaching Discord’s army now, and a small group of gray ponies moved to intercept them. “Git ready...” he murmured through gritted teeth.
Big Mac lowered his head and plowed into the nearest anti-pony, knocking the grey colt backwards. Braeburn windmilled his hooves and caught another in the face, sending the evil pony reeling. Lyra hung back and cast protective spells as Caramel and Bluegrass galloped forward. More of Discord’s evil minions circled around Big Macintosh and were felled by a vicious flurry of hooves. However, across the field, Deadeye’s troops were falling, brought down by foul magic and sheer weight of numbers. The one-eyed mare stood alone, surrounded by doppelgangers. “Is that all you’ve got?” she growled, knocking a black-maned unicorn to the ground. “Come on, you filth!” She leapt at another enemy, front hooves flying. “PONIES! TO ME!”
Big Mac looked up, the captain’s shouts ringing in his ears. He glanced over to the hillside, where a host of black and grey unicorns were levitating boulders in mid-air. Laughing maliciously, they launched the boulders eastward. Lyra was the first to react. “C’mon, guys! Move!” The squad galloped forward as fast as they could, keeping their heads down. Rocks crashed around them, throwing up huge clouds of dirt and earth. Coughing and choking, Big Mac emerged from the cloud. “Roll call, everypony! Who’s hurt?”
“I’m okay, I think,” Lyra moaned, rubbing her head. Bluegrass grunted in agreement, inspecting his precious guitar. “Takes more than that to hurt me!” Braeburn replied with his usual cockiness. “Hold up now... where’s Caramel?”
Macintosh’s heart pounded in his throat. “Caramel! CARAMEL!” he called through the dust. Bluegrass’ voice shook as he raised a hoof in the direction of a large impact crater. “L...Look,” he croaked. Poking out from the rubble was a cream-colored hoof. Big Mac felt his eyes begin to tear up. Lyra, huddled into a sitting position, choked back sobs. Only Braeburn seemed unmoved. “I’m goin’ after him,” he muttered. Before the other ponies could respond, the earth pony was running back in the direction of the craters. “I’m goin’ back for ‘im!” Big Mac galloped at his cousin’s heels. Ah done told him not to do anything stupid...
Braeburn reached his little brother’s body, and stooped down to hoist the lifeless colt onto his shoulders. “C’mon, Caramel,” Braeburn laughed darkly. “Let’s go home.” A sinister cackle echoed above him. A midnight-blue pegasus, clad in the uniform of the Shadowbolts, perched on the cliffside. “Aww, isn’t that sweet,” the mare laughed in a gravelly voice. “How’d ya like to join him, cowboy?” She took flight, crashing into Braeburn and shattering his ribs. The earth pony lashed out with his front hooves, coughing up blood as he did so. The Shadowbolt circled around and rammed into him again, knocking Braeburn to the ground. “What’s the matter, stupid? I thought earth ponies were supposed to be tough!” She removed her goggles, looking down into her victim’s eyes as she planted a hoof on his bloodied chest. In one final act of defiance, Braeburn spat in her face. “Nopony... calls me... stupid.” As the deputy sheriff of Appleloosa drew his last desperate breath, the evil mare zoomed away. Big Mac sank to his knees, repeating Caramel and Braeburn’s names over and over.
The yellow pegasus closed her eyes as another pair of bodies were carried into the medical tent. She’d seen this dozens of times over the course of the night, but that didn’t soften the blow any. Willing herself to look, she saw the frayed remnants of a Stetson hat and a brown vest. “Oh, no...” she whispered, hooves covering her eyes again. Applejack’s cousins were both dead. With a frightened squeak, she realized that Big Macintosh was still out there...
A commotion at the tent’s makeshift door shattered her thoughts. Big Macintosh, pushing his way past the orderlies and nurses, staggered over to where his cousins lay. Caramel was still covered by a sheet, and Mac couldn’t bear to lift it, couldn’t bear to look at the little guy. Braeburn’s eyes were wide open, and his trademark vest was black with blood. “No...” Big Macintosh whispered. “You idiot. You great... big...” He swung around, knocking a shelf of medical supplies to the floor. “...stupid... applebuckin’... IDIOT!”
“Um, excuse me,” a timid voice squeaked. “Please stop dropping things on me.” Big Mac’s eyes grew wide as he heard the familiar voice. He caught a glimpse of a pair of large green eyes before Fluttershy jumped him, knocking the wind out of the weary colt. “I’m so sorry,” Fluttershy whispered. “I’m so sorry... I’m so sorry...”
“Miss Fluttershy,” Big Mac gasped. “What’re ya still doin’ here? The rest o’ the army’s retreatin’.”
“I... um... just wanted to make sure that you were...you know... not dead,” she squeaked. “Well, you see, you’re Applejack’s brother, and Applejack’s one of my best friends, and that makes you my friend... and, well...” She muttered something Big Mac couldn’t hear.
“Sorry, sugarcube, Ah didn’t quite catch that.”
“Um... oh my goodness...” she blushed even more. “I think I have, um, feelings for you. You listen to me and you’re a good friend and a great brother to Apple Bloom, and...” She broke off. Big Mac stood there, jaw slightly askew, eyes glazed over. “W...what’s the matter?”
“Nothin’ at all, ma’am,” Big Macintosh replied. “I dunno whether it’s this war an’ all, or just mah less than spectacular track record, but Ah reckon Ah feel the same way towards you.” Fluttershy gazed up at the tired soldier, green eyes wide. “You mean...”
“Eeyup. Ah love ya, Fluttershy.” That was all she needed to hear. All shyness forgotten, she threw her forelegs around his neck and planted a kiss on the startled farmer’s face. Gesturing wordlessly, Fluttershy led the red colt out into the moonlight, gazing up at the stars. The armies of Celestia had been dealt a grievous blow today, there was no doubt. Many good ponies had been lost, and dark days lay ahead for Equestria. However, there was one thing Discord could never take away... hope.
|
Longshanks
|
1225
| 3 |
Big Macintosh,Main 6,Adventure,Dark,Romance,Sad,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Aftermath
|
The Great War Against Discord is finally over, but at what cost?
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>Harmony has returned to Equestria once again. However, the traumatic events of the Great War Against Discord have left a mark on the hearts of the Elements of Harmony and their loved ones. One autumn evening, a nightmare prompts them to revisit the days of the War... and confront a secret or two.</p>
|
everyone
|
2011-12-09T01:22:11+00:00
|
2011-12-09T01:22:11+00:00
| 1,507 |
Manehattan had been under siege for two long years, and it showed. The city walls were cracked and crumbling, and in the residential districts burned-out houses bore testament to heavy Pegasus raids. However, in recent weeks the skies had been relatively clear, allowing the beleaguered ponies to concentrate their efforts on Discord’s earthbound troops. The city’s savior stood atop the tallest watchtower, cropped orange mane blowing in the wind as she cast another anxious glance westward. Misty should’ve been back by now...
Far below, on the city’s inner wall, the crew of a trebuchet wrestled the cumbersome siege engine into place.
“Range 450 meters, captain!” the unicorn crewmare cried, a spyglass held to her eye. Behind the catapult itself, a weather-beaten mare adjusted her cowgirl hat. “Angle?”
“36 degrees, captain!” called a cream-colored pegasus.
“Steady...an’...FIRE!!!”
Spitfire sighed. It was all the same. Since the beginning of the Great War, the Wonderbolts had acted as Equestria’s shock troops, moving from city to city and providing air support wherever the fighting was thickest. Her team had brought down Pegasi, griffons and even a dragon- but the constant fighting and retreating, fighting and retreating had taken a toll on their health. She knew that most of her troops hadn’t had a good night’s sleep since they left Cloudsdale. Equestria’s military might was formidable, but against an enemy who defied all known laws of physics, what chance did they have? If her torn blue jumpsuit was any indication, not much.
A rainbow blur streaked across the sky, interrupting her reverie. “Hey, beautiful!” the rainbow-maned pegasus called, touching down and brushing off her wings. Rainbow Dash looked the polar opposite of her commander, vibrant and full of life even in a war zone like this. Her goggles and flight suit were heavily damaged, but her trademark cockiness remained.
“Status report, hon,” Spitfire replied, grinning for the first time in weeks. Annoying as she could be, there was no denying that Rainbow was a laugh to have around. And she’s cute, too.
“Aww, nothin’ much. Got attacked by a squadron of Griffons on my scouting run- nothin’ Rainbow Dash couldn’t handle, of course.” She unpacked her saddle bags, several small packages tumbling out as she spoke. “And I got us breakfast. Hope you like muffins!”
“SHH! RAINBOW-DASH-HOW-MANY-TIMES-DO-I-HAVE-TO-TELL-YOU-WE-DON’T-SPEAK-OF-THE-M-WORD!”
“Huh? You mean muffmmmphhh-“Rainbow’s sentence was cut off as Spitfire placed a hoof over her mouth. Wordlessly, the yellow mare raised a hoof overhead, where a grey yellow-maned pegasus zigzagged across the sky.
“Ohhhhhh.” Rainbow Dash nodded in understanding. Then, louder: “HI, DERPY!” The grey mare waved back to them, almost losing her balance as she struggled with her heavy mailbag. While it was nice of Princess Celestia to give Derpy a battlefield role, it was anypony’s guess what she actually did. “Anyway, all’s quiet to the South. Any word from Misty yet?”
“No,” Spitfire replied. “That’s what has me worried. The girl’s a great flyer, and she’s too smart to get lost. The only thing I can think of is that she’s-“She broke off. Misty couldn’t be dead. She had to be delayed somehow...
But for the rest of the day, the green-maned Wonderbolt did not return. It wasn’t until the following morning that Misty came flying back, listing to the left from a wing injury. Her jumpsuit was reduced to blue-and-yellow scraps, and scars covered her face and body. Upon landing, she leaned against the battlements, her breath coming in short, wracking gasps.
“Spitfire...” she gasped. “They’re coming from the west. Hundreds...Thousands...and-” She paused. “The Shadowbolts. I saw them- I didn’t even think they were real...” A tear rolled down her bruised cheek. “Spitfire- Dash- we’re screwed.” Even as she tried to reassure Misty, the Pegasus captain knew it was true. Manehattan had only a few hundred Pegasi, and barely 150 were battle-ready. “Shh... Hit the showers, sweetie. Rainbow Dash, alert Princess Luna right away.”
Princess Luna lay on the floor of her temporary study, her mane and tail a tangled mess. For weeks now she’d been poring over the logistics of the war, coordinating attack runs and supply lines. Her kingdom needed her more than ever, and this war was her one big chance to redeem herself. She was putting the finishing touches on a supply drop for the embattled citizens of Appleloosa when a rapid knocking caused her concentration to break, the quill she was levitating dropping to the ground. “Enter!” she commanded.
“Princess Luna!” Rainbow Dash gasped. “I’m really sorry to bother you, but we’ve got a HUGE problem on our hooves right now!”
“What is this ‘problem’ of which you speak, Lieutenant Dash?”
“Misty just got back from her scouting run. There’s thousands of flyers inbound, and they’ve got the Shadowbolts with them.” Luna shook her head in disgust. The sadistic Pegasi had made a name for themselves these past two years, launching lightning raids on Manehattan, Trottingham and even as far as Stalliongrad. Luna also knew of Dash’s personal vendetta against their leader, Nightshade, who had killed Braeburn and...Gilda, during the initial blitz of Cloudsdale.
“Curses,” Luna replied. “Rainbow Dash, spread the word to Spitfire, and tell her to marshal the Wonderbolts immediately. The Pegasus Corps will rally atop City Hall. Quickly, my dear!”
A few minutes later, Cloudsdale’s finest were suited up and ready to go. The skies had grown dark, and lightning flashed while thunder rumbled ominously. The other Wonderbolts exchanged nervous glances as Rainbow conferred with Spitfire.
“We can’t split up the team, Rainbow Dash.”
“Why not? If each of us leads a squadron we can catch ‘em on the approach and take ‘em out!”
“Dash, I will not stand by and watch my teammates get picked off one by one! If we stay together as a unit, we can take down key elements of the enemy’s air support. How long do you honestly think we’ll survive individually?”
“Long enough to WIN! These are the best fliers in Equestria!”
“Enough. As captain of the Wonderbolts, I will stand by my decision. The Wonderbolts will remain together for the attack.” Rainbow Dash stewed for a second- she hated losing arguments. Meeting the yellow mare’s eyes, however, her face softened.
“Okay,” she said. “But none of you better die on me!”
As if on cue, a crackling portal opened in the clouds, tearing the very fabric of reality at the seams. Black and grey Pegasi poured from the vortex, smoke and lightning following in their wake. At the head of the attack, seven pegasi flew in close formation, clad in matching black-and-purple jumpsuits. These, then, were the Shadowbolts- those who were destined to kill-or be killed by- Spitfire’s team. Cackling, Nightshade pointed a hoof towards the walls of Manehattan. Her squad-mates, in close formation, followed suit. A wild-eyed purple mare, her mane crackling with static electricity, darted in and out of the squad, giggling like a madmare. The rumors were true then- Blueball Blitz had escaped from the Cloudsdale asylum. Stratus, second-in-command of the Shadowbolts, rammed into the smaller pegasus with his shoulder, sending her spinning. The two ponies began to jostle each other in midair, until a barked command from Nightshade silenced them. Blueball still wore her maniacal grin.
“Wonderbolts,” Spitfire spoke, addressing her team. “Today, we fight not only for our honor, but the honor of Equestria itself! The Shadowbolts came looking for a fight, and that’s what we’ll give them! FOR THE PRINCESS!”
“FOR THE PRINCESS!” shouted the Wonderbolts, kicking into the air. The breeze rushed through their manes and ruffled their tails as they picked up speed, heading straight for Nightshade’s raiders. The Pegasus Corps fanned out behind them, ready to intercept Discord’s flyers. “Attack formation, ponies! On the double!” The Wonderbolts formed into an arrowhead-shaped formation as they rocketed towards their target. Spitfire lowered her flight goggles when a gravelly voice sent her reeling, scattering the ponies behind her.
“Well, well, well- if it isn’t the Wonderbolts,” the voice snickered. “Celestia sending her winged lapdogs to do the dirty work for her!” Spitfire bristled at the insult. “You should’ve wised up when you had the chance, Rainbow Dash,” Nightshade continued. “You could’ve had everything. We offer you the entire world in your hooves and how do you repay us?”
“You call this ‘everything’?” Rainbow Dash growled. “A group of outcasts and nutjobs ask me to join them- gee, let me think about it!”
“No matter,” the black-clad mare replied. “Your deaths will be a fine offering to the Lord of Chaos!” As soon as the words left her mouth, she launched herself at Spitfire, teeth bared. The two mares grappled with each other in midair as the Shadowbolts engaged their enemies. Stratus dove towards Misty, who twisted in midair to avoid the larger colt. Surprise was knocked backward by a lavender mare, an expression of disdain on her darkly beautiful face. “Wanna dance, little filly?” she chuckled.
“Ooh, I love dancing!” replied the yellow-maned pegasus. “Come and get me!”
Scanning the skies, Dash spied the trademark static trail of Blueball Blitz. “Hey, crazy!” she yelled. “Up here! You think you’re fast, huh? Well, let me tell you-“The words left her mouth as the madmare shot right past her head, cackling. “No,” she giggled. “I know I’m fast.” Twitching, Blueball took off into the clouds. “Better keep up!”
“Oh, no you don’t,” Rainbow Dash growled.
Misty circled around and slammed into Stratus’ ribs. The impact was like flying into a brick wall. “Hey, cutie,” he chuckled gruffly. “What’s a little mare like you doin’ out here? Shouldn’t you be back at the Playcolt shoot or something?” Red spots grew under Misty’s cheeks. She dodged a vicious kick to the head and came down again, this time striking the colt’s wing. “Okay,” Stratus growled. “I was gonna kill you. Now I’m gonna do worse .I’m gonna-” His voice was cut off as the mare bit down hard on his other wing, tearing it clean off with her teeth. “Not so tough now, are ya, big guy?” she laughed, as Nightshade’s brutal lieutenant spiraled out of control, crashing to the ground.
Blueball streaked through the storm clouds, dodging between the lightning bolts. Rainbow Dash struggled to keep up, yelping as a white-hot bolt passed within inches of her wing. “Still can’t catch me!” the midnight-blue mare giggled. “Wheee!” Infuriated, Rainbow Dash piled on the speed. She could feel the air heating up as she flew, building up into the all-too-familiar Sonic Rainboom. Blueball’s tail was just a few inches away. Right as she broke the sound barrier and the rainbow streak flashed across the sky, the electrified mare seemed to disappear. Only a blue trail of lightning remained. Another pony had broken the sound barrier? Impossible! Dash flapped her wings even harder to catch up.
Nightshade dug her teeth into Spitfire’s wing, causing the yellow mare to cry out in pain. The two mares flew just a few feet above the ground, trying to slam each other into the earth. Spitfire’s goggles had long since shattered, and her piercing blue eyes watered from the neck-breaking speeds. Steering her assailant towards the main keep, Spitfire took Nightshade’s mane in both hooves and rammed her into the floor. The two ponies rolled as they hit the tower, Nightshade bleeding profusely from a deep gash in her forehead.
“You are a brave one indeed, Spitfire,” the mare’s silky voice reverberated across the battlements. “Has it really been so long? Has the high and mighty Spitfire forgotten her former captain?”
“You were NEVER captain!” Spitfire shouted, circling the grounded pegasus. “You were an arrogant, egocentric mare who put her stupid publicity stunts before the safety of the ponies she was supposed to be PROTECTING!” She brought her hoof down on Nightshade’s wing with a sickening crunch. “You’re lucky Celestia didn’t kill you right then and there,” she spat. “Too bad I’m not in a merciful mood.”
Bringing her hoof down again, Spitfire was thrown off balance as Nightshade caught it between her forelegs. With a sharp twist, Nightshade snapped the yellow mare’s leg, leaving her doubled over in pain. Looking up at her attacker, tears of pain and humiliation in her eyes, Spitfire tried to speak. No words came out, only a thin stream of blood.
“That’s funny,” Nightshade purred, though there was no amusement in her voice this time. “Neither am I.”
Surprise dodged her assailant again, throwing Starry Skies off balance. “Gotcha!” Surprise laughed. “Looks like I beat ya!”
“Oh, I wouldn’t be so sure of that,” the lavender Shadowbolt chuckled. “You see, darling, I am the bad guy. And I’ve always got a trick or two up my sleeve.” Clicking her front hooves together, Starry Skies ducked into a cloud bank, and seconds later emerged behind a juvenile dragon, black scales glistening. Roaring, the beast spat a stream of acid-green flames at the white pegasus.
“Yikes!” Surprise shrieked. “My wings!” It was true, her wings had begun to smolder. Losing altitude fast, the Wonderbolt attempted to veer away from the scaly beast. However, the dragon was faster, and caught up to her in seconds. Surprise got a good look at the beast’s slavering maw before a yellow-and-green blur punched straight through one of its wings. Snarling, the dragon turned to face his new prey- just in time for Soarin’ to tear through its other wing. The dragon plummeted from the sky- and so did Surprise, a high-pitched scream emanating from her lips.
“I’m comin’, Surprise,” said Misty, through gritted teeth.
Blueball Blitz darted through the clouds, Rainbow Dash right on her tail. The turquoise pegasus was sweating now, despite the freezing could of the autumn sky. Nopony was faster than Rainbow Dash! This couldn’t be happening! With one last, desperate burst of speed, Rainbow Dash caught hold of Blueball’s tail, dragging the pony into an elegant free fall. As they grappled in midair, Rainbow came face to face with the crazed Wonderbolt- and froze. Blueball’s face was split by a manic grin, and static electricity danced across her mane, but those eyes were unmistakable.
“No... no... Bluebottle?”
Ten years ago, at summer flight camp, a field trip to the weather factory had gone horribly wrong. All the memories came flooding back- The weak little pegasus flying too close to the rainbow vats, her flight instructor trying to save the filly, the terrible storm that almost destroyed Cloudsdale itself...
“Rainbows...” Blueball muttered, a look of comprehension flitting across her face for an instant. Then, her mind snapped back to its addled state as she headbutted Dash, trying to break free. “Told you I was faster!” she laughed, accelerating towards the battlefield. Rainbow struggled with the insane pegasus, but couldn’t get her forelegs free. They were getting closer to the ground now...500 meters...400 meters...
“Bluebottle, let go! I promise I can find a way to help you!”
“Isn’t this fun?” Bluebottle giggled, not loosening her grip. Rainbow Dash squirmed and twisted in the air, freeing her forelegs as the ground rushed up to meet them. She pushed the mare away from her, bracing herself for impact-
“Dash, I’m scared,” the Shadowbolt whimpered, lightning crackling through her mane. Horrorstruck, Rainbow Dash could only watch as Bluebottle- or whatever had become of her- smashed into the ground, sending shock waves in all directions. She allowed herself a moment of sorrow for the mare she had thought dead, a friend from flight camp she would never see again. Her grief was interrupted, however, by the sight of Spitfire’s limp body tumbling from the roof of City Hall, a battered but triumphant Nightshade raising her hoof in a gesture of contempt.
In that instant, something snapped in Rainbow’s mind. Whether it was the shock of seeing the indomitable Spitfire fall, the awful, jeering expression on Nightshade’s face, or the memory of that one night they spent together, long before Applejack came along, it didn’t matter. With a scream of primal rage, Dash launched herself at Nightshade, her momentum carrying the startled Shadowbolt down into the street. Before the mare could react, Dash brought her hoof down into her chest- again, and again, and again. Nightshade opened her mouth to speak, but the words were lost to Rainbow Dash. The rainbow-maned pegasus slammed her attacker’s body into the pavement one more time, until she lay cold and lifeless. Frightened at the death of their leader, Discord’s flyers gave the signal to retreat, disappearing back through the portal. Rainbow Dash was too weak to even think about pursuing them. Holding up Nightshade’s bloody goggles for all to see, she staggered from the city, searching for Spitfire’s body.
The captain of the Wonderbolts had survived her fall- barely. Panting, she tried to force herself to a sitting position and collapsed, coughing up blood as she did so. A rainbow blur in the distance materialized itself as Dash walking towards her, a pair of bloody goggles in her teeth. “Rainbow...” she coughed. “You made me proud, kiddo.”
“Spitfire, please don’t-“
“Are those Nightshade’s goggles?” Rainbow Dash nodded, blinking back tears. “Good. I want you to keep them. Remember this day- wait,” she added, indicating her own shattered goggles. “Take mine, too. You’re in charge of the Wonderbolts now.”
“No- Spitfire- don’t talk like that! We’ll get you to a healer-“
Spitfire laughed weakly. “Honey, I’m too far gone. The Wonderbolts need a captain, and I wouldn’t trust anypony but you to carry on our legacy.” She winced again, fighting for breath as she forced her last words out. “The team- tell them how proud I am of them, and always have been of them. Rainbow, I...” Her voice grew weaker, barely a whisper now. “I love you.”
“I know,” replied Rainbow Dash. She couldn’t bear to say it back. She loved Spitfire, but in a different way than she loved Applejack. The captain of the Wonderbolts had been her idol, and in later years the mother she’d never known. “Spitfire-“
But as she turned back to the yellow mare, she knew it was too late. The yellow mare’s eyes were closed for good.
“Oh, Rainbow-“
Rarity’s sympathetic wailing brought her back to the present, transporting Rainbow Dash from the war-torn skies of Manehattan to Fluttershy’s kitchen table. Her friends had gathered around her during the tale, cold mugs of coffee forgotten. She glanced around at them, feeling weak and ashamed, not meeting anypony’s gaze except Applejack’s. The orange-coated earth pony stared back at her with the saddest eyes Rainbow Dash had ever seen.
“Um, could you excuse me for a second? I need to talk to Applejack... alone, Pinkie Pie.”
The two ponies unlatched the screen door and stepped out into the cool night air, flopping down on the old porch swing. “Applejack, I’m sorry for getting all emotional like this...”
“’T ain’t nothin’ to be sorry about, sugarcube,” Applejack replied, wiping the tears from her lover’s face. “Everypony gets emotional when they get to thinkin’ about... Well, you saw me this afternoon, didn’t ya?” Rainbow nodded, but kept her eyes closed as she huddled closer to Applejack. “Look, what’s done is done, an’ there ain’t anything y’all can do about it. Everything happens for a reason, don’t it? Spitfire was yer idol, an’ now that we’re all grown up who knows? Ah reckon Spitfire did the right thing, puttin’ ya in charge. You’re a great mare, Dashie, better than anypony Ah know. You’ll do great things. Ah know it.”
Rainbow Dash looked up at her marefriend with red, watery eyes. Applejack gazed back at her, a warm, trusting smile on her freckled face. She pulled the rainbow pegasus closer, and their lips met for the briefest of moments- but it was enough. Slowly disentangling herself from Rainbow’s embrace, Applejack led her back into their friend’s cottage. The whistle of a tea kettle broke the silence- that and the sound of hoofbeats on the front door.
Fluttershy, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, pulled open the door to let Lyra and Bon-Bon into her small, crowded home. “So sorry to trouble you,” the mint-green unicorn smiled. “We heard Pinkie was upset, and wanted to bring you over some brownies.” “I just took ‘em out of the oven!” Bon-Bon added, holding up a small, steaming wicker basket.
“Well, Miss Bon-Bon, you an’ Lyra just sit yerselves down,” Big Mac replied, mouth watering as the smell of freshly-baked brownies wafted through the cottage. “Seems like everypony’s feelin’ a mite restless tonight.”
|
StreakTheFox
|
1228
| 1 |
Rarity,Spike,Twilight Sparkle,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Sex
|
The Dragon in Twilight
|
When Twilight reads a romance story about a dragon, she begins to rethink her feelings over Spike...
|
complete
| 1,125 | 55 |
<p>Twilight Sparkle loves reading, and romance novels are no exception. But when she reads a novel about a mare falling for a stallion who turns into a dragon at night, she begins to question her feelings towards her #1 assistant.</p>
|
mature
|
2011-10-09T00:41:40+00:00
|
2011-10-09T00:41:40+00:00
| 29,652 |
The Dragon in Twilight
By Streak The Fox
-1-
“Hi Rarity!” Twilight said with an exuberant smile as she trotted into Carousel Boutique, carrying an overstuffed saddlebag. “How are you today?”
“Oh, why hello Twilight!” Rarity replied. “I'm doing just fine, thank you. Oh, and hello Spike!”
“H-hello Rarity!” Spike said with a slight blush on his face. “How are you doing my lady? Do you need any help with your clothes today?”
“No, not today deary, I'm taking the day off from designing clothes so that I may spend more time with Sweetie Belle. I did promise her a sister-to-sister day today, and a good mare always keeps her promises.”
“Oh, well, if it's not too much to ask,” Twilight said, “I was wondering if you had any sort of strong stain remover.”
“Stain remover?” Rarity questioned. “What sort of mess did you manage to make this time?”
“Well...” Twilight rubbed the back of her head with her hoof. “I sort of spilled tea on one of my bed sheets, and I was wondering if you might have something for that.”
“A tea stain you say? My, that is a bit of a harsh one, but I do believe I have just the thing! Just show me the sheet in question please Twilight.”
With a nod, Twilight pulled out a dark blue blanket that seemed just large enough to fit snugly around a fully grown mare. Upon closer examination, there was an obvious splotch of darker blue on the sheet, presumably the stained spot.
“Is this it?” Rarity asked, pointing to the dark spot.
“Yes, that's it alright. Do you think you have anything for it?”
“Hmm...” Rarity hummed, taking a closer look at the blanket. Her eyebrow perked up as she noticed something... unusual about the stain, then reared back at surprise at her recent discovery. “Uhm, darling, c-could you, come to the back area over here for a minute please...?”
“Uh, sure thing Rarity,” Twilight replied with a smile, her eyes darting side to side as if seeming guilty of something.
“Twilight...” Rarity began as the two reached out of earshot of Spike. “This isn't a tea stain...”
“W-what? Of course it's a tea stain, I just, spilled some while studying the other day... yeah.”
“Now twilight...” Rarity scolded. “I know fabric, which means I also know fabric stains. I've seen many tea stains, coffee stains, caramel stains,” Rarity takes a moment to swear at Pinkie Pie's pastry antics under her breath for a moment before continuing, “just, all sorts of stains darling. And this isn't a tea stain... is it?”
“Well...” Twilight turned her head for a moment, trying to hide her shame,” No... I-it's not...”
“Were you getting a bit too excited from one of those romance novels I let you borrow?”
“SSSHHH!” Twilight hushed, taking a look at Spike off on the other corner of the room before looking back at Rarity. “T-that's, well... I, I guess you could say that...”
“Oh Twilight,” Rarity giggled. “It's nothing to be ashamed of. After all, if I know what this stain is so well, then surely it won't be hard for a smart pony like you to figure exactly how I know of this type of stain...”
“Oh, o-oh! Oh... right... um,” Twilight stammered. “S-so, can you get it cleaned?”
“Why of course darling, I have just the right detergent for it. I'll get you some right away.”
“Thank you Rarity.” Twilight said as she stuffed the blanket back into her saddlebag. “Oh, and one more thing...”
“Yes?”
“Well...” Twilight blushed again as she looked down, kicking a hoof on the floor a little. “You... you got any more of those books...?”
Rarity giggled, “Why yes, I just got two new ones in the other day. I only recently started reading the first one, but you can borrow the second if you'd like.”
“Oh, that would be lovely!” Twilight beamed. “If I could have the book with some of that detergent, then I will be a very happy mare!”
“Oh, I know you will,” Rarity smirked at Twilight as she turned around, beginning to head to her laundry room. “I'll just get those things for you so you can be on your way~!”
“Alright, thanks Rarity!” With that, Twilight turned around and walked back towards Spike who was poking at a pony manikin with his claw.
“You done?” Spike asked.
“Not yet, Rarity's just getting the few supplies for me. Did you enjoy seeing Rarity again?”
“Of course! She's as beautiful as ever...”
“well we're going to be going soon, but don't worry, you'll get to see her again soon probably.”
“Yeah...” Spike sighed. “Though I wonder if there's any way I could get a girl like Rarity to like me...”
“Oh Spike...” Twilight giggled slightly. “I hate to break it to you, but you're a dragon. Ponies and dragon's just don't work that way.”
“Yeah they do!” Spike protested. “I know they do, I saw that Shrek movie, and they do it in there!”
“Spike, that was a donkey...”
“Yeah but-”
“Are you calling Rarity a donkey...?” Twilight grinned menacingly as she looked at Spike.
“A DONKEY!?” Rarity gasped as she walked over, carrying Twilight's supplied with her magic. “Who in all of Equestria would have the nerve to call me a donkey!?”
“N-n-nopony, Rarity!” Spike jumped as he heard Twilight chuckle. “Nopony said anything like that, I swear!”
“Hmmm....” Rarity perked her eyebrow in suspicion at Spike, but soon decided to let it go for now. “Very well... oh, Twilight, here's the things you wanted.” Rarity floated over a bottle of detergent along with a neatly wrapped object in the shape of a book.
“Thank you so much Rarity!” Twilight said as she floated the items into her saddlebag. “I gotta go now, but we'll see you again soon!”
“Of course deary, take care!” Rarity waved as Twilight and Spike walked out of the building. “And you too Spike!”
“Bye Rari-OW!” Spike yelped as the door shut on his tail. With a quick tug, it was free, and Spike rubbed it with his hand as he walked beside Twilight.
Twilight and Spike walked back towards the library home, both looking forward to the day ahead of them. However, Twilight was more interested in the night ahead of her and her new book.
After a productive day, Twilight sent Spike up to bed as she finally pulled her blanket out of her drier, smiling as she saw that the stain had been fully removed. She then remembered the book that Rarity had mentioned walked towards her saddlebag, taking her blanket and laying it over her back. Pulling it out and undoing the wrapping, she closely examined the cover as she also put the book she had been studying earlier away.
“The Dragon in Twilight...” Twilight read aloud as she looked at the cover of the book.
The cover displayed a dragon just larger than the size of a pony that was shrouded by darkness with its eyes glowing a bright yellow. He seemed to be in a dark forest with a mountain in the distance that blocked an almost complete sunset. The mountain was on the left side of the cover with the image of an elegant mare's face on the right side, seeming to look up diagonally at the sky. Twilight turned the book to the back and read the short summary displayed there.
On a cool spring morning, a lonely mare finds a stallion with a heart as pure as the whitest light. But the stallion holds secrets with him that still haunt him every day, and every night...
Can Rosalina see past the his menacing form at night, or can she truly see the stallion for what he really is?
Pony by day,
Dragon by night...
A story of love and pain,
To be settled at Twilight...
“Wow...” Twilight whispered to herself as she re-examined the cover. “This sounds amazing... I can't wait to read about what happens to Rosalina.” A thought crosses her mind as she imagines some of the situations that may play out in the story. “And I wonder if she actually has him while... while he's a dragon...” She blushes a bit with a soft smile as her imagination runs while. “Oh my...”
After a few more moments of daydreaming, Twilight lays down with her blanket around her and opens the book before her. Getting snug in her blanket, she uses her magic to open the book and turns to the beginning of chapter one.
Chapter 1: Sir Rubin Morneigh
|
StreakTheFox
|
1228
| 2 |
Rarity,Spike,Twilight Sparkle,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Sex
|
The Dragon in Twilight
|
When Twilight reads a romance story about a dragon, she begins to rethink her feelings over Spike...
|
complete
| 1,125 | 55 |
<p>Twilight Sparkle loves reading, and romance novels are no exception. But when she reads a novel about a mare falling for a stallion who turns into a dragon at night, she begins to question her feelings towards her #1 assistant.</p>
|
mature
|
2011-10-08T04:23:53+00:00
|
2011-10-08T04:23:53+00:00
| 21,588 |
-2-
“But sir Rubin!” Rosalina gasped as she found her flank pressed agianst the side of her uncle's barn. “I-it is still mid-day! Surely we can pursue such... endeavors, at a better time?”
“But my body and soul ache for you this instant Rosalina!” Rubin said as he touches his nose to hers, his right hoof brushing against her light pink mane. “This power overcoming me is controlled by the force of love, and nothing can halt true love from finding its way!”
“Oh... Rubin~!” Rosalina whispered as Rubin pushed her back against the barm while her arms flung around him. His face approached quickly to hers as their lips met, the kiss as sweet as their love was strong. Their bodies pressed together firmly as their hooves glided over each others' coats, gliding slowly so as to savor every touch.
Twilight read on slowly, saying each individual word in her head using her own made up narrator's voice and the made up voices of the two characters. Her eyes were wide with a small grin on her face as she realized she had just reached the first spicy scene in the book. She had been reading on the lower floor of her library with her blanket for a couple of hours, but it was all going to be worth it as her eyes processed the highly detailed scene. Taking a quick glance at the clock, she noticed it still was not past her usual studying hours. She thought for a brief moment, and then decided that if she kept her voice low this time, Spike would not hear her.
As Twilight continued to read on, her right hoof slid down beneath her, sliding past her stomach and running between her haunches as the scene got more intense. As if keeping in pace with the story itself, she began to gently stroke herself while the two characters did the same in the story, staying to moderate foreplay at that time. As the scene got hotter and the actions got more drastic, Twilight either sped up the pace or added more pressure, soon beginning to draw out her own little pants. She bit her lip a little, trying not to get too excited until the good part, which was quick to arrive.
As soon as the stallion in the book had entered the mare, taken her body in full embrace, Twilight drove the corner of her hoof between the lips of her pussy firmly. She gasped out at first, and then bit her lip harder as she continued to read, pushing her hoof harder against her as she stroked faster. Her body twisted and turned as she serviced herself while still diligently reading on through the book, taking in every last sentence and playing it out in her mind. She closed her eyes for a moment as she let out a low, hot moan, her moist breathe making the pages of her book flutter slightly. She re-opened her eyes then and continued on, her mouth ajar with her tongue flopped out as she continued to exhale breathy moans.
Before long Twilight could no longer take it, the two lovers in the book reaching their climaxes just as she was about to reach hers. Twilight rolled over onto her back, her blanket laying flat beneath her as she moaned freely with both hooves pressed down between her haunches. Both hooves pressed their edges down between the moist, tender lips of her slit, pulling them apart for deeper access while they stroked at an incredibly rapid rate. All the while the pressure of her hooves were strong as she jerked her hooves up and down, each push making her upper body jump up and down slightly while her head flopped backwards and she moaned out in ecstasy.
Finally her climax came, and it came strong and hot. Her juices suddenly poured out of her with force, covering her thighs and the base of her tail as a hot, messy puddle formed against her rear. Simultaneously, Twilight moaned out as the orgasmic waves of pleasure wrecked throughout her entire body, the shock wave fierce and overwhelming as her limbs began to spas and twitch lightly from the sensation. Her face had a big, vibrant, and almost drunk smile as her tongue laid out against the side of her lips, her eyes shutting halfway after the initial effects of her climax. After a few more jerks and twitches from her body, her limbs flopped down lazily onto the floor.
Twilight laid sprawled out on her back, gasping loudly for breath with the same goofy smile on her face. The puddle had soaked into the blanket and her coat, yet it still provided a bit of warmth against the cool air around her that began to brush against her. It was colder at night, which is why she brought her blanket, yet she often forgot how cold it usually got, especially while indulging herself in such obscene pleasures. After about a minute of panting and coming out of her orgasm-induced high, she gently rolled herself over, steering her body clear of the puddle on her blanket.
She then froze and laid silent as she heard a noise, a sound that penetrated the recently returned calm in the air. Her ears perked as she heard the noise again, and only moments later a third time. The sound was rhythmic, fluid, constantly repeating over and over like some sort of broken record. Twilight imagined the possibilities, but nothing she could think of at the moment sounded like this. Yet it seemed so similar, so native to her every day life, it sounded as if it was...
“Oh Spike...” Twilight whispered to herself as she closed her eyes, a soft smile appearing on her face. “You do snore really loud sometimes...”
With that, Twilight slowly got up onto her hooves and examined the mess she had made on her blanket. Her flank was easily cleaned with a good shower, but her blanket now needed another wash. Twilight sighed at the realization, but decided the time to be too early for another wash. She still desired to read the book some more before bed, and simply decided to put it in the washer again before calling it a night.
She laid down before the book once more and used her magic to pull her blanket over herself, being careful so that the wet part would be slid down far enough not to touch her. She turned her eyes again to her book and began reading where she had left off, ready to take on the next chapter.
Chapter 4: The Dark Dragon Knight
AUTHOR NOTE: In case you haven't realized it just yet, this is indeed going to be a full on clopfic. But don't think I'm just going to be writing clop to be writing clop...
There will be plot.
There will be suspense.
There will be conflict...
and things will get tense.
There are many ways this story could progress,
From turning to darkness to making things bright.
But whether it's with friends or characters bot h real and fake,
The conflicts of this tale will be revealed as they all revolve around Twilight.
|
StreakTheFox
|
1228
| 3 |
Rarity,Spike,Twilight Sparkle,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Sex
|
The Dragon in Twilight
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When Twilight reads a romance story about a dragon, she begins to rethink her feelings over Spike...
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complete
| 1,125 | 55 |
<p>Twilight Sparkle loves reading, and romance novels are no exception. But when she reads a novel about a mare falling for a stallion who turns into a dragon at night, she begins to question her feelings towards her #1 assistant.</p>
|
mature
|
2012-03-12T00:59:53+00:00
|
2012-03-12T00:59:53+00:00
| 21,555 |
-3-
“Oh no...!” Twilight whispered to herself as she read through a dramatic scene in the story.
“Do not listen to this fiend's lies Rosalina!” Rubin cried as he pulled a dagger out of his saddlebag, Rosalina cowering behind him. “Come any closer and I will make quick work of you!”
“A fiend, am I?” Markus Malcom growled as a smirk slid its way onto his face. “Oh dear Rubin, are you once more attempting to find this 'love' emotion that you have so dramatically failed at obtaining so many times in the past?”
“I have failed so much because of YOU, monster!” Rubin yelled as he took a step closer, only a few feet away from the black coat and dark purple maned stallion with maroon eyes ahead of him. “Time and time again you have spliced yourself into my life, ruining all that I had tried to work for! Your tyrannical ways will be put to an end right here, right now if you do not back off!”
“A monster am I?” Markus' smirk widened to a grin as he took a step closer towards Rubin. “Mr. Morneigh... have you not told this damsel the truth yet? Have you not told her that I am only as much of a real monster as you?”
“I said enough!” Rubin yelled as he took another step, his dagger blade nearing Markus' nose. “Foul demon, return to the shadows from which you crept! Another word of lies and I shall make the work of this blade meet the core of your throat!”
“Hmph, you seem odly serious about this... very well, I shall concede for now. But remember Rubin...” Markus lowered his head and stared straight into Rubin's eyes as he began to back away. “You cannot hide... what lingers inside! You may be normal in the day's light, but you shall transform come every twilight!” With that, Markus truned around and trotted slowly into the shadows of an alleyway, disappearing into the darkness.
“What...” Rosalina began, her voice still shivering in fear. “What does he mean... S-sir Rubin?”
“It is nothing...” Rubin replied, putting his dagger away. “Nothing at all... he is only trying to scare you, do not fall for his tricks, my love...”
“Oh Sir Rubin...” Twilight whispered in a dreamy voice as her eyes continued to read through the story. “How I wish to have such a strong, protective stallion like you in my life...”
“Who?”
“Sir Rubin...?” Twilight asked, her ears perking up as she looked side to side.
“Who?”
“Wait, who is...” Twilight looked over to the coat and hat hanger on the far end of the room and saw Owlowicious there, his eyes staring straight at her.
“Who?”
“Oh, it's you Owlowicious... back from getting your midnight snack?”
“Who.” The bird said as it fluttered its wings a bit, Twilight recognizing it as a sign of confirmation.
“Hehe, alright...” Twilight giggled slightly, then turning back to her book. “This story is amazing Owlowicious!” Twilight beamed as she floated the book up with her magic. “I can't wait to see what happens to Sir Rubin and Rosalina!”
“Who?”
“Oh, just the two main characters,” Twilight said as she put a bookmark into the pages and closed up the book, setting it back into her saddlebag. “I'm going to be going to bed now... it's awfully late. I'll leave the rest up to you now, alright?” She smiled as she turned to her nocturnal assistant.
“Who.”
“Alright, the night's all yours then!” With that, Twilight magically lifted her blanket off of her and folded it up, setting it next to her saddlebags and then turned to head up the stairs.
As she entered her room and crawled into bed, she began to play through the scenes that happened in her story as she speculated what would happen next. She snuggled into her sheets, her eyes slowly closing while the only sound she could hear was the snoring of her #1 assistant on the other side of the room.
“I wonder who that other stallion is...” Twilight whispered to herself as she slowly began to drift to sleep. “And I wonder what his past is with Rubin... oh, I can't wait to see how it all ends...”
~That Night, in Twilight's Dreams~
“Oh Sir Rubin Morneigh~!” Twilight squeeled as she found herself pinned back against a pile of hay with Rubin's hooves up against her hips. “This is so sudden... so devious!”
“Only for you my dear Twilight Sparkle...” Rubin whispered as he lowered his body down onto Twilight's, connecting their stomachs as their hooves slid around each others bodies.
“Oh please take me...” Twilight whispered back, her eyes beginning to shut. “Take me oh sweet prince...”
“Take you where?” Rubin asked suddenly, his tone out of line with the situation. “I just came to tell you I did all the chores...”
“W-what...?” Twilight asked, her eyes opening up to see the face of a dragon staring down on her.
“EEEEK!” Twilight screamed as she jumped out of her bed, her body scrunched up like a frightened cat as she balanced herself on the bed's headboard. “Spike!”
“What!?” Spike asked, leaning away from the bed. “What did I do? I just came to tell you the morning chores were all finished!”
“My... wait!” Twilight's eyes opened widely in realization, now able to process the current information. “Oh, um, silly me, hehe... I seemed to have been dreaming...”
“What in Equestria were you dreaming of?” Spike asked with a confused face. “And why did you call me a prince...?”
“It wasn't you Spike, it was... just, nevermind. It was nothing, really!”
“Were you dreaming about Princess Celestia being a stallion again...?”
“Spike, I told you not to talk about that...”
“But the big stuffed animal thing you made was really realistic!”
“Spike!” Twilight yelled as she returned to her bed, sitting normally.
“Sorry...”
“Anyways... so, you got the chores done?”
“Yup! All taken care of. Would you like to go out into town for some breakfast?”
“No thanks Spike. If you could just prepare me a small salad, that would be nice. I have a really good book I would like to continue reading.”
“Does it have a prince in it?” Spike chuckled.
“Hush Spike...”
“Sorry. But anyways, I'll go get your salad done now. Would you like any daisies on it?”
“Sure Spike, and thank you!”
“No problem,” Spike said with his usual grin as he left the room.
Twilight smiled softly and sat there for a moment before she remembered exactly where her book was. She left the room and went to her saddlebag, pulling her book out of its wrapping with her magic and then trotting back into her room. She casually flipped the pages open to where she had left off and took a seat on her bed, laying the book in front of her with her magic. After a quick reminder of what had just happened last time, she was off to reading again.
-a couple hours later-
“Do not come closer!” Ordered the low,booming voice from inside the cave. “If you dare follow me into this cave, then I... I will eat you!”
“No... no you will not,” Rosalina said in an unusually calm voice, staring into the dark cave on the side of a mountain. The dark forest surrounding her did not fear her anymore, even at night, and her courage grew as she desired to see the one she loved. “Please... I know what this is, I know what you're trying to hide... Rubin...”
“I am NOT this 'Rubin'!” The creature snarled loudly. “Do you know what I am!? Once I show you, thou shall fear me like all others! I am not a stallion; of earth, magic, or the sky...”
“T-then what are you...?” Rosalina asked, taking a step towards the cave.
“I... AM A DRAGON!” The voice boomed as the creature emerged unfurling its large wings as it displayed its teeth while it emitted a loud roar. In the nearby area, all the creatures in the forest scrambled and either ran away or ducked into their shelters, all except for Rosalina, who didn't even take a step back.
“No... don't do this Rubin...” Twilight whispered to herself, her eyes locked onto the pages.
“R... Rubin...?”
“WHY must you insist on calling me such a name!?” The dragon snarled angrily, now bearing his claws. “Do you wish to become my next snack, little mare!?” Deep down in the dragon's chest, his heart was already tearing him apart from the inside out.
“Sir Rubin... why are you doing this? Why do you not wish to come back to me? I already know it's you...”
“F-for the last time...” The dragon growled, though it began shaking slightly as it lowered its stance. “I am not this 'Rubin' you speak of... I am only a nasty, horrid, bloodthirsty dragon!” And in a voice too low for Rosalina to hear, the dragon added something else. “Just as I always have been seen as...”
“No Rubin, she won't see you that way! She loves you!” Twilight seemed to attempt to plead with the book,a tear beginning to slide down her cheek.
“You were never a beast in my eyes...” Rosalina whispered softly before turning around, tears now flowing from her eyes. “If you really wish to be left alone, then I will do so to make you happy...”
“Begone my little pony...” The dragon sneered as he began to turn back into the cave, tears forming around the lids of his eyes. “Go back to the safety and comfort of your bed, and know this to only be a bad nightmare...”
The dragon turned his head slightly, able to see the whimpering Rosalina walk slowly through the forest, tears dripping from her face to the ground. In only a few moments he himself began to cry, slamming his fist down on the floor. He growled, his voice angry – at himself, at what he just felt he had to do. He did his best to convince her, he tried his hardest to keep her from realizing who he really was, but she still seemed to find out. He knew this night would come, it always came... there was always a point where his would-be lover found out about his curse, and then left him... just like they all did.
His only hope, was to scare them off when they saw him as a dragon, and hope that they didn't realize it was really him. After all... what kind of pony would love a dragon?
“I would...” Twilight whispered to herself softly.
After a few moments, she rose her head up, coming to a full realization of what she had just said. Would I really love a dragon like that? She asked herself. Could I...? I don't even know any... The image of her assistant appeared in her mind, but she quickly shook it out. No, he's too young for that... for me, I would be a foal to think otherwise. With a light sigh, Twilight placed a bookmark in her book and closed it up. She took a look at her clock, and decided it was best to get back to studying.
She walked out of her room and down the stairs, seeing Spike organizing a few pamphlets on the far side. Thinking nothing of it, she casually wrapped up the book and placed it back into her saddlebag, then began to head to her bookshelf to find the book she had been studying yesterday. What she didn't see, however, was her assistant watching her place the book into her saddlebag, even taking the time to wrap it up. Spike was always the curious type, and if Twilight took the time to wrap it up, perhaps it was something she didn't want him to see.
“Hmm...”
|
StreakTheFox
|
1228
| 4 |
Rarity,Spike,Twilight Sparkle,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Sex
|
The Dragon in Twilight
|
When Twilight reads a romance story about a dragon, she begins to rethink her feelings over Spike...
|
complete
| 1,125 | 55 |
<p>Twilight Sparkle loves reading, and romance novels are no exception. But when she reads a novel about a mare falling for a stallion who turns into a dragon at night, she begins to question her feelings towards her #1 assistant.</p>
|
mature
|
2012-03-12T01:08:20+00:00
|
2012-03-12T01:08:20+00:00
| 21,827 |
-4-
Spike spent most of the day either cleaning or going around Ponyville to hang out with a couple of his friends. A few hours had passed by the time he returned to the library, wondering what Twilight was up to. He casually strolled inside, only to find that Twilight wasn't around. He took a few steps before noticing there was a note laid down on the table in the center of the library. When he walked up to it and picked it up to read it.
Dear Spike,
I have gone with Fluttershy to help her document some new plant species she claims to have discovered on the edge of the Everfree Forest. I may be gone for a while, so there's some gemstones in the kitchen in the #3 pantry as well as a few books for you to put away before I get back, if you get back before I do, that is. Please take care of those things if you can get the chance!
~Twilight Sparkle
Spike looked over to his left after placing the note down, noticing the stack of books Twilight had mentioned. He was just about to go organize them when he then noticed Twilight's saddlebags sitting next to her coat hanger. Spike began to recall what he saw earlier in the day, that mysterious book that she took the time to wrap up and quickly stuff away. He figured it could just be an older book, but it didn't seem that way from the quick glimpse he got. He contemplated sorting the books real fast, but there weren't that many, and a short investigation wasn't going to take long. Ultimately he went decided to see what the book was about, and if it was some old, delicate book, he would simply put it back and it would be over with.
Spike approached Twilight's saddlebags and opened one of them up. Immediately he found what he was looking for; a square shaped object wrapped up in the same material he saw Twilight wrap that book in. Spike hesitantly took the book out, fearing that he might be getting himself into something that Twilight would scold him for later. But he figured he just might be able to get away with it if he simply took a quick peak. No harm done, right?
He removed the wrapping material and dropped it back in the saddlebag before he took a good look at the book. It wasn't large, but it was thick and had a soft cover to it, meaning it was probably another one of Twilight's fiction novels that she liked to read. When he turned to the cover, he found the title to be a bit perplexing.
“The Dragon in Twilight?” He read aloud. “Is Twilight reading a story about dragons? That actually sounds kind of cool... I wonder why she wouldn't tell me about it.”
Spike opened the book and took a look at the first few pages before he turned to chapter 1 and began to read. When it comes to reading, Twilight and Spike were different in a few areas. Twilight usually reads slow, almost as if she was speaking every word out in her mind as she read along which allowed her to analyze the words she was taking in better. Spike was a faster reader, he was able to almost skim through paragraphs and be able to retain most of what had happened or been explained.
This is exactly what he did for the few couple of pages, reading through them at a quick pace in order to figure out what the book was really about. He didn't read many fiction books, let alone novels, so he never thought to look on the back for any sort of description.
The first few pages were, in Spike's interpretation, boring. It was mostly filled with descriptions and boring scenes of some mare going about her daily life. In the midst of his rising boredom with the book, he remembered the note, and most importantly his task that he had to complete.
He was about to forget about the book when he reached a part in it about a dragon, and how the villagers had said that they saw a dragon terrorize one of the outlying farms. Spike was a bit curious once more, but decided he would do his chore first, maybe have a snack as well, and then continue reading the book at a later time. He hoped that dragons weren't the bad guys in the book though, he didn't like some of the negative thoughts that some ponies seemed to aim towards his kind.
After re-wrapping the book and putting it away, Spike got busy putting away the few books that were left out. Once done, he got into the kitchen, grabbed the small pile of gemstones in the cabinet, and took them out to the main library as his snack. He worked on just sweeping up the place and tidying up in general while eating his gems for about ten minutes before Twilight finally got back.
“Spike, I'm home!” Twilight called out as she came through the door, levitating a few pieces of paper with her.
“Hey Twilight, welcome back.”
“Thanks,” Twilight replied as she floated the papers to her desk and looked around, noticing the books she left out were gone. “I see you got my note, right?”
“Of course! All the books are back in place and I already ate those gems you left me. I just decided to start tidying things up around here while you were gone.”
“That's very thoughtful of you, Spike,” Twilight smiled as she approached her assistant. “I'm so lucky to have such a good assistant as you!”
“Aww, shucks Twi,” Spike smiled as the two hugged lightly.
“So, did you have fun around Ponyville?” Twilight asked as she pulled back and began trotting toward one of the book shelves.
“Yup! Spent the day hanging out with friends, eating a few cupcakes with Pinkie, ya know, that sort of stuff.”
“Good!” Twilight beamed as she levitated a few books out and brought them over to her desk.
“How was your documenting plants thing with Fluttershy?”
“Oh, it went very well. Turns out it wasn't a new species of plant, but actually a very rare one that didn't have much data on it,” Twilight said as she levitated up the pages she had brought in with her. “I got all the pages with me right here, each with detailed descriptions, illustrations, and other notes.”
“Neat, sounds like you had fun.”
“Sure did!” Twilight smiled happily as she began reading one of her books.
Spike and Twilight went about their own things for a few minutes before Spike began to think about what he had read in Twilight's book. Twilight was studying, as usual, but Spike was cleaning, so his mind was allowed to wander and think while he performed such methodical tasks.
It didn't take him long for his mind to revolve around what he read about dragons, but he wondered what Twilight was thinking. Maybe Twilight deep down thought the same way about them, but just wouldn't tell him. Maybe the reason she had him cleaning so much was because she thought she didn't really like dragons. No, that couldn't be it, it was obvious Twilight loved him, but still, Spike wanted a few answers.
“Hey, Twilight?” Spike asked as he walked up to the lavender unicorn.
“Yes Spike?” Twilight replied, still looking towards her book.
“I was wondering, what's your opinion on dragons?”
“My opinion on dragons?” Twilight looked at him in slight confusion. “What do you mean?”
“Like... do you think we're, I dunno, kind of mean and scary?”
“Mean and scary? Well, there are some mean and scary ones out there... but not all of them are like that I'm sure.”
“What about other ponies? Do you think I, or another dragon would just come to a farm and start wrecking everything?”
“Um, I don't think so...” Twilight paused, thinking for a moment before looking at her assistant. “Spike, what are you getting at?”
“Uh, nothing really, just a thought I had for some reason...”
“Um, alright then...” Twilight had her eyebrow raised as she watched Spike walk away and continue his cleaning.
She was curious as to why Spike would come out of the blue and ask such a question, but then again, it wasn't too uncommon for him to come out and start asking some crazy things every now and then, so she let it slide.
The rest of the day went like any other sort of day, nothing too out of the ordinary for either of them. Spike turned in early, just like he always did, and Twilight was left alone downstairs to her studies. Owlowiscious came down soon afterwords to help with the night shift, and everything was still normal. That is, however, until Twilight finished her studying.
“Hey Owlowiscious, could you do me a favor?” Twilight asked, looking up at the owl with an unusually innocent look.
“Who?”
“Could you fly over to Fluttershy's cabin real fast and see if you can't find a piece of paper about some new plants her and I went to document earlier today? It should be somewhere outside still just around her cabin. Think you can get that for me?”
“Who.” Owlowiscious promptly spread his wings into the air and left the library, off on his mission to find Twilight's paper.
What he didn't know was that the paper Twilight was talking about was already in her possession. She just wanted to get him out of the library for a while so she could read her new novel, which was turning out to be a very interesting story. Owlowiscious doesn't like it when he disappoints Twilight, so she figured he will probably be out there for maybe even a couple hours searching for that paper. Twilight felt bad for a moment tricking her other assistant like that, but in the end determined that the fresh air would be good for him.
Twilight cantered over to her saddlebags and opened one of them up, pulling her special book out of its wrapping and setting it beside her. She went and got herself a blanket, a small drink, and a candle, and set them all around her as she dove right back into her story.
For half an hour, Twilight read on in peace. However, she was not alone. Up the stairs to her bedroom, Spike was not sleeping. In fact, he was wide awake and peeking out the door of the bedroom which he cracked open ever so slightly. Spike knew something was up with Twilight and that book. She had never seen her take such an interest in a book of fiction before, and wanted to see if he could find anything more about it.
He had never fallen asleep when he went upstairs. He wanted to go to bed, but for some reason he didn't feel like sleeping. It was bothering him, and he decided to start writing in his journal up until he heard Twilight talking to Owlowiscious. Listening in, Spike heard what she said, and immediately got suspicious since he saw her with all the papers earlier that day. That was when Spike knew something was up, and sure enough when he peeked out of the door, he saw her open up the cover of that same book he had looked in earlier.
From then on Spike watched in silence, determined to figure out what the big deal was with that book. If it was secret enough for Twilight to trick Owlowiscious out like that, he knew it had to be something big. So he watched as she read on. It was incredibly boring, Spike nearly dozing off a few times right up against the door. He was about to go back and try to get some sleep, which would have been easy by then, but something caught his attention.
Twilight began to shift a bit in her blankets while she whispered to herself, a smile creeping onto her face. Spike's interest peaked again, his eyes opening fully to see what was going on. He listened closely, and he was able to hear a bit of her mumbling.
“Y-you... you came back for me...” Rosalina whispered, looking up at the dragon who had her craddled in his arms.
“I'm so sorry Rosalina, I never meant for this to happen...” Rubin replied as he carried Rosalina away from the burning barn and into the cover of the dark forest.
“I thought you didn't love me Sir Rubin... I thought you had ran away from me...”
“It myself I was running away from,” Rubin replied as he looked up past the canopy to the night sky. “I tried to run from who I truly was... I couldn't accept myself on the outside, I appeared to everypony to be a monster...”
“Oh Rubin...”Rosalina lifted her hoof and placed it on his scaly cheek. “You know I only care about what's on the inside... about what's in your heart.”
“Rosalina...” Rubin whispered as he continued on into the forest.
The two nuzzled for a while as he kept walking, eventually coming to a stop next to a creek. The ground was soft there, just moist enough to provide comfort while at the same time not getting their bodies damp from sitting on the grass around it. Rubin had set Rosalina down, but she did not leave his grasp. He curled his scaled body around her, cradling her close to him as they embraced each other.
“I Love you, Rubin...” Rosalina whispered as she brought her muzzle up to his chin.
“As I love you, my dear Rosalina...” he replied, bringing his head down and kissing her lips deeply.
The two continued kissing, their lips locked in a deep, passionate embrace while their bodies began to feel around against each other.
“Mmm, Rubin...” Twilight whispered softly, sliding her hoof down between her haunches as she read into the following sex scene. A vibrant blush appeared on her face as she kept reading through the story, a soft smile still present. Slowly her hoof began to fiddle lightly with the lips of her sex, pushing and feeling them around as sort of a response to the foreplay in the story.
She sighed softly as a warming wave of pleasure swept through her, biting down on her lower lip as she continued to play with herself. Her hips moved and adjusted to her hoof while the other hoof gripped onto the blanket. Her rump bobbed up and down a little as she slid the corner of her hoof in between the lips, making it stroke against her at whichever speed she liked. She moaned softly, careful not to make too much noise with Spike asleep upstairs.
But Spike was not asleep. He was watching Twilight, watching with the biggest blush he had ever had on his face. He watched Twilight squirm around in her bed, and heard her low moans and mumbles. He didn't quite understand everything he was feeling, only that it was sort of similar to how he felt around Rarity. It was because of this that he continued to watch and listen to Twilight as she continued to please herself on the floor.
Spike was young, but he wasn't completely ignorant to too many adult things. He had heard a few jokes and some slang from the guys, but he simply never really gave it too much thought. It was a whole other thing to watch one of the things he had heard being played out, and not by just any mare, but by Twilight Sparkle herself.
His mind was acting strange, going against him as it plastered pictures and short scenes in his head as to what was going on under those blankets. His blush intensified as Twilight moaned louder, watching her use both hooves down under the blanket. It was then that he felt something on himself, a tight pressure between his legs. Looking down, he saw that he was beginning to grow from watching the display. He didn't think it possible, but he imagined that what Twilight was doing might actually be infectious!
“D-don't stop, oohh...!” Twilight allowed herself to moan just a bit louder as she repeated a line from Rosalina in the book.
Her magic was focused on her tail as she rubbed it against her slit, trying her best to use it to mimic the motions of a long, slithery dragon tongue.
His tongue swirled and lapped against her tender pussy, the forked end tickling at the tips of her lips while he worked. One of his claws kept a firm grasp on one of her legs while the other slid gently up and down her belly, soothing her further while seeming to allow the waves of pleasure to travel further throughout her.
“Ah, Sir Rubin, it's, it-Aaah!” She moaned out sharply, feeling the dragon's tongue slither into her suddenly, feeling its way against her inner walls.
She dug her front hooves into the ground, her breath heavy as her eyes squeezed shut. The sensation poured through her like a raging river, splashing over every part of her while her hips turned and bucked slightly, never before experiencing such pleasure.
He didn't stop, and it seemed like he wouldnt for the longest time as he continued to lather her inside and outside, her wetness dripping down as she could feel a premature climax beginning to stroll in.
“Y-you're not the only one...” Twilight whispered under her breath as she did her best to work her magic on her own tail, forcing it to slither around inside herself as she laid on her back.
The feeling was uncomfortable at first, but her wetness coated her tail quickly and made it slippery, allowing it to be used much like a long tongue as she had desired. Her hips bucked a bit while her moans continued, mixed with her hot, moist breath as she tried her best to hold in her orgasm.
She never thought of trying this before, however the feeling was pleasing her more than her hooves ever had. But as she imagined the dragon's tongue more, her thoughts began substituting Spike in place of Rubin. She had tried filter it out, but the thought of him and his long, slithering tongue kept invading her mind.
Twilight eventually slid the blanket off of her, unable to take the heat her own body was putting out. She was covered in sweat, her coat dripping in some places while her cheeks stayed a rosy red. She moaned and wriggled her body more, absolutely loving the experience she was giving herself.
Spike couldn't help but feel himself as he watched. He had never seen Twilight like this before. Heck, he had never seen anypony do anything like this before! All he knew was that it was happening, with Twilight, and that his member was feeling so amazing when he stroked it with his claws. It was so tender, so sensitive to the touch that it pushed a shiver through him with almost every stroke.
He continued watching Twilight; he couldn't take his eyes off her. He ran his gaze over parts of her body, the scene before him making his tummy and lower body feel like they were going to squeeze into a tight ball, and the only thing he could do to relieve it was to stroke himself. It felt strange, but good. Very good in fact, much better than anything he had felt before. This wasn't the first time he had his member do this, but all the other times he just let it die down without touching it after feeling how sensitive it was.
But when he saw Twilight do it to herself, he tried to experiment on his own. His touch was gentle, but as he got the hang of it and saw Twilight get more rough with herself, he in turn picked up the pace as well. He began panting, his other claw braced against the wall right up against the side of the entrance as he continued to watch diligently. Whatever this book had in it to make Twilight act like that, Spike really wanted to know what it was then!
R-rubin! Oh, oooh!” Rosalina cried out in ecstasy as she bounced up and down.
Her rear slapped loudly with every bounce, every thrust that the dragon made up against her. She kept her balance on his lap, her front hooves held onto his chest while she worked her hips the best she could. His member was large, almost too large, barely able to squeeze into her all the way. But as it filled her up, it sent intense waves of pleasure through every inch of her body.
Sweat rolled down both their bodies, Rubin finding himself unable to hold back anything. His hips pounded up into Rosalina's tender pussy while his claws gripped onto the ground, holding his body firm in his overpowering fervor. His tail flopped down on the ground as his wings flapped and beat at the air, doing whatever they could to aid in the sexual motions.
“I'm close, I'm so close, Nnnnaah!” Twilight couldn't help herself, she hardly held back much of her moans as she worked on herself.
Both hooves were down between her haunches and stroking as hard as they could. Her tail was still inside, except instead of slithering her magic was forcing it to thrust inside of her in a rhythmic motion. She pounded it into herself while her hooves kept her lips pulled open and actively rubbing what they could, sending wave after wave of pleasure.
Her tongue dripped off the side of her mouth as she drooled lightly, her mind unable to comprehend much of anything except her own sexual fantasy. All she saw in her mind was Spike against her, embracing her, driving his large cock into her over and over. She couldn't reason with herself, her body overriding her mind and forcing that picture into her brain as it was the best image of a dragon she had.
Spike's hips were pushing back and forth, keeping pace with his claw that only stroked harder. His teeth grit down as he pumped harder, his cock pulsing each time. His breath was hot and his mouth was wide open, a bit of drool sliding down his chin along with beads of sweat that covered most of his body.
And yet he still watched, unable to look away, and he even found himself mentally picturing himself with Twilight. He connected his movements with hers, seeing his own body up against her and pounding himself in. He didn't know why, and he couldn't stop it. He experimented the same thought with Rarity, but he didn't like it that way.
Rarity was sweet, delicate, the gem of all gems to him. What he was imagining with Twilight was rough, it was coarse and beastly, a desire he thought only found in the most primal parts of his mind. But with Twilight delving her own thoughts into the matter, that was what allowed him to use her. It allowed him to follow in her hoofsteps in a sense, finding comfort in doing it and picturing himself with her because she was doing it herself.
“T-Twilight...”
“Oh Rosalina,” Rubin gasped between breaths. “I can't hold it, I'm going to, I'm, I'm...!”
“Give it to me Rubin!” Rosalina cried out in ecstasy. “Give it all to me, every drop! Oh yes, Yes!”
“Ah...! Mmm, don't stop, I'm so close...!” Twilight almost screamed as her body undulated violently, her rear slapping against the ground from the force as she felt her climax just a few moments away.
“I'm gonna, I'm gonna...!”
“Oooohh... ah!” Spike whispered under his breath, his whole body trembling as a new feeling pushed its way through him. The back of his nether region seemed to give in, as if a tube inside of him was beginning to release a pressure he had been building up all this time. There was no way he could stop it, it just came pushed through as he prepared for it to come out.
“Aaaaah! Rubin!”
“Oooh, Rosalina!”
“Mmmm, S-Spike...!”
“T-twi... Twilight!”
Without even realizing it, they both released their juices at the same time. Spike's shot out against the wall as he managed to turn it away from the door just in time. Twilight's pushed past her soaked tail and sprayed all over the floor and a few parts of her blanket. Both their backs were arched as they released, gasping as hard as they could while at the peak of sexual bliss.
Twilight laid back after a few long seconds, breathing as hard as she could as her limbs flopped against the floor. Her tail slid out and her magic stopped, her slit drenched and still dripping with her hot juices. She laid there for several minutes recovering, an exhausted smile on her face as she simply savored what she had experienced.
Spike leaned forward against the wall, hardly able to believe what he had just done. His shaft pulsed and quivered below him for a minute before it began to shrink, finally relieved after such an ordeal. He looked down at the mess he made on the wall, then looked around for a way to clean it up. He spotted a tissue box on one of the desks and quickly stepped towards it, still keeping his movements quiet as he got the tissues to clean the wall.
Twilight sighed in content and rolled over, looking at the mess she made. She blushed a bit in embarrassment, even though she knew nopony had seen what she did. She floated her blanket over the mess and used it to clean it up, then balled it up and tossed it to the side for later, intending to wash it tomorrow. She looked then at her still open book and flipped forward a page, seeing she was already just about at the end of the next chapter. Feeling herself pleasantly satisfied and at a relatively good stopping point, she memorized the page number and closed up the book. She then got it wrapped up back in the wrapping and yawned softly as she put it back in her saddlebag. It was time for her to go to bed.
Spike finished cleaning just in time to see Twilight put the book back in her saddlebag and turn towards the stairs. He panicked inwardly, grabbing the door and closing it as gently as he could in his haste. It didn't make any noise, but he hoped dearly that Twilight didn't see it. He then tiptoed back to his little bed, threw his blanket over himself, and curled up to look as asleep as he could. Only a few moments later he heard the door of the bedroom open and Twilight walk in. He heard Twilight pause, then her hoofsteps approaching him. He feared the worst; he feared that she had seen the door close, or maybe he missed a spot on the wall.
Twilight looked down at Spike, a soft smile on her face. She knew her earlier thoughts were foalish, that her little assistant couldn't do what she had just fantasized. Regardless, she wanted to do something for the little guy, even though she couldn't exactly figure out why. She leaned her head down over him, finding a part of his head exposed and giving it a soft kiss. She then pulled herself away and got herself into bed slowly, trying to be as quiet as she could.
Spike heard Twilight shift into bed, but that did not register in his mind. All he kept thinking about was the kiss... Twilight's kiss. It warmed his heart in a way he had never felt before, sort of like when he's with Rarity and she compliments him, only this not only warmed, but it tingled as it faded away. It left him with a smile at the end, his nervousness from before fading away as he quickly fell asleep soon after.
|
StreakTheFox
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1228
| 5 |
Rarity,Spike,Twilight Sparkle,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Sex
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The Dragon in Twilight
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When Twilight reads a romance story about a dragon, she begins to rethink her feelings over Spike...
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complete
| 1,125 | 55 |
<p>Twilight Sparkle loves reading, and romance novels are no exception. But when she reads a novel about a mare falling for a stallion who turns into a dragon at night, she begins to question her feelings towards her #1 assistant.</p>
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mature
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2012-06-04T18:15:41+00:00
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2012-06-04T18:15:41+00:00
| 15,303 |
-5-
Morning came, and Spike awoke with a start. He looked around, noticing that it was still dark outside. He looked across the room towards the clock on the wall, able to make out the time with his night-eyes still active. Five o'clock, still very early. He thought about going back to bed for another hour or so, or perhaps even getting a head start on his chores. But as he sat in his bed, the events of last night began to take focus. That book... Spike thought to himself. Twilight's still going to be asleep for a couple more hours, so maybe...
Spike got up quietly and slid out of the bedroom without a sound, not even bothering to make his bed. He slowly went down the stairs and got to Twilight's saddlebags, still set on the floor from last night. Spike wanted to know what was in that book now more than ever, especially after what it did to Twilight. Whatever she read, he really wanted to know, even if it was something he wasn't supposed to look at. He proceeded to open up the saddlebags, pulling out the cover to the book and unwrapping it again. It was too dark to read the small words of the book, so Spike casually walked over to one of the lamps on the far side and turned it on as he set the book down onto a nearby desk.
Spike flipped through the pages eagerly, trying to find where he left off. After a couple minutes, he found it. It was a conversation with what seemed to be a main character and a friend of hers.
“I tell you, those dragons from the North-lands are nothing but trouble!” Merry tried to convince her friend. “Did you hear about how one of them just flew down here and slaughtered six of farmer Wheatlin's pigs!?”
“But, that doesn't sound like anything they would-” Rosalina was interrupted by the bartender who leaned over the bar towards them.
“You don't understand lady, ponies and dragons don't mix!” the dark brown worker hissed. “If you wanted my opinion, I say buck'em! I don't care if they're some sort of ancient and magical creature, if they come by here again, for whatever reason, just kill'em on sight! We don't need'em!”
To Rosalina's horror, there were several mumbles of concurrence from around the pub. Could dragons really be such a problem?
“But, I'm sure they're not all bad...”
“They're monsters Rosa,” Merry stated flatly. “They're nothing better than the wild animals in the forest. Give'em a chance, and they'll eat you too without a second thought.”
“Vile creatures they are...”the bartender added as he leaned back, content with his addition to the conversation. “If I could run things around here, I'd have every one of those beasts hunted down. Kill the eggs and the babies too!” At this the bartender brought out a large knife from beneath the table as he eyes a lone olive sitting on the counter. He quickly swung the knife down, splitting the olive clean in half. “Just like that! Slice those monsters right in two!”
Spike began to feel his stomach squeeze in on itself. The images that were beginning to slip into his head made him feel ill, and he almost threw the book aside in disgust. Is this what Twilight had been so engaged in reading? Surely this is not what got her so aroused last night... no, there must have been something else. But still, the thoughts he had the day before came back into his mind... what if Twilight was making him work like a slave, just to keep him under her control? What if she secretly hated dragons, and always kept Spike occupied so she wouldn't have to deal with him as often?
Spike felt so confused, but even still, he continued to read on through the story. Perhaps he would find some answers as he continued on... but to his dismay, he did not. The story took a turn soon afterwords towards a strange stallion that the character Rosalina apparently was in love with. Then it went to some scene at a party, and then a while later to this little colt who lost his arm, and then to-
“Spike?”
Spike's body jumped so much right then that the book almost literally flew out of his grasp. Oh no, Twilight! Spike looked to his side, just noticing the beams of sunlight beginning to stream in from some of the windows. He turned his head some more, peering over to a clock on another wall... Eight O'clock!? It's been three hours already!? How the heck does Twilight manage to read so much and not take up her whole day!?
“Spike, are you downstairs?” Twilight asked from the bedroom upstairs.
“Um, yeah, I am!” Spike said as he quickly tried to wrap the book back up in its cover.
He then dashed over to the saddlebags and quickly shoved it inside, closing the bags immediately afterwords and then rushing over to a random dusting brush on the far side of the room. No sooner than the moment he got to the duster did Twilight step out of her room, turning her head to see him dusting the bookshelves.
“Oh, there you are, good morning Spike,” Twilight greeted with a smile.
“Uh, morning Twilight!” he replied.
“I thought you would be down here cleaning,” she continued. “But I saw you didn't make your bed this morning, so I was wondering if there was something going on.”
“Um, no, not really just uh, ya know, cleaning as always! Sorry about the bed, I'll get to it in a minute!”
“It's no problem, I got it for you already,” Twilight said as she began down the stairs.
Spike sighed in relief, wiping a bead of sweat off his forehead before going back to dusting off the bookshelves.
---
Spike still wanted answers, and he wanted them more as the day progressed. He wanted to know why Twilight was reading a book that made dragons look like monsters, and more importantly, what Twilight thought of the idea itself. He knew he shouldn't ask her himself, for not only would it be incredibly awkward, but it would also let Twilight know that he was looking in her book, which would probably turn out bad for him. So, he decided on an alternative idea...
Spike never really knew what those books Twilight got were about, but he knew where she got them from. Later that day, some time just past noon, he decided it was time to go and pay a visit to Rarity, telling Twilight it was merely another 'go out and help Rarity' bit. But in reality, it was much more than that.
“Welcome to Carousel Boutique!” Rarity sang as she heard the door open and the bell on top chime. “How may I help – oh! Spike, welcome!” Rarity greeted as she watched Spike walk in.
“Hey Rarity!” he replied with a wave. “I hope you don't mind me coming over to help you work today.”
“Not at all, Spike! I always appreciate your generosity!” Rarity smiled. “Let's get started then, shall we? I need some help with this dress I'm working on, and I need somepony – or, some dragon – to help me get the proper knits in the proper place. So could you please help hold certain parts down while I work on it?”
“Sure thing!” he said as he eagerly approached.
Spike had not forgotten about the real reason he had came here for, but going straight out to help with Rarity did two things... first, it allowed the whole situation to not seem so abrupt when Spike would bring it up. Secondly, Spike always enjoyed helping her, so... win win.
Time passed, and after an hour Spike had helped Rarity to complete the outfit she had been helping her with. Then came the part where Rarity would begin transitioning to work on another project, thus her mind would be open and always an the outward thinking side... perfect for Spike to make his move. While Rarity looked over her desk, Spike approached slowly, still nervous about what he was about to ask, but knowing that he had to do this, for his own piece of mind. He needed answers.
“Hey um, Rarity,” Spike fiddled with his claws slowly as he stood beside the white unicorn. “Can I ask you something?”
“Why of course you can Spike. What do you want to ask?”
“Well, what do you like, think of dragons?”
“Dragons?” Rarity stopped what she was working on and turned her head to look at Spike. “Well that's a rather peculiar question, what do you mean?”
“I mean, like, what do you – or more, other ponies – think of the dragon race as a whole? Like, do you all think we are just some grumpy beasts or perhaps some sort of dangerous creatures or-”
“Spike,” Rarity stopped him as she turned her body away from her work desk to face him, placing a hoof on his shoulder as she did so. “What's wrong Spike? Nopony – or dragon – simply goes up and asks a question like that. Is something going on with somepony?”
“Well... no, there isn't, I just need to uh... know your opinion,” Spike bit his lip.
“Spike...”
“Please?” Spike gave Rarity a pleading look.
“Well...” Rarity knew something was up, but judging by Spike's reactions, it seemed as though the topic had some sort of deeper meaning. Though she definitely wanted to know what was bothering the young dragon, she decided not to press in much further. “I, I don't think they're necessarily bad creatures, of course.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, dragons are often looked up to as very powerful beings, and also very smart. They are very exotic, and seem to represent the highest tier of strength and independence. They're also magical, so their mere presence brings a sense of brilliance to any setting.”
“But what about interactions with ponies?” Spike started being more specific.
“Well, uh, dragons and ponies don't usually interact that much and-”
“Why not?”
“Well, deary, we're just two different species and-”
“But so are griffons, and cows, and even zebras, but they still get along fine.”
“Spike, please!” Rarity stopped him, taking a deep breath. “Spike... what's wrong? Please, I want to help, can't you just tell me what's bothering you?”
“Just...” Spike looked down, giving out a small sigh as he thought up his next words carefully. “Well... what do you think Twilight thinks about dragons?”
“Twilight?” She raised an eyebrow. “Well, I don't really know, but why don't you ask her?”
“Because, well...” Spike thought again, knowing this might be his only chance, and decided to go for it. “I, I know about the book you gave to Twilight a few days ago, and it got me thinking...”
Rarity's eyes widened to the size of saucers as she took in the words Spike put out. Her heart skipped a beat, realizing just what the baby dragon had gotten himself into. Rarity has already read the entire book, and her mind focused on all the erotic scenes spread throughout. And if Spike somehow got to it and read it, then... oh no, Spike must be wondering what Twilight must think of dragons in that way! And judging by the questions Spike was asking...
Rarity immediately gathered a theory within only a few short moments. Spike, apparently, somehow got the notion that dragons and ponies don't get along – probably due to how the town reacted to the last time a dragon visited. Also, after reading the love story, Spike may be growing some sort of affections towards Twilight, of all ponies! That would explain why he was asking about her specifically. Lastly, he must feel ashamed or guilty for starting to feel that way for a pony, so he's coming to her for some advice perhaps.
Rarity's mind raced, caught between two opposing sides. One wanted to tell him that a book is just a book, and that he shouldn't get his mind so focused from an idea brought out from paper. At the same time, another side of her wondered just how deep his new found feelings went, and wondered if she should somehow help the little dragon in his endeavors. What am I thinking!? Rarity thought to herself. This is Spike here, not just some pony who would make a good gossip story! I need to tell him something... generic, perhaps. Something that didn't quite answer him exactly, but perhaps got him thinking on his own... I really don't want to affect the poor dear too much in this...
“...Thinking about what, exactly?” Rarity managed to get out.
“Well... just tell me this, what does Twilight think about the book?”
“Umm...” What does she think? I'm not so sure but, she usually loves all the books I lend to her, so I can only assume... “Well, I know she really enjoys it,” Rarity said finally after a seemingly long pause. “Probably one of her favorites so far, in fact!” She hoped this would perhaps raise Spike's hopes a bit, just to give him some sort of piece of mind.
Spike's heart sank after hearing Rarity's words. So it's true... He thought. If Twilight likes the book, then she likes everything that went on in there... which means that she hates dragons, and probably hates me too... Spike's body slumped slightly, and he fought back the tears that began to surface.
“S-spike...?” Rarity became concerned, not expecting the suddenly depressed response that she got. “Is everything alright?”
“Yeah, I guess...” Spike sighed as he started for the door. “Rarity, if it's okay with you, I need to stop short for today... I need some time for myself.”
“Uh, well, of course! I mean, I hope you figure out what you need to Spike!” Rarity called out as Spike was leaving the door.
Rarity, for some reason, couldn't help but feel that she had just done something horrible to her friend.
---
Twilight had been sitting down on the floor again, the novel of interest spread open in front of her. It had only been about thirty minutes since Spike left, and she had just reached the climax of the story, the turning point where everything came together and the hero made his final stand.
“The castle guards will be here any moment, Rubin!” Markus Malcom announced, his voice thick with crazed laughter. “Oh, in only a few moments, they will come here and kill us both! The only possible chance for you to escape is to accept what you are!”
“Never!” Rubin cried as he looked between his brother and his love.
The castle courtyard burned around them, the once beautiful garden charred black as the walls seemed to sweat fire and smoke at every crack. The night sky was covered in a shroud of smoke, making the moon and stars above invisible. Everything around them glowed red, threatening to destroy them at any moment. But Rubin had to stay, he couldn't leave Rosalina trapped underneath the collapsed gallows.
Just then Markus jumped down off his perch, his dragon wings spread out fully as he landed before him. Rubin stared at him, readying his own claws in case his brother attempted to strike. But he did not, instead he merely stood there, a wild grin still painted on his face.
“Look at you, Rubin... so lost you are!” Markus laughed. “You were dragon from the start, and you will always be that way! Some spell by a crazed scorcerer – hah! – will never change that! You are an outcast, a creature of destruction and chaos! Us dragons don't belong in the pony world, no matter how strong your so called 'love' is!”
“SHUT UP!” Rubin yelled, flaring his wings. “I love her, and nothing can change that! I don't care what society says, or what society thinks, dragons and ponies don't always have to fight!”
Rosalina watched from beneath the pile of splintered wood above her. She dare not move from fear of being skewered at any attempt made by her to escape. She looked up just then, noticing the top of the pile beginning to catch flame. She looked back at Rubin and Markus, the two dragons squaring off against each other. Rosalina didn't care about her love being a dragon, she just wanted him, for who he was inside. He cared for her, he was there for her, he would do anything for her, he loved her, and she loved him.
“It's fate, my brother! It's always been, and will forever continue to be! Dragons and ponies are meant to be enemies, that is all set in stone! You cannot begin to hope to change that!”
Rubin looked down at himself, and then over at Rosalina. The thoughts of them together filled his mind, all the joys, all the wonderous times together... and then he looked at Markus, at his brother. His mind brought forth all the pain and suffering in his past, about his parents' deaths and the ones responsible. About the past lovers in his life, and how he had lost them because of what he was...
But now, he is what he is. And he has somepony who finally accepts him for that, and he will never leave her now. Even as the sounds of guard ponies are heard gathering around the outer edges of the courtyard, Rubin stands his ground. He reaches over quickly and grabs a stone sword – one that fell off of a statue of a pony knight that was destroyed earlier – and points it directly at Markus.
“Mark my words, brother...” He begins slowly, his voice clear and his words definite. “Fate does not affect me. I can make my own decisions, because I have the ability to make my own choice in the world. Anything is possible as long as you believe, and I believe that I can make my choice... no matter what stands in my way. My life is my own to control, and nothing can take that from me. I love Rosalina, and she loves me... so I choose...” He stands back in a ready position, the sword pointed upwards beside him. “I choose to fight for my choices, and for what I believe is right!”
“Wow...” Twilight whispered to herself. “What an amazing dragon...”
Twilight read further into the story, passing the part with the great escape, the last confrontation with the main villain, and finally, the end-of-book sex scene. The book was just about finished, and Twilight felt it time for one last session before she gave it back to Rarity. She could already feel the tingles in her stomach as she began to shift around a bit on the floor, moving her rump against it. The first thing that came to mind was a dragon, at first, and then that image morphed into Spike. Twilight didn't know why, exactly, but that was the closest thing she could really find. The only other dragons she knew of were the one from atop the mountain and the one in the forest, and they were both much larger than Rubin was in the book. Her cheeks flushed red as she thought about how the dragon she had been living with for so long was going to be used in her most private fantasies... gosh, what twist of life.
The door opened suddenly, causing Twilight to yelp out in surprise. It was Spike, and he seemed to walk in with his body slumped. Twilight didn't really take note though as she was too busy hastily wrapping the book up with her magic and getting herself off the floor.
“H-hi Spike!” Twilight greeted with an awkward grin. “I didn't expect you back so early!”
Spike stopped. He looked first at the book as it was placed back into Twilight's saddlebags, and then at Twilight and her weird looking grin. He frowned... he knew what she was doing. And now he knew that she didn't want him to see! Spike's mind began to cycle around what had happened in the past few days, running over what he just realized, back to when Twilight was acting weird around the book, then to what happened last night, and finally to what Rarity had told her. Then, he thought about the book.
The Dragon in Twilight... probably about some dark, evil dragon of the night like nightmare moon, and about how this mare and stallion come together in some big mushy romance story to stop, no, to kill the dragon and end up falling in love. And just last night, Spike had began to feel... well, feelings for Twilight, ones he hadn't had before, and then he finds this out...
“Spike...?” Twilight spoke up, seeing him just standing there with a frown on his face. “Are you alright?”
Spike looked down and sighed. He wanted to ask her straight out, but decided against it, thinking of another approach.
“I read it, Twi'...”
“Read what?” Twilight tilted her head.
“Your book...” he pointed his claw to the saddlebags. “THAT book... The Dragon in Twilight.”
“Y-you, you what...?” Twilight began to breath faster, her body shifting swiftly into a state of shock
“Yeah...” Spike sighed, adding bit of a low growl in his voice as he continued. “And I can tell why you tried to hide it from me.”
“O-oh no, Spike, I didn't mean to-”
“Heh, it's kind of funny too,” Spike interrupted, using a sarcastic tone that Twilight didn't catch on to. “I was actually liking it myself.”
Wait...
Twilight began to contemplate what was going on. Was Spike... having the same thoughts she was? No, there's no way he could, but... if he read the story too, then...
“And ya know what else?” Spike said, the rage building inside of him making him apathetic of the secrets he held, and ultimately allowing him to decide to tell her. “I liked what happened last night too.”
“L-last...” Twilight could hardly form words as she began to stutter uncontrollably, her face turning bright red.
So Spike was watching her... how should she feel about this? How should react? Wait... how did he react?
No, he didn't...
“And to think...” Spike paused for a moment, curling his claws into a fist. “That I actually joined you too...”
He did!
This was her chance... Twilight knew the risk, but... he just admitted it. There were more to these feelings she had for Spike, she knew it, and now she knew that he had the same for her. Her heart fluttered a bit at the idea, but perhaps she could have him... Spike, to be her dragon savior. At that point Twilight didn't know whether or not to feel selfish, she didn't know if these feelings were hers or from the book, but she wanted to find out.
“Spike, I-”
“No!” Spike suddenly yelled back. “I'm done with this Twilight, I don't want to be around ponies anymore if they just think I'm some monster!”
“W-w-what!? S-spike, that's not... how did you-”
“Don't lie to me!” He screamed, tears streaming down his cheeks. “I don't know why you even kept me if you thought this way about me! What was I some sort of pet to you? Some little creature you thought you could boss around until I got old enough, and then... and then do away with me!?”
At this, Twilight began to feel her own tears coming up. This is not what she had thought was happening, and her heart was breaking before her as her number one assistant continued to scream. Her mind worked its full capacity to figure it out, but if Spike read the book, then why did he think all ponies thought of them as monsters? It didn't make sense, and she had to stop this before it got out of hand.
“Spike!” Twilight finally said, stopping his rant. “I, I don't know what you're saying! I never thought of you as anything like that... you're my number one assistant, and you're not a monster!”
“LIES!” Spike took a deep breath and blew a large burst of flame, Twilight moving out of the way just in time. “You USED me, and you all HATE me!”
“No, please!” Twilight cried, hardly able to believe that Spike just tried to burn her. “It's not like that!”
“Buck you!” he growled as he turned around and started for the door.
Twilight's heart beat ferociously against her chest. Her mind told her to move, to stop Spike, to try to talk to him, but her body didn't reply. She felt so conflicted, her emotions tilted so much so rapidly that she had a hard time thinking at all. She was able to find the coordination to run up to Spike, to try to embrace him in a hug, but before she could he turned around and swiped a hand at her. His claws met with her cheek, slicing four lines through her fur and drawing blood as the force knocked her head back.
“Go away!” He yelled again, smoke puffing out of his nose with each breath.
“S-spike... no! Spike, you can't go, I won't let you, please!”
“YOU'RE NOT MY MOM!” he screamed, his rage almost overtaking him.
Twilight didn't reply. She stood still, her eyes puffy and red with tears flowing down her cheeks and to the floor as she watched Spike open the front door. She tried to form words, tried to come up with something to say to stop him, but nothing came. She stood there, helpless, hopeless, as her lifelong companion slammed the door behind him...
...and he was gone.
|
StreakTheFox
|
1228
| 6 |
Rarity,Spike,Twilight Sparkle,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Sex
|
The Dragon in Twilight
|
When Twilight reads a romance story about a dragon, she begins to rethink her feelings over Spike...
|
complete
| 1,125 | 55 |
<p>Twilight Sparkle loves reading, and romance novels are no exception. But when she reads a novel about a mare falling for a stallion who turns into a dragon at night, she begins to question her feelings towards her #1 assistant.</p>
|
mature
|
2012-04-10T02:50:21+00:00
|
2012-04-10T02:50:21+00:00
| 14,199 |
-6-
Spike didn't know where he would go. Just away, far away, from Twilight, from Ponyville, and ponies in general. He made his way to the forest, ignoring the strange looks he got as ponies stared at him running with tears in his eyes. Some became concerned, but did not react fast enough as he sprinted by before they could say anything. Spike ran, almost blindly, even going as far as the Everfree forest. He knew he was in the forest, he knew there were strange creatures there, monsters, plants, and anything that could harm him, but he didn't care. If anything this would just distance himself from what he knew hated him back at the library. He kept on running, and he did not stop. He just went on into the looming darkness of the forest, not caring if he ever came out again.
---
Pinkie Pie bounced down the streets of Ponyville, her destination being the library. She happily made her way to the house of one of her best friends, carrying her saddlebags with her that contained a fresh batch of orange-mango cupcakes. She was so excited to share her confections with her friends that she didn't even bother knocking, and barged straight into the door.
“Hey Twilight! Guess what I-” Pinkie stopped, realizing Twilight wasn't in the main room. “Huh, must be in the kitchen!” Pinkie checked the kitchen, still, no Twilight. “Hm, the basement then, some sorta cooky experiment, yeah!” She checked the basement, poking her head halfway down the steps and calling out for her, but still, no Twilight. “Hmmm... oh, oh, I know! She's up in her room!” Pinkie bounced towards the stairs, making her way up to Twilight's bedroom which was currently closed. With her excitement still high, she simply barged straight into the bedroom to show her friend, “Twilight!” Pinkie called out as she saw her friend sitting on the bed facing away from her with her head tilted downwards. “There you are, you'll never guess what I got!”
No response.
“Twilight?” Pinkie asked, tilting her head. She listened closely for a few seconds, and could make out... sobbing? And, was that her body trembling? “Twilight, are you okay? What's wrong?”
Pinkie approached her slowly, no longer bouncing, and made it to the edge of the bed before she stopped, with Twilight on the opposite side.
“Twilight, why are you crying?” Pinkie asked, able to see the tears just barely on the side of Twilight's cheek. “Did... did something bad happen?”
“Mhm...” Twilight replied with a slow nod.
Pinkie gasped just then, realizing it might be something serious. She leaped across the bed to see Twilight from the front, but was horrified by the sight of her friend. Twilight's eyes were closed with tears that had run down from her eyes all the way down to her chin and dripping to the floor with a large puddle already accumulated. Pinkie almost felt herself deflate, but kept her composure in order to help her friend.
“Twilight, what's wrong? Why are you so sad?” Pinkie asked as she gently pulled Twilight into a hug. Twilight didn't reply, she didn't even return the embrace, she only continued to cry. “Twilight, please tell me what's wrong? Pleasy weasy squeezy measy lemony weetzy?”
Twilight still didn't talk, but she nodded slowly in return. Pinkie pulled back as she saw Twilight open her eyes some and look first at her, and then something off to the side. Twilight raised one of her hooves and pointed it across the room, Pinkie looked over to see Spike's bed with nothing in it.
“Spike's bed?” Pinkie asked, confused. She looked at Twilight again, and then at the bed, and then Twilight, and then the bed one more time, then it hit her. “Hey wait, where's Spike?”
Twilight's foreleg dropped. She just stared at Pinkie pie, a stare that Pinkie pie returned with a look of confusion. Pinkie analyzed Twilight's look, it was... pleading. Twilight's eyes were wide and her bottom lip puckered up as she took a quick glance at the bed, and then back at Pinkie. Pinkie could see it just then, and her eyes widened with the sudden realization as she let out a small gasp. Hoping she was wrong, she slowly and calmly asked Twilight again...
“Twilight... wheres' Spike?”
Twilight simply dropped her head at this, her eyes closed as she cried openly, her sobs the only thing that filled the room. Pinkie's suspicions were confirmed, and she knew then that only Twilight knew the exact specifics, and she would have to try to coax them out of her, but the main issue remained the same...
Spike was missing.
---
About about four hours had passed since Spike left the library, he could tell by the position of the sun. It was getting late, and the sun would be setting in just another hour. He had long since stopped running, and simply walked further and further through the forest. This time to himself had given the adolescent dragon plenty of time to think about what had happened in the library, and more importantly, what he was going to do next. That was the only home he had, really.
He thought about going back to Canterlot, but somepony would surely recognize him there and send word to Twilight, and she would find him. Perhaps other towns like Trottingham or Manehatten, but at that point he had no way to find which way to go to get there. He was effectively lost in the forest, and as he looked out from atop a hill, all he saw was forest across the horizon. The only sign of civilization was the far-off castle in Canterlot, just barely visible by that time. Spike took a long look at it, sighed softly, and simply continued walking away.
He really had no further plan than this, his actions were impromptu. But as his stomach began to grumble, he figured he had to find some food if he wanted to maintain himself. His thoughts just then took him back to the last time he ran away, and how he stumbled upon a gem-filled cave. But just as he thought about looking for such a cave, the memories of the dragon afterward made him rethink his decision. He sighed in frustration as he realized he had nowhere else to go.
Finally, he stopped. He took a seat in a semi-clearing, with some sunlight filtering through the fanned out branches above him. He rested his head on his hands and began to think. What am I doing out here? Spike asked himself. I can't go back to the library, Twilight's just... ugh... Spike shook his head, not allowing himself to think about the lavender unicorn. Something to him didn't seem right about the whole thing, about him, and her, like... perhaps he was missing something. Like there was some sort of detail that he didn't catch... but before he thought about it too much, he dismissed the thought, and moved on. Maybe... nah, I can't go to Zecora's... she would tell me to go back home too. But what if... he looked straight forward, an idea coming to mind. Would if I could go back with other dragons? Like, return to them I guess... maybe I can even find my family. My REAL family... but, where do I start looking?
Spike decided that the best way to find a dragon would be to see it fly across the sky. And in order to do that, he would have to watch the skies. So, Spike managed to climb on top of one of the trees on the hill he was on and sat down on a branch atop the canopy. He stared outwards, sitting back against the main stem of the tree as he watched... and wait...
...and still kept thinking...
---
Most of Ponyville was already very active with ponies searching high and low for the town's only dragon resident. After Pinkie Pie's confrontation with Twilight, she immediately went around Ponyville and started getting ponies to go around searching for Spike. Twilight, after taking the time to regain her composure, had joined in on the search. While most of the ponies looked around the town itself, some of them – including Twilight – thought that Spike would venture out to the Everfree forest. There was already a party entering out through the forest, including all of the mane 6. Pegasi like Rainbow Dash were out giving a birds-eye view while other ponies like Fluttershy provided safe navigation through the dense forest. They even hooked Zecora into this, using her knowledge of the forest to aid in her search.
But amongst them all, Twilight Sparkle was traveling through the deepest. Though she was still heavily effected by her emotions, her logical side was able to step in and make an educated guess as to what Spike had done. If it was anything like last time, Spike would have probably just kept going into the forest, especially with the fit he was in. Twilight knew this, and just kept going straight as well, galloping the entire way as she used all of her senses – magic included – to search the immediate area around her.
Twilight pressed on, going so fast in one direction that her friends soon lost track of her. She didn't mind though, she knew she could handle herself in the forest, it was Spike she was worried about. All alone in the forest, anything could happen to him! She had to find him before it was too late, and with the sun setting in about an hour, she knew she had little time before her chances diminished drastically.
“Please Spike...” she to nothing in particular. “Please be okay...”
---
Spike watched the sun from his treetop seat. The sky was orange as the sun was nearing its setting point, the bottom of the fiery circle just barely sitting above the horizon. He hadn't seen anything the whole time, and decided to turn in for the night. He slid himself down the tree and began to dig into the dirt, thankful that his claws were able to effectively pierce through the soft ground and scoop out ample amounts of earth with it. In only a few minutes he had burrowed several feet down and began making a widened expanse. It was like his own little cave, and though it was filthy, it would keep him safe. He jumped out and began collecting some large leaves from a few bushes, setting them beside his hole to use as cover in the night so nothing finds it. As he finished that, he stopped an sat down to relax.
He had calmed down a lot by that time, and he was no longer angry, just... sad. He was hurting inside, and constantly felt the urge to break out to tears. How could the pony who he lived with all his life read a book like that? The only explanation at the time was that she did think he was some sort of monster, that dragons were just... creatures. Destructive, evil creatures that only wanted to hurt other things, just like the ones he met during the great migration. He sighed at this, and simply laid back as he tried to clear his mind.
Then he heard it...
He sat up, listening more closely. There it was, it was soft, but he recognized that sound... Spike immediately took off on a short jog in the direction of the noise, and just as he suspected, there was a river nearby. Upon closer inspection, there were even some berry bushes nearby – and they looked edible.
“Oh wow, just my luck!” he said aloud as he rushed to the river. He dove his head into the water, washing his face first. A feeling of refreshment washed over him as he pulled his head out, aiding to clear his mind. Next on the list was not to clear, but to fill up – more specifically, fill up his stomach. He rushed to the berry bush and began picking out berries, munching them down as rapidly as he picked them off. They were delicious! The taste was like that of raspberries mixed with strawberries sort of... neat.
He continued eating, but noticed that It was getting much darker faster than he expected. Thinking quickly, he grabbed a low-hanging branch from a nearby tree and tugged it off. He drew in a quick breath, and blew his fire on the tip, careful not to ignite it and send it off to the princess. If it just burned like regular fire, and was not fully engulfed, then his fire would simply act like a normal red one. Satisfied with the extra light, Spike quickly stuck the stick upright in the ground and continued to feast, his belly progressively filling up.
But in his haste to eat more, Spike failed to set the lit stick in firmly enough. The stick, without him realizing, tipped over and fell right onto a bush on the opposite side, away from Spike's field of focus. The bush quickly caught fire, this time with red flame, not his green one. Only the fire that derives from his throat is green, fires that come from that and shift to different materials turn to regular fire. The bush burned, and soon the tree next to it did as well. Spike, taking note of the extra light, turned around to see a whole tree set ablaze.
“Oh crap, fire! Forest fire!” he yelled out as he flailed his arms.
He tried rushing to the river to splash water on it with his claws, but it was no use. The tree burned furiously, illuminating the entire area around it. Spike could only stand back and watch, realizing that he may have just started a devastating fire. The flames began to lick at the leaves and branches of other trees, beginning to char at their bark and smolder their greens. It was only a matter of time before-
Without warning, a stream of water magically flew over him and to the fire, putting half of it out immediately. Spike was dumbfounded, but watched as another stream came in, spraying down the rest of the tree and effectively putting out the flame. But he saw the water well enough that time, and he was able to see the purple aura around it. He knew what that meant, and as he turned around slowly, his suspicions – once again – were confirmed.
Right there, not ten feet away, stood Twilight Sparkle, her horn going dark as a pillar of water receded back into the river. Her mane was a mess, her coat covered in bits of plants dirt while her eyes were baggy and red. She stood there, her expression shifting from the excitement and relief of finding him, to one of pleading and resentment. She parted her lips slightly to speak, but stopped, not feeling any words form for her to give out. She looked down for a moment, and then up again at the stunned and surprised Spike. She couldn't say anything, but she could still move, so she took one hoofstep towards him...
And he took one backwards.
Twilight gasped inwardly at that, but she followed up with another forward step.
Spike took another back.
“...Spike...?” She finally managed to get out. But as soon as she had closed her mouth, Spike had turned around and dashed off into the forest. “Spike, no! WAIT!”
Twilight took off in a dash towards him, moving at full speed. She couldn't lose him again, not when she was so close. She had the book with her, in her saddlebags, if he could just get him to sit down and read it for a bit-
A clearing came up ahead as she gained on Spike. She was only a few steps away from them when they came upon the clearing, and Spike went airborne. There was an immediate break-off from a large canyon, and Spike was mid-sprint when he went over it. He yelled out in surprise as he flew across, just barely managing to catch onto the edge of the other side with his claws. But that was not enough, he didn't have a good grip and he was slipping. Twilight was able to stop herself in time, and she saw Spike about to lose his grip and fall. Thinking quickly, she fed magic into her horn and pushed him up, enabling him to get onto the edge and be safe. She sighed slightly in relief, but then saw Spike continuing to run away.
“S-Spike! Please, stop!” Twilight cried out as she backed up a few paces, and then made her own running dash over the large crevice. She made it – just barely – and continued on after Spike.
She pursued her dragon assistant further, dashing through the rapidly darkening forest. It was almost pitch black, and they were just barely dodging the trees in front of them. She could hear Spike ahead of him, he was constantly running through bushes and giving out short yelps of pain as he bashed into trees and other hard objects along the way. He was going to knock himself out at this rate! Reacting to this, Twilight lit up her horn brightly, feeding light into their surroundings. She even sent a bolt of light forward, making the spell hold the ball above Spike to provide him with some illumination.
Even with Twilight's obvious assistance, Spike didn't stop. Twilight continued to call after him, but he would only reply with words like “NO!” or “Go away!” each time. Twilight was getting desperate, she wanted to use her magic on him to hold him down, but she knew if she did that then he would never give in, it would scar him forever! She did her best to plead to him, while help him any way she could.
The two eventually came to a small clearing, and Spike dashed straight into a cave right in a mountainside. He swatted at the light above his head, dispelling the orb and turning out the light so he could hide himself. Twilight followed close by, shining her light brighter than ever in order to find him. She slowed her pace as she went through the cave, realizing it had to end somewhere. She could hear Spike's steps echo through the cave, but suddenly, they stopped. Twilight figured he had reached such a dead end and hurried forward. But as she reached the dragon, she realized the situation was not what she anticipated.
Before her was a large collection of large webs strung further into the cave. Spike was stick in the middle of the mess, his limbs restrained by the sticky elastic substance.
“Spike!” Twilight called to him as she approached. “Don't worry, I'll get you out!”
“Gah!” Spike cried out as he looked down into the cave, suddenly struggling with all his might.
Twilight looked down as well, and was able to see a countless number of red orbs floating through the darkness. Then she heard it, little pricks and prods at the dirt, as if a million things were tapping against the ground. She and Spike both knew what it was...
“Cave spiders!” Twilight gasped as she saw them beginning to come into the light of her horn. “Oh no, Spike, hold on, I'll get you out!”
Twilight worked her magic on Spike first, attempting to pull him free, but the elastic was too strong, able to hold down even a fully grown mantacore with merely one layer of web. Twilight focused more, feeding more magic into Spike, trying her best to yank him off, but to no avail. The spiders got closer, with some running ahead of the pack to get to Spike. Twilight quickly refocused her magic and blasted the few at the front away, sending them back into the depths of the cave.
The mass continued though, and Twilight knew she couldn't blast them all back. Her heart raced as she adjusted her focus to the web, trying to use her magic to sever it. Time was running out, but the web gradually became thinner around Spike, and soon began to sag down. Another spider leaped for the dragon, landing right on his bag just as Twilight grabbed onto it with her magic. She pulled it off as the very tip of its fangs touched his back, leaving a slight trail of purple, poisonous venomous dripping down his scales, and used it as a bat as she swatted away several more advancing spiders. She grew desperate, feeding as much magic as she could just then into the web.
Finally, with a soft sloshing sound, Spike and the piece of web on him fell to the ground just as the whole mass of Spiders reached the outer web layer. Twilight picked him up with her magic and carried him out of the cave, galloping as fast as she could. In only a few seconds they were out of the cave, and away from the spiders within. But, just for a safe measure, they traveled further alongside the mountain to ensure they were out of the spiders' grasps.
Twilight used a spell on the terrain, and was able to quickly find another, smaller cave, one that only went in for about thirty feet. She carried Spike in there with her, who was still mostly immobile from the web stuck on his body. She gently set him down on the ground, her magic working again on the bindings between him and the web. She focused with only small spots at a time, tugging them off and working on the web as a whole. Twilight looked at Spike's face; it was blank, expressionless, he just stared off into the distance. She wondered what was going through his mind, but stayed on task.
Finally, the last piece was being worked off. She gave it a good yank, and off it came... and off he went. Without warning, Spike made a mad dash for the exit. He almost made it out when Twilight pounced on top of him, holding him down with her hooves.
“LEMME GO!” He growled, breathing out fire in random directions, singing the edge of Twilight's hair.
“No Spike, wait!” Twilight pleaded desperately. “I have to talk to you, this is all a big misunderstanding!”
“Oh right, so now you're gonna tell me you don't hate dragons, huh!?” Spike fumed with anger, turning his head to look Twilight straight in her eyes as he continued. “What, ya miss me being your slave all the time? Is that the only reason you keep me around!?” Spike knew deep down that Twilight didn't really treat him like a slave, but he didn't care, his anger was getting the best of him as he just poured out what came to his mind without much thought.
“Spike, that... that's not it at all!” she replied, feeling tears come to her eyes. “How... how could you even think of such a thing? You a... a slave? That's... that's not anything close to it at all... you're my number one assistant...” Twilight sniffled lightly as she tried to hold back her tears.
“Right, I was your assistant!” he emphasized, trying to justify his anger. “Not your personal duty boy that would always run around and do this and do that for you while you just sat on your flank and read books all day, making a bunch of messes for me to clean up! How fair that? You never clean up after yourself, you just leave me to do it! ALL of it!” Spike struggled further, even going as far as digging his claws into one of Twilight's legs, making her yelp in pain.
“Spike...!” she gasped as she bit onto her lip to stop from screaming out in pain. “That... you're hurting me...!” Tears continued to well up into her eyes until they overflowed, dripping down her face. “Y-you've never hurt me before...”
“Yeah well you-” Spike wasn't paying attention to Twilight's expression before, but when he felt a tear drop on his face, he immediately stopped, turning his gaze straight up to look at her.
Her eyes leaked tears rapidly as she continued to look down at him, her eyes filled with sorrow, regret, and depression. Spike's emotions practically turned over on themselves, and his anger at here practically dissipated in seconds. He could see it... he could feel it. The words she said, what she was saying to her, they... they were true. She was telling the truth, all of it, and now she could see. Sure he was still upset at her, but he quickly realized as he looked down at his claws and saw the bits of blood beginning to drip down her leg. With a gasp he pulled away, not intending to hurt her so much, just he just wanted to get her off of him. He looked up again, suddenly feeling a heavy weight of regret as his look changed from surprised, to pleading.
“Twilight, I...” Spike stopped, pulling up his claws to look at the bits of blood on them. “I... I didn't mean to... your leg, and...” an epiphany struck him.
If Twilight was telling the truth now... then perhaps she had been the whole time. He thought about the recent events, back in the forest when he ran into several dangerous situations, and each and every time Twilight helped him out of it. From the forest fire to the canyon, and from the light to the tunnel of deadly spiders, Twilight didn't care if he was trying to run away from him, or that he might hate her, she wanted to help him. She... she cared for him, just as she had always said. He then turned his mind to only a few moments ago when he persecuted her of using him as a slave... he knew it wasn't true, but he said it anyways... why?
But, he knew why. He read parts of that book... that book that Twilight had read, and obviously seemed to love so much. The Dragon in Twilight... just, what was it exactly? Did he miss something? He didn't read the whole book, he never had the chance, but... should he have? The parts he read all pointed to dragons being evil, bloodthirsty monsters of destruction, but was there more to it in the story? Was there, and Spike was just a complete, misunderstanding idiot this entire time?
He looked back up to Twilight, her face unchanged as more tears began to drip down her eyes. Spike knew he did wrong... he knew he did very wrong. He returned his arms to himself, holding them tight to his body as he no longer fought Twilight back. He closed his eyes and lowered his head, keeping his chin to his chest as he curled his tail and his limbs up against himself.
“Twilight...” Spike said with a slight whimper. “I... I think I made a big mistake...”
Twilight, streams of tears still flowing from her eyes, allowed herself a slight smile as she realized she just might have gotten through to him.
“Spike...” she said softly amidst light sobbing. “It's okay spike... I'm here for you...”
“But, why?” Spike asked as he opened his eyes to look at her. “After I, I mean... I thought, I thought you hated me...”
“But why?” Twilight tilted her head. “Why did you get so mad all of a sudden, and where did you get the idea that I hated you...?”
“The book...” He replied slowly, his voice conveying his inward pain. “I, I told you I read it, and all the parts I read had ponies just... hating dragons, calling them mean, evil, dangerous things that would cause nothing but trouble. I just, I think that, after I read that and with how I noticed you liked the book so much, I just...”
“...you only read those parts of the book...” Twilight continued for him, suddenly realizing the spawn of his rage. “So all you thought, all you knew was just that it was about hating dragons?”
“I... mhm,” Spike mumbled with a hesitant nod. “Is it... it's not like that at all, is it?” He asked, wondering if his newly found fears were true or not.
“No, it's not...” Twilight replied as she saw Spike flinch at this. “Spike, did you by chance, like, ever bother to read the back?”
At this, Twilight floated the book out of her saddlebags. Spike watched as the book floated down to him, its back already turned and the words coming into view. Quickly, he scanned over the words on the back, reading each in his head as if he were saying them aloud...
On a cool spring morning, a lonely mare finds a stallion with a heart as pure as the whitest light. But the stallion holds secrets with him that still haunt him every day, and every night...
Can Rosalina see past the his menacing form at night, or can she truly see the stallion for what he really is?
Pony by day,
Dragon by night...
A story of love and pain,
To be settled at Twilight...
“Wait...” Spike stopped, feeling his heart skip a beat. “This is a love story... between a female pony and a male dragon?”
“Mhm...” Twilight nodded, the tears no longer streaming from her face.
Spike suddenly felt a shiver run up his spine as he realized everything was indeed a big misunderstanding. How stupid of me... he thought. I... just just hurt Twilight, I cause her so much pain, and, and earlier at the library... she looked eager before I went off on her. Were her feelings just then... and last night, and the book, does that mean...
All the pieces fell into place, and everything came together. Spike's feelings... Twilight's feelings... the book and what it was about... he suddenly realized what it all meant. He suddenly had a very good idea of what Twilight read last night, and what she may had been visualizing in her head in place of any other dragon...
...it was him.
Author Note: Though this chapter is over 5,000 words long, for some reason it feels rushed to me...
anybrony else get that feeling? I hope not.
|
StreakTheFox
|
1228
| 7 |
Rarity,Spike,Twilight Sparkle,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Sex
|
The Dragon in Twilight
|
When Twilight reads a romance story about a dragon, she begins to rethink her feelings over Spike...
|
complete
| 1,125 | 55 |
<p>Twilight Sparkle loves reading, and romance novels are no exception. But when she reads a novel about a mare falling for a stallion who turns into a dragon at night, she begins to question her feelings towards her #1 assistant.</p>
|
mature
|
2012-09-29T15:09:03+00:00
|
2012-09-29T15:09:03+00:00
| 17,536 |
-7-
The sun had long set by now, and the moon was already well on its way to taking its position high in the sky. The Everfree forest is even more dangerous during the night then it is they day, so instead of heading back to home, Twilight and Spike decide to stay the night in the small cave they had ended up in. They already checked it out, no spiders, no bears, and no other sorts of dangers lurked inside the cave. It only went into the mountain thirty feet after all, and it was only taller than Twilight by an addition of half her height, so most large creatures wouldn't even think to use it as a home.
The events of less than an hour ago had driven Spike to seek more accurate answers, and wished to see himself where in the book the relationship between the dragon and the pony grew, and just how the hate against dragons that he read tied into all of this. Twilight, though hesitant to show Spike a novel that has such intimate scenes, ultimately agreed as she sat down beside the young dragon and read the book alongside him while providing illumination with her horn. She was nervous about Spike perhaps running into an intimate scene, and had already managed to convince him to skip the first one when Rubin was still a stallion. But as they read on, Spike became more and more stubborn when it came to skipping content. He wanted to read everything, including the few parts with gore and violence.
Fires had broken out all over the small village of Canterville as the rogue dragon raged through without any resistance. It breathed fire at anything, carts, stands, homes, ponies, it didn't matter to it. All it seemed to desire was the total annihilation of the pony settlement for its own entertainment. Screams and cries for help echoed through the night air as the illumination from the fires gave a dreadful red glow to everything in the area.
Rosalina was caught between a mixture of terror and disbelief. She heard the rumors, but she never thought them to be true before... could his Rubin truly be a dragon, the same one that is destroying her beloved home town? She couldn't think straight at the time, and found such a truth almost impossible to believe, yet it was all right there in front of her...
“Wait...” Spike said, interrupting the story. “I thought you said-”
“Just keep reading, Spike... you'll see,” Twilight replied with a soft smile.
Spike sighed slightly, feeling a bit unnerved by what he was reading, but decided to continue with Twilight's reassurance.
Rosalina tripped suddenly, her back left hoof getting caught by an exposed tree root. She stumbled to the ground hard as a jolt of pain shot up her front right leg. She feared that it might be sprained. As she cringed over her hurt leg, a crashing sound erupted behind her. She turned over only to look at death in the face; the dragon destroying the city was there, no less than twenty feet away from her. Her pupils dilated as her heart seemed to try to pound out of her chest. Was this creature really her Rubin? Was this what he was really like inside...?
...No, this... this wasn't him. Those eyes, the color of its scales, that... that wasn't her Rubin. Rubin had eyes of brilliant gold that shined in the darkness, not a dark crimson. And Rubin's scales were green and yellow, not brown and charcoal. This certainly wasn't him, so she suspected it immediately to be a real, natural dragon, but as it drew closer, she saw a grin appear on its face.
“Ah, what do I have here?” It said with its tongue slithering out of its mouth as it approached Rosalina. “I see I have found myself quite an unexpected treat...”
“W-wha...” Rosalina tried to form her words, fear still scrambling her mind as she tried to form a rebuttal. “Who... who are you? How do you know my name you scoundrel!?”
“Scoundrel? Oh ho ho...” it chucked as it brought itself almost directly on top of her, its long neck craning its head down in front of hers. “So you think I'm a scoundrel, do you?”
“I...” Rosalina gulped, her body shivering uncontrollably. “Y-yes...”
“Am I just a scoundrel, or a monster too?”
“...Mhm,” she nodded.
“What about a beast? A fiend, a death-dealing abomination, or a scourge that should be whiped out from the face of this planet!?” The dragon suddenly found itself screaming at her. “Am I all of that too, Rosalina!?”
Rosalina did a double take... how did this dragon know her? She stared again into its eyes, not able to look away, when suddenly... that flicker. She could see it in its eyes, that flicker of malice, of the desire to do malicious deeds, she only saw that flicker in one other being...
“...Markus Malcom...” Rosalina said after a long pause.
“Oooohh...” Spike said with a sudden realization. “I think I know where this is going...”
“Starting to understand now, Spike?”
“I think so...”
“Hehehe...” he replied, pulling his head back away from hers. “So you figured it out that quick, have you?”
“Why, Markus? For what reason do you have to destroy this village!?” Rosalina asked as she felt tears form up in her eyes. “Why would you come down and attack my home and my friends...?”
“Fool,” Markus sneered as he turned his body to the side. “I'm only doing you a favor now, before he does it later...”
“He...? No, how can-”
“Rubin, yes, him...” Markus looked at the burning buildings around him, and then back at Rosalina. “He's going to destroy you, you know. He's going to attack your emotions first, and then your physical body... you will die, because of him.”
“D-don't say that, Rubin would never-”
“Never talks about his past or where he's been, has he?” Markus interrupted. “He's done it so many times before, it's as if he just can't help himself.” He paused to look at the surprised face of Rosalina, and then gave off a hardy laugh before continuing. “Did you really think he would be your knight in shining armor!? I'm doing this now to show you his ways... the dragons' ways. We are all like this, in the end, which means Rubin too, is like this...”
Markus turned away from her fully as his wings flared out, flapping a few times in preparation to take flight. He looked back once more to examine a completely crying and broken down Rosalina on the ground, a smirk showing on his face as he watches her for a few moments.
“One day you too will learn to hate dragons, just as all ponies do... Goodbye, Rosalina.” And with that, he gave a powerful flap of his wings, and off he went into the night sky.
“So wait, why would Rubin do something like that?” Spike asked as he flipped the page to the start of the next chapter. “I thought that-”
“He wouldn't, Spike,” Twilight interrupted. “Markus is the primary antagonist, the real bad guy in the story. He's the one that wants to make the dragons seem bad to everypony so that they, and Rubin, will all be hated.”
“But why?” Spike asked. “What good is it to make dragons so hated?”
“You find that out later on, actually,” Twilight said as she thought back to when she read about Rubin's and Markus' pasts. “But for now, just know it has something to do with what happened to Rubin and him a long time ago... a grudge sort of thing. Okay?”
“Okay...” Spike sighed as he continued on to the next chapter. Though he did not like all the hate towards dragons, he was at least starting to feel more comfortable with the information that was given to him. There was a reason this book had anti-dragon scenes, and it was because of the main villain... now he really wanted to know how it would all play out.
Over half an hour later and Twilight was starting to think about getting some sleep. She has already stopped reading along with Spike for a while, but he still seemed very infatuated with the book. With his nonstop reading at a surprisingly fast pace, Twilight has taken her time to mainly blank out and think about a few things.
Her thoughts sometimes travel to her home, and how she hoped Owlowiscous has everything under control while he's away, even though there's really not much to maintain there in the first place. Then she thinks about her friends, and silently wonders if they are still out searching. She'd been so worried about Spike that she somehow spaced that they had followed her in to the forest to help her, and that made her feel bad... she made a mental note to forgive them for their troubles when they get back, and hoped that they didn't find themselves in any sort of bad situation.
But then her thoughts would travel to Spike, and how he was taking in the story. Would he really understand what exactly was going on, or would he still feel uncomfortable, or even angry that Twilight would read a book with stuff like that in it? At the same time, with what he told her earlier today, could his thoughts perhaps swing towards the side of acceptance? Or perhaps even...
Twilight looked over to Spike and the book to see what part he was on, but suddenly noticed a bright blush on his face. Twilight's ears perked up, and immediately she began scanning through the words on the page he was reading. Oh no... she gasped to herself. He's on the love scene between dragonified Rubin and Rosalina! It's the same one from last night! Twilight thought about interrupting Spike to keep his eyes off such content, but it was too late, he was already deep into the intimacy scene and there was no turning back. Oh no, he's never going to forget this, it's going to scar him for life...
Or...
Another thought popped into Twilight's mind. This one came bearing much resemblance to the same one she had just before Spike stormed out of the library earlier that afternoon. She could use this... it was her perfect chance. She thought about it already, and she still so desperately wanted to 'experiment' with things – putting it scientifically – with Spike so that she could really tell if they both shared similar feelings, or perhaps... even more.
Twilight leaned her head just besides Spike's, her gaze set upon the book but her focus on her peripheral vision to allow her to watch his movements. Slowly, she brought a hoof over him, settling it down against his stomach. The touch jolted him out of his deep immersion as his body jumped ever so slightly. His eyes darted to look at Twilight's hoof, then at her, and then at her hoof again, the blush still burning strong on his cheeks.
“Twi...?” He asked hesitantly, his breathing starting to get heavy.
“Are you enjoying it?” Twilight asked as she tried to seem focused on the page still.
“H-huh?” Spike almost did a double take as she watched her read along with him, even going as far as turning a page in the book once she had gotten to the end of the page, which he had already reached.
“The book, are you...” Twilight took a quick, yet deep breath as she started to feel her own cheeks flush red. “...Enjoying it, Spike?”
Twilight allowed herself a loot at the young dragon, who in turn looked back at her. They stared into each other's eyes for a few moments before Spike looked away, trying to press his focus back on the book. He was extremely nervous, his heart racing as thoughts began running through his mind. What happened in the story... was Twilight trying to edge him into something? More specifically, was it that something!?
“Uh, I...” he stammered, trying to stay composed. “I, I do, actually... I do like it, a lot.”
Twilight smiled at hearing this, and she then began rubbing her hoof gently on Spike's stomach in small circles. Spike didn't move his head, but his eyes peered down at the hoof that caressed him.
“That's good...” Twilight whispered to him as she leaned closer. “I enjoyed this book a lot myself you know, it was a very... enlightening experience.”
Spike's breathing got heavier at this, realizing the seductive tone in Twilight's voice. His eyes darted over to look at her, and he could see the seductive smile on her face, her eyes half-lidded while her head tilted slightly. A shiver ran up his spine as he felt her hoof stop rubbing in circles, and begin rubbing in more of an up and down motion, drawing dangerously close to his lower abdominal area.
“En... enlightening?” He asked, the words on the page becoming harder and harder to focus on as Twilight continued to lean closer.
“That's right Spike...” She whispered again, her hoof sliding gradually lower down his body. “It made me realize some things, some things about us in particular... some things we should perhaps try to... experiment with...”
She leaned in closer as her breath intensified more as well. Spike could feel her breath getting stronger, its warmth spreading through his scales as he passively found himself starting to get more energized. He was a reptile, a cold-blooded creature, and with Twilight's body up against his with her hoof and breath providing even further additions to his temperature gain, it was only natural that he would become more active as a result.
“E-.... Ex, Experi-ment...?” He was stuttering, his mind unable to focus properly as his senses came to him. “What.. whadya mean?” He gulped, realizing he asked a question he knew already knew the answer to.
“Experiment, with you and me... I mean, well, it's all in the book,” Twilight began as she took a quick glance at the novel, with Spike following suit. “The mare and the dragon, getting so close they can feel each other's breaths...” Twilight gave another hot breath that flushed heat through Spike's body. “Feel each other's embrace...” she leaned into him even more, her neck and chest pressing against his side as her other hoof slid around his back. “And experience each other's passion...” with that, Twilight's hoof slid all the way down Spike's body and between his legs as she pressed against two particular scales.
Spike gasped softly, closing his eyes as he felt his dragonhood come out and quickly begin enlarging. Spike leaned back a bit as well, his upper body supported by Twilight's other hoof as he gave out a long sigh, feeling Twilight's hoof press against his member. He couldn't believe it, he was with Twilight, and she was about to start servicing him... and for some reason, it felt so right to him, like it was something he'd wanted for a long time. He couldn't explain it, but the fact that he lived with her all his life, the fact that she's always been there, always supported and comforted him, it just... he felt comfortable with her, comfortable enough to allow her to share her love with him, and his love to hers.
Twilight looked down as she stroked Spike's member, taking in everything about it. It was still growing, she could see it throbbing slightly as her hoof stroked up and down its length. She leaned closer to it, wanting to know more about it.
The look; It was pink and rigid along the sides, its tip somewhat pointed. The feel; it was soft on the outside, but as she pressed down it quickly became firm as she felt it become fully erect. The smell; she leaned down, taking a big whiff of Spike's member. It was a musky stench, and it stunk of his hormones that only aroused her further.
And finally, the taste... Twilight licked at her lips, giving the shaft one last look-over before closed her eyes and pushed her head down, taking half of it in all at once.
“Nyah!” Spike gasped out as his eyes suddenly shot open.
He felt his shaft pulsing as Twilight's tongue began swirling around it, leaving no spot untouched as she worked her lips against it. He wiggled his hips slightly from the sensation, unable to control some of the movements his body was making. It felt so good, so very good, he couldn't even begin to describe what it felt like, even as Twilight lowered her head further, taking the entire length into her mouth.
Twilight continued to work her tongue on Spike, enjoying the taste of his throbbing member. She could still smell his musk, and it continued to arouse her even further. She pulled up her head slowly, getting about half way up, and then down again. The action coaxed a moan out from Spike, once that made her grin a bit even with her mouth already wrapped tightly around him. She pulled up again, and pushed down, and up, and down again, over and over. His bulging cock continued to slide in and out of her mouth, sending waves of pleasure through Spike's body.
Spike could only moan out loudly as his muscles began to spasm. He reached over and grabbed onto Twilight's head with one hand, gripping it firmly while his hips bucked up to meet her at each descent. His moans increased as his legs began twitching from the jolts being sent through his nerves. He continued moaning out, sometimes whispering out Twilight's name as she continued to suck on him.
After a while Twilight pulled off, saliva trailing from her lips as she looked wide-eyed at his fully erect member. She licked her lips again, her pussy growing moist from the desire to feel him inside of her as deep as he could go. But before she made her move she looked up at Spike as she was still leaned over him, seeing his heavy panting as he laid back against her leg.
“Spike?” She asked calmly.
“Huh? Wah?” Spike leaned up a bit, trying to regain full sense of things
“Are you... alright?” Twilight leaned up a bit , her face coming over to his.
“Y-yeah, I was just... I...” Spike took a deep sigh as he shook his head just a bit. “I never felt something like that before... it was amazing Twilight.”
“Do you... want to experiment more?” She asked, leaning over him with the intent of progressing further.
Spike wanted to say something, but he couldn't. He just stared at her as she stared back, their gazes locked together. After that brief pause Spike suddenly lunged his head forwards, putting a claw softly against Twilight's cheek as he pressed their lips together. Twilight was surprised at first, but quickly returned the kiss, their lips massaging together as they both closed their eyes. Their tongues pushed out and against each other's, their kiss turning more passionate while their bodies got up and pressed closer together. In another moment Twilight was on her back with Spike on top of her, the two still making out furiously as his legs clamped against her sides. He tried humping her, but his size didn't allow his member to go low enough.
Twilight broke the kiss, pushing his body down a bit with her front hooves to encourage him to go forth with his desire. Spike quickly caught on, climbing down the short distance it took to get himself between her haunches and firmly clamped onto her again. Twilight looked down at him as he looked back, the tip of his cock already pressed against her moist lips. She gave him a quick nod, her hips swaying lightly in anticipation. Spike proceeded hesitantly, first pushing in his tip and getting a feel of Twilight's wetness. Twilight moaned softly, and then pushed her hips to him after he paused, pushing him in slightly further.
Spike prodded himself against her for a few moments, getting himself in a sort of preparatory rhythm before he tightened his grip and thrust his hips forward, gasping out along with Twilight as he slid in deep. Spike's body seemed to begin moving on its own just then, his hips pushing back and forth over and over as he continued to tighten his grip. Twilight's head flung back, her body writhing as she felt the intense waves of pleasure course through her. Spike picked up the pace, jerking his hips in over and over as each thrust slapped his body against Twilight's.
Twilight's moans picked up as her back hooves wrapped around Spike, holding him as close up against her as he could while he continued driving in. Spike's cock went in as deep as it could, the ridges on the side adding even more pleasure that Twilight would have dreamed. Her mouth hung open with her eyes half-lidded as she drooled slightly, overwhelmed by the intense sensation. With so much rocking through her so fast, she already had her climax beginning to build up.
Spike was trying to stay as concentrated as he could as he still pushed in more, not letting up for even a moment. He panted hard, and though he didn't moan as loud as Twilight he still gave off his own grunts and short gasps as their heat overtook them. He had never experienced such passion in his life, and he was also nearing his climax, feeling the pressure building up low between his legs.
And then, after a few more hardy thrusts, Spike couldn't hold himself in. He gasped out loud as he held his member inside of Twilight with his last thrust, his hot juices pouring out of him and filling her up completely. Twilight, as soon as she felt Spike's climax, released her own as she moaned out as loud as she could, practically to a scream. Her juices mixed with his and caused her to overflow, the mixture gushing out of her. Their bodies trembled together as their climaxes held on for a few more moments, and then began to subside, draining the energy from their bodies.
Exhaustion quickly gripped the two as they tried to catch their breaths. Twilight laid back with her limbs spread out while Spike laid forward, his head resting on her belly with his member slowly retracting out of her. They were both hot, messy, and depleted of energy, but still they kept themselves awake, even for a bit longer. Twilight fed magic through her horn, lifting Spike up gently to sit on her stomach to allow his face to come up to hers. Spike looked at Twilight, and she gave him a soft, sweet smile. Spike smiled back, but then yawned slightly as he felt his eyes get heavy.
Twilight knew he was tired, as she was also tired as well. She kissed Spike on the lips before gently turning onto her side, wrapping her tail around him as he curled up against her. There the two lay, their bodies resting as they minds were about to follow suit. But before Twilight felt herself slip out of consciousness, she felt spike move his head up. She looked down to seem him looking at her, one of his arms reaching out to wrap around her waist as best it could.
“Twilight,” he said softly. “I love you...”
“I love you too, Spike...”
---
The morning light fed into the cave as it just so happened to be facing towards the rising sun. The light was quick to creep in and shine over the two that slept near the back, tingling their bodies slightly with the additional warmth. The air was cool with a light wind, and there were hardly any clouds in the sky. In the distance a few birds could be heard chirping as the sound of morning nature began to spread its music across the forest.
The sunlight spread its rays into the cave, and began bearing down on Twilight's face. Slowly she awoke from her sleep, and batted her eyes a few times as her senses came to. She was still in the cave, with Spike, after the wonderful events of last night. She looked down at her assistant and smiled, giving him a kiss on the cheek before she carefully got up off the ground. She stretched out her limbs for a little bit, getting the stiffness out of her joints while aiding her wake-up process. Once comfortable, she slowly trotted out to the entrance of the cave.
The scenery was beautiful. The sun was just over the horizon, and their cave was a bit elevated over the majority of the forest, giving her a view of the foliage-covered valley before her. She never really noticed just how beautiful such a wild place could be sometimes, but it seems that you just need to get past the darkness of under the canopy to see the brilliant light to show off its beauty...
Twilight's train of thought cut off as she heard a noise from inside the cave. Turning around, she saw Spike leaning up while in the middle of a big yawn. Twilight smiled and turned to go back into the cave with him.
“Good morning, Spike,” Twilight greeted as she leaned down and gave him a nuzzle.
“Oh, good morning Twilight,” Spike replied with a smile as he nuzzled her back, a slight blush on his face.
“How did you sleep?”
“Great!” he said as he jumped onto his feet, seeming full of energy. “I don't think I've ever slept so great before. How about you?”
“I slept very well myself,” Twilight smiled back as she leaned a little closer to him. “Thanks to you sleeping with me...”
“Heh, yeah, hehe...” Spike blushed more, rubbing the back of his neck with his claw. “By the way, I really enjoyed, um... last night...”
Twilight could see Spike blushing hard, and she felt her own cheeks get warm as well as her thoughts briefly traveled to last night. The love, the passion... she wanted to repeat it again, but she didn't think it would be best to push Spike into that again so soon.
“I did too, Spike...” Twilight giggled a bit. “And ya know, you are really adorable when you blush like that.”
“H-hey!” Twilight's comment only made Spike's face turn even redder as he turned to try to hide himself.
“Oh don't worry about it,” Twilight hoofed at him playfully before turning towards the entrance of the cave. “By the way, I think we should get back to Ponyville now... I know everypony must be worried sick by now.”
“Oh yeah, right...” Spike lowered his head, feeling guilty as he realized that his running away would certainly cause distress amongst his friends. “Twilight, I'm sorry for running away like that... it wasn't right of me, I just assumed the wrong things and,” Spike sighed, trying to hold back a few tears that started to work their way up from the back of his eyes.
Twilight lightly kissed Spike's cheek before nuzzling him again. He looked at her as she gave him a comforting smile, the kind of smile that told him everything would be forgiven, and that it was going to be alright. Spike smiled back, and gave her a big hug. He broke away after a few seconds and began walking towards the entrance of the cave, the spectacular sight of the landscape before them coming into view. He looked out in aw at the scene just as Twilight had. It was gorgeous, and the only thing he seemed to find more beautiful at the moment was the mare that had just began nuzzling up his side and up to his cheek again.
Spike smiled and closed his eyes, sliding an arm around Twilight's neck and hugging her tight as he nuzzled back. Nuzzling soon turned to a few playful licks, and that turned into light kissing, which then evolved into making out passionately. The two pressed themselves against each other again, their breathing getting heavier as their heat began to rise. It had just been last night since they did it, but both Spike and Twilight were ready to get at it again...
But just then, they both heard something.
A strong whooshing sound came from overhead, and both Twilight and Spike looked up to see what it was. They couldn't see anything, but the sound of flapping wings became audible. Something was flying around near them, something big. And before they knew it, it was upon them.
From above descended a large orange dragon, its wings fully expanded as it landed on the ground with its back legs. Judging from its posture, it seemed to be a dragon that prefers an bipedal stance rather than being on all fours. The dragon was twice the height of the tunnel, its wing spread was incredible, and its tail holstered a few thin protruding spikes. Smoke could be seen lightly seeping from its nostrils as it glared down at the pair at the entrance of the cave.
Twilight and Spike stayed frozen where they stood, their eyes wide as dinner plates as they could only stare at the sudden intruder. While Twilight's thoughts were filled with fear and uncertainty, Spike's were filled with a reminder of last night. This was a dragon... just the thing he was searching for last night. And now, he had gotten his wish, one had appeared! But... did he want it now? Did he want to go back to the dragons after the events last night, now that he knows he was wrong to get mad at Twilight, and that she really loves him?
“Well well well, what do we have here?” The dragon said with a grin on his face. “A dragon and a pony... getting intimate? My my, what has the world come to these days?”
“Who-who are you?” Twilight spoke up as she placed a hoof defensively in front of Spike.
“Me?” His grin grew wider. “I'm just a lonely dragon passing through... that isn't a problem, is it?”
“Uh, well no,” Twilight stammered a bit, wanting urgently to leave. “Well, actually, me and my assistant here were just about to get going back home so if you wouldn't mind we'd like to get going now okay thanks, haha,” Twilight chuckled nervously as she attempted to play off the encounter.
Unfortunately for her, it wasn't that easy. The dragon smashed its fist down in front of her, blocking where she had just began to trot towards with Spike.
“I'm afraid I can't allow that...” it said in a low voice.
“What?” Twilight felt her heart skip a beet, sensing trouble. “Why not?”
“I think it's obvious what's gone on here...” the dragon craned its neck down and looked first at Twilight, and then at Spike. “This pony has you brainwashed, young one... it appears as though she's just using you as her own personal toy.”
“U-using me...!?” Spike asked hesitantly.
“Yes...” it said through its teeth as he leaned his head back a bit. “You're so young, and this pony here is of adult age, obviously. And by that, I can only assume that she's been raising you for quite a while... perhaps even taking you in as some sort of guardian. She did say you were her assistant, did she not?”
“I, I did.. yes,” Twilight replied, her voice shaky.
“Well then I'm right,” his grin turned to a frown as he crossed his arms. “You, little pony, are just using him as a tool it seems, like your own little pleasure toy-”
“What!?” Twilight blurted out, her mouth agape for a few seconds. “I-no, no no no, that's , that's completely incorrect! I would never-”
“Oh really?” The dragon interrupted this time. “So then you weren't just about to take advantage of him like he was your own little sex slave?”
Spike gasped just a little, that last word getting to him. Slave... no, he was over this, he wasn't her slave, not at all. Spike fought back those words with the knowledge and assurance that Twilight truly did love him. He wouldn't accept such slander from anyone else, even if it was another dragon. In a few moments, all the lingering ideas of him leaving Twilight for dragons had vanished completely. There was no way he would leave her for some jerk like this!
Twilight on the other hand quickly became furious on the inside. She had just gotten through helping Spike get rid of that notion last night, and here this thing comes, trying to befoul his thoughts once again. She had taken on bigger things than him before, so she wasn't afraid to do so again if it pissed her off enough. She wouldn't stand having that dragon try to split the two apart at all.
And in an instant, Twilight had a sort of epiphany. Here they were, dragon and pony... Rubin and Rosalina... against a dragon that seemed to threaten their very relationship... Malcom.... but this time, she wouldn't let the evil dragon get between the two lovers. This time, she knew what to do, and what was right.
“No, no I was not, actually...” Twilight seethed through gritting teeth. “Now, if you don't mind, we would like to get back home now... we had a long night and-”
“HAH!” it suddenly blurted out a hardy laugh after Twilight's last words. “A long night, yes, and I bet you thoroughly enjoyed the rutting, didn't you little pony?”
“HEY!” Spike yelled as he too became enraged. “You leave Twilight alone! Now let us through, or else!”
“And what are you going to do?” The dragon grinned again as it leaned down to him, pointing a finger right in front of Spike's face. “You're just a little hatch-ling, you probably can't even breath fire yet, ahahahaha!”
Oh yeah!? Spike thought to himself as he growled low. I'll show you how much fire I can breath!
With the finger still in front of him, Spike leaped at it, taking the entire thing into his mouth and biting down hard. At the same time he summoned flame from his throat, burning the sensitive flesh that his gem-busting teeth were able to expose from under its scales. Spike pulled away just as quickly as he bit onto it, managing to break away just before the larger dragon pulled his finger back and yelped out in pain. It took a few seconds to look at its finger, the holes in it already cauterized from Spike's fire. It immediately followed up with a very low, angry snarl as it showed off its teeth to the two.
“Bad move, squirt...” it growled as he lowered into an aggressive stance.
“Spike,” Twilight whispered as she took a step back, pushing Spike back as well with an extended hoof. “Get behind me... this looks like it's going to get ugly.”
The dragon took a deep breath, breathing a heavy wave of red fire down on the two. In an instant Twilight's horn flared up, projecting a magical barrier around the two. The fire subsided after a few seconds, as did the barrier, and Twilight stood firm as she glared at the bigger dragon.
Her opponent growled angrily at his failed attack, and instead brought his claw up and lunged it down at the two, only to have it blocked by another force field, But instead of the force field just fading away this time, Twilight pushed back, sending a burst of energy that sent the dragon crashing back against some trees.
It got up almost immediately, its wings spreading as it took flight. As it passed overhead it breathed more fire down on them, but Twilight easily countered with another barrier. Barriers for her were simple, and she had practically mastered them, so she calculated that she could hold up her barriers for longer than the dragon would be able to muster fire.
But then the dragon did something she didn't expect. It dropped straight down from the air, bringing its tail crashing down over them. Twilight barely had enough time to form another barrier as it came down. She grunted as the strength of the impact took a toll on her energy. Twilight retaliated by grabbing onto the tail, using more magic to pick up the dragon and swing him into the mountainside, hard.
The dragon yelled out in pain as a few trees broke from his back flying into them. He got up again, even further enraged as he breathed fire from his nostrils. He charged again to take another swing at them, but was beat back by a barrage of magic projectiles that Twilight had shot at it. Every point of impact sent an intense jolt of pain through its body, making the dragon yell out even more as it was hit in three places, its chest, its left shoulder, and its right hip. The impact areas smoked a little as the magical residue began to fade away.
Now he wasn't going to hold back. He got back up and burst fire from his mouth, sending three return fireballs back at the two. Twilight summoned another shield, and deflected each. But as her barrier disappeared she saw the dragon lunging out to both of them, swinging its arm down to strike. She was barely able to form a force strong enough to push them both back enough to where its claws wouldn't catch them. Spike and her stumbled backwards from the sudden force as the dragon cursed under its breath for missing. It brought up its arm to strike again, but as it swung it again felt the resistance from Twilight's magic.
This needed to end, and Twilight knew it. With Spike still safe beside her, she gripped her magic onto its arm, squeezing onto it from the outside. She held on still, holding it place as she gradually applied more pressure. The dragon, unable to move from its spot due to its immobilized arm, quickly realized the pony's intentions. He yelled out in surprise as he grabbed his arm, trying to tug it free, but to no avail. He felt the grip tighten even more, his scales starting to wrinkle and his bones beginning to ache. That little unicorn was going to try to break his arm!
The orange dragon thrashed about wildly, both in pain and in a frantic attempt to get free, but all was futile. His bones ached more, and he began to feel his arm cracking. He cried out even more, the sound echoing throughout the expanse of the forest. He tried breathing fire at Twilight, but at each attempt she would simply summon a barrier to deflect it. It seemed hopeless to get free, and in only a few more seconds, a sickening crack was heard as the dragon's arm bent a full ninety degrees.
The pain was excruciating, and out of reaction, the whole dragon's body jolted drastically. His tail suddenly swung around straight to Twilight who, caught off guard by the sudden move, only had the time to put up a weak barrier before impact. It knocked against the barrier, breaking through it partially as pushed Spike and Twilight a good five feet before they landed on the ground in a small daze.
The orange dragon grasped his arm, pain jabbing through it like a million knives tickling his nerves. He didn't care about the two whelps anymore, he had wasted enough on them, and this arm was going to take months to heal. Deciding he had enough, he turned away without a second glance, and flapped his wings to take flight, swiftly leaving the area while still emanating low howls of pain.
Spike groaned a bit as he got up, rubbing the side of his head. He looked up and saw the assaulting dragon from before flying away, grasping its arm tight. Spike smiled and jumped to his feet as he pumped out his fist in victory.
“Twilight, you did it!” he cheered as he gave a few happy jumps. “You really showed that dragon not to mess with you!” Spike waited for a reply, but nothing came. “Twilight?” He asked he turned around, and then froze as he saw Twilight on the ground.
She laid on her side and gasped for air as her hooves clenched onto a spot on her side. Spike looked closer, and to his horror he saw a steady flow of blood flowing from Twilight's waist, along with some blood beginning to drip down from the corner of her lips. In an instant, Spike figured out what had happened. The tail that the dragon swung out of impulse had broken through Twilight's barrier. She had enough to protect herself, but instead, she must have used all that she could conjure to... to protect him instead, and she paid the price...
Spike rushed to his side, practically diving to his knees as he come upon Twilight. Tears quickly surfaced to his eyes as he surveyed the damage, realizing just how badly hurt she was.
“T-twilight, no, oh no, this...” Spike didn't know what to do. He held his claws over her, but didn't dare touch, tears streaming freely from his face. “Twilight, talk to me, Twilight please! Just, just hang in there!”
“Spike...” Twilight whispered weakly as her eyes shifted to look at him. “Spike...”
“Twilight!?” He leaned close to her head, his whimpers beating his lungs against his chest.
“Spike, I... I-” Twilight coughed up a blotch of blood that splattered against the ground. “I lo-... lo-...”
“Please, don't give up, I need you Twilight, I need you!” tears fell from his face onto Twilight's cheek as he stayed close to her.
“I... l-love, you...” she took another gasp of air before she suddenly exhaled deeply, her eyes closing slowly...
...and she ceased to move any further.
Spike's eyes darted around frantically. This couldn't be happening... not to him, not to her! He shook twilight's body, but she didn't respond. Spike feared the worst, he knew he had to do something, he had to help her, but what could he do? His head darted left to right frantically, trying to find something, to use, something to help, even though he knew there would be nothing. But then, an idea...
Spike shot up to his feet and ran over to the nearest randomly laying stick, picked it up, and engulfed it with his fire. He went to another stick, and sent that away as well. He pulled off more sticks from trees, from bushes, even bits of grass, anything! He had to get Princess Celestia here, he had to get help. Twilight was dying, if not already... no, he pushed that thought out. It only made his tears flow harder, and his progress slower as it only pounded his heart against his chest more, making it ache. He didn't stop sending random pieces of the forest to the princess, for he knew if he didn't it would only lower the chances of her coming in time.
He allowed himself a quick glance over to Twilight, seeing her body unmoved. His heart skipped a beat, as he feared he perhaps wasn't quick enough. He didn't save her... he wasn't able to protect her just like Rubin had in the story. He dropped to his knees unable to progress any further. He failed her, when she had given up so much not to fail him. It was his fault... everything that had happened from the beginning was his fault. He had only himself to blame, and as a pressure began to build up in his chest, he wished that it was him that had fallen under death's veil, and not Twilight...
...And just then, a letter with a locator spell appeared from a fiery burp, and moments later, a white flash filled his vision...
Celestia had arrived... but was it already too late?
Author Note: So what else would I do just before I leave for a while other than create a cliffhanger?
Create a BIGGER cliffhanger, of course! Lol. I love ya'll, and i hope to see ya again soon!
Will say hi from germany!
|
StreakTheFox
|
1228
| 8 |
Rarity,Spike,Twilight Sparkle,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Sex
|
The Dragon in Twilight
|
When Twilight reads a romance story about a dragon, she begins to rethink her feelings over Spike...
|
complete
| 1,125 | 55 |
<p>Twilight Sparkle loves reading, and romance novels are no exception. But when she reads a novel about a mare falling for a stallion who turns into a dragon at night, she begins to question her feelings towards her #1 assistant.</p>
|
mature
|
2012-04-16T04:33:59+00:00
|
2012-04-16T04:33:59+00:00
| 12,125 |
-8-
“Rubin... you saved me...” Rosalina whispered, her voice hoarse as she lay injured and cradled in the dragon's arms. “You, you really do love me...”
“The word love...” Rubin began, kneeling down while he held the mare close to him. “...it is only a mere word to me, for it does not even begin to describe how much my passion, my desire for you burns, dear Rosalina... I would transcend from life's path without a second thought if it meant your happiness, for I am your protector of life, and of requisite. Nothing will stop me from keeping you happy...”
“But, your brother... he is...” Rosalina visibly cringed as the scene on the outer wall of the castle replayed through her mind.
“I had to, my sweet... Malcom was the agent of my undoing, the divider of our infatuation... only with his death could not only the kingdom of ponies stop their hate in dragons, but also allow us to join together once more.”
“Oh Rubin...” Rosalina let out a soft sigh as she nuzzled against his chest, enjoying the protective feel of his naturally armored body. She then looked down at her saddlebag, eying the potion inside. “So, now that we have the potion, how do you plan on using it?”
“Why, when the sun comes up, of course!” Rubin puffed out his chest as he raised his head up to daydream a bit. “I will finally be a stallion, permanently a stallion, to stay my form throughout the night so that I might be with you always... does that not sound wonderful, Rosalina?”
A pause, Rubin waits for a reply, but gets none.
“...Rosalina?” Rubin looks down to find her staring up at him, her lower lip puckered up and her eyebrows flared outward as if she was... pouting. “Rosalina, what's wrong?”
“It's just...” she sighed, pawing at his chest scales with her hoof. “I love you being like this... being such a big, powerful dragon...”
“But, sweet-heart... my dragon form, it is just a beast side of myself... a mere veil placed over my form, how could you see it more appealing?”
“Because...” Rosalina smiled sweetly as she stared up into his reptilian eyes with a dreamy gaze. “You already said it. You are my protector... and you know how much I enjoy feeling protected with you... in your arms...” She rubbed her muzzled against his chest again, taking in a slow, deep breath of his scent. “And against your body, especially when mine is so weak...”
“I...” Spike began, curling his arms around her more while bringing her up to his face. “I would do anything to see you better again... it pains me so much to see you like this.”
“Please, never change for me...” Twilight whispered as she pushed the potion down further into her saddlebag. “I always want you to be my strong, powerful, dragon protector...”
“But... It's all my fault in the first place, If I hadn't have...”
“Just stay with me, please...”
“I, I will, Twilight... I will, just please, wake up for me...”
“Wake up...?” Rosalina lifted her head in confusion. “Whatever do you mean-”
“Please Twilight, I beg of you, just wake up, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!”
“Rubin?”
“I shouldn't have told you I hated you, or ran away from you, or gotten you hurt so bad...”
“...Spike?”
“Please wake up Twilight, wake up...”
Spike...
Wake up Twilight...!
Spike, is that... is that you?
“Twilight?”
“I... S-spike...”
“T-TWILIGHT!”
Twilight opened her eyes slowly, taking several moments for them to get halfway, where she kept them for a while as she examined her surroundings. Her vision was blurred, and the feel of tears coming from her eyes was the first thing she noticed. The next thing was the feeling of her body laid on some sort of soft surface with what seemed like some sort of fabric draped over her. After that, the soreness and overall lack of mobility of her body became painfully noticeable. She couldn't even think right, her mind still transitioning from seeing her dreams to seeing what her eyes allowed her to.
But as she turned her head to the side, she saw him. His face was the only thing that came into focus. Of the bed sheets that adorned her, of the white room with the medical devices all around, and even of all the presents and gifts piled up in the room from her friends, all she was able to see at first, was Spike. His eyes were surrounded with reddened scales, stained and outlines from long-dried tears while his cheeks down to his chin were covered with fresh ones. His mouth was slightly agape, and he just stared at her with wide eyes, eyes of concern, of desperation, of the need for something so close to one's heart.
But as he saw her eyes opened his mouth began to crease ever so slightly at the corners. His eyes opened even wider still as he gave an open smile, albeit small, a very real smile still. His sobbing only increased then, and his smile went away as he closed his eyes and buried his face next to hers, tears spilling onto her sheets against her head while the sounds of his open crying filled the room. His whole body shook against the bed while his chest heaved from the heavy intakes of breath. For a while, Twilight couldn't tell if Spike was happy, or for some reason sad. But as he looked up at her again and she became more cognizant, she realized just how he was feeling.
“Twilight...” he whispered, biting his lip in a vain attempt to hold back his weeps. “You... you're alive...”
“Spike...” Twilight whispered back, her voice unable to go any higher than that as each word was said between soft breaths.. “Where... where am I... what happened...?”
“You're in The Canterlot Hospital right now...” Spike said as he brought up his arms and rested them on the bed, his claws settling lightly on Twilight's upper leg. “I... I thought you didn't make it, we thought you were dead, even the princess did, but...” Spike sniffed loudly a few times as he tried to compose himself.
“The dragon...” Twilight whispered as the memories slowly began to come back, shock flowing through her body, but her physical self unable to display the surprise she felt.
“You drove it away,” Spike continued, leaning closer to her. “You saved my life Twilight... you saved me from, from...”
“Markus...”
Spike reared his head back slightly, a confused expression on his face.
“Who...?”
“Markus Malcom...” a very faint, yet still noticeable smile appeared on Twilight's face. “We did it... he challenged us, and we beat him, just like Rubin... and Rosalina...”
“We... we did?” Spike lowered his head, thinking about Twilight's comparison to the book.
Spike... she obviously meant to compare him to Rubin. But, why would she do that? It's not like he yelled at her, raged at her and stormed off like.. he... did...
“Do not come closer!” Ordered the low,booming voice from inside the cave. “If you dare follow me into this cave, then I... I will eat you!”
“No... no you will not,” Rosalina said in an unusually calm voice, staring into the dark cave on the side of a mountain. The dark forest surrounding her did not fear her anymore, even at night, and her courage grew as she desired to see the one she loved. “Please... I know what this is, I know what you're trying to hide... Rubin...”
“I am NOT this 'Rubin'!” The creature snarled loudly. “Do you know what I am!? Once I show you, thou shall fear me like all others! I am not a stallion; of earth, magic, or the sky...”
“T-then what are you...?” Rosalina asked, taking a step towards the cave.
“I... AM A DRAGON!” The voice boomed as the creature emerged unfurling its large wings as it displayed its teeth while it emitted a loud roar. In the nearby area, all the creatures in the forest scrambled and either ran away or ducked into their shelters, all except for Rosalina, who didn't even take a step back.
“R... Rubin...?”
“WHY must you insist on calling me such a name!?” The dragon snarled angrily, now bearing his claws. “Do you wish to become my next snack, little mare!?” Deep down in the dragon's chest, his heart was already tearing him apart from the inside out.
...he did act like Rubin. When he ran away, it was all a misunderstanding. He thought she hated her, when it wasn't the truth... just like Rubin thought Rosalina would hate him.
And Twilight. She came for him, followed him no matter what, no matter what was in her way she helped him out and saw to take care of him and his wounded heart, just as she had done in the forest, and just as Rosalina did for Rubin.
And that dragon... the one that befouled their love, the one that tried to bring back the feelings Spike had against Twilight. Using the same words Spike said... just as Malcom used the same words Rubin said.
"Yes...” it said through its teeth as he leaned his head back a bit. “You're so young, and this pony here is of adult age, obviously. And by that, I can only assume that she's been raising you for quite a while... perhaps even taking you in as some sort of guardian. She did say you were her assistant, did she not?”
“I, I did.. yes,” Twilight replied, her voice shaky.
“Well then I'm right,” his grin turned to a frown as he crossed his arms. “You, little pony, are just using him as a tool it seems, like your own little pleasure toy-”
“What!?” Twilight blurted out, her mouth agape for a few seconds. “I-no, no no no, that's , that's completely incorrect! I would never-”
“Oh really?” The dragon interrupted this time. “So then you weren't just about to take advantage of him like he was your own little sex slave?”
And in the end it all came down to a narrow escape... a narrow victory... but with their love preserved. Spike knew then just what Twilight meant about everything... about them.
Just then a doctor came through the door, his horn shining as he held a clipboard out in front of him. He looked up to see Twilight's eyes open, and sighed in delight.
“Ah, miss Sparkle!” he exclaimed cheerfully. “You're wake. This is very good news, all of your friends – and even Princess Celestia herself – have been so worried about you. And as you can see by the gifts...” The doctor motioned towards the strikingly large pile of presents stuffed in the corner. “Well.. that's self explanatory.”
“My friends...” Twilight whispered loud enough for the doctor to hear. “Are they... where are they?”
“It's actually not visiting hours right now...” the doctor scratched his hoof on his head. “The only reason Spike is here is because he would just flat out refuse to leave your side the whole time, no matter what we said or did.” He winced a little as he held up his left hoof, seeing if the scars were healing up well. “...And dragons apparently have some very sharp teeth...”
“How long... have I been out?”
“Umm... a good 3 days or so. You're lucky to be alive right now, miss Sparkle. I just wonder what it is that attacked you.”
“Don't worry about it,” Spike waved a claw in dismissal towards the doctor pony, eliciting a sigh from him.
“Well, anyways...” the doctor flipped through a few pages on his notes, scanning over them quickly. “Given your recovery course, we'll check up on you in about a week to see if you're ready to leave miss Sparkle. Until then, you're not going to be leaving that bed. Do you understand?”
Twilight nodded slightly.
“Good. I'll be just down the hall if you need me, take it easy now, and get plenty of rest.” And with that, the doctor left the room.
Spike watched the door to the room close before he turned back to Twilight. Twilight was smiling at him, and he smiled back. He carefully slid onto the bed, coming up against her and hugging her gently. Twilight's smile widened a bit as she used one hoof to slowly go around his side, returning the hug. They both laid there for a bit, enjoying each other's embrace, their comfort, and their warmth. They had each other again, and as far as they both could tell, they were home free as soon as Twilight got out of the hospital.
“Spike...” Twilight whispered lower than she normally did.
“Yes Twilight?” Spike asked as he kept his eyes close and his cheek up against hers.
Twilight turned her head a bit and planted a small kiss on Spike's lips, making the dragon blush a bit.
“I love you...”
“...I love you too.
Right there, Twilight and Spike both felt something. They felt something that only the two in the story felt, that they knew they felt, yet the words in the novel failed to describe. They felt what their love did to them when they were close, and when they were at peace. They felt... whole. They never wanted to leave each other again, and so Spike stayed there for hours, eventually falling asleep in the embrace. Twilight carefully brushed his spines with her one hoof, making sure not to wake him. She kept herself to him as her mind seemed to come to a conclusion.
He would be there for her, from then on out. Like the two in the novel that she so adored, that same novel that changed their lives, they were going to be complete. Twilight would always be with Spike, in his heart, just as Spike would always be in hers.
He was her dragon, her companion, her lover...
He was, The Dragon in Twilight.
|
StreakTheFox
|
1228
| 9 |
Rarity,Spike,Twilight Sparkle,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Sex
|
The Dragon in Twilight
|
When Twilight reads a romance story about a dragon, she begins to rethink her feelings over Spike...
|
complete
| 1,125 | 55 |
<p>Twilight Sparkle loves reading, and romance novels are no exception. But when she reads a novel about a mare falling for a stallion who turns into a dragon at night, she begins to question her feelings towards her #1 assistant.</p>
|
mature
|
2012-06-08T22:25:07+00:00
|
2012-06-08T22:25:07+00:00
| 12,610 |
-Epilogue-
“Are you sure about not telling them, Twilight?” Spike asked as the two walked into the library, closing the door behind them.
They had just come back from a party Pinkie Pie had thrown for Twilight after being released from the hospital, sort of a “welcome back from the hospital” sort of party. The injury left Twilight in the hospital for almost an entire month, but thanks to some high quality healing potions the Celestia had given her as well as keeping to a strictly healthy diet and movement plan to avoid further injury, Twilight had made an almost full recovery by then. Granted there was a slight bit of soreness in her side at times, that would end up going away in a couple of weeks.
Spike had been with her almost the entire time, and though they never got intimately close, they were content with just being together, especially when their friends dropped by. Sometimes the doctors would even let him stay with her overnight, but only after she had actually been able to eat on her own and was able to stay awake and alert. There they would simply talk to each other, read a book together, or simply lay quietly and enjoy their newly found emotions. Cuddling under the sheets was their favorite thing to do during Twilight's stay at the library, especially when they decided to fool around while they were alone, but only a little... just enough.
“I'm sure, Spike...” Twilight replied as she took a few deep breaths of the inside of the library, happy to once again be in a more homely environment. The smell of wood and books, the feel of the hardwood against her hooves, and the sense of being at home once more, it all made her feel calm and serene, which in turn aloud her to think clearly. “I don't think that our friends are ready for that sort of news just yet...”
“But why not?” Spike complained as he stopped beside her at the center of the library. “I mean, we've seen weirder relationships, right? Just look at that one pony and his obsession with large tubs of jelly...!”
“Well... you have a good point,” Twilight ran through the thoughts of what might happen if their friends found out again. “But I still want to wait a while and see how things go, alright?”
“To see how things go?” Spike raised an eyebrow. “You mean, with... you and me?”
“Not just you and me Spike, with our friends. I want to talk to them a bit and see if I can't get an idea of what they would think without them knowing... make sense?”
“Uh, I think so...” Spike scratched a claw against the back of his head as he tried to imagine their friends' reactions as well. “But you know how supportive they always are, I'm sure they'll be supportive of it. Shouldn't they...?”
“Well, it's just that, you know... with the stuff that we've been 'doing' and...” Twilight trailed off as she looked at Spike, who started to get the message and nodded back slowly.
“Y-yeah, now I get ya... heh,” Spike shook his head a bit with a small smile.
“But don't worry, we'll tell them one day, I'm sure of it.”
“Ya know,” Spike beganas he looked up at her. “I sort of wonder what Rarity's reaction to this would be.”
“Now I know that is going to be interesting,” Twilight giggled to herself as she tried to think of how that would work out. She stood there for a few moments in silence, just picturing the look on Rarity's face. Would she be sad that Spike's not infatuated with her anymore, or would she find some sort of relief? Perhaps she wouldn't know what to think of it and just get so confused that she would faint like she normally did.
“You know what, Twilight?” Spike spoke up, breaking the silence.
“Hm?” Twilight looked over just in time to see Spike wrap his arms around her neck and give her a tight hug. Twilight's eyes widened a bit at this from the moderate surprise, but so did her smile.
“I don't really think I care too much what Rarity thinks anymore,” Spike said as he seemed to stare off to space with a blank expression encompassing his face.
“Wait, really?” Twilight reared her head back as she looked at him, her mouth agape. “You seriously wouldn't care?”
“Well, it's not that I totally wouldn't care at all, but...” Spike's voice trailed off as he went deeper into thought about what he was really feeling. “I think... I mean, I liked her a lot, we both know that. But I didn't feel for her in the same way I do for you. Like... I dunno,” Spike shook his head as he rubbed it with a claw. “I'm really not good with these emotions.”
“I think I know...” Twilight said as she sat down in front of him to look him right in the eye. “You liked Rarity as sort of a big crush, right?” Spike nodded. “Well, I think when you developed your new feelings for me... I mean, you don't just have a big crush on me, do you?”
“No, it's a lot more than that. I mean, it's different from Rarity, but my feelings for her also feel really small compared to my feelings for you, ya know?”
Twilight took a few moments to register what Spike had said. This is what she felt for him as well... she had her own crushes to a few stallions in the past, of course, but this was nothing like that. She loved Spike, loved him with all her heart. What started out as a friendship had grown over the years into a sort of family connection, with the two considering each other to be almost like siblings. But with the events that occurred during the reading of The Dragon in Twilight, they both realized just what their feelings could be for each other, and that family-like connection blossomed into the form of love... real, true love.
A warm rush flowed through Twilight's body after hearing Spike's confession. It was just what she had hoped for all along, and with what the future promised for the two, it was worth getting impaled and almost killed for.
“Oh, Spike...” Twilight cooed as she lowered her head and planted a soft kiss on his cheek. “That was such a sweet thing to say.”
“It was?” Spike blinked a couple times as he stared at Twilight in confusion.
“Yes, it was... know that your feelings for me greatly override those that you had for Rarity, well, let's just say that the affection you put to her means that...” Twilight blushed a bit as she lowered her head, her eyes closing half way as she gazed at Spike longingly. “It means you really, really love me, Spike... and that you've accepted it within your heart over your crush for Rarity.”
“Wow, I never thought of it that way, but... I guess you're right.” Spike smiled up at Twilight, who held on to the longing stare. Spike turned away sheepishly as his cheeks began to burn red. “Aw Twi, you know I get all shy when you look at me like that...!”
“And you're so cute when you get all shy like that,” Twilight said with a giggle as she nuzzled against Spike's cheek.
“H-hey! Quit it, hehe!” Spike began to chuckle a bit at Twilight playful attempts to nuzzle him, and he played back by batting his claws at her lightly.
Twilight didn't stop, she continued to softly nuzzle him and give him a few quick licks on the cheek as well when his hands were moved away. Spike's chuckle shifted more to laughing as eventually toppled back onto the floor, his cheeks burning more from the embarrassing show of affection. And yet, he knew he loved it, especially since it was just him and her around, and nopony else.
Twilight nipped lightly at one of the spines protruding from the back of his cheek as she got her hooves on either side of him, pinning him down somewhat as he jokingly struggled to get away. Spike turned his head to get Twilight's muzzle off of his side Spine, but moved just as Twilight was going to lick it, making her tongue lap across his lips. She paused briefly as her own blush began to surface on her cheeks, but then revealed a mischievous smirk before she licked at his lips again and again.
Spike let her lick him for a while, enjoying the feel of her saliva along his scales before he grabbed her muzzle with both claws and pulled her to him, sticking a firm kiss. Twilight closed her eyes fully at this, letting herself melt into Spike's grip as she returned the kiss in full. Their tongues pushed through and met in-between their lips, and though Twilight's was able to force its way into Spike's mouth, his reptilian tongue slithered and swirled all around hers up into her mouth and near her throat.
Twilight pressed down against her lover as her left hoof slide down between Spike's legs, rubbing against his scales in order to coax out a certain part of him. At the same time Spike began to suck on her tongue while his hips pushed up to meet her hoof. Spike's member quickly began to surface from beneath two of his scales while his breath got heavier and hotter through his nose.
Their tongues continued to wrap and roll around with each other's as their lips were pressed together tightly. Small moans and whimpers of pleasure came from both of them as they made out, only to be intensified when Twilight's hoof had coaxed out Spike's full erection. Her hoof glided over it slowly yet firmly, pressing down against key nerve endings while being soft against more tender tissue.
But Spike suddenly stopped and unwrapped his tongue from around hers, pulling back from the kiss while breathing heavily from his mouth.
“Twilight, wait,” he said as he tried to slow his breathing. “We, uh, we shouldn't do this right here... I mean, somepony could just walk in, and...” He trailed off as he looked up at her, a pleading look on his face.
The realization hit Twilight, making her ears perk up and her eyes widen at the very likely possibility of one of her friends randomly stopping by. “You're right, Spike,” she said as she took a few quick looks around the library. “Uh, let's... let's go up to the bedroom then, alright?”
Spike nodded his head with a quick “mhm,” and the two got up off of each other and made their way towards Twilight's bedroom. The trip was awkward for the two, but it was also pretty difficult for Spike, who had to deal with making sure his erection didn't bang against the steps of the stairs as he ascended it.
The two quickly shut the door behind them after entering and made their way towards the bed, with Twilight happily pouncing on top of it as if she was a little filly. Spike came up to the side and looked at Twilight as her mood changed from cheerful to sultry and erotic. She lowered the front of her body down while raising the back end up, keeping her plot pointed towards spike as she wagged it side to side in the air, her eyes half-lidded and staring at him invitingly.
A grin spread onto Spike's face as he got an idea, and then pulled himself up onto the bed and got up behind her. Twilight faced forward, her back muscles tensing as she awaited Spike's entrance. Already her breath was getting heavy, and the anticipation was bringing a thin coat of moisture onto her nethers. When she felt Spike's claws grab onto her flank she assumed he was be entering her right then, but he did something unexpected.
His long, maneuverable tongue began to slip and slide itself against her sensitive back lips, lathering the entire area quickly. Twilight gasped out as she felt her privates tingle at the touch, her hooves pressing tighter into the bed sheets. Her lips quivered as she got wetter, allowing his tongue to slide around easier and faster. More and more it swirled around her entrance before suddenly plunging into her folds and straight into her. She cried out in pleasure as his tongue invaded her innards, lapping and twisting around inside against her walls.
All Twilight could do was moan out over and over as Spike's incredibly long tongue piled into her, mashing up and twisting around inside to fill every gap. He pressed his lips against her, massaging them together firmly while his tongue pulsated around inside her, acting as one mass with an immeasurable number of areas to apply pressure. His claws dug in deeper as his tongue continued to writhe and swirl around inside of her, leaving no part of her inner walls untouched.
Twilight's body twitched uncontrollable as each little poke and prod from whatever side or part of Spike's tongue continued to assault her. Her mind was lost in a sea of ecstasy as every pleasure point was hit simultaneously over and over, making her face and her whole body begin sweat from every pore. Even her thoughts were frizzled worse than Pinkie Pie's hair as they were flooded with her nerves crying out in pleasure.
“Oh Spike! I'm I'm gonna....!” Twilight felt her orgasm coming fast, and she couldn't hold it in.
But just before she felt the sweet release of her own juices, Spike suddenly stopped and pulled out of her. He retracted his tongue and spent a few seconds enjoying the taste while he stared at her juicy sex.
“S-Spike...?” Twilight stammered as she felt her climax teeter on the edge for a few moments, and then fall back into her. “W-what... what's wrong? Why did you stop?”
“Well, heh,” Spike began as he admired his work. “I don't want you to finish without me... ya know?”
Twilight looked back to see Spike giving her a warm, thoughtful smile. She smiled back, and slowly turned around and kissed lightly on the lips.
“Oh Spike...” she whispered as she kissed him again. “What would I do without a someone as thoughtful as you?”
“I hope we never have to find out,” he said as he kissed her back.
They both kissed again, a warm, loveable kiss that dragged on for a few seconds. Then again, quicker that time, and again, and eventually they broke into a frenzy of kisses, each vying for oral dominance through their wrestling tongues and heated breathes.
Twilight ended up being pushed onto her back with Spike climbing on top of her, the two still making out furiously while Spike's member prodded against her opening. Twilight gave out little whimpers as she felt him at her entrance, trying to buck her hips up to get him inside. After a few bucks he was able to catch on, and after clamping down onto her sides he pulled his hips up and then pushed them down hard, plunging his member deep into her.
Twilight screamed out in pleasure, following up with more moans as Spike continued to drive inside of her. His hips bobbed up and down while a loud slapping sound was heard with each thrust. His claws gripped tighter while his tail got stiff, acting as a counter wait as he teetered back and forth for momentum. His eyes were closed and his teeth clenched as he grunted through nearly every push, suppressing his own gasps of pleasure for the time being.
Their breathing got hotter and heavier as Spike pushed down harder and faster. Twilight's lower body instinctively bucked up back up to meet his every movement, nearly doubling the powerful sensation flowing through them both. Her moans got louder and louder as even Spike began moaning out, his claws digging even deeper into her fur while his muscles strained to maintain maximum output.
“Oh, Spike!” Twilight cried out as she once again felt her climax nearing.
Her coat was drenched in sweat as her muscles continued to spasm uncontrollably. She was lost in a sea of ecstasy, her mind unable to stay afloat in the crashing waves of pleasure that bore down on her.
“Ah, Twilight!” Spike back as he was nearing his own release.
His muscles were strained more than he had felt them, pushed beyond the limit by sheer force of adrenaline. His claws were almost breaking into the skin of her hide as he felt an immense pressure building up in his lower abdomen.
Both of then couldn't hold themselves in any longer as they finally gave in. Spike held in his last, powerful thrust as tight as he could as his hot, creamy juices flooded inside of Twilight and against her walls. Simultaneously, Twilight felt her hips buck upwards once more and hold them as she released her own fluids, coating Spike's hardened member and mixing their juices together, causing an overflow that spilled onto their lower bodies and onto the bed.
Neither of them could breath for a few moments, they could only ride the stream of ecstasy brought by their orgasms for as long as they could before finally their muscles gave in, their bodies collapsing onto the bed. They both heaved and choked for air, sweat and other juices coating their bodies as they laid with their limbs dangling weakly against the sheets.
Spike eventually flopped off of Twilight's body, only to barely manage clawing up so their heads are right up next each other's. They stared at each other weakly, their hot breaths still coming out in long, heavy drags. But as they stared at each other they both sent and received the same message, the same overpowering feeling they had for one another.
Twilight reachedher hoof over and scooped Spike closer to her, drawing him close enough for her to plant a very light kiss on his nose. Twilight curled around him as Spike did his best to do the same, wrapping all four limbs around and against her as his tail met with hers.
“Spike...” Twilight whispered as her eyes became heavy. “I love you...”
“I love you too, Twi...” he replied as they both put their foreheads together, their noses touching, and slowly closed their eyes.
---
Love has many shapes and forms. Some for friends and family, others for mates and couples.
While love is a fire that can burn bright, burn long, and even burn out, true love is another force all on its own.
True love does not discriminate between race and gender, origins and beliefs. True love bonds the souls of two beings, as it will and always will forever.
Dragon and pony, it matters not. Their love is strong and their passion is hot.
Conjoined in time their lives will hold, bound close together for a length untold.
Together they will stay through any sort of trouble, against any sort of weather...
True love amidst their souls, bringing them happiness forever and ever.
Author Note:
There will be no sequel. The End = The End
|
sammyberry
|
1229
| 1 |
Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Adventure,Sad,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Luna's Escape
|
Luna flies to a new country to try and live a new life, but starts getting homesick.
|
hiatus
| -1 | -1 |
<p>This story is currently on hiatus as I'm in a huge writer's block for this story. Hopefully, by writing some different stories (I have one idea because of a dream I had) I will become inspired to write this one again.</p><p>Princess Luna is tired of her sister's constant orders, so she decides to run away. Luna decides to go to a neighboring country to see if ponies will accept her there, though she has her doubts. But when she meets a stallion by the name of Luminance Eternal and a pony named Awakened Star, she realizes that someponies just might be nice and accepting.</p><p>Princess Celestia is furious with her sister and sends guards out to look for her.</p><p>But there's a pony even more evil then Celestia waiting in the wings, anticipating the moment when he can fully serve his only true princess, Celestia.</p>
|
everyone
|
2011-10-06T01:44:06+00:00
|
2011-10-06T01:44:06+00:00
| 1,792 |
Luna looked around the dark stone corridor, making sure her sister was nowhere to be found. Her sister had changed. She was no longer the sweet, loving, caring, and protective sister she had been before she had banished Luna to the moon. Her sister seemed to like being in charge, and so she had made sure that Luna was to never be seen again. Luna felt a tear slide down her cheek. It was as if she had never left the moon.
The sound of her hooves coming down on the hard stones echoed throughout the hall, and for a frightening second, Luna thought one of the guards had seen her and was coming for her. Under order of Celestia, Luna was to stay in the dungeons-or, in Celestia’s words, “The deepest part of the palace,” Luna bit her lip and tried not to cry. She couldn’t believe she was actually trying to escape, but the thoughts of being trapped here, while every other pony was at the Gala made her heart break.
Luna had been allowed to come up to raise the moon, but because of her “trying to take over”, she was “grounded” and therefore could not attend the Gala. Which was kind of ironic, in a way, because then her sister had to raise both the sun and the moon when she banished her. Luna knew in her heart that her sister meant well - at least, she hoped she did - but this was getting out of hand. Luna should have at least been allowed to be at the Gala. But no, she might steal her sister’s spotlight.
As she slowly walked up the stone steps, she made so much noise she just knew she’d be discovered. She flapped her wings as slowly and softly as she could, lifting her hooves slightly off the floor. She was doing great. Until her hoof banged against a step. “Ow!” she cried. A second later, she realized what she’d done. One more second later, and she could hear hooves thundering above her. Luna’s eyes widened in terror.
In a desperate attempt, she jumped up and flew out of the window ten feet higher. Then she nose-dived down to the ground. She had to pull up to avoid crashing. She soared low to the ground and flew as fast as she could. Luna could hear the guards yelling from this distance. She was sure the Gala would be disrupted, but right then she couldn’t care less. Wasn’t like she’d be missing anything.
Luna flapped her wings and they carried her far, far away from the palace of her sister and her orders. No more hiding. Luna wouldn’t be kept cooped up. She needed freedom. And even though she was now flying on her own free will, she still felt cooped up and set apart from the rest of the world.
Luna couldn’t contain her tears anymore. They flowed effortlessly down her cheeks, her sorrow filling the air around her. Luna realized that because she had deliberately disobeyed her sister’s orders, and everypony followed and trusted Celestia, if anypony found her, they would turn her in, and Luna had a feeling the punishment would not be very pleasant.
Yes, the only option she had was to fly away from Equestria. It didn’t matter. It wasn’t like she’d had any friends anyway. Maybe somepony would actually talk to her in another country. Hopefully Luna could find friends who actually cared about her.
With her mind made up, Princess Luna flew across the night sky, leaving a trail of tears in her wake as she flew towards nowhere in particular, simply her new life.
|
sammyberry
|
1229
| 2 |
Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Adventure,Sad,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Luna's Escape
|
Luna flies to a new country to try and live a new life, but starts getting homesick.
|
hiatus
| -1 | -1 |
<p>This story is currently on hiatus as I'm in a huge writer's block for this story. Hopefully, by writing some different stories (I have one idea because of a dream I had) I will become inspired to write this one again.</p><p>Princess Luna is tired of her sister's constant orders, so she decides to run away. Luna decides to go to a neighboring country to see if ponies will accept her there, though she has her doubts. But when she meets a stallion by the name of Luminance Eternal and a pony named Awakened Star, she realizes that someponies just might be nice and accepting.</p><p>Princess Celestia is furious with her sister and sends guards out to look for her.</p><p>But there's a pony even more evil then Celestia waiting in the wings, anticipating the moment when he can fully serve his only true princess, Celestia.</p>
|
everyone
|
2011-10-09T18:57:13+00:00
|
2011-10-09T18:57:13+00:00
| 1,520 |
A few days later, Luna finally crossed the border into Trotter.
When she landed, she was instantly greeted by alicorn guards. “And just what do you think you’re doing here, outsider? You are not allowed on royal grounds!”
Luna looked up at the three guards with innocent eyes, “These are royal grounds? I’m sorry, I didn’t realize. I’ll leave and-”
The guards scoffed. “You really think you can get away with that petty excuse? You will be taken to the queen,” They put magical chains around Luna’s hooves, attaching her to them.
“Oh great. Now what have I gotten myself into?” Luna thought to herself. As she was being taken to the great castle that she had been completely oblivious about, Luna looked up at the lighting sky. Her sister was raising the sun. Luna closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She wouldn’t go back. She couldn’t go back. She was unofficially banished from Equestria.
The guards led her into the huge brick and stone castle. Torches lit the hallway, moving tapestries were hanging on the walls, and the sweet smell of roast duck was wafting from a slightly open door, which Luna guessed was the kitchen.
They started up a flight of stone steps, which automatically made Luna start reminiscing the past. She didn’t realize it, but she was muttering the occurrences of her night aloud. A guard turned to her and said, “Stop your mumbling,” Luna obediently stopped.
When they entered the throne room, Luna felt a pang of sadness. It reminded her of how life once was, her sitting on her throne beside her sister. It had been more than 1000 years since she had felt the soft cushion beneath her hooves.
But the biggest shock came to Luna when she looked at the queen. She looked exactly like Celestia had when she was younger. The queen had a snowy white coat and a pink mane. She was an alicorn, and the resemblance was unmistakable. Even her cutie mark looked like Celestia’s; a shining sun, except her cutie mark also had soft wisps of white around the sun, like a cirrus cloud.
“Queen Astral, there was an intruder on your grounds,” One of the guards said in a respectable tone. The Queen looked at Luna with kind eyes. She said, “Lightning Heart, unchain this poor pony. She must be new, and I’m sure she simply did not know. Now tell me, little one. What is your name?” Queen Astral looked at Luna.
“Prin- Luna, Your Highness,” Luna caught herself. She was obviously not viewed as a princess, so what was the point of giving herself a false title?
The queen smiled and said, “You seem like an innocent pony, but I’m sure you’re alone. May I inquire as to why a young pony such as you is all alone tonight?”
Luna squeezed her eyes shut and hesitated. Queen Astral seemed to catch on to Luna’s silent request, and said in a clear tone, “Everypony please exit the room. Luna wishes to speak to me in private,” Luna gave a grateful smile and waited until the last hoof had crossed the threshold and the door had closed completely before she ran to the queen and sobbed.
“There, there,” the queen said comfortingly. “Please, tell me what’s wrong, dear,” Luna only shook her head; she wasn’t finished crying, and if she tried to explain, her words would not be comprehensible.
After a minute, Luna looked up at the queen and told her her story.
The queen looked at Luna with pity. “I’m very sorry to hear that, Luna. If you need a place to stay, you are welcome to stay here,” Luna said she’d think about it.
Queen Astral thought a moment, then said, “No, Luna. I insist. You may live here as my personal companion. My aid. The one I turn to for help. I would like to know that you are being treated properly,” Luna looked at Queen Astral with wide eyes.
“No offense, Your Highness, but why are you so nice to me?” Queen Astral looked away. “Because I was in your hooves when I was just a little filly. I know what you’re going through, and I do not want any other pony to have to go through that alone,”
Luna smiled through her tears and hugged the queen. Queen Astral returned a hug of her own. Luna said, “I will accept your offer, Your Highness,” The queen nodded and said, “I was hoping you would,”
Behind a slightly open door behind the two beings in the throne room, two other ponies were listening. “The queen is never that nice to an intruder!” Exclaimed the black stallion.
His green mane glowed, and his cutie mark, a glowing blue star, was glowing even more with his jealousy. “I think it’s because that pony’s special,” replied the black pony. Her coat lightened to pink down at her hooves, and her dark blue mane went along nicely, with sparkles dotted throughout. Her cutie mark was a yellow star.
The stallion scoffed. “Yeah right. If you ask me, that pony’s just a suck-up. This is totally unfair,” His company rolled her lilac eyes.
Once Celestia had finished raising the sun, she trotted swiftly back inside. She couldn’t believe Luna had run away. How dare she! She deliberately disobeyed Celestia’s specific orders. Celestia shook her head in disgust and entered the throne room. About a hundred guards sat in rows in front of the throne, waiting for Celestia.
She cleared her throat and said, “Ok. You all know what you must do. You must search all of Equestria, perhaps even outside of Equestria. You must find Luna. And you must bring her back here,” Celestia stopped pacing and looked at her guards. “But um… please do not hurt her,”
Celestia’s top guard, Black Hole, looked at Princess Celestia with a smile. “Of course, Princess Celestia. Anything for you,” Celestia nodded thankfully.
“Now go, and do not return until you have found her! She cannot get away!” Celestia released her guards and they cantered away.
Celestia gazed out a window. “Oh Luna… do you not realize what you have done?” she thought to herself. Celestia could have sworn she felt a tear slowly slide down her cheek, but she wiped it away before anypony could see.
A few hours later Luna was sitting in her own special chair beside the queen. She had been given a bath, and was able to sleep in a big, soft bed. Luna was also given some delicious food. She was never given any special treatment at home, which was a bit ironic, considering she was a princess there and a simple pony here.
Queen Astral sat on her throne and smiled. “Are you ready to see your new home?” Luna looked up at her new queen. “Yes, Queen Astral,” Queen Astral stood up and walked towards two big double doors. “Well, come on, then,”
Luna leaped up and flew over to her.
Queen Astral opened the doors and walked out onto the balcony. “Luna, welcome to Elysian,” When Luna looked out on the landscape of her new home, she gasped.
They were in the sky. Clouds floated by lazily, but they weren’t white; they were a beautiful sunset orange and dark purple and blue and red. The sun was glowing a soft red and purple color. The fields below were a dark green, with blue streaks cracking through the hills and fields. Even though the sun was shining, Luna wasn’t hot. The sun felt wonderful against her mane and coat. It warmed her down to the core, but she felt peaceful. She was sure she’d never be able to fully take in her surroundings, there was too much. Luna looked directly above her. She could see faint sparks in the sky, and she realized with a rush that they were stars. Luna closed her eyes and took in the pure beauty of her new home.
Queen Astral looked at her with a smile. “Will you like your new home?” Luna turned to Queen Astral and nodded, too much in awe even to mutter any words.
“Queen Astral?” came a voice from behind. The two ponies turned around to see the pony that had spoken. It was a black alicorn, with pink hooves and a blue mane. “Yes, Awakened Star?” Queen Astral responded. Awakened Star shuffled her hooves. “Um, Luminance Eternal and I would like to show Luna around the castle,”
Queen Astral brightened. “Oh that would be wonderful! Thank you, Star,” Luna looked from Queen Astral to Star. Star giggled. “It’s ok. I don’t bite,” Luna smiled and trotted towards her. “We’ll be back, Queen Astral!” Star called as she cantered off.
Luna followed her, eager to try and make friends. Once they were out of earshot, Star flung herself around and gave Luna a wary glance. “I’m not sure who you are, or why the Queen has taken such a huge interest in you, but… you seem ok. But just know that Luminance might not feel the same,” Star started flying slowly. Luna leaped up and joined her. She said, “I’ve noticed that so far, the only ponies I’ve seen have been alicorns. Is everypony an alicorn?”
Star answered, “Only ponies who are affiliated with the Royal League. Luminance and I are Queen Astral’s adopted children, so we are alicorns. At first we were only pegasi, but the day after Queen Astral adopted us, we awoke to horns on our foreheads,” she shrugged.
Luna considered this. “I thought alicorns were rare,” Star shook her head. “No, if you look in the right places, you’ll find that alicorns are everywhere,”
Star fluttered down outside a huge gate. “Luminance should be waiting for me in here,” she opened the gate with her horn and walked in. “Luminance! Luna’s here!” Luminance looked up from his spot on a bench. His eyes narrowed.
“Hey, chill out! She’s cool. She’s kinda quiet. And she’s very nice,” Star said. Luminance walked over and held out his hoof. Luna shook his hoof awkwardly.
“Ok, let’s show you around, Luna!” Star said excitedly. She smiled and walked back out the gate. Luna started to follow her, but
Luminance glared at her and walked in front of her. Luna’s ears fell back in sadness. She sighed. Luna followed last glumly.
“So,” Star said as they were showing Luna the dining hall. “Where did you come from? Before you showed up here I mean,” Luna bit her lip. “Um, I’d rather not talk about it, if you don’t mind,” Luminance glanced at her and looked away.
Star shrugged. “Ok. Well do you have any brothers or sisters?” Luna’s eyes started to water. She blinked her tears away and said quietly, “I’d really rather not talk about that either,”
Luminance looked at Luna with a look that resembled pity, but he quickly turned away and formed his expression back into a bored stare. Star looked at Luna but didn’t question her further.
As the three slowly walked past a window, Luna looked out and saw that they were in the sky again. She asked, “How high up is this castle?”
Luminance replied, “It goes from the ground up into the sky, pretty high. If you’ve ever been to Cloudsdale, I think it’s in Equestria, well, it’s about as high as that,” Luna felt a horrible pang in her chest at the mention of her home country.
As they were walking past the main doors on the lowest level of the castle, Luna was casually glancing around when she noticed a sight that made her stop cold and made her blood freeze.
Guards from her sister were outside. And they were walking straight for the doors.
|
sammyberry
|
1229
| 3 |
Original Character,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Adventure,Sad,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Luna's Escape
|
Luna flies to a new country to try and live a new life, but starts getting homesick.
|
hiatus
| -1 | -1 |
<p>This story is currently on hiatus as I'm in a huge writer's block for this story. Hopefully, by writing some different stories (I have one idea because of a dream I had) I will become inspired to write this one again.</p><p>Princess Luna is tired of her sister's constant orders, so she decides to run away. Luna decides to go to a neighboring country to see if ponies will accept her there, though she has her doubts. But when she meets a stallion by the name of Luminance Eternal and a pony named Awakened Star, she realizes that someponies just might be nice and accepting.</p><p>Princess Celestia is furious with her sister and sends guards out to look for her.</p><p>But there's a pony even more evil then Celestia waiting in the wings, anticipating the moment when he can fully serve his only true princess, Celestia.</p>
|
everyone
|
2011-10-16T19:07:59+00:00
|
2011-10-16T19:07:59+00:00
| 1,707 |
Luna squeaked and ran behind a large vase. Her knees knocked together and her teeth chattered, and she was terrified that the guards would hear her. Star and Luminance looked at her strangely but otherwise didn’t acknowledge her strange behavior.
As the Solar Guards marched in, carrying with them an air of pride and power, Luna crouched down low and squeezed her eyes shut.
One of the Solar Guards, whose name was Astro Inferno, waltzed in and completely disregarded Star and Luminance. He looked all around with a sense of distress. Star walked up to him cautiously.
“Can I help you, sir?” she asked quietly. The guard simply said, “No,” and walked around the room, sniffing things and peering under things. Star raced over to him and stood in front of the vase he was about to look behind; the very vase where Luna hid. She almost fainted with fright.
“If you have business here in the castle, then I will help you. I will not permit you and your friends to just wander around the castle looking for whatever you are looking for. And if I cannot help you, then I’m afraid you’ll have to leave,”
Astro glared at Star. He didn’t seem to notice her wings, which were folded on either side of her, but he did see her horn. He rolled his eyes and said, “We’re not looking for something. We’re looking for somepony. Our runaway princess. She’s dark blue and is a rare alicorn. She has wings and a horn. Happy?”
Star giggled quietly. Then she burst into laughter. The guard was growing agitated with the annoying filly. “What!?!” he asked sharply. Star looked at him with tears in her eyes from laughing so much. She said, “You think alicorns are rare? Everypony here in the Royal Court is an alicorn! See?” she thrust out her wings and started flying around. The Solar Guard gaped at her in awe. The other guards looked at each other, too shocked to speak. Luminance opened up his wings and flew up with Star, laughing at the surprised looks of the guards.
Astro looked at them with hatred. “Will one of you take us to your princess? Now?” he said through gritted teeth. Star looked down and said, “I’m right here!” she flew in front of Astro and bowed.
“I am the princess of Elysian. Pleased to meet you,” The guard looked at her. He let out an aggravated sigh and said slowly. “You mean to tell me that you rule this entire country? You’re only barely a mare,” Star giggled again. “Of course not! That’s my mother’s job! She’s the Queen,”
Astro yelled in frustration. “Ok, fine! Take me to your queen then!” Luminance showed them the way to the throne room, looking annoyed. Probably because he had tried to use his peanut butter joke on one of the other guards and they hadn’t changed their expression.
When the five ponies were all out of earshot, Star walked over to Luna and helped her up. “Luna, did you know those ponies?” Luna bit her lip and hesitated. She wasn’t sure if she trusted these new ponies enough to tell them her true identity. Even the queen didn’t know her true identity.
After a few minutes of contemplating, Luna realized she didn’t have to explain anything. Star was staring at her crown.
Crap! Luna thought to herself. She ad completely forgotten about her crown! Had the queen noticed? She probably had. But then, why had she not said anything? Luna blushed and said quietly, “You aren’t going to turn me in, are you?”
Star shook her head and refocused her eyes on Luna. “Of course not, Luna! Or should I call you Princess Luna? No, that was a stupid question. Of course you want me to call you Luna. Can I at least call you Your Highness?” Star’s eyes were wide and she looked at Luna with kindness.
“Um, I’d rather you just refer to me as a regular pony, please. Somepony else might overhear,” Luna said softly. Star nodded and smacked her forehead. “I’m so not with it at the moment. Of course you don’t want me to point any of that out! Don’t worry, Luna, your secret’s safe with me… and Luminance?” Star looked at Luna expectantly.
Luna sighed and said, “Well, if he’s going to be with us a lot, then I guess it’s only fair for him to know, too. But only if swears on his life that he won’t tell anypony!”
Star cheered and said, “Oh, Luminance is good with keeping secrets. He kept my surprise birthday party a secret from me for four months! That takes skill,” Star grinned. Luna couldn’t help but smile at Star’s excitement.
“Well, ok,” she said softly. She gave Star an equine hug and said, “Thank you for being a good friend,” Star returned the hug and replied back, “Oh, it’s nothing. You definitely need some friends right now, especially since you’re here from a completely different country! Oh! You must tell us all about Equestria! I’ve always longed to go there, but since my mother is here, I’ve had to stay here. And my duties require me to stay here as well. Even if I’m not a pure royal pony, I’m still a princess,”
Luna smiled as Star rambled on and on. She was glad to have found some friends.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
After a couple of hours spent aimlessly wandering around in the garden, Star and Luna heard footsteps approaching. “Don’t worry guys, it’s me!” The ponies heard Luminance call.
Both ponies relaxed and turned toward the footsteps. They smiled when they saw Luminance. Star raced up to him and put her arm around him. “Ok, so Luna is actually the runaway princess! Can you believe it?” Star was about to go on in intricate detail, but Luminance shook his head and said, “I already know,” Both ponies stared at him and said, “You do?”
He nodded and said, “I noticed your crown when I first saw you, which is why I thought you’d be trying to get close to the queen for power for your own country or something. So I thought you were kinda mean and selfish and dangerous, but when Star introduced you to me, I saw how scared and helpless you looked, so I decided you had to be harmless,”
Luna glared at the ground. “I’m not helpless,” she said. Luminance could tell he hit a nerve and said, “Well, that’s what your appearance looked like to me. I know you’re not helpless,” he stopped trying to make up for his mistake, seeing how he only made her angrier.
Luna sighed and said, “It’s fine. I’m sorry I’m so sensitive,” Star put her arm around Luna and said, “Aw, don’t be sorry for your personality. That’s just how you are. We’ll have to get used to you a little, but we’ll definitely try and make you feel comfortable. Now, let’s go talk about Equestria!” Star started walking off towards the castle while Luna and Luminance just stared at her.
“You really think talking about Equestria-the place I ran away from-will make me feel better?” she asked incredulously. Luminance nodded in agreement. “Yeah, Star, seriously. We should take her around the city and show her everything. Then, if she’s feeling better, she can talk about Equestria if she wants,”
Luna smiled gratefully at Luminance, who smiled back. Star groaned. “But that’s so boring!” she whined as she walked back to them. Luminance glared at her, and Star said, “Ok, ok, ok. Let’s go show you the city,”
Luna took a step, then stopped. “I need to have some kind of disguise. Those guards might still be here, or more might come. Better to be safe then sorry, right?” Luna smiled apologetically. The other ponies looked at each other, then back at Luna.
“Let’s go find you a disguise!” Star cheered. Luna smiled and followed them.
An hour later, Luna, who was wearing an emerald green cape to cover her cutie mark and a matching hat to cover her crown, was walking around with Star and Luminance. They were showing her around, introducing her to some ponies and showing her shops.
“Over there’s Midnight Madness, a magic shop! A pony name Trixie works there. She used to be a famous magician, but she grew tired of showing off so instead she opened up that shop. She’s pretty nice once you get to know her. And over there is Gumdrop’s Sweets. She’s really nice, too. Oh, and here’s my favorite place, Olive’s Eatery. Yum!” Star was saying. Luna tried her hardest to remember all the stores’ and everypony’s names, but it was getting hard. Star couldn’t understand how different they were.
Luna would have liked to just walk along through the town, gazing at all the stores the way she wanted to, and Star was going extremely fast, but since she was her only friend so far (besides Luminance, who had stopped at Trinket’s Toy Store and said he’d catch up with them later), she didn’t want to make her upset, so she kept her mouth shut. Maybe Luminance could show her around later. He was more like Luna than Star was, that was a definite fact.
Luna felt herself smile a little at the thought of Luminance. Even though he had been reluctant to befriend her, and had even called her helpless, she couldn’t help but feel happy whenever he was around. Unfortunately, Star caught Luna’s smile and she said, “You’re thinking about somepony, aren’t you?” she asked with a knowing smile.
Luna looked up quickly. “What? Oh, no,” she said softly, blushing. Star looked at her. “Luminance?” she asked. Star didn’t even have to ask; she had seen Luna and Luminance together before. They were cute together.
Luna looked down, covered her face with her mane, and nodded her head. Star giggled. “Oh, you two look so cute together! Really! Ok, now it’s my job to help put you two together!” Luna looked up sharply.
“No,” she said immediately. Star stopped smiling and looked at Luna. “Why not?”
Luna looked down at the ground. She couldn’t tell Star that that thought scared her. She would think she was a baby and helpless. “I… I want do it myself,” Star replied, “Well, you can do it now, then. Here he comes,”
Luna’s eyes widened and she shook her head. “No, I want to do it when I’m ready,” “Do what when you’re ready?” Luminance asked, coming up to them.
Luna quickly looked for an excuse. “Try one of Gumdrop’s Cherry Cookies. I don’t really like the taste of Cherry. But I will try a Lemon Drop. I love the taste of Lemons!” she recovered with a smile.
Luminance nodded, but he had a distant look in his deep blue eyes. Luna looked at him sideways and said, “Luminance? Is everything alright?”
Luminance was shaken from his gaze and looked at Luna. “We have to get out of here. Now,” Luna didn’t like the sudden seriousness of his voice.
“Luminance, what’s wrong?” Star asked, realizing something was happening. He shook his head and just said, “We have to leave now,” Suddenly there was a gunshot. The ponies ducked down and Luna’s eyes widened.
She suddenly felt somepony lift her up and put her on their back. It was Luminance. “Luminance?” she asked quietly. “Luna, whatever you do, do not look back,”
Star was running beside them. Luna ignored Luminance and turned her head back around, curious as to what could have changed everypony’s actions so drastically. What she saw would haunt her for the rest of her life.
A pony dressed in the same armor as the guards who had taken her to see Queen Astral was lowering his hovering gun. He had shot a pony. The light blue pony winced in pain. The guard aimed his gun again and said, “This is what you get for not paying your taxes,” and he shot the pony. The pony squirmed for a minute, and then was still.
|
Aquaman
|
1231
| 1 |
Applejack,DJ P0N-3,Original Character,Comedy,Dark,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Breaking Bricks
|
Dealing with the past is always hard. Dealing with the present can be damn near impossible.
|
cancelled
| 26 | 6 |
<p>If this were a normal case, I wouldn't be chasing after a foalnapper who keeps mailing me riddles that he expects me to solve. I wouldn't be living with an alcoholic perfume salesmare who can't hardly remember her own name, let alone mine. And I certainly wouldn't be turning the fair town of Ponyville upside-down looking for somepony I didn't really want to find in the first place.</p><p>Then again, if this were a normal case, they probably wouldn't have hired me to crack it.</p><p>ON HIATUS (as in, not cancelled) until I get a bit farther into Harmony/I have more time to consistently devote to writing.</p>
|
teen
|
2011-10-06T03:39:59+00:00
|
2011-10-06T03:39:59+00:00
| 2,153 |
Chapter 1 - In Which I Try To Make It Through the Morning
There's only one thing in the world worse than waking up hung over. And that thing is waking up hung over to an empty bedroom.
I came to long before I opened my eyes, and I opened my eyes long before I was actually awake. Part of it was due to the fact that the bed was warm and I couldn't remember whether I paid the heating bill this month, but mostly it was because I felt like somepony had beaten me over the head with a steel-plated two-by-four. That would be the gin coming back to bite me in the ass. Possibly a bit of the scotch too.
Some back alley of my mind picked up on the significant lack of body heat next to me and filed it away to be analyzed some other time, when my brain wasn't trying to dig its way out of my skull with a pickaxe. Later, I'd probably feel sad or something about once again waking up alone after a night of voyeuristic sin, but right now all I could remember was a frizzy red mane and a lacy black shawl that smelled alarmingly like limburger cheese. Coral was her name, or something like that. Maybe Cherry. Cauliflower?
I made the critical mistake of moving, and the choir of angels inside my head made sure I'd regret it for the next two hours. Screw it, I muttered into the pillow as a medley of power tools and rabid bears chimed in for the refrain. She was gone anyway. No sense moping around about something I wouldn't get back.
Candy. That was her name. Candy Heart. It still didn't explain the cheese, but it was better than nothing.
After giving the bears a few minutes to clear out, I went into my standard hangover operating procedure, which this morning consisted of flailing my legs around until I could slip my rear end and then my forelegs over the edge of the bed without moving my head off the pillow. After that, there isn't much else you can do besides move slowly and make sure the bed is right next to the bathroom, so I scraped my tongue over my bone-dry lips and lifted my head up with only a minimal amount of cursing. This wasn't a world-record hangover, then. That was good. The record was set on Solstice Eve four years ago, when I spent six hours naming each and every one of the carpet fibers in the six-by-eight inch square of floor I could see from where I had collapsed around four and slept until around one the next afternoon. Today, I just ran into the doorjamb on the way out of the bedroom and wished I could go back and meet the pony who invented drinking, so I could gouge his eyes out with a rusty icepick. So all things considered, not a bad hangover at all.
Getting all the way into the shower would require many things, including the spatial awareness to actually wedge my whole body inside it, so I just settled for sticking my head under the stream of lukewarm water until the roaring in my ears died down into a purr. Dripping wet from the neck up and eyes still crusted over with Luna-only-knew-what, I swiveled around to face the mirror and tried to blink enough to get the glass to stop shimmering so brightly. Once it did, I gave myself a once-over just for kicks.
As was the pattern for the morning, things could've been worse. My coat was filthy and matted in more than one place, but at least none of it was dyed any color other than its natural Venetian red, and the symbol on my flank--a magnifying glass with a brown wooden handle--didn't look like it had been enhanced by any enthusiastic bar patrons. My mane, freshly soaked from the shower, was plastered all over my forehead in straggly brown clumps, but besides that looked normal enough as well. That left my teeth. I cracked a smile that ended up falling just short of a wince, and counted forty-two. All clear on this front, Brick. Time to get yourself cleaned up and ready for a bright, shiny new day of counting the hours until bedtime again. Be still, my heart.
The shower was still running and the water coming out of it wasn't getting any warmer, so I decided to skip the whole full-body wash thing and instead settle for a mouthful of tap water from the sink and the last fluoride-treated mint leaf from the jar I'd been meaning to refill for at least a week. With my headache starting to fade, I was able to think clearly enough to remember that I was hungry and there wasn't any food in my apartment, but not quite clearly enough to stop me from staring bleakly into the fridge at the impressive amount of didley-squat occupying the shelves. I also noticed that there didn't appear to be any cold air coming out either. Perfect. At least the milk had already gone bad days ago.
I paced around the room for a second looking for loose crumbs, then flopped on the couch and checked to see whether the cracks in the ceilings had gotten any bigger overnight. When I saw that they hadn't, I let out a sigh. Ten minutes out of bed, and I had completely exhausted all but two possibilities for the day: stay here on this couch until I blacked out from hunger, or go in to the office and be a productive member of society. My throat twinged, and for a long moment the room spun circles around me. Starvation was actually looking like a half-decent idea at the moment.
But my stomach, the traitor, could only hold out for a few minutes. Last night's dinner was still as fuzzy as all the rest of last night, so I didn't really even know how long it'd been since I'd eaten anything. The answer my gut gave went something along the lines of "way too damn long", and that was good enough for me. With a groan from me and a louder groan from the couch, I rolled onto my hooves and started out, catching the strap of my satchel in my teeth as I passed it and swinging it onto my back before I nosed the door open and stepped out into the hallway.
Where the first thing I saw was a neatly stenciled piece of paper tacked over my peephole, with a heading written in neon-red ink that started out with the words "NOTICE OF EVICTION" and pretty much went downhill from there. Today was just going to be one of those days.
There are some ponies who like to confront their problems head-on. Y'know, beat up their critics, chase down the schlub who picks their pocket at the train station, all that gung-ho stallion-type shit. For somepony like me, meanwhile, everything has two solutions. The first one is reasonable, stoic debate, and the second one is drinking. It's generally very difficult to negotiate with an eviction notice, so I didn't see the point in getting all worked up about it. Besides, it wasn't like this was the first time it'd ever happened. This was Manehattan and I was the kind of schmuck who didn't know well enough to leave; the only thing in this city tighter than the money is the waistlines of all the upper class entrepreneurs who putter around in Dressage Park like little pressed and starched robots. That was the image everypony seemed to have of Manehattan: rich, cultured, tasteful, refined. Me, I lived in the real world, where the rent is cheap, the sauce is cheaper, and any building that doesn't have a homeless colt sleeping in the alley behind it is pretty much Canterlot Castle. The homeless colt behind my building was named Chester. Nice guy, actually, so long as you're upwind.
Oh, that's right: it wasn't my building anymore, was it? Well, such is life, I said to the empty hallway, right before swearing under my breath. You try to do one decent thing in this world, and all you get from it is a never-ending headache and a neat little piece of paper telling you to buzz off and die, with warmest regards from the Management. They're always so polite when they kick you to the curb in Manehattan. Makes me miss Fillydelphia sometimes; when they kicked ponies to the curb, it usually involved actual kicking. I took one last look at the notice, and cussed again just to make sure it heard me.
"Well, good morning to you too, Dogwood."
I nearly bit my tongue in half snapping my jaw closed. My neighbors were what the brochures would call "affectionate", and I called "nosy as hell". Of course, this time it was mostly my fault, considering I'd been thinking aloud for the last thirty seconds or so and had just now noticed it. Funny, how I only ever do that when there are other ponies around to hear me.
"Howdy," I muttered at Mrs. Willow, who's roughly nine hundred years old and has been convinced for the last two of them that I'm her grown son Dogwood. I've never had the heart to tell her that her real son runs a mattress store across town and has his picture in the dictionary next to the word "asshole", so I mostly just take the free cookies and run. She's sweet enough, I guess, but I didn't think I'd miss her once I moved out. By the time I went through the nonexistent list of ponies I would miss once I moved out, she was talking again.
"Oh, I saw that nice young lady you had dinner with last night in the elevator this morning," she said perkily, her steel-gray curls hanging loosely over her sagging green skin. If Mrs. Willow had a word in the dictionary, it was definitely "naive". "She said she had someplace to go and she couldn't wait up for you, so I took the liberty of asking for her mailing address. I thought you might like to send her a letter or two. She is a doll, isn't she?"
Oh, yeah. A nearly nameless, nymphomaniacal one with commitment issues worse than mine. Just who I wanted to be pen pals with.
"Now, I had it written down in here somewhere..." Mrs. Willow shuffled back into her apartment and ducked around behind the door, muttering to herself the whole time. "Over...no. Not here either. Oh, your poor old mother'd lose her head if it weren't attached to her-ah! Here it is!"
I waited another twenty seconds before I saw Mrs. Willow scoot back into sight, a crumpled piece of notepaper clutched in her teeth. "Now don't you lose that, my little pup," she warned. Yeah, that was her thing. Dogwood was her "little pup". I guess I'd probably have turned into a jerk too with a nickname like that.
I took the paper out of courtesy and gave it a quick glance on its way into my bag. I had a feeling the address probably wasn't going to pan out, considering the city's name was spelled wrong and the zip code had six digits. Plus I was pretty sure I didn't really want to go steady with anypony who lived on "1234 Jerkoff Lane".
"Appreciate it," I said with a grin I've gotten damn good at faking over the last couple years. "But I kinda have to go to work now, so..."
"Well, don't let me hold you up, then," Mrs. Willow crooned. "Have a good day, sweetie!"
A normal, self-respecting stallion would've had the decency to cringe at that point. In my case, it wasn't even close to the worst thing to happen that morning. Perspective is a wonderful thing.
I made it outside without any more interruptions, which left me plenty of time to start thinking about what I was going to do now, with a few seconds left over for me to kick myself over forgetting to mooch a sandwich out of my surrogate mother. Making lists usually helped me get my head screwed on straight, so I decided to try that. First thing: go to the office...actually, scratch that. First thing: get food. Second thing: go to the office. Third thing...
Move out and find a new place before sundown, so I didn't have to deal with thing number four: find a carriage station to sleep under and a box of trash bags to serve as a dresser. Okay, so the list thing wasn't working as well as I'd hoped.
I went outside with my eyes closed, partially because it helped get my mind off my to-do list, but mostly because walking out into the sunshine with a hangover is about the same as tripping face-first into a bed of nails. Luckily, I knew the street well enough that I could make it at least two blocks without cracking them open once. Unluckily, my brain decided to use that time to start considering life options, none of which involved supermodels or a mansion in Canterlot. Or three square meals a day, come to think of it.
I don't really remember when my outlook on life got so negative. I'm lying, of course; I do remember, but it's nice to be able to say that to ponies so they don't keep asking questions about why I'm so down in the dumps all the time. It never occurs to them that I probably have some pretty good stuff to be down in the dumps about. Like, oh, I don't know, being evicted. That probably qualifies. So does living alone, and making crap money, and being the only pony on the street who not only knows what "writ of certiorari" means but can actually spell it too. Y'know, stuff like that.
I guess I shouldn't focus so much on just the bad stuff. I guess I should probably learn to laugh at myself and be a free spirit in a locked-off world. I guess I should probably quit drinking whenever I get pissed off and be nicer to my friends and learn how to channel magic through my nosehairs. But hey, nopony's perfect. And me? I'm the freaking Sultan of Screwups. And sometimes, the best I can do is just learn to live with it.
I opened my eyes right before I hit the intersection at the end of the block, just in time to see everypony within twenty feet staring at me like my head had fallen off. At first, I figured it was just a little strange to see a young, prime-of-his-life earth pony walking down a crowded sidewalk with his eyes squeezed shut. When the staring didn't let up after another two blocks, I figured probably I was full of shit.
I passed by a shop window stuffed with clothing in the "if you have to ask, don't even think about it" price range, and gave a sideways glance at my reflection as casually as I could. I didn't see anything, but the mare coming out of the store whose face crumpled into a ball as she skirted quickly around me sure did. I took another longer look, and felt a shudder run down my back.
With the whole world watching, I lifted a forehoof up behind my neck, right where a shawl might've gone. When I brought it back down, it was sticky and yellow, and smelled like death warmed over. The mare from the store let out a petite little cough and practically sprinted away.
"Limburger," I said to myself. And then I sighed. It was definitely going to be one of those days.
|
Aquaman
|
1231
| 2 |
Applejack,DJ P0N-3,Original Character,Comedy,Dark,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Breaking Bricks
|
Dealing with the past is always hard. Dealing with the present can be damn near impossible.
|
cancelled
| 26 | 6 |
<p>If this were a normal case, I wouldn't be chasing after a foalnapper who keeps mailing me riddles that he expects me to solve. I wouldn't be living with an alcoholic perfume salesmare who can't hardly remember her own name, let alone mine. And I certainly wouldn't be turning the fair town of Ponyville upside-down looking for somepony I didn't really want to find in the first place.</p><p>Then again, if this were a normal case, they probably wouldn't have hired me to crack it.</p><p>ON HIATUS (as in, not cancelled) until I get a bit farther into Harmony/I have more time to consistently devote to writing.</p>
|
teen
|
2011-10-06T04:03:40+00:00
|
2011-10-06T04:03:40+00:00
| 1,806 |
Chapter 2 - In Which My Life Gets Switched and Turned Upside-Down
After sprinting back home to stick my head back under the shower again—and leaving the water on because technically I was stealing it from the supers now and I figured I might as well go full throttle on the bastards—the first stop I made was at Pony Steve's. I've known him for years, first as a customer and now as the only guy who remembers who he spent the night with after Starlight's Halloween party last year. He's the oldest of six, with a younger brother who works a donut shop in Canterlot and four sisters whose chosen occupations are a little less savory. His occupation, meanwhile, is baker and pastry artist extraordinaire, and right now that pretty much made him the good Princess Celestia Herself as far as I was concerned.
Steve's shop has giant plate glass windows on either side of the door, so the scowl on his face meant he'd seen me coming. We have an interesting relationship, Steve and I, sort of a "you scratch my back and I won't break all the bones in yours" kind of relationship. I don't come to him unless I need a favor, and he doesn't speak to me unless I remind him that his mother doesn't remember who he spent the night with after Starlight's Halloween party last year.
"Well, look what the cat dragged in," he announced to the thankfully empty shop before curling his nose and narrowing his eyes into a squint. "The hay'd you roll in this morning?"
"Don't ask," I muttered back. "What's fresh today?"
"Besides you?"
"Okay, what's stale today?"
Now Steve's scowl looked more like a glare. "Buzz off, Brick," he growled. "I'm done giving handouts to you. You pay your own way, just like everypony else."
Every once in a while, Steve got this funny idea in his head that he was going to start standing up for himself and stop taking orders from some lousy private investigator five years his junior and without two bits to rub together. Apparently, it had been long enough of a while already. "Stevie, c'mon…" I started out with a tacky grin. "You can't even sell the stale stuff."
"No, Brick."
"Not even for an old friend?"
"I said no. And we're not friends."
"Old enemy, then. I'm flexible."
"Get out, Brick. Or I'm callin' the cops."
"They'd be on my side, y'know."
"Out."
I let out an exaggerated sigh and shrugged. "All right," I said airily. "Suit yourself."
I turned around, waiting for Pony Steve to speak up again. He didn't disappoint. "And you know what?" he yelled out as I reached the door. "I don't even care what you tell my mother! I'm sick of all that too!"
Without turning around, I shrugged again. "No, hey, I get it," I replied. "I mean, that mare at the party probably just looked a lot like your cousin."
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a vein in Steve's neck twitch. Bluff, consider yourself called. "Y'know, I've always wondered, though," I added before looking back one last time. "Why'd she have to look like the ugly one?"
I hit the door in a full sprint, chased out by a barrage of stale bread and a string of curses that'd make a sailor blush. After poking around to find the loaf that had landed the farthest from the gutter, I winked back at Steve through the window and trotted off to the office, my breakfast already getting soggy between my teeth.
I wasn't too worried about retribution. He'd forgive me eventually, like he always did. And if he didn't, whatever I was going to do about it wasn't going to come to mind anytime soon. I can't think when I'm hungry, and I especially can't think when I've got a headache that won't decide whether it wants to grow up into a migraine or not. I'd thought it was getting better before, but the longer I stayed out in the sunshine, the wider the crack running down the center of my skull got. As I rounded the corner and the Brick Breaker, Inc. Manehattan office came into view, I made a silent promise to myself that I would never touch another drop of alcohol as long as I lived, so help me Celestia and Luna and all their various nephews and cousins. It's always good to laugh at yourself, I say.
I was almost to the door when it occurred to me: I needed my key to get into my office. My key was in my bag, and my mouth was full of breakfast. This was a problem. I stared at the door for a good minute or so with an eyebrow cocked, half my brain judging whether I could balance the key between my forelegs without losing my bread loaf, and the other half trying to keep myself from falling over. My headache wasn't making either task very easy. Eventually, I got sick of thinking and starting doing, which here involved reaching over my shoulder with a forehoof to try to knock my bag off my shoulder and onto the ground, which here involved me forgetting that the damn thing was strapped to my other shoulder, which thus involved me falling on my ass and cracking my head on the door I was intending to unlock.
Which then resulted in said door swinging wide open because I'd forgotten to lock it the night before. The bread in my mouth muffled most of what I had to say about that.
Getting back up onto my hooves seemed like too much to bother with by then, so I got a good grip on what remained of my bread loaf and belly crawled the rest into my office, kicking the door close mostly on purpose on the way in. Thankfully, there wasn't too much furniture to dodge around; beside the ancient pinewood desk in the center of the room, the only other objects in my office were a couple of filing cabinets set up against the back wall and a faded brown steamer trunk sitting to the right of my desk. I'd remembered to lock that, at least. Then again, the ghostly white sheen of dust garnishing the top was kind of a dead giveaway that I hadn't unlocked it in months.
Mental note: reconsider plan to train sewer rats as janitors.
I made it over to my desk in a decent amount of time, spitting out the bread loaf on its mostly bare top as I used it to pull myself back onto my hooves. The well-worn wood gave an emphatic creak and threatened to fall apart into tiny little melodramatic pieces if I leaned on it just one more time, but as usual it didn't go through with it. I gave it a smack for good measure, then leaned back and sat down hard on the skinny brown cushion behind it. Brick Breaker was in the building. Time to go to work.
Thirty seconds passed, and the inspiration to work didn't show up. Another half a minute and a few more bites of bread didn't help much either. Being a P.I. was like that a lot. Sometimes, the drive just wasn't there. Of course, it usually helped to actually have interesting cases to do work on. All I had right now was a lonely and shockingly deranged housewife who wanted me to figure out where her husband ran off to-for his sake, I hoped it was far away from her-and a high-stakes mission to hunt down a rogue skateboard, bequeathed upon me by a green-furred little unicorn colt who wouldn't give me back my saddlebag until I agreed to take his case. There's a certain glamour that goes with this job, and I'm pretty sure I was in the little colt's room when they were handing out samples.
I'm not really sure why I still do it to begin with; the work is sparse, I'm lucky if the money even exists, and there are a thousand other things I could probably be doing better. So far, the only good reasons I can come up with are that I make my own hours and I don't necessarily have to wear clothes to work. And having a big brass nameplate sitting right up front on my desk that reads "Brick Breaker, P.I." is pretty awesome too. It'd be more awesome if anypony besides me ever saw it, but that's what I got for skimping on the office. A word to the wise: if they say in the advertisement that the property is "secluded", run like the wind.
A lot of ponies who think they're funny ask me how a pony with a magnifying glass stamped on his flank gets a name like Brick Breaker. Sometimes I make up a story to spice things up, but mostly I just tell them the truth. My father wanted a strapping young son who would follow in his hoofsteps into the construction business like my three brothers before me, and my mother wanted a daughter. Between my career choice and the fact that you couldn't pay me to go shopping for anything more complicated than ketchup, I managed to disappoint both of them. My three older brothers all worked at Dad's lumber plant, and I went to college. Kind of galling to think that they all make more than I do now.
I tried to get my mind on more pleasant things by eating the last of my bread loaf, but even that went down sour. Last night had been catching up with me all morning, and now it had officially passed me by. My head was throbbing, my stomach was still rumbling despite the peace offering from Pony Steve, and all I had to show for my life was a twelve-by-fifteen foot office sandwiched between a duplex and a dry cleaners, and a manila folder on the desk in front of me dedicated to a stallion on the lam who'd known better than to take orders from his psychotic wife. Guess that made me the sap who hadn't, then. Story of my freaking life.
Self-pity can be a great time-waster in a pinch, so I heaved out a heavy sigh and flipped the folder open. I'd pretty much memorized what little there was inside: a couple pages on old fillyfriends, half a sheet of notes on what a slimeball he was, one doodle of myself saving a beautiful mare from a band of muscle-bound minotaurs, and a single glossy photo of a square-jawed, sour-looking stallion with a short brown mane and what looked like an even shorter temper. I'd penciled in a single word in the white margin at the bottom: "Dino". And that was it. A name, a face, and a two-hundred-bit bonus riding on whether I could find him before his wife did. But the eternal gift of being a private investigator is that you can always imagine there's something you missed the first hundred go-arounds, some little inkling of a detail that completes the metaphorical puzzle and blows away all the metaphorical fog with a metaphorical industrial fan. It'd happened to me once or twice before, and that was enough to keep me believing a third stroke of genius was just around the corner. Somepony once told me that doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results was the definition of insanity. I'm pretty sure that pony has never done detective work.
I stared at my notes until my eyes glazed over, but nothing new stuck out. Depending on who you believed, the guy was either an average pony with a thing for lemon drops, or a coldhearted fillyfiddler who left his dear, devoted old wife for some bimbo in the boondocks and oughta be strung up from the center of the Coltlyn Bridge, bless his heart. Somehow, "yikes" just didn't quite cover it. But the sign on my desk didn't say "Brick Breaker, Marriage Counselor"; if this mare wanted me to find this sap, then I was going to find him. She was paying my rent, after...
Oh, damn it to the moon.
My forehead hit the folder with a heavy thunk, and stayed there. I think I groaned for a bit, but by then I could barely even work up the strength to listen long enough to tell. Mostly, all I could do was watch the word "eviction" float back and forth in the darkness behind my eyelids, and wonder distantly why this particular sucker buck to the gonads stung so much worse than all the others. I guess I just thought I'd finally found a place I could settle down for a while. I'd been living in that little box for almost two years now. I'd filled in a few of the holes in the walls, brought some new furniture, almost gotten used to the neighbors...it was a manurehole, sure, but it was my manurehole. And now, in a few days' time, it would be someone else's manurehole. I was definitely groaning now.
Different ponies have different ways of coping with stress. The practical ones just swallow hard and deal with it, and I suppose the more creative ones draw or write or make macaroni art or something to get it out of their system. As for myself, I talk to Leo. He's a snow-white pegasus with a golden-orange mane, and he's not really a voice inside my head, per se; everything he says is just what I tell him to say. But it makes me feel a little more mentally balanced if I pretend it's not just me sitting in a dark room talking to myself for hours on end. Hence, I have Leo.
"What am I supposed to do?" I moaned out to the dark room that I hoped I wouldn't be occupying for hours on end. In my head, Leo just shrugged. "Oh, you're a big freaking help."
"Well, what am I supposed to say?" Leo replied in his scratchy and slightly high-pitched voice. "It's gonna be better in the morning?"
"That'd be nice of you."
This time, Leo just laughed. "Not a chance, partner," he said. "I'm just as screwed as you are."
That's the trouble with Leo not being just a voice inside my head. Usually, his outlook on the world isn't much different from mine. "Okay, think positively," he continued a second later. "I mean, you still got this place, right? You could sleep here."
I shook my head, and the contents of the folder trapped beneath my brow scattered all over the desk. "Kinda unprofessional to do that, I think," I argued back.
"Brick, you're drooling all over your single source of income. Let's be realistic here."
And that's another thing: sometimes, he just goes and pisses me off. "I'm sorry, how the hell are you helping?" I grunted, lifting my head halfway off the desk before remembering there wasn't anypony in front of me to glare at. Despite that fact, I imagined Leo putting on a confused face.
"Am I supposed to be helping?" he asked.
"No, just stand there and look cute. That'll fix everything."
"I'm a figment of your imagination. I can't stand anywhere."
"I know that!"
"Boy, you are seriously messed up today, aren't you?"
"Stars above, just shut up alre..."
I paused in mid-shout, then finally looked up to stare bleakly at the single bare lightbulb hanging from the ceiling. "You're arguing with yourself, Brick," I muttered as my head descended back down onto the desk again. "You're arguing with yourself again."
"And you're losing," Leo added matter-of-factly.
I let out my deepest sigh of the morning, and Dino's picture fluttered to the floor. I was in the middle of shifting myself over to pick it up when a gentle rapping reached my ears. Good. Now I was actually hearing Leo run into things. Maybe I was crazy after all. I was still wondering whether room and board came free at insane asylums when the rapping rang out again. Only this time, it sounded more like knocking.
Knocking. Knocking on wood. Someone was knocking on the door to the office. The door to my office.
Celestia banish me to Neptune. I had a customer.
I swept all my notes on Dino haphazardly back into their folder and stuffed the whole thing into one of the filing cabinets, trying to shake off what was left of my hangover in the process and mostly just giving myself whiplash. Once that was done, I tossed a dog-eared notepad and a pencil out onto the desk where the folder had been, licked a forehoof and swept it back over my mane, wished briefly that I had some kind of detective hat to wear in situations like this, and faced the door.
"It's open!" I called out, my heart pounding almost as much as my temple.
A second or two later, the door swung inwards about a foot, and a peach-furred mare with forest green eyes peered around the side. "I-I'm sorry," she stammered. "Is this a bad time? I heard shouting..."
I bit my lip hard and tried to make it look like a smile. "No, you're...you're fine," I answered. "Uh...please, come in."
The mare nodded, then nudged the door the rest of the way open. The instant she walked in, my whole chest went numb. The delicately braided green mane that perfectly matched her eyes, the impeccably trimmed fetlocks, the glimmering white pearls strung around her neck...this wasn't just a customer, this was a rich one. Probably part of the Orange clan that ran things uptown, if her coat was any indication. As subtly as I could, I tried to crane my neck around to check the mark on her flank, but her ruffled gray dress went all the way back to her tail.
"You're a...an investigator, aren't you?" the mare asked as I snapped back to attention.
"Well, that's what it says on the door," I chuckled back. The mare wasn't laughing. "Yes, I'm a private investigator. I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name?"
"Oh, I'm terribly...please, call me Valencia."
Orange family member confirmed. Initiating heart attack sequence. "And I see you're...Brick Breaker?" she asked a moment later. I pushed my jaw back up with a forehoof and nodded.
"So, um..." I said with only a bit of stammering. "What can I help you with?"
"It's..."
For the first time, I noticed how patently not rich Valencia looked at the moment. Her mane weave had stray hairs poking out all over the place, and her eyes were rimmed red and underscored by dark circles the size of teabags. Not to mention, that dress hardly looked like the kind an upper class pony like herself would want to show off around town. And of course, there was the nagging thought in my back of my mind that something majorly weird had to be going on if she was desperate enough to risk a trip through this neighborhood just to see me.
"I just don't know where else to go," she eventually croaked. For a long moment, she just stood there and sniffled a bit, while I sat there and wondered whether I was supposed to be doing anything. Comforting obscenely rich mares having emotional breakdowns in the middle of my office wasn't really in my repertoire of skills, as far as I knew.
"Ma'am?" I said tentatively as Valencia blew her nose with a lacy orange handkerchief.
"Oh, excuse me," she rushed to say back, stuffing the handkerchief deftly back in her saddlebag in the same instant. "I...gracious, I'm a mess. I suppose you're wondering why I'm here?"
"Just a bit, yeah," I replied before I could stop myself. Valencia had a lot of self-control, though, or else she was just beyond caring by now. To be honest, I was kind of hoping it was the former.
"Well, to put it simply," she sighed. "I need your help. I need you...to find somepony. Isn't that what you do?"
I tried to keep my sigh of relief as quiet as possible. That, at least, I could probably handle. "That's what I do," I asserted as I leaned forward and pulled my notepad into mouth's reach. Usually, the procedure from here was to first make sure the client had the bits to make the job worthwhile, but I figured the company I was keeping now made that kind of a no-brainer. Still, it couldn't hurt to ask. "Well, first off, we're going to have to talk about fees," I began. My intention was to play things slow and see how much I could work this mare up to--hey, I had to make a living somehow--but as it turned out, I hardly had to say anything at all.
"That won't be a problem," she interrupted in mid-buildup.
To my credit, I got myself back on track fast. "Well, actually, it kind of is..."
"What I mean is, there's no need to negotiate a fee," she added a moment later, cutting me off again. "I've already taken care of that."
"You took care of...run that by me again?"
Instead of answering me directly, Valencia craned her neck back to reach into a smaller saddlebag tucked away inside her dress. When she straightened up again, she was holding an unsealed white envelope delicately in her teeth, which she then dropped onto my desk for me to examine. After tossing a slightly confused glance in the mare's direction, I slid the flap back on the envelope and unfolded the tri-folded sheet of paper inside. It wasn't cash or a check; it was a bank statement. I read one line, then the next, and then all the air went out of the room only to reappear a second later inside my stomach.
"That's..." I tried to swallow, and got stuck fast halfway through the motion. "That's..."
"Thirty thousand initially, and another seventy thousand once you've done what I ask," Valencia nodded. I would've said something back, except my brain was still on lockdown and my tongue was approximately the size of the Goodsteel blimp. "I do hope that's enough," Valencia finished a bit unsurely.
"That's...yeah, that's fine," I mumbled halfheartedly. Yeah, it was fine. It was more than fine. For that kind of money, I'd kidnap the Princess using nothing but a pair of nose hair trimmers. I glanced up long enough to notice Valencia's uncomfortable gaze, and with a good bit of internal resistance tore my eyes away from the envelope and yanked myself back into business mode.
"So who am I trying to find?" I asked after clearing my throat and wiping the sweat off my brow.
Valencia swallowed hard, and for a second or two I had the strangest feeling that she was trying to decide whether to even answer me.
"Clementine," she finally said in something close to a whisper.
I grabbed my pencil in my teeth and wrote the word "Clementine" at the top of my notepad. "And was this your husband, boyfriend..."
"Daughter. She's my daughter."
Huh. Didn't expect that. Didn't expect that at all. "Your...daughter?" I said through the pencil.
Valencia nodded, her eyes shut tight. "She has dandelion yellow fur, a bright orange mane...she has her father's nose. And my eyes, just as green, just as..." She paused, and something between a sigh and a cough escaped her lips. "She turned nine three weeks ago."
My chest was numb again. Same feeling, completely different reason. The next question I asked was automatic, already on my lips almost before it reached my brain. "Her cutie mark..."
Valencia shook her head again. She was crying again. "Too young," she whispered. "She didn't...doesn't. She doesn't have...oh, my little..."
It's not the same. It's something else. There's some other reason. There's gotta be some other reason...
"Did she run away?" I asked quietly.
Valencia sucked in a shuddering breath, and looked at me with desolate eyes. And shook her head. "She was foalnapped," she said. "She's been gone for two days."
Of all the days to be hung over. Of all the days to finally get this case. Of all the days I had to start thinking about why I became a P.I. in the first place. It had to be today. It had to be right freaking now. The pencil dropped from my mouth, bounced off the notepad, and rolled all the way to the edge of the desk, where it fell to the floor with a gentle clatter that nearly knocked me off my seat.
"Ma'am..." I murmured. "I...I'm sorry. But I don't think..." Another sigh, and this one came with barbs that stuck fast in the back of my throat. "I can't help you."
"No, please!" Valencia shouted. Pleaded, was more like it. And there was no pain or sorrow corrupting those peaceful green eyes now. Just desperation. As if I really was her last hope to get her daughter back.
Funny. I remember when I wanted to be somepony's hero like that.
"Look, this doesn't have anything to do with you..." I started to say before Valencia cut me off.
"No, you don't understand," she gushed, her throat bobbing up and down with every word. "You're the only...I don't know where else to turn. The pony who took her, he's not like other foalnappers. He's intelligent. The police won't be able to find him. They won't look in the right places."
Oh, brilliant. Not only was I for some reason her first and only choice for the job, but she wouldn't even tell me the real reason she wanted me to do it. I'd be a fool to walk into this, for so many reasons.
"I need somepony outside the normal circles. Somepony who's more...unorthodox, if you will. Somepony who I know will do whatever it takes to find my daughter and bring her back to me."
"And what makes you think I'm that pony?" I shot back without looking at her. "'Cause I don't know if you've noticed, but this..." I gestured irreverently at my workspace. "This isn't really what the best in the biz get to work with."
"I don't want the best," she replied firmly. "I want you."
"Why?" I repeated.
Again, I got the strangest feeling that Valencia didn't want to answer me. Unfortunately, this time it was only a few blissful seconds before I found out why. "Because my husband's brother is an associate editor for the Daily," she said. "Because I remember when you were on the front page. And because I remember why you were there."
Lord Poseidon in heaven.
"Please," she begged. "You of all ponies must understand."
Now it was my turn to have my eyes shut tight. "I do understand," I muttered back. And that's exactly why I don't want anything to do with this.
"So you'll do it?"
Well, then. Decision time, Brick. Are you going to help this frantic, hopeless mare, or are you going to save yourself while you still can? Noble sacrifice, or self-preservation? Think carefully, Brick, because whatever choice you make, you're going to hate yourself for it regardless. Stars above, don't you just love having options like that?
I mean, I wasn't a cop. I was a private investigator. Private. I could easily just say no to this, just shove that bank statement back into that envelope and hand it over and say, "No thanks, I'll pass". Every fiber of my being was screaming at me to do just that. Every fiber of my being knew that I was exactly the wrong pony for this case, for this entire damned job. That if I could barely even bring myself to think about going after a foalnapper, then I couldn't possibly expect to do anything but waste this mare's time. And yet my lips stayed closed, and my teeth stayed clamped together like I'd brushed them over with Gorgon Glue. And my mind kept picturing a cold, hungry, dandelion-yellow filly locked in a basement somewhere, orange mane coated with grime and eyes burning with salt and fear. And an outstretched hoof reaching towards her. Lifting her up. Hooking around her neck. Squeezing.
In the end, you might say it was my conscience that got the best of me. Not the money or the fame or the fact that I knew I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't take this case; no, you'd think, I just knew deep down in my soul of souls that it was simply the right thing to do. I was scared, I was afraid, I was downright petrified, but I saddled up anyway. My mind said no, but my heart said yes. All that good stuff that sounds great in a radio play, and is a little harder to come by when there's no script and no director and no unspoken promise that everypony will go home happy. When all you have to go on is your own mind telling you that you can't do it, and some other part of you telling you that there's no way you can't. You call it a conscience; I call it being a coward. Whatever it was, it got Valencia the answer she wanted to hear. And I suppose in the end, that's all that really matters.
"Has the foalnapper asked for a ransom yet?" I asked, figuring Valencia was smart enough to get what that implied about my decision. She was.
"No, he hasn't," she said with visible relief. "Not yet, at least."
I wrote that down on my notepad and put a big question mark at the end of the line. "How do you know your daughter was foalnapped, then?"
"Because she disappeared on the way home from school. Her friends...said they saw her talking to a strange pony on Halter Street just after class ended. It's only a block away from our home."
"And this was two days ago, you said?"
"Yes. Mid-afternoon, I suppose."
Two days ago. Two days ago was the Autumnal Equinox, one of the biggest holidays in all of Equestria. "Interesting day to commit a felony in broad daylight," I thought out loud.
"I hardly think that's at all relevant," Valencia answered with a definite edge to her voice.
"You'd be surprised," I muttered before backing off a bit. "And did these, uh...friends of hers see what this strange pony looked like?"
"Well, he looked...strange."
"Yeah, we kind of established that. Anything else?"
"They didn't know. Her friends, I mean. They told me they didn't get a good look at him."
"Who were these friends, again?"
"I don't think I'm at liberty to divulge that. This has been a...well, as I'm sure you can imagine, they're very upset about this. You'd have to speak with their parents first if you want to question them. I can give you their addresses if you need them."
"Sure," I said, but without really meaning it. I hardly even glanced at the piece of paper Valencia took out of her saddlebag and scribbled on for a moment with a dainty black pen that had a cushioned guard for her teeth built right into the grip. Mostly because the single glance I did give it was long enough for me to see that those addresses would take me straight into the heart of Tuxedo Town. There were many things I'd do to make a quick bit; waltzing through the poshest neighborhoods in Manehattan to go interrogate a couple of grade-school aged foals wasn't on the list just yet. The last time I questioned a kid, he started crying in the middle of a ice cream parlor and I spent twenty minutes trying to convince his parents that I just wanted to know where the bathroom was. Add a friend's disappearance and a weekly allowance bigger than my retirement fund, and you had a perfect recipe for a whole different level of stuff I really didn't want to deal with.
"I have a picture. Of Clementine," Valencia said, sensing that the prolonged silence meant I'd run out of questions. I nodded in reply, and watched as Valencia reached into her bag one last time and pulled out a rectangular photo that looked like it had been pulled out of a picture frame. I stared down at where she had dropped it on top of my notepad, and a fiery-maned, gap-toothed earth filly stared back with piercing green eyes that didn't glow like stars so much as twinkled like emeralds. It was the first time I'd seen the pony I was supposed to go find. It was about the fourth time my stomach had turned over at the very thought of it.
"All right," I murmured. "I'll check around Halter today, see if there's anypony over there who saw anything. You want me to write you if I find anything?"
"Don't write. If you find anything, come tell me directly. Here, I'll leave you my husband's card. It has our address on it." Fantastic, I thought. More traipsing around Fancy Flanks Acres. "And if there's anything else you need-"
"Just drop on by," I finished. "Copy that."
Valencia nodded, and pulled her lips tight over her teeth. I don't think she really knew what to do now, so after a minute or two she just nodded again and turned to leave. But not before looking back at me and saying exactly what I knew she would say at one point or another. "Please, find my daughter. Please."
I tried to put on a smile, but lying to other people is a hell of a lot easier than lying to yourself. "I'll do the best I can," I said back honestly, and she seemed to take that as good enough. With a polite bow and a wayward cough, my first customer of the day showed herself out. And I sat motionless behind my desk, wondering what exactly I'd just gotten myself into.
I knew one thing: this case was big. Bigger than any I'd ever had before, and probably would ever have afterwards. A hundred thousand bits was serious bank to even a pony like Valencia, and to have thirty percent of it sitting in an envelope right there on the edge of my desk was unreal. I didn't even have dreams this crazy. To be honest, I wasn't entirely sure I wasn't dreaming right now. My head certainly felt light enough to make it a possibility.
A few minutes after my front door swung closed again, I reached out with my forehooves and pulled the bank statement out of the envelope to read it again. According to that, the Orange Family had opened up a bank account in my name at Equestrian First National, and the first portion of my fee had already been deposited and was available for withdrawal any time I wanted it. Thirty thousand bits in my own private vault, before I'd even known about the case. And if I actually found Clementine, another seventy grand would trickle on down straight into my saddlebag. It seemed too good to be true, and in my experience that meant it probably was. There was something else going on here, and I couldn't begin to think of what it could be. But the bits were real. Valencia's tears were real. And that meant this case was real. Where the cash came from didn't matter; I was being paid to be an investigator. So, I would investigate. I would catch the foalnapper, I would save the foal, and I would take the money and run, baby. All in a day's work for Mr. Hotshot Private Investigator.
It sounded so simple when I put it like that, didn't it? Like something easy. Like something that didn't mean anything beyond a crime and a criminal and a good pony like me out to bring him to justice. Like something I knew I could do.
I shoved the envelope aside and looked at Clementine's photo again. "Can I do it, Leo?" I whispered. "Can I do it right this time?"
There's one other reason I know Leo isn't just some voice in my head, and that reason is that he always answers me when I talk to him. When I call, he comes. It's one of the few things I can count on always being true: death, taxes, and Leo's always one word away. And right now, more than ever before, I needed an answer from Leo. Not anypony else. Just him. So I asked him the question that had been digging through my head ever since I found out what those thirty thousand bits were for, and waited for Leo to reply.
And in ten minutes, he never did. For the first time since he'd first taken up residence in my brain, Leo had nothing to say.
There's something to be said for spending your whole life carting lumber. At least my brothers didn't have to deal with crap like this.
|
Aquaman
|
1231
| 3 |
Applejack,DJ P0N-3,Original Character,Comedy,Dark,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Breaking Bricks
|
Dealing with the past is always hard. Dealing with the present can be damn near impossible.
|
cancelled
| 26 | 6 |
<p>If this were a normal case, I wouldn't be chasing after a foalnapper who keeps mailing me riddles that he expects me to solve. I wouldn't be living with an alcoholic perfume salesmare who can't hardly remember her own name, let alone mine. And I certainly wouldn't be turning the fair town of Ponyville upside-down looking for somepony I didn't really want to find in the first place.</p><p>Then again, if this were a normal case, they probably wouldn't have hired me to crack it.</p><p>ON HIATUS (as in, not cancelled) until I get a bit farther into Harmony/I have more time to consistently devote to writing.</p>
|
teen
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2011-10-09T03:00:45+00:00
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2011-10-09T03:00:45+00:00
| 1,352 |
Chapter 3: In Which The Term "Economic Depression" Takes On A New Meaning
I'm pretty sure I've mentioned this before, but it bears repeating: being a private investigator isn't really as exciting as it's cracked up to be. I guess ponies look at us like they do knights and spies and black-bearded pirate captains: as dangerous, devil-may-care mavericks, riding by the hairs of their tails and living life on the edge. I've never really figured out whether I'm the exception or the rule when it comes to PIs, but regardless it's safe to say that I'm falling down on the job as far as keeping up that image is concerned. "Devil-may-care", I've got covered; "dangerous", not so much.
Mostly, what I spend my days doing is thinking. Usually, it's about important things, like what I'm going to have for dinner or where I left my good umbrella or why the hell Poseidon decided to give the equine race nice, long, luxurious backs and little stubby hooves that were too short to scratch them where they itched. Occasionally, I thought about my cases, the things I was presumably paid to think really, really hard about. Very rarely did I ever think about why I even took a case at all. I guess today was just one of those days too, though, because I was sure as salt thinking about that now.
I suppose "thinking" wasn't the most appropriate term for what I was doing. "Thinking" usually implied progress; "thinking" meant that I was deeply considering every aspect of this new development in my life and finding insightful solutions to practical problems, or whatever it was the Home Ec teacher in junior high had told us about decision-making. A slightly better word was "reflecting"; the ideal one was "vegetating". Just sort of sitting there, staring off into space, slowly coming around to realizing that I'd just taken on a job where a little filly's life hung in the balance. A relatively simple concept, sure, but it felt thick as molasses and about as heavy while I was letting it trickle through my brain.
It's funny how sometimes your brain is smarter than you are. It wasn't my brain that got me into this situation; my brain had been that little voice in the back of my mind that had threatened to castrate me with a diamond-spiked mace if I even thought about saying yes to this case. I guess that's because the brain doesn't feel guilt, or sympathy, or fear. That's all the heart and the stomach and, on a really bad day, the bowels. What the brain does feel, though, is the sensation of having absolutely no clue what to do next. My brain has something of a talent for that, if you want to know the truth.
Gradually, the urge to get up and do something began to solidify in my stomach as a hot, tingly ball of what felt a lot like lead. I tend to get impulsive when I'm confused, drunk, or otherwise mentally incapacitated, so about fifteen minutes after Valencia left, I swung my forehooves off my desk and trotted to the door, breaking my stride only to grab the envelope she had left behind. At least I had a couple wits still bouncing around someplace upstairs. And if all that covered was the knowledge that money equaled food and sleep and cold, frosty drinks that made all the bad, scary things go away between four and six P.M., I could live with that.
I nosed the door open and walked face-first into a blast of icy September wind, which helped to clear my head more than I would've expected. The shock was only enough to buy me a few seconds of coherence, but that was enough time for me to remember a little white piece of paper with big red letters on it tacked to the door of my apartment. I'd been evicted not even two hours ago because I'd barely been bringing in enough cash to keep myself from starving, let alone to keep the landlord happy. But as I shut my eyes against the breeze and flattered my ears against my skull, I remembered something else: as of twenty minutes ago, I had another little piece of paper in my saddlebag, one worth about ten times what I usually made in a month. Enough to pay my rent for the next twenty months. Probably enough to just buy the whole apartment straight up. I'm not entirely sure about this, but in most circles I believe that's what they call a godsend. And all I had to do to earn it was find one little foal. Actually, if you thought about it, I didn't even have to do that. Another thing worth saying twice: perspective is a wonderful thing.
It was like I hadn't quite woken up yet that morning, and now I'd finally managed to get my hooves on a double shot of espresso. I had my life back under control again, and a whole plan for the day began to shape up as I started walking again. Step One: find a bank. Step Two: get money out of said bank. Step Three: spend said money, which would then lead into Step Four: sleep in my own bed that night. Forget what the old wives said; I was about to buy me some freaking happiness. And it felt great.
I pulled the bank statement back out of my bag just to look at it one more time, and this time I finally let out the stupidly wide grin I'd had to hold back while Valencia was watching. Pay to the order of Brick Breaker. Beautiful words. Poetic, even. If I could carry a tune, I would've sang it: pay to the order of Brick Breaker, pay to the order of me.
And what was that at the top of the page there? An address for the central branch of Equestrian First National Bank, that's what. An address that just so happened to be right smack in the middle of Bell Street, which just so happened to be the next street over from Halter. "Godsend" didn't even cover this anymore. I wasn't just hired for this case, I was meant for it. I was ready, I was able, I was probably still hung over and just a touch on the loopy side now, but right now was not the time to be worried about that. That time would come later, during the inevitable moment when the mental espresso wore out and the other horseshoe dropped. Right now, it was time to go to the bank. My grin snuck back onto my lips again, even wider and stupider than before.
"This is insane," I whispered to myself, right before I turned the corner and headed off to the heart of Manehattan with my head held high and my hooves practically buzzing with whatever it was that was jetting through down my spine and leaking out onto my face. I felt free. I felt wealthy. I felt invincible, baby.
That feeling lasted about ten minutes. But in retrospect, that was a pretty awesome ten minutes.
• • •
When you're in a big city, there are a lot of things about it that any idiot can see. Ask anypony the right questions, and they'll always give you the same answers. What size are the buildings? Big. How packed are the sidewalks? Very. How many licks does it take to get to the peppermint center of a Party Pop? Who the hay wants to know?
But when you live in one for a while, especially one as big as Manehattan, you start to notice other things that the Corncob Family visiting from Hitchita probably won't pick up on. Usually, it's little things, like how the hot dog vendor on Fourth and Trotsdale likes to drop a pinch of parsley into the veggie grinder on Saturdays, or how it's not only possible but fully expected of you to walk from one end of the city to the other without ever making eye contact with anypony. Stick around for long enough, though, and eventually the picture widens, and you see one single big thing that you can't believe nopony else ever brought up before. I had that moment a year and a half ago, after I took a wrong turn about an hour after midnight and found myself in the kind of place thieves and muggers tell their foals about to scare them into staying in bed at night, and what I realized then was this: different parts of the city say different things to you when you're walking into them.
For example, the lovely district I found myself strolling through on that eventful night a year and a half ago said, "Hello, Brick. Ponies call me the Broncs, and I call you dinner." Meanwhile, a more pleasant locale like Hoofington Heights is a bit more succinct: "Why, hello there, young fella! Come on in, take a load off, and mind your hooves on the new carpet, won't you, dearie?" Every part of town has its own little slice of personality it just can't wait to share with you, and most of them fall somewhere close to one of those two extremes. The neighborhood where I live, Sugarcube Hill, seems to be right in the middle as far as I can tell. It's not openly hostile at first glance, but after a while you realize that's only because it doesn't particularly care that you're there in the first place. Kind of as if it's saying, "Yes, there you are. I see you. Whoop-de-freaking-doo. Keep walking, bub." Everypony has their own agenda, and that suits them all just fine. Suits me fine, too. A lot of things are simpler when you're just a face in the background, and investigating is definitely one of them.
The district I was walking into now, though, was unlike any other I'd ever passed through. It didn't just say something; it had a voice all its own, one that commanded attention and made damn sure you followed orders when it did. It was the Manehattan financial district, and every cobblestone and every brick in it said quite distinctly, "I am bigger than you, I am richer than you, and I am better than you. And if you'd care to still have your head attached to your shoulders come the morning tomorrow, you'd do well not to forget it, sir." I'd never really spent any time in this area before, and with good reason: I was the only pony in sight who wasn't practically glowing with jewelry.
Although the ponies in this part of town loved to coat every square inch of fur they had with all kinds of trinkets and baubles, the gemstones themselves weren't really a symbol of wealth anymore. Today, they were about as common as a good cup of coffee. Take back the clock a hundred years or so, though, and a single diamond could buy you a mansion big enough to house a whole polo team. Ponies made and lost their fortunes on who could find the most rubies and sapphires, and who would dare to search for them where nopony had ever searched before. And eventually, what that led to was one unicorn by the name of Rocky Feller searching a bit too far and stumbling across a spell that could make gemstones grow like weeds straight out of solid rock. Once he woke up the next morning to find a cluster of opals sprouting in his kitchen and realized the disgusting amount of moola he could squeeze out of it, he turned the accidental discovery into a countrywide gemstone empire, and for about six months he was the richest pony Equestria had ever seen.
Then one lovely fall day, Rocky's in-laws got a little too generous with the birthday champagne, and just like that his secret was out. The spell was duplicated, gemstones started cropping up everywhere, and everything pretty much went to shit in a saddlebag. The economy died a magnificent fiery death and took its benefactors down with it, Rocky skipped town in a yacht headed for Bearmuda, and everypony everywhere panicked: anarchy in the streets, brawls in the alleyways, dogs and cats living together, the whole nine yards. They tried to shut down the liquor stores for about three days, and Canterlot nearly burned to the ground.
After a week of frantic negotiations and about ten minutes after she was nearly brained by an emerald-studded horseshoe, Celestia ceased with the pedantics and created the Equestrian bit that we all use today. The stars only know how she did it. The popular story is that she spit out some kind of time-warping spell and set up the whole system while the entire nation was frozen in mid-riot. The official story from Celestia was that those sorts of rumors were exactly what got us in this situation in the first place, and that fiddling with the fabric of space and time was never a good idea and she would never condone it, and for the record she doesn't just spit out the spells that fix all the thousands of things you little lunatics have to blow up into big, gigantic-
Apparently, the press conference ended abruptly at that point after Celestia visibly bit her tongue and then teleported out of the room. Being a monarch is stressful sometimes, I guess.
In any case, things got back to normal surprisingly quickly after that. The old elite fell out of favor and spread out across the countryside to try—and mostly fail—to rebuild, and the savvy ponies who were quick enough to get in on the ground floor of the new financial market stepped right into the gilded horseshoes they left behind. After twenty years, the capital of Equestria might as well have been Manehattan for all the banks and treasuries centered there, and for all the absolutely filthy rich banking families that called it home. Eighty years later, the picture was mostly the same, save for the addition of one crimson-haired, slightly disheveled earth pony without so much as a garnet to his name, who stuck out much in the same way a pony with an extra head would. Oddly enough, the filthy rich banking families of Manehattan aren't known for their cordiality. After spending a few minutes walking among them with their eyes all locked on my flank the whole way, I realized that they weren't very good with subtlety either. By the time I finally reached Equestrian First National, I'm pretty sure there wasn't a single pony left in Rocky Feller Plaza who hadn't silently judged me for everything under the sun.
I stood outside the front steps of the bank and craned my neck up to where the EFN corporate headquarters tapered off somewhere around Saturn. The front half of the bank was a relic from an older time: a short flight of steps led up to a row of polished granite columns, each one as thick around as a redwood and standing twenty feet tall under a regal domed roof. It was an image that didn't suggest "bank" so much as define it; ponies put their whole lives into this place, and it was more than happy to keep an eye out for them.
Conversely, the back half was the new generation's assurance that accessibility just wasn't gonna cut it anymore. Not even ten feet behind the rotunda in the front rose sixty stories of glass, steel, and the very best in modern magical engineering. At least, I liked to think that was what made it look like the building leaned out over you when you stood right under it. Sometimes, life's a lot simpler when you can just blame an evil sorcerer or something for all the things that bother you. Or, in this case, just make you wish you'd just stayed in bed this morning.
"Come on, Brick," I hissed at myself without looking down. "It's just a building. It's just a bank."
Right. Just a bank. When was the last time I'd even been in a bank? Probably around the time I took two grand off a filthy rich loan shark in a horseshoes game eight months ago, when it took me twenty minutes to put the money away and about two weeks to burn it all away. And that hadn't been a bank so much as a cardboard box shoved in a hole in the drywall behind my bed. I'm not really all that good with finances, to be honest.
Yeah. Like that's really the only thing I'm worried about right now.
I blinked hard, then turned my gaze back down towards the main entrance of the bank. Okay, deep breath, Brick. You have money here. You have power here. You belong here. No, you moron, of course you don't. But they don't know that, do they? And they don't need to. So chin up, neck straight, chest out, and keep it cool. Money, power, control. Swagger. You have swagger, Brick.
Lord Poseidon in Heaven, I thought for the second time that day. And then I set my jaw, sucked in a deep breath, and marched up the steps and into the bank.
I hardly even looked around once I got inside, though I could feel the eyes of the other ponies in the foyer on me as much as I could feel every molecule of air around me slamming into my skin at something close to terminal velocity. My own eyes, meanwhile, stayed zeroed in on the row of windows lining the back wall. That was my destination; everything else was just scenery. Everything else was just things that weren't as important as me, things that weren't as important as Brick Breaker, the new big shot in this town.
Keep walking. Don't look around. Don't slow down. Swagger. Swagger swagger swagger swagger horseapplesonacrapsandwich swagger.
I was halfway across the foyer now, a strange gravelly noise ringing in my ears.
Keep walking.
It disappeared for a moment, then came again ten paces later.
You got this.
This time, it was even louder than before.
Piece'a cake.
What the hell even was that noise? Gears gearing? Someone clearing their throat?
No, don't think about it. Ignore it. You're almost there. Almo-
"Sir!"
"What?" I nearly screamed as I spun around to face the scowling brown unicorn behind me, who was snappily dressed in a suit coat and tie and whose echoing shout had been about an octave short of putting me in traction. Add to the list of things I wasn't good at: management of stress.
"Exactly where do you think you're going?" he asked in a tone that made me feel like a little colt caught stealing from the cookie jar. Oh, no you didn't, the lingering vestiges of my swagger said.
"What's it to ya?" I almost said, right before the rest of my brain realized what it had been missing this whole time. Namely, the fact that there was a nice, neat, orderly line of ponies snaking back and forth across the left side of the room that ended up at the row of tellers and began about ten feet in front of the unicorn stallion. Now he was glaring at me too, as were a few of the ponies in line. The ponies who I'd just about skipped right on past while the impulsive part of my brain had had full control over my body.
"Well?" the unicorn said.
Still had full control over my body, actually. "I know what I'm doing," I snapped back, self-restraint utterly abandoned in the panic of the moment. "I'm…
Swagger.
"I'm a preferred customer." Stars above, what in the holy hell are you doing?, my self-restraint asked during the brief moment when it decided to grow a pair and show up for roll call. For lack of any better ideas, I kept talking anyway. "Yeah, I'm a frickin' gold member over here," I said. "So just…cool it, all right, buddy?"
I think everyone in the room was surprised when the unicorn's eyebrows shot up. "You don't say?" he gasped. "My apologies, good sir. If I had only known, I never would've spoken."
I spent a moment or two glancing frantically around for an escape route before I fully understood that I might very well have just bullshitted my way out of this. "I…yeah," I finally stuttered. "Yeah, I'll…all right, then. I'll forgive you this time, I gue-"
"I mean, think of all the special privileges a gold member receives!" the unicorn continued, sounding like a foal who'd just discovered that his mom really was the Tooth Fairy.
"Yeah, great, so I'm just gonna…"
"The rewards, the benefits, the desperate jealousy of the stallions and burning desire of the mares…"
He's screwing with you, Brick.
"And of course, who could forget the best part of all…"
"You're screwing with me, aren't you?" I said.
"…the honor, no, the privilege, of standing in line with all us common folk and gracing us with the immeasurable gift of your presence," the unicorn finished in a deadpan, his glare back to stay this time. Somewhere behind me, a mare snickered.
"Yeah," I muttered. "All right, look, I don't know any of you and I'm in kind of a hurry…"
"Wonderful!" Freddy Flankhole exclaimed, every syllable soaked through with derision. "Then by all means, you may have the spot in front of me."
Now I really had a dilemma. Exactly half of me wanted to just mumble some apology and shuffle on over into line, and the other half wanted to spout some corny one-liner before bucking this guy straight to the moon. One would be the submissive, wimpy, rational thing to do, and the other would be freaking awesome and probably enough to get me arrested. I chewed on my lip for a second or two, then looked the unicorn straight in the eye and made my decision.
Forty-five minutes later, I was starting to wish I'd just gone ahead and went with the one that involved jail time. At least then I could've stood around waiting forever all by myself.
"Next pony, please," the teller all the way over on the left, a matronly pink earth mare with a sky-blue mane and matching spectacles perched on her nose, called out.
"After you," offered Freddy, with what he must've known was an infuriating sneer. I mouthed my thanks with a toothy grin, and fully resisted the urge to use his skull as a kickball.
"Name?" the mare behind the desk asked almost before I got all the way over to her.
"Brick Breaker," I replied, with one eye still on today's entry on my personal list of ponies I wouldn't mind banishing to Neptune for a millennium or two. Still smirking at me from his place back in line, of course.
"Account number?"
"I…just a sec."
The teller pursed her lips, but didn't say anything as I swung my saddlebag around to my front and started digging around for Valencia's letter. The pony at the window to my left finished up as I rifled through old receipts and what looked to be either a fossilized half of a bagel or a very oddly shaped rock, and who should take his place but Sir Snobby himself, my unicorn friend I'd just spent almost an hour simmering in front of. I found the envelope with the bank statement in it just as he reached the window, and I couldn't help but watch him out of the corner of my eye as I dropped it in front of my teller.
"Birthday gift?" he chuckled.
"Gratuity," I growled back. "Your mother's been very generous lately."
Some ponies might tell me it was wrong to take so much pleasure from seeing the unicorn grit his teeth and shoot me a harrowingly dirty look. Those ponies can stick it where Celestia's sun don't shine. "Brick Breaker, was it?" my teller asked after scanning the bank statement I'd given her.
"It was," I replied airily. She glanced down at the paper again and then back up at me with more than a little sarcasm, but I was suddenly in such a good mood that I hardly even noticed. As she asked me to wait for a moment and then trotted away to figure out something-or-other, I craned my head casually back and flawlessly mimicked the smirk my companion had been wearing just a moment before.
"Payment, actually," I told him. "From the Orange family. Y'know, one of the richest, most powerful families in all of Equestria? You've probably heard of them."
After a moment, the unicorn stallion smiled back. "Indeed," he murmured before turning to face his own teller, who had been waiting patiently for him the whole time. "Afternoon, George," he said, pushing an envelope identical to mine under the window.
"Good afternoon, sir," his teller replied as he peered inside only briefly, as if he already knew exactly what he'd see in it. "Another deposit?"
The unicorn's eyes flicked over to me for a moment, then back at the teller. "As a matter of fact, I'll take it now, if you don't mind," he said. "In cash, please." He turned to me again as the teller's brow shot up. I took a mint from the dispenser on the counter and ignored him.
"All of it, sir?" the teller asked hesitantly.
"Yes, thank you, George," the unicorn replied without looking at him, a simpering smile starting to creep onto his face. I rolled my mint onto my back of my tongue and shot back a smirk on my own. Not this time, buddy, I told him inside my head.
The unicorn's teller stared at the both of us for a bit, and then shrugged. "So be it," he said crisply. "One hundred thousand bits in cash for Mr. Neighman."
Whatever I had to say about that was lost thanks to an untimely incident involving a peppermint candy suddenly lodging itself in the back of my throat, during which I did a very good impersonation of a pony trying to cough out his small intestine in full view of the good patrons of Equestrian First National. Mr. Neighman watched the whole time without even the decency to laugh openly, but I wasn't really focusing on him at the time. Mostly, I was occupied with wondering how in the strawberry-scented hell it was even legal to make a withdrawal that big from any kind of normal bank, and to a lesser extent with taking comfort in realizing that I'd probably pass out before I could come up with a valid reason. And then somewhere in there was the fact that I was seriously about to choke to death on a goddamn bank mint. Funny what the mind prioritizes sometimes.
After a few seconds of wheezing, hacking, and a general mishmash of noises one might expect to hear from a hemorrhaging water buffalo, out popped the mint onto the now slightly less polished floor, no thanks at all to the virtual horde of ponies behind me who did a fantastic job standing there and watching me suffocate. I watched the mint as it skittered away and came to a stop between a sea-green mare's pedicured front hooves, then looked up at Neighman, whose face was completely inoffensive save for the one part that started around his chin and stretched up to just above his ears. I remember that part being the one I thought would look very nice mounted on the wall over my dresser.
"Curiously strong, aren't they?" I coughed with as much dignity as I could manage, which was kind of a hilarious concept even on days where I wasn't saying it directly after my first ever near-death-by-candy experience. Neighman pulled his lips back into a bemused look and nodded slowly, then turned back to his teller, whose eyes were wide behind the generously stuffed manila envelope he was holding in his teeth.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," he said, his horn glowing softly as he signed his name on something and levitated the envelope out of the teller's grasp. Before he dropped it into his chest pocket, he let it hang in the air in front of me for a bit.
"Salary," he said. "Monthly, actually. Courtesy of Neighman Brothers Holdings. Biggest investment bank in Equestria? I'm sure you've heard of it."
Yes, I had heard of it. Everypony within five hundred miles had heard of it. I had even seen it outside this bank, spelled out in glinting gold letters right under the Equestrian First National Bank sign: "Subsidiary of Neighman Brothers Inc." And here I was, just about ready to throw down with the freaking CEO. For the first time in my life, I actually regretted choosing not to lie on the couch and starve to death.
"Good day to you," Mr. Leighman said with one last nod before turning on his hoof and striding regally away, and this time he didn't even bother to try to hide the grin on his face. Well, that was just fine by me. Chasing after him would've just shredded up the last little morsel of dignity I was imagining I still possessed somewhere, and in any case beating the ever-loving piss out of him would've probably just lead to me discovering that he had a double black belt in jujitsu or a bodyguard the size of the Liberty Mare or the ability to set ponies on fire with his mind. I'm pretty sure the air I was sucking down like a five-bit wine cooler hadn't hit my brain by then, so I wasn't ruling anything out just yet.
"What're you lookin' at?" I muttered in the general direction of the other customers, all of whom were quite busy looking at the flowery designs carved into the ceiling and not at me. Make that two things I was one-hundred-percent okay with. Maybe if I didn't look at them, they'd disappear too.
"Sorry about that," somepony sighed. I forced my head up and saw that my teller was back. "Just needed to clear up some procedural things. But in any case, everything's ready now. Your current balance is thirty thousand bits on the nose. Would you like to make a withdrawal?"
"Why not?" I sighed back.
"Okay, then. How much would you like?"
In the distance, the sound of hooves and wheels clattering against cobblestone reverberated into the bank for just a moment. Mr. Neighman had left the building. And I was still here, staring at the biggest paycheck of my life and realizing it meant precisely jack to everyone in attendance. How much did I want? How much did I really even freaking have?
"Sir?" the teller started to say before I cut her off.
"Just drain the damn thing," I told her. The teller gave me the kind of look that I could tell was just a more polite substitute for what she really wanted to say, but whatever she was thinking, I never heard it. Two minutes and a couple forms later, I had a manila folder just like Leighman's, except mine only had six packs of crisp fifty one-hundred-bit bills. Y'know, instead of twenty.
"Have a nice day," the teller said to me, and at least they paid her enough to act like she meant it. It didn't much matter either way to me by then, though. I was already done with interpersonal communication for the day, and possibly for the next ten years or so. But nopony was going to look me in the eye and tell me that wasn't justified, because this case had officially passed the threshold of "shit I make it a practice to deal with at some point" a long time ago, and everything that happened after that was just another nail that I'd have to pry out of its coffin someday if I ever wanted that second half of my payment. As in, the half that would make the whole experience worth about as much as a month of board meetings and dinner parties for the more well-off members of society.
As I finally escaped the aristocratic jungle inside the bank and reentered the concrete one outside, I found myself staring morosely at the crinkled corner of the envelope poking out of my saddlebag. What the hell's wrong with you?, I asked myself. You're loaded, you moron! You've got thirty thousand bits strapped right to your back! The world's your goddamn oyster, Brick!
Yeah. It was, wasn't it? Except my oyster was the runt of the litter. And I could get all the jobs and liquor and drunk, horny mares my loaded little heart desired, and I'd still be playing second fiddle to jerkasses like Neighman. I'd acted like an idiot in front of ponies worth a hundred times more than me. I'd followed my impulses, just like I'd been when I'd taken Valencia's case and when I'd swiped my breakfast from Pony Steve and when I'd spent all the money I managed to scrap together on drinking and partying because I couldn't stand to deal with the rest of my life any longer than I had to, because at the end of the day I still hated being poor. The rest of Equestria could have their hopes and dreams and wishes on rainbows; in Manehattan, you either had money or you wanted it. And I was just now realizing that I was gonna be on the wrong side of that equation for the rest of my freaking life.
Somewhere off in the distance, a old, familiar voice piped up: "Remember, Brick, money can't buy happiness."
"Shut the hell up, Leo," I growled in the back of my throat. And with that, my mind was made up. Little Miss Clementine was just going to have to wait. It was one in the afternoon, my hooves were sore and my head was splitting right around the center, and I was a regular ol' mortal pony with no place to go but anywhere he hadn't just been. I needed peace. I needed someplace quiet. I needed someplace where I felt like somepony gave at least half a crap that I existed.
Mostly, though, I needed a drink. And if that following that impulse was the only good thing that was going to come out of today, then that was just going to have to be good enough.
|
Aquaman
|
1231
| 4 |
Applejack,DJ P0N-3,Original Character,Comedy,Dark,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Breaking Bricks
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Dealing with the past is always hard. Dealing with the present can be damn near impossible.
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cancelled
| 26 | 6 |
<p>If this were a normal case, I wouldn't be chasing after a foalnapper who keeps mailing me riddles that he expects me to solve. I wouldn't be living with an alcoholic perfume salesmare who can't hardly remember her own name, let alone mine. And I certainly wouldn't be turning the fair town of Ponyville upside-down looking for somepony I didn't really want to find in the first place.</p><p>Then again, if this were a normal case, they probably wouldn't have hired me to crack it.</p><p>ON HIATUS (as in, not cancelled) until I get a bit farther into Harmony/I have more time to consistently devote to writing.</p>
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teen
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2011-11-06T06:59:20+00:00
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2011-11-06T06:59:20+00:00
| 1,264 |
Chapter 4 - In Which Murphy Earns His Degree In Law
I've always found it kind of strange how I can get a plan together in a time of crisis, execute it to perfection, even improvise a bit on the fly when I need to, and then be completely clueless once the part I planned out is finished. It's like I'm a little toy soldier that always needs winding: once the key in the back of my head stops turning, I'm as good as dead on my feet. My mother always said it was because I didn't have any initiative, because I always needed someone to tell me what to do and I never listened when they did. And that's only half-true: I didn't really ever listen to her during all of the various times she tried to steer me towards a "reputable" career—by which she meant one that involved physical labor and not being "too good for the family business"—but I could do anything I wanted to as long as I had some idea of how to get to the end of it. And then that idea ran its course and gave over to either blind impulse or nothing at all. Everything that happened today should give you a pretty good idea of how the former plan usually turns out.
This time, though, I was going for the latter option, which basically meant I spent the next hour or so after leaving the bank wandering in a general circle around it, sort of trying to look like I had somewhere important to be but mostly just avoiding accepting the fact that I was lost. I'd had some vague notion of finding a bar or someplace with similar standards for alcohol consumption, but I was used to the kind of drinking establishments that the ponies in these parts wouldn't be caught dead even looking at, let alone actually doing any drinking at. Around here, all I could see on every street was block after block of cute little clubs and lounges where business executives went to have cocktails and appletinis and fruity blue drinks with tiny red umbrellas sticking out of the top. Trying to get drunk in one of those places would probably be akin to striding into the Everfree Forest with a saddle soaked in manticore pheromones. I preferred my bars to be of the variety that couldn't be any seedier if you sowed and planted them at harvest time, so I kept walking, my throat drying out and my head fogging up more and more with every step.
Eventually, I looked up from the pavement and saw an enormous steel-girdered beast of a building casting its shadow over me. I was in front of Equestria First National again. I sighed and squeezed my eyes shut for a moment, though I didn't really have any reason to be surprised. This was the fourth time I'd passed it in the last hour. My stomach growled as I squinted up at the glinting stone columns outside, as if I needed another reminder that I was getting nowhere in a big damn hurry. The fact that my being a coward was the only thing standing between me and a three-course lunch at The Rainbow Room was just icing on the cake by this point.
My gut rumbled again a moment later, and this time it was enough to shake off the last few strands of pride still floating around inside my chest. Mom was definitely wrong, I told myself. I've got enough ambition for ten ponies. What I lack is willpower.
Well, so long as I had identified the problem, I could afford to indulge in it for one more day. After pairing that thought with a shrug and something akin to a grimace, I sat down on the curb and nosed open the envelope sticking out of my saddlebag so I could fish out the wad of bills nearest to the top. I was in the middle of peeling off a few notes to tuck inside the front pocket of my bag when a breathy, bemused voice spoke up behind me.
"Well, that's something I don't see every day," it said.
I turned around with five thousand bits still balanced between my forehooves, and somehow wasn't surprised at all by the pony I found myself looking at. "You mean me sitting in the gutter?" I replied.
"I mean you sitting in the gutter with money," the pony shot right back with an impish grin. "You forget to tip the getaway driver, or what?"
For a second, I tried to glare back, but my concentration broke in a heartbeat, and all I could do after that was shake my head and laugh. "Nice to see you too, Loose Leaf," I chuckled as I got my hooves under me and tossed the cash roll back into my bag.
Loose Leaf's grin grew wider, and the snort that followed was a lot louder than mine had been. "You know me," he said as he stuck out a forehoof and helped me up. "I aim to please."
"Sure," I mouthed back, even though I was still laughing too. At least one thing about this day was tilted in my favor. Loose Leaf was a skinny little runt of a unicorn with faded gray fur, a wavy mane and tail colored a solid forest green, and a nearly eternal gleam of mischief in his baby blue eyes. He was one of those ponies with a face you forgot in an instant and a personality you remembered for the rest of your life, and he was also one of those ponies who had about as many crazy ideas per day as he had hairs on his body. Once, he had spent three months building a giant scale model of a pirate ship entirely out of old notecards just to see if he could make it float. Another time, he had covered his whole apartment in carbon paper and wasted the weekend spraying paint all over it with soup ladles and a tire pump. Apparently, that was supposed to foster his newfound talent for modern art. His stunts were almost always about something like that: finding a special talent or gift he thought he might have. I guess I can't blame him for experimenting. When all you've got on your flank is a blank sheet of college-ruled paper, I can understand hoping it doesn't just mean you're good at collating tax returns.
"How the hell are ya?" I asked him once we started walking.
Loose Leaf shrugged, but his cheeky grin never faded. "Not too bad," he said. "Not too bad. You still stalking old housewives?"
"You still working for a living?" I shot back. Loose fell back a step and put his hoof over his chest.
"Straight to the heart, Brick," he moaned. "It's always straight to the heart with you, isn't it?"
"It's a gift," I answered. Loose Leaf just raised his eyebrows and smirked again.
"So you gonna tell me where you got all that?" he asked next.
I almost told him everything, but at the last second I remembered what Valencia had looked like when she had started talking about her daughter. I could trust Loose Leaf to do a lot of things, but keeping his mouth shut usually wasn't one of them. "Got lucky," I ended up saying.
"How intriguing," Loose deadpanned. "Tell me more."
"No can do, buddy."
"Come ooooon…you always told me about 'em before!"
"This one's…" I paused for a second to search for the right word. Once again, I just went with the first thing that came to mind. "It's different. But it's big, though."
Loose Leaf's eyes slid back towards my saddlebag. "How big?"
"Thirty thousand bits big."
Leaf's brow shot up, and he cocked his head to the side. "I'm sorry, Brick, I must not've slept well last night. Sounded like you said thirty thousand bits?"
"And another seventy once I'm done."
"Ho-lee…" Loose Leaf trailed off with his forehoof behind his head, then burst out laughing. "…damnit, Brick! Are you serious?"
"Yep."
Leaf's eyebrows dropped again, but the corners of his mouth didn't move. "And you're still not gonna tell me, are you?"
"Nope."
"Because you've always been a stickler about the whole client confidentiality thing."
"I said this one was different."
"All right, all right…" Leaf said, though now his expression looked more like a smirk than anything else. I smacked him on the shoulder just on the off chance it was.
"So what're you doing around here?" I asked as we reached the corner and turned left. "How's the filing going?"
"Great," Loose Leaf replied quickly with yet another giddy smile. "I quit last week."
It took Loose Leaf a couple steps to notice that I had stopped. "You…you just quit?" I repeated a bit slowly, though I had every right to be confused. Loose Leaf had been a file clerk at Rein & Company for almost three years now, and hadn't complained it even once in front of me. Leaf was impulsive, sure, but he wasn't that impulsive. "What happened?"
"Nothin' happened," Loose Leaf said from a few paces away. "You mean, was I gonna get fired or something? No, they loved me. Boss said they all really hated to see me go." He turned around and started walking again. "But it's just…I just felt like doing something for a change. Y'know?"
"Not really," I admitted, speeding up into a trot to catch up to Loose Leaf, who chewed on his lip for a bit before he started to explain himself.
"Look, you know how sometimes you think back to when you were a little foal and you wanted to be a cowcolt or a firepony or a doctor or whatever, and then you realize that you're never gonna be that pony you thought you'd be no matter how hard you try?" he said.
"Yeah," I replied. "And that's why Poseidon invented rum drinks."
Leaf laughed, but it was a brief one this time. "See, that's how everypony thinks nowadays, isn't it? It's how I thought too. I mean, when I was growing up, I wanted to be a magician. No, seriously. I got all the books, went to all the shows…there was actually this 'My Little Magician' club I joined when I was eight. I got a big robe and a hat with stars on it and everything. Looked like a dumbass too, but it was what I loved.
"And then I get detention one day and stay after class sorting papers with Miss Starlight, and the next morning this shows up"—he jerked his head towards his flank—"and all of a sudden everyone tells me I'm gonna be doing that for the rest of my life. And I went with it, Brick. For so long, I just went with it, because I thought I didn't have any other choice. You know how many years of my life I spent trying to figure out whether I was good at origami or novel writing or some other stupid thing that had anything to do with paper? Way too damn many, Brick.
"So last week, I got to thinking about all that, and all of a sudden I just couldn't stand it anymore. I quit my job, I emptied my bank account, and now…hell, I don't even know what I'm doing now. But I think that's kinda what I wanted from this to begin with. I think I wanted to do just one thing that I wanted to do, and not waste every day of every week wondering what I was supposed to want to do. Because that's not what a cutie mark is, Brick. 'Cause my special talent might be, I don't know, sorting finance reports faster than a speeding intern, but that doesn't define who I am. I can be anything I want to be, and all I need to get it is the guts to go for it."
Loose Leaf paused for a second, and then he snorted. "You know what the funniest part about all this is?" he wheezed. "They totally told us all that bullshit in grade school, and we never listened. I mean, it's like Teach actually knew what she was talking about or something. Kinda galling, almost."
I chuckled along with him, but for some reason my heart wasn't really in it. "So what are you gonna do now?" I couldn't help but ask.
"Un momento, por favor," Leaf announced in an absolutely stars-awful accent before lighting up his horn and floating what looked like a boat ticket out of his bag and waving it in front of me.
"Tahayti?" I asked once my eyes zeroed in on the jittery slip of paper long enough to read the glossy letters embossed in gold on its front.
"That's right," Loose Leaf confirmed proudly. "Two weeks on island time without a care in the world. I didn't even plan it, Brick. Just got out of bed today and said, 'You know what, screw it. I'm gonna go on a cruise.' And as for what I'm gonna do when I get back, who the hell knows? That's the best part. For the first time in my life, I'm doing something that just makes me happy, something I should've done a long time ago. I've…you know what it feels like? It feels like I'm free again. Like I had these big ol' ropes around my legs for my whole life and now all of a sudden I found a pair of pruning shears and cut my way out. And I'm happy. I'm…look at me, I'm about to freakin' pop over here!"
Even though my chest still felt like it was filling with lead and I didn't have a clue why, I did my best to fight past it for my friend's sake. "You know what?" I said with a faint smile. "That's awesome, Loose."
Loose Leaf stopped in mid-babble and looked at me with about as much warmth as his widened eyes could manage. "You really think so?" he asked, the question paired with a grin that sent my stomach into a tailspin.
"Yeah, I do," I replied. "I think it's awesome that you're finally moving on from all that. I don't think I've ever even seen you this happy before."
"You haven't," Loose shot back with a friendly nudge in the shoulder. "'Cause I ain't never been this happy before. And oh, hey, you'll like this: I've got you to thank for it."
All right, then. Color me baffled. "What?"
"Oh, yeah. You're the only reason I've even got this ticket right now. 'Cause when I was doing the whole epiphany thing the other day, guess who I was thinking about?"
"This conversation's taking an interesting turn."
"Keep your mane on, you're not that good-looking. No, I just started thinking about the kind of pony I wanted to be, and I swear on the stars the first thing that came to mind was, 'I want to be like Brick Breaker'. I mean, you're, like, the definition of a free spirit. You said it yourself: I work for a living, and you're out here hunting down criminals and doing whatever the hell you feel like doing. And I thought about that and I told myself, 'That's what I want to be: a pony who does what he wants, who couldn't care less whether the mark on his flank is a sheet of paper or a magnifying glass or a frickin' garbage can.'
Loose smiled, and this time it was completely genuine. "And now that's what I am."
Fancy that. I was Loose Leaf's role model. I was the most important pony he'd ever met. I was the one who had inspired him so much that he changed his entire view of the world and started living his own life for the first time in years. So of course, it made perfect sense that hearing Loose say all that made me feel like the dirt between a hound dog's toes. What happened to the good old days when milk was a half-bit a gallon and my brain didn't go randomly manic-depressive on me every other freaking day?
"Hey, you all right, Brick?" Loose asked before I could bend my brow back out of the scowl it had fallen into. He really did sound concerned, I'll grant him that. And he had no reason not to be, if he really admired me that much. If he really thought he wanted to be just like me. If he really thought I was just peachy keen with the way my life had turned out.
"Oh…yeah, I'm fine," I assured him. The grin I put on was all teeth. "Hung over, if anything."
That got his spirits up again. "That's what I'm talkin' about!" he nearly shouted. "You're living life on the edge! Damnit, I don't think I've ever even gotten drunk once in my life. That's just…is that sad? That seems pretty sad. I mean, to a guy like you, that probably seems just pathetic. If I were you, I'd think it was pathetic. But then you'd be me and you wouldn't be…I don't even remember what I was talking about. What the hell was I talking about?"
I gave a noncommittal shrug, partially because it wasn't like I had anything better to say and partially because it'd be a cold day in Appleloosa before anypony knew what the hell Loose Leaf was ever talking about. I was still trying to think of something to change the subject to when I noticed something odd out of the corner of my eye. Namely, that Equestrian First National Bank was six blocks behind us and wasn't doing a whole lot to catch back up.
"Hey, Loose?" I mumbled with my head still twisted towards the distant skyscraper.
"'Sup?"
"Where are we going?"
After a quick glance up the street we were walking down, Loose Leaf stuck his bottom lip between his teeth and let out a thoughtful little hum. A moment later, he shrugged.
"No clue," he said. "I was following you."
"And I was following you," I sighed.
"Well…wait a minute."
"Brilliant…" I muttered under my breath.
"Dude, that's…kind of hilarious, actually."
"I'm laughing on the inside."
"No, it's like we're on the same wavelength. Like an old, married couple."
"So what, we're gonna start-"
"Finishing each other's sentences?"
"Oh, you're adorable."
"Love you too, honey."
"Loose, where the hell are we?"
"We are…" Loose Leaf said, dragging out the second syllable as he turned around in a full circle where he stood. "Right where we need to be," he finished a half-turn later, his slow spin jerking to a stop as an incredibly self-satisfied look washed over his face. "Check it out."
I checked it out. "Ye Olde Salt Shoppe," I read off the pink and blue neon sign hanging over the door of the squat brick building Loose Leaf was pointing towards. "How original."
"That's where we're going," Loose declared. "Right into…right here. Into this bar right here."
Mm-hmm. And I'm a pretty princess with fairy wings and a God complex. "You come here a lot?" I asked nonchalantly.
"Oh, totally. What, you think I'm making this up? Nah, dude, this is the place to be Friday nights around here. I come here all the time with my, uh…when my…"
"Pants are on fire?"
"When my pants are…" Loose Leaf blinked, and blew out a heavy breath. "Yeah, I have no idea where we are," he said. "But hey, when life gives you lemons, right? Let's get a drink. I gotta get in shape for the boat anyway. Don't wanna board tomorrow and be the only pony there who can't handle a mogeeto on the rocks."
"Mojito."
"Whatever. You in?"
I can't be the only one who hates it when you can't figure out what the hell your thoughts mean. I'd kind of had it in my mind that I wanted to get drunk alone today, but there was definitely a reason I felt like running for the hills right now, and that definitely wasn't it. I felt depressed, almost, but it was the kind of depressed that just came right out of nowhere and stuck around for hours like peanut butter to the roof of your mouth. And I wasn't going to figure out what caused it anytime soon.
So instead of listening to my gut and bluffing my way into a quick exit, I just nodded and said, "Sure, I'm in," because Loose was standing right there in front of me, and when your best and possibly only friend asks if you want to get a drink, you say yes. That's what friends do.
Loose Leaf grinned, and my stomach dove into my hooves. "All right, then," he said, throwing a forehoof around my shoulders. "Let's go get wasted, Brick."
And there wasn't any big revelation after that. I don't know what I was expecting, but I never had any blinding moment of clarity where I realized what exactly the hell it was that was wrong with me. Not when I walked into the bar behind Loose, not when I took a stool at the counter and got a glass of bad whiskey I hardly even touched, not when I spent two hours pushing my drink back and forth in front of me while Loose learned through experience that chugging four ounces of straight scotch in a single gulp would be the number one cause of suicide in adult stallions if anypony else were stupid enough to do it. The whole time, I just stared at the puddle of condensation forming underneath my glass and waited for Loose to get wrecked enough for the bartender to kick us out. The whole time, my mind was clogged like my kitchen sink on leftover night.
And the whole time, all I could think was that, despite the fact Loose Leaf was sitting right next to me and talking to me and occasionally spilling his drink all over me, I had never felt so alone in my entire life. Anypony who wants to psychoanalyze that, good freaking luck.
• • •
You know, I'll never say that Loose Leaf's not a nice guy, but I will say that he's really bad at a lot of things. And as I was discovering now, item number one on that list of anti-skills was being graceful and composed when he was drunk off his ass.
"Yu'oh what…y'know what your problem is, Brick?" Loose shouted in my ear as we hung a left on Fetlock and passed by the green painted sign welcoming us to Sugarcube Hill. "You gotta smile more. Y'know?"
I nodded absentmindedly and kept my eyes focused on the ground. We'd been at the bar so long that the sun had already sunk down behind the office complexes we were trotting by now, and if I hadn't known better I might've thought that the city's designers meant for the sunset to shine right down the center of Fetlock Boulevard. "You don't say," I muttered back as I squinted down at the sidewalk to keep from going blind.
"Nah, 'm serious, bro. I see you walkin' around all the time, and you're all, like…just a downer, right? Ever'pony loves a guy who smiles, 's how you get friends. 'Cause…'cause ever'pony loves a guy who smiles. I mean, look at me, I smile, an' I got fr-friends all over the place." A sloppy grin slid over Loose's lips, and a second later it oozed up into his eyes. "I'm the liiiiiiife'a th' par-HIC."
Loose Leaf stopped in place for a moment, his eyes unfocused and his Abba's apple bobbing up and down like a fishing lure with a twenty-pound trout on it. "…life'a the party," he finished in a mumble once his throat stopped twitching long enough to speak.
Normally, I would've at least tried to keep my eyes from drifting skyward, but Loose Leaf would be lucky if he remembered his own name after today, let alone whether I'd been less than supportive about it. And besides all that, my headache was kicking in again. "Is that all?" I asked in a monotone before my better judgment caught up with my steadily worsening mood.
"No, y'know what else? Y'know what you need? You need a fi-fil…fillyfre…shit."
"Fillyfriend?"
"Yes. You need a fillyfriend, Brick. I mean, 'cause you're…an' I'm sayin' this as a friend, dude, but you ser'sly got it goin' on, y'know?" By now, Loose Leaf was spraying spit all over the road every time he ran into a hard consonant. "Like, you got the whole rugged, badass, bounty hunter thing goin' up here, and you…I don't know what you got goin' down there, I never…"
Loose Leaf coughed, then nearly collapsed onto my shoulder in a fit of surprisingly unmasculine giggles. I found a wispy gray cloud of factory smoke to stare at until he got himself composed enough to continue enlightening me with the wisdom Mr. Tack Daniels had imparted on him.
"Dude, I…" Loose eventually started to say in between wheezes. "I'm so wasted, man."
"You? Nooo," I assured him. "You're the pinnacle of health." All right, so sometimes I ignore my better judgment on purpose. Sue me.
"No bullshit?" Loose Leaf asked.
"Aw, course not. Friggin' Olympic champion over here, that's what you are."
Loose Leaf nodded vigorously and somehow kept himself up right while doing so. "Damn straight," he said with his tongue poking out of the corner of his mouth. "Barnacle of help, that's…that's really nice of you, Brick."
We took a right turn this time, onto Driver Street. The smoke column was even bigger now, but I couldn't for the life of me remember what the factory it belonged to was. And you know what else I couldn't remember? That time last night where I must've been smashing coconuts with my forehead or something, because there was no other logical reason it needed to be pounding like somepony was bouncing a soccer ball off of it.
"No, jus' listen for a…li-listen for a second," Loose begged me. I guess he'd forgotten that I hadn't actually said anything yet. "You…you are always so nice to me, and I…I'm tearin' up. Brick, my eyes're…yeah, I'm cryin'. I'm cryin' now."
Of course I couldn't remember which factory was over here: there weren't any factories over here. So that was a house fire I was watching, then. Awesome. If there was one thing my humble abode was missing, it was the smell of slow-roasting drywall seeping out of everything inside it. And yes, that was a rogue beam of sunlight that had just gleamed off a storefront window and stabbed me in the frontal lobe. Just what I needed to top off the day.
"I...I love you, Brick," Loose Leaf slurred. "Y'know, not like, uh…it's like a brotherly thing. You and me are like...like brothers, dude. From another…um…" Loose Leaf sucked in a breath and made a very interesting face, one that involved tucking his upper lip behind his bottom teeth and gaining the distinct appearance of a pony trying to crap out a bowling ball. "'S it hot out here?"
I closed my eyes as gently as I could and made a blind turn onto my street. This was starting to get downright unfair by now. Shouldn't I have had to be drunk too to have a headache this awful? Wasn't that how things worked in a fair and just world? And now even my nose was raw from all the smoke scratching around inside it. I'd probably smell like an ashtray for a week. All because some idiot put a squirrel in their microwave or something and lit up their house like the Summer Sun Celebration. All because somepony upstairs had decided long ago that today would be International Screw With Brick Day. All because I had decided to get up and go to work today.
And that was it. I'd had it. The world had been poking and prodding at me ever since I'd woken up that morning, and I was officially done with being civil about it. I was going to walk down this street, turn into my building, lock my door, and go to bed, and if Princess Celestia herself needed to wake me up between now and next month, then Equestria was just going to have to soldier on without me. I. Was Freaking. Done.
And usually, I try not to think what I thought right then. I try not to consciously look at a situation and say to myself, "This cannot possibly get any worse than it is now." It's not because of some sage, philosophical nonsense, and it's definitely not because I'm one of those ponies who's never seen a snafu that they didn't think would be all hunky-dory by morning. It's a much stupider reason than that: when it comes down to it, I'm just paranoid. Superstitious, if you want to get a little more specific about it. Because, see, I'm the type of guy who believes that somewhere off in the great blue yonder, there really are a bunch of all-powerful ponies lounging around and watching over us all, bigger and more powerful than any princess could ever be. And I also believe that those ponies, for lack of a better way to say it, have minds just like ours. They think, they reason, they fall in love overnight and regret it in the morning; just like all of us mortals, only with earth-shattering superpowers and better hair.
"Aw, sh…Brick!" Loose yelled suddenly, even his voice sounding a little unsteady at this point. "Dude, check out th' fire, man!"
That's not all, either. I believe that they like the same kind of things we do. Y'know, like good food, good friends, great wine and better mares. All the little pleasures of life here on good ol' Terra Hippos.
"No, ser'sly, look at it. Th' big building right over there. It's just…friggin'…"
Most of the time, I think they even like making us happy.
"Wait a se…hey, dude?"
But you know what the thing I believe most of all about those ponies is?
"Isn't that your building?"
Every so often, they just like being complete and total assholes.
My eyes shot open just as I nearly ran into the backside of a giant pegasus with a thick black firesuit on over his cyan fur, but the half-second look I got at what Loose Leaf was pointing at was all I needed to see. The street was packed with carriages and ponies, half of the latter dressed like the pony standing in front of me and the other half made up of curious bystanders and the errant reporter or two. Overhead, a soot-blackened swarm of pegasi ferried clouds back and forth across the sky, wringing each one dry overtop a five-story building off to my right, the top floor of which was currently engulfed in convulsing orange flames. My building. My floor.
My apartment.
The firepony turned around and looked at me, his canary-yellow hardhat glistening at me in the flickering light of the growing blaze. He shouted something, I think, but he probably wasn't talking to me. I would've heard him if he were talking to me, and I couldn't hear anything right now except for splintering wood and a cacophony for more water over here and more clouds over there, and a faltering, almost incomprehensible voice that sounded almost, but not quite, like mine.
"That's my…that's my…"
I was dreaming. That was it. I was at the bar, passed out in a pile of drool after downing one too many Clyde Lights while Loose Leaf tried to fan the flies away from my thoroughly soused hindquarters. That had to be it. I couldn't really be standing here on my street looking up at my window watching my home go up in smoke. My luck couldn't possibly be that bad. The universe couldn't possibly hate me that much. There had be some kind of rules about these things, didn't there? Some line drawn somewhere where you could only have so many awful things happen to you in a single day before someone checked in and said, "All right, back it off, he's good for today." Bad things happened to bad ponies, and good things happened to ponies like me who just did their best with what they had. That was right. That made sense. That-
Somepony's hoof touched me on the shoulder, and I jerked back with every hair on my back standing on end. By the time my knees unlocked and my heart rate was no longer stuck on "hummingbird", my ears were working again as well.
"Stay back!" the owner of the hoof shouted behind my ears. It was the big blue pegasus again, his thick brown eyebrows hung low over his equally dark eyes. "We've got it under control!"
"That's my…" I tried to say again, only to be ambushed from the side by a gasping mound of faded green fur that had moved a lot faster than what I would've considered to be logically possible.
"Oh, thank heavens you're all right!" Mrs. Willow sobbed in my left ear, the only part of my head that wasn't being crushed against her chest like an empty soda can. For a nine-hundred-year-old mare on a fixed income, she sure had one hell of a kung-fu grip. "I've been looking for you everywhere! They told me everypony got out safe, but there was smoke everywhere and I never saw you leave and…" Mrs. Willow gave me another squeeze, and a thousand little suns burst in front of my eyes. "Oh my stars, I'm just so happy you're safe!"
Fire. Old pony. Mothballs. Can't breathe. "I love you too," I wheezed. "Please let go of me."
Thankfully, Mrs. Willow's hearing was better that I'd expected as well. As she released me from her grasp and I stared at my hooves until they grew back to their normal size, Loose Leaf decided to join us as well.
"Dude…" he said for what must've been the millionth time that day. "Rough."
"And who's this?" Mrs. Willow asked, still characteristically oblivious to the fact that I was more or less in full-blown shock by now, and also the fact that Loose Leaf was still off prancing about in La La Land. "Another one of your little friends?"
Loose Leaf guffawed, then put on a bashful, bleary-eyed look. "You're pretty," he said back. "She's pretty, Brick."
Mrs. Willow went pink under her fur, and my mind went numb with what I later determined was abject horror. "Oh…my," she chuckled. "Aren't you a charmer?"
"I'll be anythin' you—hic—want me to be…"
Oh, sweet Celestia, change the subject. Change the subject now. "What happened?" I managed to ask the pegasus without my bone-dry tongue getting in the way too much. "H-how'd this start?"
The firepony shrugged. "Not too sure yet, to be honest. Best we can figure, it all flared up on the top floor, on the far side over there. Might've been a candle tipped over, oven left on…no witnesses, far as we know, so I can't tell ya much ya don't see for yourself just now…"
"Well, now, that's not true!" Mrs. Willow piped up suddenly. "Dogwood here knows all about it!"
"Hey, yeah, totally!" Loose agreed. "You tell 'em, Bri…w-wait, what?"
"What are you talking about?" I said to Mrs. Willow.
"Why, that's where your apartment is, isn't it? On the far side, two doors down from me."
Of course. Leave it to Mrs. Willow to forget I'd spoken to her right before I left for work. "Well, yeah, but…I've been gone all day," I explained as gently as I could manage. "How could I have seen anything if I wasn't even th-"
Another thing about today I didn't see coming: Mrs. Willow cutting me off by way of a smack on the head and sending me spinning off into a whirlwind of stars and sunbursts. "Shame on you," she said firmly before I could even so much as whimper in agony. "You know better than to tell lies like that! Especially when this nice pony just wants to help!"
"What am I lying ab-" She smacked me again. "Ow! I'm an adult, damnit! Just talk to me!"
"You stop that this instant," Mrs. Willow ordered. "Not twenty minutes ago, I was going out to the store to get some wheat germ, and I saw you walk into your room and lock your door. Now you tell me why you have to make such a big to-do about a secret like that!"
"What I'm telling you is that I never…" My train of thought left the station just as a new one came screeching in. "Wait, wait, wait a second…what'd you say?"
"I said that I saw you walk into your room and lock the door," Mrs. Willow replied indignantly. "I suppose that was somepony else with the key to your apartment?"
The key to my apartment. Somepony had been in my apartment twenty minutes ago, and they had a key. But the lock on my door only had one key, and it was in the satchel still slung over my back. She must have been seeing things, then, because there was no way that somepony could've just broken into my apartment without anyone hearing it, and have gotten out without anypony seeing him after the whole place went up in…
…son of a bitch.
"When did you see me?" I asked Mrs. Willow. "Exactly when did you see me last?"
"About twenty minutes ago, I said," she answered testily, though now there was a bit of concern sneaking into her voice.
I turned to the firepony. "When did the fire start?"
The stocky pegasus cocked an eyebrow, but didn't stay silent for long. "We got the call 'bout fifteen minutes ago," he said. "So…well, I reckon it'd be about twenty minutes ago that it all started too." Soon after that, his other eyebrow sunk down to join its partner. "Hold on…"
"Are you all right, little pup?" Mrs. Willow asked. And strangely enough, I was. As a matter of fact, I was better than all right. My shock was gone, and so was my confusion and my fear and the headache that had haunted me every hour of the whole damn day. For the first time in what felt like years, things was finally starting to click together for me. Somepony breaks into my apartment right through the front door, and a few minutes later the entire floor is burning and nopony knows why. I didn't need to put the puzzle pieces together anymore; I had the picture on the box sitting right in front of me. The printing was blurry and I couldn't make heads or tails of what it was supposed to be, but at least I had a shape to work with. And considering how my day had gone thus far, I was more than happy to take that and run with it.
But if I hadn't been in my apartment all day in the first place, then what was the point of setting it on fire? I didn't know any secrets dirty enough to justify this, and all my case files were at my office…stars above, what if they'd already burned everything there too? No, that wouldn't have made any sense either; if they'd wanted to kill me or make sure something I knew never saw the light of day, they would've just swung by that afternoon and plunked a Molotov down right in the middle of my desk. Torching my apartment as well would've just made it more obvious that it was a deliberate attack. So that only left two possibilities I could think of right now. Either this whole debacle really was random and I'd just been the victim of an incredibly coincidental botched robbery, or somepony was trying to send me a message. And if somepony was trying to send me a message, then they'd want to make sure I got it.
Which meant that whoever that somepony was…
"He's still here," I said. "Whoever set that fire, he's still here."
"What?" the firepony and Mrs. Willow said in tandem.
"Dude…" Loose Leaf murmured under his breath, right before tipping over sideways with his legs stuck straight out and passing out on the sidewalk.
I decided to let Mrs. Willow take care of her now unconscious admirer and pushed right past the firepony, who didn't make any motion to stop me this time. Once I got out into the empty semicircle of pavement right beneath the building's front, I looked up at where my apartment had once been through its reflection in the puddles formed by the fireponies' efforts. I knew everypony in the crowd had to have noticed me by now, but in my mood I was in I couldn't have cared less. There were at least a hundred ponies out there who were completely irrelevant right now, and exactly one who wasn't. And I was going to weed him out.
Ever since I was a little foal, I've had this weird ability to pick out the tiniest of details in even the most chaotic of scenarios. It tends to come with an annoying side effect of missing the really big things sitting right in front of me and there really aren't a lot of practical applications for it out in the real world, but there's one thing it's absolutely perfect for, and that's finding somepony who doesn't want to be found. I couldn't tell you how I do it for a million bits, and between you and me it doesn't even work a good bit of the time. But when it does, it's like the whole world around me fades to black and white, and all I can see with any clarity is the one thing I want to pop up. It might be instinct. It's probably magic. At the moment, I didn't particularly care one way or the other. Right now, all I knew was that I wanted to find the bastard who started all this, and I was gonna run my special talent into the ground before I let him sneak away into the night without me having my say about it.
And call it fate or destiny or damnfool luck, but even with my whole body aching and throbbing all over, my special talent was still firing on all cylinders. Just a few seconds after I left Loose Leaf and Mrs. Willow behind, I felt a tingly, almost painful itch on the side of my head, just to the left of my temple. I've learned over the years that when I get that itch, it's best to listen to it first and ask questions later, so I turned my head to the left and swept my eyes over the crowd. At the end of the first pass, the buzzing reached a crescendo, and suddenly I was staring at a button-nosed earth pony standing almost out of sight behind the sandwich shop on the corner. He was stoutly built and a bit on the short side, and had orange fur and a curly maroon mane I could just barely see poking out from underneath a dumpy gray jacket and hood. There was nothing at all remarkable about him: he wasn't breathing hard or sweating, his sleeves weren't charred black at the edges, he didn't have a kerosene canister hanging from his teeth. And yet that extra sense I had floating around in my head wouldn't let me look away.
The stallion was already watching me when he first caught my eye, but the same could be said for everypony with a hundred feet. For a long moment, we just stood there and stared at each other, and for a much longer moment I wondered what the hell I'd been thinking when I'd let my instincts tell me that this guy was responsible for burning down a whole city block. If Stumpy over here was an arsonist, I was a ballerina. He wasn't even wearing shoes, for moon's sake. What kind of moron would set an apartment on fire without any shoes on? It was a weak reason to give up so quickly and I knew it much too well, but my sudden shot of inspiration was wearing off a lot quicker than I'd been expecting, and to be honest I was much concerned at this point about avoiding a repeat of the last time I'd suffered through a cutie mark failure. Specifically, the time I still had the chipped tooth and the singed eyebrows from.
I gave the other pony a few more seconds to do something other than stare back at me, then called it quits and let my eyes drop to the pavement. That whole self-confident trip I'd been riding high on when I'd walked out into the middle of the street was gone now, so I had plenty on situational awareness left to notice all the ponies whispering and pointing at me from the crowd. They didn't know why I was standing out there looking like a jackass, but I'm sure they have some very good ideas of their own. And the icing on the cake? This time, it was all my own neighbors who were staring at me and theorizing about me and wondering what on earth was rattling around in that little hollow space between my ears. I'd never been so thankful to have red fur, because it was the only thing keeping my face from glowing brighter than the apartment I'd been planning on sleeping in tonight.
And for whatever reason, I chose that moment to look up at Stumpy again one last time. There's an argument for saying that I just did it out of embarrassment, and another one in the notion that my special talent wasn't quite done just yet. Hell, you could probably even say I was just too desperate by then to throw away the one lead I'd even temporarily had. But whatever the reason really was, there was one thing nopony could ever debate: that moment I picked to look up one last time was the one moment about that day I'd remember for the rest of my life.
Because it was in that exact moment that I saw Stumpy blink his eyes, let them widen to the size of dinner plates, and then take off in a dead sprint into the alley across the street.
|
Aquaman
|
1231
| 5 |
Applejack,DJ P0N-3,Original Character,Comedy,Dark,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Breaking Bricks
|
Dealing with the past is always hard. Dealing with the present can be damn near impossible.
|
cancelled
| 26 | 6 |
<p>If this were a normal case, I wouldn't be chasing after a foalnapper who keeps mailing me riddles that he expects me to solve. I wouldn't be living with an alcoholic perfume salesmare who can't hardly remember her own name, let alone mine. And I certainly wouldn't be turning the fair town of Ponyville upside-down looking for somepony I didn't really want to find in the first place.</p><p>Then again, if this were a normal case, they probably wouldn't have hired me to crack it.</p><p>ON HIATUS (as in, not cancelled) until I get a bit farther into Harmony/I have more time to consistently devote to writing.</p>
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teen
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2011-12-02T03:55:26+00:00
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2011-12-02T03:55:26+00:00
| 1,302 |
Chapter 5 – In Which I Discover The Importance of Cardio
Despite all the indecision and confusion I’d been suffering through the whole day, this time I didn’t hesitate. In ten seconds flat, I was galloping into the same alleyway I’d seen Stumpy charge into, my heart already on overdrive and my eyes locked onto his wavy maroon tail as it vanished around a corner. I had no idea who this pony was, and I had even less of a clue about where he was going. All I knew was that my apartment was charring into cinders and he was running away from it, and that was reason enough for me to stick to this guy like green on grass until we got to a place where we could discuss the matter like grown stallions. Or barring that, at least a place where I could stand him up against a wall and beat him halfway into next week. To be honest, I kinda liked the sound of option number two at the moment.
“Hey!” I shouted after him as he skidded out of the alley into a tiny courtyard in front of a dilapidated hotel, and then turned hard to the right onto a one-lane side street. “Get back here, you little jerkoff!”
I guess he wasn’t feeling too cooperative after that, which was probably why he chose right then to kick a trio of overflowing trash cans right into my path as I rounded the bend and caught sight of him again. The first one bounced off to the side and clanged against the back steps of a locksmith’s shop, but there wasn’t enough time to dodge around the other two. By the time I had shaken off the week-old collection of grass clippings and lettuce heads splattered all over my forelegs, the orange-furred pony was thirty feet away and still gaining speed. By the time I actually got clear of the trash and made it over to where the alley curved off to the left, he was nearly out of sight again.
That gave me pause for about a second and a half. Once that was over, I threw out a snort that’d turn a prizefighter white and took off again, my goal for what to do after catching him now firmly confined to the “beat the holy hell out of somepony” camp. If I were a cop, this would’ve been right around the time where I would’ve called for backup and waited to watch the scuzzball squirm under an overheated headlamp in a windowless think tank. But I wasn’t a cop. I was a pony who, in a single day, had spent the whole morning trying to look professional while nursing a hangover, been publicly embarrassed by an elite member of his society, and now had his home burned down before he was even done being evicted from it. As far as I was concerned, anything short of tossing this moron off the Statue of Harmony with an anvil tied to his tail was completely justifiable at this point.
Little Mister Stumpy Hooves up ahead was still running for all he was worth, and for a couple minutes I was mostly just trying to keep him in sight. But even though he was a good bit faster than me and didn’t seem to be slowing down, he was also panicking, and that meant he was indecisive. So whenever he hit a fork in the road and held up for a split second to figure out which way to go, I gained another few yards on him. It was a slow process and my stamina wasn’t exactly anything to write home about, but for the time being I was still making progress. And for the time being, that was just making Stumpy freak out even more.
Sooner or later, one of us had to slip up, and after pounding past six different alleyways and at least a dozen reasonably shocked bums and bag fillies, it ended up being Stumpy who went first. With fifty feet still separating us and my lungs searing as I sobered up from the adrenaline kick the fire had given me, he stopped on a tenth-bit right in front of an sunset-lit offshoot to the alley we were racing through, half his face set alight by the angled beam of light pouring over it. I couldn’t have cared less about the reason why; I just wanted this chase to end. I covered the gap in a few lengthened strides, and lowered my head just as he looked over and saw me closing in. He gasped, I leapt forward, and the next thing I knew I was bouncing shoulder-first off a solid brick wall and he was running again, this time towards a fruit stand sticking halfway out across the entrance to the alley. In two hops, he was up and over it, and a moment later he leapt forward again and landed on top of a two-wheeled wagon packed from end to end with heavy wooden crates. After that, all I could do was watch from afar as the pony I’d been inches from smearing all over the side of a dry goods store effortlessly bounded from carriage to carriage, and crossed four packed lanes of traffic without ever touching the ground. Sometimes, even swearing isn’t quite enough to cover everything.
“Well, two can play at that game,” I told myself through gritted teeth. Working around my throbbing foreleg as best I could, I stepped forward and jumped up onto the fruit stand, much to the chagrin of the vendor below still recovering from the last idiot who’d decided to use it as a trampoline. I muttered a half-flanked apology in his general direction, then stared out across the street to where Stumpy was just now touching down on the opposite sidewalk. Now all that stood between me and him was thirty feet of unbroken asphalt, completely covered with oblivious pedestrians and carriages with big, solid-looking wheels that could crush a pony flat before the occupants even felt a bump. And the longer I waited here, the more Stumpy’s lead on me would grow. But no pressure or anything.
As the vendor continued to make very impolite assertions about my relationship with my mother, I set my jaw and scoped out the path I was going to take. The first gap I’d need to clear was about eight feet wide, and my target was a cart full of what looked like crates of bananas. And the pony pulling said cart was already staring at me, with thick dark eyebrows already lowered over very unsympathetic eyes. And he also happened to be about a foot taller than me. And about three times as heavy.
With a mark on his flank of what I was pretty sure was a sledgehammer.
“Oh, who the hell am I kidding?” I muttered under my breath. Two minutes and a severely bruised ego later, I had navigated my way across the street the normal way and trotted into the alley I’d seen Stumpy run into just a short time before. Predictably enough, he was already long gone.
A stray cat darted out of sight as I reached the spot where the alley split off into two opposite paths. The path to the left was where I’d seen the cat go, and that was just a dead-end into another cluster of trash cans and four stories of unbroken brick. The path to the right wasn’t much better; it was longer by a good hundred yards or so, but it made up for it by being packed from end to end with ancient metal fire escapes, each one perfectly designed to ferry panicked residents down to the ground and ornery little firebugs up to wherever they wanted to hide. A full battalion of royal guards would be lucky to find him back here. This was pointless. And, more to the point, hopeless.
Well, maybe not entirely hopeless. I knew what this guy looked like, at least. It wouldn’t count for much once the day ended and I had to start from scratch tomorrow morning, but it was a start. I’d found plenty of ponies before with less to go on than that. The catch, though, was those ponies also took months to find. And with the first case on my priority list being a foalnapping, the last thing I had at my disposal was free time to go chasing after a single arsonist who most likely didn’t have a single thing to do with it. Still, I wasn’t ready to give up on my little shred of optimism just yet. Whether that was justified or just due to the fact that I was dizzy as a dodo bird from all that running was still up for debate.
I was in the middle of turning around and just starting to wonder where exactly the hay I’d just run off to when a shadow shifted in the corner of my eye. I stopped for a second and almost dismissed it as the cat I’d seen a second ago, but then the bricks off to the right twitched again. There wasn’t any cat in the world with a shadow that big. Not unless that cat had hooves and a mane, and a dirty little secret about who had told him to set my apartment on fire.
I turned around slowly and faced the bank of trash cans I’d come so close to ignoring entirely. “I know you’re back there,” I said. “And I know it was you in my apartment earlier.”
The trash cans were silent. “I’ll make you a deal, all right?” I told him. You come out now, and I won’t strangle you with your own intestines. “I’m not gonna hurt you. I just wanna know who you work for. Whoever it is never has to know. I won’t tell him who told me. Just…just come on out now, and I promise we can talk about this nice and civilly.”
Still no response. I figured that meant he was about three seconds from making a break for it. I crouched down low, counted to three, then leapt up and sent the whole row of trash cans flying out in front of me, towards the stray cat I had cornered with nowhere to run.
Or I would have, if the trash cans hadn’t burst out towards me at the exact moment I started forward. And if Stumpy hadn’t jumped out over them and me both in the same instant, and taken off down the alley like he’d been warming up for this moment all day.
The cans were empty this time, at least, but I had a bigger problem: Stumpy was on the move again, and this time he’d had a few seconds to think about where he was going to go. By the time my head stopped spinning and I figured out what in the holy hell had just happened, he was already charging towards the nearest fire escape. If he made it there and got the staircase down before I could reach him, he’d be gone for good. Time to stop screwing around and end this.
At first, luck was on my side: the stairs on the fire escape nearest to us were part of the way down already, but so coated with rust that Stumpy couldn’t budge them even after he took a running leap and threw his whole body weight on the bottom step. While Stumpy wasted his time trying to yank his escape route down to ground level, I flattened my ears against my skull and lowered my head into a charge. I was only twenty feet away when he saw me coming and dropped down again, his hooves scrabbling against the pavement as he tried to get his legs back in gear. If I’d skipped a donut run or two during the past week, I probably would’ve caught him right then and there.
Just as I got within hooves’ reach, though, Stumpy turned on the jets and switched over to his backup plan. Thirty feet away, there was another fire escape attached to a building with much cleaner brickwork, and those stairs looked fresh as the day they were forged. A little better, even, considering the little hoof-tied rope somepony had left hanging off them after some late-night adventure. But even though I was huffing and puffing like an asthmatic wolf, I swear I felt my heart jump kick out an extra beat just at the sight of it. He was pulling away from me now, but the second he stopped to pull that staircase down, I’d be all over him. I had him this time. One last screwup, one last dive for that pull rope dangling just a little bit too high for a normal pony to reach, and I’d finally have my answers.
It was at the last possible second that Stumpy changed course, and that might’ve been why it took me a split second too long to register that he wasn’t going for the rope at all. In the end, the reason didn’t really matter: what mattered was that instead of heading underneath the staircase and closing his teeth desperately around the thick beige rope that controlled it, the pony in the dumpy gray jacket veered off to the left towards a pile of boxes and crates stacked behind a neck-high partition. I lost a step or two wondering what the hell he was doing, and that gave him all the time he needed to go ahead and show me. He took one last long stride up onto the first row of boxes, then hopped once, skipped twice, and jumped over the debris, onto the partition, and across twelve feet of open air to land safely on the second floor of the fire escape. Of all the things I could’ve imagined failing to account for, the stallion I was trying to catch being a damned Ponympic athlete honestly hadn’t even crossed my mind.
I swore under my breath and kept going. If this guy thought he could shake me off that easy after I’d tailed him halfway to Trotton and back, he was gonna have another thought coming real damn quick. I knew colts on the long jump squad in high school. I was charged up, zeroed in, and pissed off beyond belief. I could handle this.
I glared at Stumpy long enough to make sure he saw me, then traced his path step for step and aimed for the partition.
Step One: Stride.
I planted my back hooves down hard and stretched my forelegs out over the first boxes. Stumpy gritted his teeth and whipped his head away from me.
Step Two: Hop.
The boxes creaked as my forelegs made contact. Stumpy was making his way towards the next flight of stairs. Too slow. Too late.
Step Three: Skip.
Up over the debris, up onto the partition. The muscles in Stumpy’s neck were bulging beneath his fur.
Step Four: Jump.
I hit the partition hard, but kept my balance. Stumpy turned around just in time to see me take off, and for a fraction of a moment our eyes locked together again just like they had when we’d first seen each other. Game over, buddy, I thought. I bared my teeth, ducked my head, and stretched my hooves toward his throat.
And met air.
I’d closed my eyes at some point during the final descent, so it was a second or two before I realized that my head wasn’t heading for a passionate rendezvous with Stumpy’s sternum. And a second or two later after that, I also realized that the space below me that should’ve been full of fire escape was empty, and that my nose was about three feet away from an unscheduled rest stop in Roadburn Heights. Thankfully, I tucked and rolled fast enough to keep the pavement from rearranging my face, but that didn’t do much to dull the blow of tumbling to a stop a few yards away and looking up to see a blurry orange earth stallion getting smaller and smaller as he climbed up the fire escape all the way to the top floor. From five stories above, Stumpy poked his head over the edge of the penthouse platform and looked down at me, then ducked back out of sight. A second later, the whole fire escape creaked, and Stumpy leapt up towards the wall and scaled it as easily as a spider could. I caught one last glimpse of his wavy-tailed behind as he hoisted it up over the lip of the roof, and then Stumpy was gone.
I almost got up and went for the rope under the stairs right then, but at the last second I held back and kept my spot on the ground. I could’ve gone on chasing him, but I’d already spent the last ten minutes demonstrating quite clearly how useless that was. There was no two ways about it: the little bastard was faster than me, and judging by how heavy my legs felt right now he probably had me in the endurance department too. Showed what I got for looking at consistent exercise the same way other ponies look at root canals, I guess. The point was, burning off the last dregs of my head of steam to chase this pony across the rooftops of Manehattan was just going to be another waste of time to add to a whole string of them today. And that was assuming I didn’t fall off one of said rooftops and get a one-way ticket to Splat City first.
I let my head fall back against the pavement and stared aimlessly up at the fading patches of blue and gold still poking through the clouds overhead. How had this even happened? I’d had him painted into a corner that no other pony I’d ever heard of would be able to slip out of, and he’d just jumped right over it. Right over me. Yeah, that was another thing he had going for him, wasn’t it? A normal pony was lucky if he could clear a chest-high fence; Stumpy, meanwhile, could prance clean over my head in two steps. At every corner, he’d taken me completely by surprise, and that was why he was fiddling away on the roof and I was stuck down here, watching him run off and wondering how the hell he’d done it.
Well, I’d already said how he’d done it, hadn’t he? He took me by surprise. He waited back behind those trash cans until I was just about to strike, and then he broke away right when I was too close to do anything about it. Lulled the predator into a false sense of security, then timed the escape perfectly to leave him gasping for air in the distance. Classic move. One I should’ve seen coming. One that I could feel my face going near purple with rage over. Or was that embarrassment? That was another possibility. As was pain. I’d hit the ground kind of hard a minute ago.
I think, in a way, that was when my new plan was first spawned: when I rubbed my forehoof over my freshly bruised shoulder and wished more than anything that I could get one last shot at the flankhole indirectly responsible for it. But to get that shot, I’d have to find him first, and I’d have to figure out how many building tops he was planning on bouncing across before deciding to join the rest of us mortals down on Earth. Yeah, that was definitely where my plan came from, because it was right about then that I looked up at the sky again and let my eyes drift along to the right and over to the next building in the row, and then the next after that. And it was right about then that it occurred to me that even street-spanning duplex rows had to end someplace, and that not even Stumpy could clear a gap as big as the city streets that surrounded them.
Which meant it was right exactly then that a little inkling of an idea began to form inside my head.
I rolled onto my side and looked down to where the alleyway opened up again at the end of the block, then glanced back up at the fire escape again. Five minutes ago, I would’ve said there were only a couple things I could do now: either clamber up onto those catwalks and follow Stumpy across the roof, or quit while I was behind and wake up tomorrow even further back. But that wasn’t completely true, was it? Because there was something else I could do instead. If doors number one and two didn’t look promising, then I’d just have to go out through the window. I’d need a little bit of trickiness and a much larger bit of luck to pull it off, but it was definitely a possibility. And that meant the hunt was still on.
It was like the gears inside my brain had just gotten a fresh coat of axle grease. By the time I was all the way up on my hooves, I had everything figured out. Maybe I couldn’t run as fast as Stumpy or jump as high, but I could play the game by his rules. I couldn’t catch him, but I could sure as hell hunt him down. All it’d take was a little creativity, and a little natural instinct. Just like Stumpy would do it. Just like a lion hunting for dinner in the savanna.
And guess what, Stumpy? This lion here?
He’s starving.
• • •
The sun had set hours ago, but as far as the residents of Manehattan were concerned, the night was still young and ripe for the taking. While the crowds had thinned a bit since earlier in the evening, the sidewalks were still hardly even visible for all the ponies trotting along on top of them. The streetlights were bright, the breeze was fresh and just slight enough to touch the night with a homely chill, and even the ponies themselves seemed carefree enough. For the briefest of moments, the City That Never Slept was at peace.
At the Manehattan Public Library, the spindly black minute hand on the clock embedded in the central pediment ticked forward an inch, and the bell hidden behind it tolled nine times. As the echo of the final chime faded away, the front door of a condominium across the street swung open, and a short, stocky earth pony with orange fur and a wavy maroon tail poked his head out, his ears and mane hidden under a speckled gray hood. After an edgy glance in either direction, he stepped all the way out and hurried down to the end of the block. His shoulders were hunched and his gaze wove back and forth through the ponies crowding around him, almost as if he were searching for one of them in particular.
At the corner, a herd of ponies stood clumped loosely together, most of them looking up at the magically enhanced globe that glowed cherry red over the crosswalk and dyed the parallel white lines beneath it a dim shade of pink. Instead of dodging around the cluster of Manehattanites, the stocky pony trotted straight towards them, and squeezed into the middle of the pack just as the otherworldly color inside the orb swirled from red into a bright emerald green. Once the light changed, the whole group moved as one mass, and they would’ve remained that way for another few blocks if the newest addition to the crowd, too short to be seen by anypony more than a few feet away, hadn’t peeled off to the right just before they reached the curb. The herd behind him oblivious to his actions, he jogged off alongside the street he had just crossed with his eyes still sweeping over everything he passed, sticking to the shadows as much as he could and using the bodies of other ponies to shield himself from the view of any carriages rumbling by on the street. Almost as if he expected the pony he was looking for to be searching for him in return.
The orange pony kept the same pace for another three blocks, and then with one last impressively unsubtle glance behind him, he slowed to a steady walk and let a heavy sign escape his lips. His relief was written all over his face: he’d spent two hours hiding on the roof of that condo until he was as sure as he could be that the coast was clear, and yet the whole way down the street he’d been absolutely sure that he was only a single errant glance away from having to make another frantic escape. But for whatever reason, the stars had seen fit to give him a reprieve this time, and that suited him just fine. With the spring of freedom in his step, he pushed himself back into a brisk trot and kept it up for another six blocks, until he had left the bustling mercantile quarter behind him and entered a place that felt a little bit closer to home.
The southern tip of the Manehattan Peninsula is taken up almost entirely by Rocky Feller Plaza and the surrounding financial district, with the Hostler River forming a natural border to the south and west, and Sugarcube Hill located about half a mile to the north. To the east, however, lies a small neighborhood about twelve hundred yards square called Amity Park City. Centered around a massive textile plant and crowded with shops catering to the Rocky Feller crowd, the borough was once a bustling microcosm of middle-class Equestrian society. When the plant closed down six years before Princess Luna’s return, though, the foundation the community was built on crumbled and dissolved in a matter of weeks. Now, Amity Park was a virtual ghost town, filled with more potholes than ponies and left to rot by a city that couldn’t be bothered to tear it down. It was grimy, dreary, and a detestable eyesore for the ponies who lived and worked in the skyscrapers still visible in the distance, and that meant it was the safest place in Manehattan for anypony who didn’t want to be found. That was where the orange-coated pony was going now, and that was where he would burrow so deep into the cracked streets and deserted tenements that it’d take an entire division of the Canterlot Royal Guards to root him back out again. Maybe even two.
West River Street marked the unofficial divide between Amity Park and the rest of the city, and the orange pony slowed to a meandering shuffle once he crossed over it, shrugging off his hood as he did so to reveal an unkempt mane that shared the same color as his tail. The streetlamps in this part of town were still functioning, but every third or fourth lantern was burnt out or broken, and in some cases was missing entirely. This pony didn’t seem to mind too much, though, if his habit of bounding between patches of darkness was any indication. All things considered, it was probably better if no one could see him right now. The fewer ponies who saw scuffed hooves and dirt-streaked face and got a chance to put two and two together, the better.
A flash of red in the distance caught the orange pony by surprise, and instinctively he flinched back into the nearest doorway the instant it flitted into his view. With his teeth clenched tight and his breaths coming in short, staccato bursts, he pressed himself as far into the alcove as he could, only daring to peek back around the corner once he’d waited so long that his legs were starting to wobble with how hard he had them locked at the knees. Once he did look, though, his shoulders sagged, and he let out a high, shaky chuckle that reverberated all the way down to where the street ended at a vacant lot stuffed with broken-up carriages and compost heaps. He’d just about blown a gasket seeing his reflection in a store window. He laughed again and turned his head to the side, his lips parting into a grimace as he noticed the grey smudges still lining the back of his neck. He’d need to get cleaned up while he was out here, too. If anypony out there was still chasing him, they’d probably be able to see and smell him coming before too long.
Despite the murkiness the pony was wading through, his face still visibly darkened as he turned away from the shop window, and it wouldn’t have been hard for an onlooker to figure out what was on his mind now. He’d cut it way too close sticking around to watch the blaze he’d set, and this was what he was going to get for it: a whole night of jumping at his own freaking shadow, because every single one looked like it belonged to a brick-red earth stallion with a short brown mane and a wicked case of post-traumatic rage. “Stupid,” he muttered under his breath as he started walking again. He was stupid. Setting that fire was stupid. This whole thing was stupid, and it was his own stupid fault for screwing it up so bad. He went ahead and told himself so under his breath: “Stand out in the middle’a the damn road, why don’t you? He’ll never think to look there. Could’ve been back hours ago, but no, you had to go and let him see you. You had to let him chase you all the way across the freakin’-”
The pony stopped, then perked his ears and swiveled his head around. The alley to his left was empty, and so was the side street on his right. But he could’ve sworn…
He wrinkled his nose, then swore under his breath. “C’mon, Springs,” he growled to himself with a heavy sigh. “Get it toge-”
With a lowly whisper, the breeze fell silent, and a piece of paper crinkled somewhere off in the distance. And then the next thing Springs knew, his rump was pressed flat against the wall behind him and his lungs were heaving for breath, and his eyes were locked in on a single green bottle rolling out from the shadows of the alley across the street. The bottle tumbled out onto the sidewalk and fell into the gutter with a soft clink, and after that the night was still.
“W-Who’s there?” Springs called out, his jaw continuing to shake even after he ground his teeth together and shut his mouth so tightly that his lips went white around the edges. In the darkness beyond his vision, a second bottle dinged against the pavement, and a moment later a third one shattered completely. “I know you’re back there!” he shouted. “I can see you! I’m comin’ after you, you little…”
His threat froze in his throat, and Springs stood stock still and listened. No hoofsteps running. No returning shouts. The other pony wasn’t leaving. The other pony was calling his bluff.
“Just go,” Springs hissed through his teeth. “Just go.” He blinked the sweat out of his eyes and stared straight ahead into the shadows of the alley. There was nothing there. He could see where the third bottle had broken, just below a whole row propped up on and around a decrepit wooden crate. There was nothing there. The alley was definitely empty. It might’ve just been a sewer rat. He might still be perfectly safe.
It probably wasn’t. He probably wasn’t.
“Just go.”
With a shuddering sigh that bordered on being desperate, Springs took to his hooves. Somewhere in this district was a place he could hide, where he could sleep and eat and bide his time until the world lost interest in him again, and all he had to do was get there before this other pony did. Except now every time his sole hit the ground, there was an echo behind him. Now he was running, and someone—or something, Celestia forbid—was giving chase. Grunting with either frustration or terror, he shifted up into his maximum speed, the ancient buildings and rusting lightpoles whizzing past as his mane slapped against his face and his jacket billowed out in the wind.
Three blocks later, there were still two sets of hoofsteps cutting through the night, and Springs was only a minute or two away from running on fumes. He could outrun just about anypony in a pinch, but he wasn’t built for distance and he knew it all too well after the day he’d had today. This was going to end sooner rather than later, and if he couldn’t get away within the next thirty seconds, that end was probably going to lead to a fight. And in a fair fight, he’d be smeared halfway across the neighborhood before he could so much as duck. Which meant there was only one thing left for him to do now.
It was time to start cheating again.
Springs waited exactly three seconds, then dug his forehoof into a gap in the cobblestones and made a blind turn into a narrow space between a boarded-up dress boutique and a pawn shop with two sputtering candles on either side of the door. It wasn’t clean by any means, but he squeezed through the crevice with only a couple scrapes and popped out on the other end to find himself sprinting down yet another nearly pitch-black backstreet, with only the gentle glow of the waxing moon overhead keeping him from bouncing off the walls again. His hooves pounded down the inky road, each step producing a powerful crack that sounded for all the world like a bone snapping in two, like a nail being driven into a coffin.
The back lane spit him out onto Saffron Street, but Springs couldn’t have cared less what the road’s name was. It was empty and it was going to get him where he needed to go, and for now that was more than enough. He risked a glance behind him, saw nothing, pushed on, looked back again and nearly fell flat on his face tripping over a bump in the road; he was wheezing for breath by now, and most of those breaths were wasted on the frenzied fragments of sentences that dribbled out of his mouth as his exhausted mind narrated his progress.
“Come on…come on…two more blocks…come on…one more…keep going…keep going…just leave me alone…just leave me alone.”
Just a few yards ahead, a cast-iron fence cordoned off a small smattering of storage units that took up the entire end of the block. With a final groan, Springs took flight off a dumpster and vaulted the fence, then collapsed once he rounded the corner and stopped by way of slamming into the wall and flattening against it for all he was worth. The textile plant loomed up overhead a hundred yards away, two of the now defunct smokestacks blocking off either side of the moon so that only a small sliver of ghostly white light slipped through to illuminate the unit doors and the pony crouching in front of them. That pony, however, didn’t seem to be the type to appreciate the beauty of nature set against the backdrop of urban sprawl; in any case, he wasn’t looking at the moon right now. He was looking straight at the corrugated metal door of the unit on the other side of the entrance into the lot, his mane slick with sweat and his ears twitching and jumping almost as much as he was. He was listening for hoofsteps, for the pony following him. If he heard him coming, he had just backed himself into a corner that he wouldn’t be escaping from. If he heard nothing, he was, for the time being at least, safe.
He heard nothing.
Springs kept his sigh of relief as quiet as he could manage, and slumped into the wall just before his wobbling knees pitched him onto the ground. For a long while, he just stood there with his forehead pressed against the brick, his chest still heaving and a weak chuckle floating out of his mouth every moment or two. “Holy shit,” he muttered to him, another laugh bubbling out of his throat at the tail end of the curse. Two narrow escapes a day was more than enough for him, it seemed. He was ready to get off the streets, and this storage lot was just the kind of five-star establishment he was looking for. It wasn’t the best hiding place, sure, but in the present situation it would do well enough for one night.
The thing about hiding places, though, is that they all hinge on the seeker giving up before he can find you. Skill never plays into it; the whole effort is a simple test of will where the prey gets a step or two ahead and dares the predator to come find him if he can. And you know what the thing about predators is? They don’t give up. They don’t get bored or discouraged, or decide that tomorrow’s just as good a time to eat as today. When a predator is locked onto his prey, there is neither rain nor snow nor meteor strike that’s going to shake him off until he’s good and ready to call it finished. Like when a werewolf in the Everfree corners a rabbit. Like when a lion in the savanna hunts down an impala. Like when a pony in Manehattan wants answers and doesn’t care how far he has to go to get them.
So when Springs turned around and found himself nose to nose with a brick-red, brown-maned earth stallion whose eyes were set on “barbeque”, I really don’t think he should’ve been all that surprised. After all, I’d made him a promise that we were going to have a nice, civil conversation with each other before the day was done. And Brick Breaker doesn’t break his promises.
“Howdy,” I said, putting on an absolutely winning smile as Springs’ eyes widened and his jaw dropped to his hooves. I caught him by the shoulders just as he started to turn around, and with one gentle push I had him shoved up on his hind legs against one of the storage units with my hooves placed nice and civilly on either side of his throat.
“Y’know, I don’t think I ever properly introduced myself before,” I remarked cordially as the metallic clang of Springs’ skull hitting the unit’s door echoed along the deserted street a few yards away. “Hi there. My name’s Brick Breaker. You probably know me pretty well, don’t you?”
I paused, and Springs tried to squirm away. Like most other things he had tried in the last few minutes, it didn’t go well. “Or actually, I guess you probably know my apartment a bit better. You remember my apartment, right? Probably sticks out in your mind a little bit, doesn’t it? Y’know, being on fire and all.”
“How did you find me?” Springs grunted raspily, as if there was something blocking his throat and keeping him from speaking him clearly. Must’ve been that dry night air.
“How did I find you…” I repeated, my laugh sounding more like a cackle. I was probably enjoying this just a bit too much, in retrospect. “You’re a lot of things, Springy, ol’ pal. Slimy, irritating, idiotic, bit on the ugly side too, actually. But if there is one thing, buddy, that you are not…”
My good cheer vanished, and even Springs’ pupils seemed to shirk away and try to hide from the daggers my eyes were throwing at him. “It’s subtle,” I whispered, the whole back of my neck tingling with adrenaline. Yeah, I was definitely enjoying this too much. I promised myself I’d apologize for that once I kicked the bastard’s teeth straight through his lungs.
“But I never saw…” Springs started to say before his eyes drifted up and his neck went slack. He was looking up at the four-story tenement row behind me. Or more specifically, at the warped, twisted old fire escape that snaked up its back side and was nearly level with the roof of the storage units at the second floor.
“Yeah, didn’t think I had it in me, didja?” I remarked, while thinking to myself that it wasn’t technically gloating since the path I’d taken hadn’t really been all my idea. “Who says an old dog can’t learn new tricks?”
Springs swallowed hard, and the tiny bulge in his neck kept shivering even after he was done. “L-Look, just lemme expla-”
“No, you know what, Springs?” I interrupted, my eyes shut tight with the effort of keeping a lid on what my gut was telling me to say. “I’m sure you’ve got just the most charming little excuse for why you had to set my apartment on fire, but I have had a really, really long day today, and quite frankly I’m not really in the mood to be talked at anymore. So how ‘bout, just for a little bit, you keep your speedy little trap shut and let me do the talking? Sound good?”
Springs’ lips went tight, and a little bit of heat seeped back into his eyes. I ignored the implications and took that as a “yes”. “Wonderful,” I said. “And if you don’t mind, let’s go ahead and start with who told you to come after me today.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Springs replied bitterly, though not nearly as steadily as I think he was aiming for.
“Oh, you don’t, huh?” I murmured back. “So what, Mom just forgot to tell you not to play with matches, then?”
“I didn’t set your apartment on fire,” he growled. This time, his voice was strong and clear. Rotten luck for him I was too busy laughing to care.
“Bullshit, you didn’t,” I came back loudly. “What the hell were you doing, then, Springs? You gonna tell me you led me halfway to the friggin’ moon and back ‘cause you had to make a milk run?”
“I didn’t do it,” Springs repeated. I looked off towards the sky and felt an almost painful shudder run through my forelegs.
“But I know who did,” he added a moment later, still not looking me in the face. For the moment, I decided to let his indelicate behavior slide. The side of my head was itching something fierce.
“Is that a fact?” I crooned. “You know who torched my apartment? Well, damn it to the moon, Springs, I would just love to know who did that.”
“Yeah, okay, just…it was, uh…” he stuttered. Seemed Springs wasn’t very good at stalling either.
“Y’know, that’s just fascinating, Springs,” I said. “But there’s something else I’d love to know too. You want to take a guess at what else I’d love to know, Springs?”
“I…”
“I’d love to know what it is behind me that’s so damn interesting you just can’t take your eyes off it.”
I’ve heard a hundred different names for the look that passed over Springs’ face just then, but my personal favorite—and by far the most accurate—is the “oh shit” face. It was the same look he’d had when our snouts had bumped together a couple minutes ago, and the same look I’d had when I’d walked in on my bachelor pad being turned into charcoal earlier that afternoon. It was the look everypony got when something happened that completely blindsided them, when somepony took their carefully laid plans and tossed a big honkin’ monkey wrench right in the middle of them. And the best part was, I hadn’t really even needed to work all that hard to get this wrench up in the air. Springs’ eyes had been darting over my shoulders every five seconds since we’d started talking. I guess he’d thought I wouldn’t notice from all of six inches away. He really was utterly hopeless at this.
“What do you not want me to see back there, Springs? Hmm?” I continued. Hell, he was even looking back there again right now. The guy couldn’t have been more of an amateur if he’d gotten indignant and threatened to call his lawyer. “Is this where you were gonna hide tonight? Is this where the pony who really set that fire is?”
Springs wasn’t talking, and he also wasn’t shifting his eyes back over to me. I had a brief notion that now was probably a good time to stop screwing around and actually look behind me, but one look at the way Springs’ chest was heaving was all I needed to dismiss that. I was cold, I was homeless, and I had a stitch in my side that felt like somepony had stabbed me with a pair of fetlock trimmers, and I had the colt responsible for all of it literally with his back against the wall. Constant vigilance could wait at least another five minutes. Right now, I had some karmic rebalancing to do.
“What’s over here, you little flankhole?” I asked, in a low, feral snarl that I’d spent years perfecting. “What are you looking at?”
Springs blinked, the corners of his mouth twitched, and then he finally looked me in the eyes again. “Nothin’,” he said quietly.
I turned around just in time to catch a size nine hoof right in the muzzle.
Now, I’m not one of those ponies with titanium ‘nads who thinks their whole bodies are made of the same stuff, but most of the time I can take more than a few hits before I go down for the count. A blind sucker buck to the face, however, tended to skew the average a bit, especially when it came from what seemed to be a full-grown rhinoceros. I shut my eyes just in time to miss the sky filling with stars, but a moment later I could see plenty of them even with my eyes screwed up and my forehooves clamped over my nose. Not that it really hurt that bad or anything. Just basic instinct, that’s all. You knock a guy hard enough in the snout, he’s gonna tense up a little bit. It was a perfectly natural reaction. I was fine. I just needed a little peace and quiet, about five minutes to get my sense of balance back, and enough triple fudge brownies to sink a sea pony. Then I’d be fit as a freaking fiddle.
Somewhere far off in the impenetrable distance, a stallion was talking in a voice that made it sound like he was about ready to bite somepony’s head off. As I dizzily got my hooves back under me and got busy with the valiant effort of keeping my breakfast in my stomach where it belonged, my brain eventually unscrambled enough to translate the loud, angry noises into words.
“…think you cut that close enough, ya big oaf?”
“But you tol’ me to stay hidden.”
“Until I came back. Did that part just not make it through customs, Blockhead?”
“You tol’ me-”
“Stars abo…I know what I told you. It’s called critical thinking, Cinder. Looking at a situation and making your own freaking decision about it. Really not that hard.”
“But you tol’ me I’m not supposed t’ make my own decisions.”
In the darkness, somepony groaned. “Well, whaddya know…boss hires a pony big as an elephant, and now he’s got the memory of one too. That’s just precious.”
“I got what now?”
“Just shut up, Cinder Block.”
For about half a second, the waves of nausea crashing over my stomach leveled out, and I took the opportunity to stand all the way back up for the express purpose of marching right on over to those two voices and opening up an Ursa-sized can of whoop-ass pronto. I was just over a foot off the ground when the tide came back in, and the throbbing spot on the front of my nose was the first part of me to crash into the pavement again. Okay, so basic motor functions were probably gonna be out of commission for a while. Fine, then. I could work around that. If I couldn’t get up and physically maim anypony, the next best thing was verbal abuse. I just needed one devastating insult, or one insufferably cocky one-liner. A half-decent pun, even. And whatever it was, I needed it fast before the moment was gone, before Springs realized I wasn’t skipping off with the Sandmare just yet and sent Brutus the Wunder Pony after me again. I racked what was left of my brains for a second, then swallowed hard and opened my mouth.
“Ow,” I said.
There was a long moment where nopony spoke, and during that time I cracked my eyes open for the first time in at least a minute. In the split second I managed to keep them open, I saw Springs standing next to a shadowy, muscle-bound silhouette that would’ve blocked out the moon if it’d been standing a bit farther to the right. The huge pony’s face was too dark to see clearly, and Springs’ brow was creased with equal parts confusion and exasperation.
“Stars above, he’s still awake,” the higher of the two voices—Springs, I figured—said. “How hard did you hit him?”
“Pretty hard,” answered the deeper voice. That must’ve been…the other pony. Cinder something.
“You didn’t knock him out?”
“I didn’t wanna hurt ‘im.”
“Oh, for…he had me by the throat, Cinder!”
“Well, maybe he had a good reason.”
“What…the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“I dunno. What’d you do to him, anyway?”
I still hadn’t worked up the courage to open my eyes again, but I had a pretty good idea of where Springs’ forehoof was even without them. “Cinder, we went ov…I don’t even know how many times we went over this. We’re doing all this because…”
Springs paused, and I ended up squinting up at him just to check whether he was looking at me. He was. “You know what, forget it. I’ll explain later. Just hit him again.”
“Huh?” Cinder replied slowly. My eyes were open all the way now.
“Oh, I’m sorry, did I go over that too fast? Hit. Him. Again.”
“W-Whoa, hey, wait a minute, guys,” I sputtered a bit drunkenly as I fumbled my hooves around to find purchase on the road. “’M fine down here, actually, so you really, uh, really don’t have to do tha-”
The good news was, Cinder didn’t buck me any harder the second time. The bad news was, that second buck still felt about as good as taking a piledriver from a buffalo. “Okay, yes, good, I surrender,” I groaned. “Can we cease with the kicking now, plea-”
The third one was definitely harder, though. “Seriously, is this really necessa-”
As was the fourth. “Celestia on a bike, just stop it alrea-”
I went ahead and shut up for good after the fifth shot to the braincase. I still didn’t cry, though. Tearing up was different from crying. So was curling into a ball and letting out a little moan that somepony not listening very well might misinterpret as a whimper. Similar, but different.
“Luna above, are you even trying?” Springs grumbled loudly, which from my perspective just made him sound like he was trying to sing the National Anthem underwater.
“I t’ink that one did it,” Cinder said confidently. Springs and I both begged to differ, my own reasoning being that ponies who were unconscious generally couldn’t feel exactly how fast the earth was rotating through every bone in their body.
“He’s still moving, moron,” Springs snipped back, his forehoof pressed between his eyes again. “I told you to hit him.”
“Do we really gotta knock him out, Springs?” Cinder asked. An excellent question, in my opinion. And one with a very simple answer.
“No, we can go ahead and skip that part, thanks,” I said to Springs. Or at least, I think that was what I’d intended to say. What actually came out of my mouth went more along the lines of, “Nahwashinhaskitapartank.” Turns out, it’s actually pretty tough to enunciate when your lips are numb and your tongue won’t move off the roof of your mouth.
“You mean, did the Boss tell us we had to?” Springs clarified as he met his partner’s eyes, his mouth pursing into a contemplative look. “No, he didn’t say that,” the orange pony admitted. Now his thoughtful expression was curling into a smirk. “He also didn’t say we couldn’t.”
Hey, legs? This might be a bad time, but any time you wanna, y’know, start working again, that’d be just peachy.
“You sure?” Cinder said. “’Cause I don’t know if that’s really what he meant…”
“Cinder Block,” Springs said firmly as he rolled his shoulders and stretched his neck. “Shut. Up.”
Cinder Block shut up, and then it was just Springs and I staring at each other without saying a word, he standing over me with quickly darkening eyes and me trying to figure how I had started my day broke and hung over and was about to end it beaten to a pulp in a grungy storage complex halfway across town. How the hell does all that happen to one pony in twenty-four hours? And why did it all have to be happening to me right now?
“You know,” Springs murmured, raising his voice just loud enough for everypony in attendance to hear him. “I really think I’m enjoying this just a bit too much.”
Oh, yeah. Karmic rebalance. That explained it all. Now if only I could remember the box of baby kittens I must’ve eaten at some point to earn it, my life would make sense again.
“Sweet dreams, Bricky, ol’ pal,” the orange pony said. I would’ve said something snarky back, but the words were still on their way up from my lungs when Springs’ hoof smashed into the side of my head. The lot went fuzzy, and a bell started ringing somewhere close by. And as much as I’d like to say that I fought off the blackness pulling at the edges of my vision as long as I could, senselessness looked pretty damn heavenly at the moment. A pony can only take so much before he cracks, you know. And after the day he’d had, this pony here was officially split right down the freaking middle.
I was out cold before my head hit the ground.
|
Aquaman
|
1231
| 6 |
Applejack,DJ P0N-3,Original Character,Comedy,Dark,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Breaking Bricks
|
Dealing with the past is always hard. Dealing with the present can be damn near impossible.
|
cancelled
| 26 | 6 |
<p>If this were a normal case, I wouldn't be chasing after a foalnapper who keeps mailing me riddles that he expects me to solve. I wouldn't be living with an alcoholic perfume salesmare who can't hardly remember her own name, let alone mine. And I certainly wouldn't be turning the fair town of Ponyville upside-down looking for somepony I didn't really want to find in the first place.</p><p>Then again, if this were a normal case, they probably wouldn't have hired me to crack it.</p><p>ON HIATUS (as in, not cancelled) until I get a bit farther into Harmony/I have more time to consistently devote to writing.</p>
|
teen
|
2012-03-25T04:12:14+00:00
|
2012-03-25T04:12:14+00:00
| 1,167 |
Chapter 6 – In Which I Learn To Fly
There’s only one thing worse than waking up early on a Saturday. And that thing is waking up early on a Saturday when you have nothing at all to do.
I had a plan for mornings like this, and it involved a lot of yanking the comforter back up under my chin and usually very little movement. Today, though, I was up on my hooves as soon as my eyes were open. Something wasn’t right. Something I could feel deep in my stomach.
I pushed the bedroom door open, and a warm, heady scent washed over me. Coffee. There was coffee in my apartment. I didn’t have a coffeemaker. I also didn’t have any neighbors with spare keys.
The living room was twice the size of the bedroom, and painted gold with sunlight from the open balcony doors. To the left, I could see the snow-white rump of an orange-tailed pegasus standing in the kitchen, a pair of wingtips just barely visible over the fridge door blocking off the rest of his body.
“This is just depressing, Brick,” Leo sighed as he lifted his head back up and glanced over in my direction. When I didn’t move, he craned his neck back down behind the door again. “How does any sort of self-respecting bachelor not have eggs in his fridge?”
My lips were glued shut, and even if I’d wanted to open them nothing would’ve slipped out between them. The air felt like it was charged with electricity. The scent of ozone burned in the back of my nose.
“I got coffee,” Leo called out. “You like cinnamon, right?”
I turned my head. On the coffee table in the living room, two paper cups were steaming in the morning light. Next to them sat a white paper bag, the cursive pink logo on the front too sun-washed to read anymore.
“You gotta get out of here, Brick.”
My neck jerked, and I faced the kitchen again. Every hair on my body was standing on end.
“I mean, look at it out there!” Leo said as he nudged the fridge closed with his flank, two slices of bread and a half-dozen thistles on a plate clamped between his teeth. His eyes were pointed towards the balcony door. “Beautiful day. Damn near perfect day. You gonna waste it loafing around in here?”
I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t tell whether the room was caving in around me or my lungs just thought it was. He was right: I needed to get out of here. Out of this room. Out of this city. Out of this nightmare.
Leo was on the couch now, his sandwich built but still untouched next to the coffee cups. I hadn’t even heard him sit down. “Brick, sooner or later you’re gonna have to make a choice,” he said, his auburn eyes wide and sympathetic.
For a long time, all I could do was stare, unable to tear my gaze away from Leo’s. I blinked hard, took a step forward, and an almost silent splash nearly knocked me off my hooves.
One of the coffee cups had tipped over onto Leo’s sandwich, the frothy brown liquid soaking into the bread and spreading away from the plate like a pool of blood. Where the cup had stood untouched before, a creamy yellow envelope lay with its back side up, too thick to see through even in the glaring light and sealed by a glimmering gold sticker garnished with a blue and white shield. It was a perfectly normal, everyday, five-by-seven-inch envelope, and every second I spent looking at it was enough time for another cubic yard of air to be sucked out of the room. The coffee table was on the other end of a long, dark tunnel, and yet I was still close enough to see the thin parallel stripes imprinted into the flap of the envelope and the tiny valleys and crests lining the edge of the seal. The world faded to gray in the same instant it flashed a blinding white. Now I could taste the ozone too.
Leo made no movement to pick up the cup, even as the spill reached the end of the table and started dripping off it onto the floor below. He glanced down stoically at the envelope, then blinked once and turned his gaze back up to me. The piercing look in his eyes never changed.
“You gonna open that, or what?” he said.
I tried to swallow, but my muscles were no longer under my control. I tried to run, but my legs were at the mercy of something else’s will. I tried to kick, growl, fight back, do anything but step forward and reach out and take that envelope between my hooves, but this dream was no longer my own. It was something else entirely.
With a gentle pop, the seal unstuck from the envelope and fluttered down to the ground to land in the coffee puddle still collecting there. With a quiet sigh, Leo closed his eyes and lied back against the couch. With trembling hooves, I nosed the envelope open and pushed out a single sheet of pure white cardstock dominated by three short sentences typed out in neat black ink.
And with absolutely no warning whatsoever, a wave of ice-cold water hit me smack in the face.
I woke up sputtering like a cat in a wading pool, water streaming off my mane and dripping into my eyes and mouth. The room around me was pitch-dark, so for a second or two I thought I’d gone blind while I was out, which would’ve seriously put a damper on my day. Or morning. Or whatever the hell it was now. It’d been the middle of the night the last time I’d been kicked in the head, right? Yes, it had. At least, that’s what my flash-fried brain was telling me. Of course, it was also pointing out that I had now officially started measuring time in instances of cranial trauma, so in all honesty I wasn’t too interested in listening to what my brain had to say at the moment.
“Morning, sunshine,” a high-pitched, mocking voice sang as I shook the hair off my forehead. “Ooh, I bet that wasn’t fun, was it? Here, I think I got something that might fix that…”
For a second or two, I actually thought the voice might be about to help me out. That should give you a very good indication of my mental state at the time. So should my shock and confusion when I got another bucket of ice-cold water dumped onto my head before I could even so much as say “please”.
“You awake yet?” the voice continued, the words taking on a much more exasperated tone this time. “C’mon, bucko, hop to. Let’s go.”
I shut my eyes tight and tried unsuccessfully to squeeze the ache out of the back of my skull, then forced them open and looked around. My vision had started to refocus on its own, so I could see now that the room wasn’t as dark as I’d thought before. It wasn’t dark at all around me, actually: about twenty feet up on the right-hand wall, a grimy window let in a single rectangular block of light that was honed in right to where I was sitting and glinted off my soaked fur in a wonderfully blinding way. Most of the rest of the room was still too shadowy to see clearly, but my eyes had adjusted enough to pick out a few stacks of wooden boxes lining either wall and what looked like a manager’s desk shoved crudely between two of the larger crates. I could also pick out the distinctly disheveled mane and wavy dark tail of the pony standing in front of me, who had a recently emptied bucket sitting between his forehooves and was wearing nothing but a ratty white jacket and a wide smile tinged with just the slightest hint of bloodlust.
“Well, there’s our happy camper,” Springs chuckled. “Enjoy your nap?”
I shot him a tight-lipped smile and tried to run a forehoof through my mane, only to have both of them come up when I’d only meant to lift one. I gave them a closer look, and realized that they were tied together. “Where am I?” I asked as calmly as I could. Despite my best efforts, Springs still found it funny.
“Boy, there’s a lotta answers I could give to that, aren’t there?” he giggled. “Where do you think you are?”
I raised an eyebrow, then let my breath drift slowly out of my lungs and stared up at the ceiling. This guy was starting to run out of nerves to step on. “Well, judging by the position of the sun and the humidity this morning, I’m gonna go ahead and guess we’re still in Manehattan. And seeing as you don’t strike me as the type to plan ahead for these sort of things, I’ll bet we’re not all that far from where we were last night.” I leveled my gaze on Springs again and clicked my tongue thoughtfully. “Which means, given that you’re a slimy, inconsiderate wingnut with a face your mother couldn’t look at even if she was a mirror, odds are we haven’t even left that same block.”
Springs’ eyes were set firmly on “broil”, but the tendons in his jaw were visible even in the virtually nonexistent light. “How did you know that?” he asked slowly and quietly.
I couldn’t help but smirk. “I didn’t,” I replied. “You’re just terrible at calling bluffs.”
It took Springs a little bit to realize what had just happened, and the look on his face when he figured it out was the kind of thing that made entire days worth waking up for. Granted, this particular day was probably going to make up the difference sooner rather than later, but for the moment at least, I was in control again.
“Gotta say, you are quite the real estate mogul,” I went on, taking a quick gander around the room while feeling around with my back hooves to see if they were tied up too. They were. “I love what you’ve done with the place. Very nice air of Mid-Equestrian Shitheap to it, and just a hint of Federal Crime Colonial in the sidings. Nice touch. No, wait, don’t tell me: we’re in that old textile mill a little ways up the block, right?”
“Wrong,” Springs assured me immediately, his face redder than a schoolfilly with her dress up around her ears.
“Uh-huh,” I murmured back. “I bet. So when do the rest of the boys show up, hmm? Gonna rough me up a bit, pick my brain, mash my bones to make your cakes? Aw, geez, you can’t be the only one here, can you? And with me all trussed up with nopony to impress. Well, if that isn’t the saddest thing I’ve ever heard, I don’t know what i-“
Under normal circumstances, I probably could’ve knocked the bucket away before it went careening off my temple. Under normal circumstances, though, my front and back hooves wouldn’t have been tied together with two tight coils of inch-thick rope, and I wouldn’t have half a dozen welts and bruises from when a very clean-shaven gorilla had played kick-the-can with my skull. My neck snapped back from the force of the impact, but by then whiplash was the least of my worries. Ever since I’d woken up, I’d felt like somepony had tried amateur brain surgery on me with a ball peen hammer, but now I was pretty sure my whole head had just outright exploded and sent gray matter splattering across the ceiling above me. With no legs to steady myself and my sense of balance floating somewhere around Jupiter, I tipped over helplessly onto my back and hit the concrete floor hard, the last glancing blow not adding a lot to my vast assortment of injuries but doing plenty in the way of insult.
As I rolled onto my side and tried to block out the keening shriek echoing behind my eyes, Springs walked slowly over to me and pressed his hoof down on my neck right beneath the curve of my chin. “Let’s go over a few ground rules here,” he muttered in my ear once he was sure I was still conscious. “Number one, you don’t talk unless there’s something I want you to tell me. Number two, you don’t move unless there’s somewhere I want you to go. And number three, in this room here, I’m king, sultan, and president for life. You screw with me again, and I will make every second of your miserable life a living hell. You understand me?”
Funny. He actually thought he could make my life more of a living hell after this. Clearly, my new pal Springs had never had a migraine. “You gonna kill me?” I growled in between coughs. “’Cause I’ve got better things to do if you aren’t.”
Springs tried to kick me over onto my back, but only my neck was mobile enough to turn fully in his direction. “Maybe I will,” he hissed. “Maybe I’ll just leave your body here and wait for the rats to save me the trouble of hiding it. Maybe you have no idea who you’re dealing with. Maybe you have no idea what I am.”
“What are you, then?” I growled. “Maybe?”
Springs raised his eyebrows, paused just long enough to let me know he was doing it on purpose, and grinned. “Me?” he chuckled. “I’m your worst nightma-”
A distant buzz lopped off the end of Springs’ dramatic monologue, and then the room was flooded with light. Thankfully, the stars in my eyes stopped twinkling soon enough for me to follow Springs’ magnificently irate gaze over towards the entrance to the room, where a hulking mass of a stallion was standing in the doorway with two bulging saddlebags hanging off his back and an almost adorably clueless look on his face.
“Oh…hey, Springs,” Cinder said, his forehoof still hovering over the switch on the wall that activated the lamps overhead. “I got the sandwiches and the juice and ev’rything, and I couldn’t remember whether you wanted extra daisies or buttercups, so…I got both. And they had these big, like, double fudge brownies fresh out of the oven, and I know you love brownies so I got a bunch’a those too. So that’s, uh…”
Cinder blinked, and somewhere within his mind a crucial gear clicked into place. “…not okay. Is that not okay?”
If I’d only had a few stalks of wheat to stick in between Springs’ teeth, I could’ve had flour in less than twenty seconds. Cinder, meanwhile, settled for chewing on his lip. “This is a bad time, isn’t i-”
“It’s a bad time, Cinder,” Springs hissed.
“Oh,” Cinder replied after a long moment of thoughtful silence. “So…” he continued a few seconds later. “I’ma go ahead and eat, if that’s all ri-”
“Just get in here, Cinder,” Springs interrupted once he had his hoof set firmly in between his eyes.
“Right now?”
“Yes, right now.”
“Do you want your sandwich, or…”
“Cinder, I swear to…”
Springs clenched his teeth together in mid-blast, then sighed despondently and glanced at me while I did everything I could not to laugh. In retrospect, I probably could’ve done a little bit more. “Yes, I want my sandwich, please,” Cinder mumbled, refusing to make eye contact with any of us even after he tugged the wrapping off his breakfast and ate nearly half of it in a single grumpy bite.
“Well, now that that’s all squared away, let’s go ahead and redefine our terms here,” I said once everypony else had their mouths full. “First off: you’re not gonna kill me.”
“Nope,” Cinder replied before Springs could even be bothered to glare, spraying brownie crumbs all over the place in the process. His sandwich was still lying untouched on top of the white bag it had come in, and the longer I stared at it the louder my stomach complained about the treatment it had gotten yesterday. It’d been at least a full day since I’d last left home, and since then I’d been running on nothing but a stale loaf of bread, three packages of peanuts, and half a glass of low-grade whiskey I wouldn’t have forced down a tax pony’s throat. I needed to get out of here and I needed to do it now. If not to deny myself the pleasure of Springs’ company, at least to get some decent food.
“And second…” I continued, trying to buy myself enough time to remember whatever it was I’d been thinking about before food. “You’re not keeping me for ransom either.”
“That wasn’t the original plan, no,” Springs answered sullenly. “But I’m flexible.”
“Yeah, you’re a long way from fooling anyone with that, hotshot,” I cut back in a monotone. For that, I got another look of unbridled contempt, and the agony of seeing Springs down the rest of his sandwich without hardly even chewing it. “So if you’re not gonna kill me and you’re not gonna hold me for ransom, what exactly are you going to do with me? Is this just a playdate gone wrong, or what?”
“My plan about what I’m going to do with you is for me to know and you to find out,” Springs replied slowly and deliberately.
“So…you don’t have a plan, then?”
“It’s none of your business.”
“So you don’t have a plan, then.”
Apparently, he didn’t. Judging by his silence and the way his lips flattened against his teeth, he also didn’t have a plan for how to convince me otherwise.
“I don’t have a plan either,” Cinder added, after hesitantly raising one hoof as if he’d been waiting to be called on to speak. “But I could make one if you want.”
“So lemme see if I got this straight,” I said, once again fighting a losing battle against the urge to roll around on the floor giggling like a schoolcolt. “You knocked me out, dragged me a good half-dozen blocks into this factory, and left me hogtied in the middle of a pitch-dark storage room, and now you have absolutely no clue what you’re going to do next.”
“Is that funny to you?” Springs asked pointedly, pushing himself back onto his hooves with his trademark glower running at maximum capacity.
“What, the fact that I got myself taken hostage by two ponies who couldn’t find their butts with both hooves? Yeah, kinda. For several reasons, actually.”
“Well, Mister…” Springs’ response caught in his throat as he glanced over towards the giant lug of a stallion sitting to his right, who was using both forelegs to grasp at something behind him. “Seriously?” the smaller pony muttered to his partner, who flushed red and mouthed an apology as he slid his hooves back around into his lap. After a brief pause and a very poorly concealed roll of his eyes, Springs continued. “Well, Mister Funny Bone, how’s this for a punch line: as soon as you’re done mouthing off, I’m gonna send a letter to the boss and ask him what he wants to do with you.”
“Oh, you will, huh?” I intoned. “Does ‘the boss’ have a name?”
“Not one you need to know,” Springs replied casually. “But I’ll bet he’d like to know yours. And I’ll also bet that he’d be real interested to hear about your tendency to stick your nose in places it doesn’t belong.”
And if I had two bits for every time I’d heard someone whine about that particular trait of mine, I’d have enough pocket change on me right now to put your foals through college. All this smoke-and-mirrors crap piled on top of yet another splitting headache, and the whole damn thing was just about some PO’d blue-collar nut who’d never forgotten who caught him with his saddle off. “Stars above, you guys are just grunt labor?” I groaned up at the ceiling. “Who put you up to this? Crazy Eights?”
“The…who?”
“No, wait, that ice cream vendor in Midtown who stole his grandma’s charm bracelet. Oh, geez, what was his name…Tasty Freeze. That’s it. It’s him, isn’t it?”
“I…”
“I got it. Royal Flush. Crazy bastard’s been after me since…”
“Hey!” Predictably enough, Springs was mad again. “I’m trying to issue an ultimatum here. You wanna shut up and let me finish?”
“Oh, by all means,” I implored him.
“Like I was saying,” Springs continued after a heavy sigh, reaching into his jacket and pulling out a tiny scroll of paper and a pencil as he spoke. “As delightful as it’d be to spend the whole day locked in this room with you, I too have better things to do with my time, and the boss has better things to do with you.” He unfurled the scroll and laid it flat on the floor in front of him, and lifted the pencil up to grip it behind his teeth. “So since you’ve been so patient up till now, I’m not gonna keep you waiting any longer.”
Springs fell silent as he leaned down over the paper, Cinder sitting up on his haunches to peer over his friend’s shoulder like a little colt trying to cheat on a test. After scribbling a few quick lines that I couldn’t quite make out, Springs spat out the pencil and swiped his hoof once across the bottom of the note. The paper flashed white for a second, and then evaporated in a brilliant flash of green flames. I kept a self-confident smirk on my face the whole time, but on the inside I was starting to get just the slightest bit queasy.
“You want to know what we’re going to do with you?” Springs said once the paper had vanished, returning my fading smile with a fiery smirk. “Well, wish granted, my friend. ‘Cause in, oh, about a half-hour or so, you’re gonna learn more about what this world has to offer than they ever taught you at that fancy, stuck-up college of yours. And about an hour after that, you’re gonna wish you’d just sat tight and stayed there.”
Springs stood up and stretched nonchalantly, and suddenly my queasiness got promoted up to full-blown nausea. Maybe these guys here were more likely to trip over their own hooves than actually do anything serious to me, and maybe one of them in particular was still talking out his ass even now. But that breed of enchanted paper cost quite a few pretty pennies, and if the pony in charge of these idiots had enough money to just hoof it out to his goons, it was a safe bet that he’d be a bit more dangerous of an enemy to have going for my throat. And unless Springs had a second cutie mark for mind-reading or he’d just gotten really good at inferring things in the last five minutes, somepony had told him way more about my past than I would’ve expected him to know, and that somepony was most likely this boss he’d presumably just sent a letter to. I could feel the concrete hardening around my ankles already. This was not good. I really, really needed to get out of here ASAP.
“Well,” I announced after a long pause and a hearty yawn. “I gotta take a leak.”
“That’s unfortunate,” Springs replied a moment later from his position near the door. He’d moved over there a couple minutes after he sent his letter, and had been watching me ever since like a hawk sizing up his dinner.
“No, I don’t think you understand,” I went on. “This is an emergency.”
“Well, I suppose that makes it extra unfortunate, then,” Springs snipped right back. “Now if you’d be so kind, put a cork in it.”
“So what, I’m supposed to just sit here and hold it?”
“That’s the general idea, yes.”
“You really think that’s the best plan here?”
“What I really think is that you should shut up and keep your whining to yourself before I come over there and tie your tongue in a knot. Capisce?”
“Oh, yeah, sure. Read you loud and clear, partner.” I paused just long enough to let Springs think I’d dropped the issue. “But just so you know, I don’t really have that strong of a bladder.”
“I’m sorry, what part of ‘shut your mouth and quit your bitching’ wasn’t clear?”
“And I tend to get jittery when I’m stressed.”
“So?” Springs growled. “What the hell does that mean?”
“It means that if I don’t get to the little colts’ room within the next two-and-a-half minutes, you’re gonna have a lot more to deal with over here than a little moaning and groaning,” I said, punctuating my assertion with a forceful glare. “And if your boss wants to stay in an stuffy, poorly ventilated room with me for any longer than it takes to ask me my name, he’s probably not gonna be too happy with you if I smell like the wall behind a gentlecolt’s club after Happy Hour.”
The next few seconds passed in an unspoken staring contest, Springs furrowing his brow as I sent his searching glare right back at him with just as much force and a touch more bluster. I mouthed, “Your move,” and let my eyebrows arch up, and soon enough Springs let out a heavy sigh and let his head fall against the wall behind him with a heavy thunk.
“Yes, stars, fine. Whatever,” he groaned, rubbing his hooves hard into his eyes. “Cinder, there’s a empty storage closet three doors down the hall on the right. Whatever he has to do, he can do in there.” He kept his forelegs raised, and didn’t notice until he dropped them down a minute later that I wasn’t moving. “Are you going, or what?”
I lifted my still tied forehooves up where Springs could see them. “I don’t know,” I said, my eyebrows still arched. “Am I?”
If I’d listened just a little bit closer, I’m pretty sure I could’ve actually heard the last strand of Springs’ patience snap in two. With his face visibly red even through his fur, he stomped over to me like a toddler being sent to his room and chomped down on the ropes around my legs, yanking on them for all he was worth and huffing and puffing like an asthmatic wolf.
“Go straight there and then straight back,” he grunted to Cinder. “If he takes longer than two minutes, drag him out by the ears. And he tries anything stupid, buck him into next week and aim for the teeth.”
“Are you this charming all the time, or am I just one of your favorites?” I asked as my bonds finally came loose and the pins and needles started to creep back into my soles again. Springs shot me his filthiest look yet and didn’t answer.
“Two minutes,” he told Cinder again. “Then I’m coming back there and murdering you both.”
Cinder and I looked at each other, and one of us looked a lot less concerned than the other. “Lead the way, big guy,” I said. Cinder stared at me, then stared at Springs, then started towards the door without checking to see if I was following. I’m honestly not sure how these guys got their shoes on the right hooves in the morning.
The hallway was even less exciting than the office I’d been tied up in, and that was saying something. Cinder and I came out at one end, and at the other end was a T-junction highlighted by a dusty gray bulletin board with a few ancient posters and timesheets still tacked onto it. In the thirty feet of space in between, there were four closed doors and absolutely nothing else. No broken two-by-fours or cement blocks I could knock a kidnapper senseless with, no crumbling drywall I could kick through, not even a decent motivational poster. For all his other numerous shortcomings, at least Springs had picked a good place to set up a secret lair. In a few minutes, though, I was hoping that his choice of location wouldn’t even matter.
“So what’s down at the end of the hall?” I shouted ahead to Cinder, who I was at least seventy percent sure had completely forgotten I was behind him.
“Stuff,” he said as he passed the first door on the left.
“What kind of stuff? Cool stuff?”
“I dunno,” he mumbled, his forelegs just shy of the second door on the right.
“Can I see the cool stuff you don’t know is there?”
Halfway between the second and third doors, Cinder stopped. “I don’t think you’re supposed t’ be talkin’,” he said, his inflection making it sound like he was asking a question.
“Eh, talking probably doesn’t fall under ‘doing something stupid’ yet, so we’re probably fine,” I reasoned once I reached the third door.
Cinder considered that for a moment, then nodded. “Sorry,” he said with a toothy grin. “I ain’t real good at this. I never been a kidnapper before.”
“Well, I’ve never been a kidnappee before,” I replied as I stepped around him and pushed the third door open, finding nothing on the other side but a very tiny and, more importantly, very empty closet. “First time for everything, I suppose.”
“Yeah. I s’pose.”
I sighed and nodded to myself, and tried to figure out how long Springs’ definition of “two minutes” was likely to be. Initial prediction: not too long. “So, you pay any attention to the newspaper these days?” I said.
“Not really,” Cinder replied.
“I was in the paper once. Got on the front page and everything. ‘Course, that was a long time ago, before all this Elements of Harmony stuff started. You hear about any of that?”
“Little bit, yeah.”
“You know, not a lot of ponies know this, but there actually aren’t just six Elements.”
“There…aren’t?” Cinder asked, in a tone that made it abundantly clear he had no idea what I was talking about. A little voice in the back of my head did, though, and it was getting harder and harder to ignore it every second.
“Oh, yeah. Turns out, there are actually seven. You believe that?”
“Um…”
“You’ve got Magic, Honor, Freedom, and…and the other three.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be, uh…”
“But the seventh, the biggest and most important of them all…”
The hallway to my left was empty, and the stallion to my right was oblivious. I wouldn’t get a better chance than this for the rest of the day. And yet, I almost felt bad about what I was about to do. Springs might’ve been a class-A scumbag, but if Cinder hadn’t been the size of a steam engine I would’ve thought he was just the little brother tagging along with nothing else better to do. Then again, he was also aware of the fact that he was the size of a steam engine and knew how to use that size, so my sympathy was short-lived.
“The most important one of all…” I repeated slowly. Somewhere behind me, a door creaked open, but I was too far gone to stop now. I took a deep breath, checked one last time to make sure Cinder still hadn’t caught on…
“…is the Element of Surprise!”
…and bucked Cinder as hard as I could right in the kisser.
Or at least, that’s where I’d been planning on hitting him. As it happened, Cinder’s face was a little bit higher than I’d guessed, so my kick ended up landing somewhere around his collarbone. And he didn’t really do the whole “fall over and pass out” thing I’d been gunning for either. Actually, I’m pretty sure he didn’t move at all. All of which added credence to my new theory that I’d missed Cinder Block entirely and kicked straight into a block of solid concrete. This was going to turn into one of those weeks soon enough.
Just to confirm what I already knew, I turned around to see what kind of damage I’d done. Cinder was still parked in the same spot looking very put-out, and his partner Springs was standing in front of the third door down the hall with the first few stages of abject rage trickling into his eyes.
“Ow,” Cinder said, sounding more offended than hurt.
“You know,” I thought out loud a moment later, “that seemed like a much better idea inside my head.”
It also seemed a lot less stupid, the little voice in the back of my voice finally got a chance to add. I had about half a second to tell Leo where he could stick his next brain blast before Springs’ curse reached my ears and the sight of him charging down the hallway at me registered in my brain.
I made a snap decision to make Springs earn the right to beat the ever-loving tar out of me and tried to leg it towards the bulletin board, but ended up almost bouncing forward for a few dozen feet just to keep my balance. The impact against Cinder’s chest had knocked both my back hooves numb, and I could feel my heartbeat pulsing through every bit of my hind legs that wasn’t. Who the hell names their foal Cinder Block?, I asked myself through clenched teeth. Clearly, somepony with better foresight than you, came the inevitable silent reply a moment later.
Through a mixture of frantic hopping and a steady stream of curses, I made it to the end of the hallway and hung a left, trusting blind instinct to keep me from running into a dead end. Amazingly, that worked long enough to get me to a flight of ancient metal stairs lit by a single lamp hanging by the door. The only way to go from there was down, and I didn’t hesitate to take it. If it was just Springs chasing me by himself, I probably had at least an honest chance at giving the slip. The culmination of my brilliant escape plan, however, meant that Cinder Block was pissed off with me too, and that meant that there was at least one pony after me right now who could literally rip me limb from limb if he so chose. In my line of work, we call that kind of thing “motive”, and right now I was pretty damn motivated to put as much distance between me and the two stallions chasing me as I could.
I took the steps at a full gallop, and my hopes soared for a moment as I saw the thin stripe of light sneaking into the stairwell underneath the exit door. Instead of bursting through the door into a blaze of morning sunlight, though, I found myself in a massive room at least three hundred feet long and nearly a hundred feet wide. Cracked and chipped windows lined both walls, and the entire floor was occupied by hulking gray machines with a bunch of yarn tangled up inside them and about a thousand other moving parts beyond that. It took me a few seconds to realize where I was, and by the time I did there were hoofsteps echoing on the stairs behind me. I was on the main production floor of the factory, and I had about twenty seconds to get back off it before two very, very mad stallions made what was left of my life very, very difficult.
I swore again, and as the curse echoed back and forth among the rows of looms, I got to thinking. Okay, Springs and Cinder are coming down that stairwell I just left, I told myself, and I can’t see the ground outside those windows. That means I can’t go back the way I came, and that I’m not on the bottom floor right now. So if the stairwell behind me didn’t go all the way down, then there has to be another one that does. And that stairwell has to connect to this factory floor some way or another. Which means there has to be at least one other door out of here.
An angry shout reverberated out from somewhere behind me, and I kicked the exit door shut just as something large and heavy ran smack into it. Which means that if I want to get through that door with all my internal organs in the right places, the time to start moving is right freaking now.
I took a gamble and assumed that the impact I’d just heard meant that at least one of my pursuers was going to be out of commission for a few seconds, and I used those seconds to go find something heavy enough to block the door with. Unfortunately, all I had to work with were a few empty crates and two boxes of machine parts, and the sneezing fit I went into while shoving them all over to where I needed them didn’t help matters any. Still, they seemed like they’d be enough to do the job, and within thirty seconds I had my makeshift barrier all set up, just in time to hear somepony slam against the door again. Judging by the fact that my stack of crap in front of it didn’t move, I figured it had been Springs both times. Cinder would’ve barged straight through the whole mess already. Probably through most of the wall too.
With one way out blocked, I trotted off down the first row of machines I came to looking for the second. The whole way down that aisle and the next one too, my mind was still spinning almost too fast for me to keep track of it. Most of my thoughts were just broken fragments of words, a constant and nearly incomprehensible stream of kidnapped running factory escape how did I get into this how do I get out of this I’m out of ideas out of space out of time time time time time. I’d bought myself maybe a minute if I was lucky, and if you really thought about it, the only thing keeping Springs and Cinder out at all was my own dumb luck. If this factory had been built ten years later, those exit doors would’ve swung outwards from the production floor, and I’d have been cornered like a rabbit in a garden maze. And if I wasn’t gone at the end of that quickly disappearing minute I’d stolen, it would hardly even make a difference which way the doors swung.
I can’t imagine it was skill that led to me finding the other exit, so I just chalked it up to luck again when I saw it twenty feet off to the left as I reached the end of the second row. This time, I knew I’d hit gold; the stripe of light beneath the door wasn’t just bright, it was nearly luminescent. This was my way out for sure, and I wasn’t about to waste any time figuring out how to block off this one too. The breath I’d been holding in rushed out of my lungs, and thanked the stars for my good fortune sticking around just long enough to get me over to this door.
Which, of course, meant that it was right around when I got to the door that it finally ran out.
In retrospect, I should’ve known that they wouldn’t have just left the factory open for anypony to go waltzing around in once they closed it down for good. I should’ve known that they’d lock as many doors as they could, and put chains the size of my ankle around the rest. I should’ve known that Springs wouldn’t have picked such a big place to hang out in unless he knew he could control when and where other ponies got into it. All of that should’ve occurred to me before I realized that the chain on the door that led to my freedom wasn’t going to move, and before the tips of my ears went numb, and before my blood ran cold from my nose all the way down to the backs of my hooves, but it didn’t. And knowing it now didn’t leave me any less screwed, nor did it keep a splintering crash and a torrent of fast and heavy hoofsteps from revealing that my barricade had finally caved in. And most of all, it didn’t change the fact that I was an achy, exhausted, and completely unarmed private eye stuck in an abandoned textile factory with two insatiably pissed-off kidnappers, and I now officially had no foreseeable way to get away from them and escape.
I ducked behind one of the looms and pressed my shoulder into its base, my skin crawling and every hair on my body standing on end. I couldn’t see anything from where I was, but I could certainly hear more than I wanted to: Springs telling Cinder to take the right side and draw me towards the middle of the room, Cinder’s hooves thudding against the concrete floor, my own heartbeat pounding in my ears. Think, Brick, think. Could I possibly work my way back over to where I’d come into the room? Not likely. And even if I did, there was no guarantee there’d be any better options up there. I could fight off Springs if I got the jump on him, but there still left Cinder to deal with, and Cinder was the kind of pony you didn’t “deal with” so much as just hope he didn’t feel the need to “deal with” you. I pressed my head against the loom and gritted my teeth. My hooves might as well have been tied again, and I wasn’t going to talk my way out of them this time. PIs have a word for that kind of situation too, and that word is “screwed”.
A sudden clatter sent me diving back out of the aisle and into one of the rows, and not a moment too soon. Cinder was walking by six rows down the way, and a few seconds later Springs appeared in the one right next to mine. Neither of them looked to their left closely enough to see me, but I had a feeling that was the last close call that was going to go my way today. If I was going to have a sudden stroke of genius and pull myself out of this place, I needed to have it about thirty seconds ago. And still, all I could think about was how trapped I was, and how stupid I was for chasing after Springs when it wasn’t even part of a job, and how galling it was that I could still taste freedom all the while in the sunlight streaming through the windows.
Sunlight streaming through the windows. Blinding sunlight. Morning sunlight.
I poked my neck out into the aisle and stared down all the way to the other end, where the path ended at a dusty glass picture window built in a rusty wooden lattice frame. What was it Sherlock Hooves always said? “The simplest solution is usually the best.” Well, it wasn’t an intelligent solution I was looking at now, but it sure as hell was a simple one. The list of things I knew about my situation rushed through my head again: I was in Amity Park City, this place used to be a textile mill, there were no doors out of here, and I wasn’t on the ground floor. But I wasn’t on the top floor either. And while a three-story fall would just spread my brains all over the parking lot, a two-story fall…we were talking a sprained ankle, maybe a broken leg if I landed wrong. I could live with that. I could live with anything that didn’t involve me staying in here until Springs hunted me down and fed me to Cinder one limb at a time.
I’d need a good running start to smash the window, and I was in the middle of judging whether the windows on the far side of the room would give me enough space when the absurdity of the situation stopped me dead in my tracks. I was about to jump out of a window and fall who-knew-how-far to escape a pair of ponies who had burned my apartment down, kidnapped me, and might be actively trying to kill me at this point. I hadn’t even jumped off so much as a diving board in three years. This was insane. I was insane. My whole life had been insane ever since I took this stupid freaking job in the first place.
Yes. Yes, it has, I told myself. But whatever craziness you’ve gotten yourself into, you’re stuck with it now. And if you want to escape crazy things, you’ve gotta think crazy thoughts. And that means you’re jumping out this window and getting out of this one way or another.
I knew that if I thought about it any longer after that, I wasn’t going to do it. So I stood up and took in a deep breath, and by the time I let it out I was galloping down the aisle, and then sprinting once I heard Springs shout out behind me. Twenty feet from the window, I saw Cinder charging down the row next to the wall and aiming straight for my target, but I was going to get there before he did. I had to get there before he did. I lowered my head and dug into whatever energy I had left, and I reached the window a split-second before Cinder did. I leapt into the air, a numbing blow to my flank sent me spinning off course, and then the air was filled with shattered glass and searing light and somepony was screaming and I was falling.
I bounced when I hit the ground, and the pain that jolted through my body at the moment of impact was the best thing I’d felt all day. Tiny scratches and cuts covered my face and every single part of me ached, but I was alive, and lucid enough to feel that I was bruised but not broken. Once I rolled to a stop and got my bearings, I saw that the pavement I’d been expecting to hit was still about twenty feet below me, and that the ground around me was made of blazing hot corrugated iron. I was on the roof of another building. I wasn’t safe just yet.
I knew I only had a few seconds before at least one of my kidnappers followed me outside, so I jumped up and kept running before I saw either of them come through the window, trusting my hearing to judge my lead for me. Once the sound of somepony grunting with exertion became louder than my own breath, my best guess about how close Springs and Cinder were was “way too damn”.
The row of buildings I was running across was split into several tiers, a flight of metal stairs connecting each roof to the one below it. I took the steps three at a time and lined myself up to take every set without breaking stride, and didn’t stop until suddenly there wasn’t any more roof to run on. I skidded to a stop about three inches short of careening out into space, and as the dust and pebbles I’d kicked up cleared, I found myself staring four stories straight down into a churning abyss of brownish-gray water. I couldn’t believe my eyes until I remembered where I was, and then the situation was all too clear. Of course there was water below me. The Hostler River flowed right next to the factory, and the factory ran up right next to the river so they could dump all their waste into it. And now I’d just painted myself into a corner right next to it. Stars above, I was an idiot. Vertigo spun in my stomach and mixed with the ill-timed realization that I’d just jumped out a freaking window to get out here, and I backed away from the edge with my heart almost weightless in my chest. Once again, I was trapped.
I turned back and caught a glimpse of what I was about to have to face. Springs was about two hundred feet behind me and closing fast, his teeth bared and his head already lowered into a charge, and way off in the distance I could see Cinder lumbering out from the factory window to join him. Reality hit me like a thousand-pound anvil: this was going to end in a fight, and it was going to be a fight I wouldn’t walk away from. Cinder would break me clean in two, or Springs would kick me off the side of the building, or I’d have to push him off first…
The rooftop shimmered beneath my hooves, and this time the knot on my stomach was almost enough to make me sick on the spot. I had ten seconds to make a choice, and there were no options left that I could possibly bring myself to take. I took an involuntary step back, and goosebumps rolled up my legs as my hoof slipped for a moment and scraped against the side of the building. What the hell had I gotten myself into? Why were these guys so desperate to keep me from getting away? Why was the sun so damn bright?
I turned and faced the water again. Was this what insanity felt like? Standing on top of a building and realizing your best bet for survival was jumping off of it? No, that’s not it, I told myself. Insanity is jumping off a building to keep yourself alive, making it through in one piece by the hairs of your tail, and then doing it again thirty seconds later. Well, blind fate had gotten me this far. It was going to have to get me one step further.
Celestia only knows why I thought of Leo right then. I could’ve thought about my mother, shaking her head and telling me she knew I could’ve done better with my life. I could’ve thought about Clementine, the little filly with the twinkling eyes who was locked in a basement somewhere and was about to get me killed. My burned-out brain could’ve flashed through any part of my life it pleased, but all I could see in my mind’s eye was a snow-white pegasus with a golden-orange mane, his eyebrows cocked and his lips curled into a cocky grin, stepping up to the edge and flaring his wings and diving off like the pegasus he was. Like the pegasus I wasn’t.
Was he responsible for this somehow? Was this his way of getting me on my feet, getting me out of the office, teaching me to live my life the way a private eye ought to? I blinked hard, and shook my head hard despite the stabbing pain that shot through my skull because of it. You want to know what insanity is, Brick? I told myself. Insanity is jumping off a building because an imaginary pony in your head is telling you to do it.
Three seconds. Sixty feet back. Fifty feet straight down. Leo was already halfway down, wings open and forelegs spread. I watched him tilt his feathers and pull up to skim across the water, and then I watched him soar off into the sky and fly. And I watched my own hooves step closer to the edge, and felt my own mind make its final decision. I closed my eyes, sucked in a breath, felt the words “I need a new job,” slip off my tongue, and then I ducked forward and pushed upwards and lifted my forelegs and opened my eyes.
And I flew.
*A/N: An explanation for why this chapter took approximately forever to finish is located on my most recent blog post for anyone who wants it.
|
Anonsi
|
1232
| 1 |
Original Character,Twilight Sparkle,Alternate Universe,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
The Conversion Bureau: Yellowstone
|
A more or less lighthearted adventure with Twilight Sparkle and OCs. Sort of violent.
|
complete
| 102 | 7 |
<p>Description: Two years after the camps opened up, the Western Territories of the USA are nearly vacant. It is once more a frontier, ripe for exploration and settlement. On bequest of Princess Celestia, Twilight Sparkle is to experience the human world by joining a family of Pony Settlers on their journey out West. It's Dangerous to go alone however, so in an act of good will, the US government is sending someone to make sure no harm befalls the ponies.</p>
|
teen
|
2012-03-18T15:00:33+00:00
|
2012-03-18T15:00:33+00:00
| 4,985 |
Conversion Bureau Off-Shoot
Based on Blaze’s original idea
Might not follow his world’s rules, but Meh, it’s just a fan-fic of a fan-fic.
By: Anonsi (like Anansi the Spider. Get it? I thought it was clever)
Yellowstone
Part 1:
Out with the Old
Two years have passed since the camps opened up, and in that time more than half the human population in the United States have shed their old skins for a new pony body and the promise of paradise on Earth. Though many have been transformed, the Equestrian ponies and human converts have remained primarily on the East Coast, leaving the mid-west and onwards abandoned, ripe for resettlement. The six remaining Native American tribes have moved into the many of the major cites of the abandoned territories and have formed a new nation in hopes of preserving their culture.
With no one to maintain them, many settlements have become ghost towns ravaged by the elements. Now they lay dormant and empty, save for some that serve as lairs to wild beasts and escaped Equestrian monsters. Nature herself seems to have begun reclaiming some of the land taken from her.
As the dwindling human authorities left more and more territories to fend for themselves, wild outlaws seeking riches and power make this new frontier as dangerous as ever. The only semblance of law are the Agents of the dying human governments, who have denied ponification for one reason or another. Whether it be for honor, duty, or glory, these men and women are the only defense for the now expanding pony populace.
The Western Frontier has been reborn.
***
Twilight Sparkle was reading over some figures in her private office at the New York Conversion Bureau, which was the largest and most efficient one on the planet. A fact that gave her some small feeling of personal pride. She looked at the digital clock that came with the office and saw it read 4:37 AM. She released a sigh that seemed to not only express her weariness, but also her frustration. The figures she was researching were a mix of new lists of human ponification candidates and news reports of violence against ponified individuals by a radical group known as the Human Liberation Front. The numbers we staggering, and were counted in the hundreds. No pony had died yet (thank Celestia), but this was still getting out of hand.
“So many,” she said. “How can a race of creatures as violent as them live and thrive? It just doesn’t make any sense.” She decided now was as good a time as any to go to her room at the bureau, at least there she could think from the comfort of a bed. She promptly stood up and walked towards the door making sure the lights were off, a habit she had needed to get used to, as human light switches tended to not have ponies in mind. As she left, her thoughts returned to the actions of the human species of late.
“I mean, really! They burn and pillage the planet for…Celestia knows what, and then act surprised when they find themselves on the brink of extinction!” She passed the dormitories which were mostly unoccupied. It could easily be refilled, daily even, if not for the mandate to wait for everyone on the hall to be ponified first. This existed to build camaraderie amongst the occupants, and discourage any doubts about the process being completely safe. As she continued, she found a door that read:
“AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY.”
“Well, this is me.”
She gave a tired sigh and pushed the door open, revealing yet another hallway. She came to a fork and took a left into the staff dorms wherein was her temporary home. “It’s like they just hate the world...” a slight pause when she came to her room. “…but that’s just absurd. I mean, it’s not like the planet has been trying to kill them or anything.” She pushed open the door and entered her room, and with as much grace as a falling cinder-block, collapsed onto her bed.
***
“TWIIIII-LIIIIIGHT!” rang a voice from outside her room, “Wakey-wakey! Time to rise-y and shiny!”
Twilight rolled over in her bed, looking at the clock on her wall, which showed the time at 9 AM precisely. She could only grimace and groan as she rolled onto her stomach, and prepared to leave the warm comfort of her bed.
“C’mon Twilight! You’re gonna be late for ornamentation, and you are never late so I was worried that you were sick and then I thought that maybe one of the cupcakes I gave you was bad so I...”
It was at this point that Twilight, with little more than an exasperated sigh, magically opened her door to the bouncing pink earth pony that was eagerly waiting to help Twilight welcome the new ponyfication subjects at today’s orientation. She hopped, skipped, and practically jumped next to Twilight’s bed. The pure and infectious grin she always wore was shining particularly bright today.
“Oh golly Twilight, you look awful! Did you get any sleep? I didn’t sleep well once and I was a nappy-napperson ALL DAY! I fell asleep at one of my own parties! I was so embare…”
“Pinkie,” Twilight interrupted.
“Yes Twilight?” replied Pinkie expectantly.
“Could you please be quiet for like…ten minutes,” the unicorn pleaded slightly, her bloodshot eyes barely able to focus on her pinker than pink friend.
“Mmm Hmmm!” agreed the pink pony, making a gesture of zipping her lips together.
Twilight shifted out of bed and telekinetically picked up a comb from her bedside table. She walked over to a mirror that hung on a wall and began brushing her purple-with-a-strand-of-pink mane. It was an absolute mess, with wild locks going every which-way. Twilight concluded on getting a net or something to keep her mane in line.
“MM MMMM!” hummed Pinkie to Twilight.
“What is it Pinkie?” Twilight asked sleepily as she turned to stare at her friend.
Pinkie had her lips clamped shut around a pile of letters, one of which bearing the royal seal of Princess Celestia. A sudden feeling of dread washed over Twilight when she saw the scroll. Usually, she only got missives from the Princess via Spike and those were usually just to check up on her. For one to be hand delivered like this, Twilight couldn’t shake the feeling that some emergency had presented itself. Her thinking immediately turned towards thoughts of Spike being hurt, or worse.
“Pinkie, could you inform Applejack that I won’t be able to do this morning’s orientation?”
“Mmm MMMM MMmmm Mmm!” Pinkie hummed, lips still firmly closed.
“Thank you,” replied Twilight, slightly bemused despite her worried feelings about the letter. When Pinkie bounced merrily out of the room, Twilight opened the letter with her magic and read her mentor’s unquestionably beautiful handwriting,
“My dearest student, Twilight
As you know, we are planning to not only expand into the human world, but begin healing it from the wounds they inflicted upon it. I am most pleased to announce that the first family of settlers is scheduled to leave in two days for Yellowstone, a nature preserve that the family will be at the forefront of maintaining. I am having you accompany them as I am afraid that you have not left the Ponification Center since your arrival, and it’s high time you explored this new world.
The Human President has also warned me of the possible danger to both you and the family however, and informed me that he is sending his best guardian to escort you safely to your destination. The President has assured me that, although unorthodox, this guardian is fiercely loyal and will die to protect those under his care. Please be careful my student, and always remember the human world is not the same as Equestria. It may not have beasts that equal those of your homeland in size or strength, but they more than make up for it in ferocity.
Your eternally proud mentor,
Celestia.
P.S. Wish me luck with the debate this week, as the Human Liberation Front will be my opponents. I hope you can see it, if not in body, then perhaps via a television somepony will be kind enough to share with you."
“Oh that wasn’t so bad,” Twilight said to herself. “I thought someone had died, but-” Then she re-read it. ‘Oh no’ thought Twilight. ‘Oh no no no no no no…’
***
Her two days of preparation passed by faster than Twilight had anticipated, and she couldn’t help feel as though she was constantly forgetting some crucial piece of equipment. So while in front of the compound waiting for this human ‘Guardian’ character amongst a field of abandoned cars, she decided to run through her mental list:
‘Okay,’ thought Twilight, ‘checklist. Okay, so friends: Applejack is in charge, Pinkie and Dash are doing reception, Rarity is ponifying, and Fluttershy is…Fluttershying. Right! Good! Now gear: food, money (Dollars and Bits), flashlight with 4 sets of extra batteries, a comb, a blanket and pillow for camping, a canteen and-’
“Hey!”
‘-do I need those apples? AJ said they were good for anything but I-’
“HEY.”
Twilight nearly jumped out of her skin. She was so deep in thought that she hadn’t noticed the tall figure that stood before her. “Oh my goodness I’m sorry!” Twilight tried to rearrange herself to look a bit more graceful in front of her surprise guest, but only aided in making embarrassing movements and silly faces.
“Are you Twilight Sprinkle?” the man asked, his face showing signs of mild amusement.
“It’s Twilight Sparkle, and yes I am.” She replied, finally taking in the man who was to escort her and a Pony family halfway across a continent three times the size of Equestria.
He stood at six feet seven inches (Human measurements were so odd), and wore nothing that resembled a uniform. Instead he sported a wide brim leather hat, no doubt made from the skin of some poor cow, a red plaid over shirt with the sleeves rolled up and chest unbuttoned with a plain white t-shirt underneath, dark blue jeans covering his legs with sturdy looking boots on his feet, fingerless gloves over his hands, and a revolver and knife at either side of his hips. Twilight felt intimidated to say the least, if by nothing else than his height.
“I thought human agents wore fancy suits,” Twilight said with a tinge of curiosity in her voice.
“Yeah,” he replied looking to one side, like some far off thing had caught his interest, “well when the whole world is going to hell in a hand basket, dress codes aren’t as enforced as they used to be.” He paused and looked up thoughtfully for a moment, “I think they said dressing casual would frighten you wee horses less.”
Twilight frowned a bit before letting a forgiving grin cross her face, “We’re ponies, not horses, though you’re not the first one to say that, or call me Twilight Sprinkle for that matter!”
She chuckled weakly hoping to ease the tension she felt from conversing with this human that, she assumed, had probably killed more of his own kind than she had years in her life. He gave only a weak smile back, but soon simply stared at her patiently, like he was determining in what way he should respond or silently judging her. It gave the small unicorn an uncomfortable feeling.
After an awkward minute of silence he finally spoke, “Anyway, we have to get going. The settlers are meeting us at the train station in about two or so hours.” He walked over to one of the parked cars in the lot, reached inside and pulled out a large black duffel bag, its contents clunking and clanking together. Twilight was glad to see that the human at least came prepared for travel, but wondered why he would remove his luggage from his car. She remembered being told by one of her ponified friends that humans normally only owned one vehicle, but she didn’t dwell on it, as he walked to another car and opened it, throwing his luggage in. “C’mon, this one has a near full tank. Pretty good considering it’s a Ford,” he said to Twilight with a light chuckle, who moved awkwardly towards the passenger’s seat.
“Is there a reason you own two cars?” asked Twilight after she deposited her luggage in the back seat and assumed her position within the vehicle.
“I don’t. This car belongs to a…” he rifled through the glove compartment and found a wallet, opened it up and read, “…Jericho Lukowittz. Some name huh? I always liked the name Jericho.” He smiled to himself more than to Twilight, who was less enthused about the news.
“WHAT!?” Twilight shouted. Her shock was almost palpable, “You’re STEALING this thing!?”
“No,” he replied with a stern look, “you can’t steal something someone has abandoned. This car and hundreds of others in this lot are up for grabs as far as the law is concerned.”
“But…” even though he had a point, the idea that she might be stealing did not sit right with Twilight, “well…If you’re sure this is alright. But if a policepony stops us I’m telling the truth! I mean the law is the law after all!”
“I am the law,” he countered, a dumb grin spreading across his face like he was expecting her to pick up on some joke, but Twilight just stared back with a slightly worried expression. With a sigh he continued, “Whatever. You may call me Agent Hawk.” He extended a hand to the young mare. She reached out with a hoof and he gripped it firmly.
“I am…honored Mr. Hawk,” Twilight half lied. Though he seemed like everything Twilight imagined when she thought of wild and lawless humans, she was somewhat flattered that he was there to protect her.
They shook on it. After releasing the mare’s hoof, he then began adjusting the driver’s position to his liking, and from a pocket on his over shirt he extracted sunglasses that covered his vision completely. Twilight couldn’t make out his eyes beneath them, but she decided that was probably for the best, as she would feel rather nervous if she knew he was constantly watching her. This way she could at least pretend he wasn’t. She magically drew forth a book she was reading during the days before this particular experience. It was entitled, ‘An Egghead’s guide to Road Trips.’
“Groovy,” said Hawk as he started the engine and began driving.
To be continued?
Probably.
I wouldn’t leave a story just hanging there.
Unless no one reads it.
Then I would abandon it and eat ice cream.
Sweet…non-judgmental Ice Cream.
|
Anonsi
|
1232
| 2 |
Original Character,Twilight Sparkle,Alternate Universe,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
The Conversion Bureau: Yellowstone
|
A more or less lighthearted adventure with Twilight Sparkle and OCs. Sort of violent.
|
complete
| 102 | 7 |
<p>Description: Two years after the camps opened up, the Western Territories of the USA are nearly vacant. It is once more a frontier, ripe for exploration and settlement. On bequest of Princess Celestia, Twilight Sparkle is to experience the human world by joining a family of Pony Settlers on their journey out West. It's Dangerous to go alone however, so in an act of good will, the US government is sending someone to make sure no harm befalls the ponies.</p>
|
teen
|
2012-07-19T13:15:12+00:00
|
2012-07-19T13:15:12+00:00
| 3,788 |
Conversion Bureau Off-Shoot
Based on Blaze’s original idea
Might not follow his world’s rules, but Meh, it’s just a fan-fic of a fan-fic.
By: Anonsi (Who loves you, I guess)
Yellowstone
Part 2:
In with the New
The Ford began moving with a lurch, as if it had not been activated in at least a week. As much as Twilight hated the pollution these things caused, she marveled at the concept. A machine that moved fast enough to make land travel a simple chore, and could carry a load far greater than any pony could. Applejack would no doubt love to have something like this.
Despite herself, Twilight couldn’t help but occasionally glance over at her human ‘partner’ every time he stopped the car to let pedestrians cross the street. She felt the need to converse with him. Even though she had just met him, she just wanted to talk. It could be about anything: the weather, why he carried weapons, what he thought of the mission they were on, or if he HAD killed more people than even she suspected. Anything would be preferably than sitting in silence.
“So Agent Hawk,” she started, “what do you think of this mission? Pretty exciting to be going so far west, right? I hear there are many interesting landmarks and natural wonders to visit!” Twilight smiled up at him and did her best to sound genuine in her excitement.
The sunglasses kept Twilight from reading his eyes for any expression or emotion, but he responded quickly, which led Twilight to believe he had been through this conversation in his mind many times before. “I would sincerely discourage hoping to get any excitement out of this little excursion. Now a days, out west, a little ‘excitement’ can get you killed. And quite frankly Ms. Sparkle, I am in no particular rush to get shot, stabbed, mauled, or eaten alive this week.” Hawk turned to face Twilight, “Not to dampen the mood or anything.”
Twilight looked disheartened, to say the least, and concluded that now was an excellent time to figure out what kind of man she was working with. If the west was as dangerous as they say, she’d at least make friends with her escort. “Sounds…rough out there, you think we’ll be safe enough with just you and me?” unable to hide a small tremble of fear in her voice.
Hawk smiled, picking up on the unsteady tone in her question, “Don’t worry, the train goes directly to Yellowstone, nonstop. It’ll take more than a few marauders and ill-tempered moose to cause us any trouble.” He again glanced at Twilight, “This’ll be over before you know it, and then you can get back to being an awkward shut in, working tirelessly to turn sheep into cattle.”
Twilight’s face darkened at the last comment. “What do you mean by that Agent Hawk?”
“Oh, nothing.”
“Do you not like what we ponies are doing here Agent Hawk?” she continued, eyes scrutinizing his features.
“Far from it Ms. Sprinkle, I don’t think the human race has ever been so well off or as free as it is now.” His face and tone were deadpan.
“Then why haven’t you gone to be ponified?”
His smirk returned, “Because I like having these.” His thumbs started to twirl in circles.
Twilight, unconvinced, continued to probe, “That cannot be why you are staying in such a…” what was a nice way of putting it, “…rough state of existence.”
“Are you kidding? Check this out.” He took his hands off the wheel and meshed his fingers together, thumbs facing each other. They then began spinning in opposite directions. “Pretty neat huh?”
Unfortunately, Twilight was distracted from the amazing feat by a concern she was all too pleased to voice, “WHY ARE YOU TAKING YOUR HANDS OFF THE WHEEL!?” She put her front hooves on the dash board, gazing out the window as the car began to swerve.
“Hey are you watching? This was a rare talent when it was just us humans on the earth, and by now I’m pretty sure I’m the only one who can do it.”
“ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh”
Hawk sighed and put his hands on the wheel, taking back control of the vehicle and narrowly avoiding a small stack of empty trash cans. “No one appreciates my talents.”
Twilight decided it would be best to hold off on questions until they were out of the car, and spent the rest of the trip nose deep in her book. ‘Celestia preserve me, I’m under the protection of a maniac.’
They spent the rest of the trip in silence, Twilight only occasionally looking up from her book to make sure there were still driving on road. Eventually she put her book down and closed her eyes. ‘I wish Applejack or Rainbow Dash were here, I’d at least be able to have a laugh or two with them. Not to mention feel safer.’
“We’re here,” said Hawk gesturing out the front window. Twilight gazed on a structure that resembled a large, old, stone building that seemed more to fit as a palace than a simple train station. Hawk parked the car in front of the building’s steps. Twilight noted that no other cars were present.
Hawk reached behind him and grabbed his black duffel bag. Twilight, with a shimmer from her horn, did likewise with her own pack. As the two exited the car, the doors to the train station swung open, and a tanned man with smooth black hair and a well groomed moustache began walking towards them with a wide smile. He wore only black, but not in a way that seemed intimidating, but more stylish and loose. At his side hung what appeared to be a sword.
“Well, look who got here on time for once!” said the man, his accent was unlike anything Twilight had ever heard.
Hawk looked up, and frowned to an almost ridiculous degree, “Zorro,” Hawk said with exaggerated disdain, removing his sunglasses in a slow, dramatic motion.
Moments passed in silence before the two exploded into laughter and embraced into a hug. Twilight felt relieved that this ‘Zorro’ was evidently a friend. After more laughs, Zorro finally acknowledged the small unicorn, “Hola pequeña,” he gave her a swift and fluid bow, adding a small flourish with his hand to boot.
Twilight didn’t know what he said, but it sure sounded nice. “Hello…um…Mr. Zorro, my name is Twilight Sparkle.” She gave a small bow of her own.
“I know who you are Miss Twilight, I was briefed on the mission by the good Agent Hawk, but I enjoy hearing you say you name. You speak with such…grace. I am looking forward to working together with you, and listening to whatever other sounds may dance from your mouth.”
Twilight couldn’t help but blush. She had never thought humans could be charming.
“Neither man nor beast is safe from you…” Hawk said as he walked past them with his bag, eyes rolling in great arcs. He called back to them, “Don’t be too impressed with him Twilight, he’s dropped that line on at least fifty other girls. He’s sort of a one trick pony!” Hawk laughed deeply as he continued up the stairs.
Zorro merely grinned, and turned to follow. Twilight, after wiping away a dumb grin that had somehow gotten onto her face, she trotted after the two. About halfway up the stairs, she finally gathered the nerve to ask, “Are you coming with us Mr. Zorro? I was under the impression that the human government was only sending one of their Agents.”
Zorro had arrived at the door to the station and held it open for her. “The government is indeed only sending one agent, niña. I however am here on request of my old friend,” he paused to look at Agent Hawk, “I owe him that much.” Twilight moved through with an appreciative nod to Zorro for the small courtesy.
“Yeah, thanks for that by the way. But regardless Z, why are you carrying around that antique? I mean come on,” Hawk replied from inside the station.
Zorro looked hurt, “An antique? My poor, deluded friend,” he chided, “bullets are becoming more and more of a rarity than humans every passing day,” he looked to his hip, and then back to Hawk, “Fencing is making a comeback my friend. Soon it will be that revolver that is the ‘antique.’”
With a grunt, Hawk turned towards Twilight, “Come on Sprinkles, the train awaits, and from what I hear, she’s a beauty.”
Twilight rolled her eyes, “If you’re calling me that to be funny, I’ll have you know it lost its luster when I was in kinder garden.”
Zorro chuckled to himself as all three of them proceeded towards into the station. The building was empty save for the three of them, and the echoing of their footsteps left Twilight with a curious thought, ‘What was this place like in its prime? It seems like such a waste not to use it.’
They all passed through two large double doors, which opened up into a great hall, with two sets of tracks. On the one closest to them, a gleaming four sectioned train sat waiting. It was not at all like the ones in Equestria, far from them in fact. This train was sleek, smooth, and hovered a foot above the rails. Twilight’s eyes widened, and stood somewhat flabbergasted. “How is it floating? I thought humans didn’t have magic!” She stared at Hawk expecting some sort of explanation.
Hawk looked down to her, pride obviously fueling his grin. “Very true my erstwhile equine escort, we do not possess magic in the way you Equestians do, we use something I think is far more powerful. Science.” He paused to read her expression, which showed an obvious desire to debate the previous statement, but before she could Hawk continued, “The Magna Rail is suspended by a magnetic field that allows it to hover, as you can clearly see, but it can only do so above metal. So we will be limited to keeping it on the train tracks.”
“Is it fast?” inquired Twilight.
“Is cruising at two hundred and fifty miles per hour fast?”
“Is it?”
Hawk looked down, “Yes Twilight. It’s fast. It’ll get us to Yellowstone in about eight hours.”
“Eight hours?! But according to my map, Yellowstone is in…,” Twilight took out her map of the United States and looked for the territory that she marked with an ‘X’, “Why-Om-ing, and the distance from there to here is nearly the length of Equestria twice over!”
“And that’s why we’re taking the Magna-Rail, which if my report read right, comes with a lounge, sleeping quarters, and a five star kitchen.”
“And something special for you my friend, that the President installed himself,” added Zorro.
Hawk looked like a foal on Hearths Warming Eve, but before he could ask what it was a young feminine voice shouted, “Look Mama! Humans!”
Twilight, Zorro, and Hawk each turned, and saw a family of four Earth Ponies, each standing with their mouths agape and eyes wide. Other than the mother, a yellow coated mare with a forest green mane with a blooming flower as her cutie mark, and the father, a brown stallion with green mane, with a single tree as his mark, were two fillies. The younger of which was cowering behind her father while the older seemed to be fidgeting with excitement.
The mother addressed Twilight first, “Hello there darlin’, you must be our escort!” Her smile was almost as infectious as Pinkie’s. “We are just honored to meet y’all!”
The older of the two fillies, a spry little thing with a yellow coat and unkempt brown mane and an open book for a cutie mark, pranced towards Hawk. “Woooooooooow! You’re so tall! I heard humans were tall, but wow!” she said, her face giddy with obvious excitement.
“Busy Bee!” the mother called, “Get back here young filly!” Twilight detected a small twinge of fear and panic in her voice. She understood though, considering all the rumors about the brutal and savage humans that were probably circling around the towns and cities of Equestria.
“But Mama, I wanna see if he has fangs like Scootaloo said they did!” pouted Busy Bee.
The mother gave the filly a glare that only mothers could. “Right now Bee.”
As she trotted back to her mother’s side, the father stepped forward, “Sorry ‘bout the youngin’, she follows gossip and rumors like a fish follows a river, but she means well enough,” said the stallion with a big smile, “. I’m Tall Leaf, and this here is the rest of the Garden family.”
“The missus,” he said gesturing towards his wife, “is Morning Dew, you’ve met Busy Bee, and this little darlin,” he looked at the meek looking filly behind him, “is Merry Gold. Come on and say hello to the nice unicorn honey.”
A meek little pony with a white coat and golden mane, but no cutie mark, stepped out from behind Tall Leaf. With a nervous glance towards the humans, Merry Gold trotted towards Twilight, “Hello Ma’am.” She quickly retreated back behind her father and looked out from between his legs.
Twilight giggled a little, ‘She is just adorable!’ she said to herself. “Well then Garden Family, welcome to the human lands, my name is Twilight Sparkle, and these two men,” she made sure not to use the ‘gentle’ prefix for honesty’s sake, “are Agent Hawk, and his friend Zorro.” Hawk gave a tip of his hat and Zorro did a small, respectful bow. “They will be our protection against any unforeseen complications.”
“Like cannibals? Scootaloo told me that humans sometimes eat each other when they can’t find anything else to chomp into!” Busy Bee exclaimed.
Merry Gold scrunched up her face in disgust, “Ewww! Bee that’s gross!”
“Busy Bee! That’s morbid!” cried the mother, dragging the filly next to her, as a similar look of disdain as Merry Gold’s crossed her face.
“Let’s hope we avoid such unpleasantries,” continued Twilight, who was also feeling a bit queasy after that last comment. ‘How did Scootaloo get THAT thought running through her head? Maybe I should tell AJ about this when I get back.’
“All right,” Hawk finally spoke, “Let’s get this circus on the train already. Zorro, if you could please show the horses to their stables I’ll go get the train ready to go.”
“Horses?” said Morning Dew raising an eyebrow. Turning her head towards Twilight she asked, “He does know we are ponies right? Not hor-“
“He knows,” interrupted Twilight, a cold stare watching Hawk enter the Magna Rail.
Zorro clapped his hands together and with a big friendly smile said, “Now, my little ponies, let us board the train, please watch your step.” His voice was calm and friendly, and the Garden family followed him in with Twilight bringing up the rear.
The entrance led directly into the lounge area, which seemed to have two halves. One housed an elegant arrangement of chairs and couches around a coffee table, with a luscious rug on the floor, what seemed to be a wooden wardrobe with marvelous carvings depicting the sun over a lion on the wall, and from the ceiling hung a wide-screen television. The other half had two long couches that went along the walls, and between them was another rug, which was more coarse than the other one.
Zorro pointed to a door at the end of the section saying, “The beds are through there my friends. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must make sure Hawk doesn’t harm any of the controls.” Zorro then went through the door at the head of the section, which he closed behind him. The ponies pushed through the door in the rear of the section, which read “Beds” over it. The sleeping cart had four alcoves on each wall, and each alcove had a bunk and a window, plus a little light bulb for late night reading.
Tall Leaf approached the closest bed, his eyes widening in amazement, “Mercy! Lookit the size of these beds! We could fit half the extended family in one of these!”
“Ooh!” cried Busy Bee, “Dibs on this one! C’mon Merry we can share this one!”
“Okay!” replied Merry Gold, who seemed much more at ease away from the human agents.
“You can share my bed handsome,” Morning Dew cooed to Tall Leaf.
A blissful smile appeared on his face, “Yes Ma’am!” The two fillies made grossed out faces, and then proceeded to suffer from a giggle fit.
Twilight picked out a bed for herself and began to organize it to her liking. Then she delicately climbed onto it, taking in its cave like atmosphere. The beds were soft, like the kind of soft Twilight always imagined cloud beds would feel. ‘Amazing how such savage beings can make something so comfy.’ Twilight’s sudden, and rather judgemental, thoughts surprised her, ‘Well that wasn’t a nice thing to say.’ She shook her head to clear her mind of such thoughts. She noticed the rest of the family was finished settling in, and were beginning to move into the lounge.
Following suit, Twilight entered the lounge section and found a spot on an equally comfy couch next to Morning Dew, who was admiring the furniture’s comfort as much as Twilight.
The door to the outside slid shut by itself with a hiss, and a green light above the door to the front of the train lit up.
“This is your captain speaking,” Hawk’s voice came, seemingly from nowhere, “I hope you’re ready, because here we go!” The train lurched forward.
“Hold on to your butts!” Busy Bee exclaimed, far more excited than any other pony present.
And with that, the Magna Rail shot out of the station at sixty miles per hour, and climbing.
Continue? Hell yeah!
When? Who knows?
Next chapter’s title?
Journey to the West.
Ballin’.
|
Anonsi
|
1232
| 3 |
Original Character,Twilight Sparkle,Alternate Universe,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
The Conversion Bureau: Yellowstone
|
A more or less lighthearted adventure with Twilight Sparkle and OCs. Sort of violent.
|
complete
| 102 | 7 |
<p>Description: Two years after the camps opened up, the Western Territories of the USA are nearly vacant. It is once more a frontier, ripe for exploration and settlement. On bequest of Princess Celestia, Twilight Sparkle is to experience the human world by joining a family of Pony Settlers on their journey out West. It's Dangerous to go alone however, so in an act of good will, the US government is sending someone to make sure no harm befalls the ponies.</p>
|
teen
|
2012-03-18T15:14:43+00:00
|
2012-03-18T15:14:43+00:00
| 3,151 |
Conversion Bureau Off-Shoot
Based on Blaze’s original idea
Might not follow his world’s rules, but Meh, it’s just a fan-fic of a fan-fic.
By: Anonsi (Why am I still doing this? Oh right, cowboys and Zorro.)
Yellowstone
Part 3:
Journey to the West
Within minutes, the Magna Rail was well away from the city outskirts and moving gracefully at nearly two hundred and fifty six miles per hour. As Twilight stared out the window, she could hardly believe that something could move this fast. Well, other than Rainbow Dash of course.
It was then that Agent Hawk came through the door that led to the cockpit, grumbling about something while carrying his large black duffel bag. He moved through the lounge and past the ponies with little regard, but making sure not to step on any hooves. The Garden Family made sure not to make eye contact. He entered the sleeping cart, threw his bag into the alcove above the one the two fillies were to be sharing and returned to the lounge.
He moved towards the wardrobe and opened it up, revealing rows of books. Twilight eyes lit up and she immediately trotted over next to him.
“How marvelous!” She looked over at Hawk, “I’ve always wondered what it would be like to read another culture’s literature!” She gazed at the books longingly, practically mesmerized by them.
“Can you can even read it?” Hawk asked. “And if you can, are you sure you want to?”
“Oh yes, I’ve had to become quite familiar with the human alphabet. Reports and things demand it.” She gave Hawk a smile, “And I’ve heard quite a few good things about human books from the people that came through the ponification camps.”
“Well alright,” Hawk faced the small library, “Take your pick.” Hawk pulled out a book with a green cover and gold inlay from the shelf bearing the title ‘Unforgiven. By: Clint Eastwood.’ Hawk then went to the half of the lounge that was barren of any ponies, laid down on one of the couches that lined the walls, and began reading.
Twilight was more excited than she thought she should have been. She now had access to new books, exotic books, books that she could never get in Equestria. She scanned the rows reading each title with delight.
‘The Song of Roland.’ ‘100 Mystery Stories.’ ‘The Three Musketeers.’ ‘King James Holy Bible.’ ‘The Maltese Falcon.’ ‘Fahrenheit 451.’
The list went on and on of possible choices, Twilight could barely decide which one to take first. Eventually she saw one that caught her eye. It was a rather large book that looked like the kind of heavy reading Twilight so enjoyed: ‘Tales of The Round Table.’ She trotted back to where the other ponies were relaxing and talking to each other. She sat down next to Morning Dew, who was busy nuzzling her husband and talking about their new lives in Yellowstone. Twilight shifted in place until she had a comfy little space and began reading as Morning Dew began singing softly to her enamoured husband.
“I’m gonna do it Merry Gold,” whispered Busy Bee to her sister, making sure her mother didn’t hear.
Merry Gold gave a concerned look, “But Mama doesn’t want you talkin to ‘em! She says they’re dangerous!”
“I know,” replied the elder sister with a smile, “but I’m not afraid to ask ‘em questions! And Mama always told us to never be afraid of asking questions didn’t she?”
“Well yeah,” Merry Gold couldn’t argue with logic like that, and just gave a plaintive look that seemed to beg her sister to reconsider.
Making sure her mother was distracted, Busy Bee hopped off the spot on the couch she had been sharing with her sister and trotted over to where Agent Hawk was as silently as she could. He was laying down with his back resting against a corner, reading quietly. Busy Bee leapt onto the couch and sat at his feet. Hawk lowered his book enough to peer at her over the edge of the cover, only to see the smiling face of the young filly.
“Can I ask you a question Mr. Hawk?”
The man rolled his eyes and closed his book on one of his fingers, sighing heavily through his nose.
Busy Bee looked elated, “Do humans have fangs?”
Hawk took a free index finger and lifted his top lip, showing off his canines. The young filly’s eyes narrowed her eyes in an attempt to see them. Seeing the young pony unable to make out his teeth, Hawk changed position and leaned forward, making sure she could see everything.
“Huh…They’re smaller than Scootaloo said they were. Whatever. Can I ask another question?”
Hawk leaned back into his previous position and grunted.
“Is it true humans can crush each other’s skulls with one hand?” she asked as she leaned forward with an eager curiosity.
Hawk looked at his free hand and made it into an open, claw like shape. He shook his head, “A man’s? No.” He reached over to Busy Bee and put his hand on her head. She was shaking, and her smile was replaced with a nervous, upward stare. “Maybe a filly’s.” Hawk smiled and ruffled her mane a little. Afterwards he returned his hand back to his lap. Busy Bee’s smile also returned, with a slight giggle to accompany it.
“I thought you humans were supposed to be scary! Scootaloo is such a fibber.” She changed her face to show mock anger and softly stomped her hooves near Hawk’s feet.
Hawk once more leveled his book in between their faces. “We are scary. Especially when we’re angry.”
“Do your eyes turn red and your faces get all messed up?” she asked, once again giving a curious stare.
“Nah, we keep our same old faces, but they look different.”
“What’s that mean?”
“If you ever see an angry human, you’ll know.”
Morning Dew looked up from her husband, who had fallen asleep while she had sung to him, and noticed that both the fillies were no longer in sight.
“Busy Bee?” she asked, panic quickly entering her voice, “Merry Gold?”
She trotted off the couch and saw Busy Bee sitting by Agent Hawk’s feet, asking question after question about this and that. Merry Gold was curled up on the floor next to where the couch met the floor, out of sight of both the human and older sister, listening intently but to afraid to reveal herself. But when Merry Gold saw her mother seeing them, she gave a small squeak.
Morning Dew, fear obvious in her features, slowly walked towards the still unaware Busy Bee. Hawk shot her a glance from behind his book, stopping her dead in her tracks. It wasn’t a mean look, just one that took notice of her, but all the same it made the mother’s heart skip a beat.
Hawk smiled at Morning Dew and then spoke to Busy Bee, “Your Mom is standing behind you, looking like she’s seen a monster or something.”
Busy Bee’s face looked like she’d been caught doing some foul crime. She slowly turned around, “Heeeeeey Mom…what’s up?”
After regaining her composure, and giving Hawk a weak smile back, she addressed both her children, “Girls, please, don’t sneak off like that again, and stop bothering Agent Hawk by askin him all the questions in the whole world.”
“Oh he doesn’t mind Mama! I think he likes answering questions,” the elder sister countered, “Don’t ya Mr. Hawk?”
Hawk gave a neutral kind of shrug. He reached into his pocket and removed an engraved silver pocket watch and gave a sigh. They’d only been traveling for thirty minutes.
“Who wants to watch some great ol’ human cinema?” he asked loud enough for even Twilight to notice. He got up, avoided stepping on Merry Gold, and walked towards the wardrobe as the fretful mother pony gave him a wide berth. Busy Bee hopped down after him, and Merry Gold followed her sister with Morning Dew giving them very relieved, but mildly disappointed, looks.
Twilight had been thoroughly enjoying the beginning of the book she was reading, but she was most interested in reading about the five knightly virtues that were the central theme of the whole piece:
‘A knight must speak nothing but the truth.’
‘A knight must defend the weak and helpless from evil, even at the cost of his own life.’
‘A knight must be loyal, not only to his king and his homeland, but must keep sacred his vows lest they lead to evil.’
‘A knight must be humble before God and his fellows, be they man or woman, and generous to those in need.’
‘A knight must show mercy to those who he has defeated and shun acts of cruelty, even in times of war and battle.’
Twilight was amazed that these ancient words from, not only a time of darkness and death in human history but also a culture completely separate from her own, resembled the Elements of Harmony so closely. Sure there was nothing that blatantly resembled the Element of Laughter, but ‘defending the weak from evil’ is something that laughing can do, as her friend Pinkie Pie can certainly attest to. ‘It’s like humanity had all the ingredients to be just like Equestria...but they were missing something.’ Twilight pondered the innumerable possibilities.
But when she was interrupted by Hawk’s suggestion of a film, she grew excited and put a magical bookmark on the current page before closing the tome. She had once made friends with a ponified human, Kurt she thought his name was, who had told her that a series of films known as ‘Star Wars’ was a masterpiece of science fiction. Although war was not her favorite subject matter, she had been wanting to look into human film craft. Hawk bent down in front of the wardrobe and opened a small, hard to notice, drawer.
“Okay, what are you all in the mood for?” He asked his charges, facing them with a grin.
“I’ve heard very good things about Star Wars,” said Twilight. Then she remembered more of her conversation with Kurt and added, “…but only the originals.” She smiled, priding herself on remembering what seemed like an important detail.
Hawk nodded in approval, “Good, but is there anything else you heard about these films?” he added.
Twilight strained he memory, “Uhhhh…”
‘There was something else important to mention…Think Twilight…THINK!’
“Han shot first?” She recalled Kurt saying that often.
Hawk gave an approving nod and a big smile, “You’ve learned much young Twilight, and as such we shall begin where all should. A New Hope.” And with that he gestured for the rest of the ponies to take spots on the comfy couch. The parents of the garden family looked at each other in confusion, while the fillies could barely contain themselves in their excitement. He then began the movie, which appeared on the large flat screen television which hung from the ceiling.
“Twilight,” he said, “if you would be so kind as to read them the opening crawl, I’ll go prepare some popcorn.” Twilight nodded and Hawk disappeared into the sleeping cart. The movie began and Twilight read the words in a particularly dramatic voice, much to the amusement of the little ones. Hawk came back just as the crawl was finishing and placed a large bowl of popcorn on the coffee table in front of the ponies. He then walked towards the cockpit.
“Aren’t you gonna watch it with us?” asked Busy Bee.
“Nah, I’ve gotta keep Zorro company,” Hawk replied, “he can get terribly lonesome.”
With that, Hawk disappeared and the movie began, lowering the camera on a dusty orange planet…
* * *
After four hours, the ponies had finally finished ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ and were taking the time in between movie changes to take care of certain bodily functions, while also using the opportunity to stretch their legs. Twilight was enamored with the films. Sure it was weird at first, watching non-pony actors on screen, but by the time the films had introduced the character of Obi-Wan, she was over it. Of course her favorite character was Yoda, if only for his surprising amount of wisdom.
It was fascinating how many parallels she could draw between ‘The Force’ and the nature of magic that she herself had seen. For instance, the ‘Dark Side’ was based on anger, fear, and aggression, the exact things that had turned Princess Luna into Nightmare Moon so long ago. Everything the little green creature said about The Force seemed to factor into some aspect of magic, from its use in day to day life and what times to use it against something that might be threatening her.
Of course the fillies loved it, and were busy pretending to fight with those laser sword things they had. Though the parents were a bit concerned about all the violence and death, they gasped right along with every other pony when Vader revealed the truth about him and Luke. All in all, Twilight couldn’t wait for the conclusion and eagerly waited in her spot on the couch.
Hawk was busy putting the next film into the player, getting an earful from the fillies about the parts they liked the most. All Hawk could do was smile. Twilight was extremely pleased that everything was going better than she expected, but also a little ashamed that she had judged humans so harshly before. She kept her mentor’s warning in mind of course, that humans were savage compared to Ponies, ‘But maybe,’ thought Twilight, ‘maybe the Princess just got a bad first impression?’
Suddenly Zorro’s voiced blared from unseen speakers, “Sorry to interrupt the marathon Hawk, but you need to see something up here.”
Hawk grimaced. Twilight knew that probably meant something bad. Fortunately she didn’t have to ask to come along as Zorro added, “You’d best come up here too Miss Sparkle.” With a concerned look from Tall Leaf, which was mirrored by Morning Dew, Twilight simply nodded and trotted towards the cockpit.
Once within, she was joined by Hawk, who wore a concerned expression. “Is it bad Z?” he asked.
“Very,” replied Zorro, not looking away from a glowing monitor. “Satellites are picking up a massive pressure drop about fifty miles ahead of us, and the Six Tribes Weather Service has issued a Watch notice.” Zorro looked over his shoulder, “The Super Cell is dropping it down within fifty meters of the tracks, and it is going to be very, very big.”
Twilight spoke up, confused, “Wait, so what is the problem? What’s going on Hawk?” She looked to Hawk, who looked at her in disbelief.
“You can’t seriously tell me you don’t have tornadoes in Equestria.” His tone almost sounded astonished.
“Well, we have twisters, but they aren’t that big of a problem. They’re mostly out in the desert, and don’t get that big.” Twilight felt like she wasn’t completely understanding why the two, allegedly ferocious killers, were giving her such astonished looks.
“Twilight,” said Hawk, his tone harsh, “Tornadoes in the human world, are like the wrath of God ripping and tearing the very Earth apart. The one that could be forming right now could very easily level an entire city.” He looked to Zorro, “Get this tin can in reverse and to a safe distance, and if you spot a cave or something tell me. If that thing comes for us we need shelter that’s a bit more stable than this thing.” He moved to leave the cockpit before adding, “Let’s hope we’re all still alive when that thing dissipates. I’d hate to not finish that marathon.” As he left to inform the Garden Family about the potential disaster, Twilight had a hurt expression on her face, which Zorro immediately addressed while pulling a lever that slowed the train to a crawl. Rain began pattering the windshield.
“You look like someone just broke your heart dear niña.” Zorro chuckled a bit, trying to lighten the mood.
Twilight composed herself, “Is it really as bad as Hawk said? It can’t be that terrible, can it?” She was convinced that something like Hawk had described had to be made up.
Zorro looked for the right words before stating in an all too honest tone, “Hawk is not wrong to be worried. Even if it avoids us and the Magna Rail, the tracks will more than likely be destroyed, unless, by some miracle, they are too well engraved into the earth to move.” He looked at Twilight, a smile breaking his serious face. “Do not worry though, soon we will be far from harm’s way. We’ll just have to trek a thousand or so miles to Yellowstone on foot. No problem.” He returned to the controls and pulled the lever back even further, moving the train into reverse.
“Yeah,” said Twilight, “No problem for a pegasus maybe.” She wasn’t looking forward to the prospect of walking half the way to a place that was already far enough away that no pony would believe her if she told them that she had traversed it in a day. She began trotting back into the lounge, where worried voices were talking. The sky had grown dark.
‘How far away had Zorro said it was? Fifty miles? Whatever this thing is it can’t be that big.’ Twilight tried to imagine the human’s measurements, and compared it to a what she imagined a ‘Human Tornado’ would look like. The image she conceived was as big as Canterlot, and was a swirling funnel of dust, like she’d seen that one time she went to Appleloosa. She grew concerned when she imagined Princess Celestia being sucked up and blown away by the enormous cloud.
Before Twilight could continue thinking, she noticed that the Garden Family had moved into the sleeping area and were being shown the emergency straps hidden under the mattresses that could buckle together to restrain a man, or pony, from flying off of it. Hawk was doing a good job of explaining how to adjust and loosen the straps, and made sure to say, “Just in case,” about three times. Morning Dew was giving him her full attention, and Tall Leaf was busy comforting his daughters who were curled together in their bed, looks of fear staining all their faces.
The Magna Rail made a sudden stop, making the world inside the vehicle very quiet, so that now the rain hitting the roof of the train was the only audible sound. The pitter-patter of the rain only heightened the atmosphere of tension that had formed. No one spoke, and hardly anyone could be heard breathing. Even Hawk looked wary of the unexpected stop, but eventually resumed his instruction to the passengers. Twilight moved into the sleeping cart and climbed into her alcove, locating the straps that Hawk had been going over. She brought out the straps with little effort thanks to her magic, and then she listened to the sound of the rain.
Pitter-patter, pitter-patter, pitter-patter, pitter-patter, Thunk.
‘Thunk?’ Twilight looked at Hawk. Hawk looked at Twilight. Something heavy had hit the roof of the train. The unicorn looked out the window. It wasn’t yet evening, but it was so dark, she could barely see anything.
Thunk.
Everypony was looking at the roof now. What was making that noise? Then, whatever was on the roof fell off and passed by Twilight’s view. It was what appeared to be a cow. It wasn’t moving. She felt a sudden sickness come over her, and rolled down the curtain for her window.
Zorro was making his way towards the sleeping cart. As he entered he pushed a button on the wall that closed the door which made a hissing sound as it closed. They were now sealed in a pressurized space.
“Better strap yourselves down. It’s coming for us,” Twilight could see the fear in his face, but he kept his tone confident for the sake of the others present.
“Damn that thing is fast! Son of a gun must really want one of us dead,” said Hawk, turning to Zorro, “You didn’t sleep with its daughter did you?” Hawk paused for effect.
The lewd comment sent both men into tizzy of giggles and laughs, while Tall Leaf and Morning Dew grew concerned that they were in the care of two men who thought dying might be funny.
Hawk began strapping in the other ponies, while Zorro began locking down luggage and equipment. Twilight herself started going through spells in her head that could protect them if need be, which seemed all the more likely as a noise arose outside that sounded like the very air was screaming. It was a scream that was getting louder by the second.
Hawk and Zorro dove into bunks for themselves after making sure everypony else was secure, and quickly strapped themselves.
The screaming was now at an almost deafening level. The fillies began to cry. The parents were trying to shout comforting phrases at them. Twilight clenched her eyes shut unable to stop herself from thinking she’d never see her friends again.
“Hey Sprinkles!” called Hawk over the din.
Momentarily surprised, Twilight called back. It wasn’t any real word. She was too terrified think of one when she felt the train begin to shudder around her. What came out resembled an, “EH?” only it had more terror in it.
“Ever rolled down a hill in a barrel before?”
An odd question for a time like this. Her response was as much a question as an answer, “No!?”
Hawk began to chuckle, “Well then, this should offer some ‘excitement’ for you!” He began to laugh maniacally. Zorro was whispering something in that language of his.
‘Celestia preserve me.’
The Magna Rail came free of the rails and was lifted up into the swirling funnel cloud.
Tornadoes?!
Oh shit!
Next up: Where the Wild things are.
I’ll keep going until I reach the End![
Or until I get waylaid by reality!
Or someone calls me names to make me stop!
|
Anonsi
|
1232
| 4 |
Original Character,Twilight Sparkle,Alternate Universe,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
The Conversion Bureau: Yellowstone
|
A more or less lighthearted adventure with Twilight Sparkle and OCs. Sort of violent.
|
complete
| 102 | 7 |
<p>Description: Two years after the camps opened up, the Western Territories of the USA are nearly vacant. It is once more a frontier, ripe for exploration and settlement. On bequest of Princess Celestia, Twilight Sparkle is to experience the human world by joining a family of Pony Settlers on their journey out West. It's Dangerous to go alone however, so in an act of good will, the US government is sending someone to make sure no harm befalls the ponies.</p>
|
teen
|
2012-07-19T13:15:52+00:00
|
2012-07-19T13:15:52+00:00
| 3,030 |
Conversion Bureau Off-Shoot
Based on Blaze’s original idea
Might not follow his world’s rules, but Meh, it’s just a fan-fic of a fan-fic.
By: Anonsi (What’s that? You want more film and book references?)
Yellowstone
Part 4:
Where the Wild Things Are
Twilight had come to a monumental decision: the next time Princess Celestia asked her to leave her home to go on some quest to parts unknown, she would very politely, and with all due respect, tell her graceful monarch to go sit on her horn and spin for a while.
Twilight could barely hear herself think over all the screaming going on around her: Tall Leaf and Morning Dew were screaming, Busy Bee and Merry Gold were screaming, the very air was screaming, and last but not least, Twilight was screaming. The only ones not screaming were the humans. They had their teeth clenched and kept their bodies stiff, awaiting for the inevitable time when the Magna Rail would be reacquainted with the ground.
‘Use your magic!’ Twilight kept repeating in her head. ‘What spell? What Spell!’ Teleportation would do no good. She needed to concentrate on a place she could see or a familiar area for that to work, and right now she didn’t even know which way was up.
‘We’re all gonna die! Oh Celestia I don’t want to die! I haven’t even kissed my first stallion! What about telekinesis? Maybe I could disrupt the tornado’s spin? Size matters not, right? That’s what Yoda said right?’
Twilight reopened her eyes, and saw nothing but darkness outside. She only heard the sound of the howling winds and the other debris crashing into the section of train, which would no doubt be their tomb if Twilight couldn’t do this. Closing her eyes once more, she focused on the storm and reached out with her magic. She reached out beyond the confines of the walls and felt the storm with an immaterial hand fashioned of pure will.
It was like putting a hoof into a raging river, and her concentration almost wavered from its chaotic movements. Twilight focused, solidifying her thoughts on the task at hand and began to grab hold of the very air.
It wasn’t working, as Twilight should have expected. It was impossible to get a hold of the wind, as Dash would have been first to tell her. Twilight released her telekinetic hand, once again contemplating her friends. Eventually her thoughts turned to her ageless mentor, Celestia, and all she had learned from her. She remembered being taught the workings of magic, and some of the more basic principles of science, like how boats worked and how a Pegasus could fly.
A loud “THWUNK” from a tree denting the wall gave Twilight inspiration.
If she couldn’t grab the wind, she would grab onto what the wind was holding. Everything, big or small left a wake in the wind, like how everything leaves a wake in water. So Twilight just needed to make everything else caught in the tornado spin the opposite direction, the resulting air resistance should cancel out the Tornado. Either that or the debris would just get ripped to shreds by the wind, but despite that possibility she had a very good feeling about this plan.
‘Size matters not. Size matters not. Size matters not. Size matters not. Size matters not.’
With renewed vigor, Twilight once more reached out with her mind. She gripped a tree, then a few dozen more, and then a wide variety of wooden planks and steel rails that were once the track. She found the hardest thing to grab hold of the innumerable specks of dust and dirt that flew at near incalculable speeds, but she eventually held them all the same. Finally she took hold of the Magna Rail, possibly the largest and heaviest thing in this cyclone of death.
Her horn was glowing enough to light even the darkest storm, and the others present opened their eyes to see what could only be described as a pony with a fountain of light on its forehead.
With a scream of desperate defiance to a storm fueled by malice, she forced everything in the storm to spin the way she wanted. The force of exertion nearly knocked her out then and there, but she continued to push against the whirlwind with everything she had, spinning what she took from the cyclone faster and faster.
Within seconds, the tornado was disrupted, and lost much of its previous bluster. The howling winds grew quiet, and Twilight released her hold on all the objects under her power. All except the Magna Rail that is. She gave the train a soft and careful descent towards the now, much calmer, earth below.
After touching down, Twilight gave into exhaustion and passed out.
* * *
From the aching pain in her head, Twilight knew she was alive. She had trouble opening her eyes, but she knew from the cool breeze moving across her face that she was outside. She heard the buzzing of bees around her, and she felt the hard earth and soft grass that she was laying on. She breathed in the smell of wildflowers and dirt. With a slight moan, she opened her eyes to the world around her.
It was a sunny day, the skies were blue as they could be with a dozen or so fluffy clouds over head. Before her was a vista of wide open fields and hills that went far off into the distance, covered in rich golden grass and dotted with the occasional tree. Twilight rested in a comfortable bit of shade under an old maple tree with sprawling limbs and wide leaves atop a hill. She had to remind herself that she wasn’t in Equestria several times.
“Good morning sunshine!”
Twilight spun around to see Morning Dew sitting next to her, making two circlets out of flowers and grass. The wreckage of the train was downhill, resting peacefully in the midday sun.
Twilight was still groggy, but was able to ask, “How long have I been out?”
“Oh, for about a whole day. We were very worried after that miracle you pulled, but when you started talking in your sleep we knew you’d wake up.” Morning Dew’s smile was like bottled sunshine and filled with the kind of love that the unicorn recognized being on her own mother’s face.
Twilight did not know she talked while she slept, and was curious what was on her subconscious mind. With a slight, curious smile she asked, “Did I say anything interesting at least?”
Morning Dew giggled, “Well most of it was nonsense, but…” She blushed.
‘Uh oh.’
“…something tells me that this, ‘Big Mac’ fella would love to ‘buck your apple orchard’ anytime.”
If dying from embarrassment were possible, Twilight would have keeled over then and there. She looked down at her hooves and tried to think of some sort of explanation, as if she’d done something wrong.
“OH! Um…yeah…Big Mac is a…Ummm…brother of a friend and he’s…well…BIG! And you see he…it…I don’t really know him that well and…” Twilight knew she was sputtering, but couldn’t stop.
A reassuring nod and smile came from the older mare, “No need to worry Miss Twilight, Mr. Hawk promised not to tell anypony back east about it. Why when he heard it he didn’t so much as grin he was so worried about you. And it’s nothing to be ashamed of besides, why when Tall Leaf and I were young I…”
“HAWK KNOWS?!” Twilight liked Hawk, but he was a human, and she heard from a reliable fashion minded unicorn that humans were incorrigible gossips.
As if she summoned a vile phantom, “What do I know? Twilight? Is that you?” Hawk and the fillies crested the hill and made their way towards the two.
“Miss Twilight!” both fillies shouted as they galloped towards her. “I’m so glad you woke up! Busy Bee was crying she was so worried!” said Merry Gold as she gave Twilight a hug with her neck.
Busy Bee snorted, “I was not! And even if I was, you were the one thinkin’ we was all dead!”
Twilight rolled her eyes for what seemed like the millionth time since yesterday begun. With a small clearing of her throat, Morning Dew caught the two squabbling fillies, and presented them with the floral circlets. The two sisters instantly forgot all about their argument and began to run towards the ruins of the Magna Rail with their new flowery crowns.
“Well then,” said Morning Dew, who stood up, “I’d best go help my husband with the salvaging. He’s always puts too much weight on his back.” She trotted down the hill after the fillies, calling to them to stay close.
Hawk finally spoke, “That was some stunt you pulled back there Sprinkles.” Twilight looked him over before responding. He had buttoned his over shirt, and now wore a long brown duster coat over it.
“Well,” Twilight looked back towards the train, “judge me not by my size Agent Hawk.” They both proceeded to laugh it up for a good few minutes before Zorro exited the wreckage. He now sported a black poncho made from what appeared to be wool, and a black wide brim hat that was much stiffer than Hawk’s. When Zorro saw Twilight awake, his expression brightened considerably.
“My dear niña! It is good to see you up and about! I was getting quite jealous of Agent Hawk constantly being by your side!” Twilight blushed slightly.
Hawk called out to him, “What’s the damage Z?”
“My diagnosis? You have abandonment issues.”
Hawk sighed, “To the train Z.”
Zorro put a hand to his hip and another to his chin, “The only thing I got working was the GPS. And, my you’ll never guess where we ended up my friend!”
“Canada?”
Zorro chuckled and replied, “Close amigo! We’re about four miles away from the town of Ten Sleep Wyoming!”
Hawk beamed. “Son of a bit…” he glanced at Twilight, “…gun! That tornado took us far! Right kind of it, if not for the whole trying to kill us part, eh Twilight?”
She was checking her map for the town of Ten Sleep. When she found it. She couldn’t believe the math. The tornado had moved them nearly a thousand miles in less than ten minutes. She didn’t question it though. She was tired, her head hurt, and a town meant a soft bed to rest on. “Let’s just go Mr. Hawk. We still need to get to Yellowstone after all. And with that Magnet Train out of commission, it’s gonna be a long walk.” They were halfway down the hill before Twilight remembered something. “And Agent Hawk...”
“Yeah Sprinkles?”
“If you tell anypony about what I said while I was asleep, I’ll turn you into a newt.”
* * *
They entered to edge of the town of Ten Sleep in the evening, when the sun loomed just above the horizon, and the sky had turned pink and orange. All the ponies took a minute to admire the sunset while the humans seem preoccupied surveying the town with binoculars. Twilight savored the moment of silence, as the last hour or so of walking, Busy Bee had been questioning Agent Hawk unceasingly.
Morning Dew gave a sing-song like sigh before saying, “Simply beautiful. Celestia must be watching over us.”
Zorro looked up from what he was doing, “Let us hope so señora, the town of Ten Sleep lies abandoned and it’s overgrown with vegetation,” he got up and walked towards the ponies, “it is likely that newer, and less friendly, residents have moved in.”
“Like cannibals?” inquired Busy Bee.
Hawk stood up, “Let’s hope not. If Zorro tastes half as good as he talks he won’t last the night.”
* * *
The town was deathly quiet and there was no sign of life. Rows of houses and other buildings looked dark and empty. There were hardly any cars on the sidewalks or driveways, and the grass in the yards had grown wildly out of control.
“Where is everypony?” asked Tall Leaf.
“Gone,” replied Hawk, “at some point or another, everyone in town either left or died.”
Merry Gold looked nervous, “So it’s a…” she gulped, “…ghost town?” She gazed at the long shadows and empty houses, some of which had their doors wide open, as if inviting them to enter.
Zorro was first to assuage her fears, “Do not worry little one, there aren’t any actual ghosts. We are safe from the dead.”
“That’s reassuring,” said Twilight.
Within minutes, Hawk had found a house he deemed, “Adequate,” and soon after Twilight was experiencing de ja vu. Hawk had gone to the front door and knocked three times. When there was no reply, Hawk turned to the rest of the group, shrugged, and kicked the door in. The entirety of the Garden Family jumped. As Hawk entered the house, his large black duffel bag in tow, Zorro gestured to the ponies to follow.
Tall Leaf hesitated, “Miss Twilight,” he said, “isn’t this illegal?”
“Don’t worry,” replied Twilight straight faced, “he is the law.”
Twilight moved into the door and gave a smile to Zorro as she passed by. He returned it and then looked to Tall Leaf who still stood in the waning light. With a shake of his head, Tall Leaf entered the house mumbling, “This is ridiculous. Simply ridiculous.”
Night had fallen, and with a final look around, Zorro walked into the house and closed the door as best he could. Hawk had extracted an electric lamp from his bag and laid it on the coffee table in what was once the living room. Soft blue couches sat around the table, slanted towards the T.V. on the wall, and most of the seats were occupied by ponies. Morning Dew was currently humming a song to her children as much as herself and her husband.
Hawk moved an ornate armoire in front of the front door, blocking it and preventing it from opening. He then made a series of odd hand gestures to Zorro, who nodded and began searching the house.
After a short time, Zorro returned and declared, “Clear.”
Hawk, smiling wide, opened his duffel bag and said, “Dinner time!” He passed around bottles of water and Zorro passed around the food.
The ponies were given pony meal packs, something the humans had made years ago for the pony on the go. They came in little sectioned off trays and were sealed in plastic. The meals included carrots, small cucumbers, grass, some oats, dandelions, three cubes of sugar, and a box of apple juice. Even though she could taste the lack of freshness, Twilight delighted in the meal. Meanwhile, Hawk and Zorro had what seemed to be plastic bags that had the letters “M.R.E.” emblazoned on them.
“Get anything good Z?” asked Hawk.
“Chicken soup, and you?”
“Beef stroganoff.”
Twilight didn’t want to think about what they did to the poor chickens and cows in order to fit them into those little bags.
After dinner and everyone found a spot to settle, Twilight made her own small globe of light which hovered around her horn, much to the amazement of the two fillies. The house was only one floor, and she could see not only the kitchen from where she was sitting, but also the hallway which must have led to the bath and bed rooms. It was remarkable how neat and tidy everything was, and horrifying that everything had just been left behind. The couches, the rug, the table, even the pictures on the walls had not been touched in some time. It was like sitting in a tomb.
Twilight saw a picture on the wall of the human family who must have lived here previously, and she trotted closer to get a better look. It was a father, mother, and beautiful little girl all smiling on a sunny day under a familiar looking maple tree tree.
‘They look so happy. I thought humans hated their lives so much and that was why they all were so ready to be ponified. But why would they abandon this? This isn’t so bad.’
Twilight entered the kitchen for curiosity’s sake. There was a sliding door to the back yard and moon light illuminated a tire swing which hung from an old, unkempt looking tree. The fridge was immediately next to the entrance, so she looked at the calendar that was magnetized to its side. It was from two years ago. There was only one day circled for the entire month, the day Twilight remembered as the day the camps opened. She flipped through the calendar’s earlier entries, and it was pretty run of the mill: doctor’s appointment, dentist, Tiffany’s birthday party (bring gift!). But after the day the camps opened, there was nothing. No plans at all.
The lack of future plans really disturbed Twilight, as she continued her tour of the house. Hawk and Zorro were in the living room talking with Tall Leaf and the others. Busy Bee wasn’t taking her eyes off of Hawk. Twilight chuckled at the thought that maybe she wasn’t the only one with a secret crush.
She passed the bathroom, the master bedroom which was in disarray, and finally arrived at a door with a wooden plaque hanging from a nail. It read, “Julie’s Room.” Twilight had to know whose old life she be spending the night in.
With a push, the door opened revealing a room so pink, Pinkie Pie would have perfect camouflage. There were teddy bears and dolls lining the walls, all neatly put into their place, and on the comfy looking bed was a book. It was the little girl’s diary.
‘Dare I?’ she asked herself as she hesitantly approached the book. Her curiosity could not be contained, she had to know. After checking to make sure no one was around, she magically lifted the book to her and opened it, turning to the last entry. It coincided with the camp’s opening day.
‘Dear Diary,
I don’t want to be a pony, but mom and dad say life will be better that way. They said I wouldn’t have to live in a mean world, or pay for other grown ups problems. I like ponies, but I don’t want to be a pony. I like being me and Miss Megan said to be happy with who I was and I am. But mom and dad aren’t so I guess they will be happy if we are ponies. I want them to be happy, so I will be a pony for them. I will miss Tiffany and Miss Megan. I hope they recognize me if I see them again.
Goodbye Diary.’
Twilight closed the book, and drew it close with her magic. She felt something wrong had happened in this place. She returned to the living room with a dour expression. Zorro was staring out the window, looking for something, and Morning Dew was cuddled up next to Tall Leaf. Both of them had fallen asleep on the couch. Hawk was on the opposite couch entertaining the endless supply of questions the fillies seemed to have.
“And…do humans really have machines that let them fly?” Busy Bee’s voice was strained as she struggled to stay awake.
“Eeyup.”
“I’d like to…to fly…one…zzzzzzzz,” Merry Gold had fallen asleep next to her sister, who in turn curled close to her and followed suit.
“Good night,” she said.
Hawk replied in a tired, but tender voice, “Good night Busy Bee.”
With that, the two fillies fell asleep, and Hawk rolled his head towards Twilight. Quietly he said to her, “They’re just like cats: cute as heck when they’re asleep, but they makes it impossible for you to move or get comfy.”
“It is rather precious amigo,” said Zorro from his watch, “I do not think I’ve ever seen you so...” Zorro strained his mind for the right word.
“Cuddly?” offered Twilight.
Zorro nodded and smiled, “Si, cuddly fits well.”
Hawk simply replied, “Whatever,” and looked at the book that Twilight had in her magic’s grasp, “Find something interesting Sprinkles?”
Twilight hung her head a bit before asking, “Hawk, do you know why so many humans got ponified?”
Hawk furrowed his brow, “I can’t speak for all of ‘em, but if I had to guess, I’d say they were thinking that their lives would be better as tiny horses.”
Twilight wasn’t satisfied, “WHY would they think that though? Have you seen this house? It’s absolutely lovely! Us ponies thought that humans lived in misery and squalor, but…” she trailed off looking towards the picture of the family. “…but this family didn’t. So why?”
Hawk gave a sigh through his nose, “I dunno, maybe they were tired of paying taxes, or getting sick, or living in fear that some accident would hurt their loved ones. It’s impossible to say Twilight. They did what humans have always done: take the option that makes their lives easier. So this family abandoned their old lives for a chance at a better one.”
Twilight put the book into her saddlebag, a frown spreading over her face.
‘You can’t steal something that someone has abandoned.’
She laid her head down onto her saddlebags, lost in thought. They were more comfortable than she thought however, as weariness eventually took over and she fell asleep without a sound.
* * *
It was near midnight when the howling started and awoke Twilight from her deep sleep. She stared up in a half awake state, wondering what all the noise going on outside, but she soon recognized it as the baying of some hungry predators. She looked towards the window and saw Zorro looking out the window, not moving an inch.
“What is it?” Twilight asked the man, concern heavy in her voice.
He didn’t look away from the window, “Feral dogs. Around maybe…twenty? They’ve been circling the block for two hours. I think they finally decided what to do with us.” Zorro chuckled a bit.
Twilight however, was worried. Celestia had mentioned beasts from human lands, and she did not like the word ‘feral’ one bit. “What do you think they are going to do?”
“They are going to attack this little house and eat us up. Please niña, go wake everyone. I’m afraid Hawk may have been right about how delicious I am.” Zorro was absolutely calm as opposed to Twilight who was beginning to panic.
The unicorn decided to wake Hawk up first, as it was officially his job to protect the group. He was asleep on the couch, with two little fillies sleeping soundly, curled up close to him. One of his arms lay over top the both of them, almost like he was protecting them even while asleep. Twilight nudged him with her hoof. He blinked his eyes open, and mumbled something about a donkey before asking, “What’s wrong?”
“Zorro says twenty feral dogs are going to attack us!” Twilight was trying to whisper, but her voice was thick with panic. She had never had to defend herself from wild dogs before, and wolves never left the Everfree Forest.
Hawk rolled off the couch, waking the fillies up who blinked and mumbled, trying to go back to sleep. Even in her panicked state, Twilight let out a small d’aww when Busy Bee gave a small noise and curled tighter as Hawk’s body heat left the couch. Hawk was less enthralled by it, and seemed to show signs of worry. He moved to the window, and replaced Zorro who was currently stirring Morning Dew and Tall Leaf from their slumber.
There was another round of howling, which quickly sobered the Garden family from their sleep.
“What’s going on? Hawk, what’s makin all that racket?” Tall Leaf was wide awake and stretching his legs out.
“You’re about to find out,” Hawk turned to the group, “Alright, Zorro, you and Twilight cover the back door, me and Tall Leaf will make sure they don’t push through the front. Morning Dew, take the fillies and go into one of the rooms back there and barricade yourself and the others inside.”
Without hesitation Morning Dew took hold of her children, her voice being as calm as possible. “Come on darlings, double time. Hoof it! Come on!” She trotted the two into the hallway and moved them into Julie’s Room.
“Mom? What’s going on? What’s all that noise?” Busy Bee was terrified, and looked back as she walked, “Isn’t daddy coming with us?”
Twilight’s stomach felt like a pit, and fear was starting to eat away at her. Hawk however was sifting through his bag, and with an “Ah-ha!” he extracted a hunting rifle and a bandolier of ammo. Zorro had drawn his sword, a thin blade with a slight curve, and slowly chopped at the air. No doubt warming up for what was to come.
“Alright, Tall Leaf, if one of their heads comes into view, buck it up. Now, you have to hit to kill, alright? If you don’t they’ll just keep coming.” Tall Leaf gave a vacant stare, but blinked out of it and nodded.
“R-right. Hit to…” he gulped, “…kill.” Hawk gave him a pat on his neck and moved into position at the window.
“Well little one,” said Zorro to Twilight, “shall we?” His smile was somewhat comforting, but Twilight was still barely keeping it together.
They entered the kitchen and looked through the sliding doors that separated the house from the back yard. There were seven dogs prowling, looking at them, licking their lips while moonlight reflected off their eyes, making them seem like little, glowing, yellow discs. Three of them were sniffing at the base of the door, and then got on their hind legs and began to scratch on the glass. Twilight heard similar noises from the front of the house.
‘Think of a spell think of a spell think of a spell.’ Twilight’s mind raced at what to cast. It was difficult to concentrate with all the scratching and howling the dogs were making. Zorro stood next to her. He had slung the front of his poncho over his shoulder revealing his sword arm, “Stay calm, niña. I’ll keep them at bay. You concentrate on scaring them off.” With a nod and sudden feeling of calm, Twilight thought things out.
“You might want to cover your eyes Mr. Zorro.”
Then the attack began. All at once every dog Twilight could see charged the doors, and with a loud BANG, smashed into them. They doors shattered and Twilight enacted her spell. A magnificent blast of light erupted forth from every orifice in the room. Zorro moved his arm over his eyes just in time to avoid being blinded, but the dogs were less successful. Blind and confused, they yelped and whined, running wild in random directions and crashing into just about everything in the kitchen.
“Ha ha! Well done my darling!” Zorro cheered patting Twilight on the back, “Let us show these dogs the way out.”
Several booming sounds came from the front, followed be an equal number of yelps and shouts. “HA! Another one bites the dust!” Hawk’s voice was almost gleeful. Twilight glanced back and saw Tall Leaf bucking a snout that had wedged it’s way between the door. She saw Hawk with the rifle taking aim and firing at the dogs that were assaulting the front. When she faced forward again there was the maw of a feral mastiff rushing towards her, murder glowing in its eyes. Time moved slower, and Twilight opened her mouth to scream, but nothing came out.
A quick flash of steel passed between her and the dog, and after an instant, the creature was on the ground with blood flowing from a wound across its face. The warm red liquid spilled out from it and all over the floor as the dog twitched to the ground.
Twilight’s scream finally caught up with her.
Hawk looked back, “Twilight?!” He was about to stand up to make sure she was all right when a large rottweiler jumped through the window and attempted to snap is jaws around Hawk’s neck. The hound’s bite missed, but it did knock the man onto the ground, where it continued to go for his throat. Tall Leaf was bracing himself against the door, and looked on in terror as Hawk grappled with the wild dog. Hoping the armoire could hold the pack at bay long enough he rushed over to the dog and bucked him as hard as he could.
There was a snapping sound and the dog flew a good two feet off of Hawk, landing with a whimper. The man breathed a sigh of relief, stood up, removed his revolver, and shot the dog through the head, causing blood to spray over the carpet. “Thanks,” was all Hawk said before retaking his position and resuming his shooting.
Tall Leaf stared at the dead dog for what seemed a long while. Its leg twitched, and Tall Leaf began to feel very sick.
Twilight had stopped screaming and watched as the blood from the dog slowly spread towards her. She meanwhile was backing up to avoid stepping in it. Zorro was slashing at any dog that got close with such speed and grace, Twilight could swear that he was dancing instead of killing.
The dogs she had blinded lay strewn about the kitchen, cuts and stab wounds across their bodies. She looked outside and saw other dogs prowling, but keeping their distance. Their looks of hunger now shifted to looks of fear. Fear of the human who stood amongst their dead, with no signs of exhaustion or fatigue.
The dogs hung their heads in defeat and ran off into the darkness. Hawk had stopped firing his rifle, and Zorro gave a small bow to the retreating dogs. They had driven them off.
“Tall Leaf,” said Hawk, “Go to your family, and wait there with them. Don’t come out until me or Zorro come to get you, alright?”
“Right,” he responded in a shaky voice, eyes never leaving the dead dog in the room.
Hawk continued, “Twilight, you can go with him if you want, me and Zorro are going to clean up the bodies so the kids don’t have to see.”
After a moment of thought, Twilight shook her head, “No, it’s alright, I’ll help.” ‘It would go faster with my magic,’ she thought.
Twilight started in the kitchen, where pools of blood had spread almost everywhere. Putting her mind on the task on hand, she levitated the bodies out the door and into the back yard. When they rose, blood dripped off of them, and Twilight had to avert her eyes, else she might have thrown up.
Afterwards she went out through the front, past a wet red spot in the middle of the room. The bodies of no less than eight dogs littered the street, all of them had one hole through either their heads, or hearts. Hawk and Zorro were carrying the bodies behind the house, and using her telekinesis, Twilight lifted the remaining ones and followed them.
Twilight laid the bodies out in rows, and tried not to look at them. Every time she did, she would see something that made her stomach turn inside out. Whether it be a collar with the dog’s name tag on it, or just the dead faces of the poor mutts, she would grow sick.
“What do you want to do with them?” asked Zorro.
Hawk replied in a tired voice, “Well, leaving them here would make a feast for scavengers, but it might take a while for them to show up. We could bury them, I guess, give the worms something to work with.”
“We should bury them,” said Twilight. She didn’t want to have to see the bodies ever again.
“Right,” said Hawk, giving a look of concern towards Twilight, “got a spell for moving earth?”
As a matter of fact, Twilight did. She first used it to help Applejack irrigate her apple orchard. How she wished to be back there right now, away from this scene. A glow emanated from her horn, as the dirt beneath the dogs displaced itself, and buried the corpses.
Once they were all properly buried, Hawk and Zorro went inside to get the others. Twilight remained in the moonlight, and had a moment of silence. She could only think of the lives she had helped to end, she wanted to say something, but couldn’t manage it, so she thought it instead.
‘I’m sorry.’
* * *
The morning came, and Twilight had barely gotten back to sleep before the sun came out and woke her. Last night seemed like just a nightmare until she left the master bedroom and saw the red stain in the living room. Grimacing, she went through the recently opened front door and took a few deep sighs, trying hard to suppress the memories of last night. Hawk and Zorro’s voices could be heard coming from the garage, and the sound of a car starting broke the silence of dawn. An open roof jeep drove out onto the street followed by a smiling Zorro. Hawk was at the wheel and he parked it in front of the house.
Leaning out the side Hawk smiled at Twilight, “Need a ride little lady?”
Twilight stared at him for time, processing his smile. He wasn’t bothered by what happened last night. He gave no sign of regret or pain for the lives he took. She eventually gave a weak smile back and said, “Yes, thank you Agent Hawk.” Her voice lacked any kind of emotion.
The Garden family came out of the house, somewhat blurry eyed. The fillies’ eyes revealed that they had been crying last night, and Busy Bee was eerily silent. Zorro and Hawk helped them all into the car, while an awkward silence dominated the air between the humans and the ponies. The back of the car became filled with ponies and Hawk’s duffel bag. Zorro took the front seat and Hawk the driver’s position.
Zorro looked at Hawk, who looked back at him. Hawk gave a heavy sigh, and then eyed the ponies. The Garden family was huddled together, staying close to Tall Leaf. Twilight was apart from the others and was staring off into the distance, her mind wandering. Hawk faced forward.
“I think we could all go for some breakfast.”
“What do you have in mind?” asked Zorro.
“Chateau Minuit?” Hawk replied, grinning.
Zorro place a hand on the side of his head, “Madre de mierda,” he sighed.
Hawk laughed, “Watch your language young man, or you’ll get no ice cream.”
“Ice cream?” Busy Bee’s sad face had disappeared completely, and Merry Gold’s was following right along. “I love ice cream!” said both in tandem. They then began listing off what flavors were their favorites and which ones they wished for.
Twilight had snapped back to reality, and concluded that eating ice cream was an idea she could get behind. After all, Pinkie Pie had always given her some in the past when she was, as Pinkie described, “a sad Mc-Sad-y face,” and it cheered her up.
Hawk smiled at Zorro like he had just won a bet, “Well then, shall we play some music?” Hawk turned on the radio, and adjusted the station. After a moment or two of static, he found what he was searching for as a voice spoke from the radio.
“…ey hey hey! It’s me Jim Carter, the bringer of all the good music that you love! It’s time for some news and then some tunes. First up is some news about our little pony friends, taken straight from the mouth of the president. Seems that the first family of settlers is moving out to Yellowstone with a full blown US Marshal for an escort, and possibly the slickest train I’ve ever seen. If you all are listening, then good luck to ya. Here’s a little ditty called Day by Day, sung by the one, the only, Dorris Day. Safe travels friends.”
And with that, melodious tune sprang forth from the radio. They ponies were enamoured with it, and let the lyrics wash over them. Morning Dew in particular was listening intently, always ready to learn a new song.
The car drove away from the house, away from the dead dogs, and Twilight let out a sigh of relief. Every moment they spent getting close to Yellowstone was another moment closer to going home. She drifted off again, this time thinking about transferring back to her old home in Ponyville, back to where things weren’t so violent.
‘Where I won’t have to see dead dogs.’
Death in a MLP Fiction?
Well it is a western!
Allegedly.
Part Five coming in a Week!
Maybe!
I’m no good with deadlines!
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Anonsi
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1232
| 5 |
Original Character,Twilight Sparkle,Alternate Universe,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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The Conversion Bureau: Yellowstone
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A more or less lighthearted adventure with Twilight Sparkle and OCs. Sort of violent.
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complete
| 102 | 7 |
<p>Description: Two years after the camps opened up, the Western Territories of the USA are nearly vacant. It is once more a frontier, ripe for exploration and settlement. On bequest of Princess Celestia, Twilight Sparkle is to experience the human world by joining a family of Pony Settlers on their journey out West. It's Dangerous to go alone however, so in an act of good will, the US government is sending someone to make sure no harm befalls the ponies.</p>
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teen
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2012-03-18T15:20:15+00:00
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2012-03-18T15:20:15+00:00
| 3,242 |
Conversion Bureau Off-Shoot
Based on Blaze’s original idea
Might not follow his world’s rules, but Meh, it’s just a fan-fic of a fan-fic.
By: Anonsi (Writer’s block is bound to hit any second now)
Yellowstone
Part 5:
Den of Vipers
“Are we there yet?”
The morning was passing quickly, and the knot in Twilight’s stomach had changed from one of guilt to one of hunger. It might have been rude, but she could barely think when she was hungry.
“We’ll get there when we get there!” Hawk replied a bit annoyed, but Twilight could tell he didn’t mind her asking. He was as cheerful as anypony she had ever seen for some reason.
“So Hawk,” Tall Leaf interjected, hoping to calm everyone’s stomachs with conversation, “what’s this ‘Shat-toe Min-wee’ like?”
Zorro answered, “Well my friend, it all depends on when you go. Sometimes it is a paradise within a storm, other times it’s like…”
“Getting punched in the jaw and thrown out the door because you made a few too many passes at the owner?” Hawk interrupted, chuckling to himself.
Zorro nodded and laughed, “Yes, it can be like that.”
Tall Leaf looked to Twilight and his family, giving a slightly defeated sigh. “Great,” he said, “another exciting opportunity to get into trouble.”
Twilight’s stomach growled loud enough to gain the attention of Merry Gold, go struggled to contain a giggle. Twilight was less enthused, especially seeing as how the wind was ruining her already unkempt hair. If Rarity was here, she might have had a breakdown about all the dust and messy manes.
‘And the blood.’
Twilight shook her head. She was having trouble suppressing the memory of the previous night and all of its gruesome details. It worried her to think she might never be able to look at another dog again without the image of it bleeding to death on a floor.
“We’re here!” came Hawk’s voice from the front. Twilight and the others all snapped out of their own minds and focused on the big building coming up on the horizon.
It was one of the largest wooden buildings Twilight had ever seen. It was an inn if ever there was one, with dark blue paint that had worn with age. As they got closer, Twilight thought she could discern painted stars lining the door and the many windows. The structure looked like a barn with another one stuck in its side. Together they made a massive ‘T’.
The jeep glided to a stop in the vacant parking lot. The front door of the establishment had a large circular window above it that was lined with silver paint. Twilight’s stomach growled again, louder than last time, possibly angry that it had been neglected for so long.
“Can we eat something now?” she asked.
With a nod, Hawk began to help the passengers out and onto the hot asphalt, which had dry weeds sticking up through the cracks. Busy Bee and Merry Gold ran ahead of the group, mouths watering at the idea of sweet, delicious ice cream. They pushed the double doors open and gazed inside with awe. Busy Bee and Merry Gold looked at each other, and then trotted playfully back to the car.
Busy Bee did an anxious little dance in front of Morning Dew, “C’mon Mom, hurry up! I’m starving!”
Hawk and Zorro were still busy unloading the parents from the car. Tall Leaf was having difficulties with his seat belt. Twilight’s stomach groaned loudly, gaining looks from the others.
“Go on,” said Morning Dew, “We’ll catch up.”
Twilight gave a bashful smile as she pranced over the hot ground and opened the doors with her magic. Her eyes widened at what she saw within.
“Oh,” Twilight breathed, “Luna would love this…”
Inside was a large open room, with the space between the doors and the bar on the far wall filled with tables. The walls painted with a large mural of happy people dancing and singing at a lantern lit festival while stars twinkled above them. There was a staircase on the leftmost wall that led up to a balcony, which itself had a door leading to a hallway. A chandelier hung from the ceiling, and from it hung glittering tin stars.
At the bar, a human woman was busily cleaning the counter top with her back facing Twilight. This human was shorter than Hawk, but she was about the same age if Twilight guessed right. She had blond hair tied in a pony tail by a red bow. From what Twilight could tell from where she stood, the woman had a brown leather vest over an orange over shirt, with its sleeves rolled up and front buttoned. Her shirt was tucked into dusty old blue jeans and the legs of the pants disappeared into worn leather cowboy boots.
‘It’s rude to lurk in doorways dear,’ Rarity’s voice echoed in Twilight’s head. The unicorn decided now was as good as time as any for introductions, “Excuse me miss!”
“Just a second Ma’am, I’m almost finished.” The woman’s voice was strong, but gentle and comforting to hear.
Still, Twilight’s stomach was grumbling quite a lot. “I’d just like to get something to eat. I haven’t eaten anything all morning.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll finish this later I guess.” She moved behind the bar and bent down looking for something. “So, what’ll it be?” the sound of clinking bottles could be heard from behind the bar.
Twilight thought for a moment, deciding to opt for a healthier breakfast than ice cream.
“Daisies if you please,” Twilight responded cheerfully. ‘Finally, something good to eat,’ she thought.
The woman behind the bar laughed, “Daisies? What are you some sort of…” she raised her head from behind the bar finally getting a look at her customer, her blue eyes widening, “…pony?”
Twilight did a polite curtsy, and was honestly surprised at the human’s own amazement at seeing her. She had thought that all humans had seen at least one pony by now.
“Wait here,” said the woman, who walked up the staircase and disappeared into a hallway. Outside Twilight could hear Morning Dew giving Tall Leaf advice to get out of his seat belt, while Hawk, Zorro, and the fillies all laughed their tails off. Twilight chuckled to herself as she found a comfortable looking table.
The human woman emerged from the balcony hallway hefting a heavy looking flower box in her hands. Twilight’s jaw dropped and she couldn’t stop from drooling at what had to be the most beautiful assortment of flowers she had ever seen. The woman placed the box on the table with a thunk, and wiped her hands clean of the soil on her jeans.
“Hope that’s acceptable miss. I don’t think I have any daisies.” She said, unable to contain a smile.
Twilight licked her lips at the bouquet buffet, “My name’s Twilight, and believe me, it’s perfect.”
Finally, the Garden family and the other humans entered the building, Tall Leaf looking quite embarrassed. When the ponies saw what Twilight had at her table, they rushed over and took seats at the Table around her.
“Oh Twilight, you are such a darling buying this feast for everyone!” said Morning Dew biting the petals off a rather lovely looking posy. “Busy Bee, Merry Gold, thank Miss Twilight.”
The fillies removed their heads from a thick patch of tulips, “Thank you Miss Twilight!” they said in tandem before returning to the flowers. Tall Leaf gave a small sigh as he found a flower for himself to chew on.
Fortunately for Twilight, who only gave a small grunt as she devoured a daffodil, there were plenty of flowers and assorted greenery in the box for the entire group to share, though she did worry about the price. A meal like this would run for about forty or so bits in Equestria, and Twilight only brought fifteen, operating under the assumption that she wouldn’t have to use this much.
The humans just watched the ponies dig into their meal. The woman had a look that seemed to regard their eating as cute, Hawk looked a bit discontented at the ravenous consumption of the flowers, and Zorro just stared away from the woman.
“So Megan,” said Hawk, breaking his gaze away from the ponies and towards the woman, “how’re things?”
The woman, Megan, looked at him, her face going neutral, “Oh fine. Between you and the tumble weed, this makes you my first customers all month.” She leaned forward, staring at Zorro for a moment before frowning. “I hope that your friend won’t be making a ruckus like last time.”
Zorro coughed, and Twilight, between chews, thought she saw him blush ever so slightly.
Megan then put her hands on her hips, and turned her frown on Hawk, “And why are YOU galavanting around with a family of ponies? I thought that Joseph was sending his best agent to guard them.”
The entire Garden family was looking up from their meal, when Busy Bee, in a somewhat defensive tone, said, “Hawk is the best Ma’am! He’s the biggest, strongest human I know!” Merry Gold followed up with a “Yeah! And he saved our daddy’s life from wild dogs!”
Megan looked at Hawk with a grin, who just shrugged and replied, “Hey, they think Zorro is the handsomest human on the planet.” Upon saying this, all three humans burst into laughter.
Wiping tears from her eyes Megan moved towards the bar, “Alright fine. I guess seeing as how you’re the biggest and strongest you’ve earned some whiskey.” Megan got behind the bar and looked to the ponies, “Are any of you gentle ponies thirsty? I can whip up some tea real quick, and I think I have some soda somewhere.”
Twilight cleared her throat, “I would love some of whatever you have Ms. Megan.” Upon saying the name, Twilight’s mind seemed to explode with thoughts, ‘Miss Megan? From the diary? Could it be the same person? Should I ask?’ Twilight decided that, after weighing the possible implications, she would wait to ask Megan if she once knew a little girl named Julie.
Tall Leaf and Morning Dew decided to share a cup of tea, much to the playful disgust of their children, who instead chose soda. Megan just smiled and got to work, while Hawk and Zorro sat down at the ponies’ table.
“Mr. Hawk?” Busy Bee said, leading into another Q and A session.
Sighing, Hawk replied, “Yes Busy Bee?”
The filly asked in complete seriousness, “What’s wisskey? Can I have some?”
Hawk and Zorro exchanged smiles, and Twilight heard Megan snort out a laugh from behind the bar.
“I dunno,” answered Hawk, “Whiskey is best drunk with friends, so maybe if everyone drinks.”
“Hawk!” Megan called, slightly aghast, but mostly amused.
Twilight gave a confused glance at Zorro, who only gave a wry smile back. Celestia had told Twilight to never pass up an opportunity to experience new things with friends, and she was curious about humanity’s, non-carnivorous, foods.
“I’ll try some!” called Twilight, who glanced at Morning Dew and Tall Leaf, who nodded and spoke, “Us too!” Busy Bee looked at Merry Gold, and gave a small squeal of excitement. Merry Gold also looked excited, and she tapped her front hooves in anticipation.
Megan just shook her head, “Alright.” She fetched eight glasses from behind the bar and Hawk moved adjacent chairs around their table until there were enough for everypony there. Then Megan brought out a bottle with three “X’s” on it and poured its contents into the eight tiny glasses. “Whenever you’re ready,” she said, “we all drink at once.” Twilight looked at Megan’s smile. It was the same smile as a mischievous child, and though wary of such smiles, Twilight lifted the small glass to her lips.
“Hold onto your butts,” said Hawk, mimicking Twilight. Everypony and every human counted to three in their heads, and in one gulp, drank from their glasses.
Every pony fell out of their chairs either, gasping, spitting, feeling their eyes cross, or laughing like there was no tomorrow. Twilight herself, after the initial burning sensation, couldn’t tell if the room was spinning, or if it was just her eyes. The humans’ laughter was undeniably the most earnest laughter she had ever heard from the species.
After a brief period of being on her back looking at the ceiling spin, Twilight felt her head recover from the shot of whiskey, which was more like one of Applejack’s famous apple-bucks, except Twilight’s face was the tree. Standing up straight, with only one moment of staggering, Twilight saw Zorro leaning over the table, Hawk with a hand on Zorro’s shoulder and the other on his side, and Megan on the floor clutching her sides as if in pain. They were laughing so hard, they were gasping for air. Twilight furrowed her brow at the realization that she had just been pranked.
Morning Dew was on her side with a hoof rubbing the side of her head, moaning slightly, while Tall Leaf was sitting on his hindquarters, his head swaying. The two fillies were on the floor, out cold. The humans were beginning to quiet down and even started to form words, before a hiccup escaped Twilight’s lips, which sent them into another long bout of giggles and gasps.
A little embarrassed, Twilight was relieved when the teakettle started to shout, as Megan pulled herself up from the floor and began preparing the tea. Hawk walked over to the unconscious fillies and picked them up. They were so small compared to him that he held both in his arms. It looked rather sweet from Twilight’s viewpoint.
Through the dying chortles and chuckles, Hawk managed to say, “Megan, I’m going to put these two in the room at the end of the hall. Is that okay?”
“Sure,” said Megan, pulling keys from her jeans, chucking them to Zorro, who caught them with no effort. “Go help him out Z.”
The two departed upstairs, exchanging the occasional laugh. The remaining ponies all took their seats around the table, as Megan began serving tea: a cup for Twilight, another for the Garden family parents, one for Megan, and two more for the others on their return.
“Well,” started Morning Dew, “that was an experience. Do you humans actually drink that…stuff?”
Megan gave a bright smile, her freckles only reminding Twilight more of her friend Applejack, “We sure do, but as Hawk said, only with friends.” She sipped her tea, “Or when you want to knock ponies on their flanks.” Everyone gave a good hearted laugh as they began conversing over tea.
* * *
Evening seemed to sneak up on Twilight, and the last rays from the sun were painting the sky into another beautiful memory that she would cherish. As flat and dusty as this land was, it was beautiful, and she was glad that she came on this little excursion. The complementary bath didn’t hurt her mood either of course. Twilight even got to learn something about human bathing habits. When she first entered the bathroom, Hawk was in the bathtub, and when he noticed her he went red as a beet and told her to get out and wait her turn.
Looking back on it though, Twilight did think it was rather silly. She had no qualms about bathing with other ponies in the room. ‘Maybe humans just like bathing alone?’ Twilight gave a small, refreshed sigh as she moved downstairs. There was still something she needed to take care of before preparing for bed.
Twilight had learned much about the human woman during breakfast. Megan had two horses out back which Twilight got to meet, named T.J. and Buttercup. Twilight was amazed by their size, the two horses were far larger than the ones in Equestria. Apparently, as Hawk told it, humans and horses have been inseparable since before recorded history. Twilight took note of it and planned to write a report about how humans and the other animals of the Human Lands co-existed. She also planned on writing many other reports as well, like the similarities of the ancient Knight’s Code and the Elements of Harmony, or an explanation of magic based on the description Yoda and Obi-Wan gave about the Force.
Megan was at the table they all sat at hours ago wiping off the soil from the flower box, which had been moved some time ago. Megan looked up as Twilight approached, “Well hey there sugar cube! Can I help you with something? Finding your room all in order?”
Twilight felt a smile grow across her face when Megan said ‘sugar cube.’ It lacked the accent of Applejack, but it still made Twilight feel like she was with her old friend again. “Everything is fine Ms. Megan, I was just wondering what we owe you for all of this hospitality.”
“Oh you don’t owe me anything, this is all coming out of your Princess’s piggy bank.”
Twilight was relieved, and then mortified. “Ohmygosh! How much did we spend? Was it a lot?” Twilight moved to the table and put her hooves on her temples. ‘That feast must be at least thirty bits, and the tea is about six, and was the whiskey free? Oh no no no no…’
Megan but a hand on Twilight’s head and said, “All of twenty five dollars: two for the seeds, three for the tea leaves, and twenty for the rooms and baths. In bits however, it’d be about four for the whole thing.”
Twilight stared at her in disbelief. “No way.”
Megan gave a bemused smile, “Yes way. I’m sure your nation’s economy is safe and sound.” She turned and walked to the bar.
A wave of relief washed over Twilight, clearing the air for another question that had been on her mind, “Megan, were you ever a teacher?”
Megan looked at her. “For four whole years, before those camps of yours opened up. Why do you ask?”
Twilight went to her saddlebags, which still lay on the floor next to the table, and extracted the diary. “This belonged to a girl named Julie.” Twilight levitated it over to Megan, who put her hands over her mouth as her eyes began to water.
Megan reached out and grabbed it and opened to first page, and tears started rolling down her face. “Oh Julie-bean,” she said as she went from page to page. After reaching the final entry, Megan had to sit down and close the book. After a few moments of tears, she finally looked back at Twilight, wiping her face of any moisture, “Thank you for showing me this. It’s good to have some closure.”
Twilight stepped next to Megan and did her best to comfort her, “I’m sorry if I brought up bad memories.”
“Far from it,” replied Megan giving a weak laugh, “Julie was one of the sweetest little girls I’ve ever met.” the woman looked off into the distance, her eyes still wet, “God, she would always wear the cutest little bonnet to class every day, and she was so smart, and funny, and…” Megan buried her face into one of her hands, “When she laughed, I swear to God the world got brighter.”
It was a long while before either of them spoke, and several times Twilight wanted to leave Megan alone with her thoughts, but real friends always offer a shoulder to cry on. At least that’s what Applejack told her when Spike and Applebloom accidentally broke Rarity’s prize vase and Rarity went to AJ for support.
Almost without warning Megan gave Twilight a strong hug, and held her tight. “Thank you Twilight,” she said moving back, “I think you should hold onto this.” She held out the diary to Twilight, who began to shake her head but Megan insisted, “I already have memories from my time spent with Julie, and I probably won’t ever see her again. You take this, and if you ever see her again, tell her I said hi, and that I love her.”
Twilight nodded. “I’ll do what I can.” Granted, she couldn’t do much, but Twilight added the task to her mental to-do list none the less.
“How about some wine?” suggested Megan, again wiping any moisture from her face as she stood up.
Wine was something Twilight was familiar with. She and her friends shared a bottle on all their birthdays. “I would love some,” she replied with a graceful nod.
Twilight hadn’t seen Hawk for at least an hour, but she didn’t mind. She had spent her time with her new friend Megan, who was as good natured as Applejack and seemed to have more stories to tell than Twilight had books in her library. Twilight loved every minute of being with her, and for a while, she even forgot that she was talking with a human. It was just her and her new friend Megan. Laughing at each other’s bad jokes and telling their own stories of the good old days.
Morning Dew and Tall Leaf were making their way down from the balcony, both of them looking somewhat ruffled. Tall Leaf was nuzzling his wife’s neck as she hummed sweet music into his ear. Twilight and Megan, warm and fuzzy from the wine, exchanged glances, and then smiled. No question what the loving couple just finished doing in a room they have all to themselves, away from any prying ears. Megan and Twilight started snickering before offering the couple a few glasses of wine.
‘Why do humans need to change? They’re fine the way they are!’ thought Twilight.
A distant memory arose in the back of Twilight’s mind, one from when ponies first met humanity. “Twilight,” her mentor had said, pain heavy in her voice, “These creatures are so savage. They cause cause such pain to each other and the world around them, they live in misery and fear. We cannot stand by any longer. We have to save them and this planet which they have wounded so grievously, before they destroy everything.”
‘But Princess,’ Twilight remembered asking her, ‘They can’t be all bad!’
“I am sure they aren’t my student, but that hardly means they are all good.”
* * *
A long hour later, another car drove into the parking lot. It sounded like it was filled with a lot of people, and Megan’s face darkened as she got up from the table, “Excuse me a moment.” She moved behind the bar with an urgent quickness to her step.
Six men walked through the door, all of them had a gun. Three of them had bandannas over their faces and long coats over their bodies, each of them carrying a shotgun. The lead man was clean shaven, and wore a hat much like Hawk’s. He wore a black shirt with its top three buttons undone, revealing a necklace that had a snake’s skull as its centerpiece. His face was wrinkled and a wicked scar came down from his ear to his mouth. At his side hung a revolver.
The man to his left, who was larger, balder, and fatter but not so much that it would be a liability, had no facial hair at all, but instead wore the most vile smile Twilight had ever seen. He had a stained plain blue shirt on that was too small for his girth and suspender pants that only barely reached his ankles. In his hand was an AK-47.
The third man wore a poncho much like Zorro’s, except it had a diamond design, and a wide brim hat of his own that covered most of his face with shadows. He had boots with spurs on his feet, and a Bowie knife in his hands, which he was fiddling with as he entered.
“Boa, get her,” said the lead man, pointing at Twilight, his voice was soft, but intimidating none the less. The fat one, with a disgusting sort of chuckle, moved towards the young unicorn.
The sound of a gun cocking rang out, “Don’t you touch her you son of a bitch,” Megan called out from behind the bar, now holding a Winchester Repeater that was pointed at the fat man’s head.
Twilight moved back toward Megan, her horn glowing as she readied a spell to bind the strange men. Tall Leaf stood in front of his wife and lowered his head, ready to charge at the possible threat. Morning Dew shrunk behind her husband with a scared look on her face.
The lead man had drawn and fired his revolver at Megan faster than Twilight could blink. One second he was just standing there with a cruel looking smile on his face, the next he had his gun in his hand, its barrel smoking. Megan had fallen down behind the bar, without any sound other than scream and a thump.
The fat one moved again towards Twilight. “Come ‘ere honey!” his voice was guttural, “come to me baby!”
Twilight released her spell and bound his arms and legs together. “What the fu-!?” was all he was able to get out before his face crashed onto the ground.
The lead man sighed and gave the order to the rest of the men. The one in the poncho moved for Tall Leaf, who sent a buck his way, but failed to connect as the man deftly dodged to the side and punched the stallion in the side of the head. Tall Leaf found himself on the floor with a boot on his neck as the man in the poncho lifted Morning Dew into the air by her neck and slammed her onto the table. Within moments he held his bowie knife to her throat, discouraging any squirming she might have attempted..
Twilight panicked as three men in bandanas approached her, each leveling their guns at her.
With a bang, the middle one’s head tuned on its side in a sharp and sudden movement. A spray of red erupting from the wound drew Twilight’s attention. On the balcony stood Hawk, who was fully clothed with his revolver in his hand and an expression on his face that Twilight could only describe as of pure hate.
Hawk pointed his gun at the lead man, “Cottonmouth!”
Cottonmouth looked up, smiling, “Hawk! It’s been too long since we last saw each other. Has it really been all of four years?”
“Let go of the ponies.” Hawk’s voice was dripping with contempt. “Now.”
“Of course last time we saw one another, I was putting a bullet into your back.” Cottonmouth chuckled, “And I’m sorry, but I need that little pony. You see I got big plans for her, but her friends…” he gestured to the man in the poncho, “Well Diamondback isn’t known for his gentle touch. In fact he’s right clumsy with that knife sometimes.” Cottonmouth’s eyes narrowed, “So unless you want that pretty yellow one to see how clumsy he can be, I suggest you drop that gun.”
Twilight began to focus on a blinding spell, like she used on those dogs. She was trying her best to stay calm and not give in to fear, but when two hostile humans were pointing their guns at her, she got anxious. When her horn began to glow, one of the men struck her in the side of the head with the butt of his gun. She wasn’t unconscious, but she was dazed and on the floor.
Hawk’s eyes went wide as he immediately shot the man who struck her, giving the attacker’s throat a new hole from which he bled profusely while gasping for air. Cottonmouth, as quick as Hawk shot his gun, shot at Hawk. Fortunately, Hawk was fast, and with a knee-jerk reaction, avoided the bullet.
“Not another move Agent Hawk. You fire another round and the pretty yellow one dies.”
From Twilight’s position on the ground she saw Megan, a hand was over a deep red spot on her shoulder. She was clenching her teeth, and tears were rolling from her eyes. Megan saw Twilight, and saw the bloody bruise on the unicorn’s head. With her good hand, Megan began reaching for her repeater.
Hawk was shaking all over, and after five very long seconds, dropped his revolver. It hit the floor with a clack. “Whatever you’re planning, you won’t get away with it. I will kill you.”
Cottonmouth let out a laugh, “That’s where you’re wrong Hawk. You won’t be around to stop me. See this time, I’m gonna shoot you in the heart.” Cottonmouth raised his gun, “Not that you got one…”
Cottonmouth fired his gun.
Hawk fell to the floor.
Twilight wanted to scream, but her head was still too blurry to even think. All she could do was to let out a groan, “…Hawk…Megan…”
The magic bindings on Boa released themselves. “About God damn time!” he said, his vile grin returning. He walked over to Twilight, who was struggling to focus. “Oooooh…darlin’ you don’t look so good. C’mere baby…come to Boa…” when he picked Twilight up, she felt him slide his hand between her legs. It was only for a moment, but it left a lasting feeling. If not for the blow from earlier, she would have screamed in protest or slung lightning at him, but all she could do was give a weak cry.
Cottonmouth holstered his gun, “Grab those two Diamondback, we’ll need them. And Boa…” he turned to his fat subordinate, “Keep your hands to yourself till this is over with. I don’t need you or my little friend here distracted. Understand?”
Boa frowned, like a child being denied a cookie, “Even that one?” he asked pointing to Morning Dew, who along with her husband, was being dragged by their throats outside.
“Yes. Now put her in the car. You can play with them till they’re dead AFTER I got what I want from ‘em.”
Boa’s face made a disgusting smile, “Oh good…that’s good.” He stroked Twilight’s mane.
The strangers shoved the ponies into an old army truck that had a canvas covering of the back. Cottonmouth and Diamondback got in back with the ponies, and Boa moved up front to the driver’s position. The last man with the bandana gave a quick look around before moving to leave. Boa started the truck. The bandit walked through the front door.
A loud bang rang out and a small hole exploded in the bandit’s leg. Cottonmouth gave the order to drive off as Megan emerged from the Chateau Minuit and holding the Winchester with her good hand, glaring as she watched the truck drive away faster than she could follow. She looked at the car Hawk had used to get here and saw its tires were slashed. She spat blood out of her mouth and walked over to the downed bandit, who was lying on the ground gripping the new wound in his upper leg.
Megan stood over him scowling. He looked up and spit at her, in some weak attempt at defiance. She brought her boot down on his head, causing his vision to go black.
To Be Continued…
Hawk’s been shot?!
Ponies have been kidnapped?!
Zorro didn’t help?!
Boa does what to ponies?!
All these questions and more may or may not be answered.
It all depends on how my free time looks.
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Anonsi
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1232
| 6 |
Original Character,Twilight Sparkle,Alternate Universe,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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The Conversion Bureau: Yellowstone
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A more or less lighthearted adventure with Twilight Sparkle and OCs. Sort of violent.
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complete
| 102 | 7 |
<p>Description: Two years after the camps opened up, the Western Territories of the USA are nearly vacant. It is once more a frontier, ripe for exploration and settlement. On bequest of Princess Celestia, Twilight Sparkle is to experience the human world by joining a family of Pony Settlers on their journey out West. It's Dangerous to go alone however, so in an act of good will, the US government is sending someone to make sure no harm befalls the ponies.</p>
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teen
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2012-03-18T15:39:40+00:00
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2012-03-18T15:39:40+00:00
| 2,837 |
Conversion Bureau Off-Shoot
Based on Blaze’s original idea
Might not follow his world’s rules, but Meh, it’s just a fan-fic of a fan-fic.
By: Anonsi (Let’s see if I can NOT make this GRIMDARK)
Yellowstone
Part 6:
The Hawk and the Serpent
Hawk got up from his bed as he heard a car pull into the parking lot. He had been relaxing with his friend Zorro and the two pony fillies after a nice bath and some wine, and he had been hoping to have an evening of answering any questions Busy Bee and Merry Gold might come up with. Those plans were dashed when he saw the old army truck roll up. Four armed men hopped out of the back, two came out of the front. Hawk recognized the man coming out of the passenger’s seat immediately.
“Zorro, stay here and whatever happens, keep those two safe.”
Zorro stood up from his bed and tried to hide the concern in his voice, “Come to me niñas.” He scooped up the now very confused fillies and placed them on the bed behind him. “Hawk, what is it?”
“Yeah Mr. Hawk,” asked Bee, “what’s going on?” She gave a sudden look of fright and asked another question, “Is it more wild dogs?!”
Hawk hastily extracted and donned a kevlar jacket from his black duffel bag. There were a few things in this bag he would have liked to bring, but those took time to prepare, and time was not on his side. He covered the vest with his over shirt and duster. He glanced at his friend, and then to the fillies. They looked terrified. So was he to be honest, but he had people to protect so fear wasn’t an option right now.
Hawk answered Zorro’s question with one word, “Cottonmouth.” Zorro nodded and pulled the fillies in closer.
They all heard Megan’s voice from downstairs, “Don’t you touch her you son of a bitch!”
Drawing his revolver Hawk moved out of the room and down the hallway. There was a gun shot. Moving at a run, Hawk reached the balcony overlooking a scene he had hoped never to see, especially on this trip. Two out of three ponies were hostages, Megan was bleeding behind the bar, and three men were advancing on the last pony. Hawk should have shot at Cottonmouth. He knew he should have shot at Cottonmouth, but he didn’t. Hawk took aim at the lead man advancing on Twilight and fired.
Everything after that happened in a blur that ended up with Cottonmouth shooting him in the chest. A great many thoughts raced through his head at first, mostly berating his choice of targets, but eventually there was one that stuck. Hawk was on the ground and his vision was going black, the only thought was one of anger at his failure. In his head, one angry thought kept repeating: ‘NO! GET UP! GET UP AND KILL THEM! KILL THEM ALL!’
* * *
Zorro came into the hallway when he saw the army truck leave. The gunshots had worried him enough, but the fact that it was the bandits getting away made him fear the worst. He couldn’t stop the fillies from following him even if he wanted to, and he truly wish he could if only to spare them from the sights they were about to see.
What Zorro saw first was the body of his friend Hawk, lying on the balcony, bleeding. Busy Bee let out a scream of terror. Rushing over to Hawk’s body, Zorro examined the wound with intense focus. He looked for a pulse and smiled beyond measure when he found one. It was slow, but there, and that was enough.
“Hawk!” Zorro shouted, trying to stir his friend. Merry Gold stood next to him sobbing, while Busy Bee stood on his other side, crying aloud, “Is he okay? Is he gonna be okay?!” tears making small puddles on the ground.
Megan’s voice came from outside, “Zorro! Are the fillies safe?”
Zorro hefted Hawk’s body over his shoulders, responding “Yes Megan, they are safe, but Hawk needs surgery immediately!” Zorro carried Hawk down the stairs and placed him onto the closest table as gently as he could.
Megan entered, dragging a man in behind her with her good arm and flung him onto the floor. “Is he going to make it Z?”
“Maybe. The bullet only just stopped at his heart, though it went through a rib and the kevlar to get there. He should live. Hawk bears a charmed life after all.”
Megan gazed at the fillies who stood on the balcony looking down. Busy Bee and Merry Gold were just staring at the carnage left by the humans. They looked confused and scared, unsure of what was taking place. Merry Gold asked on behalf of Busy Bee, who was far too choked up, “Is Mr. Hawk going to be okay?”
Megan gave them a smile, “You bet. It’ll take more than a bullet to down this hawk.” Megan desperately wanted to believe that, but she had seen men die from less. She did her best to not show any signs of distress. Her shoulder began to hurt again.
“Megan, I need another hand in here,” said Zorro. Megan leaned forward, wincing in pain, and laid her good hand onto Hawk’s.
* * *
The operation seemed like it took an eternity, but eventually Zorro had patched Hawk up the best he could. Megan only having only one good arm slowed matters down, but to the surprise of both humans, Merry Gold came forward to help. More surprising was that she seemed to have a talent for it, remembering even the slightest details and movements almost instantly. When it came time to treat Megan’s wound, Zorro swore Merry Gold could probably have done it herself.
With bloody hands and hooves, the three took to the many chairs that lay strewn over the floor. Busy Bee and Merry Gold sat by Hawk’s side curled up together, and did not seem ready to leave it anytime soon. Zorro and Megan sat a bit of a way off, sharing a bottle of some kind of booze. The label had long ago worn off, and Megan couldn’t remember what it was previously.
Zorro and Megan regarded the man Megan had captured, who was now tied to a chair next to the bar. Zorro had given him the Sherlock Holmes treatment and tried to get an idea where Cottonmouth’s lair might be based on observation alone. Unfortunately, all Zorro got from the attempt was that where ever it was, it was dusty, and a dusty area in the mid west was rather common.
“…geh…t… up” moaned Hawk.
The fillies’ ears perked up and smiles exploded onto their faces. “Mr. Hawk!” shouted Busy Bee, “Megan, Zorro! Mr. Hawk is waking up!”
Hawk opened his eyes. “Where…?”
Zorro moved over his friend, “Amigo! You’re alive!” Zorro put his hand onto Hawk’s and gave it a squeeze. Megan also stood next to the wounded man, and though she didn’t say anything, her tears and smile spoke volumes.
Hawk continued, his tone void of all emotion, “Cottonmouth. Where is Cottonmouth?”
Zorro gave a small sigh, “We do not know yet, but we have one of his men. I was thinking that with the right persuasion he would talk.”
Hawk began to sit up, “Where is he?”
“Over there, tied up. He’s unconscious,” Megan gave a small laugh, “guess I hit him too hard.”
Hawk got up with a grunt, much to the discouragement of Megan and Zorro. The fillies were awestruck however. After all, Hawk was back. He and Zorro would save their parents from the bad humans. Not even guns could stop him.
Hawk lurched towards the bound man, “Well. I’d say it’s time to rise and shine.” Hawk unsheathed his knife.
It was then Busy Bee really saw his face. Saw it wasn’t the Hawk she knew standing there before them. Sure he looked the same and had the same face, but his eyes were all wrong. They were darker, more menacing, and the air around him lost that comforting aura Busy Bee had come to know. It was instead replaced with something cold. With every second of this realization, the filly’s joy faded and was replaced with a growing unease. Without question, he looked angry.
“Busy Bee. Merry Gold. Go to your room with Megan.” Hawk’s voice was cold and sharp, and demanded obedience. The two fillies left without a word, neither of them dared to look back. Megan followed them as fast as she could, and closed the door to the fillies’ room. She sat on the bed with them, trying to think of ways to assuage their fears.
“Miss Megan,” started Busy Bee, “What’s wrong with Hawk?”
Megan gazed at the small pony, debating whether to tell the truth. “Hawk is very…” she was never any good at lying, “…protective. If someone or something hurts the people he cares about, he gets very angry.” Somehow, the news that Hawk cared about them didn’t comfort the two fillies. Their thoughts had recalled the movies they had watched on the train. They were worried that Hawk was turning towards the Dark Side.
Downstairs, Hawk had begun to wake up the unconscious prisoner. Smelling salts proved effective enough, and the prisoner was well awake within a minute or two. The prisoner looked up, and stared at Hawk defiantly. Hawk began his interrogation by pinning the man’s hand to the bar with his knife. The man let loose a scream that chilled everyone to the bone. Everyone save Hawk, who only scowled harder.
Hawk drew close to the man, looking him dead in the eye, “You are going to tell me everything about Cottonmouth’s whereabouts, and what his plans are.”
* * *
It was dawn when Twilight opened her eyes. Her head still hurt, but at least now she could think somewhat straight. As far as she could tell, she was in an old iron jail cell, in an old wooden building, no doubt in some old human town. Across from her in another cell were Morning Dew and Tall Leaf. Both seemed no worse for wear, though it looked like they both had done an awful lot of crying during the night. Outside the cells, there was a door to her right that led outside, and to her left was a desk beneath a barred window.
Cottonmouth was sitting at the desk, his boots propped up on it. The one called Diamondback stood behind him. Diamondback’s hat had made his face too shadowy to make out, but Twilight could tell he was looking at her, and it was not a kind look.
Cottonmouth spoke, “Finally, she’s conscious.” He stood up and walked in front of Twilight’s cage, Diamondback following close behind.
Twilight rose to her hooves, albeit wobbly, if for no other reason than to not show weakness to her captor. “Why have you kidnapped us?” she asked, the words barely audible.
“Because,” said Cottonmouth, “I need your help with a little favor.”
Twilight was taken a bit off guard with that statement, “Why in the name of all that is good would I help you?”
“Because if you don’t, or if you fail to do what I ask,” his face came level with hers, “I’ll let Boa have his way with that pretty mare over yonder. He’ll do things to her. Vile things that should only exist in nightmares. And I’ll make you watch every second of it. Every wicked, depraved second. She’ll beg to die before it’s over, but it’ll only get worse. That’s why I know you’ll help me, because you ponies can’t stand to see another one of your own suffer.”
Twilight looked on the human with horror. What scared her most was that her was absolutely right. She couldn’t let Morning Dew or Tall Leaf suffer even if helping them meant helping Cottonmouth. Twilight lowered her head, “I…I’ll help, just please don’t hurt us. What do you want from me?”
A grin grew across Cottonmouth’s face. His reply was cold, “Listen good: all I need you to do is make some of that ponification potion you all use in those camps, but with a little added condition.” He leaned against the bars, “Leave out that bit that takes away all the bad in a man. If you do this for me, you all go free.”
Twilight was stunned. “That’s it?” she asked surprised, “You kidnapped us, threatened us with torture, and killed other humans for that?!”
“Yes, simple as that. That is if you make it right. Now, we got an understanding?” He locked eyes with Twilight’s, sending a shiver down her spine.
Twilight knew there was something bigger at work in that man’s head, but she dared not show any defiance. Not yet anyway. “I’ll need some ingredients.”
Diamondback threw a notepad and pencil into Twilight’s cell. Cottonmouth stood up straight, saying, “Then you’d best make a shopping list. You have three days before I make good on that, ‘threat’ Miss Twilight. Do not try any of that magic of yours either. If you do, the husband starts losing body parts.”
Cottonmouth left, leaving Diamondback with the ponies, leaning on the desk. Morning Dew began to cry all over again, and Tall Leaf was doing his best to comfort her, but he was tearing up too.
Twilight began scrawling the names of ingredients she would need, tears from her own eyes dropping onto the paper. She looked out the window above the desk and saw a tree. In the tree was a hawk, and in its beak was a dead snake. Her tears stopped flowing, and a warmth started to fill her.
A tiny fire of hope arose in Twilight, ‘A good omen if ever I saw one.’
* * *
It had taken an hour, a couple of threats and Zorro’s good cop routine, but Hawk had managed to extract the location of Cottonmouth’s lair from the prisoner, a Mr. Henry “Copperhead” Sweets. A ghost town from back during the gold rush, named Sweet Water. Hawk also learned that Cottonmouth had seventeen other men, not counting his lieutenants, a private jet hidden somewhere that was fueled and ready to transport him anywhere in the country, sub machine guns and shotguns out the ass and a mountain of ammo. Doing a frontal assault was not the ideal plan.
“Anything else I should know about Cottonmouth, Henry?” Hawk loomed over him, holding his revolver against the prisoner’s head. “Like what he wanted with the unicorn?”
The prisoner stammered, blood loss from his pinned hand taking its toll, “He…he only said he needed…Needed it for the potion they make. The ponification...That’s all I know I swear! Please let me go…please!”
Hawk began to squeeze the trigger. Zorro however, placed his hand on his partner’s shoulder, which gave Hawk pause long enough for him to reconsider. Hawk knocked the prisoner unconscious with a swift punch to the face. His chest gave out another painful stab.
After moving the prisoner into the back room, Zorro treated his wounds, much to Hawk’s displeasure. “Hawk,” said Zorro before he had left the room, “don’t lose focus on me. You coming close to that edge that I’ve seen a lot of men fall off of. I would rather not see you become a murderer.”
Hawk considered the words, but only replied with a grunt. He walked into the main hall, and saw Megan on the balcony, shaking her head. “Did you have to make him bleed all over the bar? I have to clean that you know.” She gave a weak smile in an attempt to lighten the mood, and the sides of Hawk’s mouth did crack into an ever so small grin, if only for a second.
“Megan,” he said, “get three coffins ready. It’s time we reunited Cottonmouth with his boys.”
Megan gave him quite a look, like he had asked her to give him the moon. “You ask for the damndest things Hawk.”
Hawk just walked into the back room, and then through the back door and into the stable where Megan kept her two horses. T.J. and Buttercup stood waiting, and looked at Hawk as he entered. T.J. was an older golden-brown mare with white spots on her flanks and one right between her eyes, whereas Buttercup was a completely black stallion whose youth made him strong. Hopefully strong enough to cart three coffins and a wagon by himself.
Zorro walked in, carrying Hawk’s duffel bag. “So amigo, who are the three coffins for?” he said, picking up a saddle. “Cottonmouth and his two friends I hope.”
Hawk put his hand over his heart, wincing, “Nah. One’s for me.
* * *
In the time after Cottonmouth had left, Twilight had noticed several things about their guard Diamondback. He never moved, he never blinked, and he never spoke. He just watched. Until Boa entered the room that is.
Twilight saw Diamondback give a disgusted look as the fatter man approached with three plates of day old cabbage. ‘Edible but hardly appetizing,’ thought Twilight. Tall Leaf and Morning Dew both leaned away from Boa as he passed. Boa blew Morning Dew a kiss which made Twilight want to vomit, a sentiment which Diamondback seemed to share.
“It’s noon sweethearts, that means you get to eat! You’ve got to keep your strength up after all,” he eyed both Twilight and Morning Dew, “don’t want to be weak for all the fun we’ll be having later.” He turned to Diamondback, vile grin dissipating, “Your shift is over, these lovelies are under my watch now.”
In an instant Diamondback had slammed Boa’s head onto the desk and put his knife in the fat man’s face. “I seem to recall,” Diamondback’s voice was scratchy and stern, “Cottonmouth said that you weren’t to come within fifty feet of those things.” He inched the knife close to Boa’s eye, “Gave orders to kill you if you had a problem with that. And you know me Boa,” the knife point danced over Boa’s cheek, “I do so love following orders.”
After quieting a panicked breath with a gulp, Boa finally gave out a few weak chuckles, “O-okay Diamondback, you’ve made your point. I got it. I’ll be patient just like the boss said to be. I’m going now.” Diamondback let him up, and Boa walked out the door looking back nervously, scowling every so often.
When he was gone, Diamondback slid the plates of food through the bars with his foot, and then returned to his position. Morning Dew looked up at him after he resumed his waiting. “Thank you,” she said, again lowering her head to her meal. His face did not move an inch, and his eyes didn’t flicker with the acknowledgement that she had said anything.
Twilight began her own meal going over what she had learned so far today. ‘One, Diamondback does not like Boa. Two, lunch comes at noon. Three, Diamondback doesn’t seem to care what happens to us, he just follows orders like a soldier ant or something…’ She looked out the window again, the hawk had left, but there was a feather in the tree that it had left behind, which was enough to keep that little fire of hope alive. ‘…I can work with this, I just have to think. What would a clever pony do? Or hay, what would a deceitful human do?’
Twilight got an idea, but it involved Morning Dew and she wouldn’t like it. In fact, Twilight was pretty sure that no pony would like it.
* * *
Busy Bee was getting impatient, anxious, and a whole lot of other adjectives that meant she wanted to do something other than sit in a room and wait. “Where are they?” she asked, “When are they gonna save mom and dad?”
Merry Gold lay on the bed, “I don’t know, but I hope it’s soon. I miss mom’s songs, and dad’s dumb looks he gives her.”
“Even if they are gross!” said Busy Bee beginning to laugh. Despite herself, Merry Gold joined in with a giggle as sweet as a bird’s song. It was the first real laugh either of them had since last night, and it was well received. It made it seem like everything was going to be fine.
“Now that is a sound I like hearing,” Zorro’s voice came from the door. His face showed equal signs of bemusement and worry.
“Zorro! Are you and Hawk going to get our parents now?” Busy Bee’s hopeful smile was almost more than the swordsman could bear.
“Soon little one,” he crouched down to one knee, “Hawk, Megan, and I are all going to get them back. We have a plan, and your two’s job in it is to help Megan.” He gave a look like he didn’t agree with what he just said, but he said it, and the fillies almost exploded with joy.
Busy Bee was beyond excited to know she would be helping to save her parents. They were bound to succeed now, she thought, nothing could stop her from getting her parents back. Not even getting shot would stop her. She’d be just like Hawk: brave and unstoppable, ignoring bullets like they were nothing.
Hawk, meanwhile, was barely able to stand. That bullet had done quite a number on him and without something to focus his hate on, his adrenaline rush was wearing off and made the pain in his chest all the more intense. It was past noon and Hawk’s plan was coming together. Zorro would be working his ass off to get those coffins ready, and Megan was busy bringing out an old horse drawn wagon.
Hawk had busied himself by going over the contents of his duffel bag. When everything was all laid out like this, he tended to question if he was paranoid, or compensating for something. He shook his head, concluding that he was just prepared. Of course having three handguns, two magnums, three rifles, one high powered sniper rifle, a collapsible RPG launcher, a couple pounds of C-4, a fold-up crossbow, a hundred feet of rope with grappling hook, twelve sticks of dynamite, an assault rifle, an auto shotgun, a double barreled sawed-off shotgun, and a enough ammo to keep each weapon well fed for an entire minute of non-stop firing, did seem a little overkill.
“Son of a bitch,” said Megan as Hawk placed a small flame thrower on the ground next to the rest of his armory, “Do I get any of these?”
Hawk turned, trying to block out the pain, “Is the wagon ready?”
Megan gave Hawk a dry look, “Yes, and Buttercup is hitched to the front of it.” Megan began walking around Hawk, “Why are we bringing the little ones Hawk? They don’t need to see this.”
Hawk was silent for a bit before saying, “Because they were going to follow us out there whether we wanted them or not. It’s just how these Equestrian ponies are I guess, especially the kids.” He sat on a large wooden box, “They just have to help. Even if we don’t want them to.”
Megan gave a thoughtful nod. “C’mon,” she said, “Zorro’s earning his keep today. He made lunch.” She left for the bar room, leaving Hawk alone.
‘First lunch…’ Hawk thought to himself, moving towards the bar, ‘ ...and then, revenge.’
To be Continued.
Next chapter: Shit goes down
Gunfights, swashbuckling, explosions, and cute little ponies!
Seriously though, next chapter’s delivering the action I promised
If it doesn’t I’m going to be very cross
And let’s see if you guys can figure out the plans
Place your bets!
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Anonsi
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1232
| 7 |
Original Character,Twilight Sparkle,Alternate Universe,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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The Conversion Bureau: Yellowstone
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A more or less lighthearted adventure with Twilight Sparkle and OCs. Sort of violent.
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complete
| 102 | 7 |
<p>Description: Two years after the camps opened up, the Western Territories of the USA are nearly vacant. It is once more a frontier, ripe for exploration and settlement. On bequest of Princess Celestia, Twilight Sparkle is to experience the human world by joining a family of Pony Settlers on their journey out West. It's Dangerous to go alone however, so in an act of good will, the US government is sending someone to make sure no harm befalls the ponies.</p>
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teen
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2012-03-18T16:23:43+00:00
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2012-03-18T16:23:43+00:00
| 2,883 |
Conversion Bureau Off-Shoot
Based on Blaze’s original idea
Might not follow his world’s rules, but Meh, it’s just a fan-fic of a fan-fic.
By: Anonsi (It’s almost over!)
Yellowstone
Part 7:
Judgment Day
When night fell, two armed men came into the jail where Twilight, Morning Dew, and Tall Leaf were being kept under the watchful eye of Diamondback. Their warden had not moved since morning and had not spoken except when he confronted Boa. If not for the fact that he blinked once every hour or so, Twilight would have believed him to be made out of wax.
A bandit walked over to him and said, “Boss is back sir, and he wants the unicorn in his office.”
Without a sound, Diamondback reached around behind himself and withdrew old iron keys as he moved towards Twilight’s cage. With a loud clatter he unlocked the cell door, and in a voice that seemed to be dripping with venom, simply said, “Move.”
Twilight shuffled out with her head lowered, and took a long glance at the parents of the Garden family. Their expressions showcased a certain hopelessness that gave her a sense of unease. Twilight was then escorted outside by the two unnamed bandits, one in front and one behind, while Diamondback went back to his previous position at the desk.
Outside it was cold and dark, with oil lanterns signifying the few buildings that were inhabited. The buildings themselves reminded Twilight of Appleloosa, except older, and much less friendly. Scanning all she could in her march, she discovered that the layout of this town was remarkably similar to the Equestrian frontier village.
There was a large building with swinging doors and a lot of noise within, ‘That must be the saloon,’ thought Twilight, squinting in the darkness for any other obvious landmarks she could use later. ‘Bell tower, the jail of course...’ The convoy approached a building at the end of the main street which seemed larger than the other buildings, except for the saloon. ‘Mayor’s office perhaps? Why are all these buildings so far apart? It makes my whole plan a bit more complicated than it needs to be.’
As the trio approached the front door, it opened to reveal Boa , who stood grinning at Twilight. She experienced a very uncomfortable shiver down her spine, with the simultaneous urge to puke.
“Well howdy doo,” said Boa swaying a pistol about as he spoke, “I’ll take her from here boys.”
The guard in back hit Twilight’s flank with the butt of his gun, “Go on. Get moving.”
Twilight’s hooves felt like lead. ‘This is it Twilight. Let’s hope Boa is as stupid as he is ugly and wicked.’ She moved forward, her head slightly higher than previously. As she passed Boa, she heard him lick his lips, and used every ounce of her willpower not to cringe.
The interior of what was indeed the mayor’s office and home was lavishly decorated with fine rugs, oil lanterns and Twilight could hear music being played from somewhere in the house. The lobby was large, and had four possible escape routes. The front door, the huge stairway that led to the second floor, and hallways on either side of the lobby.
Boa closed the front door and moved behind Twilight, “This way honey pot.” He pointed his gun to the door on the left of the room. He then gestured for Twilight to go first saying, “Go on sweetie, don’t be scared, I’ll be right behind you.”
‘Oh Celestia, I am going to have nightmares over this.’ Twilight gulped down her fear and enacted step one of her plan. “Thank you Mr. Boa. I feel much better in the presence of a Big, Strong, man like you.” Twilight tried to coat every word of that sentence with whatever feminine charm she had picked up from Rarity. ‘Now to see if my guess was right.’
Boa leaned his head in close to Twilight’s, while placing his free hand on Twilight’s flank. “Well ain’t that the nicest thing I heard all day.” His breath was awful, but the mare was able to give a shaky smile.
“Why, Morning Dew thinks that you should be the one giving that Diamondback orders. You’re obviously stronger than him, and she thinks you have so much more…” Twilight gulped down some vomit, “…charisma.”
After a small silence, he looked down slightly, mumbling to himself, “…I won’t need to be stronger than him if I put a bullet in him…” The hand on Twilight’s hindquarters gave a slap to her flank, eliciting a surprised noise from the unicorn. “Can’t keep the boss man waiting any longer darlin’. But don’t you fret, we’ll be together real soon.” He pointed at the door again with his gun hand, and Twilight moved towards it with as much swiftness as she could without breaking into a gallop.
‘I am never doing that again.’
The door opened slowly, revealing a fully equipped chemistry lab with boxes on the far wall. There was even a large cauldron in the center of the room. Cottonmouth was sitting in a comfortable looking chair, where he sat fiddling with the snake skull of his necklace.
“Come into my den Miss Twilight. I got you your materials, now you make me my potion. Then you and your friends all get to leave.”
He was obviously lying, and Twilight gave a slight grunt as she moved towards the materials these bandits had no doubt killed for. “I still don’t see why you want me to do this for you. It doesn’t make any sense.”
Cottonmouth let out a small laugh under his breath, “Tell you what. You get done fast enough, and I might tell you what all this is about.”
Not the answer she was hoping for, but it was enough to get her curious. Twilight set her mind to the task at hand. In reality, making the potion wouldn’t take long at all, but Cottonmouth didn’t know that. And every second she could stall this crook would be worth it. She knew Hawk would be coming for her, and he would need the time to prepare.
* * *
Zorro sat at the front of a wagon steering the stallion, Buttercup. Zorro never knew why Megan named the poor boy that, but despite his name, the horse was fierce and powerful. The three coffins in the back of the wagon weren’t top quality, but they would serve their purpose in Hawk’s plan. Zorro just hoped it worked.
Megan rode up next to Zorro on T.J. who also carried two saddle bags, with a sleeping filly in each.
“We should be there by sunrise. Hopefully Cottonmouth lets his boys sleep in,” Megan said, eying the coffins with worry.
Zorro smirked at the thought, “And I hope you are a good shot with that new toy Hawk gave you.” Zorro pointed at the sniper rifle holstered on the side of T.J.
Megan returned the comment with a smile, “And I hope you can still use that sword of yours. It might be embarrassing if it turned out you were all talk.”
They both allowed themselves a small laugh in order to quiet their nerves. They were walking into a bad situation and they knew it. The fillies were a great help squashing the fear Zorro and Megan had felt. They had the unwavering belief that everything would be fine, just like in the cartoons, and despite it all, Zorro believed it right along with them.
* * *
Twilight had stalled for about four hours. ‘Long enough,’ she thought. “There. Now we let it sit overnight, and it’ll be ready for the enchantment.Then you can let me and my friends go.” The large cauldron next to her bubbled with boiling water and tea leaves. Twilight considered taking a sip of possibly the most delicious brew of Sweet Honey Apple tea she had ever made, but decided against it.
Cottonmouth let out a tired sigh, “Only if it does what I want. And why don’t you just cast the enchantment now?”
Twilight gave a neutral look, “The ritual dictates that the enchantment must be cast when the brew is hit by the first rays of morning.” It didn’t of course, but it should buy enough time for her plan to go through.
Cottonmouth frowned, “But why?”
“It’s magic. That’s just how it works.” Twilight retorted, ‘I don’t have to explain manure, especially to him.’
With a scowl Cottonmouth snapped his fingers twice, and Boa entered the room. “Escort the unicorn to her cell.”
“With absolute pleasure sir!” Boa gave a bowed slightly, gesturing for Twilight to come to him while he pointed his gun at her with his other hand. How could she refuse that charm?
When they left the manor, Boa slowed his pace and got behind Twilight. She kept walking, trying to quicken her pace without it being too noticeable. She could only guess at what Boa was doing behind her, but everything she thought of made her sick.
To her great amazement, Twilight was actually relieved when she caught sight of Diamondback, standing on the porch of the jail. At least Boa couldn’t touch her now, but she still needed to proceed to step two of her plan.
“Oh Mr. Boa,” Twilight cooed softly, “Would you be so kind to bring breakfast to us early? For the sake of Morning Dew? She’d be so grateful, that I’d bet she’d be liable to do anything to thank you for it.” ‘I hate this plan. I really, really, hate this plan.’
Boa didn’t respond, but she did hear him give a hum that sounded like he accepted. As they approached, Diamondback stood to the side of the door. Boa was about to give Twilight a spank on her rump, but Diamondback’s glare reminded him of Cottonmouth’s orders. With that, Diamondback led Twilight to her cell across from the couple, who were asleep. Twilight also had to get some rest, so she found a comfy enough place on the floor to lay down.
If everything went according to plan tomorrow morning, Boa and Diamondback would get into a fight, and Twilight would teleport herself and the other two ponies to safety. True she didn’t have a plan to live out on the plains and prairies, but she knew Hawk would be along soon. He was the best after all.
‘Tomorrow is going to be an exciting day,’ she thought as sleep overtook her.
* * *
It was before sunrise when Twilight was nudged awake by a boot. Her bleary eyes focused on Diamondback’s scowl.
“Move,” he said, his tone as venomous as ever.
As much as Twilight was disgusted to admit, she really wanted Boa to show up right now. ‘Oh no. Oh no, no, no. Show up you monster!’ Twilight dragged her hooves as she walked out of the cage, ‘C’mon! Where are you? Did he see through the lie? Was it not convincing?’
Twilight’s slowness earned her a kick to the rump from Diamondback, “Move faster.”
Twilight quickened her pace slightly, gazing at Morning Dew. She and her husband were watching her go, their eyes full of fear and concern. Twilight could only respond with a pained look of her own towards Morning Dew. ‘This is not good. Not good at all.’
The main street was deserted except for a few patrolling guards. Diamondback seemed to be the one escorting her to the mansion today, which bothered Twilight immensely. If he wasn’t in the jail, then Twilight had practically thrown Morning Dew into the lion’s mouth. Her mind raced at possible ways to fix this problem. She was drawing a blank as she and her captor grew nearer to the mansion.
Boa opened the front door, arms gesturing for the pair to enter, “Come on Diamondback. Cottonmouth is getting antsy.” Boa blew a kiss towards Twilight as she passed.
Twilight entered the mansion followed by Diamondback. The unicorn breathed a sigh of relief when Boa closed the door and pursued them. At least the fat man would be with her instead of alone with Morning Dew. Twilight was brought into Cottonmouth’s den, where he and three other goons stood waiting. Cottonmouth had a box on his chair that was making tweeting noises.
Cottonmouth stepped forward, looking tired and frustrated, “Almost sunrise little one. Better hope you made this elixir right, or you and your friends are gonna suffer like never before.”
‘I won’t let that happen. I can’t let that happen. I just hope Hawk is on his way…’ thought Twilight, her mind focusing onto the present task. She approached the cauldron and regarded it with tired eyes. The water was boiling, and the tea leaves she had put into it had long since sank to the bottom.
The contents didn’t matter of course. The water they handed out at the ponification camps was just water with grape flavoring and a powerful sleeping drug in it. The actual work came from the enchantment that was placed on the water. The reason the subject needed to be asleep was because the transformation process from human to pony was not a painless one.
Twilight’s thoughts drifted to the first day a human was turned into a pony. She was there, in the lab with the human doctors and pony magicians. Even the Princesses were there. The human’s name was Cathy Barnes, or something similar. Twilight heard that she had a condition known among humans as ‘battle fatigue.’
Twilight remembered that Cathy had come to, ‘get rid of the nightmares,’ and to stop the pain. When the test started, and the transformation began, Twilight remembered closing her eyes as Cathy’s body started to rearrange itself. She remembered Cathy’s screams, and the sound of bones snapping to fit the new body. By the end though, Cathy was fine. She was weak from the experience, but she had become happy, and couldn’t stop saying ‘thank you’ to every pony there. No pony was pleased with what had happened, but that was how the spell worked. All they could do was offer a remission from the pain.
“Here it comes,” Cottonmouth’s words interrupted Twilight’s trip down memory lane.
As she prepared to cast the enchantment, she considered throwing in a sleep spell out of habit, but eventually came to the conclusion, ‘Nah.’
The tip of her horn glowed with violet light as the sun peeked out from behind distant hills, and its rays cascaded down the main street and in through the windows. Twilight released the spell, and the water sparkled for a few seconds, like fireflies were caught inside the boiling waters, before dissipating completely.
Twilight felt that her time had run out, and now would be the moment to get out of town. “There’s your ponification potion, and I hope you’re satisfied. Now can you please release me and my friends?”
Cottonmouth regarded the brew, then looked at Twilight and gave a cold glare, “When we know it works. That was the deal. Anaconda, you’re up.” One of the goons stepped forward and grabbed a small glass from a cabinet.
Anaconda dunked the cup into the cauldron and took a drink. After two seconds of nothing, he dropped the glass onto the floor. It bounced off the wood and rolled towards the door. The man gripped his sides and moaned in agony as one of his legs bent at an odd angle with a snap, sending him to the ground.
Twilight couldn’t look, but all the humans seemed to be watching intently. Cottonmouth even seemed to be smiling. Anaconda was beginning to shrink in size and began to grow gray fur from his skin as his hair color turned into a deep shade of black. His hands balled up into fists, and skin grew over his fingers and knuckles which began cracked and broke into what would soon be hooves.
After a minute of screams and crunching noises, Anaconda now stood at Twilight’s height with a gray coat, black mane, and a storm cloud as his cutie-mark. Cottonmouth stepped forward, “Can you move?” he asked. Anaconda took a few practice steps and nodded.
Cottonmouth reached for the box on his chair that had tweeting noises coming from it. He opened it up to reveal three newborn chicks. He dumped them on the floor with a simple instruction to Anaconda, “Kill them.”
“What?!” screamed Twilight, “Why? They’re just chicks! Please don’t-!” Tears were already forming in her eyes, but when she looked at Cottonmouth, he just gave her a cruel smile.
Twilight shouted something as Anaconda hoofed one into the fire that kept the pot boiling, and proceeded to crush the other two underneath his front hooves. All that was left was a mess of feathers and red.
Cottonmouth nodded his approval, “Good work Miss Twilight. It seems your spell has left Anaconda with his love of killing small animals. You’ve kept your end of the bargain, so I guess I should reward you for your hard work while my boys clean up this little…” he glanced at the red and yellow stains, “…mess.” With a few quick gestures he motioned for the pot of tainted ponification water to be moved elsewhere, and for all but Boa and Diamondback to leave.
Cottonmouth sat in his chair, looking at Twilight who stood silent, tears running down her cheeks. “You must be thinking, ‘why’?” he said, “Am I right? Why go to such trouble?” His wicked smile returned, “Power, pure and simple. You see it’s hard for an outlaw like myself to make a living in the civilized world, with all these U.S. Marshals and ponies running around. Things are getting to orderly for me to run a business.” He gazed out the window, squinting, “You see I need there to be a certain amount of misery and chaos to operate to sell my fine wares. I was making a killing before you four legged freaks showed up. The cities were teeming with people ready to buy the poison I peddled, but that damn princess of yours showed up and ruined everything.”
He again faced Twilight, looking her in the eye with malice, “So I went out west. Less people. Less police. Less hassle. Less money too. But then I heard about those potions that turned men into abominations like you, and I thought to myself, ‘Would that change anything into a pony?’” Cottonmouth’s gaze turned darker, and his words colder, “So I snuck into one of those camps, and stole some of that potion. I gave it to my dog, and sure enough, he turned into a pony.” He began to laugh to himself while he spoke, “Most retarded one I ever saw too. Damn thing thought it was still a dog. But it gave me an idea.”
Cottonmouth looked at to the two stains on the floor, smiling, “You see, this potion of yours seems to only turn things into one of three things: your normal freaks, like those two I’ve got in the jail right now, horned ones like you, and those winged ones. I figure that anything that isn’t one of those three is vulnerable to this potion. So I would use it to turn that Immortal Sun Goddess of yours into a mere mortal, and fill her veins with so much poison that she’d bleed green.” Twilight reeled at the thought, that one human could be so insane as to want to kill the mare that wanted nothing more than to save humanity from itself.
“Of course I couldn’t get close to her,” Cottonmouth continued, “And if I took the form of one of you things via the potion at one of your camps, I would not want to kill her. So I needed an assassin that was pony in shape, but a killer at heart.” He pointed at Twilight and gave her a big smile, “An assassin you provided. Tomorrow, during the debate between the…” Cottonmouth rolled his eyes, “…Human Liberation Front and your beloved princess, Anaconda will slip her the poisoned drink and turn into a simple pony. Then my very best poison will kill her in front of millions worldwide. When that sister of hers sees her sibling’s corpse fall on that stage, why I suspect she will blame the HLF and cause an inter species incident.” Cottonmouth clapped his hands together, “A war will start in all of its glory, and all of its horror.”
Twilight was flabbergasted. “You’re completely insane. What makes you think they won’t find out it was you who did this?”
Cottonmouth gave a thoughtful stare at the unicorn, “Because I know that the young princess Luna has some,” he twirled his hand in the air, “Baggage. Baggage that makes her into a monster of vengeance and hate. A monster that will blindly kill hundreds of thousands of humans for what they did to her sister. But thanks to you, in the chaos of this coming war, not only will I not be human. I’ll be a four legged freak like you, but still be able to gget rich from selling arms and drugs to the inevitable human resistance.” He smirked to his lieutenants, “Though I wonder if ponies can get off on cocaine?”
“But that’s hardly your problem,” he said as he pulled his pistol from its holster and pointing it towards Twilight, “My sources tell me that you are that divine bitch’s star student, so in case things go south you are going to stay with me as my star hostage.”
Twilight knew that nothing she could say would help her situation, and talking about the other two might get them killed. Or worse. So Twilight remained silent, and gave Cottonmouth the most hate filled glare she could muster.
“Boss!” came a voice from outside, “BOSS!”
“Diamondback, go see what that idiot’s up to.” Diamondback left the room without a word, leaving the door open.
Twilight was left with nothing but her thoughts, ‘This is insane. Why are they like this? What happened to make them like this? Oh Celestia I couldn’t save Morning Dew or Tall Leaf. I can’t save you.’ Her head lowered as she began to sob, ‘I can’t save myself.’
“A wagon just showed up. Says he’s an arms dealer that just got some good swag from an abandoned military depot. Says he can get us more, if the money is right. I put him in the barn under guard.” Diamondback looked at Cottonmouth through the door, who nodded. Diamondback then proceeded out to the barn.
Cottonmouth chuckled, saying, “Sometimes I think I’m just too lucky. By the way Boa,” he said to the fat man, “We won’t be needing those other two. Go have fun with them.” Boa’s face spread into a devious smile as he nearly skipped out the room towards the jail, leaving Cottonmouth alone with Twilight. She just looked at the two stains on the floor, sobbing every so often. “Might as well get comfy,” said her captor, “Won’t be long now until the world as you know it changes.”
* * *
Boa entered the jail, key in hand to the cell with the two ponies. His excitement was extraordinary, and his patience was thin as is. The two ponies looked up, and Tall Leaf stood above his wife to defend her. He seemed to know what was coming.
“Hey there sweet stuff, I don’t think me an’ you have been acquainted quite yet.” He licked his lips as he fumbled with the lock. As he opened the door, Tall Leaf charged him, but Boa gave him a backhand to the face with enough force to send the stallion down to the floor stunned. Morning Dew screamed as the fat man grabbed her mane and dragged her out of the cell. Boa merely giggled to himself “Yes! That’s it! I like it more when they struggle!”
He shut the cell door, locking Tall Leaf inside and unable to help. Boa brought Morning Dew over to the desk and threw her onto of it, keeping her head pinned so she couldn’t raise it or look away from the wall. His grip prevented her from bucking at him, leaving her with the grim realization that all she could do was scream.
“That’s what I want to hear! Shout it out for that husband of yours to hear!” Boa began to chortle as he began to slide off his overalls, making Morning Dew cry even louder. “Oh darlin’,” moaned Boa, “when I’m through with you, your ass is gonna be red and bloody!”
*click* “So will that wall when I’m through with you.”
Boa turned to see the business end of a double barreled sawed-off shotgun. All he could get out was, “FU-” before Hawk pulled the trigger for both barrels.
* * *
Zorro stood behind four of the bandits, his hand on his cleverly concealed sword, waiting for Hawk’s signal. So far the plan was going well enough: Hawk had snuck out of his coffin while Zorro distracted the guards with the dog and pony show that was his introduction as a weapon salesman. The guards were currently browsing the fine selection of ammo and equipment that were held in the other two coffins, and all Zorro had to do was make sure to be behind them when the shots started going off.
The man known as Diamondback entered the barn and gave Zorro the once over. Zorro did much the same. After a second or two, Diamondback moved through the four goons and began looking at the equipment.
There was a boom from somewhere in the town. ‘And that must be Hawk,’ Thought Zorro. He drew his sword, and cut down three of the five unsuspecting bandits before they even thought to look up. The Fourth looked at Zorro with surprise while reaching for his gun, but Zorro gave him a quick stab through the heart before his hand touched his pistol.
Diamondback was not as unprepared as Zorro had hoped. Without hesitation, Diamondback rolled away from him, and at some point and from somewhere, drew not only a Bowie knife, but a curved cavalry sword with a snake’s rattle tied to the hilt.
Zorro threw the front of his poncho over his shoulder, taking a defensive stance and cocking an eyebrow. “Huh,” he said, “two swords.” Diamondback began to circle, rattling the hilt. “This will be exciting.”
* * *
Morning Dew was shuttering terribly as she watched little pieces of Boa’s skull slide down the wall in a mix of blood and brains. She was currently experiencing a few emotions, chief among them was relief, shock, and heart pounding terror.
“Dear Celestia! Morning Dew! Morning Dew are you alright?!” Tall Leaf called in a panic. Hawk had crouched over the now headless body of Boa and retrieved the keys. After releasing Tall Leaf from his cell, the colt dashed to his still shaking wife and immediately began comforting her. Hawk moved to the door and threw a brick of some sort of putty out of it.
“Don’t worry darling. Shh, shhhh…” cooed Tall Leaf, avoiding stepping on Boa.
“H-he was going t-to…” stuttered Morning Dew looking at the bits of Boa in her mane.
Hawk extracted a remote from a pocket of his coat and clicked a button. A very loud explosion came from outside accompanied by the several screams. Hawk dashed next to the ponies, “Morning Dew, Tall Leaf, we have a small window of time where I can get you to safety. Your children are waiting for you.”
Morning Dew’s head turned quickly and she locked eyes with Hawk, “My fillies? They’re here? Where?!”
Hawk glanced out the door and pulled out his revolver, “They are with Megan.” A shot rang out from outside and a bandit flew to the ground from a sudden impact to his chest. One of the others called out “SNIPER!”
Hawk turned back to Morning Dew, “They’re safe. Now come away from the wall.” He pulled a small cube of putty out of his coat, placed pins in it, and stuck it to the wall of the jail. The three of them moved away from the wall as Hawk pressed another button, causing the wall to explode. After letting the ringing in their ears go away, Hawk pointed at a far hill, “Run to there and do not stop or turn around!”
Tall Leaf nudged Morning Dew up and they pair ran through the new hole in the wall, and before he left, he gave Hawk a grateful nod. Hawk returned it with a tip of the hat.
* * *
Twilight’s ears perked up as she thought she heard thunder.
Cottonmouth’s face flashed with worry, “That sounded like a shotgun. You six!” he yelled at the men in the lobby, “Go to the barn and make sure nobody’s being stupid.”
They all replied with a nod and dashed out the door with rifles and shotguns. Twilight stopped crying as a smile somehow spread over her face. Hawk was here to save them. She knew he would come. Cottonmouth looked out the window, his revolver drawn, and ignoring Twilight.
‘Now’s my chance!’ Twilight focused on the tree she had seen outside her cell window, the one where she saw the hawk. Magic danced up her horn as she felt the familiar surge of power. With a flash of light, she was outside the jail’s back wall next to the tree. No sooner had she appeared, a giant explosion rocked the earth and made her tumble to the ground.
‘That must be Hawk.’ She dashed into the alley between the jail and another rundown house, and beheld a small crater as well as three of those six men that were sent out.
The other three were beginning to stand and recuperate their senses. The first one to do so began charging towards the jail, but a loud bang sent him down to the ground. One of the others shouted, “SNIPER!” and took cover inside a nearby building. Twilight spotted Diamondback running into the saloon. More masked bandits were breaking the windows and sticking the barrels of their guns out of them.
Another explosion came from behind her. Curious, Twilight ran back behind the jail and saw Morning Dew and Tall Leaf making a mad dash for a far hill. She decided to investigate the smoking hole they came from, and there stood Hawk, his back turned to her.
Her face beamed with excitement, “HAWK!”
He looked at her with a face of mild surprise which changed to the biggest smile Twilight had ever seen on a human. Before she could say how much she missed him, he already had his arms around her in a solid hug.
“Thank God your safe,” he said burying his head against Twilight’s neck. Twilight was beginning to blush as her eyes watered, but Hawk pulled away, his face serious, “Run to that hill and stay with Megan. Me and Zorro have this under control.”
Shots started to sound out from the saloon, and another couple came from the hill.
Twilight looked Hawk in his eyes, and saw that they weren’t the same as when he had just seen her. They were more menacing. They looked like they were full of hate and fury. But Twilight was not deterred.
“No Hawk,” she put her hoof down, “I have to stop Cottonmouth. He’s planning to kill Princess Celestia and if he succeeds it’ll be my fault. I need to help stop him.”
Hawk made a face. “Fine. Just keep your head down.”
Twilight beamed up at him, and gave a determined grin, “Don’t worry Hawk, you have the Element of Magic by your side!”
Hawk chuckled, and for a moment Twilight saw his eyes go back to the way they were before. “And you have a force of nature by yours.”
* * *
Diamondback and Zorro were still sizing each other up and circling in the middle of the barn. Diamondback kept rattling the hilt of his sword, and it was making Zorro anxious. It was distracting to say the least, but he assumed that was the point. Zorro took notice of his and his opponent’s positions.
“I hate to point this out, but you have given me an opening,” said Zorro, a grin spreading over his face. Diamondback’s eyebrow twitched. “The front door.” Zorro dashed out into the street towards the saloon as fast as he could.
Zorro could tell just by looking that he couldn’t take Diamondback on in a level playing field, so he would need to get creative. Diamondback threw his bowie knife at the retreating man, and sent it flying straight for Zorro’s back.
Fortunately an explosion to Zorro’s left shook the earth beneath his feet and caused him to trip, sending the knife flying far above him. Zorro got up quickly and saw the tower of dust rising from the street. “That must be Hawk.” Rattling was coming from behind him, and Zorro didn’t need to look to know who it was, so he continued running into the saloon.
Bursting through the doors Zorro only had a second to take in his surroundings. It was almost like a set from a movie: there was the bar to his left, an open area filled with tables, a stage to the right, stairs on the far wall that led to a balcony above the bar, and a chandelier above the tables. The sound of breaking glass could be heard from upstairs.
Wasting no more time as the rattling drew near, Zorro jump-stepped onto one of the tables and turned to face his attacker. Diamondback had picked up his knife and entered the saloon, blood lust in his eyes.
Zorro just gave a wave of his sword, “I have the high ground. Maybe you should surrender?”
Diamondback answered with a slash from his sword towards Zorro’s ankles. Zorro jumped to the next table and readied himself. Diamondback hopped onto the table Zorro just left. Both tables were shaky, making it difficult to get solid footing. Just what Zorro was hoping for.
Diamondback continued with his offense with a slash from above, which Zorro deflected and countered with a stab to the chest. But Diamondback blocked with his knife and sent Zorro’s attack away at an awkward angle, sending his own sword for Zorro’s neck.
Zorro wouldn’t have been able to get his sword up in time, so he ducked the swing and jumped to another table, getting a little closer to the stairs. He stood, adjusted his hat, and renewed his defensive stance.
This time it was Diamond back who smiled, shaking his rattle, “Having fun amigo?”
Zorro looked at him in the eye, and he saw the wanton lust for murder in them. Zorro smiled anyway and said, “Si.”
Diamondback jumped to a closer table and sent a wild swings to Zorro’s left side. More quick deflections from Zorro sent Diamondback’s sword out of his hand. It soared over the bar and landed with a rattle.
“Y tú amigo?”
Diamondback sneered, and the two swordsmen stood at a standstill. Someone outside called out, “SNIPER!”
Zorro lunged his sword towards Diamondback’s heart, but a knife smacked the tip away, and Diamondback’s free hand gripped Zorro’s arm and pulled him off of his table. Shots began to ring out from upstairs.
Zorro hit the floor hard with his back, but was able to keep his sword in his hand. Diamondback jumped off his table and landed on the bar. He jumped down and retrieved his rattling cavalry sword. In these precious few seconds, Zorro had rolled to his feet and was making his way to the staircase.
Diamondback leapt over the bar and began to pursue, reaching Zorro just as he got to the stairs. Zorro turned and began to back up the staircase while Diamondback stalked closer, rattling his sword the entire time. Zorro eyed around for anything that could help, something that could help even things up weapon wise. On the wall he spotted something: a coiled leather bull whip hanging from a nail.
“This’ll do.” Zorro plucked it from the wall with his free hand, but kept it coiled. It wouldn’t do him much good on the stairs.
Diamondback sent two more slashes at Zorro in rapid succession, and were easily blocked by Zorro’s own sword. But every time Zorro sent a stab or slash to counter, Diamondback blocked it with his knife. Diamondback charged up the few stairs between him and his enemy, trying to get in close enough for his knife. Apparently he was getting tired of Zorro blocking all his attacks too.
Zorro wouldn’t be able to cut him down in time to avoid getting a stab himself, so he leapt over the guard rail, choosing instead to cling to the banister of the stairs. Diamondback ran past him and when he stopped, he looked around in mild confusion before seeing where his opponent had gotten.
With a sick smile, he approached Zorro, “Well, maybe I should use that whip to hang you while we’re up here.” He raised his sword to slash at Zorro’s hands, “Or maybe I should just watch you fall.”
Zorro did some quick measurements, “I think I’ll fall.” Zorro jumped off from the railing and lashed out the whip towards the chandelier. It wrapped around the ceiling ornament beautifully, and Zorro used it to swing onto the balcony above the bar. When he landed, Diamondback looked confused and angry. Zorro just blew him a kiss and ran into a nearby room, where four goons had taken up firing positions.
When they noticed Zorro, they turned and fired, but Zorro jumped into a roll towards them, and the bullets went high blasting out the wooden door frame. Zorro rolled to his feet and slashed one of them across the chest and another he stabbed in the heart. The other two tried to reposition their shots, but were cut short as their heads gained new holes in their foreheads; a gift from Megan, which Zorro needed to thank her for later. Diamondback soon appeared in the doorway and was bearing down on Zorro fast.
Without missing a beat, Zorro jumped out the window and landed on the roof of the saloon’s porch. Keeping his momentum he ran for the lower building to his right which, thankfully, was close enough to jump to. He leapt the alley between the buildings and made a very ungraceful landing on the slanted roof, causing him to slip and slide down. Before he went over the edge completely, Zorro stuck out his legs and braced himself against the wall of the saloon. He ended up with everything below the shoulders perilously hanging above they alley, while supporting himself with his legs and shoulders.
Diamondback was hot on his heels and landed his jump, keeping his footing. Turning around, once again having a gloating expression cover his face, walked slowly down the incline, once again rattling his sword. Zorro’s heart was pounding as certain death approached, while beneath him lay almost certain death.
‘Maybe we should fall. We’d survive the fall right? Yes, but we might get our legs broken wouldn’t we? Hijo de tu puta madre!’
Zorro looked below where his legs were on the saloon wall, seeing a window between his feet. In its reflection was another window. Above him stood Diamondback, who was laughing as he sent a downward slash at him. With a great deal of effort, Zorro raised his sword up and the blocked the attack. Diamondback was playing with him, but Zorro didn’t mind as it meant he wasn’t paying as much attention.
Zorro twisted around onto his stomach and released his feet from the saloon wall. He slid over the edge and gripped onto it firmly with his hands, swinging into the building below him through the window and leaving Diamondback on the roof.
“That’ll buy me some time to think of something,” Zorro breathed out, and finally acknowledged the sound of gunfire going off everywhere. “Why did Hawk get to save the ponies? I wanted to save the ponies, not fight Mr. Sword Guy.” He left the bedroom he had recently arrived in and made sure to prop something against the door as he shut it. “I thought I was the only sword guy.”
Zorro looked around his current building, and saw that it was in fact, as small church. He currently stood on a balcony overlooking the pews. Plenty of hiding spots.
It wasn’t long before Diamondback kicked the door open from the room Zorro had entered through. Both blades stood at the ready, and Diamondback looked around warily. He had never been in this building and wasn’t familiar with the layout or all the little nooks and crannies that came with it.
The orange light of the early morning streamed through the windows giving poor illumination to the dusty hall of the church. A squeak of floorboards came from downstairs, and Diamondback moved swiftly.
He descended the nearby spiraling staircase down to the ground floor, where he stood in front of the double doors of the entrance. There was no sign that anyone had been in this place for years. Diamondback proceeded to walk up the aisle, glancing down each row of pews. There was a creak of wood from behind the large wooden crucifix.
“Think God will save you from me?” called Diamondback as he began shaking his rattle. “Maybe you haven’t noticed, but the only gods around these days are those two sisters…” he drew closer to the cross, which emitted more sounds of creaking floorboards the nearer he got. “…except that soon there’s only going to one of those little freaks flying around. But I wouldn’t to worry about it too much if I were you...” Diamondback arrived at the cross not noticing that the creaking had stopped, “...you’re not going to see anything past today anyway.” He swung his sword around to strike at whatever was behind the crucifix, but hit only air.
There was a whistling sound before Diamondback felt something sink into his back and stick out of his chest. Staggering, he turned slowly, dropping his knife and sword, and saw Zorro a dozen feet away. It looked like he had just thrown something. Diamondback’s vision went dark and he fell to the floor with a gasp.
Zorro walked over to Diamondback’s body and withdrew his sword from it. Zorro made the sign of the cross saying, “Vaya con dios.”
* * *
Hawk and Twilight stepped out onto the street, Hawk with his revolver drawn and Twilight preparing her magic. The bandits in the upper floor of the saloon began to open fire on them, but Twilight had something ready for them. A magic shield formed a dome around her and Hawk, causing the bullets that hit it to bounce off harmlessly.
The two bandits on street level peeked from their cover and took shots at her and Hawk, much to the same effect. Before they ducked back into cover however, two loud shots from the hill dropped both of them. Twilight grimaced. She still wasn’t used to seeing such wanton death.
“Twilight, where is Cottonmouth?” asked Hawk as he eyed at the windows of the saloon.
Twilight looked to the mayor’s mansion, “He was in there when I teleported out.” Hawk began running to the doors of the mansion, revolver ready, and Twilight charged alongside him. “When I get my hooves on that man I’m going to...” ‘Do what? Kill him?’
They arrived at the doors of the mansion as the shield spell began to fade away. Hawk kicked in the doors. On the other side were two bandits and a gray pony who held a knife in his mouth. The bandits opened fire with sub-machine guns, sending a deadly spray of bullets at Hawk and Twilight. Both unicorn and man ducked out of the doorway and took cover.
“I think I can blind them with a spell!” Twilight shouted over the noise.
Hawk remained silent, listening. After a few moments, the noise stopped and was replaced with tiny clicks. Hawk reentered the doorway and shot both men in the head, sending the contents of their skulls all over the place. Anaconda charged with the knife in his mouth, but Hawk quickly took it from him, spun it around, and stabbed the dark pony in his neck.
“If you wanted to be a killer,” Hawk said into his ear, “You should have stayed a human.” Hawk kicked Anaconda’s body across the floor where he landed in a bloody heap.
Twilight finally entered, surveying the carnage Hawk had left. More gunshots echoed from outside, but the mansion was far too quiet. Twilight pointed to the door that led to Cottonmouth’s den with her hoof, “That way.”
Hawk stepped in first, this time with a degree of caution. It was dark inside, and there were no signs of life. Only the two red and yellow stains on the carpet were clearly visible, illuminated by a thin ray of light entering through the heavy curtains. Twilight gagged upon seeing them again as Hawk began looking for a light switch.
Another bandit came at Hawk from the side with a knife drawn, stabbing Hawk in the side forcing him to drop his revolver. Hawk let go a cry of pain as he grabbed his attacker and threw him into the window, ripping the old curtains and filling the room with daylight. The bandit bounced back slashing at Hawk’s face, but he swung to wide and Hawk gave him a head butt to the face. With no hesitation, Hawk placed his thumbs into the attacker’s eyes and began to squeeze.
Twilight cast a bolt of force into the attacker’s hand and sent the knife flying to the far side of the room thinking that would be enough to stop the fight, but Hawk continued. She looked on in horror as blood leaked from where the bandit’s eyes used to be.
“Hawk!” screamed Twilight. She didn’t want to see Hawk be this savage. She didn’t want him to be like them. “HAWK!”
Hawk blinked, and registered what he was doing. He placed his hands on the bandit’s chin and the back of his head, giving a sharp twist. The resulting snap of the bandit’s neck and thud of his body hitting the ground made the pit in Twilight’s stomach grow deeper. She would never get used to this, and by Celestia she hoped she never would.
Hawk put his hand on his side. It was still bleeding profusely. He recovered his revolver and made his way towards Cottonmouth’s chair. His hands were covered with blood and he began coughing. His stride was becoming weaker. For the first time since this entire thing began, Twilight believed Hawk would die.
She hardened her face, ‘Not while I’m here.’
Twilight ran to his side and inspected the wound, “Don’t move, this looks really bad, I’m going to have to fix it up.” Hawk grunted his disapproval, but Twilight would have none of it, “It won’t take long, my friend Rarity taught me how heal wounds with magic, and while I might not be able to sew wounds together like she can, I can at least stop you from dying.”
Either because of blood loss or acceptance, Hawk sat in Cottonmouth’s chair and let Twilight work. Her horn glowed violet, and a thousand tiny pinpricks of light shot out onto the gaping wound. The lights left tiny threads behind them, and as they passed over Hawk’s wound, they started pulling it closed. After a few moments of this, several of them landed over the currently sealed wound and made threads that resembled stitches in a doll.
“There,” said Twilight, “It will still hurt. But it won’t bleed.”
“Good enough,” replied Hawk, standing up with a loud groan. “You weren’t kidding about the whole hurting thing.”
Twilight remained serious, “No time for complaining Hawk. We need to stop Cottonmouth before he gets away with that corrupted ponification potion.”
Hawk gave a nod, “Now if I was a dirty, rotten, snake, I would be…”
“Let me handle this,” interrupted Twilight. She had just the spell for this.
Twilight’s horn glowed as she cast a locate spell, something Spike had told her a thousand times that she needed. Twilight knew it wouldn’t work on living creatures, as it was usually reserved for books or keys and other inanimate objects, but she was looking for the Cottonmouth’s revolver. There was no doubt that he would hold onto that thing like it was gold. The spell went off and Twilight’s irises began to shimmer.
She closed her eyes and saw the world much differently than before. It was black and the objects around her, like the floor and walls and Hawk, were nothing but outlines drawn with thin, glowing, white lines. She looked around this new world, and seeing nothing to the left or right or above, she looked down. Below her, in what could only be a basement, a marvelous rainbow of colors shined in the shape of a gun. It was moving quickly into a tunnel. Twilight concentrated, trying to see what the gun saw, and was rewarded with a vision of the entire escape tunnel.
“Hawk,” Twilight said finally, “He’s moving through an escape tunnel, and it will lead him down to the other end of the main street.” She looked up at him with a wide smile, “We can catch him.”
Hawk returned her smile with one of his own. “Then we had better not keep his judgment waiting.”
The two moved out the door as fast as Hawk could manage and proceeded down the street. As they passed by an old church, the doors swung open and Zorro walked out, a bit surprised to see them. Zorro gave them a grin and looked them over.
“Still standing amigo?” said Zorro, eyeing Hawk’s side.
“Barely,” replied Hawk, “How’d things go on your end?”
Zorro looked back into the church, Twilight noticed a body slumped over inside, “About as well as you could expect.” Zorro turned his gaze to Twilight, “And you niña, are you all right?”
Twilight had to think about it. She was physically fine, but some of the images from the last few days were all blurred together, and a lot of them she would rather forget. Eventually she settled on an answer, “About as fine as one can be after traveling with you two.”
Zorro let out a laugh, but Hawk’s face remained neutral as he stated, “Come on you two. This isn’t over yet.” Hawk began to walk down the street, the sun’s light illuminating his face. Twilight and Zorro both grew serious, and walked on either side of Hawk. The swordsman on his left, and the unicorn on his right. Together, they walked down the street, side by side, approaching an old withered tree.
A large rock that was laying among the tree’s roots moved, revealing a hole. From the hole crawled Cottonmouth, who carried on his back a metal thermos.
“Cottonmouth,” called Hawk, “stand and face justice.”
Cottonmouth spun on his heels, and glared at Hawk, his eyes burning with hate. He hovered his hand over his revolver, “Why Hawk, you just won’t stay dead. Apparently I should have aimed for the head.”
“There are a lot of things people should do Cottonmouth,” Hawk replied, his hand hovering over his own gun, “You should start praying.” Twilight was getting ready to blast Cottonmouth with a bolt of energy before Hawk spoke again, “Twilight. Zorro. Step away.” Twilight was about to protest, but Zorro gave her a look that seemed to say it had to be this way, like it was some ancient rite. She hesitated, but complied with the request.
The two gunslingers spent a long time staring at each other. The sun beat down, the wind blew, and they waited. They waited for something that Twilight could not detect, like some kind of sign that she just didn’t see. It was unbearable, like the world was just holding its breath. She looked at Hawk, the human who she now saw as one of her dearest friends, standing bloody and barely breathing, about to face off against a human she had come to associate with all that was wrong in the world. The cruelty and malice that Twilight had seen in Nightmare Moon seemed so petty now compared to what Cottonmouth did, as if the Mare of Darkness was just throwing a temper tantrum. Now all Twilight could think of was going home, and getting away from all this death.
The wind stopped and it was over in an instant.
The unicorn jumped in surprise as dirt from the bullet’s impact splashed next to her. Hawk had shot first and struck Cottonmouth in the arm, sending the bandit to the ground and his shot an bit down from its intended target. Cottonmouth grunted in pain and rolled on the ground, reaching for his gun. Hawk placed his boot on top of the hand, making sure the bandit wouldn’t reach his weapon. This act gained him a scornful glare from Cottonmouth’s hate filled eyes. Hawk pointed his gun at the downed man’s head.
“You wanna kill me law-man?!” Cottonmouth shouted, “Go ahead! I know how much you like killing! I know that you’re a murdering son of bitch, just like me! I know who are behind that damn name of yours! You have no place in the new society those freaks are building for themselves!” Cottonmouth began to wheeze as Hawk pulled back the hammer on his revolver, “You…you won’t have a purpose in this world after they’re done with it…won’t be no one left…to kill...” Cottonmouth began hacking and coughing as blood entered the back of his throat.
“That’s where you’re wrong Cottonmouth,” Hawk said, his voice cold and sharp, “As long as there’s scum like you, my place will be putting a gun to their head and pulling the trigger.” Cottonmouth spat at Hawk. Hawk pulled down the trigger. Twilight winced.
Bang.
Cottonmouth didn’t move anymore, and Hawk holstered his revolver. He turned around and looked at Twilight and Zorro. “I think it’s time we got to Yellowstone. We are really late.” With that, Hawk collapsed onto the ground.
* * *
Twilight sat next to the coffin that held Hawk’s body as the wagon moved ahead in its steady pace. The coffin’s lid was closed so the sun wouldn’t hit him. Their entire group sat in silence, either not wanting to speak, or just being to tired to be able to talk. Twilight surveyed her traveling companions, looking at each one for a long time.
Zorro was driving the wagon, which was being pulled by Buttercup, the stallion that looked strong enough to move a mountain. T.J. was walking next to the massive stallion, making sure to stay close. Megan was leaning against the back of the driver’s chair. She was dirty, wounded, and looked exhausted, a feeling that Twilight shared all too much.
Tall Leaf was on the left of Hawk’s coffin, resting his head on it, and had Morning Dew wrapped in his hooves. Morning Dew had gotten over the red specks that now dotted her all over, and began singing “Day by Day,” the song she’d only heard once, yet committed to memory. She sang so softly and beautifully that it was like a lullaby, and Twilight wanted nothing more than to rest, but couldn’t bring herself to. The two fillies lay curled against their mother. Megan said that when they saw their parents running from the jail, she had to restrain them they were so excited. Merry Gold was fast asleep, but Busy Bee wasn’t taking her eyes off of Hawk’s coffin.
“Miss Twilight?” asked Busy Bee, eyes not leaving the large box.
Twilight responded as calmly as she could, “Yes?”
“Is Hawk going to be okay?” her tone was quivering slightly.
Twilight hesitated and looked at the coffin, “Yes Busy Bee. He’s just…sleeping.”
Busy Bee stood up and Morning Dew stopped singing. “May-Maybe we can wake him up with a kiss. Just like in those old mare’s tales.” The filly pushed open the lid of the coffin, and before anyone could protest, gave Hawk a kiss on his lips.
Twilight swore her heart stopped, and it took a few more seconds of watching her daughter kissing Hawk before Morning Dew screamed, “Busy Bee! Get away from him!”
“But Mom! Hawk has to get up!” Busy Bee cried back.
A groan came from the coffin. “Well, service has certainly improved since the last time I rode in this thing,” came Hawk’s groggy voice. “And, do I taste…honey on my lips?”
Busy Bee’s face blushed immensely, and proceeded to have a giggle fit. Morning Dew was feeling rather embarrassed at her daughter’s behavior, where as Tall Leaf was mortified.
“I’m so sorry for my daughter Mr. Hawk,” said Morning Dew, “She was just very worried and…well she’s very affectionate.”
“No need to apologize ma’am. Usually it’s Zorro getting kissed by lovely young girls. I’ll take whatever I can get.” Hawk gave as big a smile as he could. Megan just shook her head, failing to repress a smile of her own. Zorro couldn’t stop laughing. “Hey Sprinkles,” called Hawk.
Twilight looked over the edge of the coffin at Hawk, his hat was covering all but his lips. “Yes Casanova?” she said in a bemused way.
Hawk’s face grew serious under the brim of his hat, and he shifted his weight around anxiously, “This may seem like a wired request, but… I was wondering if you could do something for me.” Hawk moved his hat and looked at Twilight, scanning her features.
Twilight’s cheeks began to blush. ‘Oh my. Does he want me to kiss him? I mean I wouldn’t mind if he asked me to. I mean I like him, but not like that. Or do I? Oh my, oh my, oh my...’ Twilight calmed her mind and cleared her throat, “S-sure Hawk! Ask anything.”
Hawk took a big gulp, “Who’s Big Mac, and what did you mean by you want him to ‘buck your apples?’” Hawk’s grin widened and Twilight’s face turned deep red.
In a surprise that caught everyone off guard, Twilight didn’t close the coffin lid on Hawk’s face, but instead began, “W-well, Big Mac is the brother of one of my best friends, Applejack. As his name implies, he’s big and, well, he’s also red. He works on his family’s apple farm. As for that second part…” Twilight lowered her head next to Hawk’s ear, and whispered something to him. Morning Dew put her hooves over Busy Bee’s ears. After Twilight was done, she moved her head back and smiled at Hawk. “Satisfied?” she asked.
Hawk sat up, and looked at Twilight, “Yes, and by the way you describe it, Big Mac will be too.”
Twilight blushed again, but nodded in acceptance of Hawk’s comment. “Good,” she said, “I’m glad I was able to answer your question.”
Zorro finally interjected, “All right all right, this isn’t the Love Boat. We’ll reach Yellowstone in an hour, so make sure everyone has everything.”
“Finally,” said Tall Leaf, letting out a long kept huff. Busy Bee was already asking Hawk what Twilight whispered to him and if he’d like another kiss. Tall Leaf just shook his head and wished to get to Yellowstone as soon as possible.
* * *
The cabin was rather nice. It was large for a family of ponies, had a fantastic view of the mountain range, the trees around it were filled with birds that sang lovely songs, and there was a stream just down the hill.
The inside was sparsely decorated, but that just meant that the family had more places to put old mementos and future memories. There were only two bedrooms with human sized beds, which was frankly more than necessary, and the living room came equipped with a couch, T.V., and DVD player.
The fillies were the first to explore the place, as they rushed in like a spring wind as soon as the door opened. The Garden family fell in love with it instantly, and invited the humans to spend the night as their guests, in an impromptu house warming party. Naturally, being tired, bloody, and yearning for showers, they accepted.
After everyone and everypony was bathed, refreshed, and free of the grime of the past two days, Hawk made a phone call.
“Hello, this is Agent Hawk. Is Joseph there?” the reply was mumbled, “Okay I’ll hold.” Hawk looked at the group he had traveled with over the past week while he waited. They were assembling on or around the couch, for tonight they were going to finish the original trilogy of Star Wars. All the ponies were extremely excited. Hawk saw Twilight pull out a note pad and quill from her saddle bags.
“This is the President. Hawk? Is that really you?” the phone said.
“Who else calls themselves ‘Hawk’ Joey? Anyway, I’ve arrived at Yellowstone, and the ponies are safe.”
“You know you’re about five days behind schedule right?”
Hawk let out a sigh, “We got delayed by a tornado, wild dogs, and get this: Cottonmouth’s gang of vipers.”
The man on the other side of the phone spat out whatever he was drinking, “WHAT? How are you still alive?!”
“I’m charmed remember? But anyway, if you could send a transport or something to this location tomorrow, that would be swell.”
The phone sighed, “Yeah yeah yeah. Oh, before I forget, you didn’t cuss in front of them did you?”
“No sir.”
“Good.”
“And sir? Make sure that transport can hold two full grown horses please.”
Another sigh came from the phone, “Why?”
Hawk gave a smug reply, “Doing a favor for a friend. Thanks Joe, have a good night.” Hawk hung up the phone and took a seat on the couch next to Megan and Morning Dew, who was lying on Tall Leaf. Twilight was on the carpet, and was ready with her quill and paper, to take notes for her paper on human-equestrian similarities. Zorro had claimed the recliner in the room, and was not moving for anyone. As soon as Hawk got comfortable, the two fillies just ran in from their bedroom and lept onto the couch. Busy Bee was getting as close to him as possible, while Merry Gold decided to curl up next to Megan.
Hawk picked up the remote and pushed “Play.”
To be wrapped up in the Epilogue!
Holy hell! Could I cram more one liners in there?
Signs point to yes.
But it’s almost over, and soon I’ll be free to do other stuff!
Epilogue soon fellow Bronies!
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Anonsi
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1232
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Original Character,Twilight Sparkle,Alternate Universe,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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The Conversion Bureau: Yellowstone
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A more or less lighthearted adventure with Twilight Sparkle and OCs. Sort of violent.
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complete
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<p>Description: Two years after the camps opened up, the Western Territories of the USA are nearly vacant. It is once more a frontier, ripe for exploration and settlement. On bequest of Princess Celestia, Twilight Sparkle is to experience the human world by joining a family of Pony Settlers on their journey out West. It's Dangerous to go alone however, so in an act of good will, the US government is sending someone to make sure no harm befalls the ponies.</p>
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teen
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2011-10-09T05:01:26+00:00
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2011-10-09T05:01:26+00:00
| 4,867 |
Conversion Bureau Off-Shoot
Based on Blaze’s original idea
Might not follow his world’s rules, but Meh, it’s just a fan-fic of a fan-fic.
By: Anonsi (Time to wrap this up, the end is near!)
Yellowstone
Epilogue
No Place like Home
The morning came, and Twilight had to wrestle herself from her bed. She had opted to sleep in the master bedroom with the rest of the Garden family, and the warmth she felt from the others was hard to break away from. She raised her head and looked over her bedmates. Tall Leaf and Morning Dew were as always inseparable, and Merry Gold was nestled among their legs. The only one missing was Busy Bee, but Twilight didn’t have to think too hard about where she might be.
Hopping off the bed, eyes still mostly shut, Twilight moved into the room next door where the humans slept. Megan and Hawk had taken the beds for themselves, leaving Zorro the couch. The decision making process went along the lines of that they were wounded and Zorro didn’t have a scratch on him, so he got the couch. And there, curled up in the crook of Hawk’s arm, was Busy Bee, snoozing peacefully.
Twilight couldn’t help but let go an “Awww…”
Twilight suddenly smelled something sweet from the kitchen. It smelled like breakfast. Still half dazed, Twilight sauntered into the kitchen to find Zorro in his loose black shirt preparing some pancakes. Zorro noticed her and gave a smile with a tired grunt.
Twilight gave a grunt back and took a seat at the large wooden table feeling much better than she thought she should. It was surreal to her, that yesterday she had seen such awful killing and death, but today the world seemed just fine and dandy. Almost like it never even happened, but Twilight knew better. She still saw the chicks under Anaconda’s hoof, and heard the crunch as the hoof came down.
“Do you like blueberries in your pancakes niña?” Zorro finally broke the silence.
Twilight gave a small, pleasant, moan, “They’re my favorite.” She rested her head on the table, considering going back to sleep. Before she could, a plate holding a stack of the best looking pancakes she’d ever seen lay in front of her. The succulent smell filling her nostrils, Twilight’s mouth watered immediately as she counted the blue specs that dotted the delicious pastries.
Zorro also slid a small bowl of apple juice across the table to her, “And here is something to wash it down with.” He gave her a smirk and resumed filling out more plates, humming a tune Twilight thought was rather catchy.
Twilight hovered utensils over to her and began to dig in, savoring each bite. After gulping down the first fork full, she let out a ‘Yum’ sound. “These are the best pancakes I’ve ever had,” she said definitively.
Megan entered, fully dressed, but still tying her pony-tail off with her red bow, “They should be. It’s his mother’s recipe, and that lady knew her pancakes.” Megan walked to the fridge and poured herself a glass of apple juice and took a plate Zorro had put to the side of the others. Afterward she sat down and began eating.
After Twilight finished, she walked to the sink and began using her magic to wash them, humming a similar tune to Zorro’s. A question popped into Twilight’s head all of the sudden, and before she knew it, she was already asking it. “Megan, are you and Zorro…together?”
Megan’s response was lightning fast, “No.” Her tone gave Twilight a hint to not proceed down this line of questioning.
Zorro just laughed a bit, “Why do you ask little one? Seeing if I’m free for your own romantic pursuits?”
Twilight blushed, “Oh no! Nothing like that, I was just curious, and…and-” Twilight stumbled looking for some way to get off this subject, and was relieved to see Morning Dew, Tall Leaf, and Merry Gold enter the kitchen. “OH LOOK! It’s the Garden family! Hello Garden Family! Zorro made pancakes!”
Merry Gold’s face lit up from its drowsy state, “I love pancakes!” She galloped over to the chair and hopped onto it, and nearly squealed when Zorro placed a stack of warm pancakes in front of her.
Tall Leaf looked around, and under the table, “Has anypony seen Busy Bee?”
Megan raised her hand and then pointed to her and Hawk’s room. “Last I saw she was sleeping soundly next to Hawk. It was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Tall Leaf exchanged glances with his wife, before letting out a sigh. “I think Bee is going to have a tough time saying goodbye darlin’.” Morning Dew gave a sullen nod and took another bite of the pancakes. Tall Leaf walked off to the human’s room and returned a minute or so later, a very sleepy filly on his back.
A few more minutes passed in silence as the Garden family ate their breakfast, and each one giving satisfied moans after they finished. Hawk stood at the door, fully dressed and holding his black duffel bag. “Zorro, Megan, Twilight, pick up is in an hour. Let’s get ready.” Hawk took a glass of juice and downed it with one gulp.
Zorro and Megan disappeared into their respective sleeping quarters and began packing. Hawk went outside and began to load the wagon, with some help from Twilight’s magic. Outside, most the Garden family had gathered to say their farewells. Busy Bee however, was missing from the scene, but faint sobs could be heard from the filly’s bedroom.
Merry Gold and Morning Dew both gave Twilight a hug and told her to stay safe. Morning Dew presented Twilight with a small circlet made of flowers and the unicorn placed it on her head with pride. As for Hawk, Morning Dew and Tall Leaf gave their unending gratitude for protecting them and their family. Zorro and Megan exited the cabin and were treated in much the same way. Merry Gold gave Megan a flower circlet, and the human placed it upon her head with glee.
After the wagon was loaded up, and Buttercup fastened to the front, a small hiccup drew everyone’s attention to the front door. Busy Bee had obviously been crying inside, and she ran to Hawk, nuzzling his legs.
“Do you have to go Mr. Hawk?” Busy Bee leaned against his legs, looking him in the eyes. Her own were big and watery, making it difficult to not bend down and give her a big hug.
Hawk, against his better judgment, did it anyway saying, “Yes Busy Bee, I do. Twilight needs to go back to New York, and I still have a job to do,” as he squeezed her close to his heart.
“But what if we get in trouble? Or what if…” she buried her head against his chest, “…what if I miss you?” Busy Bee looked like she was about to start crying all over again.
Hawk put her down in front of him and gave her a small kiss on the forehead. “The Six Tribes’ rangers will keep you safe from now on. And if you miss me…” Hawk reached into a pocket of his coat and extracted a silver disk. It had the image of a hawk on it and what seemed to be a dent from a bullet, “…just hold this close.”
Busy Bee marveled at it and gingerly took it out of Hawk’s hand. She gazed up at him holding back tears and nodded.
Twilight and Megan’s eyes grew watery, but they held their silence.
After all was said and done, the Garden family stood in front of their new home, rays of light streaming in through the trees giving a majestic ambiance beneath the canopy. Twilight swore that, as Hawk had walked to join her and the other humans, she saw a tear roll down his face. She didn’t say anything though, as she thought it was sweet.
“Stay safe now!” cried Morning Dew, “And come back any time!”
“Yeah! Come back anytime!” added Merry Gold, jumping gleefully.
Tall Leaf and Busy Bee just smiled and waved, which Twilight, Hawk, Zorro, and Megan all returned with waves and smiles of their own while they rode away down the forest path. T.J. walked alongside Buttercup at a leisurely pace.
They rode a long time in silence, until they came to an open clearing. Once there, Twilight heard what sounded like a thumping noise. Eventually a large, dark, tube looking thing descended over the canopy, landing a short distance away. It was much larger than what Twilight had expected, and looked like it could hold two cars instead of two horses. After it landed, and the wind softened enough for the group to approach, a ramp lowered from the back.
From it walked a human woman in a jumpsuit and a pilot’s helmet. “Captain Samantha Barnes reporting for pick-up duty Agent Hawk. Welcome aboard.”
“Thank you captain,” said Hawk dismounting the wagon and unfastening Buttercup.
Cpt. Barnes helped the group load their bags and horses onto the transport helicopter with such efficiency and speed, that Twilight began to consider if Captain Barnes might want a job as a library assistant. Twilight shook the thought from her head, remembering how Spike reacted the last time she hired new help.
After everything was loaded and locked down, the humans all sat on benches that lined the walls of the vehicle, and Twilight lied down next to them. She was tired, and thought of her friends back at the bureau, and all the things she wanted to tell them about.
The beats of the helicopter blades where hypnotic; Twilight fell asleep within minutes of takeoff. She dreamt of her library in Ponyville and of how much she missed her friends, eventually drifting to Sweet Apple Acres where a big red stallion was bucking trees, waiting for her. In the chopper, Hawk looked at his companions as Twilight started moaning in her sleep.
Hawk put his coat over Twilight like a blanket and said, “This is getting awkward.”
***
“…And that’s what it’s like ta’ live in Equestria! Any questions?” Applejack had just finished her fourth orientation speech this week, and she was hoping none of the humans would take her up on her request. It was fun the first time, but they always asked the same questions.
“Do we get to choose what kind of pony we become?” No, it’s random.
“Will we already have cutie marks?” Yes, unless you’re young, then you’ll have to work for it.
“How do you do stuff without hands?” Magic, mostly.
“Do you know you’re name is a drink?” Yes.
After about five more minutes of the same questions Applejack had heard before, the orientation ended and the auditorium emptied. She let out a groan as she walked back to her temporary office. It used to be Twilight’s, but she had left Applejack in charge while she was away. On the way there, Applejack heard a loud thrumming noise from somewhere outside, but she was too tired to really care.
Applejack opened to door to ‘her’ office and beheld the room. It was not the same, immaculately sorted room she had stepped into on the day Twilight had departed. Stacks of unsorted papers and documents lay strewn all over the place, and the waste bin was overflowing with balled up pieces of paper and old candy wrappers. On the desk was a computer that lay dormant.
Applejack let out a sigh as she walked behind the desk and gazed at the blank screen of the monitor. Two days ago, Applejack had walked in on Rainbow Dash doing something on it, and the next thing the farmer pony knew, Dash had sent a hoof into the power switch with such force that it broke the darn thing. Dash had flown out the window before Applejack could make heads or tails of what just happened, leaving the confused earth pony with a broken computer.
When confronted about it later, the Pegasus only said, “I wasn’t doing anything bad on it! You just surprised me!” while her blue face turned a deep red. Applejack knew when a pony was covering something up, but even a pony without the Element of Honesty could tell what Rainbow Dash was doing was something most considered naughty.
So Applejack, who was just beginning to get the hang of using the keyboard and mouse, now had to sort almost a hundred or more documents by hoof. She let out another big sigh through her nose. “I really wish Twilight would just come back already.”
As if she was waiting for that exact phrase, Pinkie Pie bounded into the room, her face beaming brighter than her usual smile. “OHMYGOSH APPLEJACK! Guess What?!”
Applejack grew hopeful that Twilight had finally come back, “What is it sugar-cube? Is Twilight back?” Her voice was expectant, and quite honestly, had a pleading tone to it.
Pinkie Pie rapidly shook her head from side to side, “No silly filly! More humans are here! And they must have made the BEST ENTRANCE EVER!”
Applejack let her head sink back onto the desk. “Oh,” she said disheartened.
“Yeah!” continued Pinkie, “They just came outta the sky with a big helicopter and landed out in the parking lot! Oh it was so loud, and I could hear beats on the wind and I felt like I could make a song about it, so I did! Here let me-”
Applejack raised her eyebrow, “A heli-what now?”
Pinkie moved her face in close to Applejack’s, “It’s a human flying machine! Like that thinga-ma-jig I built that one time to follow Rainbow Dash that one time that meanie-pants Gilda was in town!” The pink pony stuck out her arms and began to spin, “WOO! WOO! WOO!” After a few seconds she fell to the floor, dizzy and laughing. Applejack rolled her eyes and got moving to the door. Anything was better than just sitting her looking at the dead monitor.
The two ponies walked calmly to the bureau’s lobby, passing by the dormitories where human heads were poking out of their rooms looking confused. Once there, they saw a tall man in a long leather coat and wide brim hat standing at the reception desk talking to the wall-eyed pony known as Ditzy Doo. The other humans in the lobby were giving him odd looks, and generally avoiding him. One of Ditzy’s eyes landed on Applejack, and the winged mare gave a relieved expression.
“There she is sir! The current head muffin in the oven!” said Ditzy smiling wide.
The human cocked an eyebrow at Ditzy, and then turned to Applejack, taking note of her hat. “Applejack, right?”
Applejack nodded, looking out the front windows at the helicopter with earnest confusion. “Yes I am, but what’s with all this racket?”
“My name is Agent Hawk. Come with me.” With that he moved to the door and held it open for Applejack and Pinkie, who bounced merrily up to the human.
“What’s that thing?” asked Pinkie, looking at Hawk’s revolver.
“A noise maker,” he said bluntly.
“Oooooh…I love noise makers!” marveled the pink earth pony.
Applejack pushed Pinkie out the door, “Come on sugar cube. Let’s see what this is all about.”
As soon as Applejack and Pinkie went outside, they saw a small violet, and slightly flustered, unicorn descending the loading ramp. Before Twilight knew they were even there, she was dog piled by Applejack and Pinkie Pie resulting in a big group hug.
* * *
Once inside and resituated in her room, Twilight flopped on her bed. All she needed to do now was to wait for Pinkie’s inevitable party to start, and she could begin to wrap up her day. Considering the state of her office however, she was not in any particular rush to get back to the normal tedium of life in the bureau. She had only glanced over the room for a second or two before deeming it ‘not worth it.’
The door to her room swung open and a small purple dragon rushed up to her, leapt onto the bed, and landed a great big hug around her neck.
“Twilight!” Spike yelled, not withholding any enthusiasm.
“Spike!” Twilight was thrilled to see her assistant, and she squeezed him close to her. It had been too long since they had seen each other face to face. Or it felt that way at least.
“Oh gosh I’ve missed you! It’s been soooo boring around here without you around. I nearly went insane without you telling me to pick stuff up!” He looked up and stared at Twilight with a serious face, “And before you ask, I had nothing to do with what happened to your computer.”
Twilight’s smile changed to one of concern, “What happened to my computer?”
Before Spike could answer, he belched out a cloud of fire and smoke. The cloud twisted and spun itself into the form of a scroll, which plopped down onto the bed. Twilight wasted no time in unfurling the scroll and reading aloud the immaculate writing of the Princess.
“My dear Twilight Sparkle,
It fills me with great joy to hear that you have returned from human lands safely. I was worried beyond measure when the human President told me that your train never arrived at its destination. He reassured me to remain calm however, as he was certain his guardian would never fail in completing a task.
But that is neither here nor there, and we can discuss your adventure when I come by to visit this evening. Expect me around four o’clock.
Your loving mentor, and friend,
Celestia
P.S. Did you see my debate with the HLF? How do you think I did? I’m pleased to say things went well with them, and their leadership tells me that they have lost much of the animosity they once felt towards us, and that they hope to live in harmony with us from now on. See you soon.”
Twilight looked at the clock on her wall. It read “3:54.” Twilight bounded out of her bed dropping Spike on his rump, she grabbed a comb with her magic and began brushing her mane and tail with such haste, Rainbow Dash’s head would spin. “Spike, go tell everypony that the Princess is on her way here! And go now!”
The baby dragon dashed out of the room and Twilight could hear Rarity gasp as she heard the news, followed by a series of crashes and a “What am I going to wear on such short notice?!” from down the hall.
Within minutes, Twilight and Rarity were standing in the front lobby, both looking nervous. Twilight because her idol and surrogate mother would arrive at any moment, and Rarity because she was couldn’t remember if she had all the accoutrements to her most recent gown. The lobby was filled with ponies and humans who wanted to meet the mythical princess in the flesh.
Megan and Applejack sat in a corner exchanging stories with each other. Twilight looked at them side by side and thought she saw a resemblance between the two, but her thoughts were interrupted by the blaring of trumpets. Outside landed four white Pegasus guard ponies in golden armor, and after rushing to the entrance and opening the door, four more royal guards flew to the ground, pulling a magnificent chariot behind them. In it sat a divine figure that seemed to glow with all the warmth of spring and summer.
Princess Celestia stepped down from the chariot and entered the main lobby of the Bureau. All the ponies present bowed and the humans cheered. Twilight stepped forward into view of her mentor. They both smiled widely as Celestia leaned over to nuzzle the side of Twilight’s head, causing the young mare to giggle.
“It’s so good to see you again Princess,” said Twilight, basking in the presence of her teacher.
Celestia looked around the room smiling, and then back to Twilight, “And it is good to see you, my most treasured pupil. I have been looking forward to seeing you again actually. My week has been just awful not knowing if you were safe or not.”
Twilight just kept up that dumb smile, “Oh don’t worry Princess, the human agents were more than capable of keeping us safe.”
Celestia beamed at the news, “Well if it’s all right, I’d like to meet them and give them my thanks in person.”
“Right this way!” Twilight was more than happy to let Celestia meet her new friends. She just hoped she didn’t have to get into the messy details of the journey.
Twilight led the group of ponies and humans to the auditorium where Pinkie had set up a wonderful looking party. Rainbow Dash was boasting at Hawk, while Zorro was stabbing apples out of the air with his sword, much to the amusement of Pinkie.
“And then there was the time I won the best young flyer’s competition by doing a sonic rainboom.” Dash was floating next to Hawk looking very proud of herself. Hawk was sitting with a thousand yard stare nodding his head, saying “That’s nice.”
When Celestia and Twilight entered, the two agents stopped what they were doing and moved to approach the goddess, while the ponies they were talking to trotted close behind them.
Celestia regarded Hawk and Zorro, and gave a small bow of her head, “Thank you for keeping Twilight safe. She means a great deal to me.” Twilight almost fainted when she heard her idol say such kind words, but maintained her composure.
Hawk gave a respectful bow of his own, “No problem your highness. Twilight is a capable young mare, and we wouldn’t have completed out journey without her.”
“I didn’t do that much,” Twilight chimed in, blushing under Hawk’s praise.
Celestia smiled at her student’s modesty, continuing, “And what are your names, so that I may remember you for your service?”
Zorro removed his hat and made a sweeping bow, “Don Zorro De la Vega, but most just call me Zorro, your majesty.”
Hawk glanced at Zorro and shook his head. “I am Agent Hawk, at your service. And over there…” Hawk pointed to Megan, “…is Megan, who must be the best sniper this side of the prime meridian. I don’t think she’s ever told me her last name though.”
Megan walked out of the crowd rolling her eyes in great arcs, and formally greeted the Princess. “Hello your highness.”
“You know,” said Zorro, “She never told me her last name either.” Both Hawk and Zorro shrugged, earning a few chortles from the crowd.
Celestia let a grin cross her face, “Well then, Hawk, Zorro, and Megan, I thank you from the bottom of my being. Now,” she said looking around the crowd, “how about we get this party started, hmm?” This elicited a great cheer as the crowd surged into the auditorium. Celestia looked at Twilight who seemed to be in a blissful haze, “Well then Twilight. Let’s catch up with your new friends, and maybe you can tell me what you’ve learned while in human lands.”
Twilight snapped out of her happy coma and replied, “Oh! Yes of course!” The group found a cozy spot to sit and chat. For the rest of the night Twilight told Celestia and her friends about her to entire trip to Yellowstone and back, Hawk filling in any blanks that she left unfilled. Twilight left out the part with the chicks, for Fluttershy’s sake, and Hawk left out the parts that involved Big Mac for Twilight’s.
* * *
After the party, and subsequent cleanup, Twilight found herself going through her saddlebags, putting things she had taken with her back into their proper place. Then she came to two books she had not originally brought with her. One was a thick tome about knights, the other a pink diary. Regarding both fondly, she placed them both onto her bookshelf.
“Twilight,” came her teacher’s voice, “I’m about to go.” Celestia peeked her head into Twilight’s room, a habit she had developed while Twilight lived with her in the castle.
After a brief moment of reminiscing, Twilight said, “Thank you so much for coming, it felt really good catching up with you.” With that, Twilight gave the Princess another hug and began to escort her to the front entrance.
“You’ve had quite a week my student,” Celestia said after a while, “what do you think of the human’s now that you have been among them in their world?”
Twilight reflected on what she had seen, finally coming up with an answer she thought would suffice. “Humans are harsh creatures, but they have to be because their world is harsh and dangerous. Sometimes in their pursuit to survive, they cross each other, and most times they make friends and can work together, but other times it doesn’t work out and they feel that they have to fight. They are mostly good, I think, but sometimes they just plain old turn bad, like Cottonmouth, and live to cause other humans misery.” Twilight paused, looking to see if the Princess was satisfied.
Celestia nodded, and gave Twilight a smile, “I think that is a good analysis Twilight, if a bit brief. But I am glad you have learned something about this new world.”
They entered the lobby, and the dying rays of sunset streamed in through the doors. Hawk was saluting Captain Barnes. The woman walked outside to her awaiting transport, and shortly thereafter took off and flew away. The pegasi had to move inside not to be blown off their hooves.
“Well I guess it’s my turn,” said Celestia, summoning her guards to her, “Stay well Twilight Sparkle.” She leaned over and gave Twilight a kiss on the forehead. The room exploded with ‘Aaaaaaw’s. Celestia and Twilight didn’t mind though, as they thought it was cute as well. With that, Celestia departed the lobby and mounted her carriage and with a few last looks at her student, took off.
Hawk and Zorro were assembling their bags while Megan stood next to Applejack, helping where she could. Megan was going to stay a while, as it turned out. Apparently T.J. was pregnant with Buttercup’s foal and was due in a month or two. Fluttershy was extremely excited about the news, and had already begun assembling an acceptable place for the new foal. Megan would become Fluttershy’s helper in the meantime, and help out Applejack with any of her tasks.
Zorro finally zipped up the last few bags and placed them over his shoulders, and began to walk to the exit. Twilight looked at Zorro as he moved past her, carrying Hawk’s duffel bag. “So long niña, I hope that our paths will cross again one day.”
“I do too Mr. Zorro. It was an honor having you with us, and I’m glad you came,” replied Twilight. The two exchange bows and Zorro walked out of the door.
Hawk stepped forward next, and the two spent a long time looking at each other. Hawk knelt down, putting him on eye level with Twilight. “Well Sprinkles, it seems this is goodbye. At least for now anyway, so you be sure not to get kidnapped by anything. I don’t think I’d survive another rescue mission.”
Twilight gave out a laugh, replying, “Yeah well, maybe you should retire and settle down somewhere. Maybe a nice cabin out west,” Twilight doused her next words with as much of a childish and mocking tone she could, “maybe out near Busy Bee~.”
Hawk laughed, “That’s a low blow Twilight.”
“I owed you for that stunt you pulled on the wagon,” Twilight leaned in and whispered in his ear, “about the whole Big Mac thing.” Applejack perked her ears thinking she heard something. But Megan quickly caught her attention again with a story about her father’s apple orchard.
“Fair enough,” Hawk coughed, and reached into his pockets again, “I have a going away present for you.” He presented Twilight with the Star Wars Original Trilogy DVD Box Set. “Every group of friends need these. And you have a lot of friends who haven’t seen this, if I remember right.”
Twilight lifted the movies with her magic and placed them next to her on the floor. “Thank you Hawk,” she said blushing at the gift, “and now I think I owe you something for rescuing me.” Before Hawk could ask what it was, or say it wasn’t necessary, Twilight gave him a small, quick, peck on the lips. Looking very bashful, Twilight looked down at her hooves. Hawk just chuckled a bit.
Hawk gave Twilight a big, strong, hug and then stood up. “So long Sprinkles. I think it’s about time I hit the dusty trail. See you later.” He turned and walked out the door to where Zorro stood waiting next to two motorcycles he had found. Hawk mounted his, and Zorro followed suit. After a few moments, the two men drove off down the street, and into the sunset.
As he left, memories began to resurface. Memories of empty and desolate streets filled only with wild dogs howling in the dead of night, yearning for blood. Memories of screaming winds that could rip the earth asunder with its rage, and a deep, terrible darkness that made Twilight shudder. Memories of cruel men, with sick pleasures and corrupt minds working against all that Twilight held dear. All of these memories floated in and out of her subconscious. It was almost unbearable to think she might have to live with these images in her head for the rest of her life.
But fortunately, Hawk had given her a way to distract herself from these images; A way for her to escape her memories.
Twilight sighed and looked at Applejack and Megan, who smiled back at her, both of them giggling like fillies on the first day of school. Twilight let her face give a big smile. She picked up the films Hawk had given her and raised them above her head.
“Who wants to watch a movie?”
***The End***
|
Anonsi
|
1232
| 9 |
Original Character,Twilight Sparkle,Alternate Universe,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
The Conversion Bureau: Yellowstone
|
A more or less lighthearted adventure with Twilight Sparkle and OCs. Sort of violent.
|
complete
| 102 | 7 |
<p>Description: Two years after the camps opened up, the Western Territories of the USA are nearly vacant. It is once more a frontier, ripe for exploration and settlement. On bequest of Princess Celestia, Twilight Sparkle is to experience the human world by joining a family of Pony Settlers on their journey out West. It's Dangerous to go alone however, so in an act of good will, the US government is sending someone to make sure no harm befalls the ponies.</p>
|
teen
|
2011-10-25T19:23:29+00:00
|
2011-10-25T19:23:29+00:00
| 4,212 |
By: Anonsi (!)
Yellowstone
After the Credits Scene:
Out from the Darkness
President Joseph walked into the conference room of the white house. He had called for an emergency meeting between him, his top agents, and Celestia herself. This was all her fault after all.
Agent Dimitri snapped a salute, “Sir!”
“At ease Dimitri” said the president, returning the salute. “Who’s here?”
Dimitri looked at his watch, “So far? Agents Hawk and Zorro have arrived, albeit two hours behind schedule.”
President Joseph nodded his head. “Where’s the horse?”
“On her vay sir.”
Joseph sighed, “Alright, bring in those two.”
Dimitri gave a crisp salute and moved to the double doors, opening them and giving a wave. Hawk and Zorro entered the conference room with a confident swagger.
“Yo Joe,” said Hawk, “What’s going on?”
President Joseph had long ago learned to ignore Hawk’s informal view of things, and motioned for the two to sit down. Joseph was impressed they stopped the assassination attempt by Cottonmouth before it even started, and destroyed the corrupt potion to boot. They were the top two agents for a reason after all, but Joseph feared their next assignment would not go so well.
Joseph picked up a remote from the table. With one button he revealed a large television, and with another he turned it on. On it glowed a satellite map of a storm cell from about a week ago. Hawk and Zorro recognized the coordinates immediately.
“Mr. President?” asked Zorro, slightly concerned.
“Dimitri. Is the Princess here yet?” asked the president.
Dimitri again checked his watch, “Yes sir. She has just arrived.” Without missing a beat, Dimitri opened the double doors again, this time revealing the divine form of Celestia.
Her face beamed when she saw Hawk and Zorro, “Well this is a pleasant surprise, meeting again so soon!” Hawk and Zorro waved at her as she moved to an open space at the table and sat down on her haunches. “Now Mr. President,” said Celestia in her calm tone, “Why have you summoned us here?”
Joseph turned around, his expression grave. “Magic has been leaking out of Equestria Princess, and it is causing a great many problems.”
Celestia gave him a stern look, “What do you mean?”
The president continued, “This is the tornado that derailed the Magna Rail during Agent Hawk’s recent escort mission. It appeared almost without warning, and was able to travel at remarkable speeds. Speeds fast enough to catch the Magna Rail in full reverse.” Joseph clicked another button, and a new scene appeared on the screen, this time with a wider view. It showed two very similar dark clouds, one where the Magna Rail was picked up, and the other near the town of Ten Sleep.
“Meanwhile, nearly a thousand miles away, an identical tornado was raging across Wyoming. Look closely at the center of these two storms.” He clicked another button, and magnified the center of both tornadoes. In the center of both of them was half of the Magna Rail.
Hawk rubbed his forehead in disbelief, and Zorro looked confused. Celestia was starting to put some pieces together inside of her head, but she didn’t want to admit anything yet. She had to be sure first.
“You see Princess,” Joseph went on, “That tornado was a vortex, that transported the team more than one thousand miles away in under one minute. I can assure you, this is not a natural occurring phenomenon of the Midwest. Hawk, Zorro, and your student Twilight Sparkle, all traveled through a worm hole. I believe the source of this event stems from this...” He clicked another slide into existence, this time it was a picture of Equestria, but through a lens filter that showed the magical bubble that surrounded it. There seemed to be a gash in its side, and an alarming amount magic seemed to be flowing out of it.
Celestia’s eyes widened. “How did this happen? I didn’t feel the enchantment break! I would have felt a tremor if something this huge had happened to the barrier!”
Hawk raised his hand, “Can we go back through old satellite photos and apply the magic filter? Maybe find out when this thing tore open?”
Joseph replied, clicking the next slide, “We can, and have.” The date was the same day as the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. Celestia’s expression turned into one of horror as she counted the years.
“That’s the day my sister came back from her banishment. The day Twilight used the Elements of Harmony to save her…”
Joseph nodded, having been briefed on the whole ordeal with the Mare of Darkness, “It is our belief, Princess, that in the time between Nightmare Moon’s release and subsequent defeat, your protective shield was damaged. The probable cause is that you were not there to rebuff its potency, which is what you do every year on the day of your Summer Sun Celebration, if I am not mistaken. It is because you missed that year that this crack formed.” He paused letting it all sink in for those assembled.
“We also believe, that if not for this breach, you ponies would not have needed to leave Equestria. It is probable that this opening flows two ways. The inherent magic of your homeland flows out, while the pollution of our cities flowed in, thus causing you to take action, and leaving us the position we are in today.”
Zorro raised his hand, “Other than tornadoes that can cut down on travel time, what possible consequences could come from this?”
Joseph took a deep breath, and presented Hawk and Zorro with folders. “In the town of Sleepy Hollow, a scarce one hundred and twenty three miles outside of New York City limits, there are stories of a ‘Headless Horseman’ who rides at night, and is said to kill all he finds on his nightly ride, and take their heads to replace his own.”
Hawk looked up, “Sir, with all due respect, that was a myth, and that town doesn’t even exist.”
“Three counts of murder say different Agent Hawk.” Joseph clicked a new slide, it showed a small town and surrounding farmland. The magic filter revealed that the place glowed rich with the magical essence of Equestria. “The town of Sleepy Hollow manifested approximately seven days ago, and with it, so did the horseman. The victims include a ponified married couple who thought it was a tourist attraction, and a lost hiker who was looking for a place to sleep. Their heads could not be located.”
Celestia looked at the president in disbelief, “Are you saying that the magic that is leaking out of my homeland is summoning monsters from story books?”
President Joseph sighed, “Yes, and unfortunately, no.” He clicked to the next slide, “There is evidence to suggest magical infusion of the landscape has been going on for years. Things became more frequent when you ponies arrived on our shores, but at the time we didn’t have the resources to see what was going on.”
“Egypt, Giza. There have been numerous reports of chanting coming from underneath the pyramids. All personnel sent to investigate have not returned. Currently the police have sealed off the entrances and exits, but the chanting persists.” The filter revealed more magic surrounding the pyramid.
He clicked to another slide, “Athens, Greece. Two weeks ago. The winner of the ‘Miss Athens’ Beauty Pageant started speaking in verse with a voice not her own and predicted every event of your little trip.” He pointed to Hawk, who began to look very closely at the files in his folder.
“And this,” Joseph clicked to a new slide showing Yellowstone National Park, the filter revealing that the area was saturated with magic. Hawk grew tense. “This is an area you should be familiar with. The day after you left, Six Tribes officials sent me reports of seeing strange creatures in the forest, darting between trees. An account from a small boy in the area said that they were a tribe of sasquatch. If not for everything else, I would have dismissed it.”
“So what do we do?” asked Hawk, sounding concerned.
Celestia cleared her throat. “Well first, the hole in the barrier must be sealed, so no more magic will escape from Equestria and conjure anymore of these nightmares.” She gave a small chuckle, and in an apologetic tone said “It seems we were polluting your world as much as you, ours.”
The President gave her a forgiving look, “Don’t worry about the past Princess. Just get that breach resealed. That will give us a finite amount of problems to deal with.” Celestia nodded, her eyes thanking the president for his forgiveness.
“So where do we come in Joe?” asked Hawk.
Zorro finished reading the folder in front of him, “I can guess amigo.”
President Joseph put his hands behind his back. “The infusion of magic back into our world has caused curses and creatures from the ancient days of myth and legend to resurface. You two are to spearhead the elimination of all hostile paranormal entities, and protect the innocent. I’m giving you whatever support you need for this. And Princess,” Celestia gave him a determined look, “we will need the aid of magic in the defense of the innocent humans and ponies that exist outside of Equestria.”
Celestia stood up, “You have my full cooperation Joseph.”
Zorro stood, “And you have my sword!”
Hawk followed suit, “And my guns!”
Dimitri chimed in, “And my axe!”
The members of the board room looked at Dimitri with queer expressions.
“Vhat? I specialize in close quarters combat vith axes and shotguns.”
Joseph just shook his head, “Then let’s not waste any time. Hawk, Zorro…” he gave Dimitri a look, “…Dimitri. Your first assignment is to deal with the event at Sleepy Hollow. Your helicopter transport leaves in an hour.”
All three agents snapped a salute and rushed off down the hallway, Hawk calling dibs on shotgun. Celestia gave a resolute nod to the President and practically galloped out of a nearby window.
Joseph sighed and looked out into the night sky. “Things are getting exciting again, aren’t they?”
To be continued?
Why would I want to do that?
Why would I want to write an episodic series of gothic monster fighting adventures
Involving a cowboy, Zorro, and a Russian guy who uses axes and shotguns
That may have more wackey hijinks with Twilight Sparkle?
That just sounds silly.
|
Anonsi
|
1232
| 10 |
Original Character,Twilight Sparkle,Alternate Universe,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
The Conversion Bureau: Yellowstone
|
A more or less lighthearted adventure with Twilight Sparkle and OCs. Sort of violent.
|
complete
| 102 | 7 |
<p>Description: Two years after the camps opened up, the Western Territories of the USA are nearly vacant. It is once more a frontier, ripe for exploration and settlement. On bequest of Princess Celestia, Twilight Sparkle is to experience the human world by joining a family of Pony Settlers on their journey out West. It's Dangerous to go alone however, so in an act of good will, the US government is sending someone to make sure no harm befalls the ponies.</p>
|
teen
|
2012-06-01T01:50:30+00:00
|
2012-06-01T01:50:30+00:00
| 2,043 |
Yellowstone: The d20 System
By: Anonsi (Who saw this coming? I didn't)
A great many of you are probably wondering, "What is going on here? I thought Anonsi updated Yellowstone!" Well, in a way, I did. BEHOLD!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1z6M9sy06392pNgekqioNThoO1aab3tTCRDQ6h90neBs/edit#bookmark=id.mjie4yifzhjb
That, dear friends, leads to a Google Document file of The Conversion Bureau: Yellowstone RPG Setting and Rules. No, your eyes are not attempting to deceive you in some sort of terrible optic coup, this exists. I have made these rules for your enjoyment, and to entertain anyone that has been finding themselves without a good chuckle for sometime. (I'm also trying to be manlier than Krass, which is very hard to do.)
Is this worth the digital paper it's printed on? Probably not, but I did it for fun so I doubt that really matters
|
Tiramisu Tales
|
1233
| 1 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Original Character,Rarity,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Belle Crush
|
Everypony grows up eventually, even the slightly slow Sweetie Belle. Love indeed.
|
complete
| 81 | 3 |
<p>Sweetie Belle gets a 'love at first sight' crush on a pegasus known as Show Tail, who seems far more interested in everything else but her. Dealing with one's first crush is hard, when you have to beg for his attention. But if you persevere, just maybe, you can win a heart. Oh the woes of young love. Hope you like this better! I know I do!</p>
|
everyone
|
2011-11-21T15:26:15+00:00
|
2011-11-21T15:26:15+00:00
| 5,236 |
“Snips, what are you doing here?”
Sweetie Belle approached the sweet shop, surprised to see Snips without Snails. He was munching on a cupcake absentmindedly, suddenly jolting to life when she called his name. He looked around for a few moments, finally locating her after she called his name again.
“Oh hey Sweetie Belle! I got hungry, so I decided to go and buy a snack. Snails is with our new friend, Show Tail.” He continued to eat as Sweetie Belle took a seat next to him. She blinked for a moment before asking,
“Show Tail? Who’s he?” Snips chewed on his cupcake a bit more before answering.
“He’s that pony from Manehattan. He moved here about a year ago? But we got to know him when a spell we were trying to do knocked him out of the sky. It was just a telekinesis spell, but we got a bird and it smacked into him... He laughed it off and offered to be a test subject. And ummm... I forget what else.” Snips finished his cupcake with self satisfied smile. The wheels in Sweetie Belle’s head were turning. This pony that she had never really met could either be mean, or really nice. He could be smart, or... like Snips and Snails. She shuddered inwardly at the thought of another pony with the smarts to bring an Ursa to town.
Then again, he had decided to help them out, even though he had no magic of his own. He couldn’t be that stupid. Then again...
“So what are you waiting here for Sweetie Belle?”He was chewing on the cupcake’s paper wrapper.
“I’m waiting for the Crusaders. We were supposed to meet here for snacks after Apple Bloom helped out at home and Scootaloo practiced with Rainbow Dash. I’m early since my sister kicked me out. One spool of thread can cause a lot of damage...” She tapped her hoof to her chin in thought, to be interrupted by Snips’ brash yell.
“There they are!!” Snips jumped to his hooves, tail flicking in excitement. Sweetie lazily looked past the colt. There was Snails, lazily walking besides a colt of the same size. That must have been Show Tail.
The first thing she noted was that his cutie mark was a silver drum. She gritted her teeth in a bit of jealousy before paying attention to the colt himself.
He looked her age, thirteen or fourteen at most. He was almost pitch black, save for the gold wisps on his ears and hooves, and his brilliant golden mane and tail. His golden mane was ratty and unkempt, the kind of matted mess that would make Rarity scream in horror. Sweetie Belle took a moment to imagine her sister fainting and promptly getting back up, with brush and other supplies floating behind her to ‘attack’. She laughed in her head at the scene till she caught sight of his tail.
Now she understood where he got his name.
His shining golden tail was the exact opposite of his knotty mane. This was the type of tail that rivaled, or maybe even beat Rarity’s. It curled perfectly, looking clean and well brushed. He couldn’t have possibly done so himself, judging by the frizzy mess that was his mane. She marveled at it before flushing in embarrassment at catching herself staring. She slyly met his golden eyes for a split second.
Strange... She thought to herself as the colt came closer to her. I... don’t know what this is... I don’t know the word is.
“Tails, this is Sweetie Belle! She’s from school, but you probably don’t know her all too well. Sweetie Belle, Show Tail, Show Tail, Sweetie Belle!” Snips laughed at his own introduction. Sweetie Belle still felt embarrassed for her staring, especially with Tail’s shining eyes right in her face.
“So you're the famous Sweetie Belle of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. So I hear you’re a so called ‘blank flank’?”
Sweetie Belle glared at the pegasus, feeling the urge to jab him with her horn rising. How dare he call her a blank flank?! It just reminded her of how Apple Bloom was treated. Which made her mad.
“It’s cool though. I just got mine a month or two ago by tripping into some wooden barrels. I decided to give them a little play with my hooves, and well...This baby appeared.” His tail flicked, drawing her eyes to his cutie mark for a moment, then back to his eyes. “No one is a blank flank for life.” He smiled awkwardly, unsure of what to do with himself now. Sweetie Belle chuckled nervously.
Snips and Snails were too busy discussing what to now that school was out to pay them any mind. She never thought this moment would come. She was desperate for them to do something stupid. Tail’s face was revealing more and more confusion. She didn't know what to do, or what to say. This was something strange, and something she wanted to go away. The filly wished she knew some magic to make the parasprites in her stomach settle down. All she could do was stare and watch the colt before her smile coyly. She had to force herself to speak.
“I sure hope so... We’ve been trying so hard to get them; I’ve lost count on what we’ve done.” She laughed wistfully, drawing circles in the cobbles with her hoof.
“Sometimes trying too hard makes you fail. I would know since I did the same thing you guys are doing. I have the scars to prove it. My mom finally got fed up with me and sent me here a year ago... Fun.” He rolled his eyes in exasperation. Sweetie let a smile creep across her face. So they weren't the only ones who were fervently looking for their one true talent. Sweetie Belle opened her mouth to speak, but her own words didn't come back.
“Sweetie Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelle! There you are!”
Scootaloo. At the very worst possible moment.
The scooter screeched to a halt right in front of the pair, scaring Snips and Snails out of their discussion. Apple Bloom sat in the wagon, waving at Sweetie Belle nonchalantly.
“I’m starving! I can’t wait to get some food! I’m really killing for a daffodil dusted cupcake... What about you Apple Bloom?”
As Apple Bloom began to spout her cravings for anything with apples, Tails looked Scootaloo up and down eagerly. He seemed far more interested in her than Sweetie Belle. He suddenly raised his head, puffed out his chest and made his wings look bigger. Scootaloo giggled at his sudden show as she hopped off her scooter and started talking to him. His face never seemed to stop grinning.
Sweetie Belle couldn't understand the feeling that was within her gut once she saw his golden eyes leave hers. It was a nasty twisty feeling that hurt more than anything else she had ever felt. Even the crashes into trees paled in comparison. It shook her to her hooves, and made her chest ache. She would have to talk to Rarity about this for sure. For now, the sight of Scootaloo and Tails chatting was too much to take.
“Sweetie Belle, are you OK...?” Apple Bloom nudged her friend, sympathy painting her face. That wasn't what Sweetie Belle wanted. She wanted to understand what this feeling in her stomach was. Something that could only be compared to parasprites eating away at her insides. Apple Bloom was talking to her, Scootaloo and Tails were talking to each other about her scooter and her utter ‘need for speed’. Snips and Snails were being themselves. She felt crowded and stupid.
She needed to get away.
Sweetie Belle suddenly found herself dashing away at breakneck speed, her hooves blindly leading her to wherever they wanted. She couldn't stop herself, even at Apple Bloom’s confused cries to come back. She didn't want anypony to see her in her current state. She didn't understand, so why would anypony do the same? She could hear Apple Bloom yelling at Scootaloo to go after her, but the Pegasus was too late. She was already out of sight.
“Should we go look for her?” Apple Bloom panicked, waving her hooves wildly. “I mean, we can LOOK for her.” Apple Bloom sighed, shaking her head. Scootaloo shrugged, saying that maybe she had something important that she had forgotten. That wasn’t beyond her. Apple Bloom bit her lip, before deciding that maybe she was taking this too seriously and went over to talk to Snips and Snails. They could distract her from anything.
As Sweetie Belle raced through town, the same thoughts keep replaying though her head. Why am I in pain? Why did it happen when Scootaloo came? Why and where am I running?! She bought herself to a halt, checking her surroundings. She was... home.
So that's where my hooves took me. Good choice hooves. Sweetie Belle laughed to herself a bit before trotting to the door. She was surprised to see Rarity taking a nap in the middle of a pile of fabric. She always wondered what else her big sister did while she was gone. This was a very blatant answer.
"Rarity... Why are you sleeping in the middle of the floor?" Sweetie Belle nudged her sister curiously.
Rarity jolted awake. She squinted at the blurry white and purple blob in front of her. After blinking a few times she finally focused.
"Sweetie Belle? What are you doing here at this hour? I thought you were going to spend time with your friends..." Rarity slowly stood, shaking herself off. “Is something wrong?” Sweetie Belle swallowed hard, shuffling a hoof into the carpet.
“I’m sick.” Sweetie Belle announced frankly.
Rarity reared back, picking up her sister by magic and carrying her to bed. She tucked the little filly in before summoning the first aid kit where she kept all the medicine. She shuffled through it before levitating a thermometer out of the white wooden box.
“Tell me what are your symptoms Sweetie...” Rarity shoved the thermometer into Sweetie Belle’s mouth and tapped her hoof on the ground impatiently. Sweetie Belle waited a moment to answer. She didn't know how to tell her sister how she felt. It was embarrassing, for some reason. Show Tail must have made her sick and that was the only thing that could explain it.
“That colt I met today got me sick.” Rarity sighed heavily but suddenly perked her ears up in interest. What could have possibly happened that would result in her sister getting sick? She tried to remember the colts that she knew. Only Snips and Snails came to mind, and they were far too stupid to do anything to really harm her little sister. Not to mention she had known them for quite a while, so they obviously were not who she was talking about.
“New... colt? Who is this foal?” She gave her typical pout, waiting to hear her sister’s explanation.
“His name is Show Tail, and he’s... something. A Pegasus. But he made me sick! My heart keeps pounding really fast, my throat goes dry, my stomach won’t stop churning, and other weird twitchy things...”
Rarity pulled the thermometer out of her sister’s mouth. She finally gave up fighting back the smile that had started the moment Sweetie Belle had mentioned the colt. She grabbed up her sister in the magic of her horn, swinging her around merrily. She caught herself a few moments later. Rarity put her down, clearing her throat and dusting herself off.
“You, my dearest little sister, have a crush. Simple as that. Oh this is so exciting, I’ll have to remember this day for eternity! The day my innocent little sister got a crush!” Rarity was gushing madly, wondering what to do to commemorate the event. Sweetie Belle stared after Rarity confused.
“A... crush?” Sweetie Belle said hesitantly. She wasn't the type to pick up on things quickly. Rarity huffed in irritation, plopping herself on the bed. She stared directly into her sisters eyes.
“A crush is when you like somepony, mare or stallion, in a very special way, like how I was for... Prince Blueblood. Or Prince Cakeface, when I was done with HIM. What dastardly manners...” Rarity shivered as if a cold chill had washed over her. “And YOU my dear have a little crush on this... Show Tail. He must be rather cute, as you know we have the highest quality standards.”
Sweetie Belle dug her head under her pillow, face flushed and embarrassed.
“Oh great, this is the worst day ever...”
Rarity pouted once more, pulling her younger sister closer to her. She took a moment not to muss up the bed more.
“Sweetie Belle, let me tell you about my first crush.”
Sweetie Belle looked up at her sister, who had fondly glazed over eyes. She sighed gently, knowing that this would take a while. She snuggled up in her sheets, preparing herself for the ‘Epic Tale of Rarity’s Love.’
I was just a simple young filly. But I was still stunningly beautiful, just like you, even at such a young age. I had recently received my cutie mark, just like so many foals. School was a burden for me. So many young dashing colts vying for my affections and attentions. They all wanted to claim dear Rarity as their own! But alas, I never let a single colt have that honor, no matter how much they would ask.
I would get my only solace at recess, when everypony was playing. Recess was Rarity time! I was sitting under a tree, reading up on fashion and various types of gems. I had recently gotten my cutie mark, remember? So I was even more intrigued.
Every pony knew me as the no mess type of pony. I hated to be dirty, just as how I am now. However, that didn't seem to be the will of Fate that day. While I was reading I was startled by something falling out of the sky and landing by me. It was a sliver earth colt that was completely covered in dirt and mud.
The way he was smiling at me, so goofy and silly, it made me think that he was one of the colts that liked me. I felt myself straighten up, I was feeling cocky, and I knew it. I thought I was going to reject another colt. Then what he said next just... crushed it.
“Oh, you're that prissy fussfilly Rarity, ain't cha? Well they’re right; you don't look to be a bit of fun.”
I dropped my jaw. No colt every insulted me as such. Me, the class beauty! Rarity! I simply did not know how to take such a comment. I lost my prideful face in an instant, pouting at this silly colt.
He brought himself to his hooves and glanced up to the sky. There above him was a laughing pegasus colt, who was obviously the one who had been carrying him. I got a good look at him. He was a soft silver, and he was covered in dirt and mud. He obviously was in another class, because there was no hay that he would have been in my class without me noticing all that horrible muss!! But then that earth colt looked me straight in the eye. Those beautiful, royal blue eyes, oh he could have been a prince himself! Much well behaved than that silly Prince Cakeface by light-years. But I digress darling.
“I’m Fall Leaf.” He then showed me his cutie mark, a fall leaf with wind streaks behind it. Oh how... regal it looked. Fall shook himself off, nearly getting dirt on me. I cringed and fell back, but what he did next surprised me. He gave me the most charming look I have ever received in my entire life. He truly was a prince. He left his mark on me darling. He marked me forever, and set my heart ablaze. I simply can’t explain or understand it, but alas, he captured me, heart and soul with that charming smile!
“When you're ready for some real fun, call me and Silver Wind.” And then he was lifted away like some sort of... angel. From that moment on, I tried to spend as much time with him as possible. I chased after him at recess, trying my best to get his attentions... He would often pay me little mind, sticking to the freer flying fillies. Soon, he warmed up to me. I brought him home with me often.
“So, why am I holding this again Rare?”
“So I can sew it right. Besides, I need to practice on colts and stallions. And well... you’re very... fit for the job. Very much so...” He was growing up indeed. His build was slowly becoming one of the finest stallions, most likely from his nonstop running. You see, his special talent was running. He always placed in top 5 during the fall running. He was indeed a great runner, his stamina was impeccable, his long well built but very lanky legs propelled him... It was beautiful to watch. It was even more so to watch the cloth fit onto him perfectly, though I... felt it was a crime to behold, but anyway!
I suppose then was when I realized, in the awkward stage of going from filly to mare, that I was completely falling in love with my fillyhood crush. Suiting him up, watching him shuffle nervously, that was when it all came crashing down on me.
I was very much in love with a very dirty stallion.
He had fallen in love with me as well...
I was so very sure that he would be mine forever. But then he got the letter from Celestia, requesting that he come and teach her guards to be as skillful runners as he. He was indeed famous. We were happy that he was going to live in Canterlot. Then I remembered. I had you to take care of Sweetie Belle. Help out mom and dad. I could not just leave. I had to raise you here, where our entire family had been. I could not go with him.
The last night in Ponyville, we spent it together. That night, I had to make perfect. Everything, every little detail. Perfect perfection. I simply had to. It was almost disastrous. The food got ruined by a flash make up storm; the wind forced us into his home, both soaking wet. We had to light a fire, and we kept together for warmth. He took my first kiss... and other things. It was prince claiming his princess. And then... Fall Leaf was gone... My prince was gone. I somewhat replaced him with Prince Blueblood. Hah, some prince he was.
Rarity was now rubbing her nose with her hoof and blinking hard. She was desperately trying not to cry.
“I was so heartbroken that I over reacted and refused to even look at any of his letters. He sent them constantly. I was so embarrassed that whenever he came to town, I would hide. I know it is not very noble of me... But I was blinded by my dramatics. He still sends me a letter for my birthday. I have them all over there in a corner. I bet he has a family... And love and forgotten all about me...” Rarity pushed her face under the pillow. Sweetie Belle sucked on her lip, beginning to wonder what good love brought.
|
Tiramisu Tales
|
1233
| 2 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Original Character,Rarity,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Belle Crush
|
Everypony grows up eventually, even the slightly slow Sweetie Belle. Love indeed.
|
complete
| 81 | 3 |
<p>Sweetie Belle gets a 'love at first sight' crush on a pegasus known as Show Tail, who seems far more interested in everything else but her. Dealing with one's first crush is hard, when you have to beg for his attention. But if you persevere, just maybe, you can win a heart. Oh the woes of young love. Hope you like this better! I know I do!</p>
|
everyone
|
2011-11-07T21:13:53+00:00
|
2011-11-07T21:13:53+00:00
| 3,501 |
“What do you have to say for yourself?! Getting into fights over fillies. You're a silly little foal. I should punish you, but your sprained wing should do the trick for me.”
Show Tail screamed in misery as his aunt pulled on his damaged wing. Agony was an understatement at the moment. His aunt, Pica, was mercilessly pulling his wing in an attempt to set it in a splint. He knew that the pegasus was pulling harder than she should have out of sheer disdain. The moment she had found out his talent had nothing to do with math, science or the arts, she had changed.
Pica had been kind at one point. She was a pure white pegasus mare with a shining pile of bits as a cutie mark and a seemingly good heart. She had allowed him to live with her in Ponyville after his desperate attempts to get a cutie mark had finally angered his mother to the point of no return. She could only take seeing her son injured so many times in a row. Nova Cure sent her rather reluctant pegasus to the country side to live with his father’s sister. He forced himself to fly in order to escape the wretchedly placid place. He missed his mother, father, friends and the general Manehattan feel. He wasn't part of the upper crust, but the lower class ponies that knew how to have fun. That was where he felt he belonged, at least until Snips and Snails smacked him out of the sky.
He winced more, biting his lip to contain his screams. Pica really did not show him any mercy, or hide her feelings. He tried to think of better things. Snips and Snails becoming his first real friends and making him want to stay. The fun they had together. Flying with Scootaloo. Just being with Scootaloo. Nuzzling Sweetie Belle.
Nuzzling Sweetie Belle?
He could vaguely remember rubbing his nose with her, trying to make her smile. She had nudged his face up to look at hers, and he had felt her breath on his face. Sweetie Belle’s face was full of concern and worry, and he nuzzled her soft nose to make her feel better. It had made him feel better too. Sweetie Belle, though he only met her a bit more than a week ago, was already somepony he felt he could depend on. Show Tail remembered spilling everything to her. How the pegasus colt and his idiot followers had told him to stay away from Scootaloo, claiming her as his. Sweetie Belle had looked disappointed, probably at his cuss-filled response to the colts. He hated hurting other ponies’ feelings so he nuzzled her nose till she smiled. A smile that made him feel so much better and brought to mind Scootaloo, the filly of his dreams.
Not to say that Sweetie Belle wasn't pretty in her own right. She was a breath of fresh air from his angel. She was goofy, and didn't have her mind mostly occupied by flying. He shut his eyes and thought of her as the splint was set. Show Tail let out one last grunt of pain. He looked back to see the wing bandaged up in its typical resting position, and not slightly hanging as it had before. He could have expressed gratitude to Pica. Before he could speak, she was spraying a burning antiseptic on his wounds. He hissed in agony, forcing his eyes shut to think of other things
“I got into a fight because I like Scootaloo. It’s becoming more obvious apparently. “Sweetie Belle’s face fell. She had been smiling, but now... she looked so unhappy. She really hated the idea of me fighting. I had to do something. I didn't know her that well. I wanted to hang out with her, but Scootaloo was far too tempting to pass up and I felt bad. She was almost as wonderful as my angel, and she deserved my attention. Friends are friends. My mother used to rub my nose when I was sad to cheer me up. Sweetie Belle wasn't family, so I figured I had to do it differently. So I nuzzled her nose slowly, like in the movies. I understood why. Her nose was soft and warm, and made me tingle. And made her smile. Even after that, I just wanted to stay there with her for as long as possible.
I never knew that a nose-rub could make somepony feel so wonderful. It was so strange, to hear my heart beating in my ears. I’ve never had that, at least to something like this. It reminded me of how I felt with Scootaloo, but... different. It made me feel warm. She started to nuzzle back at some point, eyes closed and still smiling. She was telling me that she was OK now, and I felt my wings flutter a bit, though I don't know why. Sweetie Belle’s breath smelled pleasantly of apples, while I was pretty sure mine smelled of grass and dirt from my crash landing. Either way, that sweet smell made me bite my lip, and my wings fluttered more. The sprained one hurt slightly, but at this point, I didn't really care. I just wanted to feel her rub against my nose more.
I caught myself. I was enjoying this too much. I didn't really deserve this filly’s kindness. I stepped back and said my goodbyes. I remembered galloping off at breakneck speed, my sprained wing painfully fighting to go up with the other.
By the time the colt had gotten home, he was late for his lessons. Pica’s iron determination to earn him a ‘second cutie mark’ had made his lessons twice as hard. She had turned as cold and spiteful as Nightmare Moon, with Show Tail desperately wishing for her to return to Luna. Pica smacked him with her wing to bring him back to earth.
“Show Tail. It’s time for your lessons. It matters not that you are injured. Eventually, your true talent will emerge. Maybe at math, like you aunt Pica. Or science... Oh I can’t wait. I will get you your dinner.” Pica kissed her nephew on the head, and trotted off to the kitchen. Show Tail sat by the table, trying his best to do whatever work Pica had laid out. He hated the bulk of his lessons with a passion, especially math. The only one he liked at all was biology, and that was because of his flights over the Everfree forest. He would rather be there than put before these lessons. He wanted to be anywhere else.
Show Tail wanted to be with the silver snare drum he had gotten from his father. It celebrated his cutie mark, his brand, his symbol, the one that he had grown to hate. Yet as much as he hated the treatment his talent earned him, he loved it. He loved music, creating it, listening to it. It was his passion, turned into a guilty pleasure. It was a horrible, dirty, guilty pleasure that his aunt would prefer replacing with something more useful and secure. He wanted his talent to be accepted, but that seemed to be too much to ask for.
The next morning could not come fast enough. He walked to school with his friends for the first time in ages, watching the pegasi fly above him. He was admittedly jealous, his one working wing anxious to follow them into the sky. He just wanted to heal up as quickly as possible. Snips and Snails had escaped from the fight with far less damage than Show Tail, only bearing a few scratches and bandages. But they had won the fight, and walked with victory.
“Tails, what happened you your wing?”
Scootaloo. She was flying right above him, curiously staring at his damaged wing. He cringed. He hated the fact that his princess was seeing him in such a state. “So we won’t be flying anytime soon? I hope you feel better.” She then jetted off to school without another word.
“It’s OK Tails. I’m sure that you’ll get better soon. Then you can go and flirt with Scootaloo again.” Show Tail tripped Snips without hesitation for saying that.
“Is it really that obvious I like Scootaloo, Snails?” Show Tail looked his slow friend in the eyes, waiting patiently for him to say something. Anything. Snails inhaled deeply.
“It’s quite obvious, eh.” Show Tail was dumbfounded by Snails’ response. That was the closest Snails came to eloquent in the many months he had known him. Snails shrugged, continuing onward. Snips got to his hooves, quickly whispered that he was trying his best to teach Snails to speak with more class and it was apparently rubbing off. That answer, however, made Show Tail nervous. Ponies already knew of his crush on Scootaloo. Would that earn him another bashed wing? What made it worse was that he was grounded. He couldn't spend time with her like he used to.
“I guess this is as good a time as any to spend some time with Sweetie Belle. I’m sure she wouldn't mind. I wonder what she’s up to after school today.”
“So it’s just me an’ Scootaloo?” Apple Bloom pouted. The Cutie Mark Crusaders met in their club house after school as they always did, even if only for a few minutes. They would discuss their plans and ideas for obtaining cutie marks. Since they had grown up, they would spend at most an hour together before Scootaloo went off to fly with the younger pegasi, Show Tail, or Rainbow Dash. Sometimes Apple Bloom would help out repairing things at home or just go to the hardware store, leaving Sweetie Belle to help around at Rarity’s. Apple Bloom sighed, puffing up her cheeks. She hadn't been spending time with her friends like they used to. Even though they were in their clubhouse, it didn't feel the same. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were slowly getting older, to the point that their crusading had become less and less deadly.
“Yeah, Show Tail invited me to spend some time with him in the meadow. Besides Apple Bloom, you have the hardware store colts to hang out with. You’ve been spending lots of time there.” Sweetie Belle raised an eyebrow at her, suggesting there was much more to it. Apple Bloom squirmed. Her very best friends were glaring her down in such a manner that would get a mute to speak. “We know you like building, but... we’re not that stupid.”
Apple Bloom screamed in frustration, spinning around in circles mindlessly till she fell down. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo took the opportunity to nudge her incessantly.
“One a’ the colts there... He’s a bit... sweet on me. Though most a’ the colts are, him especially. I... kinda like it.” Apple Bloom squirmed in embarrassment. “I don't feel comfortable talking about this...”
“Do you think it’s time we start talking about colts...?” Scootaloo grumbled. The other two fillies imminently stared at her like she was an alien. Scootaloo, the boyish one, the one they had all been sure would never have to do with anything romantic, was suggesting colt talk?
“Who are you and what have you done with Scootaloo. Where is she?!” Apple Bloom screamed before tackling her with all the force she could muster. Scootaloo screamed, unable to escape from Apple Bloom’s grip.
“I’m still Scootaloo! I’m just saying! We’re... kinda getting older. And well... I like colts.” She said rather reluctantly. Sweetie Belle was giggling at this turn of events. A few years ago, Scootaloo was the tomcoltish filly she knew. Now, she wanted to talk about colts. This was a development not even she could foresee. She laughed for just a bit longer, and then her blood ran cold.
Scootaloo liked colts.
Oh horsefeathers, she could get a crush on Show Tail.
“What’s the matta Sweetie Belle? You look like you ate a rotten apple. Did ya eat a rotten apple? Cause I got a cure for that at home. Tastes worse than the rotten apple, but Granny Smith swears by it!” Apple Bloom went on for a bit longer, leaving Sweetie Belle to her own devices.
“Oh horsefeathers! I was supposed to meet Show Tail! Bye!”
“That Sweetie Belle is SO random. Hey, you wanna go zip lining?”
“Scootaloo, I’m still traumatized from the last time. And that was years ago! Let’s just stay here and plot another crusade and talk about those ‘colts’ you were so eager ta suggest.” Scootaloo stepped back warily. She somewhat regretted mentioning she liked them. No colt had really caught her eye in the least, but she still liked just looking. Apple Bloom “Well, you see, the colt that’s all sweet on me has a really nice cutie mark. He loves apples too...” Scootaloo sat back, smiling at her best friend lighting up the room with her story. Her only regret was that Sweetie Belle was missing this.
Sweetie Belle galloped into the town meadow, panicking about being late. She really didn't mean to get caught up with the Crusaders for so long. It felt as if it had been forever since she had spent time with them. She slowed down once her eyes caught sight of a black and gold smudge in the tall grass.
“So Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo tells me that you can sing.” Show Tail turned his head to her as she got closer. He was laying in the meadow and felt her hooves approaching. He rolled over and stood. Sweetie Belle was blushing. “What’s wrong?” he asked as he shook himself off. “You don't like to sing?”
Show Tail tried his best to read her body language. Her head was hanging low, and she was trying to hide her face. Was she really that embarrassed about it? He thought that they were friends. Maybe she really didn't trust him. Show Tail gulped, trying to figure out what to do. Looking her over, he noticed her nose stuck out. That warm and comforting nose of hers. He could feel his own tingle at the memory of feeling again. The tingle that had flooded his body, from head to wing to ho
Show Tail stepped towards her, nervously closing his eyes and pushing his nose against hers. He couldn't help himself. Her breath hitched when she felt his nose press against hers again. Sweetie Belle sat down out of pure shock, crushing the plants beneath her. He continued to nuzzle against her nose, biting his lip. Feeling awkward and comfortable at the same time, he continued, gently and with slight pressure. His splinted wing was somewhat fighting to flare up, like the other one, and was causing him a bit more pain than last time.
He didn't care. He didn't want to care. All he wanted was to feel her warm nose against his, like yesterday night. His mind began to question what other parts of her were warm. He was chewing fervently on his lip, wondering what side to follow. Show Tail took a moment to submit to his morbid curiosity and nuzzle into her neck. This time all he got was slight snort. He opened his eyes, yanked out of his trance. She was giggling. Which turned into full on laughing.
He flushed, once again catching himself in the act. He blinked furiously, trying to understand what he had just been doing. Straightening his wings, he coughed to regain some semblance of composure. Sweetie Belle looked at him confused. Her entire body still tingled as she watched him start to pace about the meadow.
“Tails, what’s...?”
“So I hear you can sing. Got anything for me to hear Sweetie Belle?”
For some reason, she didn't feel as shy. The tingle was influencing her. She quietly began to sing the Cutie Mark Crusader theme song, which she had loyally committed to memory. Sweetie Belle was surprised to hear the sharp sounds of a snare drum trying to accompany her.
“Please ig... nore me, kinda. My dad got me this, and I can't keep it in the house much, or my aunt will throw it out... Also, you're a much better singer than Scootaloo. So much better.”
Sweetie Belle felt her pride swell up as she continued to sing.
Show Tail walked her home, just like in the movies, with them talking about anything that came to mind. For Sweetie Belle, that was humming bits of possible songs. For Show Tail, it was how good Scootaloo was at flying and dancing. And his general affections for her. Sweetie Belle managed to drive the conversation elsewhere long enough to get home. Was he really that stupid? Did he not realize what he was doing? Apparently not. Ponies could really be so stupid. She was tempted to say colts, but the dramatic of Rarity and friends came to mind for a moment.
“We should do this more often, Sweetie Belle. Music and music, right?” Show Tail smiled nervously. They stood on the doorstep, Sweetie Belle rambling on about making a song with him and how good he was. He rolled his eyes playfully, elated at having somepony to talk about music with. He decided to silence her by nudging her cheek with his nose. She quickly stopped, digging her hoof into the ground nervously.
“Yes, Show Tail?”
“Thanks for hanging out with... me. You know, you have a really nice voice Belle. You should be proud of it.” She giggled in a way akin to Snails before saying her goodbyes and slipping inside. Sweetie Belle wasn't surprised to have Rarity in her face.
“Such a ratty-maned colt. But his tail, it is wonderful! It’s one of the gods! And he’s a musician? They do say that musicians make the best lov...ly music! Yes yes, and they're very good friends, and coltfriends... Yes, then again, so are the athletic types. Mmm, Fall Leaf. Oh my, I’m getting off track. But he seems to like you, and oh my, my little sister is growing up...” Rarity was off on her ramble again.
“He doesn't like me! He likes Scootaloo. He’s just... stupid...” Sweetie Belle heaved a sigh in exasperation before trotting off to her room in anger. Just a moment ago, she had felt wonderful, like a princess. Now, she felt like the peasant left at the gate while the big ball went on. She could just imagine it, Show Tail with his darling Scootaloo, while she was left to watch, painfully staring and wishing to be her.
Burrowing herself underneath her sheets, Sweetie Belle curled up in a ball. She could say that he liked her. He was so sweet to her, nuzzling her nose, tickling her like that. She was shown such great affection, like in the romance movies she and Rarity had indulged in a week ago, but he wasn't interested. Was he really that stupid? Did he not realize what he was doing? Apparently not. He had spent some of their walk home telling her he wished he could have this much fun with Scootaloo.
Scootaloo this, Scootaloo that.
“She’s your friend, and you can't help that Sweetie. You can only deal with it and hope your time will come.”
Sweetie Belle stuck her head out from the sheets, coming face to face with Rarity.
“She doesn't even... like him Rare.” Sweetie Belle sputtered out. She was frustrated, aggravated, and all sorts of things that she couldn't even understand. Rarity’s face was full of sympathy. She knew her little sister knew nothing of the romance world, and this was a crash course that nopony deserved. But it was her sister’s course, and she would help guide her through the best she could.
“He doesn't seem to understand that what he’s doing... are romantic acts. It’s a shame I showed you those movies... Oh my. Maybe you can charm him. But you simply must remember. You are only a foal and this is only a foal’s crush. You may get lucky and have something like what Fall Leaf and I had... But. You are only a foal. With any luck, this will pass. Do you understand?” Rarity did not make eye contact at any point of her speech, yet Sweetie Belle seemed to understand. This was not something she should invest her entire heart into. “Sweetie Belle, my dear little sister. The hurt will pass in due time. You must simply wait. This isn't a movie. Then, you will be able to be fabulous like your older sister.”
“But you're lonely, and you refuse to contact the stallion you love. That’s not what the movies say to do! You're supposed to go after them! ”
“Silence Sweetie Belle!” Rarity snapped. “You know nothing of love, and therefore have no right to say anything at all! Go to bed!” Rarity wasted no time making a dramatic exit, leaving her sister alone. Rarity sank against the door she had just slammed, sobbing slightly. She knew in the pit of her stomach that her little sister was right. She had spent years ignoring his letters out of her own irrational fears. Now her innocent little sister was going through the woes of maturity. If she could, she would go back in time and keep her a child.
An innocent foal that simply didn't understand or want to understand the world of love. She rubbed her eyes dry, hiccupping. She had to pull herself together. This was no time to be breaking down at old memories. She had to be there to support her little sister, her darling Sweetie Belle that knew not what to do. Rarity bounced to her feet, marching to her room. Glancing over at the wall, she quickly noticed that her birthday was coming up.
A letter would be due soon, and this time, she would reply.
She promised.
|
Tiramisu Tales
|
1233
| 3 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Original Character,Rarity,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Belle Crush
|
Everypony grows up eventually, even the slightly slow Sweetie Belle. Love indeed.
|
complete
| 81 | 3 |
<p>Sweetie Belle gets a 'love at first sight' crush on a pegasus known as Show Tail, who seems far more interested in everything else but her. Dealing with one's first crush is hard, when you have to beg for his attention. But if you persevere, just maybe, you can win a heart. Oh the woes of young love. Hope you like this better! I know I do!</p>
|
everyone
|
2011-11-07T21:27:31+00:00
|
2011-11-07T21:27:31+00:00
| 2,971 |
Show Tail yawned, struggling out of bed on a bright Saturday morning. He lazily flew straight down the hall to the bathroom, casually bumping into walls along the way. He nudged the door open, and made his way to the sink. He leaned on the edge of the porcelain sink, examining his looks, as teenagers do. His unkempt mane was actually looking better than normal, but still resiliently sticking up in random places. His golden eyes wanted to shine behind the film of general drowsiness. Show Tail flicked his signature tail behind him, and his eyes went to his flank. His cutie mark glared at him, the silver drum maliciously sticking out. Smiling wryly, a dry chuckle escaped his lips. He wanted it gone, or at least changed to something else. That shining drum was making his life with Pica a living hell.
Show Tail closed his eyes, exhaling a shaky breath. He could feel his stomach lurch, adrenaline rush, and his muscles tense like he was about to fight.
Keep calm, keep calm.
He opened his eyes, curiously eyeing his broken countenance. The cracked glass wasn't there before. He stared at the cabinet blankly for a few more seconds, confused on how it happened. He stamped a hoof on the side of the sink.
He had punched the mirror. So much for keeping calm. Show Tail bit his lip nervously, embarrassed that he had lost his temper so mindlessly. He figured that it was one of those moments where stress from the past compiles with current stress. He nodded to himself in agreement, taking note to borrow a book at the library about stress later when he was coming home. Sheepishly, he swept the mess up hoping that Pica would not be too mad with him. He tried to keep his mind off the mare. She was slightly off her rocker, and it wasn't a secret to anypony. The vehement mental mess was out at work, functioning like any other pony. Once she got home, she was a benevolent tyrant, berating him for hours before gathering him up in her arms and begging for forgiveness. She would surely yell at him for this.
Show Tail threw the glass shards out, trying to stay positive, and proceeded to get ready for the day. He trotted into the kitchen, taking in his surroundings. Pica had left out a box of cereal, which he guessed was for him. He snorted and rolled his eyes. He didn't know why Pica left him such paltry foods when he could cook his own meals. Flying up to the top shelf with gusto, Show Tail brought down some fruit, flour, and other things.
“Today’s meal will be Fruit Pancakes with lightly toasted daffodils and roses.” He said to himself in a matter of fact tone. He loved the rare moments when Pica wasn't there. He could do what he wanted to, without math and other things being shoved down his throat. Without the heavy slaps of her wings whenever he did anything wrong. Without the crushing hugs and the insane mumblings of ‘my poor child, my poor son.’ He shivered, putting the seasoned daffodils and daisies in the oven.
Show Tail shook his head. Today was meant to be a great day. The November weather was perfect to go out. Then again, every day was a perfect day to hang out with Scootaloo. He swooned after a pancake flip, nearly missing the pan. He couldn't understand why he was so attracted to her, and yet he was. It was best not to question teenage hormones. She was just so imposing, strong, and a bunch of other words he knew but could not seem to find. That stupid smile he got on his face around her was plastered on now. Show Tail couldn't wait.
When he arrived at the meadow, he was surprised to see another pony with Scootaloo. Frustration was the only thing that could describe how he felt. He trotted up to them with pride regardless. Scootaloo waved him over, and immediately began to speak.
“How long have I known you Tails?”
He tapped his hoof on the ground for a moment. “We met in the beginning of the school year... September. And it’s November now, so two months?” She squealed, turning towards the light blue mare behind her.
“And I haven't introduced you to my idol? The world fastest flier? It’s... Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo squealed. Show Tail stepped back out of shock. Scootaloo was acting very strange. Her eyes looked like dinner plates and she was giddy. A bit too giddy. Scootaloo was rocking back and forth on her hooves as Rainbow Dash got closer. Show Tail raised an eyebrow skeptically. Was this his Scootaloo? The one that he had come to consider a demigod, the one who he had been getting into fights over? If that was his Scootaloo, then frankly, the thought left a sour taste in his mouth. He preened himself on liking her attitude as it was, carefree and not overly prissy, like Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara.
Show Tail snapped back to reality once he realized that Rainbow Dash was talking to him.
“Yes yes, it’s me, Rainbow Dash! One of the greatest fliers in all Equestria, member of the Wonderbolts. Thank you very much. Now, let’s see how fast you can fly!” Rainbow Dash took flight without another word. She looked Show Tail up down anxiously waiting for him to take flight. He shrugged and followed her into the sky besides Scootaloo. “Ready? Set...”
Show Tail was now sitting in the meadow an hour or two later, wishing he had said no. Rainbow Dash was talking to him about something. He really wasn't paying attention or caring much about that something. He was more concerned with the filly that was flying away. The look on her face had made him miserable. Her brows had been furrowed, yet tears were forming in the corners. Scootaloo’s wings were flared high in anger, as if she were about to tackle something, but her body seemed to wobble in the breeze. She opened her mouth as if she was screaming, but nothing came out. Suddenly, she took flight, yelling her goodbyes to them both. Rainbow Dash had just shrugged, assuming that she just had something to do. Show Tail cringed. He could read ponies like a book sometimes.
His heart sank.
-----------------------------------------------------------
“She doesn't love me anymore!” Scootaloo screamed as she crashed into the Cutie Mark Crusader tree house. Apple Bloom screamed in horror, diving out of the way of the speeding pegasus. Scootaloo landed in the pile of library books the other two crusaders had taken out. Stumbling to her feet, Scootaloo rushed into Apple Bloom. She sobbed a bit, sniffling and rubbing her eyes. “Remain cool Scootaloo. Cool. You’re cool.”
“Scootaloo... She doesn't... love you? Who? Rainbow...”
“She ignored me ok?! Just because Show Tail is a faster flier and can't maneuver as well as I can!” She walked over to Apple Bloom before collapsing in a heap dramatically. Apple Bloom sighed, rolling her eyes. She wished that Sweetie Belle was there. Living with Rarity had probably trained her well with dramatic situations.
“Now Scootaloo... She probably just wanted to help him become a better flier! You know that flying means a lot to a pegasus!” Apple Bloom patted her friend on the back desperately trying to find what to say next. ‘’You sound like you're a... what’s the word Pinkie Pie said? Big Jealousy McJealous Jealous Pants? Yeah! That’s tha word! I think...” She tapped her hoof to her chin. Scootaloo sat back, sniffling.
“I... guess you're right... I’m jealous. But he’s faster than me! I can't stand it! I hate him!” Scootaloo pouted, putting her back to Apple Bloom to emphasize her point. Apple Bloom Sighed dramatically, not sure what to do with the devastated Scootaloo. Dash was her idol, her ‘sister’, her mentor. It must have hurt seeing her pay attention to another pegasus foal and not her. Apple Bloom stomped her hoof on the ground before tugging on Scootaloo’s mane.
“Come on, I know just tha thing to cheer ya up.” She tugged Scootaloo to the house, sitting her down for pie and milk. “Alright Scootaloo. You have to remember, Rainbow Dash has other friends too ya know...” Apple Bloom began, trying her best to look scholarly. Knowing Scooatloo’s stubbornness, she might be there a while. She really hoped that at least Show Tail was having fun.
----
“Oh. Here it is...”
“Aren't you a little young to be taking out books on anger management?”
“Maybe...? I don't know. Hello Ms. Sparkle...” Show Tail shrunk back a bit, trying to assess the look on the mare’s face. She was showing mostly confusion and curiosity, but not the good kind. He felt as if she was examining him. He had to come up with an excuse, and fast. “It’s for my aunt. You know her, Pica?” When Twilight’s eyes sprung open in shock, he knew he had come up with the wrong one. He had to say something else. Anything else to make her not think that Pica was any crazier than she already was.
“Show Tail, are you...”
“She’s having problems at work! She... needs to learn how to deal with a pony with issues.”
“Oh... alright... Anyway, the kids section is over there, and Snips, Snails, and other foals are over there. Go ahead and enjoy yourself.” Twilight nodded awkwardly before going off to her own section of the library. Show Tail breathed a sigh of relief, realizing how close he had gotten to possibly messing up his aunt’s life. Show Tail trotted over to a more decorated section of the tree. Stained glass decorated the edge of the panes, and slightly worn yet soft pillows were scattered on the floor. Snips and Snails had picked the brightest nook, each seated next to a window in the corner. He dragged one of the small pillows not in use over to them, taking a peak at what the two were reading.
Snips was reading a cook book, and Snails was reading something about algebra. He didn't think much of it, before whipping Snails on the flank to get his attention.
“Oh, hey Tails! I’m just reading some math...” Snails returned to his book without another word. Suddenly, he snapped his head back up, staring intently at Show Tail’s face. “What happened?”
“I pissed Scootaloo off by being a faster flier. Dash was interested in training me, since I have very little coordination in flight. So she’s mad at me now. Or something... I feel kinda stupid now.” Show Tail bit his lip, trying to think of what to do to curry her favor. Perhaps make her something to eat? Go flying with her, like they always used to do? No... She’s mad at me for my horrid flying. If only I had focused on skill more than speed. He slammed his forehead into the stress and anger management book he had picked up, taking a moment to marvel in the slight irony of doing so.
“Maybe you're taking this too seriously Tails. I mean, we’re only fourteen. Who needs fillies anyway?” Snips stuck out his tongue, pouting to emphasize his disgust. Snails rolled his eyes at his best friend.
“Is that why you're looking up recipes for apples?” Snips cringed, glaring at Snails as if he was going to smack him with his hoof. “Mmmm... apples.” Snails groaned out, returning to his book. Snips sputtered something in frustration, creating a multitude of excuses to which Snails shook his head laughing dumbly. Snips poked him with his horn, and Snails responded with a rather dull and uninterested ‘Ouch’.
“Well, I just wanted to learn. I hear she has interest in another colt... I have no chance. Besides, I just think she’s pretty. Which she is...” Snips shoved the book to the side, picking up a magazine another foal had left behind. “Yeah Tails, you might be taking this Scootaloo thing too hard. I’m pretty sure there are other pretty fillies that would like you all the same. You aimed too high.”
“What are you talking about, too high?! And how do you even know all this stuff?!” Show Tail snapped. He was getting irritated again. He started chewing on his lip, hoping that he wouldn't lose his temper again. Show Tail flipped open the book, trying to find something that would be helpful. Counting down from ten to one was the first thing that popped out. Show Tail closed his eyes, hoping that would help.
Ten.
“You know, she’s not like Diamond Tiara or Silver Spoon, openly worshiped by the colts in our school. But she still has lots of admirers.”
Nine.
“We’ve been getting into lots a fights...”
Eight.
“We keep getting into fights because Scootaloo likes spending time with Tails, and we're his friends. We gotta help.”
Seven. My... fault.
“Does she like him?”
Six. No, she doesn't Snails. She probably never will too.
Snips only shrugged.
Five. Maybe I am taking this too seriously...
“If we don't know, why worry, eh?”
Four. Worry. I shouldn't worry... But I can't help it. This is new.
“Oh Snails, you don't know anything about fillies! We’re old enough to like them you know!”
Three. Oh heavens this isn't working... Fillies are so much trouble. I... think I’m gonna snap.
“He likes Scootaloo. Why not like somepony else?”
Two. If only it were that easy... Heavens, this really isn't working. It still...
“What about Sweetie Belle, Tails? You two hang out a lot anyway.”
Show Tail stopped his count down, if only out of shock. He opened his eyes only to glare at Snips, who shrunk back in slight fear. Snails were laughing in his typical slow minded fashion. Show Tail rolled his eyes before addressing Snips straight on.
“Sweetie Belle is my friend, and only that! She could never compare to Scootaloo like that. She’s pretty, yeah, but she’s just too... too... I don't know I just like Scootaloo more! Let’s drop this topic.” He stomped a hoof on the floor to solidify his point. Snips and Snails rolled their eyes in unison. Show Tail decided not take the topic any further, in fear of treading on some dangerous ground. Snails traded his algebra book for the cook book, and little else was said afterwards.
-----
“Show Tail, please inform me as to why you have this... book? You have anger issues? What could possibly be stressing a young colt?” Pica swatted him with her wing. He tottered in his seat at the dining table, trying his best to finish his lessons quickly. His patience was wearing thin, with Pica and the lessons. He wanted to mope in his room, like any other teenager. Especially after today. Scootaloo was probably angry at him for stealing attention away from her idol. He was ashamed of himself, and that was distracting him more than it should have. “Idiot foal! That’s not how mother taught you to add!”
Another swat of the wing, with more force than the last. That one actually hurt a bit. He could lash out. He could attack her. His common sense warned him against that. It didn't take long for Show Tail to remember the mare was sick. She was berating him about the book now, along with his apparent lack of finesse for the art of math. He finally finished the work, trudging to his room, stress book in mouth. He knew his anger was rising, and that he would lose his temper. Pica’s incessant mumbling to herself down the hall grated on her ears. That mumbling meant she was planning another lesson, and another forced torture. If he didn't care about her so much, he would have begged to go back home.
He couldn't leave her, at least not yet. She needed him, and it was blatantly obvious her life would crumble without him to be her false foal. Show Tail burrowed under his sheets, reveling in the darkness that dusk brought. His room Pulling out the book and a flashlight, he read about identifying and leaving causes of stress. Pica was one. A major one. He knew he could only leave Pica when he was older, when she was sure she had fulfilled her motherly duties. For now though, he would have to stay under her mad hoof.
At least she hadn't mentioned the mirror.
“Hey, Show Tail. I have something to ask you!!”
Scootaloo? He jumped out of his bed, flying to one of the huge bay windows as fast as possible. Indeed there was a rather sullen faced filly right under his window frame. He couldn't tell if he was dreaming or dreaming. He opened his window anyway, letting the filly of his dreams rest on his windowsill.
“You have to tell me how you got to fly so fast!” Scootaloo hissed. She had a look in her eyes that he thought he would never get from her. They looked like they were tearing. There was sheer and unadulterated desperation, heavily mixed with what could be called pure rage. Was impressing Rainbow Dash all that mattered to her? Or did out-speeding her in front of her idol do that much damage? Either way, she looked like she was going to stomp on him.
Show Tail stepped back, not sure of what to say. He didn't want to tell her the truth. He had to keep as much tarnish as possible off his standing with her. He swallowed hard, and came up with the best plausible excuse.
“It’s because I’ve been flying longer than you! You know what I mean?! It’s only been a few months difference, but still!” His mouth went dry under her glare. She narrowed her eyes at him, searching for some fault, anything all to give her more information. A few seconds passed by awkwardly before she finally smiled, seeming to have accepted his vague excuse.
“Sure! I’ll see you tomorrow.” She zipped out his window without another word. He dived back under his sheets, breathing hard. He would be able to tell her everything without feeling embarrassed one day...
As Scootaloo flew back home as fast as she could; only one thing was on her mind.
“I hate him.”
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Tiramisu Tales
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1233
| 4 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Original Character,Rarity,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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Belle Crush
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Everypony grows up eventually, even the slightly slow Sweetie Belle. Love indeed.
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complete
| 81 | 3 |
<p>Sweetie Belle gets a 'love at first sight' crush on a pegasus known as Show Tail, who seems far more interested in everything else but her. Dealing with one's first crush is hard, when you have to beg for his attention. But if you persevere, just maybe, you can win a heart. Oh the woes of young love. Hope you like this better! I know I do!</p>
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everyone
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2011-11-22T14:00:04+00:00
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2011-11-22T14:00:04+00:00
| 3,175 |
“Thanks for coming over to help me, guys! I dunno if I could handle all of this baking by myself! It’s sooooo nice to have some extra hooves in the kitchen! Cause, you know I can't just spawn hooves... Oooooh! Put some extra cinnamon in that! More sugar! More more more!!”
Sweetie Belle laughed in delight, nudging Apple Bloom with her flour-dusted flank. The fillies were helping the overworked Cake family prepare sweets for the Winter Solstice Ball. It was to be the longest night of the year, and the few hours of daylight had to be used wisely. In contrast with the wild and informal Summer Solstice party, Luna’s was a much more formal affair, at least in dress. It was too cold to party outside, so the whole event was to be held in the grand town hall. Rarity was already there, hurrying up with decorations, and most likely doing last-minute dress alterations on the spot. Sweetie Belle had felt bad that she was unable to be of any help to her, but over the fourteen years of her life, she knew it was best to leave it to Rarity. Seeing her sister dejected in the corner was pricking at Rarity’s conscience so she sent her to Sugarcube corner after seeing the Cakes drag in some sweets to set up early.
Sweetie Belle glanced over at Pinkie Pie, who was humming one of her many songs as she poured brownie batter into a tin and set it to bake.
“You see, Mr and Mrs. Cake went to the town hall to set up the sweets that are already baked, so they left me here to keep an eye on the place! Thank you both so much!” Pinkie Pie ran all over the kitchen, pouring vanilla, cinnamon and other things into the massive number of labeled bowls spread about. Apple Bloom was stirring some of them, trying to keep pace with Pinkie’s add-ons. She had originally come just to deliver apples, but couldn't find it in herself to leave Pinkie to manage the baking by herself. Sweetie Belle had arrived moments later, giving her more incentive to stay.
As Apple Bloom mixed after Pinkie, Sweetie Belle was busy following the recipes. However, that didn't mean they couldn't talk.
“So Apple Bloom, that colt you met, did he ask you to the dance?” Sweetie Belle asked between bowls. Apple Bloom gave a flighty giggle, her lips curling into a playful grin.
“Why yes he did! He did it all fancy like too. Brought me a flower, though it was half-eaten... It was nice he thought of it though!” Apple Bloom poured some batter into a pan for Pinkie to shove into another oven.
“Oh you little ponies have dates! How cute!! Oh I was sooooo busy baking that I couldn't even find a date! But I’ll probably find a nice stallion to dance with at the party... Oh Sweetie Belle, who’s your date?” Pinkie Pie shoved her face into Sweetie Belle’s, some how managing to frost a cake at the same time. Sweetie Belle cringed. She didn't want to think about dates. The past month with Show Tail made her heart ache. He always nuzzled her nose in a way that made her feel fuzzy and strange, and over time, whenever she saw him, her heart panged harder and harder. Even Sweetie Belle could see that her crush was getting out of hand. He was always so sweet to her, more so than she had ever seen him with Scootaloo. Perhaps he was simply more comfortable with her than Scootaloo. What ever it was, it left parasprites in her stomach.
“Sweeeeeeeeeeeeetie Belle!! Do you have a daaaaaaaaaaaate?” Pinkie Pie was in her ear. She must have spaced out. Apple Bloom was right next to Sweetie Belle now, nudging her rump to bring her back to earth.
“No I don't... Why?”
“Well, Scootaloo does. Show Tail asked her and she said yes and...”
“What?!” Apple Bloom cringed at the ear-splitting cry. She turned to Sweetie Belle, who had a morbid look on her face. “But I like him! Why didn't he ask me?!” Sweetie Belle suddenly turned into Rarity, her lip forming her sister’s signature pout. She snapped back to normal, taking a moment to realize what she had done.
“You... like Show... Tail? Sweetie Belle, why didn't you tell me!?” Apple Bloom looked almost offended. Sweetie Belle cringed at Apple Bloom’s disbelief. She hadn't really meant to blurt it out. She just couldn't believe that Scootaloo had agreed to go with him as a date. It didn't even seem to be Scootaloo like behavior. “Well um... you see, he asked Scoots if she was going and she said yes, so they're kinda going together, but more like... friends. Besides, she’s not very very fond of him. She’s jealous of his skills...” Apple Bloom trailed off, glancing at Sweetie Belle awkwardly. Sweetie felt she had blurted out her feelings for no reason. “Should we tell Scootaloo?”
“No. He likes her, remember? I’d be so embarrassed if she knew I liked him. You have to prom...” Sweetie was cut off by Pinkie Pie.
“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!! Remember, telling a secret is the fastest way to lose a friend...”
“Foreverrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!” All three of them screamed at the top of their lungs. Pinkie giggled for a bit.
“Pinkie Pie, you're all grown an’ such. What was your first crush like?” Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle looked at the pink pony hopefully. She may have been Pinkie, but she was older, and most likely had some form of useful advice, even if it was in Pinkie Code.
“My first crush was a rock.”
The fillies stared at Pinkie Pie in shock, till she started to snort and giggle. They exhaled in relief once they realised she was kidding. She quickly reassured them that he was indeed a real colt, and after some gentle prodding, she recalled the tale as they worked.
When I was just a little filly on the rock farm, we were very careful with the rocks. We spent most of our time with rocks! Rotating them, cleaning them, selling them... We had rocks on the brain! Except not really, cause that would hurt...
But that’s not the point! You see, I did go to school, my sisters and I. There were other rock farmers in the area, along with dirt farmers and other earth-based jobs. The families around there didn't want us to go to the local Ponyville school, so they decided to homeschool us all. Every day, all of us little foals would sit in the local schoolhouse and learn all about rocks and dirt and whatever. Shale, marble, sandstone, granite... If it was a rock, we knew about it. I was the second-best in the class. I remembered almost everything. Well, there were only about ten of us anyway.
There was this one pony that I really liked! Colossus Strudel. We called him Seuss. He was the most wonderful chestnut brown, and had the nicest mane ever! He always kept it combed, and he was always so very serious. I liked that in a colt! He was also part of the Strudel Family, our top rock farming competitors! But I guess that was part of why I liked him so much. He was dangerous, new, and forbidden, so to speak. He liked me too, after some rocky persuasion!
“I like... pink quartz.” He said to me one day, and gave me a high quality chunk of it. I still have it to this day. It’s soooo pretty. “I really like... pink.” He said in a very matter of factoid way. It was from that moment on, I began to formulate my Pinkieness. He made me so happy, on the inside at least. It was amazing! We spent every possible moment together. We snuck out at night to go find rocks in the meadows. It was the only time I really remembered smiling... It was wonderful. I can remember the first time he kissed me. We had just found another piece of pink quartz, though not as high quality as the last one. He said that he actually really liked it, since it was like a heart, but not like a heaaaart. You know, the drawing, not the creepy blood pumpy one. We were so little, and all he knew was that you kissed people you really liked. So he kissed me!
“My mom says that you kiss people you really like, and you give them special things. So...”
I think my hair puffed up a little bit due to that...
However, after I got my cutie mark, just few weeks later, it all changed. I threw another party, this time inviting all the foals in my class, and their families. It turns out that the reason why the Strudels and the Pies were such competitors was because the wives were sisters! I was in fact in love with my cousin! We were just so embarrassed, and happy that none of the other foals knew that we liked each other. During the party, we snuck out, and he kissed me one more time or two time. Maybe three or more, I forget.
“This would be strange. I apologize wholly. Pinkie... I just felt I should kiss you one last time, before we halt this affair.” I nodded slowly, feeling just as sad as when I was alone on the farm.
Pinkie. He always did call me Pinkie. I loved hearing him call me Pinkie...
“Oh Pinkie Pie! It must have been horrible realizing you liked your cousin!” Sweetie Belle stirred the latest batter of cupcakes, sniffling miserably. “Do you still keep in contact?” Apple Bloom nodded as she pulled a batch of cupcakes out of the oven. Pinkie stopped frosting and nodded vigorously. Splattering some of the frosting on the floor and ceiling.
“Yeah! All the time! We send letter to each other like crazy. In fact, he’s coming to Ponyville to celebrate Winter Solstice... Oh my I have to get ready... I have to look pretty, and Rarity fixed me a pretty new dress and...” Pinkie Pie continued talking to herself about what she had to do. Apple Bloom turned towards Sweetie Belle slyly.
“So... Show Tail huh...” Sweetie Belle glared at Apple Bloom with a vengeance. She sighed, realizing that she had nothing to be angry about. She had one of her best friends to talk to about her crush. Maybe this night would end well.
---
Sweetie Belle finally arrived at home as the sun began to set. She glanced around the fully lit room, racks of dresses and suits now decimated and empty. She smiled to herself, knowing that Rarity would be pleased with herself. She snapped back to the world once she thought of her sister. She glanced around in a panic before noticing a white horn buried underneath a pile of fabric.
Yet again, her sister was napping, probably hiding from any last minute dress seekers. Sweetie Belle couldn't help but laugh, walking over to nudge her sister. Rarity spazzed, limbs flailing wildly as she awoke. She screamed something about dresses before coming to her senses.
“Oh... You’re back! I suppose had fun, right? Good. Did you remember to give Apple Bloom her Solstice present? You got her those paints, didn't you? What did she give you?” Rarity shook off the piles of warm fabric, trotting off to the closet. Sweetie Belle nodded merrily, explaining that Apple Bloom got her some pens with musical notes on them, and Scootaloo had gotten her some music sheets. Sweetie Belle had been giving out gifts to her classmates and other ponies all day after she had left Pinkie’s. Finding everypony had been heard, but at least her backpacks were now full of treats, trinkets and other gifts. She quickly remembered that she needed to pack Show Tail’s gift, the one pony she had purposely left for last.
Mostly out of Pinkie’s request.
If you like him so much, you should give him his present dressed up all fancy, at the party!
“Oh Sweetie Belle, I have your dress!” Rarity had a proud smile on her lips as she came back with the gown. “I made this after staring at my gala dress, that horrendous affair. I would very much like to teach that Prince Cakeface how to behave. I suppose he would be better with some manners... But no matter! Here you are darling.” She waved her creation with great gusto.
The slightly heavy looking gown was a powdery and dusty blue underneath a gauzy sparkled layer of translucent material. Once Sweetie Belle put it on, it stopped just above her hooves, an asymmetrical edge slightly gracing her hooves with a magical looking haze. Her sleeves were made of the same translucent material, gem dusted and draped over her shoulders in a bell shape. Sweetie Belle smiled brightly, twirling around in a circle for a bit.
“Oh big sis, thank you so much! It’s beautiful!” Rarity glowed with some pride, quickly summoning some gem dust to dust Sweetie Belle’s cheeks. “You're going to be there, right? Please tell me that you will...” Rarity smiled gently at her sister, nodding her head gently.
“Why of course. But I won’t always be by your side. You're growing up darling. You must learn to sparkle like the gem you are.” Rarity couldn't help but smile broadly. If only their parents could see them now... She dusted her own cheeks with the gem dust, her heart thumping hard, but in a good way. Her little sister looked so happy with herself as she twirled around in the mirror. Rarity took a moment to put a curl her sister’s hair and put more of the sparkling dust in it. Rarity had also gotten ready, her dress a little black dress. It hugged her body and fell to the floor, barely above the ground. She had designed it to be the more daring and sensual copy of what she had made for Sweetie Belle. As she looked herself over, she could agree that she had in fact, done it well, maybe too well.
She had to thank Pinkie for the gem dust.
“Come on Rarity! The party’s probably already started!”
And right she was.
The town hall was bustling with fancily dressed ponies all dancing and partying. It was a dimly lit affair, mostly relying on the full moon and stars to light the room. Sparsely laid about candles added a gentle touch of mystery. The drapes and tapestries were all a powerful yet soothing navy blue, all embroidered with the sharpest white. They were decorated with seemingly meaningless yet beautiful swirls that depicted the stars and night. Rarity had indeed outdone herself.
“Now, Sweetie Belle, go have fun. I’m going to find the girls.”
Sweetie Belle shivered, trying to figure out what to do next after Rarity trotted off. She decided that finding her friends would be her first priority. It wasn't too hard to find Apple Bloom, dressed in a pale yellow dress with puffy sleeves and black stitches. She was sitting by one of the windows, oddly close to...
“Snails?! Snails is your hardware pony?!” Sweetie Belle couldn't believe her eyes. He was the last pony she could have thought of. Snails laughed in his typically goofy manner, nuzzling Apple Bloom’s cheek affectionately. She shrugged, laughing. Snips had a look of annoyance on his face, which quickly melted away. He looked genuinely happy for his best friend. He pulled on his suit bow tie with a nod to himself. He seemed to be assuring himself that everything was fine. Apple Bloom had quickly explained that his slowness had made him great at picking out matching color palettes that never failed, and that he worked at the store part time on the weekends. She had gone in looking for a new color scheme for the clubhouse, and left with something different.
“You look so pretty Sweetie Belle!” Apple Bloom gushed once she finished her story, standing up to hug one of her best friends. Sweetie Belle assured herself that with this hug, and that cute story, this would indeed be a great night. She glanced around excitedly, happy to see all of the ponies enjoying themselves, dancing to the music. She knew the first thing she had to do. That was to find Pinkie Pie.
Lucky for her, it wasn't too hard.
Pinkie was standing in a rather dark corner of the town hall with a large suited stallion, one that could compete with Big Mac in size. He was a chestnut brown, a familiar color that seemed to stick out in her head. His eyes never seemed to leave Pinkie Pie in her simple grey dress. She looked embarrassed, yet happy, with her eyes trained downwards. She didn't seem to want to look the stallion in the eye, and was giggling softly. Her eyes were flickering everywhere, and she seemed very nervous.
“Sweetie Belle!”
Pinkie was hopping over to her with a typical grin on her face. The stallion behind her was obviously annoyed as he followed her silently.
“This is Seuss, my big cousin! He makes statues for a living.” Pinkie was indeed nervous. Sweetie Belle could in fact read the general annoyance on Seuss’ face. He gave her a sympathetic look, begging her to have Pinkie to himself. Sweetie Belle blushed. So this was the fabulous Colossus that she had been in so in love with. As Sweetie Belle said her polite hellos, it didn't take her long to realize that they were still very much in love with each other. She blushed a bit before cleverly smiling.
“Oh Pinkie Pie, I’d love to stay and chat, but I have to find Show Tail. See you!”
“You can do it Sweetie Belle. I believe in you. Go get your colt.” Pinkie whispered to her before she went back to the main party. She stood up tall, proud of herself for encouraging young love. She suddenly felt something warm touch her ear, causing a shiver to run down her spine.
“Pinkie. She may be a foal, but she seems to be a very clever filly.”
She stood as still as a Cockatrice victim, only her lip trembling.
“Seuss. We... you know that. Besides, we’re family, you know that I don’t...”
“Then why are you wearing my favorite color? A bit... dull for Pinkie, is it not?”
Pinkie Pie paused, unsure of how to continue. The grey dress, though stylish, was very much against typical Pinkie style. Her friends had exclaimed in shock, and pretty much everypony else was simply confused. She had all told them she had her reasons. Her body feel inexplicably warm and tingly, and her chest was tight.
“Pinkamina Diane Pie, you haven't seen me in person in years, and you wear this? And you expect me not to think something?” Pinkie turned her head slowly to meet her eyes with Seuss, a nearly pitch black pair of eyes gave her a matter of fact face. He had used her real name. He was quite serious and she couldn't bring herself to speak. She shook her head slightly instead of saying a word. He smiled, quite satisfied with himself. Pinkie smiled back, nodding shyly.
“Shall we go somewhere more... private, my dear Pinkie?”
Sweetie Belle giggled to herself as she watched them leave. Chalk up another tally to making this Solstice amazing. She scanned the floor from the snack table, trying to find one particular pony. How hard could it possibly be to find that glowing tail in all this mess? She stood there for a few minutes, and was very much on the urge of giving up. She could see Apple Bloom with Snails, dancing coyly, containing her obvious excitement. She could spot other foals, classmate or not, dressed to the nines, but not a single Show Tail. Sweetie Belle spotted something on the other side of the room.
She noticed that somepony was waving at her.. A pony that looked very strange with a well combed mane, one that had a brilliant tail... She couldn't help the smile that broke out on her face. Show Tail was waving at her, calling her over. This was indeed going to be he the best night of her life. He looked so handsome dressed up, making her even more sure that tonight was going to be the greatest. She was just about to walk over and say something. Something, anything but preferably witty and charming. Then came Scootaloo.
And she said something witty and charming. She made him laugh. She was making him smile. She was the whole reason he was enjoying himself. She was being everything she wanted to be without even trying. Sweetie Belle cringed slightly, trying to keep her composure. He looked so happy. So happy, and without her. She couldn’t seem to stand it. All this dressing up, the sparkle, the glitter, the lone perfect curl, it seemed to be all for nothing. Sweetie Belle flushed, every cell in her body telling her to just leave. There was nothing that was keeping her here anymore. Her very happy night had been shattered already. She looked down at the present with dismay. What could she possibly do now?
I can never be better than Scootaloo...
Sweetie Belle was angry with herself. How could she of let it go so far? Rarity had warned her to be careful, to not allow herself to make the crush develop. Had she listened? No. How could she? All the nuzzling, sweet words and his general kind demeanor had made her like him more and more. She could compare it to soaring though the sky, as if she had those beautiful wings Rarity had. Then she decided to fly too close to the sun, and she was falling. However, there was nopony to catch her, nopony to save her, and nopony to care.
She found herself walking out the door in order to save herself embarrassment. She may have never been quick on the draw, but this time she wouldn't hesitate. Sweetie Belle knew that if she stuck around to watch, she would only feel worse. He was the prince, Scootaloo was the princess, and she was left alone in the cold, figuratively and literally. She looked up to the sparking sky, a cold breeze whipping across her face with a vengeance, as if to reprimand her. She couldn't tell if it was for leaving, falling for him though she shouldn't have, or for just being Sweetie Belle, but she didn't care either way. This was the worst night ever.
The couples that had dared to go outside to watch the twinkling stars were not of much help.
“Belle! Somepony told me that you went outside! I’ve been looking for you.”
Show Tail. She whipped around to see the prince had left his princess for the pauper. She couldn't understand why he had left the presence of Scootaloo. He came closer to her, smiling and pulling something out. She didn't understand what was going on. Why wasn't he inside with Scootaloo, showing her with the attention he normally had to pry from her? It just didn't make any sense. What was that in his mouth, a Solstice present? From him? She shuffled in her spot, unsure of what to do next. She stared at the present in his mouth blankly. It was a necklace.
“Is that for... me?”
He nodded vigorously, putting the bell shaped pendant on her. She felt like a princess again, if only for that moment. The beautiful clear glass pendant chimed in the wind, lifting her spirits. She indeed felt like a princess, and there was no other word that seemed to fit. Sweetie Belle couldn't remember much after that. She could vaguely recall giving Show Tail his present, and how he had hugged her in delight.
“Sweetie Belle, do you like it?” She nodded trying to avoid saying something stupid. “Good. I thought it was perfect for you!” He stopped abruptly, causing an awkwardly pregnant pause. He couldn't figure out what to say now. He swallowed hard. He never had this problem with Scootaloo. Granted, Scootaloo did not look anywhere near as pretty as Sweetie Belle tonight. She looked like an ephemeral ghost of beauty that was gracing his presence for this one night. She sparkled, she glowed, and she was captivating. So much so that it couldn't help but make his wings pop. He blushed, quietly remembering the quick attempt to scare lesson on pegasi sexuality Pica had given him when she found out he liked Scootaloo. He silently cursed his wings and tried to find a way to bring her attention from his wings.
That way out was sticking his head into the snow.
It was an act of sheer desperation, and it seemed to do the trick. His wings shuddered and snapped back to his body in an effort to keep him warm. He smirked in victory for a moment.
“Show Tail…? What are you doing?”
He totally forgot about her. He popped his head back out, giving Sweetie Belle the gift of another bit of awkward silence. Sticking his head into the snow again would probably bring about the same result. He shook his head the best he could without splattering her. There were very few things he could think of that would make the moment less awkward. At least his wings were listening to him. He caught himself staring at her again, shaking his now damp head again to bring himself back to earth.
“Belle, you want to sit here and watch the stars? I hear that Luna might make a meteor shower.”
“But... I thought you asked Scootaloo here as a date...?” She asked tentatively, looking him dead on for an answer. He shuffled on the porch of the town hall, shame painting his face.
“I wanted to... but I chickened out and only asked her if she was going... I just couldn't, you know? She’s just so... Scootaloo.” He puffed up his cheeks and stomped a hoof on the ground. His frustration was getting the best of him again and this was not the time to let it control him. He grit his teeth, trying not to let his self projected anger ruin what could possibly be a good night after all. He forced his eyes shut, and tried once again to count down to one. This mind, riddled with self mocking thoughts, slowly began to calm down with every number.
“Show Tail?” He snapped his head up, glancing at the filly next to him. She looked concerned. Oh heavens, he hated making ponies upset. He calmed down, taking advantage of her confusion to trot over and sit next to her. She flushed at his body touching hers, the warmth radiating to her very core. She looked up at the dreamy eyed peagsus, her heart thumping so hard she was sure he could feel it. Show Tail nudged her cheek gently, motioning her to look up at the sky. Luna’s meteor shower was now streaking across the sky. Show Tail nosed her cheek again to make sure he had her attention.
“Sit with me and watch the shooting stars.”
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Tiramisu Tales
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1233
| 5 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Original Character,Rarity,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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Belle Crush
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Everypony grows up eventually, even the slightly slow Sweetie Belle. Love indeed.
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complete
| 81 | 3 |
<p>Sweetie Belle gets a 'love at first sight' crush on a pegasus known as Show Tail, who seems far more interested in everything else but her. Dealing with one's first crush is hard, when you have to beg for his attention. But if you persevere, just maybe, you can win a heart. Oh the woes of young love. Hope you like this better! I know I do!</p>
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everyone
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2011-11-22T00:42:46+00:00
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2011-11-22T00:42:46+00:00
| 3,188 |
Sweetie Belle felt the crisp New Year’s breeze wash over her as she trotted over to Sweet Apple Acres. Her necklace was gently chiming in the icy breeze, making a mindless melody that made her smile. Scootaloo was flying above her, corkscrewing her way to the house. Appleboom had invited them over to help prepare Sweet Apple Acres for the New Year’s celebration. Sweetie Belle was still ecstatic about her present, and even more so that Show Tail had only gotten Scootaloo a book. Granted, it was The History of the WonderBolts but it was still a book. And it was Scootaloo... She let her mind wander the rest of the way.
By the time they got to the house, Sweetie Belle could barely feel her nose. She was glad to be ushered in by Applejack, and even more so to receive some hot cider. Once she and Scootaloo warmed up, Applejack put them to work decorating and cleaning alongside Applebloom. Mayor Mare had recently asked the Apple Family to host the New Year’s celebration, and after the great success of the Winter Solstice, they were unsure if they could compare. However, the entire town had spent the days after whining, pleading and poking at Granny Smith and any Apple Family member around. Finally, Granny Smith crumbled and hissed a rather dusty agreement. The town’s push to have them on the ground was not without reason.
They simply did not want to have to rush back to get the cider, hard or otherwise.
Scootaloo was hanging the brilliant Pinkie Pie patented light up party streamers on all the doors. That gave Sweetie Belle and Applebloom the opportunity to whisper in off handed tones without much difficulty. As they swept the floor Applebloom began to prod at Sweetie Belle.
“So, he gave you that necklace huh? Must be nice. Snails got me a new bow. It’s blue with silver threads in it. It’s so nice… But I hafta ask, do you think he likes ya now?”
Sweetie Belle paused to think about the right answer to that. They were friends, without a doubt. To say that he viewed her as a love interest would be too much. He was still blatantly in love with Scootaloo. His wings still fluttered at the very mention of her, a permasmile would grace his features, and his ears would wiggle in delight. It seemed as if his very idea of happiness revolved around her and her very existence. That, and Show Tail still asked Sweetie Belle how to win her pegasus friend. Sweetie Belle’s ears fell. Applebloom nudged her with her rump in an attempt to bring her back to the world. The movements made her necklace chime pathetically as she questioned its value.
Had she really put so much meaning into a little bit of glass and metal? Sweetie Belle forced her eyes shut for a moment to gather composure. This was something that she was supposed to avoid. That something, as annoying as it was, was also a cause of joy. The few times she had seen him since the Solstice had been wonderful. They had spent time by the freezing river, making music on their own time, of their own time. She felt as if she could truly sing with him, and during that time the chime of the windblown bell was a perfect melody.
Now, it was only a tune of melancholy.
“Oh Sweetie Belle, you really should cheer up! At least Scootaloo doesn't like him back!” Applebloom nodded in a vain attempt to cheer her friend up. Sweetie Belle smiled weakly, glad Applebloom was at least trying to make her smile. There were just some things that he did Sweetie Belle couldn't understand, and she hoped that maybe one day he would understand her feelings.
---------------
“I’m gonna try to do it!” Show Tail yelped, voice cracking sharply. He covered his mouth with his hooves and coughed a bit. “What do you guys think?” He continued in a lower voice, eyes shifting about his surroundings. Snips raised an eyebrow at him curiously. They were all going home from an early morning play in the fresh snow to discuss last minute plans of New Years.
The teenager puffed up his chest to make himself look important, imposing his height upon his friends. Snips and Snails only chucked. They had gotten to know Show Tail over the past few months of their friendship, and his attempts of looking important normally just won laughs. They looked at him with as much respect their snickering faces could hold.
“I am going to give Scootaloo a bring in the New Year’s kiss!”
“You're going to go what?” Snail yelped, nearly falling over in shock. This was indeed a time to panic. If he had been reading the body language of his darling Applebloom correctly, this was a problem. He quickly reeled the data in his head. He silently thanked his slow nature, which allowed him to think fast with the plethora of data he collected by simply listening. The look that Applebloom gave Sweetie Belle as she walked out of the town hall a few days ago when Show Tail was talking to Scootaloo planted the seed. Yes, this was enough. It just had to take a while to grow and bloom.
It was a face full of pity, sadness, sympathy, and a mish-mosh of other things that he couldn't identify. They all led to the same route of sad. His mind then combed through the files of Sweetie Belle’s face. It looked as if it were in pain, like she was sick. However, later on that night, they were dancing together like the best friends they were. So it wasn't Scootaloo. It had to be Show Tail. It had to be something Tails did. Snails facehoofed. Sweetie Belle liked him. No wonder he had such a foul feeling.
“Snails. What are you doing? He’s going to make his big move, and you seem to be upset!” Snips scrunched up his nose. Snails searched his mind for something to say. Anything at all.
“Duuuuh... Good luck on kissing your filly!” he sputtered out. The others shook their heads. Snails would have a long way to go it seemed. “How are you... going to do this?”
“I have a possible plan!” Show Tail grinned devilishly, rubbing his hooves together. “There’s a Pegasus only party right above Sweet Apple Acres where the main party will be. I can try to talk to her in a small space, instead of in the swarm of the whole town. I just hope Rainbow Dash isn't there though. She’s a vicious trainer. I have no interest in flying like that!” Show Tail sat back on his stoop to pout. He hated being forced to do completely pointless things. He was pondering on how to get out of it when the hair on the back of his neck stood on end, even though his warm layers.
“My son! It’s time for you to study a bit before we head out to New Years!” Pica explained grandly.
He grit his teeth. Pica seemed to have mastered the art of ill-timed entrances. She was grinning in her typical motherly way, the way that made him shrink back in terror. She wasted no time extending a shining white wing to smack him on the head hard enough to make him cry out.
“Learning is less painful, don't you agree boys? I would suggest that you two leave, before my poor son has to go too long without learning. Isn’t that right my sweet colt?” Pica’s smile spread even wider, demonically curling at the sides.
Show Tail knew that smile. He dreaded that smile. That smile always came with pain. Show Tail muttered a quick prayer that Snips and Snails were still there, but they had long scampered away from the nightmare incarnate. He wasted no time in marching inside, trying his best to stay calm. He entered the living room, and began to ask question why she was so angry.
“Aunt Pica, did I get too many answers wrong again?” His answer was a whopping smack to the head. He hissed in pain as the belligerent pegasus neared him.
Cider. Extremely hard cider. The smell permeated the air, making him almost sick. Pica was drunk out of her mind, probably in her attempt to ‘celebrate’. She staggered over to the colt, that ever demonic smile growing wider and wider. He was sure her face would rip if she kept it up. Taking flight was his only way to escape her. He flared his wings in an attempt to scare the drunken mare, but only received a hearty and dumb laugh.
“You're... so stupid, you know that?! Worthless little... thing! New Year’s... Is supposta be wonderful. But... you're so stupid you RUIN it. Ruin ruin RUIN. Why can't YOU be USEFUL.” She rushed forward, pulling him to her body. By this point, the crazed mare was sobbing, shaking her head wildly. “I thought I loved you enough! Taught you better! BETTER! And here you go and insult me! Insult me! You disgusting foal! You can't even make mama... happy! Happy!”
Show Tail was trying his best to stay still. Pica did not drink often, but when she did, she had a lot. Her alcohol induced madness was nothing new. He knew what would come next. She slowly began to calm down, sniffling in frustration before holding him closer and cooing sweet nothings and apologies.
“Mama is so sorry... Will baby ever forgive her...? My son... My darling son... Mama just got mad... She’s so silly...”
Show Tail gulped down air, the precious thing he had lacked under her weight. Pica’s hugs were bone crushing, and she was sobbing all over him. He forced his eyes closed, trying to dull the pain by thinking of soothing and happy things. A far away tuneless chime...
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“I know what’ll get your mind off him! Hey Applejack!” Applebloom called her sister over from lugging a barrel of their hardest cider upstairs. She trotted over to the fillies making decorations, taking a seat in between them.
“Yes Applebloom? Ah kinda gotta get ready for company; you know who’s coming over to...”
“Can ya tell us all about your first crush? It would be nice to help pass the time insteada just making all these popcorn necklaces by ourselves!” Apple Bloom nudged her sister till she finally agreed out of annoyance.
“Fine. But only cause Ah know that if I don’t, Ah’ll regret it. Now where do Ah begin...?”
After Ah just got my cutie mark, Ah was quite a happy filly. Ah had finally found myself. Ah was going back to school and had a smile on my face that didn't seem to go away. I could finally rub my cutie mark in the face of those hoity toity priss fillies that had picked on me for being a blank flank. Ah was happy to the point that Ah was bucking as hard as Big Macintosh, and you know how he almost always dents the tree...
But anyway, one day in September, the teacher comes up to me with the biggest trouble maker in the whole school. A navy blue colt with green eyes, a gold mane and a smirk that was bred to cause problems. His cutie mark was a white gavel and his name was Vinny McColt. He didn't even look me in the eye, which to me is a huge sign of disrespect. The teacher was telling me some nonsense on teaching him something useful. I was too busy having a fillyfit over this colt.
Who was he to not even look me in the eye? That was just plain rude.
He finally snorted at me and looked at me like a buncha rotten apples. Ah had never been so insulted in Ponyville in all my life. Ah could feel mahself aching to buck him in the face, but the teacher was right there. All Ah remember hearing her say was that Ah was supposed to teach that colt applebucking.
How was Ah going to sully the art a applebucking by teaching this foal how to do it? Ah felt the right to downright refuse. He wasn't worthy of it, and the nasty stinkeye he was giving me wasn't exactly incentive.
“Applejack, you are the most reliable of ponies in this school. I’m sure you can shape him up into something wonderful”
That’s what she told me. So Ah had to take that colt home with me and introduce him to the family. Applebloom was such a littun that she probably doesn't even remember him. Big Macintosh didn't like him one bit. He kept on trying to pick a fight with him, making fun of his cutie mark and generally being well... a real jerk. Lucky for us, Big Mac is a calm ol' pony, and just brushed him off for apple bucking.
We went out into the fields every day, Vinny doing his best to live up to his cutie mark by judging me and calling me all sorts of names. He seemed to love calling me a hillfilly. Hillfilly. Hillfilly. Never by my actual name. In fact, ah can remember the first applebucking lesson.
“Now you see here, you put ya legs up like that... and then you hit tha' very center of the tree...”
“You’re such a stupid little hillfilly. Can't you talk like normal ponies?”
Ah resisted bucking him in the face.
Ah guess that after a while, after a few bumps on the head by apples, he kinda started being nicer to me. He had no choice really, after seeing me bucking a few trees, he kinda started being nice. He still called me hillfilly. But Ah quickly figured that he kinda had a crush on me when Ah got my hat from Granny. He kinda just... shuffled around, bucking all the trees wrong and generally just hurting himself. Ah couldn't stand it at all. Ah was supposed to help him build up character, not build up scars. You wouldn't believe him that day. He was like a whole ‘nother pony.
“You don't look as ugly as usual you... stupid hillfilly. Stupid hillfilly!” He then bucked a tree so hard he just collapsed. It was that moment there that I realized that Vinny had gotten a crush on me. Ah didn't know how. Maybe it was amidst all the applebucking, watching me do it, all the talking, all the scolding, or maybe befriending Big Macintosh. But Ah realized in that flustered colt’s actions that no matter how much of a jerk he was, he had feelings.
Ah found those feelings... cute.
Ah didn't understand what was going on, but Ah found myself playing with the hat whenever he was around, my heart pumping faster than ever. Ah’d gotten a crush on Vinny. Apple Bloom was the only one that Ah could trust with those feelings. And she was just a youngin’... A ‘course, Ah still had to pretend Ah didn't like him. Ah couldn't let anypony know Ah was crushing on the school’s worst colt. Ah tried to smother it and hide it, but then one day my hat blew away in the wind while we were walking to the farm in the pre-summer heat.
We chased after it till it landed by the school’s number one bully. She sneered at us and put the hat on her head. Why, Ah can't remember seeing a madder colt in all my life. He rushed at her with the force only a school year of applebucking could give a colt. He smashed into her so hard she went flying, which is pretty funny when you're hitting a pegasus. He got my hat back, sneering at her with success.
“That’s my hillfilly’s hat!”
Ah’ve never been happier to be called a hillfilly in my life.
It didn't last too long. It was all taken away... One fall day, Ah was busy bucking and told him that Ah’d meet him by the barn entrance. I had no idea that the hired aides were unloading hay from the loft. Ah had no idea... One of the bales... landed on him. It did more damage than I ever thought a bale could do. He dodged most of it, but a leg still got stuck. He was crippled. And it was all mah fault. Ah remembered them hauling him up, taking away my crippled crush. He did say one thing before he left though.
“I didn't mean to call you hillfilly AppleJack...”
Ah couldn't believe it. He actually called me by my name, for the first time ever. Even to this day, Ah think about it every now and then. Ah never did take kindly to being called a hillfill till Ah met him. He made me view it as a good thing after a while. He called me that... with love. It was nice Ah visited him till he moved, due to Ponyville being ‘too dangerous.’ Ah didn't even get to kiss him goodbye...
Applebloom swallowed the bit of popcorn in her mouth with dismay. She had no idea that her sister had that kind of story behind her. She nudged her sniffling sister in an attempt to bring her out of her funk.
She glared over in the general direction of Scootaloo’s laughs and cries. Sweetie Belle huffed, standing up and marching over to the filly who was yelping about some madness. Sweetie Belle wasn't surprised to see Rainbow Dash flying in.
“Hey Applejack! I’m back for New Years! I just had to be back at Ponyville, since I had to miss Solstice for a Wonderbolts show. Hey, what’s with you?” Rainbow trotted over to one of her best friends, worried about the look of despair that was leaving her face. Apple Jack snapped back to life, smiling nervously. She sputtered a bit, lost on what to say. Her ears perked up as an idea came to mind.
“Say Rainbow, as long as you're here, why don't you tell these little fillies the story of your first crush? You know that they won’t be little fillies for long, and well, Ah just told mine! Ain’t that right my little ponies?” Applebloom nodded, smirking at the exasperated Scootaloo. It was obvious that she did not want to hear this mushy stuff, even it was about Rainbow Dash. She opened her mouth to protest, but was stopped by Sweetie Belle punching her lightly.
“You should listen, since she is after all, your idol. Learn more about her.” Sweetie Belle smiled, knowing that she had sold the idea to Scootaloo. The orange filly sat by the table obediently, looking at Rainbow Dash with the sweetest look the she could muster. Rainbow sighed in exasperation. She saw no way out of this. She had intended to brag a bit to Apple Jack about her amazing Wonderbolt adventures, about all the mares and stallions she had met and all the tricks she had learned. Not tell a mushy story. However, with her little idol looking at her, she couldn't bring herself to say no.
“Fine, I’ll tell the story, if I can remember the stupid thing...”
When I was a filly, I had a crush on the leader of the Wonderbolts. Not the Wonderbolts you know today, I mean the old Wonderbolts, Spitfire’s father, Fire Breeze. He was the fastest flier in all of Equestria! I really did admire him. His flaming mane, his sleek wings, his slender... Oh I’m getting off track, aren't I?
The point is he was the stallion of my dreams. Of course I knew better than that.He was just somepony I happened to like. Now, like most other pegasi, I went to basic flight school. It was there I remember my happiest days. In Cloudsdale, school is different. We have longer hours. We learn the same stuff earth ponies do on weekdays, and weather stuff on Saturdays. But every day, there were flight lessons after school. It was there all the classes would come together as one big mass. It was then I met the two ponies I had a crush on.
Yes, I said two.
The first one was a filly names Star Crash. She was the best... Second best, only to me! Ok... She was the best, and a bigger Wonderbolt fan than me! She had no interest in being one of them though; she just wanted to be as good as they were. For a filly, she really was. She was so pretty too. She had pretty blue eyes, orange hair and was a pure white. The prettiest white I’ve ever seen! Her cutie mark was a lightning bolt, but not like mine. It was branching lightning, the dangerous one that’s still in the clouds. She was a very obedient and shy filly though, which normally I would hate, but with her, I loved it. She’s the reason I was able to become good friends with Fluttershy. I spent most of my days with her after flight lessons. We were the best, after all.
The other crush was a colt named Tornado Tizzy. The Tizzies were a decently respected family in Cloudsdale, with the oddest and most glorious wings. His wings looked more like bat wings than anything. Even though he had those curious wings, he was still hooves down the worst flier I have ever seen, unless you add Show Tail to the mix. Show Tail’s the worst.
He could stay aloft, and he had speed, but he was basically like Show Tail, all speed, no flight. He was a light grey and always had a damp and misty coat from clouds. Which he constantly fell through. He hung out with us though, to learn how to fly. We taught him the best that we could, but it seemed that we could never teach that silly colt much of anything.
Somehow, with all that flying and crashing into me, I got a crush on him. He was so... confident. Even if he wasn't a good flier, he accepted it, you know? His cutie mark was of a speeding raincloud. Though he had very little coordination, he was hands down faster than most of us in a straight race. He beat all of us. Asking him to turn though, would result in lots of injured ponies. He knew that he was a bad flier, but he was clever. He was proud of his smarts and played to his strengths. I loved that about him.
Of course, it didn't take me long to realize that I couldn't have them both... I looked only to Fire Breeze for advice. It told me to pick the pony that agreed to me more. So I went with Star Crash. It went something like this.
“Star...?”
“I know already Rainy. You don't even have to ask. I’d love to be yours.”
I suppose I was a happy filly. Tornado Tizzy didn't seem to pay it much mind, even as we snuggled in front of him. It became evident a bit later that he was peeved. I had to ask. One day, in the middle of flight practice, I pulled him behind a cloud. This was the only time I had to speak to him.
“Listen Tornado, I can see that you're jeal...”
He snorted at me, glaring at Star Crash below us.
“You’re just part of her...ha... ha... harem of fillies, Bowie. She likes a bunch of them, and you're just one of them.”
I didn't believe him. The only thing that kept me from bucking him in the face was that I knew he couldn't fly right. Who was he to ruin my happiness by saying my girl was just adding me to his collection? I couldn't tell you how angry I was.
“You're just jealous!” I screamed before rushing off. I didn't like the idea one bit. I wasn't going to break up with my first fillyfriend because some colt says that she’s been flirting. I wasn't that stupid, or so I thought. I stopped hanging out with Tornado and stuck only with Star. Tornado kept trying to convince me that she was interested in other fillies, but the thought was too much.
It took him dragging me by the wings to see her actually trying to flirt with Fluttershy to make me realize that she wasn't all I had hoped. Tornado was right, and he had been right for some time. I had wasted two months of my life on her.
In my life, since my father cheated on my mother, I always thought that stallions were the ones to be wary of, that mares would never let me down. Turns out I was wrong, and that I couldn't really trust any pony. I was happy to have Tornado with me though. He gave me a kiss on the cheek and a smile.
The kind of smile that you needed after finding out something really bad. I was happy though. Happy that he told me. It made me realize that sometimes; you really have to trust your friends, and at least give them a chance to explain. Tornado remained my friend. Star, I completely ditched. I didn't take kindly to my girlfriend flirting with other fillies, especially one of my other friends.
“I have a feeling that Tornado likes me. We wrote to each other when I moved here, and I’ve been seeing a lot of him in Canterlot thanks to being a Bolt. He’s become one of Luna’s chariot drivers and guards. Seems he can fly after all.” Rainbow Dash nodded firmly, to reassure that she was done. Sweetie Belle could see that Scootaloo was trying to hold back some faces of revulsion. She never was a fan of mushy things, even if it had to do with Rainbow. Scootaloo blew a slow raspberry. Rainbow Dash chuckled with a smile, her face flushed after mentioning Tornado.
“So, where’s Show Tail at Scootaloo?” Rainbow’s face was only of concern for her haphazard student. Scootaloo’s tossed her head, in a vague disgust that was more than what she held for the ‘mushy story’.
“Why do we need him? He’s the worst flier in Equestria.” Scootaloo flapped her wings to make her point, floating a few feet in the air. She smirked, a haughty look dominating her face. “You should really be working on someone who can actually fly.” Rainbow was laughing at her show, but Sweetie Belle felt something different. She glanced over at Applebloom.
“Applebloom. I don't think she likes him.” Sweetie Belle hissed under her breath.
“She’s just jealous that Rainbow is paying more attention to Show Tail’s flight and not hers. And you of all ponies should know, he can't fly. I’ve seen him over Ponyville, and he has no coordination if he goes too fast.” Applebloom shuddered. “I saw him crash into a tree when he tried to make a u-turn. The tree was two houses away.”
Sweetie Belle couldn't help but laugh at that.
“Come on now though, let’s help finish up the house Sweetie Belle, before we end up eating all the popcorn for the decorations.” She nudged Sweetie Belle, who was merrily chomping some of the popcorn. Sweetie Belle blushed and went back to carefully gluing on the popcorn. At least she could have the satisfaction of helping to make this New Year’s amazing.
--------
“Tails?” Snips was surprised to see the pegasus trotting up to him. Snips and Snails and most of the entire town had gathered at Sweet Apple Acres for drinking, fun, company, and drinking. The majority of the adults were tipsy, and the foals had all the non-alcoholic cider they could drink. The yard and barn were brilliantly decorated with popcorn strings, streamers, and all sort of Pinkie Pie-delivered oddities. It really was a party atmosphere.
The large cloud of pegasi above them made it even more festive. They were having their own personal party, and causing a gentle flurry to float down to the ground. Every single pegasi in town was attending, save for the young one trotting up to his friends.
“I got kicked off.” The colt said, not single drop of emotion in his voice. Tails tilted his head.
“Don't you mean out?”
“No, I mean off. Those bullies saw me trying to talk to Scootaloo and literally kicked me off the flurry cloud.” He slumped against the side of the barn and pouted. There really was nothing else he could do. If he went back up there, he would just get his face shoved through the cloud again. He couldn't go home. Pica was sleeping by the couch where he had left her, snoring soundly after she had cried herself to sleep. She would wake up, hungover and bitter, drink the Hangover tea he had left, and go back to sleep in her own bedroom.
Show Tail knew if he disrupted this ‘sacred ceremony’ she would cry on him all over again and add more bruises. He flicked his ear as a heavy snowflake fell on it, looking up at Snips. He gave Show Tail a look of pity before dragging him off to the middle of the party.
“Come on, you need some fun. The rest of us are over here.”
Show Tail grunted something unintelligible. He wanted to be in the cloud above, talking to his beautiful angel, the one that he had so fallen so deeply in love with. At least, what he felt was love. She was just so pretty, he reasoned. How could it not be love? His father had told him so many times that he loved his mother because she was so beautiful, that everything about her was so beautiful. Scootaloo was just the same way, her bright smile and her wonderful purple eyes. He knew he didn't much like her attitude at times, and how she never seemed to slow down, but those could be ignored for love he figured.
After all, what was love but sacrifice? Even if he couldn't stand her overly cocky habits, general forcefulness, and a whole slew of things, he couldn't let that hold him back. Love was meant to be sacrifice.
“Hey Tails, what are you doing grounded?”
His ears perked up at Sweetie Belle’s voice. Of anypony in the world, she could cheer him up. She spun towards him clumsily, lacking the grace of his angel. But who was he to turn down the company of a swan. She was panting from all the dancing she had been doing with the rest of the foals and still had a smile to present to him even though she looked near exhausted.
“You've been having fun Belle? I kinda didn't want to be at that party anyway. Too many pegasi...”
“You got kicked out, didn't you.”
“Off, not out.”
Show Tail stared at Sweetie Belle for a moment.
Am I really that easy to read? Or maybe Sweetie Belle just knows me that well. I have been spending a lot of time with her, with Scootaloo seeming to...
“Your right ear twitches when you lie. I’ve come to notice things about ponies.” She inhaled deeply before waving a hoof in the general direction of the school foals. “Come on and dance, since you're down here.”
“No thanks... I’m kinda bummed. I think I’ll just sit this out.”
Sweetie Belle shrugged, still smiling. “When you feel better, you better come out and dance! Have some cider. It’s really good!”
She’s trying so hard to put me in a good mood. I feel bad... But I can't help it. My New Year plan is ruined... Everypony keeps coming up to me to cheer me up, but I don't want to. I want to mope.
He set himself down against a tree, watching his friends dance and drink and generally enjoy themselves. He couldn't bring himself to to it. His night had been ruined by one stupid pegasus with an attitude. Everypony kept coming over to him, dusting the fluffy snowflakes off his mane, saying kindly things and generally trying to raise his spirits. As the clock ticked closer and closer to midnight, the colt slumped further and further down the tree. By 11:50, he was laying on the ground with his head buried under his hooves.
“Sweetie Belle, why don't you go over and cheer the poor colt up? He’s been moping in that corner for an hour or two, and the poor thing is such a dreadful drain on the party atmosphere.” Rarity was tipsy, that much Sweetie Belle knew. Her slight sway, clouded eyes, and sickly sweet smile could only mean that she was buzzed. Sweetie Belle, perhaps influenced by the smell of liquor everywhere, found herself walking towards the dejected colt.
“Tails.” Sweetie Belle plopped down next to him, a stern look on her face. “You've been sulking in this corner all night. Don't you think that you should go have some fun? The New Year is soon.”
Show Tail ‘harumphed’. He obviously didn't want to be cheered up, aggravating the filly even more. She couldn't stand seeing the colt like this, especially with the thought of how his crush really felt about him on the back-burner of her mind. He needed some serious cheering up, and fast. It was 11:55 and she couldn't have him start the year in misery. She bit her lip, looking around at the party goes and trying to think.
“I tried... to ask Scootaloo for a New Year’s kiss, like the big ponies do. But then I got kicked off the cloud. If I go back, they’ll just do it again. Trust me, I tried going back. This is a horrible holiday.” He sat up, stretching his feathery wings. He gave them a few flaps to work out the soreness, blowing snow in Sweetie Belle. She cringed at it hitting her face, sputtering. Show Tail began to apologize, the young filly puffing up her cheeks.
Sweetie Belle didn't need to hear that he was going to kiss her. Scootaloo didn't even like him, and most likely wouldn't have kissed him anyway. Sweetie Belle had half a mind to tell the colt the truth, months of frustration boiling her blood. She snapped out of it when she felt his wings brushing against her face. They were soft, feathery and wiping the snow off her face.
“I’m sorry Sweetie Belle… I… just really wanted to try, you know? I like her. And…” He continued to mutter under his breath as he continued to dry her face off. She blushed, completely calmed from her rage earlier. He chuckled, cupping her face the best he could with his wing. A smile had formed. “Thanks so much for cheering me up this time Belle. I can always try again another day. I just wish…” Show Tail groaned in exasperation, looking up at the huge clock that was the party’s centerpiece. He dropped his wings to his side, sitting up as the countdown for the last ten seconds of the year started. Show Tail paid no attention to the filly sitting next to him at that. The drunken attempts to countdown by most of the ponies in town were far too entertaining to not join in.
Sweetie Belle looked up at the colt beside her, her cheeks still warm for his tenderness. She felt compelled to do something. Something dramatic, outrageous, wonderful. Something that her sister would do. Besides faint. Her time was running out, she had to think fast, and only one thing could come to mind.
Sweetie Belle found herself leaning up, unable to rebel. She had to, she was so close. She pressed her lips against his cheek for what felt like an eternity, the words ‘Happy New Years’ blaring in her ears. She had closed her eyes, but she could feel his cheeks heat up, his body tense and his breath hitch. She could imagine that his ears were flared up in embarrassment, or maybe disgust.
I bet he’ll hate me now… That was too dramatic! I… he’s upset. Because I’m no Scootaloo… I never will be. Why do I even…
Sweetie Belle dashed off without another word, her necklace chiming violently with her fleeing body. Show Tail stared after her, flicking his tail in the show. He was stuck in a limbo, body both willing and resisting movement as the filly retreated. Nopony seemed to pay her much mind, too busy swigging down cider to even bother. His throat felt dry and his cheeks tingled. He felt horrible.
She… ran away? I guess she feels bad for me… Great. Pity kiss. She just pities me. What kind of a friendship is that?
Show Tail looked up at the huge cloud looming above him the full of snow driving pegasi. A surge of contempt ran through his veins, making his wings flare out in response to the heightened emotion. The pegasi of this town were going to drive him mad. Maybe he already was.
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Tiramisu Tales
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1233
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Cutie Mark Crusaders,Original Character,Rarity,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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Belle Crush
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Everypony grows up eventually, even the slightly slow Sweetie Belle. Love indeed.
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complete
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<p>Sweetie Belle gets a 'love at first sight' crush on a pegasus known as Show Tail, who seems far more interested in everything else but her. Dealing with one's first crush is hard, when you have to beg for his attention. But if you persevere, just maybe, you can win a heart. Oh the woes of young love. Hope you like this better! I know I do!</p>
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everyone
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2011-12-08T13:47:31+00:00
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2011-12-08T13:47:31+00:00
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“Sweetie Belle, darling, you know that today is the Spring Equinox, and we have to clean up winter. You're going to help me make nests, heavens willing Ditzy doesn't go the wrong way. She’s such a lovely little mail mare, but she has no sense of direction.” Rarity put a scarf on her little sister, still gaily chatting away before pulling her into a tight hug. The filly squirmed around for a moment. She didn't understand this sudden show of affection. “Sweetie Belle, my darling sister. You haven't spoken of or to that little colt since you came home in near tears New Year’s. You should really talk to him again... I’m so sorry... I didn't know that you would develop such feelings for him. You're such a little filly...”
Sweetie Belle snuggled into her sister’s warmth, relaxing. She really needed the hug. Ever since she had been stupid enough (in her opinion) to kiss the colt on that night, he had been different. To the point that they had stopped seeing each other. She clung to her sister to give her the love she needed, resisting the urge to never let go. Rarity put her sister down, kissing her on the forehead.
“Dear, I may be a bit particular at times, and can be a downright monster, but you must remember that I love you. And as a sister, I am always here for you. Now come along, we have to get to making the nests my dear sister.” Rarity led her out the door with a smile. “And dear, you know, maybe, just maybe, if you're good, I might ask Mom and Dad to allow you to just... live with me.”
Sweetie Belle now had a reason to be happier.
-----
Sweetie Belle had a smile on her face, the chime of her bell necklace matching her mood. She was glad that Rarity was finally allowing her to be of some help. She kept herself busy tying ribbons through the nests, listening to her sister and the other ponies talk. She was happy. There was no other way to describe it.
“Belle, I need to talk to you.”
Sweetie Belle turned around and looked up at the sky to see golden eyes looking down on her pitifully.
“Go away Tails.”
“But Belle!” he huffed, nudging her with his hoof. Sweetie Belle growled. She now had a new sympathy for Rarity when she was working. She was tempted to stab him with her horn, but she knew that would probably encourage him to be more irritating. She finally glared up at him.
“What do you want?”
He hovered behind her, speaking into her ear in a hushed whisper that made her blush. She tried to concentrate on the baskets, and not the low murmur in her ear. She felt her face heat up at his warm breath tickling. And this was his attempt of being discreet.
“I’m sorry for New Year’s. I’m sorry I made you feel that way about me. I didn't mean it. But Sweetie Belle, I need you.”
She could feel her heart beat faster and her brain scream that she was being stupid again. Sweetie Belle exhaled slowly, sitting up straight as the colt continued.
“You’re the only filly I can really talk to about Scoots anyway. Snails already has a filly, and Snips is... not very good at them...”
Her brain was laughing at her... She looked him in the eye with a look of disbelief she had picked up from Rarity. She had obviously done it correctly due to his raised eyebrow of confusion. She smirked, quite pleased with herself by pulling off one of her sister’s signature moves. Moving in with her sounded better than ever.
“Show Tail, please go away. I need to work.” He grunted and whined, brushing her with his wing.
“But I need you, Belle!” He hissed again, bothering her with the feathers even more. She was about to stab him with her horn when Scootaloo swooped down with a stern look on her face. She quickly scolded the pegasus for shirking his duties. She gave Sweetie Belle a smile before booting the pegasus back to the sky. Rarity raised an eyebrow and waved her sister off to get more hay from the barn.
“But Rarity, Big Macintosh is bringing..."
"You will go talk to him because you like him, and he needs your help. Maybe you can turn it to your little filly favor. “Rarity waved a hoof around. Sweetie Belle puffed up her cheeks and shuffled off in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres without another word. Rarity nodded to herself and smiled at the black wobbling streak in the sky that followed her little sister.
"Honestly, if you yell at me to talk to Fall Leaf, why not talk to that foal..."
----------------
“Belle, I need to talk to you, and I’m not leaving until we do!”
Sweetie Belle cringed at him yelling, dashing into the barn without thinking. She dived into a pile of hay, scrambling to hide. She wasn't surprised to hear him laughing at her attempt to disappear. She tumbled out, sitting back the hay stack with a pout. He wobbled in flight next to her before plopping down.
“Why do always run away from me, Belle? I wanted to talk to you! I’m having a really hard time.”
Sweetie Belle huffed, sitting up. She had half a mind to yell at him. He had no right to talk to him out of nowhere. She didn't deserve this kind of treatment. She took a moment to look the colt over. Show Tail looked genuinely upset, and was begging for her to listen. She could hear her brain laughing at her already, but her heart wouldn't let her leave. She had to listen to him. At least this time she could get some answers.
“I’ll listen to you. If you tell me why you can fly so fast. And everything else. If you want me to help, I need you to tell me everything that you won’t tell Scootaloo.”
Show Tail sighed, his ears drooping in response. She stared him down, trying her best not to allow her heart to be swayed by the somber look in his eyes. He obviously did not want to share, but her curiosity was getting the best of her, and she really needed to know more. Her affection and concern for him would have to beat his reluctance down. She pouted a bit to make her point, and the colt sat up. He suddenly flung himself onto her, nuzzling into her chest. Sweetie Belle felt her entire body heat up as he snuggled into her. She swallowed hard, her body frozen by the sudden show of affection.
“I don't want to tell... But I need you to help me... So... At least let me get comfortable, alright?” She nodded stiffly, eventually allowing her body to melt into the warmth of the colt. “So... let me begin in Ponyville.”
I came to Ponyville after I nearly cracked my skull open from falling off a tree. I couldn't fly at that point. All I wanted to do then was find out my talent. My family always gave me that typical ‘you’ll find it when you find it’, but I wanted it as soon as possible. It wasn't that my parents didn't care about me... It was just... I wanted to be like them, you know? They were good at something. My mom is an earth pony nurse, and my dad is the weather commander of all Manehattan. I was busy getting myself into trouble with my mates and my mother was sick and tired of bandaging me up so much. I was one of the last few to get my mark, and my crusading would always end up with me in pain and bandages. My father would come home at nights from weather patrol and simply ask my mother what she had bandaged up today. They loved me, they told me that always, but my mom was tired of patching me up. She always wanted me to be safe.
That’s how I got to live with Pica. She was the closest relative that my family kept in contact with. My father told her all about my crusading and she suggested that I live with her. Pica lived here, in Ponyville, a place that both my parents could reach easily. Ponyville was quieter, safer, and a whole bunch of other things Pica told them. My father knew that Aunt Pica was lonely. He sent me off without another word.
I hated it at first. Aunt Pica turned out to be totally different than what I was expecting. She home schooled me in many different topics, hoping to give me a cutie mark. Something to do with math or science or something ‘useful’. That’s what she told me. I had to be useful in the world, and to do that, I had to be good at math, or at least chemistry or something. So I studied really hard, and I was still horrible with math. She always hit me with her wings when I got too many problems wrong, which was often. I was only somewhat good at the sciences, enough to keep her somewhat happy. As much as I didn't like the home-schooling, she was still very... motherly. She insisted that I called her ‘mother’ or mommy or something like that. Of course I refused at first, till she finally begged me into it. I still call her mother at home. She allows me to call her Aunt Pica only outside. It was so strange...
I spent my nights during that year sneaking out. I forced myself to learn how to fly and learned how to cook since Pica wasn't all that stellar at it. I missed home and Pica was strange. My parents sent me letters all the time, but I couldn't tell them about Aunt Pica. She was really lonely and I knew that. I hate upsetting other ponies, so I decided that just flying away would be better. After I taught myself to fly, I spent my nights just... flying around Ponyville as quickly as possible. For hours and hours and hours on end. My wings are as strong as somepony five years older than me or something like that. But I quickly realized why there was a train to Manehattan. Not even Dash could make that flight in one night. It was too far. I tried so many times, but I never even made it a quarter of the way before crashing and having to fly back to Pica’s. So I was left alone in the house to study all that time.
When summer came, Pica finally let me out of the house. I was able to play, but I had missed out on the school year. I had no friends. So I just flew in the meadow till one fine day, Snips and Sails smacked me with whatever it was, and they were my first friends. They were quite nice to me, and they were quick to let me join them. It was with them I found my cutie mark. That’s how I crashed into those barrels and liked the noise. That’s how I learned that music was my talent in that instant.
When I got my cutie mark, everything got worse. Pica hated music and artists, for some reason. After she learned about my mark, she enrolled me in regular classes to see me less. She told me herself...
“And that’s... pretty much it.” He nuzzled into her chest again, breathing softly enough to tickle her skin. Sweetie Belle swallowed hard as the colt seemed to pull her closer. She couldn't think of a thing to say to him after that. She had no idea that Pica was so hard on him. He burrowed his face into her, his warm breath added on to her embarrassment fueled heat. “Now... will you help me?”
“Sure...” She said slowly. How could anypony say no after that? “Ask away.”
“Do you know what fillies like?” He looked up at her. “Like... most fillies? I know Scootaloo isn't...”
“Most fillies like...” Sweetie Belle tapped her hoof to her chin. Scootaloo may have been Scootaloo, but there were just some undeniable things fillies liked. She pouted, her legs kicking and digging in the hay as she pondered. Her mind went to the movies that she and Rarity had indulged in. “Fillies like nice things. Like doing what they like and hugging and kissing.” Sweetie Belle waved a hoof around, not sure of what to say.
Show Tail took a moment to process what she had just said. He exhaled into her chest, gears turning. Sweetie Belle’s warmth suddenly made the cogs and wheels grind to an abrupt halt. He got off the filly, turning her to him and nuzzling her nose like he had so many times before. He forced his mind to function even though its track was being diverted in a way he’d never experienced before. He looked Sweetie Belle in the eye before swallowing hard as he crashed his lips into hers.
His ears and wings flicked up at the pleasantly warm tingle her lips gave him. It reminded him of how he felt all those times that he had pressed his nose against hers but a billion times better. Maybe closer to infinity. Show Tail exhaled slowly, his curiosity making him linger far longer than he should have. He sat back, looking down at the filly feeling strange and tingly in weird and suspicious places, his face hot and flushed.
“Was that... nice?” He asked tentatively. Sweetie Belle sat up, biting on her lip slowly. She looked Show Tail, blinking as slowly as possible. She nodded, unable to speak. Show Tail hopped to his hooves, taking flight. He looked down at Sweetie Belle. “I... Have to thank you for teaching me. Yeah, teaching me. Thank you for your help.” He flew out of the barn, barely avoiding the frame.
Sweetie Belle stared after him, unsure of what to think. Her lips felt like they were on fire, more so than the rest of her body. Her first kiss had been taken by a clumsy colt that didn't think of much more of her than a magazine for advice. And yet she couldn't have been happier. It lasted only for a moment before she realized that those lips only had desire for one filly. Scootaloo. She sighed, sliding off the stack as quickly as possible. She had to get away from there, the place made her feel a stew of emotions.
Why did Scootaloo get the affections that she so desperately wanted? Scootaloo didn't even want it. She didn't deserve it. She... Sweetie Belle caught herself ranting, taking a moment to calm herself. Getting angry at her friend wouldn't solve anything. It wouldn't make him like her, and it would surely ruin any chance in the future. She grumbled to herself, unsure what to think. All she had been feeling lately was utter confusion.
With that swirling in her mind, Sweetie Belle couldn't bring herself to see her sister just yet. She aimlessly wandered the streets, avoiding anypony possible. She was quite pleased with her invisible status until a voice called out to her as she passed town hall.
“Sweetie Belle! What are you doing over here? Shouldn't you be helping Rarity?”
Twilight Sparkle was trotting up, half stern half curious. Sweetie Belle blinked, the sound of Twilight’s voice flying over her head and quickly returning to smack her. She smiled at the mare, doing her best to keep her previous melancholy hidden. Twilight ushered her to the town hall steps, petting her on the head and mentioning that she had seen how shad she was. Sweetie Belle could feel a lecture coming up.
“Twilight? Can you do me a favor? Can you tell me what your first crush was like? I’m curious. And I don't think that I’ll be able to work if I don't!” Sweetie Belle forced her sweetest smile on her face. Maybe Twilight would have some insight on how to deal with the other gender. Sweetie Belle knew that Twilight Sparkle may not be the most social of ponies, but she couldn't possibly be made of stone. Twilight sighed.
“Since you seem so interested, fine. But only if you promise to go back to work.” Twilight smiled weakly, closing her eyes as she put on her best voice.
When I was thirteen in the school for young unicorns, I didn't have many friends. I was by myself most days. I didn't mind. I spent my time in the library, hiding in the shelves and burrowing my face in books and reading away. That was how I stumbled upon the works of Octavius Port. I had read all six of his books on advanced transformation and teleportation at least twice in the first month of the school year. The books had said that he recently began working there, and needless to say, my own excitement drove me to look for him. I never found him on the roster of teachers, much to my dismay.
Not even my old trusty librarian could help me find him. One day I was sitting on the bottom shelf after a week of fruitless searching. I was reading one of his books, ‘The Introduction to Advanced Teleportation’ when somepony found me in my secret place. I didn't give him much thought, thinking it was the old librarian coming to give me another stack of books.
I looked up to see a much younger stallion watching me in confusion. He had obviously never seen me before. He was older than me by a good deal without a doubt. His fur was a light blue that looked well kept, and a slicked back mane that made his black tie look even more official. He raised an eyebrow at me in a way that made me blush, and his black eyes were piercing behind his glasses. I felt that I had seen him before, but I couldn't put my hoof on it. He was looking at me in disbelief, and smile broke out on his face.
“Such a little filly reading my book! I’m impressed. Do you understand it?”
There was Octavius Port, right in front of me, and my heart was racing. I was talking to the very man that I had written all the books I had been obsessing for the past month. And he was talking to me. I forced myself to regain composure before shaking my head. I had to reign in my fanpony urges. I was determined to make this a fruitful relationship.
I didn't expect to... get a crush on him. It just happened. I had been spending most of my time with him, learning magic, becoming better along with my classes. I learned more from him than my teachers some times. I always used to ask him why he wasn't a professor. He said that all that rigidness wasn't for him, that he wanted to delve deeper into the subject without being restrained with work. I admired that about him so much. He was a clever and smart free spirit. There was nothing bad I could find in him. And that was how I came to love him.
He was... ten years older than me. I knew that it was wrong, but I couldn't help myself. He was just... so perfect to me. I became enamored with him. He tried to fend me off, but I was persistent.
Then one day, the day after my birthday, I came up to him in my most beautiful outfit, after reading so many books on romance, sure that I would win him over.
“Twilight. I have something to tell you.”
“Yes Octavius?” I was so excited, hoping that he would tell me that he loved me, cared about me, something. Just anything other than what he said next.
“I’m getting married! The wedding is on a Saturday, and I would love my pupil and her family to be there.” The smile he had on his face when he said it. It was glowing. I felt pain in my heart for the first time in my life. I didn't understand what was wrong with me. I knew all along that I was too young, those months, those preciousmonths; did they mean nothing to him? I really couldn't believe that I had put my heart into a stallion so much older than me. My heart was crushed, to say the least. I had put all my eggs into one basket, and they were falling. I couldn't bear it. I put up a strong front, saying how happy I was and that I couldn't wait to go, but I think that he knew that deep down I was hurting. He kissed me on the top of my head, something I didn't expect of him at all. The smile he gave me made me realize that he did indeed care for me. I knew what I had to do.
I attended the wedding a two months later, a changed filly. I had pushed myself to get over the first stallion I had ever brought myself to like. The first stallion that I had ever let in, or even got into my heart. It had been a painful two months, full of unlikely tears, eating and a few other unsightly things. That was the only way I could allow myself to walk into that wedding with any form of dignity. For some reason, even though he was getting married... I was happy for him, but I knew that part of me was angry. It stayed angry. It pushed me to study and become what I am.
“Wow Twilight...” Sweetie Belle bit her lip, unsure of what to say.
“It’s alright Sweetie Belle. You just go back to work, after all, that was the deal. No more about it. I hoped that helped. Now I have to go see if... Spike is working. ” She smiled before leaving so quickly that Sweetie Belle had to question. She sat on the steps of the town hall alone, eyes trained on the sky. A certain black blur was catching her attention. The clumsy golden and black streak in the sky seemed more so than ever, crashing into pegasi every few minutes. He would chuckle, say sorry and fly off into another one. He didn't seem to be paying much attention to anything.
Sweetie Belle shuffled in her spot, her face heating up and her lips tingling once again. She couldn't keep her eyes off him, no matter how hard her brain attempted to tear her away. her brain reeled all those romance movies in her head, knowing very well that this high would lead to a crash, a sickening crash. Love seemed to always end with that. None of the crushes she had listened to had ended well in the least. Their first loves had all seemed to hurt them. Sweetie Belle forced her eyes shut, a sudden wave of fear washing over her. What if she ended up the same way? Grown up and hurting on the inside because of somepony that hurt their feelings.
And yet, with that thought gnawing at her mind, her eyes opened back up to greedily take in the sight of the uncoordinated colt. His flight made him look like the ponfication of puberty, awkward and lanky. There were many other colts in the sky from school that could probably fly with more skill with only one wing. More attractive ones. But her heart had set on that stupid and dense little colt that flitted after Scootaloo’s every movement with less coordination than ever before. Something else was distracting him, that much she could tell. Was it too much to hope that she was it?
She trotted out into the square, her eyes slyly trained on the sky. There she saw her colt. Her colt? She stopped herself mid-thought, another blush working her way onto her cheeks. Since when did he become a stallion to her, or hers for that matter? Sweetie Belle’s monologue was interrupted by a horrible crash that could wake the dead. She looked ahead to see a familiar gold and black lump slumped against a side of the wall of a house. He stumbled to his hooves, shaking off the snow on him. He winced up at Scootaloo, who scoffed as if disgusted before flying higher. Sweetie Belle trotted over to him, dodging the snow he shook off.
“Show Tail, I know you're a bad flier, but you hit a house.”
“I was just flying and something and stuff. I wasn't looking where I was going!”
“Obviously. You were so busy trying to get Scootaloo’s attention that you hit a house I bet.”
“No! I was um looking at the ground and well I saw something interesting, but not that interesting! It wasn't too interesting! It was somewhat interesting! It was pretty! Not too pretty! But uh...”
Sweetie Belle couldn't help but burst out in laughter at him. He was embarrassed, for some heaven given reason. She smiled at him, her mind totally forgetting what had occurred earlier. She placed a hoof on his shoulder to silence him.
“Tails, relax. What was so interesting?” He stood frozen for a moment before shaking his head and taking to the sky. Sweetie Belle shrugged, watching him jet off as quickly as possible. She didn't bother to put any thought into it. She had to return to Rarity and help her the best a sister could.
-----------------------
I’m so happy that you still send me a birthday card every year. I’m ashamed to say that I’ve been rather scared to open your letters. I know that my birthday was a few days ago, but I’ve finally pulled myself together. Fall Leaf, how are you doing? I’m still here in Ponyville. I’ve gotten myself my own little place, the Carousel Boutique. Wonderful place, wonderful business.
I have to ask what you’ve been doing lately. I suppose you’ve gotten married, had a foal or two, which sounds lovely. You always were quite the stallion, so it wouldn't surprise a mare in the least.
“Rarity, he could still be single.”
“I know! But I don't want to seem like I'm still clinging on! I want to applaud that lucky bi...” Rarity shook herself off, turning to Sweetie Belle with a smile. “And you will tell me what happened between you two. You should expect me to be like this. Friendship is magic. I wonder what love is then...” Rarity had a visible blush on her face as she continued to write. “Well Sweetie Belle? My darling little sister? What did he want?”
“He wanted help on how to be good with fillies. Then he decided to kiss me and see what it’s like...” Sweetie Belle cringed at the ear-splitting scream Rarity emitted. She hadn't expected that at all. Rarity soon hugged her as tightly as possible, laughing. She was asking so many questions that Sweetie Belle couldn't understand one. But she couldn't help but smile at her sister’s excitement. At least somepony had to be. Rarity finally put her down her little sister, giggling.
"So what was it like?" She asked, raising her eyebrows coyly. Sweetie Belle flushed, the memory returning and
"It... was nice. It made me feel warm."
Rarity's hair seemed to poof up a few inches in response to that. Her head turned to her little sister in such a way it looked almost detached. Sweetie Belle fell back, a bit scared at that response. Rarity’s lip trembled as she spoke.
“Did... mother ever tell you how foals are made?” The pure white pony blanched even more at the slow shake of her sister’s head. Rarity placed a hoof on her forehead. There was no time to delay. If Sweetie Belle was going to move in with her then she best start acting like both a sister and a guardian. Rarity calmed herself, repeating in her mind that it was going to be alright if she went about this correctly.
“Now Sweetie Belle, when a mare and a stallion love each other very much...” Rarity cringed at the absurdity of her own statement before awkwardly yelping, “Be careful with your horn!” Sweetie Belle flinched at the outburst, staring at her out of place sister like an alien. Rarity sighed, biting her lip.
“Let me tell you about... unicorns.”
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Tiramisu Tales
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1233
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Cutie Mark Crusaders,Original Character,Rarity,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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Belle Crush
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Everypony grows up eventually, even the slightly slow Sweetie Belle. Love indeed.
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complete
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<p>Sweetie Belle gets a 'love at first sight' crush on a pegasus known as Show Tail, who seems far more interested in everything else but her. Dealing with one's first crush is hard, when you have to beg for his attention. But if you persevere, just maybe, you can win a heart. Oh the woes of young love. Hope you like this better! I know I do!</p>
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everyone
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2011-12-08T21:49:07+00:00
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2011-12-08T21:49:07+00:00
| 2,971 |
Today was going to be a good day. Sweetie Belle could feel it in her blood.
Her precious glass bell was tinkling in the bright sunlight of the April sun. It was chilly, but not enough to dampen her spirits. She had moved in with Rarity, recently celebrated her birthday, and was still in post turning fourteen bliss. To make things even better, Show Tail had been sweeter than ever to her, being the epitome of a gentlecolt. He really could act like a prince to her. He had been opening doors, pulling out her chair, and even walked her around puddles. Could she really be blamed for feeling like a princess? No wonder Rarity had liked Blueblood and Fall Leaf. She could see the perks.
Today though, was a special day. After months of practice, Show Tail had finally gotten the hang of a corkscrew loop, a slightly advanced maneuver, without going completely haywire. He had been so excited that he had learned one of his favorite moves that Sweetie Belle had to go and do something special. She trotted into Sugar Cube Corner on a mission.
“Pinkie Pie, give me two of the biggest, most frosted, delicious carrot cupcakes you have!” Pinkie Pie looked at the filly with her usual broad smile. Her eyes seemed to have an even brighter twinkle than before. Sweetie Belle looked her up and down, questioning if it was even possible for Pinkie to be more... Pinkie. But she was. Pinkie Pie nodded as she packed up the two cupcakes.
"Pinkie Pie. Something good happen?"
Pinkie Pie twirled around, placed the wrapped up cupcakes on the counter and began to dance as she spoke.
“Seuss has been visiting me more and more often! And it’s all thanks to you encouraging me! Thank you Sweetie Belle!”
A good day indeed. Sweetie Belle went on her way after paying, making grand movements to make her bell chime as she walked. The cupcakes would make their usual music sessions much more fun. She made a mental note to pick up the pace after seeing some grey clouds float by. She wasn't sure if that meant rain was coming, but she wouldn't take the chance. Spring was one of those seasons that the crueler pegasi took a sick pleasure to. Sweetie Belle Shook her head and laughed, continuing on her way to their usual rock.
-------------
He had to take a mental note to see if he was alive. Had Scootaloo really just asked him to hang out with her? This had to be a dream, a dream that had gone too far. Show Tail stared after her for a moment, confused. She had never asked him to spend time with her. He had always asked her, and then she would agree because she had nothing better to do for the day. This time however, she had come to him with a bright smile and beautiful face. A true angel sent from heaven. A yes squeaked out of his throat. As she flew away, he couldn't believe the information that his brain now held. His mind couldn't help but entertain the thought of possibly getting that kiss from her that he had been vying for and for so long.
His face flushed as he momentarily remembered Sweetie Belle. Kisses were likable for sure. He wanted another one. He flushed, training his eyes on the ground as he walked to the library. Show Tail was delighted to see Snips standing by the door, waving at him. He flew the extra few meters, skidding to a stop past him.
“Hey Snips. Snails with Apple Bloom again?”
He nodded, kicking a rock.
“I helped him pick out a nice tie. Seems that the Apple Family is practicing for the Orange family visit. They’re trying to work on table manners from Applejack, so he’s with her all day. Must be nice to have a fillyfriend.” Snips dramatically waved a hoof at the sky, laughing. “We’ll get them eventually. You have Scootaloo. I don't know who I like anymore, Tails...”
“Don't worry Snips, you’ll get her soon enough. Let’s go read the next edition of The Crimson Stallion. Been waiting too long to see if he makes it to the Lair of Ice to beat the Golden Mare!” The two raced into the library. Show Tail had a grin on his face that couldn't be moved. He had a date with Scootaloo later. As he sat there though, in the comfort of the tree and a long awaited update, he couldn't help but feel something picking at his brain. Like he’d forgotten something. He shook his head, laughing. It couldn't have possibly been as important as a date with Scootaloo. Nothing could ever be. He nodded to assure himself, but the slightest prick of forgetting something important started to bother him. He pushed it aside for more important matters, like the dastardly affairs of the Silver Stallion’s now villain girlfriend, Golden Mare.
------
“You should head inside little pony. We’re going to have a big storm later.”
“No thanks. I’m waiting for somepony.” Sweetie Belle smiled up at the pegasus stallion that shrugged and flew off. Sweetie Belle lay back down under the tree, looking around for any sign of the clumsy pegasus falling to earth. She saw nothing but grey skies that made her slump farther into her own sadness. She nudged the bell necklace, hopeful that the sound of the tiny metal clapper against the glass bell would cheer her up. She rang it weakly for a bit before sighing and hiding her head in her hooves. She looked at the carrot cupcakes, remembering how she’d managed to poke it out of him that they were his favorite, how he said he’d once gotten sick eating a baker’s dozen and regretted nothing. She laughed ringing the bell solemnly.
She tried her best to keep herself entertained, even with the wind picking up and the sun hiding behind fat clouds. The thought of him being a knight or prince once again.
“He would be a knight, and come to rescue me from whatever tried to foalnap me and hold me for ransom. All I would have to do is just ring this bell, over and over again. Just ring it. And he’ll hear it and come to save me, just like in the movies. He’ll be here, I know he will. I rang the bell...”
She pushed the dirt with her snout with a sigh. Sweetie Belle snorted the dust off, looking to the sky. The sun was gone, the clouds were now all in place and the low rumble of thunder met her ears. She sighed, laying back down and doing the only thing she could think of. Ring the bell.
---------------
The rumble of the thunder jolted him out of his thoughts. Show Tail looked around at the pegasi around him with a slight disdain. Sugar Cube Corner felt cramped and crowded to him. He had expected it to be just the two of them, finally just being together alone. Not flying or practicing or some lame half baked excuse he cooked up to get her to himself, but her asking him.
Only to find out that she was just inviting him to hang out with some other pegasi. The storm outside was the only reason he was even staying. He jumped up at that. He quickly reminded himself that Scootaloo was the reason why he was staying. He gave an impatient flutter of the wings as her laugh floated in the air. He felt a slight smile crawl onto his face. She was always pretty when she laughed. Then again, when was she not pretty? He laughed, slowly slipping back into his own thoughts. By now, the pin prick of something he forgot was now a nail with a hammer over it. It hurt, but it hadn't been pounded in quite yet. He looked up at the counter.
Pinkie Pie was glaring at him. He cringed and faltered back, trying his best to keep his cool around the other pegasi. She was giving him a glare that could burn through titanium. He blinked for only a second, but it was more than enough to allow Pinkie to appear next to him with that still annoyed glare.
“Shouldn’t you... be somewhere with somepony?”
“N... no...” He sputtered out, unsure of what she meant. She placed a hoof on his shoulder with a dry laugh.
“She came in here and bought two carrot cupcakes to share. You were supposed to meet her for a celebration.” Show Tail cringed. She had hit the nail on the head.
“Sweetie... Belle. Sweetie Belle!” He shot to his hooves, looking outside the window frantically. He wasn't surprised to see thick heavy raindrops and lighting streak the sky. Show Tail glanced back to see that the group he was with had all turned their heads away in slight disdain. He gritted his teeth. This wasn't where he should have been at all. He looked up at Pinkie Pie, who shrugged.
“She... may still be there. Lying to a friend is one of the fastest ways to lose a friend FOREVER.” She smiled at him bolting out the door in the rain. She paused a moment later, tapping a hoof to her chin. “Maybe I should have given him an umbrella... Oh well.”
Show Tail blinked the raindrops out of his eyes, almost blinded by the amazing storm his kind had created. He could the adrenaline of the run take over his mind. He felt horrible over all. For forgetting Sweetie Belle, for leaving Scootaloo... He mentally slapped his fourteen year old thought patterns with a bit of maturity. She could still be there, after falling asleep waiting for him. She’d be wet, cold, and upset, and it would all be his fault. This wasn't the time for petty thoughts about silly things. Though he felt like a hero, a prince or a knight.
Some brave pony haybent on saving his mare fair. Show Tail shook his head at that thought. Even in the cold rain he could feel his cheeks flush. When was Sweetie Belle ever his? He bit his lip, fighting back the rain in his eyes with some pain. Sweetie Belle was his friend, but she was not his princess, no matter what. Scootaloo was meant to have that position. The rain was starting to hurt his eyes more. He automatically lifted his rain soaked feathers, hoping to high heavens they weren't too wind mangled and waterlogged to give him lift.
He had a brief moment of self celebration at the few inches he managed to get off the ground before continuing on his way, using his almost uncontrollable speed to his advantage. He’d be there to save his princess.
“Shut up stupid brain.”
He huffed at his own thoughts, reminding himself constantly that it was Scootaloo he wanted, not Sweetie Belle. Scootaloo was the perfect pegasus, the perfect prize for anypony of his race to claim. He had to like her, like all the other colts in his class. It was strange for a pegasus colt not to have a crush on her. She was everything a pegasus could want. That’s what he was told. It made him normal.
He snapped back to the world when he smacked into the tree he was meant to meet her. He looked around frantically at the woods behind it. The first speck of white sent him reeling. He bounded towards it, yelping out a ‘Sweetie Belle’... at sopping wet carrot scented mush that could have only been cupcakes.
“She really did remember... Great.”
--------------
“Come on you dumb bell. You’re supposed to ring...” She sighed, continuing her somber walk through the town. She had decided to just go home after he had failed to appear. She had left as slowly as possible, giving him precious seconds to come and sweep her off her hooves and fly her to Sugar Cube Corner to get more cupcakes to save the day.
All she had to her day was a broken heart. She knew she was crying. The hot tears quickly ran into the cold rain, quickly forgotten. Just like he had forgotten about her. Rarity was right. Love was a horrible thing. All it did was make her feel worse and worse about everything around her. All she wanted to do was to be left alone.
“Sweetie Belle, what are you doin’ here?”
“Big Macintosh? What are you...?”
He smiled at her after spitting out his now water weighted straw.
“Ah’m heading to Fluttershy’s to pick her up for the practice dinner. Granny Smith said Ah have to have my fillyfriend over, no matter how shy she is.” He shrugged, looking the soaking filly over. “How about you come with me to Fluttershy’s? Ah’, sure she won’t mind much.” He nodded to her, pulling her close so she could walk under his umbrella. Sweetie Belle looked up at him, a blush forming on her cheeks. She, like most of the fillies in town had found him a fetching stallion. He was undoubtedly handsome, but that wasn't it. Something else was making her feel drawn to him. It wasn't love, like how she had been for Show Tail, but something special and odd. She felt warm and happy, as if he was a blanket. Yes. He was a blanket she could hide under when the world made her sad. Just like Rarity did. “Now you have to help me get her out of the house.”
“Eeyup.”
----------
“I don't think I should go Mac. I don't think that you would like your family to meet a shy mare like me... And it’s raining now...”
“But Flutter... It’s only practice for when the Oranges come visit, and Granny said Ah have to. Even Apple Bloom’s got her little colt comin.”
She sighed, approaching them with towels. She looked down at the dripping filly. Fluttershy then perked up with a sly smile. She pet Sweetie Belle on the head, drying her off with the towel and putting her on the couch.
“Ah... well you see Sweetie Belle, I hear from the rest that you’ve been asking about the first crushes of ponies... And I’d like to tell you mine, if you don’t mind.” She made that same wide grin she used in dire emergencies of persuasion. Sweetie Belle’s eyes lit up, and she nodded.
“Sure Fluttershy!”
Fluttershy grinned, ushering Big Macintosh to sit next to her. He shook himself off one last time before placing a towel on the couch and sitting next to her. She smiled up at him, a look that somehow mixed satisfaction and genuine delight. He smiled back, knowing there was no way he could possibly resist her sweet nature. He kissed her on the crown of her head before she began.
Well, when I was a filly, after I got my cutie mark, I became very interested in animals. In Cloudsdale, there were plenty of birds and other flying things to learn about, but there were so many creatures that can't fly. I didn't really know anypony that lived on the ground... I was a pegasus after all. So I would fly down there on occasion, unable to really learn anything because I was so scared of some of the creatures.
One day though, I happened to wander to this very house. There was a unicorn inside. At first, I was very afraid of him, and then I was a little less when I saw the squirrel on his head. And then, I was delighted when he sent the squirrel over to me. It was very polite. It even shook my hoof. I suddenly lost all fear for a moment and walked over to him. It was the first time I had ever seen a unicorn up close. His mane was filled with dirt, making the grey even darker. His coat was a creamy color, I suppose, but he had these really pretty green eyes that stood out because they didn't seem to fit.
“Hello there! I’ve never seen a pegasus before! I’m Wave Wire.” He was so upfront with me. Of course I cowered a bit, at least until the squirrels nudged me into shaking his hoof. Then I realized that there were animals everywhere! I suddenly forgot all about being shy and ran around asking him about everything. I spent the majority of my day there, and even stayed for dinner with his father. It was a very nice day. I went back home, excited to have met such a pony.
After that, I spent all my free time with him. Wire Wave taught me everything about animals. I used to always wonder why his cutie mark, a broadcasting tower, could possibly make him so good with animals. It didn't take long for me to realize that his talent was speaking in general. He had such a way with the animals. He could make them do anything he wanted without even trying. I called it the Voice.
He would stand tall, and speak in this big voice that didn't possibly look like it could come out of such a tiny colt. But it did. Even though he was barely any taller than me, he could give orders that made you think he was six feet tall. I spent the year with him, each day a crash course in an animal or two. It was so much fun. I think it was halfway between a lesson on bears when he kept floating flowers behind me it was obvious that he liked each other...
I was really happy then. It was funny how we had both just gotten crushes on each other without even realizing it. It was great. We spent the next eight or so months together, playing with animals, taking care of them, sharing in the casual peck on the cheek. I thought that it would go on forever.
I remember my first kiss. He came up to me with a baby bunny, cute and wriggle nosed as could be. I was surprised when he let me have it. I would never turn down such a thing. I smiled to say thank you and he kissed me from there. It was strange and made me tingle. Kisses are like that... We kissed for a moment before he panicked and decided it was time for me to learn about bunnies. It was abnormally in depth lesson, even for him. I had guessed it was because of the bunny.
It was really because he was leaving. The next day, nopony was there. I looked everywhere... only to find a note in the bunny pen, right next to the bunny he had given me. His father had apparently decided that with him being a veterinarian and all, he would get more profit in the city than on the edge of the EverFree. He told me to take care of Angel, and that he would hopefully be back soon.
“I haven't seen him in years. I finally moved into this house to care for all the animals, and of course, Angel here is a living reminder of him. He was the one that noted my Stare, so that too.” She smiled and nuzzled Big Macintosh before continuing. “I’ve got Mac here with me, so I’m fine...” He flushed, giving Fluttershy a peck on the lips. “Now it’s your turn Mac, it’s only fair.”
The stallion could only squirm in place for a few moments before conceding to his fillyfriend’s demand.
Ah was a scrawny little thing when Ah was growing up. Mamma and Dad gave me my first yoke in order to give me some muscle. But Ah was still a bit of a weakling for my size... Taller than mosta the colts, but still scrawnier then the rest of em. They picked on me a bit, Ah know that. ‘Rotten Apple’ an such, but I didn't pay them much mind. They were just bored. Ah did have my fair share of friends though. Mah best friend was a colt though. He was far stronger than the rest of us... He was pitch black, went by the name of Black Torrent. The best swimmer besides a sea pony that Ah ever met. Gave him strong legs that looked like they could carry a full grown mare or two even as a colt. Ah really looked up to him. Even with all the apple bucking I did, Ah never seemed to be strong enough to get them off in one kick. Daddy always told me that it was OK, that Ah would grow into my Apple Family legs in time. And like ma little sister and her cutie marks, Ah wanted it now.
Ah started to stick with Black Torrent though. He taught me how to swim, making my legs get stronger and stronger. We ended up spending a lot of time together... And that’s how Ah ended up liking him as such. He was so nice to me, I couldn't help it. Ah guess it was pretty mutual. He kissed me first an such. Ah would say that we were a couple, but we were very secret about it. We didn't want any of our friends to know we were coltcuddlers. Ah suppose it was our own embarrassment that drove us apart.
“He went on to be famous. Ah went on to be one of Equestria’s best applebuckers. We still send letters. and such, but it ain't the same.” He shrugged and kissed Fluttershy on the nose. “But Ah have may Fluttershy now...” He smiled at her, making her giggle softly. Sweetie Belle couldn't help but smile as well. If this was what love could be like, then maybe it wasn't so bad after all. She was stabbed by her own thoughts. Her brain quickly reminded her of where she was and why she was there. Sweetie Belle started to cry all over again. Fluttershy looked at Big Mac with the softest face she could muster.
“I’ll go tell Rarity that Sweetie is staying at my place... I suppose we can’t go now, can we.” Fluttershy sighed, writing a letter. Big Mac nodded, a resounding ‘eeyup’ coming from him before he froze and began to protest.
“Hey! You just don't wanna go!”
“That’s only a bonus.”
-------------
“She’s... not here? Can you tell her I came to visit? And that I’m sorry and I miss her? I really do Miss Rarity... And give her this” Show Tail whimpered up at Rarity, who held a face of utmost confusion. She could have questioned him if he had not taken to the skies. She closed the door, picked up the box, and turned around, taking note of the horn poking out from the kitchen.
“He’s gone you know.” Rarity picked up the filly with magic, placing her on her back and trotting to her room. She placed Sweetie Belle on the bed, taking a brush to the filly’s hair. She walked around, grabbing her idea book and starting to draw lazy dresses. Sweetie Belle harrumphed. She had come home few hours ago after staying at Fluttershy’s and taken a bath to clean off her muddy body. Rarity was dutifully brushing her hair with a sisterly smile. “Fall Leaf and I have been talking. He has a fillyfriend, but sadly, she isn't his type...” Rarity wore a Cheshire grin on her face that made Sweetie Belle laugh.
“Rarity... Is love really worth it?”
Rarity froze a moment, all the things in her magical grasp holding still. She turned to her younger sister with a raised eyebrow, confused.
“Why would you ask that? Love is always worth it darling! My dear little sister, love is what makes the world go round. Love is what makes me sew, makes Twilight read, Fluttershy care for her animals, Rainbow fly, Applejack take care of her farm, Pinkie throw parties... Love makes us do all these grand and wonderful things. Because we love them. There are many different kinds of love.”
“Different... kinds?” Sweetie Belle cringed as the brush resumed. Rarity took a seat next to her on the bed, looking at her sister with care. She had never expected that she would be the one helping her with these sorts of problems. She had always imagined her rather discombobulated but loving mother to be the pony to deal with the affairs of the heart. But their mother had taught her, and Rarity knew she had to pass on the odd seeds of wisdom she had received.
"Well... I love you. And we love mom and dad, right? That's family love. And how I really care about and appreciate my friends. That's how you love your friends. Then you have loving something you do. Like... How you love to sing and I love to sew! Like that." Rarity looked over at Sweetie Belle before continuing. She had to make sure to approach this right. One wrong word could make her hate love forever. She looked into her little sister's attentive eyes and smiled. "Then... You have love, in the romantic sense. It's very... Heavy. It weighs in your heart. You always know it's there. But when you're with your love... And they love you back... It's wonderful. It makes you just... Fly. You feel like you can do anything with them by your side. And you want them to be there forever..." She exhaled the breath she had no clue she had been holding. Her face was flushed red and her heart was racing. She could see those desperately saved images of Fall Leaf crawling out from the back of her mind. All those memories.
The burning one of their first time. It was clumsy, awkward and an all out disaster. She could see him smiling down at her as she giggled and shivered from being caught in the rain. How it was dark and how they curled up together in his living room, staying as quiet as possible. The kisses. That warm smile that made her feel as if everything was going to be alright for the rest of her life. Then after that... Everything went warm. Hot, clumsy, silly and uncoordinated. And yet it was absolutely the pinnacle of perfection...
"Love... Sounds wonderful..."
Rarity snapped out of her reverie at Sweetie Belle speaking. She looked at her with a smile before stretching out and lying next to her, still commanding the brush absentmindedly. Rarity closed her eyes and settled into the sheets, her heart starting to calm. She had succeeded in not completely destroying her sister’s innocent heart.
“Yes Sweetie Belle. But you must remember. If they hurt you too much... then it might not be worth it anymore. You must not let them have complete control over you. Do you understand?” Out of a knee jerk reaction, she grabbed the filly into a tight hug, resting her head on the still slightly damp mane. She smelled sweet mint, a safe and comforting scent. Her sister would only be little for so long. She could finally understand her mother. The thought of Sweetie Belle growing up and being exposed to the painful world was something she could not take. But she couldn't very well lock her up and be happy with herself. The filly had to grow on her own, and no matter how horribly it sat with her, she had to. She had to be strong for her little sister and support her. She clung to Sweetie Belle, feeling the urge to protect her rising.
Rarity held her tighter, as if the world was trying to tear her away from the filly. She was the only wall Sweetie Belle had to defend her, and she was crumbling and starting to cry. It took her a moment to realize that they had both been. Sweetie Belle sniffled into her sister’s coat, wiping her face into it. She looked up once she felt Rarity move. They locked their tearing eyes for only a moment before clutching onto each other as if their lives depended on it.
“R... Rarity... He really hurt my f... feelings...”
Rarity paused a moment, a bit of rage starting to build before she realized that the colt had come to say sorry. It took her a moment to put it all together. That he wasn't as much of an idiot as she had first thought. That he was a bigger one, but in this case, this was a good thing. He liked her, and liked her a lot. What other reason would a colt come by before noon just to see a filly? She sighed deeply, pulling Sweetie Belle to her even tighter.
“And I hurt Fall Leaf’s... But I am trying to fix it... And you’re too young to lose a friendship like that. He came to apologize... You should forgive him eventually.” Rarity let go, shuffling to her hooves. She wiped her face off, turning to the filly with a slight smile. “Also... he left a dozen carrot cupcakes.”
Sweetie Belle bolted upright and bounded off the bed. She stared at her sister in disbelief, till the box was in front of her face. The white and glossy box had the heavenly smell of carrot wafting out of it. She nudged up open and squeaked a bit, a smile spreading across her face. Rarity looked in the box and began to laugh.
“I must say, for a little colt, he’s got some class.” Rarity chucked a bit more at the fondant letters on the cupcakes, all different colors, which collectively spelled out ‘I’M SORRY’. Sweetie Belle was staring at it as if enraptured. “I suppose this means you forgive him.” Sweetie Belle looked up at her with a shrug.
“Maybe...”
“Let’s go watch come movies, eat cupcakes, and laugh at all the silly fillies being funny in love. We should be laughing at ourselves... But we don't know how our movie will end do we?” Rarity picked up the box with magic and turned to her sister.
“Movies are supposed to have happy endings anyway Rarity!” She dashed past Rarity giggling. Rarity could only hold her smile for so long after she left.
“Life is nothing like a movie my dear little sister...”
|
Tiramisu Tales
|
1233
| 8 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Original Character,Rarity,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Belle Crush
|
Everypony grows up eventually, even the slightly slow Sweetie Belle. Love indeed.
|
complete
| 81 | 3 |
<p>Sweetie Belle gets a 'love at first sight' crush on a pegasus known as Show Tail, who seems far more interested in everything else but her. Dealing with one's first crush is hard, when you have to beg for his attention. But if you persevere, just maybe, you can win a heart. Oh the woes of young love. Hope you like this better! I know I do!</p>
|
everyone
|
2012-01-14T23:05:23+00:00
|
2012-01-14T23:05:23+00:00
| 2,421 |
“What do you mean, you don't want to hang out with me? You forgave me a week ago, right? You said so...”
Sweetie Belle looked back at Show Tail with a genuine lack of interest before closing the door behind her. She had other things planned for the day, and the colt did not fit in at all. She felt her heart beating madly in her chest. She had never had to do something like this. Normally she would have dropped almost anything for him. Her mind rolled back to her utter desperation for his attention and she could not help but laugh. Had she really been so silly over a colt? She snickered to herself and turned to him.
“Look, Show Tail, I don’t have time for you today. Maybe tomorrow. Day after that... or after that... Or something. I just don't have the time in my day to mess around with you. Now, I’m going to Sweet Apple Acres. I told Big Mac I’d see him today.”
Sweetie Belle reeled back at the black blur landing in front of her as she descended the stoop. Show Tail was glaring at her, in a way that almost scared her. He was flapping his wings the same way he had done when he had met Scootaloo, large and imposing. His golden eyes were her shooting daggers and she had no clue why. She felt a prick in her neck, and her heart pound in her ears.
“You’re... going to hang out with... Big Macintosh. And... Why?” He froze, his voice suddenly one of a full grown stallion. She stepped back, falling onto her flank with a squeak. Show Tail landed ans started moving towards her and puffing up his body. He pushed his face into hers with a snarl on his lips. His wings flared and his back arched to make him look bigger to. Even though his gut churned and part of him was screaming to stop, he still still persisted. He was being an idiot and he knew it. But he couldn't stop himself. She was his and Sweetie Bell needed to remember that. Show Tail stepped a bit closer, their noses touching as he kept his glare on her and his body tensed.
Sweetie Belle let out a small whimper and held her breath, her heart pounding in her ears. She couldn’t understand where this came from. This was not the Show Tail that she had come to know. She had never expected this kind of behavior from him. It took her a split second to realize how close their faces were and flushed. When her mind wandered to the thought of that clumsy kiss in the barn when he suddenly gave a heavy sigh, stepping back. Show Tail stood tall, still somewhat projecting himself. “Go... do what you want... I can’t even say anything.” He hissed out, taking flight without another word. She stared after him for a moment, before picking herself up and heading to Sweet Apple Acres for the day.
---
“Big Mac! I’m here to help!” Sweetie Belle trotted over to the large stallion picking up stray branches. The pegasi had warned about blustering winds that night, so any branches would be a hazard. Fluttershy waved a wing at the filly with a smile, snapping down some of the higher up strays. She wasted no time dropping her pack and getting to work nudging the branches together.
“Big Mac... How can you tell when a colt likes you...?” She asked, unsure of if she should even be speaking. Fluttershy suddenly began to laugh, stopping just as quickly as she began. Big Macintosh looked at her with his usual half interested look, sighing in annoyance before shooting a glare at Fluttershy. She laughed more and flew off to snap some other branches.
“When a colt likes you...” Sweetie Belle reeled back and nearly fell.
“Big Macintosh... Your... Your voice! It’s... the accent!”
“Yes... I know...” He sighed, shooting daggers at Fluttershy giggling in a tree. “Fluttershy, I would very much appreciate if you would not laugh at me as such... The Oranges are coming to visit, since Applejack reminded them that they have not seen us in ‘such a terribly long time’. I have to speak like this, you see. And if I stop, it takes me an eternity to get it back.”
Sweetie Belle held back her snickers, not wanting to irritate the stallion more. He grumbled something under his breath before turning to the little filly.
“When a colt likes you, he will... be different...” He sighed an glanced at his fillyfriend giggling in the trees. “He’ll want to spend more time with you, and he’ll tend to get jealous. Whenever you see her with another stallion, you will often get jealous... Even if you know nothing will happen. You want to take no risks. Often, he will have claimed her in his mind, declaring her off limits to others. How intense that becomes varies by stallion.”
Sweetie Belle glanced up at the stallion with some curiosity. Jealousy was a good thing? She dug a hoof in the ground and began do dig a shallow hole in thought. Her ears began to feel hot as her mind began to piece things together. Could it be possible that he liked her? No... He had already professed his love for Scootaloo, and there was nothing that could change that. She had already decided what her place was, he had made sure to set it for her. Sweetie Belle looked down at her necklace, the one she almost never removed, and gave it a half hearted ring.
“He couldn’t possibly...” She gave her mentor a harsh look before pacing around. “So being jealous is something that means he likes you? But this morning... he got mad at me for spending time with you Mac... Does that mean...”
“When a colt doesn't tell you he likes you, he may just not want to look or feel stupid...” Fluttershy suddenly spoke up, landing beside them. She watched Sweetie Belle pace up and down with a slightly amused look. Sweetie Belle suddenly stopped, looking at Fluttershy curiously.
“But what if he’s already stupid?” Sweetie Belle asked with utmost sincerity. Fluttershy stared at her for a moment before shooting a glare at Big Macintosh for chucking at the filly’s response.
“Then he’s already told you, outright or in his own special way.” She nudged Big Macintosh again to stop his laughing. “Or maybe he really is just that stupid.” Fluttershy mumbled under her breath
“Eeyup!” He laughed for a bit more before cringing. “Awwww Ah lost that silly fanceh accent. Fluttershy, will you help me?” She placed a hoof on his mouth and nodded. “Ah right. Applebloom wanted me to tell you that...”
“Clubhouse. I’ll be going.” Sweetie Belle kept an eye on the sky as she made her way though the apple farm she knew like the back of her hoof. She had almost forgotten that the three of them were supposed to meet up again. In fact, she could barely remember the last time all three of them had really spent time together. Scootaloo would always jet off to fly with other pegasi, Applebloom was often busy with either Snails or the colts at the hardware store, and even Sweetie Belle herself had become friends with the band class at the school. She bit her lip as the club house came into view, a new coat of gloss gleaming on it. She smirked, knowing that Applebloom hadn’t spent all her time in vain. As she trotted into the tiny clubhouse, Scootaloo crashed in, toppling a pile of Applebloom’s books on architecture.
“Scootaloo... Can you ever come into this place without destroying half of it?” Applebloom sighed, setting the books back into their neat pile as Scootaloo laughed at her lack of accent. She shot Scootaloo a glare before smoothing her coat. She fixed the bow Snails had given her before sitting down and looking at her two friends. Her very best friends in the entire world. Seeing Sweetie Belle absentmindedly playing with her precious bell and Scootaloo flapping and stretching her wings as if ready to take flight made her happy. She didn’t know what she would do with out them. She paused for a moment, remembering their name, the title that had brought them together. The Cutie Mark Crusaders.
Applebloom sighed, a horrible churning in her stomach. She whimpered, looking up at her friends.
“G... Guys... Do you realize... that we haven’t gone crusading in a long time? We’re...” Applebloom swallowed hard before tapping her hoof on the wooden floor as she spoke. “We’re not the Crusaders anymore. I don't think we should go by that name anymore. That’s why I called you here.” Applebloom looked at both fillies, hoping that their responses wouldn't be too harsh. Scootaloo’s wings froze in place, her jaw dropping before she simply shook her head.
“We’re... the Cutie Mark Crusaders! We’ve always been the Cutie Mark Crusaders? We haven’t been anything different... ever! Are we really...” Scootaloo's eyes began to tear up as she paced around the room, sputtering only gibberish. She couldn’t believe it and she could not deny it. She could barely remember the last time she had gone crusading with her friends, the last time they had legitimately spent time together as friends for more than a few minutes. They weren’t as close anymore. They were slightly drifting as they sifted into their own little niches.
Sweetie Belle stared after her pegasi friend. Her mind was blank till a gust from Scootaloo’s wings made her necklace chime. The tiny ring of the bell was enough to spur her thoughts. No longer being the Cutie Mark Crusaders by name was like no longer being alive. It had become part of them, something that defined them. It didn’t take her too long to realize that they were all indeed quickly developing new definitions, new parts of themselves that did not revolve around crusading but what they wanted to do. Perhaps she had clung too tightly to the idea.
“It was happening whether we liked it or not...” Applebloom choked out, trying to hold back the tears that were forcing their way out. “I was the main reason we all ended up like this, I feel I should at least end it. Formally.” She looked at the two fillies with a soft smile. Sweetie Belle nodded at Applebloom, deciding that words were not needed. Scootaloo finally sighed, looking up at her best friends and nodding as well.
“We’re still best friends, right?” Scootaloo forced a smirk on her face. “I mean, you two need someone a little cool in your lives...” She grinned, standing tall and flaring her wings. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle couldn’t help but laugh. The fillies found themselves in a tight hug and laughing at themselves. Sitting back, they giggled away their tears and Scootaloo finally spoke through the laughter. “Remember the zip line?”
Sweetie Belle and Applebloom stopped laughing and shot her a glare before starting up again. They sat there, laughing about their past adventures for what felt like hours. Applebloom froze mid laugh and her ears perked up at a bit. She could hear a huge commotion happening over by the house. She groaned and picked herself up, dusting herself off.
“I do apologize girls, but I must be on my way. The Oranges are here for their visit, and I simply must be on my way, lest my sister be very... displeased. I will have to see you fillies later.” Applebloom galloped off, screaming in frustration when she did indeed see a carriage. Applejack was welcoming the Oranges and Snails was helping them by bringing in luggage. Applebloom sped up and slipped next to Snails as if she had been there the entire time. She helped him drag in all the luggage, tugging a rather large cloth bag inside with him. She helped him drag upstairs and raced down the steps to get the other bags. She froze in place, a question forming him her mind.
Where is Big Macintosh...?
----------------------------
“Hey, you! Yeah you... you... jerk!”
Big Macintosh froze and turned around. He looked about the acres of trees surrounding him, peering though them for whatever had said the insults. He shrugged and turned to the house barely in view. He could make it there quickly, make up an excuse about sweeping up branches... A moment passed before he remembered that it was the truth and he shrugged. There was not much else he could do about it anyway. It had taken Fluttershy a while to get him to slide out of his accent, a requirement that Applejack had demanded as simple courtesy to the Oranges. Quite frankly, he couldn’t understand it, but he loved his little sister, and she had pulled ‘the Face’ on him, and he couldn’t say no to that pleading face. It was just impossible.
Much like trying to figure out who had called him. Fluttershy had gone to the house early under his request, hoping that Applejack would be able to calm down under her friends influence. He was somewhat regretting it now. He spun around a bit, ears twitching and trying to gather what direction the sound had come from. It was the voice of a young colt, he could make that much out. He had heard it before, but he couldn't place it.
“Look up!” The voice growled. Big Macintosh tried to fight the smirk that was creeping across his lips. The pegasus colt that was giving him a stern stare down had to be nopony other than Show Tail, the one of Sweetie Belle’s affections. He resisted the urge to chuckle.
Show Tail glared down at the red stallion, keeping his explosive temper under wraps. The voice in his head was already reprimanding him, a nagging mother buzzing in his ears. This was pointless. There was nothing to gain from this. He was no competitor in anything but her time. And yet that drove him crazy. He could feel his wings spreading out as far as possible, the blood boil under his skin and a scowl imprint on his face. He was irritated and bordering on anger with the stallion. He had taken Sweetie Belle away from him. He cleared his throat, keeping himself steady in flight.
“You should stay away from Sweetie Belle. She’s mine, and I want to spend time with her. You have your own fillyfriend... Spend time with her... Sweetie is my friend and you shouldn't take her away from me.”
Big Macintosh inhaled deeply.
“Eeyup. You sure do like her.”
Show Tail fell to the dirt, wings frozen in shock. He glared at them, the black feathers frozen in place. He was still too stunned to move. He gave his wings a few frustrated flaps before whimpering up at Macintosh. He had lost his slight advantage of height, and with it, his confidence. Show Tail shrunk back under the inquisitive stare of Big Macintosh, his towering size making it more intense. Clambering to his feet, Show Tail put on his bravest face.
“I do not! She’s just... my... friend. That’s all. Right?”
“Eeyup.”
“I mean... it’s not my fault! She’s my friend! I always want her around...” Show Tail flared his wings to make his point, standing firm and doing his best to glare up at Big Macintosh. He could see the larger stallion holding back a few laughs. His attempts to show that he had any shreds of self confidence remaining were shredded to bits. He whimpered at the slight laugh, the urge to cry welling up in the back of his throat. The burning and choking pain made it hard to breathe. He made pathetic whimpers, trying to find his way around the gaze of the stallion. Big Macintosh was calm and all knowing, and he could feel frustration taking him over.
“Eeyup...”
Show Tail stomped his hoof, pounding the grass into a slight mush. That... answer... His temper was starting to make his blood boil, his anger beginning to take the best of him. He forced his eyes shut to avoid Big Macintosh’s all knowing look.
“I... can’t. I’m not supposed to like her. I’m a pegasus. I’m supposed to like pegasi. Like Scootaloo. She’s the very epitome of pegasi, the very meaning of it. I have to like her. Like all the other colts in my class. I can’t not like her... And I’m one of the few that’s gotten close to her. I have to.”
“Eeyup.”
“But I hate the way she is sometimes. She’s nice. But... I don’t see why any of the pegasi like her like that, really. She’s really brash and loud sometimes. She’s amazing to fly with. But... I don’t get it... I like spending time with Sweetie Belle... She sings so wonderfully for somepony that hasn’t really gone though training, and she’s getting better every time we practice. I love making music with her. Understand?”
“Eeyup.”
“It’s not my fault that I want to spend all my time with her! She’s amazing. Every time I hear her voice I just want to make music. It’s a great feeling. And I want her to sing it. It just isn’t the same when anypony else does it. It’s like I write songs just for her. Can’t you see why I’m so upset that she picked you over me?”
“Eeyup.”
“But I can’t like her like that! I can’t! It would be weird and everypony would laugh at me for not liking my own kind, just like my father! Half of his family got mad him for loving my mother since she can’t fly! Applebloom and Snails both can’t fly, even if they aren’t the same race, so they don’t have to worry much, but to think of what my classmates and my father’s family will think... I’m not supposed to like her. I can’t. I’m not allowed to. I’ll be laughed at. But I can’t take any other stallion with her.”
“Eeyup.”
“I don’t understand why I’m not like this with Scootaloo. Maybe it’s because she’s so confident. But with Sweetie Belle, I know she can handle herself. But I can’t help but feel that I need to keep her around and be a knight in shining armor. She’s mine, and nopony else’s... I feel like I have to be around her a lot, and if I can’t hear the bell on the necklace I gave her, I’m too far away. We’re that close as friends.”
“Eeyup.”
“Besides, she can't possibly like me.” Show Tail paused, finally realizing what he had devolved into. He was staring at the bare dirt his hoof had been digging into, reminding himself that he had rubbed out all the grass in his little rant. He had gone on for far longer than he had thought, and his wings rested around him as if to shield him from himself. Show Tail looked up at Big Macintosh, ears drooping. He felt uncomfortable with the stallion’s gaze upon him after he had just babbled out everything he could never tell Snips and Snails. He took a deep breath to steady his shaking body, counting from one to ten over and over. All he could feel was the pain piercing his stomach, the choking pain of held back tears and the ache in his heart. And the anger. The anger that was growing his body, causing his wings to flare out once again. He was inexplicably angry, and there was only one pony around to let it out on.
“You... You! All you say is eeyup, like you know everything! I can’t like her, I won’t like her! Why don’t you say something other than that damned ‘eeyup’ and actually be helpful?” Show Tail glared up at Big Macintosh, his instinct driving himself to look bigger and possibly intimidate the stallion. Big Macintosh sighed, looking down at Show Tail with a great deal of sympathy.
“You really do like this filly, don’t cha. Well Ah reckon that you already told yourself what to think. You like her, and t’ain’t nothing you can do about it, much like Ah can’t help but like Fluttershy. Ah think you need to think about how you feel, cause you have one of the biggest crushes Ah’ve ever seen.”
“I’m not... She’s just my friend!” Show Tail screamed, taking flight, desperate to be anywhere but there.
“Well now, Ah never seen a colt so far in denial in my life. Aw horsefeathers, Ah got my accent back.” Smirking to himself, Big Macintosh turned his hooves to the house and went on his way. “Ah hope that colt finds his way out of it...”
|
Tiramisu Tales
|
1233
| 9 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Original Character,Rarity,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Belle Crush
|
Everypony grows up eventually, even the slightly slow Sweetie Belle. Love indeed.
|
complete
| 81 | 3 |
<p>Sweetie Belle gets a 'love at first sight' crush on a pegasus known as Show Tail, who seems far more interested in everything else but her. Dealing with one's first crush is hard, when you have to beg for his attention. But if you persevere, just maybe, you can win a heart. Oh the woes of young love. Hope you like this better! I know I do!</p>
|
everyone
|
2012-02-04T16:03:10+00:00
|
2012-02-04T16:03:10+00:00
| 2,148 |
“Guys, I think that this is going to be the best summer vacation ever.” Snails looked up to the clear blue sky, a grin dominating his face. Lying by the river with friends was always peaceful. June was now creeping to its midway point, which meant that soon school would be out and finally the hot days would be theirs. Snails laughed to himself. The summer would be filled with friends, playing in the river, snacks and his lovely fillyfriend. He craned his neck to see Apple Bloom playing in the river with the others. Snails smiled as he watched her have fun with their other friends before turning to Show Tail sitting beside him.
“Maybe.” Show Tail said. “Aunt Pica is sending me off to camp for the summer. I have no clue why...” Snails bolted upright at the rather monotone voice of Show Tail.
“Tails, you’re gonna be... leaving?” Show Tail nodded as he slipped himself into the water, wading out into the clear river. Getting away from his best friend’s questions was what he needed right now. He could hear Snails yelling at him to come back, but he shut his ears and thought of the matter at hoof. Pica was sending him off to camp, saying that it was a rite of passage for all pegasi, or at least it was in their family. He didn’t want to go at all. Summer was time for friends and just being silly, at least to him. He had actually made friends after being stuck in the house for an entire year, and he did not want to just leave them behind. He swam towards the other foals, trying his best to get away from Snails, as cowardly as it was. He could make out Snips talking to Twist and sunk into the water. Perhaps a bit of teasing would cheer him up.
Show Tail didn’t expect Snails to grab him out of the water with magic and leave him furiously flapping his wings in an attempt to get away. The unicorn colt trotted over and pulled Show Tail onto the bank of the river, trying not to get slapped by flailing wings.
“Tails, what’s all this bout going away, eh?” Snails forced the colt to look him in the eyes, even though he knew very well Show Tail’s temper was nothing to be messed with. Snails reminded himself that he had created a pissed off pegasus, but there were more important things to deal with. “So, what are you gonna do?”
Show Tail was struggling to get away, wings flapping frantically. Unicorn magic was starting to annoy him. Snails was trying his best to keep him still. Show Tail tugged and pulled until Snips waded over and added his own magical touch.
“Oh Tails, we know how much you like to avoid things, so we decided that if it was ever really important that we would just hold you down!” Snips waved his hoof around gaily, as if it were an everyday occurrence. At this point Show Tail considered getting more idiotic friends. He shrugged and decided that it was better to have friends that cared than anything else.
“I’m going away to a flight summer camp. At least Scoots is going to the same one, so I won’t be alone... But I’ve been arguing with Auntie to let me stay... And what was that about avoiding things?”
“You avoid any talk of Sweetie Belle since she’s joined the chorus. And she’s right over there you know.” Snips tossed his head in the general direction of the filly playing in the stream with a few other foals. And a few colts. One of them was getting too close to her for Show Tail’s liking.
Show Tail’s wings froze in place as he starting shooting daggers at the colt. He was talking to her as if he was so great, with that sly smile that seemed to just make him angry.
“What the hell is he saying that’s so funny?”
“Tails, calm down.” Snails pat him on the back and signaled at Snips to release the magical hold.
“I mean, you’re going to make yourself look silly. It’s just a colt you know... Sweetie looks like she’s enjoying herself, and so is he.” Snips nudged the taller colt, wiggling an eyebrow. He wasn’t surprised when Show Tail shoved him over into the water.
“Oh, well I hope he enjoys my hoof up his... Never mind. I sound like an idiot. I’m letting my temper get the best of me again. But heavens be damned if I don’t just want to...” Show Tail scooted back into the river, laying on the bottom and blowing bubbles. His nose was barely covered by the water and he waved off passing remarks that he was now a hippo. His eyes were trained upon Sweetie Belle as he dragged himself around the bottom before finally deciding to just swim his troubles away. If he didn’t look, he wouldn’t be so bothered.
“Seems he’s having a hard time, Snails... We should do something to help him, right?" Snips glanced up at Snails, who shrugged, unsure of what to suggest.
Show Tail flicked his wet yet tidy tail out of the water as he sulked around the river. Sweetie Belle lay right in his sights at almost all times. He felt the need to run over and shove the colt out of the way, maybe even fight him. The unicorn colt was starting to scoot closer to her. Show Tail stuck his tail in the air like a sail as he waded aimlessly trying to ignore her. He could not. Every laugh made him snap his head around to look at what she found so funny. He couldn't possibly be that funny. He didn't have a cutie mark in humor, it was for the trombone. Who the hell can be so funny with a trombone on their flank?
Show Tail finally made up his mind and waded over to the two, keeping a harsh glare on the unicorn colt.
“Oh hey Tails! I’m just talking to Shining Note here...” Sweetie Belle waved a hoof in his general direction. “He’s in the band and the chorus. You should join the band. I mean, you do like to play the drums, so I don’t see how it could be bad in any way.” Sweetie Belle continued on, her bell necklace making chimes to make it sound even more beautiful. Show Tail’s face melted into a soft smile and he shrugged to agree. What could possibly go wrong?
----
“Why did I drag myself here... “
Show Tail groaned in exasperation as he sat in the very back of the band room. He was uncomfortable without a doubt, and made a mental note not to let his decision be swayed by a filly no matter how pretty she was. He couldn't help it. In the middle of contemplating his theoretical escape, Sweetie Belle made her way over, taking a seat next to him and smirking. He straightened himself up and tried his best to smile. There was no way she was going to know of his general discomfort.
“How are you Tails?” Sweetie Belle said. “I haven’t seen you really talk to anypony since you got here. You should try, they’re all quite nice you know. They don’t bite.” Sweetie Belle nudged him again, hoping to entice a smile to form on his face. It was obvious to her that he was quite uncomfortable, and she had to do something about that. It was after all her idea to make him come here.
Show Tail could see that she was doing her very best to cheer him up, and that alone made him warm up. He turned his head to face her, maybe even be daring and give her a nuzzle, but she was no longer paying him any mind. She was talking across the room to the colt from before, the light grey one from the river. Show Tail could feel his skin prickle. They were talking about songs, or something like that, and he kept on being so funny to her. She was always laughing and smiling with him it seemed, and the thought alone made him angry. She wasn’t supposed to be this happy with another colt, at least not like this. He could read Shining Note from a mile away. He liked her, and Show Tail was not going to let that pass. Even if she was happy and laughing.
To Show Tail, Sweetie Belle’s every laugh seemed to have lost its luster, as if something was missing, as if it had lost its chime. Chime... He paused his hectic thoughts for a bit and took some careful observation of her. It didn’t take him long to realize that her necklace was gone. The tiny glass bell necklace that he had spent the last of his bits on was gone. Show Tail realized that not even one thousand could calm him down now.
He could feel his pitch black wings start to rise as the frustration began to build. Show Tail tried his best to keep his composure. Composure, however, was not one of his strong points. As his wings reacted to his questionably steaming rage, his logic stepped up for a last ditch attempt to prevent self destruction.
Show Tail forced his wings to behave and turned to Sweetie Belle. She was still talking to Shining Note. That’s when he started to hear the blood pounding in his ears, clearer and crisper than ever before, as if his cutie mark were rallying him onward.
A smirk crept onto Show Tail’s face as he seethed next to her, listening to her chatter and giggle with the colt across the room. He suddenly shot to his hooves and walked out of the room, but not before shooting Sweetie Belle a glare. He had to get out of there, lest he embarrass himself with transforming into some unholy creature. The last thing he saw was her beautiful and confused face, and the very last thing he felt like seeing.
He walked out of the school and began to aimlessly wander the streets. It wasn’t like he had anything better to do. He bit his lip. He could never understand himself. He could question many things that he saw as pointless behavior, like his adverse reaction to Sweetie Belle without the trinket, or the fact that he was angry at Shining Note and yet ignored other colts with Scootaloo. Show Tail took flight, landing before Sugarcube Corner with some newly acquired skill.
Show Tail walked in, keeping an eye out for Pinkie Pie. He desperately needed somepony to talk to. Making his way to the counter, he did not see the pink mare, but instead a yellow stallion with a sleeping pegasus on his back. He was swaying his hips side to side slowly to keep the foal sleep and gave Show Tail a slight grimace.
“Foals, what can you do... Anyway, what can I get you?”
Show Tail hesitated a bit, raising an eyebrow at Mr. Cake. He knew very well who Mr. Cake was, and he was probably much better at these kinds of things than Pinkie Pie. After all, he was married. Show Tail shook his mane, flinching at the random leaf that fell out before looking up at Mr. Cake.
“Hi Mr. Cake, I’m Show Tail. I was looking for Pinkie Pie to talk to, but... You’ll probably be more helpful since you’re married...” He shuffled in place and stared at the floor. Show Tail bit his lip, hoping that the stallion would not laugh at him, or worse, not help. Instead, Mr. Cake smirked and looked at Pound Cake on his back.
“I’d be glad to help ya. Just let me put him to bed and I’ll be right back.”
Show Tail’s shifted in place a bit more, unsure of what to say. With Pinkie, she could always just read his mind, or something like that. He never tried to put much thought into Pinkie powers. Carrot Cake was a full grown stallion with a family, and the very first Ponyville adult he ever had a conversation with that wasn’t about school or lessons. His mind ran though various scenarios, all ending with the destruction of Ponyville, or maybe the re-release of Discord.
He was snapped out of his rambling by Mr. Cake tapping him on the shoulder.
“Hey, you alright? What did you want to talk about...?” Mr. Cake smiled a bit as he looked down at the colt and leaned on the counter.
“Well...” Show Tail began, the tall stallion making him feel more nervous. “I gave... a filly a necklace, and well she never takes it off. I thought so anyway. Today I saw her without it and for some reason I got really upset...” Show Tail stared at his hooves, unsure of what he could possibly reply with.
“Oh well, I understand how you feel. You see those earrings that Mrs. Cake wears all the time? She’s my high school sweetheart, and that was the first real present I ever got her. I worked my hooves to the bone for it.” Mr. Cake gave a dreamy sigh, waving a hoof around as he spoke. “She treasured them, and I’ve only ever seen her without them once in my life, a few weeks after I bought them. I had no idea why, but I was upset. I felt as if my hard work was just thrown aside... I got a bit upset at her too. Turns out that she took them out because her mother advised her that it wasn't wise to wear them for so long... A fine reason... After she saw me so upset at that, she never took them off again.”
Mr. Cake looked down at the stallion with a stern look. “She did it because she loves me. She’s never really taken them off since. It’s how I know she cares.” Mr. Cake straightened himself up and nodded at Show Tail. “I hope that helped you.” He smiled a bit more, hoping that Show Tail would say something.
“So... I’m mad because I got her something special and she’s not wearing it...?”
“Yes, you must really like her then. How cute, young love...”
Glaring at Mr. Cake, Show Tail flared his wings.
“I don’t like her! I’m supposed to like Scootaloo.” Show Tail hissed, totally forgetting his manners. Mr. Cake reeled back a bit and then suddenly burst into a fit of laughter. Show Tail stared at the laughing stallion, confused at his sudden laughing. He straightened himself up, ruffling his riled wings and doing his best to smile politely at Mr. Cake. Maybe the stallion would over look his rudeness...
“Oh you sound just like me when ponies started pairing Cup Cake and I together! I was very against it, you know, but after a while she grew on me. It was baking together that did it. When you enjoy something with somepony special, it becomes even more so. And that’s how Sugarcube Corner was made.”
Show Tail stared at Mr. Cake for a few moments before snapping back to reality once again. He had been spacing out far too much for his liking lately. The older stallion looked down at him with a half a smile.
“Just be careful about her, alright? You might learn your lesson a bit too late.” Mr. Cake nodded solemnly and perked up his ears at some customers entering. “Sorry, can we talk later? I mean...” Show Tail cut him off, holding up a hoof in protest.
“It’s alright... I think I’ll just go...”
Show Tail slipped out of the the store, glancing back at Mr. Cake for a moment before taking flight. He had two choices in his mind: Find Sweetie Belle or go back home. Going home was always the last choice. He hated being there with Pica. Even though she had lightened up with the lessons, she still persisted in the ‘second cutie mark’. Show Tail huffed, giving his silver drum a glance. For the first time in a long time he felt the need to scorn it. The shining drum against his black flank had caused him far too much trouble. He took flight, doing his best to do a fly over Ponyville without crashing into anything, which proved harder than he thought.
After bumping into a few clouds, he finally spotted the filly sitting in front of the school with some other foals. She was giggling with them and singing, leading him to guess that they were the chorus. Landing with ease, he walked up to them and waved at Sweetie Belle. She hopped to her hooves and rushed towards him.
Sweetie Belle hugged him tight, and he could feel the press of the glass bell between them. His heart skipped a beat.
“Oh Tails, where did you go? I was so surprised when you left...” She tilted her head, confusion painting her face. “Did something happen? Shining Note was also surprised when you left... Why did you leave?”
Show Tail swallowed hard as his logic began to reel once again. He could ask her, or he could simply lie... Lying was looking more and more attractive by the second. Not to mention his temper was already welling up at the memory. He took a deep breath, smiling at the pretty filly before him. He didn’t want to tarnish his record with her anymore.
“Shining Note told me that I should take it off. The jingles might be heard as we sing.”
“You did what now?” Show Tail mentally slapped himself as his wings flared in response. Sweetie Belle stumbled back a bit, a flash of fear in her eyes. He gave a nervous chuckle, staring at the ground between them. “Sorry... I didn’t mean to... Um...” She smiled, walking over to gently nudge his flank with her own. He felt his face flush at the contact. He lowered his head and began to chuckle nervously. He had to pull himself together. The filly was right there before him. His mind quickly brought up a very important fact. He had yet to tell Sweetie Belle about his swiftly approaching departure. He ushered the filly away from the other ponies, his heart once again drumming in his ears.
He tried his best to keep himself from reacting to the cat calls behind them, concentrating every fiber of his body to the filly that he was walking with. She seemed excited and joyful, and the thought of telling her she wouldn’t be able to see her in the summer was heart wrenching. Or maybe it was the fact he would not be able to see her beautiful face, hear her silly jokes or listen to her angelic voice singing.
Show Tail chewed on his lip as she began to sing a random tune. Perhaps he was taking this harder than she would. He shook his head, trying to remove it of the terrifying thought. She could possibly not care about him enough, or maybe she would just laugh at him. What if she didn’t care...? He shook his head with more force, as if it would make it any better. It took him a moment to realize that Sweetie Belle had stopped walking and was staring at him. He trotted back to her, hanging his head to hide his face.
“Tails, what’s wrong with you? You’ve been like this since we left. Muttering to yourself and shaking your head... Is something bothering you? I mean, I normally don’t notice these kinds of things but...” Sweetie Belle nudged the colt’s face up a sympathetic smile on her face. “You can tell me, right?” She nuzzled his nose for effect, causing him to stumble back and flush. He kneaded at the ground, feeling nervous. Show Tail mentally slapped himself. He was never nervous, and she had no reason to make him nervous. She was just some filly, and she was just standing there confused.
Sweetie Belle moved closer to him, the bell on her necklace making a soft ring as she did. She pulled him to sit on the side of the road, staring up at the trees across from them as she took a place right next to him. She nudged him with her nose gently, a soft smile on her face.
Show Tail groaned, a grimace flashing on his face for a moment before he snapped upright. After reminding himself that he shouldn’t be nervous over a few times, he sighed at Sweetie Belle.
“I’ll be going away to flight camp this summer. At least Scootaloo is going as well, so I won’t be totally alone... But I wanted to let you know that.” He looked up and down the street then at the sunset hazed sky. It was distracting him long enough to wait for her reply.
“You won’t be here this summer?” Sweetie sighed, her ears falling in defeat. He nudged her a bit, chuckling.
“Tell me something good then Belle. You must've had a nice day.” He decided to be brave and nuzzle her neck gently, making her blush. She coyly smiled, looking at the colt with affection. Perhaps she did like him after all.
“I’m going to sing a song with Shining Note, since we’ve been spending most of chorus and band together... He says he loves the way I sing and that we should sing together.” Sweetie Belle smiled up at Show Tail, hoping that he would congratulate her.
“But... I don’t want you to.” Show Tail said under his breath, pushing his face into her neck, desperate to hide his blushing face.
“Why not...?”
“Because then when I sing and play music with you, it’s awesome and just us. You already joined the choir...” He waved his forehooves around, still keeping his face close to her. Sweetie Belle blushed at his fidgeting and held back her urge to laugh. Show Tail flustered. This was not something that happened often, and she would be sure to enjoy it. She giggled at the soft tickle of him shorting heavily into her neck, squirming in place as her face heated up in response. “You can, if you want, but you have to promise me that we’ll practice together every day till I leave for camp. I really like hanging out with you.”
“Sure... why not? I mean I like spending time with you too.” Sweetie Belle sighed softly, calming down her thumping heart. She reminded herself that there was no reason to get too excited over his proximity, even if her body was going though an unforeseen lock up. She stretched out a foreleg in a vain only to see it shake and resist her orders. She sighed in exasperation, her ears flopping as the slight frustration that her current state was getting to her. There was no use complaining, so Sweetie Belle let a smile spread on her face. This was what she had wanted all along, was it not? To have him to herself, to have him pay attention to her, want to be with her for her. This was the moment that she had set her heart on. Nothing could ruin it.
“You’re really nice when you are, Tails...” Sweetie Belle paused, her breath stuck in her throat as she started to panic. She felt his wing curl around her. She had been oblivious to its slow creep from his back, inching with caution to the other side of her body. Sweetie Belle lay her head on his, surprised that his messy mane was quite soft. His wing was a warm and welcome comfort, allowing her a moment to just enjoy his presence. She nuzzled the top of his head, smiling gently at his slight flick of the tail. Sweetie Belle felt herself slip into a dreamy haze, humming to herself. Perfection incarnate.
It was too perfect. A sudden bolt of panic jolted her out of her daydream. Sweetie Belle found herself scooting back, chewing on her lip as her face flushed even harder. She could feel him looking at her, eyes filled with something she could only describe as... disappointment? Sweetie Belle kept her eyes trained on the ground after that, grinding her hoof into the ground. He didn’t like her like that... He had said so...
“You’ll make Scootaloo really happy...” Sweetie Belle mentally slapped herself, making note that she would never allow herself to speak again.
“Yeah...”
“Have you... told her?” Sweetie Belle felt as if each word were coming from another part of her, a part she was learning to disdain. She could not shut herself up.
“Well, no... Do you think I should?” Show Tail kept his head low, glancing up at the filly on occasion. He had forgotten she still believed that he liked Scootaloo... He snapped up, ears perked as he shook his head in confusion. No, he was supposed to... Show Tail slumped back down, shuffling closer to Sweetie Belle and laying his head on her shoulder. She was speaking, saying something that he wasn't paying much attention to, something about what Rarity had said to her. He knew he should have been listening to her, but he was too distracted by is own thoughts and the fact he was so close to her. It was time to give it up completely. There was no more denying it at this point in his young life. He opened his eyes slightly and looked up at her. Sweetie Belle, the filly he liked. Show Tail felt a smile grow on his face, the idea of having Sweetie Belle all to his own now much more appealing.
“You should tell her. Tomorrow, maybe? How does that sound? At least then I can help you out then.”
“Sure...” Show Tail agreed mindlessly, spreading his wing to wrap around her again. He was far too lost in his pleasant day dreams, ignoring her personal discomfort. He was thinking of other things, like staying close to her, playing music with her, or perhaps he could be daring and reach to kiss her. As Show Tail debated the kiss with a hot blush, he felt the filly stand up abruptly and was completely confused by her swift yelp of farewell before dashing off. He shrugged, deciding not to question the fleeing filly and go home himself.
Sweetie Belle trotted off with her head held high. This was no time to lose composure. She would simply have to run this by Rarity in order to figure out what to do. Her older sister always had the right answers. Sweetie Belle trotted into the house, looking around for her older sister. She wasn't surprised to see the mare sitting at the kitchen table and drinking a cup of tea. Sweetie Belle sat next to Rarity, looking up at her as if the wisdom would come pouring out if she stared long enough.
“Yes, Sweetie Belle? If you have something to say, which I know you do, staring at me won't do you any good...” Rarity took a long sip of tea before continuing, inhaling the scent before kissing the filly next to her on the head. “Do tell me what's happening...”
“Tomorrow I told Show Tail that I was going to help him confess to Scootaloo... I have no idea what to do now...” Sweetie Belle looked up at Rarity with wonder. She knew that her sister would have some amazing wisdom to give her, some wonderful genius...
“You help him confess and then wish him good luck with her.”
“But... I like him... Still...” Sweetie Belle allowed the scent of tea filling her nose the sweet smell of peppermint distracting her wandering mind. Rarity was speaking to her, something about feelings and controlling them, but she payed her no mind. How could she possibly not know how to solve this? She was Rarity, she was the one with all the relationship experience, the one Sweetie Belle had come to depend on... How could she possibly not know what to do, how to make him not like her.
“You can't make him like you, darling... You can't. There's no magic in the world that will make him truly like you as you wish... And even if you did use some kind of potion or magic, it wouldn't be real. It wouldn't be them... It would be a weird and twisted heart that was forced to love you, and that's just not the same thing. It has to be natural, true, and devoted. There is nothing you can do...” Rarity took another sip of tea before petting the filly on the head with a slight smile. Sweetie Belle's lower lip was trembling and her eyes began to tear up. Rarity sighed, her heart aching. She had such good news while her sister was dealing with her own personal troubles. There was only one thing to do. She pointed her horn at the fridge and smiled.
“You know what makes everything feel better Sweetie Belle? Ice cream. Ice cream makes everything feel better, even if only for a spoonful.”
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Tiramisu Tales
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1233
| 10 |
Cutie Mark Crusaders,Original Character,Rarity,Romance,Slice of Life,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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Belle Crush
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Everypony grows up eventually, even the slightly slow Sweetie Belle. Love indeed.
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complete
| 81 | 3 |
<p>Sweetie Belle gets a 'love at first sight' crush on a pegasus known as Show Tail, who seems far more interested in everything else but her. Dealing with one's first crush is hard, when you have to beg for his attention. But if you persevere, just maybe, you can win a heart. Oh the woes of young love. Hope you like this better! I know I do!</p>
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everyone
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2012-06-12T01:34:24+00:00
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2012-06-12T01:34:24+00:00
| 2,172 |
What are little colts made of?
What are little colts made of?
Snips and snails
And puppy-dogs' tails,
That's what little colts are made of.
What are little fillies made of?
What are little fillies made of?
“Sugar and spice, And everything nice. That's what little fillies are made of,” Show Tail grumbled as he watched Ponyville from above, using his wings to steer a cloud slowly across the sky. Repeating the poem Pica had taught him was the only thing keeping him calm. There was nothing better to do. Maybe he should just bide his time until the day was over. That seemed like the best idea right now. He could just avoid Sweetie Belle and everypony else in town, he would be golden. Embarrassment and crisis would be averted, and he would go back to his normal life of being berated by his aunt... who seemed to be heading his way. He shook his head, disregarding the shape. It was most likely Cloud Control, right? Yes, it had to be.
“Tails, your tail hangs off this cloud. I could see you from the ground, my darling son. I’ve been looking for you.” The chilling voice was indeed Pica. She sat beside him calmly and began to chew on a clump of cloud as if nothing had happened. He stared up at his guardian, used to her odd habit of eating strange things, unsure of what her motive was this time. Was she here to make another comment on the drum shining on his flank? She smiled, a sickly sweet smile that made her green eyes shine as if she were possessed. He was scared, but running from her would get him nowhere.
“What is it Auntie?”
“There were many points in your life I wished to give you Cutie Pox, in hope that you would become more useful to the world.” Pica took another bite of cloud and laughed a bit at Show Tail scooting away in horror. She extended one of her large wings to pull him close to her, nuzzling his mane. “Oh, but you are growing up into such a handsome young stallion, my son. You won’t be here forever. You’re fifteen and only getting older. You’ll be leaving tomorrow. Tomorrow you will transition from colt to stallion, and learn how to truly fly. I’m so proud of you, my son.” The white mare stared up at the clouds and sun above them, giggling. “What will I do with you? I tried so hard to make you what I saw as perfect. So hard for something that not even the Princesses could have a hoof in.” She tugged him close and tousled his messy mane before starting to tidy it up.
“Auntie, what are you trying to say?” Show Tail whispered under his breath, unsure of why his aunt was suddenly being so kindly.
“Snips and snails and puppy dog tails may be what you are made of, but there is nothing I can do about it. As much as it pains me, I must let you grow up and be your own stallion. I can’t be your mother forever. That’s why I set out to find you.” Pica nipped at his ear and forced out a laugh. “I had to tell you before I changed my mind, before I let myself regret it. You’re my darling son, and I need you to know that I love you, no matter how much I hate to admit it. You’re quite wonderful on your drum, and you sing well too.” She kissed him on the forehead before continuing. “You have great potential. Maybe you’ll show me that music isn’t as useless as I perceived. I had to tell you that. I really had to. You’re going to leave me, and if I let you leave without saying sorry, I could never forgive myself. Having you come back an angry stallion. Unforgivable. It’s my last chance to say sorry.” She craned her neck to look him in the eyes. “Please forgive your mother, she knows not what she does.”
Show Tail was frozen in place, unsure of what to say. Was she really trying to apologize for her madness? He tried to comprehend it, but he was still in a slight state of shock at the mere mention of Cutie Pox. This mare, the one that was coddling him like a foal, had been a cause of general madness for the past two years of his life. Did she really just expect him to forgive her? He may have been young, but he wasn’t stupid, at least not anymore. He wriggled out of her grasp and shook his mane, allowing it to fall back into its usual bed head. He stood in front of her, wings spread wide as he spoke. If he was on the way to becoming an adult, he should at least try to do adult things.
“Aunt Pica, I love you, you’re family, but I am not your son. You are not my mother.”
Show Tail cringed as she jumped back. Disgust painted her face and she looked as if she were about to vomit. Show Tail cocked his head to the side, unsure of what to do now. She was now ripping at the cloud, her body starting to lurch as if possessed. She started to retch, shoving her face into the cloud in a vain attempt to control it. Show Tail stepped towards his aunt, completely confused on what to do. He screamed when she suddenly popped up with a wide smile. Pica brushed back her frizzled mane and looked like the epitome of calm.
“Of course you’re my son...” She pet him on the head. “I treat you like one, don’t I? Therefore you have to be. You’re my family. My only child.” She kept her smile even as he shook his head and tried to explain to her that he was in fact her brother’s child and not her own. She stood up and kissed him on the forehead and scoffed. “You’re such a silly foal. My little...” She swallowed hard and looked down at him. “Nephew.” A forced smile to crept onto her face and she exhaled a shaky breath before pulling the colt against her with her wing. “So, tell me about this filly you’re after. I’d like to know if she’s good enough for family.”
Show Tail stared at the mare that he was now leaning against, his heart thumping in his ears. Was she really trying? He decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. She deserved at least that much. She was family, and you always had to do the best to help your family, no matter how much they needed it. He laughed to himself, taking the opportunity to finally bond with Pica, even a she was adamantly chewing on a chunk of cloud.
“Her name is Sweetie Belle, and she sings like an angel...”
-----
“I should look pretty, right Rarity?”
“Yes Sweetie.”
“What do you think of this dress?”
“Don’t you think that a dress is a bit much? I mean, you don’t want to make it too obvious that he should forgo his supposed crush and pick you.”
Sweetie Belle shot a glare at her older sister as they both rummaged around her room. Rarity’s comment did not make her feel any better. The high from Fall Leaf’s arrival had worn off after breakfast had been cleaned up. In a few short hours she would be meeting up with Show Tail and Scootaloo, and bringing them closer together. She shivered at the thought. Bringing them closer together would be her own personal nightmare.
Sweetie Belle sat back on a pile of clothes, lost in her own imagination. It would be hell. She could see them, soaring above Ponyville, laughing and enjoying themselves. The thought of him happy without her made her face flush with the tell tale sign of emotion. Her jaw tensed up. How could she allow this to happen? She wasn’t supposed to allow them to like each other. She had set her eye on him for so long, and could almost convince herself that he liked her as well. He always did try to stay in her good graces. And the necklace...
“Rarity, when a colt gives you something pretty, what do you think?”
Rarity stopped fishing though the closet to look back at her sister with a raised eyebrow. She smiled at the filly, trying her best to pull upon the knowledge she had on relationships to the forefront of her mind. She petted Sweetie Belle on the head, summoning a brush with her magic. Styling the filly’s mane in a solemn and slow manner, Rarity tried to gather a semblance of what to say. It took her a few more brushes come up with anything at all.
“Well, normally my dear sister, it means that he thinks quite highly of you. It’s not everyday that a stallion takes up his money and treats a filly to something special.” Rarity pulled up Sweetie Belle’s mane into a ponytail for a moment, before shaking her head and deciding against it. She continued to brush without much of an aim. “Think about it Sweetie Belle; He’s just a little foal... He must have spent the very last of his bits on that for you. Now isn’t that special?” Rarity stood up to look her sister over. Her mane gleamed like silk from the brushing, even though it lay as it usually did. She wriggled her nose, looking over her sister, trying to find something to work on. “Oh Sweetie Belle, why are you so pretty? It’s so much harder to improve a pretty picture than something horrendous. Then again, you are my sister... What can you expect?” She gave a barely audible giggle as she set back to work. She had to find a somewhat decent improvement to her sister’s mane. Rarity tapped her hoof to her lips as she pouted slightly. Normally, this process was effortless, something that just came to her. This was her sister, she had to make her fabulous, better than anything else she had ever done. She sighed, trotting around the mess of Sweetie Belle’s room for inspiration.
“Hello, darling. What are you looking for?” Rarity looked up from the pile of clothes she was inspecting and smiled at the stallion at the door.
“Oh nothing, Leaf. Just trying to pretty my little sister up for her big confession. But it’s so hard when she’s already so pretty.” The two laughed and Sweetie Belle responded with sticking out her tongue at the both in aggravation. She didn't need their little comments, she needed to prevent the first love catastrophe of her life. Or at least tolerate it. She ran a mental checklist in her head from all the movies that she had watched with Rarity. There was plenty of ice cream, they had gone out and bought some yesterday. There was also some scant scraps of chocolate, Fall Leaf had brought some with him as a present. Cookies, there were some in her private stash, and Rarity had baked a cheesecake for Fall Leaf herself. There was milk, if she recalled correctly. Sweetie Belle nodded to herself, feeling prepared for the heartbreak. There was plenty to eat, and her sheets were clean. Of course, there was the matter of figuring out what to do if her friends came to visit...
“What do you think of this, Rarity?” Sweetie Belle was drawn out of her own thoughts at Fall Leaf tying the silken white ribbon in her hair. It was a cool and pleasant surprise, and the smiles on the couple’s face made her feel confident about the way she looked. All he had done was tie the ribbon into a simple bow beside one of her ears, and yet she felt amazing. She smiled up at Fall Leaf, a whisper of a thank you coming out.
“Oh darling, she looks lovely, thank you! Now you try to calm her down while I pretty her up.” She kissed the stallion on the cheeks few times before brushing the filly’s tail.
“What if he thinks I look silly?” Sweetie Belle said, looking herself over frantically. She may have felt good about her looks, but that was her own thoughts.
“Then he is a damn stupid colt,” Fall Leaf grunted under his breath. Rarity swatted him with her tail, scolding him for his mouth and hissing things about why she liked such an uncouth stallion. “She’s a fussfilly, but she’s my fussfilly. And he’d be damn stupid not to like sucha pretty little filly. You remind me of Rari when she was your age.” He looked up at the mare with a smirk. “Save, you know how to have some fun in the mud.” Rarity swatted him with her tail again, a playful glare upon her face. “Isn't she just a silly little mare? I love her anyway though. Good thing that we have so much in common. Though I dun look it, I actually am a very stylish colt. Blame your sister for getting me into fashion.” Fall Leaf waved a hoof at Rarity as Sweetie Belle laughed. “And well you see, she got that competitiveness from me. I use to challenge her to make things all the time. That’s why little Rari is so amazing.”
“Oh you’re so full of yourself, you know that?” Rarity said under her breath as she continued to brush.
“I hear that the colt gave you that pretty little necklace. Well isn’t that nice? Normally colts only give jewelry to mares that they like, you know.”
“I know.”
“Ya know, I think you know that this colt has a liking for you, and you’re just denying it.” He poked her on the nose. “You’re just being a silly pony now. You know he likes you, don’t you?”
“He can’t, he says that he likes Scootaloo.”
“Sometimes ponies say things so that they don’t look stupid around others. Or so that they don’t feel stupid themselves.” Sweetie Belle opened her mouth to speak and was cut off by the stallion’s hoof being placed near her mouth. “I think you’re doing that now too, but it’s alright, since you’re just a little one. Make sure that you learn to be brave when you need to, alright?” He folded his arms and nodded, grunting in affirmation to make himself look wiser. Sweetie Belle looked the stallion over as if he was an alien and took a moment to think it over.
“Alright Sweetie Belle, I’m all done grooming you up for now. I put a ribbon on your tail as well, and don't get messy. Now you go out and charm that silly colt.” Rarity nudged Fall Leaf with a gentle smile. “Oh look at you, you sound just like a father.”
It didn't take much thought for Sweetie Belle to realize that it was time to leave when Rarity’s face turned three different shades of red at something he had whispered into her ear. Sweetie Belle made a mental note not to ever involve herself into such things. She shivered at the thought, had a horrible flashback to sexual education class, and dashed off to distract herself from the horrors of foal making.
---
“You said you wanted me to be a better guardian.”
“No.”
“Show Tail, get over here.”
“No!”
“Do as I say or there will be repercussions.” Show Tail cringed. Nothing scared him like an irked Pica. He slinked over to the bathroom sink, shrinking away from the white mare. Her eyes shone with malevolent intent and his only reaction was to scream. There was a horrific downside to never combing his mane. It was a tangled knotty mess. Pica dumped some water on his head before working on the golden knots, flinching at every squeal that he made. She didn’t want to do this, but if the colt liked that filly so much, she would be damned before not attempting to help. That had to start with cleaning him up, and with his unkempt mane, it was proving difficult.
“No, my mane can stay the same, auntie. Please don’t let me do this.”
“So you don’t want to get the filly?” She cringed at her statement. His mane being an awkward mess would have no effect upon her feelings, but looking nice might be in his favor. Maybe it would even charm her more, allow him to have the happy ending that she could never reach. So she had to be harsh. Her hooves wrapped around the colt when she finally came out of her own thoughts, scooping him up and dropping him into the bath. Maybe this would be a better idea. Besides, his coat could use the wash. By this point, he had stopped struggling and conceded to his fate of being scrubbed. Pica’s heart began to race as she scrubbed him down. This was... nice. She should have had more moments with him, instead of trying to force herself down his throat. Two years gone and she had never combed his mane, made him breakfast, of even given him the proper congratulation for his cutie mark. Instead she had scoffed and dismissed him as if he were some plague.
Though he was screaming and yelping through every tangle and knot, she had never felt closer to him. He stood his ground against the pain, and even then it was a bonding moment for the two. One that almost brought her to tears. She shook the thought from her head. The both of them didn’t need to cry. She could barely remember the last time she had to help groom somepony. The last times were all blurry memories that she had forced out along with the last shreds of sympathy that were not stained with disgust. The married stallion that had taken that from her... She shook the thought from her head. This was not the time to wallow in the self pity the liar created, but to help the one pony she had vowed to take care of. She was meant to be council, not judge. And as the last knot in his mane slipped out, that’s exactly what she would be.
“Are you done crying now?”
“I am not crying.”
“Anymore.” Pica picked up a towel and rubbed him down with care. She had to stop thinking about them. The stallion she had dried off in her own affection, only to find she was washing away her scent from his wife. She cursed her horrible luck and glanced at the cologne in the medicine cabinet. It was the only thing she had left of him. She ripped at the label, stuffing the paper in her mouth. The taste of aged paper was always one of her favorites.
“Auntie, are you upset again?” Pica cringed. Show Tail was too attentive. She splashed some of the cologne on him as a distraction.
“There. Now look at how handsome you are, my dear... nephew. You’ll impress her with your looks alone.”
“My head feels funny.”
“That’s because your mane is combed.” She huffed as she continued to brush, trying to slick down a few reluctant hairs. “You look wonderful, and if that filly is half as good as you make her out to be, then you do not need to worry. I’m sure she’ll like you.” Pica pat the colt on the head. He was smiling at her for once. Maybe she really could do this parenting thing correctly. After all, that’s what she had wanted all along. Pica leaned forward and kissed Show Tail on the forehead before trapping him in a hug. “Oh I can’t believe that you’re growing up and have this cute little crush and...” The mare rambled on while squeezing him. Why should she hold back her joy? She had been restraining herself to be a prim and proper parent only to find out he hated her for it. Now it was time to be the caretaker she was meant to be, even if he whined.
“Auntie! Let me go! It’s not that big of a deal.”
“When you get older, you’ll understand. Now come along, you should practice what you say to her.”
---
He had never been so happy to be in front of Sugarcube Corner in his life. The now spunk filled Pica had spent her time lecturing him on how to deal with girls. The entire conversation had left him with more questions than answers and a craving for anything to distract him. He shuddered at the memories. At least he had Sweetie Belle now. And she was looking lovelier than usual. Show Tail took a moment to slick back his now neat mane and trot up to her.
“Hello Belle! I hope you weren't waiting too long.” Show Tail said. Sweetie Belle giggled at the very audible crack in his voice.
“No, not at all, Tails.” The first part of her grand plan had arrived. Soon, Scootaloo would fly in and he would confess his love to her. Or at least say he liked her. Her stomach rolled at the thought of the two having their nervous confession. She had to think of an escape plan to give the two privacy. Perhaps dash inside Sugarcube Corner for a snack? She would need it anyway. Rarity had always subjected herself to eating whenever she got in a mood.
She pulled herself away from her thoughts long enough to look him over. A smile etched its way on her face as she tried to hold back her urge to laugh. His mane was brushed back, a welcome change from his usual tattered mop. He looked charming. The work that was put in evident. Somepony had taken the time out to pull out the kinks, making his mane match his tail instead of just using gel like at the Winter Solstice. It shimmered like his impeccable tail, causing her to smile wider.
“Wow Tails, you really groomed yourself for this.”
“Yeah... I had to run out so Pica wouldn’t put a tie on me.” He blew an exasperated raspberry. Like he would let her know that she was the real reason he had cleaned up. “She’s trying really hard to take good care of me now. But she’s been eating paper again.”
“Paper?”
“She has pica, she told me.” Show Tail ran a hoof through his mane and laughed. “Pica isn’t even her real name. It’s Golden Heart.” The pegasus shrugged. “But I don’t want to remember how she tugged at my mane. Do you know when Scootaloo will get here?”
Sweetie Belle knew Scootaloo well enough. She would fly over in a few minutes, wings flared wide and proud like her own signature banner. She would dazzle him with her brash wits, her bravado, her smile and then they would... She shook her head. She had no time to be jealous. She had to put herself aside for her friends. Or at least for Show Tail, no matter how jealous she was. Sweetie Belle couldn't help but laugh at where she was standing.
Some months ago, Show Tail had been let out of his aunt’s home and into the world, and into her world. At this very building, she had developed a flighty crush that she had assumed would go away in time. Through all of the madness that the socially challenged colt had put her through, all she had to show was that crush blossomed into first love. Most ponies would have been delighted at such an outcome. But most ponies did not have to set up their first love with their best friend.
“Scootaloo has arrived!” Scootaloo touched down before them. She flashed a cocky grin and flared her wings proudly. Just as expected. Sweetie Belle could only laugh. Same old Scootaloo, the fabulous daredevil flier that idolized Rainbow Dash. She gave her attention to her best friend. “So what did you want me for Sweetie? I was about to go and...” She paused mid speech to wave at Show Tail. “Hey Tails, you wanna go and practice with me later? We can try some corkscrews.” She waved her hooves in the air to demonstrate.
Sweetie Belle shot Show Tail a glare. He stepped back, looking the filly over in fear. He knew what that glare meant. He was supposed to confess to Scootaloo, at least in her mind. Biting his lip was the only thing he could do at the moment. He was stuck, between the babbling of Scootaloo and the heavy glare of Sweetie Belle, he could only hope that some brilliant idea would strike him. Maybe the world would implode, or by chance some horrible event would come in and allow him to escape. But the sky remained blue, the sun shined, and the birds chirped. There would be no heaven sent blessing to save him.
“Scootaloo, Show Tail has something he wants to tell you.” Sweetie Belle wanted to get this over with. The nervous colt was tripping over his words allowing the feeling to seep into her bones. This was taking too long for her tastes. She thought this would be easy, that an overeager colt like Show Tail would simply blurt out his feelings.
“Oh Show Tail!” Scootaloo’s cry interrupted Sweetie Belle’s thoughts. Had Scootaloo already put the parts together? “You have a crush on me, don’t you? Almost all the pegasus colts do. I can’t believe you actually confessed to me! Though I can’t blame you for having a crush on me.” Scootaloo smirked at her company. She looked even more confident, the look in her eyes filled with impatience at the ‘Yes’ that had not come out.
“I don’t like you, I like Sweetie Belle.”
Sweetie Belle froze up. Did he just say what she thought he just say? No. Impossible. She had to have been daydreaming, caught in her own imagination trying to distract her from the two getting along. She turned her head, a lock of her mane flopping down to attempt blocking her vision. And yet, she could see that Show Tail snorted as he gave the filly a dull look.
“What? How can you not like me? Every pegasus colt likes me, most of them, I’m sure. Some of the fillies too. How can you not?” Show Tail scoffed at Scootaloo’s words.
“You’re really cocky, single-minded, you’re really brash, and you can’t sing. Not everypony is going to like you, you’re not better than everypony else. I tried to like you, but Sweetie Belle was just more fun than you ever were!” Show Tail hissed out. “You’re a good friend Scoots, but I really like Sweetie Belle. She can make music with me and sing with me. And she sings really well. And I can make songs just for her.” He shyly smiled at Sweetie Belle. All he had to do now was hope. Hope that she would accept his feelings and possibly like him back, as small as that hope was. He hoped that his antics with his close friend had possibly charmed her over. Everything he was saying swirled about in Sweetie Belle’s brain, along with the angry protests of Scootaloo.
“Wha... What? No!” Scootaloo sputtered, her face flushing. How dare he say that to her? “I hate you! You’re a stupid jerk that doesn't know awesome when he sees it!” She stomped her hoof into the dirt, snarling out every syllable like a mad pony. She was always the one that turned ponies down. No pony was a fast flier like her, they couldn't keep up with her. That’s why they loved her, chased after her. He was supposed to be just like those other colts that were all so sweet to her. They loved and adored her and she challenged them to become better, and left the colts uninterested in her favor and friendship alone. But Show Tail befriending her without the hope of charming her was something she could not comprehend. Worse, she had lost to Sweetie Belle. Sweetie Belle, of all ponies! They may have been best friends, but there was no way that Sweetie Belle was overall more awesome than she was! “I’m leaving!” She spread her wings with a nasty scowl and took off.
“Did she really just leave?” Sweetie Belle managed to dig up the courage to speak, turning her attention to Show Tail. He shrugged and patted her on the shoulder. There was nothing more to be said about Scootaloo. Making a note to talk to her later, Sweetie Belle turned to the colt beside her. “Do you really like me, Tails?” Sweetie Belle said. She swallowed the lump in her throat. She smiled at his wide golden eyes paired with the lip he chewed on for his life. He would have to speak eventually.
“Ah well... yes. I do like you Sweetie Belle. A lot.” He puffed up his cheeks if only to let out a sigh of exasperation. “I’ve liked you a really long time, and uh... you’re really cool?” Rubbing the back of his head with his hoof, another shaky sigh escaped. “I don’t know how to do this. Can you tell me?”
“Well... in the movies, they kiss.” Sweetie Belle squeezed her eyes shut, sure that her face was a blazing shade of red. She mentally slapped herself for even saying that. The very idea... No, it was time to be brave, for once in her life. This allowed her the strength to rocket forward and crash her lips into his. It was a moment of blurry madness, the jingle of her bell and his surprised grunt the only thing she could hear. When Sweetie Belle stepped back and got a full view of the dreamy look on his face, she lay another kiss on his cheek. “That’s how you do it.”
|
Buckwood
|
1235
| 1 |
Original Character,Human,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Sadly Sings Destiny
|
Emerald tries to copy a spell she saw, to disastrous effects.
|
complete
| 21 | 7 |
<p>Emerald tries to replicate a spell she saw on a visit to Manehattan. Unfortunately for her, it didn't quite go as planned, and she not only ends up with a small house, but a creature from another world. Now all she has to do is find a way to send this "Jesse" back to home.</p><p>Warning: Yes, it's a self-insert Human in Equestria. You have been suitably warned.</p>
|
teen
|
2012-04-08T04:23:37+00:00
|
2013-10-01T05:09:11+00:00
| 2,765 |
Sadly Sings Destiny
Part One: Otherland
By: Jace Arveduin
Emerald Dawn looked exhausted, but she kept working while ignoring the fact her mane was starting to fall into her eyes. The mane in question was a light orange, which contrasted with the deep green of her coat. She also had a magnifying glass for her cutie-mark, and you could just make out her horn from under her mane. To make the matters of her comfort worse, the desk was too big for her diminutive size, which she hadn't got around to replacing yet. All of this was taking place inside her house, which is in the quaint little town known as Broken Bit. It definitely wasn't a glamorous place to live, but she absolutely adored all of the little fillies and colts she taught.
As her concentration began to slip, it wandered back to her trip to Manehattan. It was a pleasant city, if a bit overwhelming. Not only from the size of all the buildings, but also from the sheer amount of ponies that inhabited the place, creating a congested mess of a city when they were all in a hurry to get somewhere. Drifting into another thought, she wondered if she really had seen the unicorns create objects with magic. Still not sure if she had, she'd spent a good deal of her time since returning to her hometown trying to unravel the mystery.
"Come on, stop getting sidetracked and keep trying..."
To her delight, she managed to replicate the spell with a pencil later that night. Celebrating her success, and almost waking the neighbors in the process, she started to wind down. At first she wanted to give something a bigger a try as soon as she could, but the huge yawn she let out stopped her.
"Maybe I should get some sleep first," she told herself in an amused tone as she reversed to go back to her room.
Sleeping peacefully, and quite like a log, through all of Saturday, she awoke early Sunday morning. Looking at her clock, which read 6:00 AM, she couldn't help but wonder how she felt so great after only sleeping a few hours.
"That's odd, I'll have to check the paper when it arrives."
Shrugging it off, she walked out of the door in search of a place to try her new conjuring spell for something larger.
"Where should I try this... I guess I'd better pick somewhere close..."
Humming a cheery tune, she began looking for a suitable place to practice. After a few minutes, she found a low hill with a relatively flat top that looked like an ideal place. After arriving, she realized she had no idea what she wanted to summon. Sitting down with her hoof raised a hoof to her chin, she pondered.
"What do I want to start with...? I know! I’ll start with a small house! Maybe something like a dog house!"
Concentrating as hard as she could, she performed the spell, and it wasn’t long before she started sweating and her legs began to shake. She finished the spell with a small smile that quickly faded as she realized she had badly misjudged the amount of power needed for the spell.
"This isn’t good." She managed to gasp before losing consciousness.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Jesse had been up late Friday night doing his usual thing: playing games that usually ended up with him killing the fuck out of anything he came across. At about average height and slightly above average weight, he was pale with brown hair, which he kept buzzed off, a rather large nose, and a pair of clear blue eyes.
Although he was an above-average guy in an average life, he'd chosen it. With his natural intelligence and a little work, he could have been an engineer at Boeing or a researcher in most fields. The problem was he just didn’t have the drive to do it. What was the point of wasting half of your life with a high-level college education, then another quarter of it paying off the debts that you had amassed while going to said college? Hell, he actually had an aunt that worked for Boeing, and she had little time for herself and more than a little stress, which was a major factor in his decision. He was comfortable with his mid-range desktop in his small house. It actually had two rooms, but he had reinforced the smaller of the two to store his guns and other weaponry in. Most called him lazy for not fulfilling his full potential, and while he didn’t disagree on that as a fact, he did argue when they said that that was why he was where he was.
Waking up the next morning to get ready for work, he grabbed himself a bowl of cereal, finished his morning ritual, grabbed his keys from the table, and went to go to work. The sun seemed unnaturally bright for some reason, though the reason became clearer once his eyes had adapted to the morning light. On the ground before him, which was much greener than his dead lawn would ever be, was a unicorn that had been drowned in paint and tossed on his doorstep. It was dark green with a light orange mane and tail, and his subconscious told him its mane and tail were the same hue as the sky surrounding the rising sun, but his consciousness was busy with other things at the moment.
“What the... How can my house use electric here?” Jesse asked to no one in particular in his southern accent. He did have his priorities straight though -- when in a new world, don’t bother trying to figure out how you got there, just start questioning the physics to stop a mental overload. Or maybe he was slightly insane, sometimes it could be hard to tell. The unicorn continued to lay there, so he decided to wait and see if she would awake. He lasted about 5 minutes before he got bored and went inside for a bowl of water, which he tossed on her. Honestly, finesse was never something he was good or cared about.
“What, who’s there? And why am I wet?” The mare sputtered as she got to her hooves. She saw Jesse and the house behind it and her body began to tremble.
“What are you?” She probably would have ran away, but her legs kept telling her brain to just leave a message, they'd be in contact later.
“Well,” Jesse started, “I’m a human who appears to have been teleported off of his world, along with his house to, ah... Wherever this is. What is this place, anyway? It looks like someone found the contrast setting for the entire world and started playing with it.”
The poor unicorn looked faint, and a few seconds later she did exactly that, falling flat on her face. With a sigh, the human just sighed and picked her up, grunting with the effort, and dumped her on his old couch. Going to the bathroom, he brought back a towel. Drying her off as best as he could, without touching anywhere he thought might be inappropriate, he took his old Mario blanket from his bed tossed it over her. After all of that, he decided to pass the time by seeing what worked and what didn’t work in this world. Surprisingly, the only things that didn't work was the internet and phone connections.
“Well, I’m not on Earth, there’s a green talking unicorn, and everything still works... Maybe there was a gas leak and I’m dead, or maybe just high... Oh well, I’ll find out eventually.” With a shrug, he decided to worry about it later.
“Ugh, where am I?” The mare said as she slowly regained consciousness, "And why does my head hurt?"
“You’re in my house after you fainted a second time, and I decided against waking you up this time around. As for the pain, that's probably because you face-planted the last time you fainted," he told her in a matter-of-fact tone.
Emerald had been looking at the blanket with a puzzled look as Jesse spoke, staring at the odd little creatures that appeared on it. Looking up a few seconds later, she saw this human standing in a small kitchen making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
“But why are you here?”
“Not a clue myself, I was kind of hoping you’d have that particular answer.”
“I... tried to create a house with my magic, and it worked on the pencil, so what went wrong with the house?”
“Did you make the pencil, or did you just bring a pencil to you?”
“I... Um... I’m not sure...” Face and ears drooping, she began to realize the spell hadn’t done what she wanted it to.
Jesse, on the other hand, had to force his face to stay impassive. There was something about the little unicorn’s pout that was trying to tug at the heart-strings he didn’t remember even having.
“Well, I’m here now, and unless you can send me back, there’s no way to change that.”
“How are you so calm? If this had happened to me, I would be scared to death." She told him, shivering at the thought.
“Like I said, I’m here, I can’t do anything about it, I don’t think you can do anything about it, and I might as well consider this a vacation. I’ll start worrying once I find a reason to worry, like when my food runs out, or the magical energy supply that I have seem to have runs out. Then, of course, there's the possibly this is a dream, or I'm hallucinating, or that I'm dead.”
“I’m really sorry about this, and I’ll try my best to fix it. I'm also alive, so you shouldn't be dead."
“Just tell me if you need any help, otherwise I’ll just stay here and try not to cause chaos. I will admit the thought of causing chaos with my mere presence would be hilarious though. Oh, and I should ask you to advise the locals to leave me alone, by the way. I usually don’t play nicely with others, especially when they begin to pester me.”
The poor mare just looked at him in shock, but it was obscured by the fact she already had a shocked look on her face from everything else.
“Okay, I’ll do that.” After a short pause, she added “I’m going to go see if I can find a way to send you back.” She got off the couch and headed toward the door, which included a few awkward steps as she tried to regain equilibrium. She had no idea what he'd do if he got angry, but she had a feeling it wouldn't be very nice.
Jesse nodded as she left, which was all of the recognition she got that he was paying attention. She really felt bad, not only because she caused somepony a problem, but also because she had no idea the effects this strange creature would have in her world. Making her way to the town library, she started looking through every book she thought might help.
"This is going to take some time," she muttered to herself as she started reading through the first book, which was titled, Dimensions and You: A Novice’s Guide to the Galaxy. She didn’t really expect to find any answers in it, but with a title like that, it had to have something of note inside. She spent the next few days going over books that looked promising and working, though she did remember to warn the town to stay away from the house on the hill.
As she left, Jesse decided he might as well do some maintenance on his guns and other assorted weapons. He walked into the last room of the house, which held a few shields and swords hanging from the walls, a workbench, and a large black gun safe, which was his destination, he opened it with a quick sequence of numbers and a turn of the handle. The collection of guns wasn't large, but it was fairly impressive. The entire bottom had been turned into two shelves, both of which were full of ammo. The guns on the custom racks included an M4A1 assault rifle, an old Russian SKS battle rifle, a Russian Dragunov sniper rifle, and his M1911 pistol. Some people seemed to think he had a gun fetish, he just replied that he liked things that go bang. Sitting at the work bench, he spent the next few hours stripping down and meticulously cleaning the guns and his favorite shield and sword. He didn’t actually use the shield and sword much, but he loved them and had a fair amount of knowledge on how to use them.
After a few days of playing video games, he began to wonder what he would do when the food ran out, but figured he'd just ask the next time Emerald dropped by. He also wondered if she had spread the word around town to leave his house alone. Because if she had, it didn’t show. The ponies tried to spy on him inconspicuously, but they were all doing a rather bad job of it. Finally losing his patience, decided to get it over with. So without ceremony, he pulled out one of his camping chairs, sit it down outside, and sat down.
“Okay, you pony things aren’t exactly great at hiding, so come on over and sate your curiosity,” he yelled.
Most of the ponies scattered, though one of the pegasi flew down and landed in front of him. She had pure white coat that had a light blue hue to it, like it was seen through ice, and a bright red mane.
“What are you? And I don’t know why the town’s scared of you, you don’t look so tough to me,” she said. Her voice wasn’t very harsh (or soft for that matter), it was somewhere in between, and her eyes were the same fiery red as her mane. It was an appropriate color, since she was currently trying to burn holes through him with her glare. Adorning her flank was a snow-flake with a pillar of fire.
“Indeed... I’m a human. Apparently there aren’t any humans in.... Wherever I happen to be right now. Though I would like to know if you ponies realize it’s rude to spy. In fact, it’s probably considered even more rude to spy badly,” Jesse told the mare, unfazed by the glare.
She looked at him like she was going to laugh. “You don’t know where you’re at? You’re in Equestria, and what else were we supposed to do? You didn’t come out, and we don’t know if you’re dangerous or not. You don’t look tough though, so how dangerous could you be?”
Jesse let out a chuckle. “You’ve no idea, and I don’t plan on sharing that particular bit of information. Anyway, the name’s Jesse.”
“Jesse? that’s a weird name, why would anypony name their foal Jesse? Anyway, my name's Frostfire”
“As you may have noticed, I’m not a pony, so your form of naming is equally odd to me. Anything else?”
“Yeah, what do I keep hearing when you’re inside? I couldn't quite hear it.”
“It’s either my music or the noise made by my games. Anyway, I’ve the odd suspicion you're going to be wanting a tour of my house, So now I just have to find a way to keep you from destroying everything and killing yourselves. Goodbye, I’ll talk to you later.” And with that, he got up and walked back inside, shutting the door behind him.
“Later? Get back here! I'm not done talking with you!” Frostfire yelled as the door closed. She tried to open it, but it was locked.
“Fine, be that way,” she yelled before she took off with an unintelligible grumble.
|
Buckwood
|
1235
| 2 |
Original Character,Human,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Sadly Sings Destiny
|
Emerald tries to copy a spell she saw, to disastrous effects.
|
complete
| 21 | 7 |
<p>Emerald tries to replicate a spell she saw on a visit to Manehattan. Unfortunately for her, it didn't quite go as planned, and she not only ends up with a small house, but a creature from another world. Now all she has to do is find a way to send this "Jesse" back to home.</p><p>Warning: Yes, it's a self-insert Human in Equestria. You have been suitably warned.</p>
|
teen
|
2012-04-05T07:37:21+00:00
|
2013-10-01T05:26:24+00:00
| 1,813 |
Sadly Sings Destiny
Chapter Two: Turn the Page
By: Jace Arveduin
Emerald Dawn decided to take a walk through Broken Bit after a particularly intense study session. The stress from days of work were adding up, so she decided a break would do more good than harm. Trotting along mindlessly, she accidentally ran into the town blacksmith, which drug her back into reality.
“Sorry, Mr. Steel. I should have been watching where I was going,” she told the stallion.
The stallion in question, Steel Crescent, had a dark grey coat, a matching white mane and tail, silvery eyes, and an anvil for his cutie-mark. He was an older stallion, his prideful recklessness mellowed by age and years of patience, which was required when working metal into objects of use and beauty. Although he’d never been married, there were rumors that said he could have any mare he wanted if he tried.
“That’s quite alright, Ms. Dawn, no harm done,” he replied. “Though you do look like you haven’t eaten in some time, care to join me for lunch?”
“You’re such a gentlestallion, Steel. Of course I’ll come,” she replied with a giggle. She knew he wasn’t hitting on her, he really was just that much of a gentlestallion.
They walked over to a small diner and ordered a pair of sandwiches, which they ate in a friendly silence. Emerald had ordered green tea to wash it down with, while Steel had settled on a normal cup of iced tea. After a few minutes, Steel broke the silence.
“So, what have you been getting into this time?”
She sighed. “I tried a new spell, and ended up bringing a house, and the creature it belonged to, to our world.”
“I had heard there was something strange going on...” His face was blank, as he'd thought it was just a rumor. “I don't know much about casting spells, but couldn’t you just reverse the spell and send it back?"
“If only it was that easy. I’d have to know where I’m sending him, and I don’t know whether it’s a nearby moon, star, or another dimension.”
“That’s not good. Is he friendly, or is he going to end up causing problems?”
“I don’t know.... He doesn’t seem completely hostile, but he doesn’t seem very friendly either.”
“At least he’s not destroying stuff.”
“Yeah, I’m not even sure if he’s left his house. He doesn’t seem to like being around ponies.”
“Well, he did just get pulled from his world into ours, so he’s probably just trying to get over that.” He paused, then added, “Well Ms. Dawn, I have to go back to the shop, I've got a few orders I still need to finish today. I’ll see you around,” he said as he got up and started walking back to his smithy, putting some bits on the table before he left.
“See you later Steel.”
She sat there for a few more minutes and finished her tea before going back to her house to continue her ongoing research. Her latest book was on ancient relics, and though it was missing a few pages, it seemed to be her best lead so far.
Two hours later, she came across a passage that described a small marble that reputedly could send the possessor across space and time. "This could be exactly what I need," she mumbled to herself. The details were sketchy, though it was said to be roughly the size of a large marble and filled with flickering lights. It also mentioned it was perilous to look directly at it, for the pony doing so would disappear. The disappearance was said to sometimes be to the future, and a few tales say the past. The last known location of the artifact was, supposedly, somewhere in the Misty Mountains.
“Well that’s convenient, those are quite a distance from here, but not too far.” She pondered aloud.
**********************************************************************************************************
“I know you’re in there, let me in,” Frostfire yelled as she banged on Jesse’s front door.
“Why am I not surprised,” Jesse said as he opened his door. “Come on in, I managed to either lock or nail down anything that you’d be curious about. I can’t have you running around with something you’re likely to injure us with.”
“I can take care of myself,” she said with a huff.
“Ever held a sharp knife or a gun?”
“What’s a gun?”
“I rest my case, welcome to my humble abode.”
Frostfire walked in, and was fairly surprised by the color scheme, or lack of one. It was all either black or silver. “It’s rather bland in here, isn’t it?”
“What can I say? I’m a fan of black and silver. This is also how I bought the place.” He walked over to his chair and sat down. “Take a load off, and ask the hundreds of questions I know you want answered, and this time I’ll be able to explain some, and demonstrate others.”
She didn't even have to think for a moment. “What’s a gun?”
“That’s an easy one, I’ll show you one.” He unlocked the second room’s door, went inside and got his 1911 pistol out of it, and one of the rounds. “This is a pistol, a type of gun, and this is a bullet. You put the bullet in the pistol and the tip of the bullet comes out of the end of the pistol at very fast speeds. They are generally used for shooting inanimate targets, or for killing things.”
“Humans make things to kill each other with?”
“We’ve been making things to kill each other, and things to eat, for most of our time on our planet.”
Her face blanched. “Wait, eat things?”
Jesse pulled his lip over his teeth, showing off his canines. “The sharp, pointy ones are for meat, and the flatter ones in the back are for plants. Humans are omnivores, so we can eat just about anything.”
“That’s... just gross, so how can you stand to eat other animals?”
“Mainly because I’m guessing the animals on my world aren’t quite as sentient as the ones I’m assuming you’re used to. As it is, I quite like the way meat tastes to be honest. But don’t worry your pretty little head off, because I’m not going to kill anything here unless it tries to kill me first.”
Frostfire didn’t quite know how to respond to that. “So, what was your job on your planet?”
“I was a librarian actually. I worked for a small town and ruled my library with an iron fist. Which involved banning idiots and hosting tournaments for this card game called ‘Magic: The Gathering.’ On Thursdays and Saturdays I kept the doors open an extra two hours for people who wanted to come over and play some games. Occasionally I’d even take my old 64 up and play Super Smash Brothers.”
“Can you show me some of these games?”
“Easily, though I do have to ask how squeamish you are when it comes to blood and guts.”
“Blood and guts?”
“Most of my games are a little on the violent side, so it would be pleasant if you told me whether or not you can handle it, so I don’t have to clean up your breakfast from my floor.”
“Of course I can handle a little violence, are you saying I’m a wimp?”
“We’ll see”
He started off showing her some of his older games, like Super Smash Brothers and Donkey Kong 64, and worked his way up. She seemed to like Twisted Metal 4 and Spyro. He just increased the violence slowly, until he reach Fallout: New Vegas. He went around showing her the game and finally came across an enemy. With a small smile while she was distracted, he turned the volume up.
*BANG* *BANG* *BANG*
“What the hay,” Frostfire yelled as she jumped back. Her eyes went wide, and she started breathing harder.
Jesse had been watching her and started laughing when she jumped. “You should have seen the look on your face. I would have recorded it with the webcam if I had been able to activate it without tipping you off.”
“You’re a jerk,” she huffed as she went back to watch the screen, which was centered on the thing he had just shot.
“Okay, now watch closely and see how long you can hold your lunch.” He then proceeded to shoot the corpse a few times, until the game’s ‘Bloody Mess’ perk activated. Frostfire had been watching impassively when the corpse exploded into hundreds of chunks and a mist of blood. It turned out her stomach wasn’t as strong as she thought, and she ended up hurling a few seconds after seeing it. Jesse expected it though, and put his trashcan over her muzzle.
“Didn’t you say something about being able to handle a little violence?” She just groaned and puked some more.
A few hours later Frostfire was feeling better, though there was a scent in the air that didn't quite seem right. Jesse was cooking something, though she didn’t ask what after remembering what he said about humans eating other animals. He walked back with some red, lumpy stuff and a couple of bread slices in one hand, and a plate of what looked like golden sticks in the other.
“Here’s some food,” he told her as he set some french fries down in front of her.
“And what exactly are these, they look familiar....”
“Fried taters, though most humans call them ‘french fries’ for some reason.”
“And they are made of....”
“Plants.”
“So what are you eating?”
“They’re called ‘sloppy joes’ where I come from. Before you ask, they are made from things you do not wish to know about, some vegetables, and spices.”
She accepted the answer, she really didn’t want to know exactly what he was eating when she thought about it. They ate in silence, during which Frostfire seemed jittery. If Jesse was nervous or uncomfortable, you couldn’t tell it. He finished his food and got up.
"So, what's with the tattoos on your ass? I saw Emerald had a magnifying glass, but I saw most of the other ponies had a tattoo on their ass," Jesse asked Frostfire.
"Tattoos? Ass?"
"What's with the pictures on your butt?"
"Oh, it's my cutie-mark, don't you have one?"
"Nope, the closest thing we have are tattoos, which involves injecting ink under your skin with a needle that pokes you really fast."
"That sounds painful..."
"It can be, so give me an explanation of these "cutie-marks" please?"
"Well, when a pony finds their special talent, it shows up."
"Well that sounds right out of a fairy tale, so why do you have a pillar of fire coming out of a snowflake?"
"It's because I'm good at doing weird things with the weather, like making lightning when it snows."
"That sounds like fun," he replied. “Well, I’m about to take a shower, so feel free to leave when you want. Oh, and please don’t get too nosy, because you might not like what you find.”
He went into the bathroom and the sound of running water can be heard. Frostfire waited an indecisive minute before sneaking over and opening the door quietly. She peeked in, but her view was obscured by the curtain. She looked over at the mirror to see if she could get a better angle, just to meet his eyes.
“Wondering if we were compatible, eh?”
“I... I was just leaving,” she said as she hurried off, blushing. Jesse chuckled as he finished his shower, then went back to playing Fallout.
**********************************************************************************************************
Several minutes later Frostfire made it back to her house. She wasn’t sure what she expected to see, but what she saw definitely not wasn't it. Somewhat shook up, she hopped into her bath, then recoiled from the coldness of the water. Turning the hot water on, she tried to settle down and relax. After soaking for some time, she got out and hopped into her bed. Much to her chagrin, she tossed and turned forever before the sweet, blissful of sleep overcame her.
**********************************************************************************************************
Emerald Dawn had gone to bed early that night, trying to make up for all of the sleep she had lost while searching for an answer. After awaking, she started thinking about what would be required to make the journey.
‘First I’m going to need that map of the Misty Mountains,’ she thought to herself as she went into her personal library. It wasn’t a big room, but it had a fair number of books across all genres, and a few maps she had bought when a travelling salesmare had come by town a few years back. She rummaged through the drawers until she found the map she was looking for. Taking the map and spreading it across her kitchen table, she studied it intently, looking for all of the possible places that such an artifact might reside.
|
Buckwood
|
1235
| 3 |
Original Character,Human,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Sadly Sings Destiny
|
Emerald tries to copy a spell she saw, to disastrous effects.
|
complete
| 21 | 7 |
<p>Emerald tries to replicate a spell she saw on a visit to Manehattan. Unfortunately for her, it didn't quite go as planned, and she not only ends up with a small house, but a creature from another world. Now all she has to do is find a way to send this "Jesse" back to home.</p><p>Warning: Yes, it's a self-insert Human in Equestria. You have been suitably warned.</p>
|
teen
|
2012-04-06T00:00:55+00:00
|
2013-10-03T05:03:56+00:00
| 1,292 |
Sadly Sings Destiny
Chapter Three: Lost in the Twilight Hall
By: Jace Arveduin
Emerald Dawn got up fairly early the next morning, and decided to go tell Jesse that they could start the search for the artifact today. After arriving at his house, she knocked on the door. Since he didn't answer, she knocked again. This time footsteps could be heard coming from inside, which was followed by Jesse opening the door.
“Bit early for this, ain't it?” he asked, still rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
“I think I found a way to get you home,” she said, a pleased expression on her face.
“Well maybe it’s not too early then. So how many dragons do I have to slay?” he asked nonchalantly.
She looked at him with an odd expression. “Why do you think we would have to slay dragons?”
“Just ignore that. Where I'm from, it’s almost against the law to write an adventure without having to kill something at the end. Dragons guarding the treasure is a popular choice.”
“Uh... Anyway, do you want to start searching today or tomorrow?”
“Might as well leave today. So what exactly am I getting into?”
“I’ve found an artifact that’s supposed to be close by called ‘The Time Twister’. If we can find it, it should be able to take you back home, though I will admit I’m not exactly sure how it works or the specifics of its powers.”
“Eh, just a bit of dynamic risk assessment then, what could possibly go wrong?”
She looked at him as though he were crazy.
“Why does everyone look at me like I'm nutter when I say that? You’d think I’d just said the sun was blue or that it’s only a good day when an anvil drops on my head.”
“Because saying that is just inviting something bad to happen.” She shook her head with a sigh. “I’ll come pick you up after I eat lunch, does that sound good to you?”
“Sounds good to me, see you then." He paused, then added, "Oh, and I may or may not be as crazy as you think I may or may not be.”
Emerald just continued to shake her head as she left to finish up her packing, and Jesse disappeared back into the house to start his. She arrived at her house later and started arranging her saddlebags, making sure she had everything. Looking through them again, she discarded a few things that weren't necessary. A rumbling stomach distracted her, so she decided to go have lunch at the diner. She took her time getting there, pausing on occasion to see if there was anything new in the shops. Upon her arrival, she saw Steel Crescent sitting at the same spot they had eaten at the day before.
“Mind if I join you, Steel?” she asked him when she arrived.
“Not at all Ms. Dawn, please take a seat. And if I may ask, where are you going?” he asked, motioning towards her full saddlebags.
“I’m about to go with Jesse to try and find an artifact I researched last night. Its true name is unknown, though it was referred to as ‘The Time Twister’ in the old tome I found it in.”
“So you’re going to go out on an adventure with a creature you know nothing about?" He chuckled before adding, "If you’ll excuse me, Ms. Dawn, I’ll go pack up and join you for this journey.”
“You don’t have to Steel -- we’ll be fine.”
“I know I don’t have to, but I’m not going to let you find out how nice this creature is by yourself.”
“Okay then, but what about your shop?”
“It’ll be fine for a few days, business has been slow lately anyway.”
“Alright, meet me outside of my house as soon as you can.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Fifteen minutes later, Steel Crescent was outside of Emerald’s house, and another ten of companionable silence after that, they were at Jesse’s front door. She knocked and waited for Jesse to show up, which didn’t take long. When he opened the door, she didn’t know what to think about his appearance. The backpack didn’t seem out of place, but what did seem out of place was the thing strapped to his right thigh, the thing slung over his shoulder, and the rather large knife on his left hip, all complemented by a few metal rectangles in various places.
“Hello Jesse. What are those?” she asked while pointing at the foreign objects.
“Evenin’ Emerald, just some protection in case something takes offense at my appearance, though if you want a word, just call them ‘guns’.” He nodded towards the grey stallion, “Don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Jesse.”
“I’m Steel Crescent, nice to meet you.”
“Well gentlecolts, we might as well get started.” With that, Emerald started walking northward towards the heavily wooded mountains.
As they walked through the woods, the two ponies hadn’t said anything, Jesse seemed to give off an unpleasant aura that made them feel as if silence was the best course of action. After walking a few more minutes, Jesse suddenly motioned for them to stop, which they heeded out of surprise. Jesse’s face was slightly narrowed in concentration before a smirk came across his face.
“Okay Frostfire, I know you’re around, so you might as well join the party,” he yelled suddenly, which startled the two ponies that were standing near him. A minute later, the pegasus in question came out from behind a tree.
“How did you know I was following?”
“Easy, if you stalked my house for the first few days, then met me, I’m pretty sure it’s a safe bet to say you’d follow me if I left. Come to think of it, you probably snooped around my house, then followed us when you realized it’s sealed shut.”
“Hello Frostfire, it’s been quite some time,” Emerald Dawn said.
“Good evening Ms. Frostfire,” Steel Crescent added.
“Hey! So what’s going on here? And don’t tell me it’s nothing! I know it’s more than ‘nothing.’ This is only the second time he’s left his house since he’s arrived! And I did not try to get into your house either!” She finished with a huff
“Well, we’re going to search various ruins throughout the mountains to try and find an artifact that will take him home.” Emerald replied to her.
“Eeyup. Just going to do some dungeon crawling till we find the magical artifact that saves the world while slaying the undead until we reach the dragon overlord at the very bottom of the ruins. Then we just have to find the Magic Sword of Dragon-Slaying so we can finish him off and take the loot.” Jesse added with a straight face.
Frostfire glared at him for a full minute before saying, “I really can’t tell if you’re serious or not...”
Emerald facehoofed. “Come on you two, we need to make as much progress as we can today.”
Jesse shrugged with a chuckle while Frostfire backed off, much to Emeralds relief, and the group continued walking in silence. It was starting to get dark when Jesse spoke up.
“Might as well set up camp here for the night.”
The others readily agreed, especially Emerald, and started gathering wood to start a fire and laying out their sleeping bags. The night air had a slight chill to it, but the ponies didn’t notice it as much due to their coats. Jesse took his backpack off, laying it and the assault rifle on the ground, and rummaged through his bag for his jacket. He found it shortly after and put it on. He looked around at the others, noticing that Steel Crescent and Frostfire appeared to be asleep, and decided to let his curiosity get the better of him.
“Since I may be here for some time, mind telling me more about the place I’m stuck in?”
Emerald shook her head to get herself completely out of the book she was reading. “Well, you’re in Equestria, which is ruled by our two Princesses; Celestia and Luna. They raise the sun and the moon, respectively, and help keep order in the land.”
“Princesses eh? So is there a king or queen, or did they just choose ‘princess’ arbitrarily?”
“You know... I don’t think anyone has ever asked that...”
“Really? Hmm. Okay, so next question is what’s with all of the... magic that seems to be floating around this place?”
“Well, a lot of it is innate and is sometimes tied to the ponies special talent. Let’s say my talent is healing, I’d be good with healing spells, other spells would be harder to learn. I may not even be able to learn any other spells except telekinesis, which is innate to all unicorns.”
“Well that would be handy. My people lack magic, so we’ve advanced our technology as much as possible. The last fifty years has seen a drastic leap in the fields of science and technology, we have even managed to learn how many atoms are in a given amount of an element.”
“That’s amazing! How do you see them to count?”
“Ah, well that’s not quite how it works, if I remember correctly, it was more theoretical and eventually proven somehow. That part of my memory is sketchy, it’s been some time. Okay, I can’t think of a way to ask the other questions I have, so I’ll leave them for later. Are we going to set a watch?”
“Set a watch?”
“Make sure someone is always awake and keeping an eye out for beasties that might get too curious.”
“You don’t have to worry about that, there aren’t any ‘beasties’ in here to worry about.”
“If you say so...” Emerald lay down next to the others, while Jesse propped his back up against a tree and slept with his rifle across his lap.
The next morning they had woken up roughly at the same time, with Steel Crescent up first and Frostfire the last to wake. They had been walking for a while in the serene silence under the boughs of the trees when a faint roar was heard in the distance.
“What was it you were saying about there not being any beasties in this place?” Jesse asked the green mare.
“There weren't any, but now we’re getting closer to the untamed lands.”
“Okay, just making sure.”
They walked for most of the day, swapping stories and explaining little bits that Jesse asked about, when they finally made it to the first ruin about the time dusk was starting to arrive. It looked like it used to be a large and airy affair, though gravity had claimed a good deal of it. During the twilight the decrepit fortress still had the grace of its youth as the dust motes shown in the waning light.
“Well, here’s the first location, there’s no name for it, and no one knows who built it.” Emerald told the group.
“So we go in, find the artifact, get out and be back two days from now? Easy. Now let’s go, it can’t be that hard to find some artifact.” Frostfire stated.
“Don’t be hasty, we don’t know how safe this place is.” Steel warned her.
“Okay, I’ll take lead and you follow a few feet behind me.” Jesse told the group as he started into the ruin. They walked along the seemingly endless maze of halls in silence, the airy feeling of grace somehow managed to feel oppressive. It didn’t bother Jesse much, but the ponies weren’t used to such unease and kept looking behind them. When it started getting dark, Jesse pulled out his flashlight and kept searching. It was about midnight when they finally found a door with a large iron lock, the only locked door they had found so far, which promised something important was beyond.
“Any of you have an easy way to get this open?” Jesse asked the group, all of which shrugged. “Okay let me think of something.” After a few minutes, he had an idea. “Okay, Frostfire, can you freeze the lock, and Steel, any chance you’d have a hammer or something made of iron?”
“Yeah, I can freeze that lock easily.”
“I did bring a hammer, as it happens, I didn’t think I would need it, but then again, I didn’t really know where we were going.”
“Okay, that’s great, Frost, you freeze the lock and get out of the way once it is as cold as you can get it. Steel, when she jumps back, hit it as hard as you can with your hammer. Questions?”
Both ponies shook their heads and Frost started chilling the metal. It took her several minutes, but then she fluttered out of the way, and Steel charged and swung his hammer with all of his might. It contacted with a thunderous crash, and several clicks of metal on stone was heard shortly after, as the lock had broken in several pieces.
“Good job, now let’s see what lies within.” Jesse said as he opened the door and shown the light inside. Illuminated in the room was several large and feral looking rats. “Rats? Does it always have to be rats first?” He barely managed that sentence before they came charging. There was a small click as he flipped the safety on his pistol and fired at the rats, giving each a double tap. The ponies were shocked, but recovered by the first shot fired, and stood still as they watched Jesse kill the rats that charged at him.
“Jesse! Why didn’t you try to subdue them or talk to them, you didn’t have to kill them!” Emerald practically screeched.
“They charged me while snarling. If I feel threatened, I aim to kill.” He responded with a shrug.
The three ponies looked at each other incredulously, they had never seen any creature that killed so readily. They honestly didn’t know what to think, between the shock of seeing the rats killed and the noise from his pistol, they just stood there stunned.
“You didn’t even give them the option to run away...” Steel managed to say.
“I could tell you exactly why this doesn’t bother me, but that would just make you even more sad. If you insist, can we leave it until we set up camp away from this place??”
The ponies nodded, not really sure if they had another course of option. They searched the room in silence, occasionally calling out to see if they had found what they were looking for. After searching the room over, it they decided the artifact wasn’t here. It took an hour to find their way out, even if they had spent four searching the ruin. They set up camp about an hours walk away, the ponies hadn’t talked, unsure of what to say, and Jesse was just enjoying the silent night.
“So Jesse, why did you kill them before asking them to stop or surrender?” Emerald finally asked, her voice trembling slightly.
“Well, if you three haven’t quite figured it out yet, I tend to have a lack of empathy for those that aren’t my friends. There’s also the fact they looked like huge carnivorous rats that had been locked in a room for who knows how long. And I really don’t know how well you all packed healing provisions, but what little I had wouldn’t help with the kind of gashes those things would have made. Throw in the fact they are animals and I’m an omnivore, and you’ll realize I’ve nothing against killing animals. I don’t do it for fun, but if they threaten me or I’m in need of some food, then they’re in trouble.”
Emerald tried to come up with something to say, but he said it all in such a logical tone that she had a heard time coming up with any faults other than it was against her morals. Frostfire, on the other hoof, had caught something in his explanation that she wanted to clear up.
“Wait, a lack of empathy for those who aren’t your friends? We’re your friends, right?”
Jesse chucked. “Yeah, I’ve no idea why, but I do consider you three friends of mine. That also means that you're very safe right now.”
Steel didn’t ask any questions, instead he decided to keep an eye on him just in case. With the fire built up, they felt secure enough to not set a watch and each on drifted asleep slowly. Jesse wondering why he felt a small inkling of guilt, nothing huge, just enough for him to realize what it was. Emerald was wondering what other nasty surprises would show up on this trip, and dreading the time they would arrive. Steel pondered the mechanics behind the weapon Jesse had used, all he saw was a flash of light and a loud noise akin to that of a pony cracking a whip, he didn't know how Jesse had killed the rats, and now he was curious. Frostfire was wondering why she didn’t feel as bad as the others... Maybe it was being in his house and having a larger glimpse into his life than Emerald and Steel. She shrugged and squirmed into a more comfortable position. They all finally went to sleep under the starry sky while listening to the crackling of the flames.
|
Buckwood
|
1235
| 4 |
Original Character,Human,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Sadly Sings Destiny
|
Emerald tries to copy a spell she saw, to disastrous effects.
|
complete
| 21 | 7 |
<p>Emerald tries to replicate a spell she saw on a visit to Manehattan. Unfortunately for her, it didn't quite go as planned, and she not only ends up with a small house, but a creature from another world. Now all she has to do is find a way to send this "Jesse" back to home.</p><p>Warning: Yes, it's a self-insert Human in Equestria. You have been suitably warned.</p>
|
teen
|
2011-10-25T04:02:36+00:00
|
2013-09-28T09:46:11+00:00
| 1,312 |
Sadly Sings Destiny
Part Four: A Voice in the Dark
By: Jace Arveduin
Jesse awoke before the ponies, deciding to do something productive before the others got up, so he searched around for a few things he needed for an idea of his. An hour later, he walked back into the camp to see that ponies were up and eating breakfast. They looked up and called out various greetings.
“Morning group, get enough rest?”
“Could have been better, old bones don’t like the hard ground quite like they used to,” Steel replied with a grin.
“I’m starting to wonder why I didn’t bring a cloud or two down for myself...”
Jesse raises his eyebrow at that. “Unless you can make clouds, I think you might have a hard time finding one.”
Frostfire looked up, and realized she didn’t see any clouds. She flew up above the canopy to get a better look, just to realize he was right. “How did you know? And yes, I can make clouds thank you very much.”
“Magic, my dear friend, it makes life so easy.”
“You said you didn’t have magic.” She said as she glared at him.
“A wizard arrives precisely when he means to.”
“Wait! what?” She went from glaring to utter confusion.
“Well, you see, we do have a few innate abilities, and one of those abilities is that we can run straight up things like walls and tree trunks.”
“Really? That’s awesome! Come on, show me!” Frostfire begged.
“You never mentioned that! She’s right, show us!” Emerald joined in.
“That’s a pretty neat trick.” Steel added.
“No, I can’t be a show off, that’d be rude.”
“Please!” The two mares said in unison, while looking at him and pleading with their eyes. Jesse kept his face straight for a minute or so before he started laughing. They looked at him, confused, when he straightened up.
“Oh god, the look on your faces was priceless!”
“You.... You.... Jerk!” Frostfire stomped away.
“That was mean, Jesse,” Emerald said in a disapproving tone. Jesse shrugged. Steel just shook his head, as he hadn’t really believed him. He seemed to take pleasure in frustrating others -- not really doing something to anger them immensely in one shot, but the occasional prodding.
“Okay, maybe I played along a little too long. On the bright side, I’ve come up with a way to defend myself without causing harm to my attacker. Well, major harm anyway.”
“And exactly how are you going to do this?” Emerald replied curtly.
“Take a seat and watch, though I should probably go get Frostfire back first.” With that, he left off towards where the mare in question had stomped off. When he finally found her, she was pacing back and forth grumbling about something.
“Hey there Frostfire, you alright? I’m used to being around people with thicker skins.”
“You’re a jerk, you know that?”
“Eeyup, something like that. Come on back to camp, and I’ll let you hit me if it makes you feel better.” She answered by promptly punching him in the shoulder. “See? All better, come on, I’m about to make a new toy that won’t do as much damage. I can’t have you missing my pure awesomeness, now can I?” He finished with what could be called a very irritating smirk and headed back to camp. Frostfire hesitated for a few seconds, then decided to get it over with and followed.
“Well, now watch in wonder, as I make something out of a few sticks, a rock, and this magical thing called ‘duct tape.’”
He pulled out said magical item from his pack and also unsheathed his knife. The longest stick was about a yard and a half long, and he roughly measured out about eight inches from one end, and nicked the wood to mark it. He then took the knife and spliced off third from each side, from the marks to the nearest end of the stick. Satisfied that he’d got it about right, he took the shorter stick and put a rectangular hole in it about halfway through. He tried to fit the shorter stick’s hole through the narrow end of the bigger stick, but it was still too small, so he made the hole bigger and then slid it on. Next, he carefully placed the two shards back onto the thin end of the bigger stick, though upside down, and put strip of tape around the middle to hold it. A wide slant was cut from the overhanging ends of the two fragments he had put on, and a rock was taped in place, probably with more tape than was necessary. The final act was to cover all of the visible parts of the biggest stick with a double layer of duct tape.
“And there we have it, a wooden sword to beat up anything that tries to attack me. Is that an acceptable alternative to just shooting them?”
“Well... I’d prefer we not use violence, but if you must...” Emerald replied.
“I really hope you don’t think I like to kill, it’s more along the lines of apathy.”
Emerald didn’t reply, and Steel decided to change the subject.
“That’s rather clever, and I figured you were fairly smart when you got us to smash that lock, but now I’m sure.” As a craftspony, he could respect Jesse’s resourcefulness when it came to crafting, ven if his respect for his mindset wasn’t quite so certain.
“Anyway, time to try this next location. We shouldn’t take long to get there, since it’s not that far away.”
They had been walking for a few hours, with some small talk, though mainly in silence and enjoying the view. Jesse noticed Frostfire, at the back of the group, seemed subdued. He slowed down until she caught up.
“What’s got you down?”
“Nothing,” she replied tersely.
“Oh don’t give me. You’ve been sulking all morning, and it’s cute. I don’t like it when things are cute against my will.”
“Nobody asked you!”
“Now that’s not very nice.”
“You aren’t nice.”
“Oh really? So what’s not nice about me?”
“You’re constantly picking on me and making me feel dumb, now go away so I can hate you in peace.”
“See now, there was something wrong.”
“Jerk.”
Jesse took a breathe, probably to say something else to raise her ire even more, then stopped, sighed, and muttered to himself.
“Ugh, cute little ponies that seem to be able to awaken my guilt. I’m not sure how much I like this place, I’ve gone without guilt for ten years, then these I end up here and I’m feeling guilty over harmless pranks and self-defense.”
Frostfires ears perked up. “What did you say?”
“I said, ‘It should be illegal for these cute little ponies to lay guilt-trips on me, and succeed.’ I haven’t worried over guilt in years, and you ponies seem to be able to manipulate it.”
“So what you’re saying is...?”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you took that much offense at them. I’m used to a world that’s much more harsh than that.”
“You’re sorry?” She eyed him suspiciously.
“Yes, and I even made the wooden sword because I don’t feel like overloading on cute, like when you were all sad over those rats. it’s... uncanny.”
“So, you’re telling me you will kill things without a second thought, but for some reason doing it in front of us made you feel guilty?”
“Something like that, not sure exactly what it is, but it should be illegal.”
Ahead of Jesse and Frostfire, Emerald and Steel started their own conversation.
“Well, what do you think of him so far?” Emerald asked Steel.
“I’m not quite sure... He seems like a good pony, but I was watching him when he killed the rats. He seemed to be running off instinct, and if his instincts is to cause harm first, it worries me.”
“Any idea why he fixed up that stick? He’s always seemed to me like a pony that has no trouble stepping on others’ hooves.”
“I don’t know. He’s a weird one, that’s for sure.”
“Can’t really argue with that.” They continued walking in silence, and Jesse and Frostfire caught up shortly afterwards.
They walked for another hour or so before finally arriving at the next location. This one appeared to be no more than a stone door on the side of a cliff.
“Well, it’s going to get late soon, might as well look around while we can.”
“I’ll take point, since I’ve got my flashlight.” He went up to the door, and braced himself against the resistance it would have when he tried to open it. The door swung open easily and he almost fell, he recovered his balance and looked back at the others, one of whom was chuckling. “Well, I’m no expert, but I’m going to say well-oiled hinges in a supposedly abandoned ruin does not bode well.”
“Yeah, we should be careful,” Steel said in agreement. The two mares nodded and followed him in. The large hall of stone was covered in moss and seemed to slant downward, though it was barely noticeable. Iron brackets hung with the burnt remains of torches still in them. Jesse stopped a few times, checking a surface or inspecting the ground. What looked like the remains of tripwires could be seen, but what they once had activated was a mystery. They finally reached a the end of the hall, and the only door they had seen since the entrance.
“Well, guess it’s time to see who’s frequenting this little lair,” Jesse said as he eased the door open. They really didn’t know what to expect, but a dark room somehow wasn’t it. Jesse was about to shine his light through when a voice came from nowhere.
“Why have you entered my home?” The voice sounded soft and feminine, despite how loud it was.
“Well, we’re looking for a shiny marble to take me home. Any chance we can get some light?” Jesse responded. Lights flared around the room, and in the middle was what appeared to be the statue of a sphinx, until it spoke again.
“I have no such treasures,and normally I would have killed you on sight, but I haven’t had company in some time and felt like playing with my food first.”
“Well that’s reassuring.”
“Um, Ms. Sphinx, we didn’t mean to disturb you, we’ll just be leaving.” Emerald said as she backed up, trying to exit. She bumped into a door which had been shut as soon as the sphinx had spoken.
“Your reasons do not matter, so you shall answer three riddles. If you get them right, I shall let you leave. If not, then I’ll get to find out what this strange creature tastes like.” Her smile revealed teeth like obsidian, which matched her claws and eyes.
Jesse looked at the others, who shrugged. “Well, seems we have little choice, what are the riddles?”
“Tall I am young, short I am old, night’s breath is my foe.”
Jesse turned to the others. “Any ideas?”
The other’s shook their heads and continued thinking. A minute later, Emerald spoke up. “Well, pencils get shorter the longer you have them, but that doesn’t fit the last part.”
“Ah, I get it now,” Steel said with a chuckle. “It’s a candle, tall when new, short when old, and the wind can blow it out.”
“Sounds better than anything I could think of,” Jesse said then turned back to the sphinx. “A candle is the answer you are waiting for.”
“Very good dears, now try this one,” The sphinx purred. “A blue house is made of blue bricks. A yellow house is made of yellow bricks. A red house is made of red bricks. An orange house is made of orange bricks. What would a green house be made of?”
“That’s easy! it’s made of,” Frostfire didn’t get to finish her sentence, on account of Jesse grabbing her muzzle and forcing it shut.
“I’m rather sorry I had to do that, but if it’s a choice between being rude and being eaten, I’ll be rude. That sounded way too easy... So now we just have to figure out what she’s getting at.”
Once again they started trying to untangle the riddle, occasionally speaking up, but none of their guesses had any merit to them until Frostfire thought about it.
“Red house, blue house. Those don’t sound very familiar, none of them do except for green house, and who would want a green house anyway?”
Emerald’s eyes lit up. “Oh, that is clever. I think it means a greenhouse, the type you use to grow plants in.”
Jesse nodded. “That makes sense, and it’s devilishly tricky. Any objections to her reasoning?” All he got was shrugs from the other two, so he turned to the sphinx. “The green house is made of glass.”
“Again, you are correct. Hear this last riddle, and proceed with caution,” The sphinx replied. “This old one runs forever, but never moves at all. He has not lungs nor throat, but still a mighty roaring call.”
Jesse looked at the others. “Hope you can come up with something, cause I’ve got nothing. Riddles really aren’t my specialty.” They grouped up for the last time, really hoping they weren’t about to become food for the sphinx. They were just about to give up, the image of the sphinx behind them smiling the whole time really not helping matters, when Frostfire finally came up with the best answer they’d thought of so far.
“Hey, could it be a waterfall? they can be old and running, and they can also roar with out lungs.”
“That’s... A really good idea, Frostfire,” Emerald admitted. Steel just nodded his assent.
“Better than anything I’ve come up with so far.” He didn’t even bother turning around this time, just calling over his shoulder. “It’s a waterfall, now will you open the door?”
“You insolent... Be glad I’m not very hungry this day, now begone!”
The door opened and they all went out. Near the entrance, Jesse hesitated, but kept going. The others eyed him, wondering what was on his mind, but decided not to push it.
“Well, that was close,” Jesse said as they finally exited the tunnel.
“Yeah, let’s not do that again, please,” Emerald replied.
“Stupid cat, it’s not our fault she doesn’t put a sign up,” Frostfire added.
“You probably wouldn’t want to say that to her face, Frostfire,” Steel reminded her.
They walked straight for awhile, before Emerald changed their course towards the next ruin. They had walked for an hour or so in the new direction before deciding to stop and rest for the night, even if it wasn’t very late yet. Supper was just being finished when Steel spoke the thoughts on the three ponies’ minds.
“Jesse, why did you hesitate back there?”
Jesse finished his drinking from his canteen before answering. “I was wondering whether the effort of destroying the entrance would be worth the reward. I decided it wasn’t.”
“Why?”
“Because I didn’t have any explosives or tools to do it with. Well, do it efficiently.”
“What I meant was why did you think about destroying the entrance?”
“Oh, that’s simple, I take extreme offense when something threatens to eat me.”
“But you eat other things!” Frostfire shot at him.
“Yeah, and if they try to attack me, it doesn’t really bother me, nor does it change the outcome.” He sighed. “I’m rather sorry my thought processes seem to offend you ponies, but I doubt it will change anytime soon.”
The two ponies stopped talking to him, so he walked out to find a clear spot, Frostfire following him after some hesitation. He noticed her, but didn’t acknowledge it and walked towards a small clearing nearby. When he arrived, he lay down on his back and started looking at the stars, fascinated at how many there were. Frostfire approached him, and when he didn’t respond, nudged him.
“What are you needing?” He asked in a dull tone, not out of any real emotion, but because his mind was far away.
“Just making sure you’re okay, you seem kind of up and down recently.”
“Like I said, you ponies seem to be able to just pile guilt on me without trying, and it’s rather annoying, so I decided to spend some time alone and wrestle it into submission.”
“So why are you staring at the stars?”
“In my world, the light of the stars are dimmed by all of the lights from our cities. They can get so bright that they can bee seen from the moon.”
“That’s... weird.”
“Yeah, never much liked those big cities, too many people for my taste.”
They stopped talking, and it looked like Jesse had fallen asleep, so Frostfire decided to use him as a pillow. As soon as she put her head down on his stomach, she realized she was wrong.
“You really are a curious one, aren’t you?”
“I... um... I...” She stuttered, trying to come up with something.
“Eh, no worries, I’m just not really a touchy-feely kind of guy. Tell ya what, I’ll let you use me as a pillow, so I'll get to brush your mane for days on end,” He said with a chuckle. Frostfire became more flustered and shot up and away, heading back to camp. All the while, Jesse lay there, laughing and watching the stars.
|
Buckwood
|
1235
| 5 |
Original Character,Human,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Sadly Sings Destiny
|
Emerald tries to copy a spell she saw, to disastrous effects.
|
complete
| 21 | 7 |
<p>Emerald tries to replicate a spell she saw on a visit to Manehattan. Unfortunately for her, it didn't quite go as planned, and she not only ends up with a small house, but a creature from another world. Now all she has to do is find a way to send this "Jesse" back to home.</p><p>Warning: Yes, it's a self-insert Human in Equestria. You have been suitably warned.</p>
|
teen
|
2011-10-26T03:32:26+00:00
|
2013-10-03T06:20:05+00:00
| 1,334 |
Sadly Sings Destiny
Chapter 5: Majesty
By: Jace Arveduin
Jesse had been laying there for quite some time, looking up at the stars and still occasionally chuckling over Frostfire’s rapid departure, when he became rather startled by a voice coming from behind him.
“What exactly are you, and why are you here?”
He acted on extinct, rolling over and pulling his 1911 out, and when he saw it was a large pony, he lowered it and got to his feet. Oddly, this pony had both a horn and wings, along with having a dark blue coat and an... ethereal looking mane and tail that seemed to mimic the night sky.
“Okay, I’m a human, and I’m not here because I chose to be. I’d also advise not sneaking up on me while I'm armed, I tend to have an itchy trigger finger.”
“Are you threatening me?” Princess Luna asked, her eyes narrowing.
“Nope, just warning you.”
“So why are you up while the others sleep?”
“I’m just looking at the stars, I don’t get to see too many of them back on my world.”
“Why not? Do you not have stars?”
“Oh we have them, it’s just our planet now has so many lights everywhere that it’s basically drowning out our vision of the stars; they call it ‘light-pollution.’”
Luna looked confused, then asked, “So you find my nights lovely?”
“Yeah, I was always more of a nocturnal person when I got the chance. The sun is nice and all, but I prefer the cold over the heat.”
“So you like my night?” She asked, making sure she heard him correctly.
“Eeyup, much nicer than the ones back home, even if the clouds aren’t quite as interesting at times.”
Luna almost looked offended. “Why is that?”
“Well, most of the ones I’ve seen seem to all be... basically uniform, from what I’ve heard, it’s probably due to the pegasi controlling the weather.”
“Then what are the clouds like in your world?”
“That’s always up for debate, they can look like just about anything, since it’s all completely random. Depending on how much imagination you have, you can see everything from faces to objects.”
“Wait, so the weather isn’t controlled in your world?”
“Weren’t you here to tell me to get off your lawn?”
“Why are you changing the subject?”
“You changed the subject, I was trying to get it back on track. Anyway, I never did catch your name, and you can just call me Jesse.”
“I am Princess Luna.”
“Princess eh? You’ll forgive me for not bowing and grovelling at your hooves, won’t you?.”
“If I did not, you wouldn’t be here right now.”
“Really? That’s interesting, so will you send me and my house back now?”
“No, I can’t, since I don’t know where you came from to begin with.”
“Oh well, I’ll figure it out eventually.”
“Though while I may not be able to send you hom, I could turn you into a pony and let you become a citizen of Equestria.”
Jesse could usually come up with something to say, but even the idea of becoming a pony startled him to the point where he couldn’t come up with anything. Luna smiled at him before silently departing into the night. Jesse’s head was still eerily blank when he decided to go to sleep near the campfire.
He awoke later the next morning, and would have awoken later still if his subconscious hadn’t been blaring an alarm to wake him at the smell of food.
“Any chance breakfast is pancakes and bacon, or sausage and biscuits?” He asked while he was trying to force his brain into gear, which was a battle he wasn’t winning quite yet.
“Whats bacon and sausage?” Emerald asked as she finished cooking the oats over the fire.
“Forget I even mentioned them, so how are you all doing?”
“Just fine, thanks, though the smell of those oats are starting to make me hungry,” Steel said as he looked at the pot of oats.
“Oh don’t worry, they’re about done, they just need to cool,’ Emerald replied.
“Awesome! Let me at it! I’ve been starving!” Frostfire said as she started hovering above the ground. Emerald spooned out large servings into four bowls and passed them out. They all ate enthusiastically, not even talking while they ate. After wiping the food out and packing their supplies, they set out towards their new destination through the seemingly endless forest.
“You know, I think I met one of your princesses last night,” Jesse said nonchalantly, and the others almost fell over themselves in surprise.
“You’re pulling my leg again, aren’t you?” Frostfire asked suspiciously while glaring at him.
“Really? What is she like?” Emerald asked with more than a little enthusiasm.
“Sounds like you had an interesting night,” Steel pitched in, deciding that he was a little suspicious.
“Nope, not pulling your leg, as it happens. She was kind of nice, though very sneaky. It could have turned out nastier if I didn’t have ponies under ‘harmless’ in my my internal beastiary. Yeah, she was wondering what I was and why I was here. I told her I was a human and I was looking for a way home. She then asked why I wasn’t asleep, I told her I was enjoying the night and then she went off asking about it and such. You know, you ponies should enjoy her night more, it makes her happy. Anyway, then I told her she was getting off topic and she told me she could make me a pony and flew off.”
“I don’t believe you,” Frostfire replied.
“In that case, have any of you told me what she looks like?” The others thought for a moment before shaking their heads. “In that case she’s a large, dark blue pony with wings and a horn. Her mane is some funny looking swirly-star thing and her cutie mark was a black splotch with a moon inside it.” Frostfire and Steel looked at each other shrugging, while Emerald didn’t seem surprised.
“So what did you talk about?” Emerald asked.
“I basically just gave you the whole conversation in a condensed form, there really wasn’t much more to it than that.”
“Oh fine...” Emerald sighed.
Walking until the sky darkened once again,they passed the time telling stories. Frostfire told a few stories from her time in flight school, Emerald shared a few from her travels on the rare occasion she went, and Steel even threw a story in about one of his first pieces that he had made by himself.
They found a small cave to set up camp this time, and Jesse volunteered to go find firewood. While he was gone, the others started talking.
“How are you feeling Frostfire?” Emerald asked the pegasus.
“I’m fine, why wouldn’t I be?”
“Because you seem to be keeping as much distance between Jesse and yourself as possible,” Steel added.
“Completely unintentional, why would I do that?”
“You tell us. I’m not sure about Steel, but I heard you come back last night, and you seemed spooked.”
“That... That was a simple misunderstanding.” Frostfire replied, trying to keep the memory from popping up and making her blush.
“We’re worried about you Frost, and if he did anything bad, we want to know,” Steel said with a concerned tone.
“Nothing, I just did something stupid, and he found it funny,” Frostfire replied testily.
“If it was nothing you wouldn’t be getting angry, do we need to talk to him about it?” Emerald replied.
“Fine! If you must know, I thought he went to sleep, so I used his stomach as a pillow. He thought this hilarious and started laughing, so I left.” She practically shouted, “Happy now?”
“Thank you, we just don’t want you getting hurt is all,” Emerald said timidly.
“Calm down, we aren’t your enemies,” Steel assured her. Frostfire didn’t seem to care though, as she flew out of the cave before either could react.
“That’s not going to get any better, is it?” Steel asked Emerald, who sighed.
“I don’t think so.”
Jesse arrived some time later with a huge bundle of sticks and started making a fire, when he finished and looked up, he noticed they were one pony short, “Where’d Frostfire run off to?”
“She went on a walk." Emerald replied, pausing a moment before adding, "Hey Jesse, do you think you could tone it down some around her? She’s starting to get frustrated with you.
“I can try, I can’t promise results though,” Jesse responded with a shrug as he started making a pot of soup.
After that, they sat in silence, waiting for the soup to finish. About ten minutes before the it was done, Frostfire walked back into the cavern, but didn’t acknowledge any of them. With a look between them, the other's silently agreed to let her have some space. The food finished and Emerald once again divided it into four bowls, one of which Jesse sat beside Frostfire. After they finished eating they all lay down to go to sleep, the ponies in their sleeping bags and Jesse with his back against the wall. He also had his assault rifle across his lap, just in case.
The sun rose and they packed up and headed out, they weren’t too far from the next ruin. They ate a few apples they had found while they walked. Not long after they reached the third ruin, an abandoned tower on the crest of a hill. They found the front door, and Jesse took point, as was his habit. The inside of the tower was surprisingly well kept, it still had dust and cobwebs, but it was nowhere near the amounts they had expected, nor was it crumbling.
They scoured the tower, with Jesse pointing out old traps and a few old suits of armor. The countless rooms still seemed to have things left inside, and the fact it was empty so far was disturbing.
“Okay, if something arrives, just run. I doubt we could do much to harm it,” Jesse told the others. to which they nodded in agreement.
In one room, an old picture finally fell down when they were in it, scaring the entire group with its crash. Jesse barely managed to grab Emerald's tail to keep her from dashing out of the tower, and the force of the jolt almost dislocated his arm. Letting go and massaging his shoulder, he walked over to the wall and wiped his hand over the wall that was covered by the painting. Feeling the texture, he started grinning like an idiot as he pulled his knife out and scraped the dull edge across the stone behind the picture, just for the ‘stone’ to start peeling off. More scraping revealed a metal chest with a built-in lock.
“Well that looks mysterious, who wants to try and open it?” He asked while still grinning like an idiot.
They tried everything they could think of to open it, but it resisted their efforts. First they tried freezing it then hitting it with a hammer, but it didn’t work like it did on the lock a few days ago. Then Emerald tried to open it with her magic, with no success. Eventually they just tossed it out the nearby window, after struggling to pry it out of the wall. It hit the ground with a heavy thud, and though it warped, it still hadn't opened. Jesse was just about to see if he could shoot the lock, against his better judgement, when he had a better idea.
“Any of you happen to have a bobby pin?”
To his dismay, the others shook their heads. Thinking on it, Steel thought me might have an alternative. Pulling a steel brush from his pack, he yanked a bristle out and held it out.
“Will this work?” Steel asked as he held the bristle in his hoof.
“Probably, I've no idea if this would work even if I bad the bobby pin," Jesse responded as he once again pulled out his knife and took the bristle. It took him about two hours, and several bristles, but he finally heard the click of the lock disengaging and the door opened. Inside was a few old books and a silver ring with a polished piece of obsidian set into it.
“Well, you can have the books Emerald, I’ll keep the ring." He chuckled as a thought hit him. "It’s funny, I don’t usually keep jewelry, but there’s something about this thing that I like...” He said as he put the ring on, and promptly disappeared. The other’s started to panic when he spoke again.
“Well I’ll be damned, a ring of invisibility, this should be fun.” He took the ring off and put it in his pocket for safekeeping, the others sighing in relief as he reappeared.
“You have to promise you won’t you won’t use it to scare us.” Steel told him, to which he shrugged.
“I won’t use it for pranks until we’re back in town, is that good enough for you?”
“I guess it’s the best I’m going to get...”
“If you trick me I’m going to tie you up and leave you!” Frostfire put in, to which Jesse just smirked. “What’s funny about that?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll tell you when you’re older.” Frostfire started to fume, barely subduing her anger and resisting the urge to punch him.
As they started walking, Emerald checked her packs and turned to the others. “I think we need to go back by town, it’s not very far out of the way to our next ruin, and we’re starting to run low on supplies”
“Why not, we could take a break and start out when we’re refreshed.” Jesse added.
“It would be nice to drop back by home,” Frostfire agreed.
“I can check to see if there is anything that needs to be done and catch up with what little work I may have missed, so it sounds like a good idea to me,” Steel said with a nod.
They walked for two days, during which they shared a few stories and even Jesse chipped in with a couple of stories, though he only told the mild ones. They made it to town and said there farewells and went to their respective homes.
Jesse looked around his house when he got there, seeing if any ponies got in and started rummaging through his stuff. A quick inspection outside revealed hoof prints all around the house, though after looking around inside he determined nothing was out of place. He spent the rest of the time before going to bed eating dinner, this time tacos, and playing a few games. It was funny how much he could miss the taste of meat after only a few days with the vegetarian ponies.
Emerald also fixed her dinner when she got home. The main difference for her is that she took a nice relaxing bath afterwards. She then spent an hour or so reading the book they had found, which seemed to be written by a person who claimed to be a wizard of some sort, before falling asleep on her bed. Her dreams weren’t peaceful though, since they were filled with rats and sphinxes.
Steel Crescent went by the diner and picked up a sandwich, sitting in the last rays of the sun before the night fell. After he got up, he checked to see if he had gotten any new orders, and found one for a simple candlestick. With nothing better to do, he decided to start on it, working a few hours before he took a quick shower and went to bed.
Frostfire got back to her house in the sky and started pacing. She punched or stomped the cloud on occasion, trying to get rid of the frustration. She made herself a quick sandwich, hoping some food would help calm her down. After finishing it she realized it really didn’t help, so decided to go flying, hoping to wear herself out and avoid dreams tonight. When she got back, she could barely keep her eyes open, and even ended up flying through the side of her house. Her bed was finally underneath her when she succumbed to sleep, which to her dismay wasn’t dreamless, and was full of shapes and colors and ponies, all in a jumbled mess.
|
Buckwood
|
1235
| 6 |
Original Character,Human,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Sadly Sings Destiny
|
Emerald tries to copy a spell she saw, to disastrous effects.
|
complete
| 21 | 7 |
<p>Emerald tries to replicate a spell she saw on a visit to Manehattan. Unfortunately for her, it didn't quite go as planned, and she not only ends up with a small house, but a creature from another world. Now all she has to do is find a way to send this "Jesse" back to home.</p><p>Warning: Yes, it's a self-insert Human in Equestria. You have been suitably warned.</p>
|
teen
|
2011-10-28T05:19:59+00:00
|
2013-10-03T17:12:38+00:00
| 1,362 |
Sadly Sings Destiny
Part 6: By the Gates of Moria
By: Jace Arveduin
The next morning Emerald Dawn woke up from the best sleep she’d had in days. She had taken her sleeping bag, but it was hardly as comfortable as her bed. The breakfast dishes were just starting to dry on the rack when she heard a knock on the door. She went to the door and opened it, to find Jesse standing at the threshold.
“Good morning, Jesse! You’re up early.”
“Yeah, woke up and figured it was too late to go back to sleep, so I figured I'd drop by.”
“Come on in, are you hungry? I just finished breakfast but I can find something.”
“I’m fine, I ate before I came over,” Jesse replied as they walked into her living room, which was about the size of his and had books lining the walls. “Any fiction stories, or are they all of a more scholarly genre?”
“Most of them are research books, but this shelf over here has some fiction, mainly romance, but there are a few other types,” Emerald said as she went to the smallest bookshelf in the room, which just happened to be in a corner.
Jesse followed her, looking at the titles. They say never judge a book by it’s cover, but between the title and the synopsis, you can generally weed out those you wouldn’t find as enjoyable. After he’d looked through the the titles and a synopsis or two, he looked back at her.
“You seem to be lacking books in the epic adventure department. Does Equestria have them at all, or are you just not fond of them?”
“I think there might be a few, but Equestrian writers don’t usually write about it. I don’t even think our small library has a book like the one you are thinking of.”
“Oh my poor dear little pony, I shall have to fix this post-haste. Do you have time to come by my house for awhile?”
“Um... Yes, I do have some free time today.” She responded after she thought about it for a moment.
“Well let’s go, I’ve got... lots of books you will either love or hate.” Jesse lead the way to his house, not saying anything so he wouldn’t spoil the surprise.
When they arrived, Jesse unlocked his door and went to his bedroom, motioning for Emerald to follow. She did and was met with a sight that made her smile, because the walls of the room were almost entirely covered in shelves, and most of them were full of books. There was also a full size bed with black sheets, a few maps on the wall, and a computer desk.
“Almost all of these books are from a genre we call ‘fantasy.’ They are generally about a group of friends going on adventures or quests. Monsters are usually slain by the hundreds, awesome weapons are found, neat trinkets are acquired through various means, and the good guys usually win at the end of the day.”
“Your species has a thing for killing, doesn’t it?”
“Eh, you could say that. You could also say that most of them are idiots. Here, let’s see how you like ‘Lord of the Rings.’ It’s light on the details when it comes to killing things and heavy on environmental details. The author, J. R. R. Tolkien basically created the genre of high fantasy.”
Emerald started reading The Lord of the Rings, occasionally stopping to ask Jesse to ask what certain things looked like. He usually told her, but sometimes he’d pull something up on his computer or show her on the map of Middle-Earth he had on his wall. She got to the point where they released Bill and looked up.
“Why would they release that poor pony out into the wild with all of those wolves! You know, come to think of it, he never spoke either. Why wouldn’t he?”
“Because he has a chance to outrun the wolves and make it home, but he has little chance in Moria. In fact, he’s better off this way, though I won’t spoil it for you. As for why he hasn’t spoken, it’s because ponies in our world can’t speak. Well, at least not any languages that we know of.”
“So how big was this ‘Moria’ place anyway?”
“It’s utterly massive. There’s a chasm there that you could probably drop your biggest city in, though you might have to flatten it.”
“How deep is it?”
“That’s the question,” He replied with a chuckle, “No one really knows, but it basically goes to the center of the world.”
“I can’t picture how far that is,” She said with a confused expression.
“No one can, except maybe Tolkien, but he’s been dead for years. Any other questions?”
“Ahhh, that’s sad. Well, do you have any books that doesn’t involve violence?”
“Let’s see... nope. There are books in my world without violence, and I may have a few around here that I can’t remember at the moment.”
“Well, I guess that’s fine, there may be some ponies that would like to read this, but it’s just too violent for me.” The mare shuddered slightly at the thought.
“Hey Emerald, you happen to be able to make copies of things?” He asked, out of the blue.
“I think so, I haven’t tried. Why do you want to know?” She wondered why his antics surprised her, after being around him for several days, she thought she'd be used to it by now.
“Well, I saw a library in town, and as a librarian, I was thinking that you could add these books to a special corner. I did tell you I was a librarian, right?”
She tilted her head slightly. “You are a librarian? I’m having trouble seeing that...”
Jesse chuckled. “Most people do, though I run a tight ship in my library and everything stays in order.”
“Well, I’m not sure, what do you want me to try it on first?”
Jesse looked around his room, and picked up an ink pen from his desk. “How about this?”
She nodded and concentrated on the pen, which floated out of his grasp. A few minutes later a flash of light and a popping noise heralded the arrival of a second pen.
“That looks like a result, how are you feeling?” Jesse asked her.
“It wasn’t that bad, though I doubt I could do too many more today.”
“Don’t worry about it, we’ll enlist help if it's needed.”
She looked at a few more of the books he had, and studied the map on the walls for the next hour or so. When she looked like she had finished, he spoke up.
“Can you bake, and have you ever had a Mississippi Mud Cake?”
“Well, I can bake some, but what’s a Mississippi Mud Cake?”
“You’ll see,” He replied with a grin, for some reason that made her uneasy.
The next half-hour burned by as they made the bottom layer of the cake, which was basically brownies, and mixed the icing together. The icing was a recipe he had gotten from his mom, and was absolutely delicious. They waited until the bottom was done and put it all together. The cake now had the bottom layer of cake, a middle layer of caramel, a personal twist of his, and the home-made icing to top it off. Jesse took the bowl they used and held the two mixer prongs out to her.
“Here, try out the icing,” He was already scooping what was left in the bowl with a large spoon, which had ‘U.S.’ on the handle. She gave it a tentative lick, and then her eyes shot open. She preceded to greedily lick both of them clean until they were gone, all the while Jesse was chuckling.
“What’s so funny?”
“You’re jittery, you look like you’ve got a gallon of adrenaline in your system, and it’s absolutely hilarious.”
“I am not!” She yelled.
“Then why have suddenly started to bounce? Your tail is also twitching.”
“It is...” She looked down, then at her tail, “Okay, it is, but that doesn’t mean you can laugh at me!”
“Oh come on, you look completely ridiculous, you have to laugh at yourself sometimes!”
“Forget it! And what all was in that thing?!”
“You fixed it with me, did you not look at what you were making?”
“No!” She barked, as started slowly moving to the side from the vibrations in her legs.
“You have a low sugar tolerance, don’t you?”
“Yes!”
“Ah, well that icing has a little more than a pound of powdered sugar in it.” Her eyes shot open even further at this.
“Then why isn’t it affecting you?”
“Because I’ve been eating it for years.”
“How are you still alive? Too much of this could kill a pony!”
“Extremely high sugar tolerance, and I think you’re overreacting a little bit,” He said with a smirk.
“I’m not overreacting!”
“If you say so. Okay, just go lay down on the couch and wait for it to go through your system.”
An hour or so later Emerald had finally managed to calm down enough so that she could actually walk without hopping, they decided to go visit Steel Crescent. Before they left, Jesse put some of the cake in two small containers. Walking towards Steel's, with the occasional bounce from Emerald, they arrived at the forge in good time. Steel was working when they arrived, and they waited until he finished the candlestick he was making before greeting him.
“Evenin Steel,” Jesse told him.
“Good afternoon Steel,” Emerald
“Hello, how have you been so far?” Steel replied as he set his tools down.
“Not much, just showing Emerald my books and letting her taste some of the best cake ever.”
“Well... The icing tasted good... It’s just too much sugar for me.”
“How much sugar does it have?” Steel asked, his face expressing a slight amount of curiosity.
“Here, have a bite,” Jesse said has he popped the lid off one of the containers and held it to him. Steel took a tentative bite, then his eyes went wide.
“Holy... So how much sugar is in this?”
“I told you it was too sugary,” Emerald told him.
“Ah, not too much. About a pound of sugar in the cake part, and about a pound of powdered sugar in the icing. I’m not sure exactly how much is in the caramel, but I’ll assume it’s about as much as the other two.”
“That’s... Insane. How can you eat this?”
“Well, I guess sugar doesn’t affect me like it does you. So... How’d you like it?”
“Well, it tasted good, just way too rich for my old taste buds.“
“Oh well, more for me then, which suits me fine seeing as I love this stuff.”
“Anyway, I’m going to get out of your mane and go check on Frostfire, see you later Steel. Are you coming Jesse?” Emerald asked.
“I’ll have to pass, though give her a piece of this to see how she likes it,” Jesse said as he set the other box on her back. “I’ll see you both later,” and with a wave walked back towards his house.
“See you next time Jesse,” Steel called after him,“ I’ll see you next time too, Emerald.”
“Okay, bye.” Emerald walked out of the shop and Steel got back to work.
A short walk later and Emerald was underneath Frostfire’s cloudhouse. She looked around for a way up, or at least a way to signal her, but found nothing. She gave a quiet sigh before yelling.
“Hey Frostfire! Want to come down and talk for awhile?” She waited for a response, and not hearing any, tried again. “Frostfire! Are you here?”
“Yeah, I’m here,” Frostfire said as she came out the front door and glided down to Emerald.
“Oh my, did you sleep well last night?” Frostfire really did look terrible; her mane and tail looked like they hadn’t seen a brush in years, and her eyes seemed dull.
“No, couldn’t get to sleep, and when I did, my dreams were... weird.”
“Is there something you want to talk about?”
“Not really...”
“Well, me and Jesse baked a cake, want a piece?”
“No.”
“Oh come on, he really wanted you to try it.” That might have been a bit of a lie, but it would probably do the job.
“Really?”
“Yeah, though I should warn you it has lots of sugar.” She took the container off of her back and set it next to Frostfire.
“Fine... But only because it’s chocolate.” She took a large bite, and had to stop herself from devouring the rest as fast as she could. “That was great!”
“How can you eat that? I only ate some of the icing and I was bouncing off the walls for over an hour!”
“You? Bouncing off the walls? I wish I could have seen that!"
"I bet you would! Jesse was practically rolling on the floor! But what's got you down lately? The cake perked you up, but you looked terrible before."
"I told you, just a bad night's sleep."
"If there's something wrong, you can tell me."
“It's nothing...”
“You can tell me.”
“No.”
“Is it anything to do with Jesse?” At this, Frostfire blushe slightly. It wouldn’t have shown on most ponies, but Frostfire’s white coat betrayed her this time.
“No...”
“You blushed.”
“Because I’m angry with him.”
“Why is that?”
“Because he’s a jerk.”
“I don’t think that’s reason, but I’ll leave you alone if that’s something you don’t want to talk about.”
“Yeah... so how’s your day been?”
“I went over to Jesse’s and looked over some of his books, then we made the cake. After I settled down we went and visited Steel for a few minutes. We didn’t stay long since he was working. Jesse went home and I came here.”
“Sounds like fun. I just woke up.”
“How did you wake up this late?”
“Like I said, I didn’t sleep well, and what little sleep I got was plagued with those weird dreams. I’m still feeling kind of tired.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to talk about it?”
“No, you probably wouldn’t understand anyway.”
“If you say so. I guess I’ll get out of your mane then.”
“Okay, see you later Emerald.”
Emerald arrived at her house, pondering what could be wrong with Frostfire. She finally decided she had no idea where to even start, so she decided to ask Steel later. A romance novel lasted till she was ready to go to bed. She normally didn’t read them, but she felt just felt like reading one today.
|
Buckwood
|
1235
| 7 |
Original Character,Human,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Sadly Sings Destiny
|
Emerald tries to copy a spell she saw, to disastrous effects.
|
complete
| 21 | 7 |
<p>Emerald tries to replicate a spell she saw on a visit to Manehattan. Unfortunately for her, it didn't quite go as planned, and she not only ends up with a small house, but a creature from another world. Now all she has to do is find a way to send this "Jesse" back to home.</p><p>Warning: Yes, it's a self-insert Human in Equestria. You have been suitably warned.</p>
|
teen
|
2011-11-13T21:43:29+00:00
|
2013-09-28T09:46:16+00:00
| 1,118 |
Sadly Sings Destiny
Part 7: Guardian of the Blind
By: Jace Arveduin
Emerald woke up early the next day to repack for the next part of the journey. She double-checked to make sure she had everything she wanted, including the little things she had forgotten during their last trip. After that, and eating breakfast, she went out the door to collect the others. She'd first pick up Steel, then Jesse as he was on the way to Frostfire's house. Before long, she'd arrived at Steel's doorstep and was knocking on his door.
“Good morning Ms. Dawn,” Steel said as he opened the door.
“Good morning to you too. Are you ready to go?”
“Yes, and I made sure to pack a bigger hammer this time,” He said, with a nod to the large sledge over his back.
“Is that really necessary?”
“I hope not,” He said with a shrug. “Who are we picking up next?”
“Jesse, so let’s get moving,” She replied as she started walking towards Jesse’s house.
They arrived at Jesse's house some time later. Emerald knocked on the door and waited, Jesse opening the door moments later. He had essentially the same gear as last time, but his assault rifle was replaced with a different rifle that was older and bigger than the last.
“Hello Jesse, ready to leave?” Emerald asked.
“Good morning Jesse, I see you brought a different... weapon this time,” Steel added.
“Morning you two. As for the new gun, it’s called an SKS and packs a bigger punch, even if it doesn’t shoot as fast. Right then, off to pick up Frostfire and then be on our way then?”
“Yeah, let’s go,” Emerald replied as she started walking to Frostfire’s house.
In less than half an hour, they arrived at Frostfire's house, but once there Emerald and Jesse noticed that there was no way for any of them to reach her.
“Shall I get her attention?” Jesse asked.
“Exactly how are you going to do that?” Emerald asked suspiciously.
“Well, I can either yell, or make a bang. I prefer bangs, but that might upset the neighbors,” Jesse said in a matter-of-fact tone
“How would you wake up the neighbors? There isn’t a house for quite a ways,” Emerald replied.
“Something tells me it has to do with that ‘SKS’ he has over his shoulder,” Steel cut in.
“Good man, Steel. All I’d have to do is point at the ground and pull the trigger, then a big bang happens. It’s kind of hard to ignore when it goes off, though it's far from the loudest gun out there,” Jesse said in a light-hearted tone.
“Just yell,” Emerald said, with a rather unamused expression on her face. Jesse shrugged and complied.
“FROSTFIRE!” Jesse barked.
“What?” Came an irritated voice from above.
“Time to go!” Jesse replied, lowering the volume some.
“Fine.... I’ll be right there,” Frostfire replied. After a few minutes, she glided down to them.
“Good morning, Frostfire,” Emerald and Steel told her.
“Morning- ” Jesse started.
“Just shut up.” Frostfire muttered.
“Wow. It's been years since I've managed to piss off a female to the point where I can anger her with one word,” Jesse replied with a chuckle.
“Come on you two, stop flirting and let’s go,” Steel told them. Jesse’s response was laughter, Frostfire instead grumbling something unintelligible.
“Yeah ponies, let's go!” Emerald said as she started walking towards the next ruin.
The trip only took two days to complete, though it seemed much longer than that since most of it was through plains. During the second day, they reached a small forest of willows and maples. They’d been walking through the trees when they came across a large crypt with a pony outside of it, who was standing in front of an imposing iron gate. Well, they at least thought it was a pony. What little they could see of him was white, as he was wearing a silver robe that obscured most of his body and face. He spoke in a deep, gravelly voice when they approached.
“Halt. State your reasons for approaching the Monastery of Thorn.”
The group stopped at this, not sure what to make of the pony. Jesse decided to step forward.
“We’re just a group of friends looking for a way to get me back home.”
“What is it that you seek, and why should I allow you to pass?” The hooded figure replied.
Jesse looked over to Emerald. “You mind explaining?”
Emerald stepped forward to speak, “We are looking for the Time Twister. It’s an ancient artifact that’s rumored to be hidden in some of the old ruins in the area.”
“These are not ruins. This complex is home to many monks,” The hooded figured told her.
“Ponies live in there?” Frostfire asked in confusion.
“Yes. There have been monks in the monastery for centuries,” The hooded figure said, his voice remaining emotionless and monotonous. It was starting to unnerve the ponies.
“So may we enter in search of the artifact?” Emerald asked. The tension mounted as the pony stood there, not saying a word. After what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke.
“You may enter. I will warn you that there are no lights below,” The hooded figure said. The collective group said their thanks and walked through the gate.
The guardian wasn’t joking, as it was pitch-black--there weren’t even any vents included for illumination. The entrance was the only source of light, and even that was gone after a few seconds. Jesse grabbed his flashlight, glad he’d put it on the outside of the bag. After a few seconds of twisting and trying to find the switch, he finally managed to turn it on. The tunnel they were in was made with surgical precision and no decoration, and went down a gentle slope. They eventually entered an atrium that was as featureless as the tunnel, save for more tunnels branching off along the walls. They got to the middle when they heard a voice off to their left.
“Welcome, travellers, it has been long since we’ve had visitors.” Jesse spun around and pointed the light in the general direction of the voice, and found that its source was a pegasus mare. She was small, even smaller than Emerald, with a light brown coat and silvery mane. Her most astounding feature, however, was her pure white, pupilless eyes. The others had jumped at the sound of the voice, and turned to look.
“What happened to your eyes?” Frostfire asked. Emerald and Steel face-hoofed when they heard the question.
“Don’t you have any manners, Frostfire?” Emerald asked in an exasperated tone.
“It is fine. All of the monastery is blind,” The mare replied in her soothing voice.
“Oh, that’s... interesting. My name is Emerald Dawn, and it’s nice to meet you.”
“My name is Valkyrie, and it is a pleasure to meet you,” Valkyrie replied. “So who is the earth pony that has yet to speak, the female pegasus, and this other creature that is unknown to me, though I would think it is male?”
“My name’s Frostfire. How do you know what we are if you can’t see?” She asked.
“Just because I am blind does not mean I cannot perceive my environment. The earth ponies are heavier than others, and make the most noise when walking. That’s how I identified the silent member of your group as such. I know you are a pegasus, because I can hear the rustle of your feathers. I also know Emerald is a unicorn, because I can feel the magic that is idling throughout her body, centered on her horn. I do not, however, know what this last creature is. It does not sound like it has hooves, nor does it seem to walk on four legs. It doesn’t any magic about it either--even earth ponies have trace amounts of magic in them. It does, however, carry a maical object, though the magic in it is unknown to me.”
“Well, that’s certainly one of the more epic things I’ve seen so far. Oh, as for me, I’m what’s called a ‘human’ and was brought here by accident. The name’s Jesse by the way.”
“That is interesting indeed, Ms. Valkyrie. My name is Steel Crescent, and it’s a pleasure to meet you,” The earth pony said with a bow.
“A human. I would like to learn more about you before you leave,” Valkyrie told Jesse, then turned to Steel. “You flatter me, though the bowing was not necessary.”
“Well Valkyrie, we came in search of the Time Twister. Do you know if it’s within the monastery?” Emerald asked.
“Indeed it is, but we can leave that until a later time. Now I must welcome you to our halls and invite you to dinner. Will you accept?” Valkyrie asked the group.
“We would be honored,” Emerald replied. The others didn’t have any qualms with it, and there might be something good to eat.
The blind mare started walking down one of the many corridors that branched off of the atrium, with the group following. The tunnels were still precise and undetailed, but the mare seemed to know where she was going without any sort of indicators and never got close to touching the walls. They approached what appeared to be a natural cave, and there was even a stream passing through it, and stopped in front of a door set in the wall. They had seen several doors like this along the way, and probably had passed even more, but it was hard to tell the difference between them and the walls. Valkyrie stopped in front of it and opened the door.
“Welcome to my humble abode,” she said as she walked across the threshold. The home didn’t appear too different from the cave outside, but it obviously didn’t bother the mare, who had gone towards the kitchen.
“Nice place you got here, though some of the door frames are a bit low for my taste,” Jesse commented as he ducked under the door frame. When he stood up, he could feel his hair brushing against the roof. “Yeah, that’s a bit close though.”
“It is a quaint little place,” Emerald agreed, and then turned to Jesse with a laugh. “That’s what you get for being so tall!”
“Is this natural? If it isn’t, an excellent craftspony made this room,” Steel asked.
“It’s a bit small...” Frostfire said quietly as the group followed Valkyrie.
“It is indeed natural, Steel Crescent, and worry not, Frostfire, the entire complex is stable. Please, have a seat. The food will be finished momentarily,” Valkyrie told them. A few minutes later, she came to the table with a huge platter of steaming mushrooms. “Please help yourselves.”
The ponies didn’t need to be told twice, though Jesse hanged back.
“Well... I hope your not offended if I pass on the shrooms. They never liked me on my planet, and I doubt it’d be much different on this one,” Jesse told Valkyrie. The rest of the group looked at him with puzzled expressions.
“Of course not, I would hate to do anything that may sicken you. Shall I see if I have anything that would suit you?” Valkyrie asked.
“No worries, I’ll just make myself a sandwich. I really do appreciate the effort though,” Jesse told her as he dug through his pack for a jar of peanut butter. They all ate in silence, and offered to help clean up after it was finished.
“Do not worry, an acolyte will come clean this up soon. Before you continue on your quest, I would like a private session with Jesse,” Valkyrie told them.
“Sounds agreeable to me, Ms. Valkyrie, lead the way,” Jesse replied. Emerald nodded their assent, not seeing anything wrong with the request. Frostfire was feeling anxious about it, however. Valkryie lead Jesse to a small room off to the side that appeared to be full of books and shut the door.
“So what’s the point of books if you can’t see? Or are they of a more unconventional nature?” Jesse asked the mare.
“They are written in a way developed by our ancestors, which is one of the few secrets we actively keep. Now then, I have some questions about your kind. What is a human's dietary habit?” Valkyrie asked him while she had one of the books opened.
“We’re omnivorous, though some eat things others won’t.”
"Okay then. How do you reproduce?" She asked, seeming to scribble something into the book.
“Sexually, male with a female. The female is pregnant for 9 months and they both look after the child for a varied amount of time. The time being determined by the mentality of the parents.”
“What is your culture like?”
“Now that’s a big can of worms. It’s probably more varied than you can imagine. We have tribes in some places and very large cities in others. We have tons of religions, which cause more than a few wars, and you could say greed is rampat. The problem with my world is that the powerful people are all corrupt. There is some corruption throughout the ranks, but the wealthiest, and therefore most powerful, have the highest rate of it.”
“Interesting...” She scribbled some more. “And what exactly do you mean by war?”
“Two groups decided that they either don’t like each other, or that one has something the other wants, so they give their citizens weapons, tell them those other guys want to eat their kids, and they proceed to slaughter each other until one wins, surrenders, or a truce is called.”
“Your kind seems to be very violent.”
“That it is, I’m not exactly against violence either, though.”
“The Guardian would have not let you through if he thought you posed a threat,” she told him.
“How advanced is your society?”
“We’ve created machines for everything, though most of it’s associated, whether directly or indirectly, with creating weapons or defenses. We’ve also put people on our moon and put a massive telescope into orbit.”
“You are an advanced society, albeit riddled with problems. Thank you for your cooperation, Jesse. Now, let us go back to the others,” she said as she shut the book and went back into the main room with Jesse in tow.
“I am going to bed. I only have one extra bed and the couch, so you will have to work out your sleeping arrangements among yourselves. Good night,” Valkyrie said as she left the room.
“Well I can’t be assed fighting over the comfortable options, so I’ll just take the floor,” Jesse told the others.
“I’ll let you girls decide where you’re sleeping, then we’ll see where I’ll end up,“ Steel said, deciding Jesse had the right approach.
“I’m taking the couch,” Frostfire announced while flying over to it.
“Well, Steel, you can have the other half of the bed... if you want to, that is,” Emerald said to Steel.
“Sounds fine to me,” Steel replied.
“Now don’t you two go getting ideas,” Jesse said with a cheeky smirk as Steel chuckled and Emerald blushed slightly. “Good night.”
They went and gathered the pillows and blankets and went off to their designated beds. Jesse decided to sleep with his back to the couch, figuring it would probably be just as comfortable as trying to lay down on the stone. After some time the only sounds were the faint sounds of sleep and Frostfire muttering in slumber. Jesse couldn’t hear most of it, but he caught a few words that were probably directed at him, none of which were really polite. He turned around and got to his knees so he could see over the back of the couch.
“Oi, ye, Frostfire. Are you going to keep muttering or what?” Jesse asked as the mare awoke with a jerk.
“What? Can’t you see I’m trying to sleep here?”
“Yeah, I just decided I’d tell you that you were muttering in your sleep. I’ve almost blushed at some of the things you said about me.”
“What!? You’re lying!”
“Shhh. We don’t need to wake the others, now do we? But yeah, calling me a charismatic stallion just may be over the top.” Frostfire started blushing, though it was impossible to see in the dark.
“I didn’t call you that!”
“Okay, fine, maybe you didn’t. So what’s keeping you from sleeping well?”
“Nothing... My brain is just a mess.”
“Can’t relax?”
“Not really...”
“I bet I can fix that. All I need you to do is lay on your stomach.”
“I’m already on my stomach.”
“That’s nice. Now, you’ll feel my hand, but don’t worry.”
“And why shouldn’t I worry?”
“Because, this will relax you! I think...” He shrugged, not that anyone could see it. “It works on dogs.”
“Fine, just get it over with so I can sleep.” Jesse scooted around so he could reach her head. When he could, he crept his hand towards her ear and started scratching behind it.
“Ugh, stop that...” Is as far as she got when he started scratching. “Okay... Don’t stop...” She said lazily as he scratched. It really did feel divine... They eventually both went to sleep, and Jesse was leaned back against the arm of the couch, his hand still occasionally scratching behind her ears. The woke up the next morning to the sound of Steel’s chuckling, while Emerald was blushing slightly, her horn illuminating the room.
“And you told us not to try anything,” Steel said when Jesse stirred.
“What can I say? I’m just too dashingly handsome for my own good. I practically have to swat the ladies off with a club,” Jesse replied with a straight face.
“What?” Frostfire said as she came back to consciousness, then her brain registered what had been said and she started blushing.. “Never!”
“I see you have awoken, so do you care to join me for breakfast?” Valkyrie said as she entered the room, her appearance saving Frostfire from any further embarrassment.
The group readily agreed and followed her into the room. They found a veritable mountain of pancakes on the table this time.
“That looks great,” Jesse said as he resisted digging straight in.
“Well then help yourselves,” She told them. They didn’t waste any time digging into the food, which was even more delicious than they’d thought would be. The next half-hour was spent savoring their meal, everyone expressing their thanks for the delicious food they had been given.
“If you will follow me, I shall now take you to the artifact.” Valkyrie began walking back down the corridors.
The corridors were the same as all the others, smooth and undetailed. They walked for what felt like hours, and Jesse even had pulled his flashlight back out to let Emerald rest. They finally reached a steel door flanked by two more monks, and Valkyrie passed by them without acknowledgement and opened the gate, so the rest of the group followed suit. When they reached the inside, all of their jaws dropped--the room was full of artifacts of all kinds. Valkyrie walked by all of the trinkets until she reached a drawer and pulled out a small velvet bag. She picked it up with her mouth and brought it to Jesse.
“Here is the item you seek. Please keep it from falling into the hooves of those who would abuse it,” Valkyrie told him.
“Thank you. This gift means more to me then any I’ve gotten in a long time. Is there anything I can do to repay you?” Jesse asked her.
“No, we are fine, and your interview yesterday was a wealth of new information we would have never gotten otherwise,” Valkyrie replied.
“Thank you for helping us, Valkyrie, and for the food and bed,” Emerald told her.
“That was one of the best beds I’ve ever slept on, to be honest, so thanks for that,” Steel admitted.
“Yeah, we may have to come back sometime if you don’t care,” Frostfire told the monk.
“You are all welcome, I assume you wish to go home now. Follow me to the exit or back to my home,” Valkyrie said as she started to retrace her steps.
“Well ponies, I think it’s time to go home,” Emerald said to the group.
“Doesn’t bother me at all,” Jesse replied.
“Yeah... I’m starting to miss the sky,” Frostfire added.
With that, Valkyrie lead them back through the tunnels. They stopped after an hour to eat, and there was some chatter between them, but they mainly travelled in silence. It was late when they reached the atrium, and Valkyrie turned to them.
“I am sorry, but I must leave you. A matter of great importance has just come up and I’m needed,” Valkyrie told them.
“See you later. Tell me if you need any help,” Jesse told her.
“It was nice to meet you Valkyrie,” Emerald replied.
“You’re pretty awesome, you should come on over sometime,” Frostfire told her.
“If you ever need a smithy, come find me and I’ll be glad to be of service,” Steel added.
“Thank you,” Valkyrie replied as she walked down a seemingly random hall. The group made a quick camp, for it really was getting late, and decided to start again when they woke.
They ate a quick breakfast and headed towards the exit, wondering what time it was in the meantime. The doors opened with ease and they saw the guardian was still standing there, though he didn’t acknowledge them. They just shrugged and kept walking. After a relatively uneventful trip, they arrived back in town, and Jesse spoke of his plans.
“Well, I’m going to be leaving tomorrow, sometime after noon, so if you want to say goodbye, that will be the time,” He said as he started towards his house with a wave.
That night they all slept peacefully in their own beds... all except one, that is.
|
Buckwood
|
1235
| 8 |
Original Character,Human,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Sadly Sings Destiny
|
Emerald tries to copy a spell she saw, to disastrous effects.
|
complete
| 21 | 7 |
<p>Emerald tries to replicate a spell she saw on a visit to Manehattan. Unfortunately for her, it didn't quite go as planned, and she not only ends up with a small house, but a creature from another world. Now all she has to do is find a way to send this "Jesse" back to home.</p><p>Warning: Yes, it's a self-insert Human in Equestria. You have been suitably warned.</p>
|
teen
|
2012-03-13T07:31:38+00:00
|
2013-10-03T20:20:54+00:00
| 781 |
Sadly Sings Destiny
Chapter 8: And Then There Was Silence
By: Jace Arveduins
Jesse woke up with a crick in his neck, he’d turned over in his sleep or something, either way, his sleep hadn't been as restful as he would have liked. He got up to fix some breakfast, and started muttering about some heretics that needed purging, probably due to the fact he’d ran out of bacon. Checking to see if he had anything else,he came across some of the left over sloppy joes he’d fixed. With a shrug, he nuked it until it wasn’t frozen, then devoured the result. Some thought he was crazy for liking them cold, and he payed about as much attention to them as he did everyone else.
An hour or so later, he heard a knock on his door. He got up and opened it, smiling as he saw the three ponies that had been putting up with him.
“Morning ponies, finally get some rest?”
“Just fine, I was starting to miss my bed.” Emerald told him, barely suppressing a yawn.
“Did these old bones some good!” Steel said with a chuckle.
“Yeah, the ground is nowhere near as comfortable as my clouds.” Frostfire tossed in.
Jesse laughed and looked at them, “Well, guess this is good bye.” He was hit in the gut as Emerald gave him a hug, adopting an expression of suffering, e grumbled as he hugged her back. “Oh fine, just because it’s you.” He shook Steel’s hoof and ruffled Frostfire’s mane after it looked like she wasn’t going to give him a hug.
“Do you have to leave?” Emerald asked him. “Life was starting to become exciting with you around.”
“Afraid so, this world will probably be a better place without such a hateful warmonger running around.” He told her with a smile, but he relented and they sat there for a few minutes, wondering exactly how long he’d really been there.
“Time to get going, I’d advise standing back.” He told them as he gave himself a shake and pulled out the Time Twister. He walked back into his house, leaving them to trot back a small distance. They could see a comforting light coming from the windows, then the house was gone.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two weeks later, Emerald heard a knock on her door late in the evening. Getting up from the little bit of homework she’d been grading, she answered the door, to nopony.
“Hello?” She asked the darkness, not really expecting an answer.
“Well hi there.” A voice from behind her said. She jumped and shrieked, before seeing Jesse standing there with a cocky grin on his face
“I’m going to.... ugh!” She said, settling on glaring at him. She finally broke and gave him a hug.
“Missed me eh?”
“Of course, though I’m not sure why...”
“Because I’m a dashingly handsome bastard.” He said, barely suppressing a chuckle. “Did you really think I’d not use the power to travel between time and space once I had it? It’s like you don’t know me at all!”
“Now that you put it that way... So what have you been doing?”
“Nothing much, I somehow went back before I had to go to work, so I’ve just spent the last week messing around.”
“It’s been two weeks here, so that’s odd.”
Jesse shrugged, “I don’t know how this thing works, I just use it. So how are the others doing?”
“They’re doing fi...”
She didn’t finish the sentence, since there was a small pop and a dark alicorn was standing in the room now. Emerald bowed to Luna as Jesse gave her a nod.
“Evening princess.” He told her, still grinning like an idiot.
The Princess nodded, but was looking at him seriously. “Ms. Dawn, would you mind letting us speak in private?”
Emerald looked confused, but nodded and went to her bedroom.
Turning back to Jesse, Luna sighed. “We can’t have you bouncing back and forth. You may be harmless, but it would set a precedent that could be harmful in the future.”
Jesse nodded while his face took on a more serious tone, he could see where she was coming from, even if he doubted the other ponies would. “Me? Harmless? I’m touched that you think so, but I’m sure we both know I’m far from harmless. Just because I refuse to harm these ponies doesn’t mean I can’t.” He looked her in the eye to make sure she got the point, she had, and saying she wasn’t amused with him would be an understatement in the extreme. “So when do you wish for me to leave?”
“Sometime tomorrow, we’ll give you time to say a final farewell. I take it you remember my offer to stay as a pony?” Jesse nodded. “Well, if you decide to take us up on our offer of citizenship, just spend tomorrow night here. Fare thee well, child of Earth.” And with that, there was another small pop and she disappeared.
Jesse raised his voice so Emerald would here him. “You can come out now.”
“What was all of that about?” She asked, the curiosity written across her features.
“Not too much, I’ve just got a bit of a decision to make. Go home and never return, or stay and become a pony.”
“Why would she do that? You’ve done nothing wrong!” She said, going from curious to confused.
“Simple, if she lets me stay, then they’ll have to fight an uphill battle to get rid of any bad things that come along. Just because you ponies like me, doesn’t mean all of them will. Since they have no precedent for this, they’re being cautious. I really don’t blame them, they’re doing their jobs as rulers well.”
“I don’t like it, but if you seem to understand, I guess it’s fine.” She said with a snort, still not liking that they were telling a friend he couldn’t come back.
“Think of it this way, what if they let, let’s say a cockatrice, live in a town because he was nice. If they let that happen, they’d have to let any cockatrice that wanted to live in a town stay. If they started letting only a few in, they’d be criticized for playing favorites. Not only that, but some of them may just be using the guise of being nice to allow them to get inside the town before starting a disaster. Does that help?”
“I’m pretty sure I understood it to begin with Jesse...” Her face had changed to annoyance.
“See? I’ve already made you realize that me sticking around would just cause you to wish I’d be elsewhere.” He said, his cocky smile returning. To which she just groaned.
They went to sleep later that night, after talking about books they’d read. Jesse had brought a pack, but left it beside the house while he snuck past her earlier. He then brought it in and gave her the gift he’d brought back; a complete copy of all of Tolkien’s work. She’d given him a hug, and he was sure she’d stayed up later than him reading.
Jesse woke up the next morning to something that smelled delicious. Following his nose, he found Emerald making pancakes.
“Those smell absolutely lovely, any chance I can have one?”
“The ones on the table are for you silly, did you think I wouldn’t let you eat?”
Jesse chuckled as he sat down. “Of course not, but it’s always polite to ask. Not that you could have ignored my roguish charm.”
He waited till she had sat down with hers before he started to eat. They ate in companionable silence. The pancakes tasted great. He could make them, but cooking was not a refined skill of his. They eventually migrated back to the living room and Jesse slumped onto the couch.
“That was great, I’m almost tempted to stay just for the food!”
Emerald laughed as she got up and walked towards the door. “I’m going to get the other two, I think it’s best if you stay inside, since this is a short visit.” Jesse nodded and twisted so he was laying down, his feet over the end of the couch.
The group returned some time later, and Jesse twisted off of the couch and on to his feet. “Well hello there.”
“I was wondering when you’d be back.” Crescent Steel told him.
“Why didn’t you tell us you’d be back?” Frostfire asked him, she wasn’t quite glaring at him, but it was getting close.
“I see your more perceptive than our friends Steel,” Jesse said with a chuckle, and turned to Frostfire. “I thought you’d have realized I wouldn’t let that kind of power go to waste. Apparently I overestimated your abilities.”
Frostfire went to say something, but Jesse held a hand up. “Do you really want to annoy me when I brought back presents?” He brought a book out of his bag and gave it to Steel, and gave Frostfire a pair of goggles. “That’s a book on metallurgy, not completely comprehensive, but I’ll bet you’ll learn at least a few new tricks. And those goggles are made for very cold conditions, they should help keep your sight clear and your eyes protected in all weather.”
“Well that’s not what I was expecting, but it should be interesting, thanks.” Steel told him as set it on his back.
“Thanks.” Frostfire said, though she seemed slightly unhappy about what the gift was.
Jesse shrugged. “I didn’t have a clue what to get you, but since you fly, I figured a good pair of goggles may eventually come handy.”
“So, Emerald said you had something important to tell us?” Steel cut in, not sure if she would start yelling at Jesse or not.
“Yeah... " Jesse replied, "The Princesses have decided that letting me come and go as I please would set a bad precedent, so they gave me a choice. I can either leave and stay gone, or stay here as a pony.”
Steel sighed. “I think I can see where they are coming from.”
“Just because they are the rulers, doesn’t mean they can do what they please!” Frostfire said vehemently.
“Um, I think that’s the part of the definition of “ruler” Frost.” Jesse told her.
“I still don’t think it’s right.” She muttered.
“You could always do like we did a few hundred years ago, get a group to follow you and create a bloody war for freedom of rulers and set up a democracy. You’d just have to create an army and forcibly march to the thrones of a pair of alicorns of unknown power.” The others just looked at him with their jaws slightly open. “What? I was just telling her how it usually works in my world.”
“Nevermind...” Frostfire grumbled.
“Don’t worry, we’ve got today to go do all kinds of crazy things.” Jesse reassured them with a grin.
They spent the rest of the day just messing around. They played a few Equestrian board games, and Jesse had brought Monopoly as well. After it was all over, he told them to keep the board, since he could get another easily enough. It was getting close to sunset when Jesse decided it was time to leave.
“It’s been a blast, but I should probably be heading off, don’t want Luna to turn me into a pony before I get around to leaving, that would take some explaining once I got back home.”
Emerald gave him a hug, while Steel shook his hand. Frostfire hung back for a few seconds before asking. “Are you sure you want to leave?”
Jesse sighed, he had an idea where this might go, and didn’t much like it. “Yes, I don’t belong here. This is for the best, to be honest.”
“Well then can any of us come with you?” The other two looked rather intrigued by the idea, before he squashed it.
“You’re a horse, albeit a small one. Humans are the only creatures capable of speaking on Earth, so if you came, you’d probably just end up in a science lab being prodded for the rest of your life. And that’s the pretty picture, it can become much more... grotesque.”
She slumped slightly and gave him a quick hug. He waved his final farewell before he slipped the ring on and went towards the woods. When he was sure no one was around, he pulled the Time Twister out and headed home, though not for the last time. While he may not be able to come to Equestria anymore, there were plenty of other worlds and planes of existence to explore.
The End
|
Buckwood
|
1235
| 9 |
Original Character,Human,Adventure,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Sadly Sings Destiny
|
Emerald tries to copy a spell she saw, to disastrous effects.
|
complete
| 21 | 7 |
<p>Emerald tries to replicate a spell she saw on a visit to Manehattan. Unfortunately for her, it didn't quite go as planned, and she not only ends up with a small house, but a creature from another world. Now all she has to do is find a way to send this "Jesse" back to home.</p><p>Warning: Yes, it's a self-insert Human in Equestria. You have been suitably warned.</p>
|
teen
|
2012-03-13T19:57:31+00:00
|
2015-08-19T12:26:05+00:00
| 818 |
This is my ending author notes and such. So as a few of you have noticed, the story and the songs are titled after songs, so I figured I'd link them here. They're all Blind Guardian songs.
Sadly Sings Destiny
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEDXdHVIG88
Otherland
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_ZDaQbH5Hk
Turn the Page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dupfXQo269M
Lost in the Twilight Hall
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyM0zjBgDVw
A Voice in the Dark
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oX0j8q6wbeg
Majesty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdKXiYoorew
By the Gates of Moria
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZunVo1WlWU0
Guardian of the Blind
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xihLJQgkHbo
And Then There Was Silence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8XZgfpLbYI
I'd also like to thank all of you that's helped me. Ponymarine and Foolonthehillz come to mind first, the former helped me realize that some things I write are cringeworthy before the grammar mistakes were taken into account, and the latter is the one that helped fixed those grammar mistakes. There are more that did some pre-reading and such, and I thank you.
Oh, and if you're one of those that actually read the story, I thank you too, for I'm sure there are many better stories out there. Kind of like this Dragonriders of Pern one I'm reading every time it updates.
For those who are looking for more by me, I doubt I'll be writing more, though I may write an epilogue of sorts for this fic.
-Buckwood
|
The-Jefe
|
1236
| 1 |
Big Macintosh,Discord,Main 6,Original Character,Owlowiscious,Philomena,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Spike,Zecora,Dark,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Gore
|
Harmony
|
Harmony must save Equestria once more, but this time it won't be the elements
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>I have observed these creatures, these ponies of Equestria since before they were simple, dumb animals with nothing more than a desire to find good grass. I have seen their "problems." Really, they are just crybabies. The things you humans have gone through would make them cry just reading about it. I can't imagine what would happen if they had even a taste of what has happened to humanity. </p><p>Well actually I can.</p><p>Simple fact: I will be everywhere, at all times very soon.</p><p>Only until very soon, even now if you will, as their problems have increased slightly in severity as of late, but are in no way "tough to deal with." No, their problem will not be solved by waving around a few magical rocks with less power than my pinkie. My collections will become frequent, their wails will be followed by my arrival, War, sickness...anguish, pain , all the good tidbits that keep my poor self busy in many worlds.</p><p>Chaos is coming to Equestria, and so am I.</p>
|
teen
|
2011-11-04T07:24:16+00:00
|
2011-11-04T07:24:16+00:00
| 1,564 |
Celestia was walking in a large grassy meadow near ponyville. She was enjoying the flowers and the many creatures that were bouncing, flying and calmly walking. She had sat down to listen to the birds sing, feeling her sun gently beat down on her neck and back, the wind slightly blowing. For the first time in two thousand years, Celestia could relax.
Then everything changed.
The grass started to die, it turned black and brown around Celestia's hooves. She stepped back in shock, reeling at the sudden change around her.
The Animals began to flee and cry out in pain, their painful squeals of pain filled the air, piercing Celestia's ears. She covered her ears with her hooves trying to block out the terrible noise.
The sky turned blood red, the sun became sickly looking, only giving off a soft red light that seemed to be waning. She could feel the sun’s sadness, its hurt. It was as much alive as she was and very connected.
Shadows began to cover the land. Killing everything they touched. Celestia tried to fly away from the shadows, her wings beating the stale air rapidly, pushing it back and forth, but eventually they reached her. The shadows reached up from the ground and wrapped themselves around her body, effectively chaining her to the ground, and swarmed around her. She could feel the corruption seep in through her mouth, eyes and ears. It crept through her body killing whatever bodily tissue it touched. She could feel it start to rip apart her soul and feast upon it. She screamed.
Then she woke up.
Mortals and their dreams... sometimes I wonder why I even bother looking. Their nightmares are depressing and their fantasies are beyond reason... Then again, so am I.
Celestia woke up screaming, she jumped up form her bed entangling herself in the covers. She thrashed about knocking over a dresser and breaking her mirror. She slowly began to come back to her senses, the sense of panic beginning to go away. She calmly pulled herself out of the mess of bedspreads and broken glass. She frowned at the mess she made, her horn glowed and the mess disappeared. The bed was made, the mirror was fixed and the dresser was in its rightful place. Celestia stood in the dark room for a moment before walking to her balcony window. She stared out into the night, wanting to get a glimpse of Manehattan on such a clear night. Luna really has done a nice job tonight.
Something was off. The lights on the Empire State Building were going out one by one at first, then they started going out in groups until there was a dark shape in the middle of a mass of stars. Celestia felt something in the pit of her stomach, something was wrong. The Empire State Building's lights never went out.
She did not know what her nightmare was, she did not know it was not simply a manifestation of her mind, but a warning, no matter how inconvenient or vague it was.
Celestia started walking backwards, her hooves creating soft clopping sounds as they struck marble, lifting several meters into the air as the sudden rush of wind, and the loud slam of her bedroom door being thrown open. It even scared the life out of me... if any at all. Celestia calmed as her sister started rambling about a letter from the mayor of Manehattan. "...He spoke of screams coming from the Empire State Building, everyone they sent to investigate the sound has not come back and he fears the worst." Luna paused,"I fear we may be under attack sister."
Celestia's calculating mind went to work. "Luna, ready a squadron of Pegasi Guardsponies and send them to Manehattan. Have them report back as fast as they can as to what the situation is."
"Sister... I want to go with them, whatever the threat is, I want to be able to identify it myself." Celestia opened her mouth to say no, but stopped. Luna was no longer a child, she was powerful again, almost standing as tall as Celestia with the same ethereal mane, only filled with stars instead of every color of the sunrise.
"Do what you feel is best Luna, I trust your judgement."
Little did Celestia know that was the smartest thing she had ever said in her 5000 year lifespan.
********
Luna was dressing in her battledress, something she had not done in over 2000 years, in the First Age Of Strife. (But that is a different story for a different time, and requires a History lesson. I hate History lessons.) She levitated the first half of the breastplate up to her chest, then connected the second half from behind, they made a soft clicking noise as the cool blue metal met with its other half. Luna all the while pondering the threat.
Could it be the Griffons again? No, they learned their lesson 2000 years ago. Luna smirked, We kicked their tails back into the mountains in a hurry. Maybe its Aquella? We haven’t heard anything from them in a while. Luna’s eyes went wide, Maybe its the Techno Union! She bit her lower lip at the implication of such a thing. Luna’s thoughts were interrupted by a Royal Guard entering her room. “Princess Luna? 8th Recon is ready to to move at your command.
“Tell them I will be ready to take off in 5 minutes.” The Guard nodded and Luna was alone with her thoughts once again. Its not as if the Techno-Geeks would attack on the opposite side of the Country anyway. Luna lifted her helmet out of its rack, the blue metal held her reflection. What it reflected was a worried princess with the weight of an entire city, no... a Kingdom on her shoulders, but lucky for her, she did not have to do it alone. Luna closed her eyes and using her magic, lifted the helmet onto her head. She opened her eyes, and walked out the door to go save her people.
******
Luna had to slow down in order for the Pegasi to keep up with her, even at half her top speed the Guards were struggling (mind you the 8th Recon was the fastest Guard Pegasi Unit in Equestria) Luna was aware of this but maintained half speed, any slower and she would go insane. Soon enough however, they were at the city limits of Manehattan, the sight was not pretty.
How fortunate for this story that I was already going that way.
There were hundreds of ponies fleeing the city, screaming and crying like animals, trying to run away from an invisible enemy that was striking them down. But the strangest thing happened.
They got back up, however their bodies did not contain the correct souls. I was sweeping those up in my arms, their ghostly, transparent faces looking upon the carnage with sadness as I swept through the city, picking up their loved ones.
Luna was about as shocked as they were, she could not see what was killing her subjects. Her horn glowed as she cast a spell that would lighten the area. What she saw shocked her further.
It wasn’t an enemy in armor, nor did they have weapons, or even tangible bodies. They were shadows, black and misshapen, that were killing ponies. Luna flew further away from them as she realized what they were. No! It can’t be them! They can’t be here! Oh no I have to warn Celestia! And almost as if they could read her thoughts, (I’m still not entirely sure that they couldn't) looked up at her, hundreds of them turned their gaze on Luna. And she ran, she was completely oblivious to what the 8th Recon was doing, they were attempting to help evacuate the populace, but they too fell victim to the shadows. Not that they could have escaped them in the first place.
Luna kept flying away, as fast as she could, but still the Shadows gained on her, not quickly, slowly, but fast enough to where she would be within their grasp in seconds.
Luna being the “athletic” one of the two sisters, pulled an aerial maneuver that Celestia wished she could perform, while at the same time blasting the Shadows with a ball of magical energy, making all but a few of them burst into shreds of darkness that quickly turned into nothing.
Luna flew faster than she has ever before in her life, it took an hour to reach Manehattan at half of her top speed, it took her 10 minutes during this trip.
*****
Celestia had just nestled back into bed, calm with the thought of Luna making sure everything was alright.
“I’m sure Luna will have the issue solved before sunrise.” She closed her eyes and spoke softly, “I am sure of-” and then Luna went straight through the balcony door, sending glass flying in every direction and throwing the pane against the opposite wall.
Poor Celestia, she had just gotten relaxed, and had just learned that her Kingdom was under attack by Chaos.
Celestia stared in disbelief at the panting, wide eyed, panicked Luna, “You are completely sure of this?”
“I am as sure as the Moon raises at Night, and the Stars twinkle in the sky. They were shades, a Chaotic creation, they were killing and possessing in that order.”
“Discord!” Celestia flew out the window and straight into the Garden, only to see the Draconeques still encased in stone with a silly expression stuck on his face.
Luna landed next to Celestia, staring at the statue. "But how? He hasn't released anything, how did Shade's get into our world without him?"
Its simple really, I "planted" the seeds of corruption before those 6 ponies encased me in stone again.
Celestia and Luna both jumped as they heard Discord's mocking voice in their heads. I'm not stupid, I knew that at one point in time or another that Twilight Sparkle would have found a way to "un-corrupt" her silly friends. What is more interesting is how she managed to un-corrupt herself, now that I did not see coming. But I have a feeling you had something to do with it, Celestia.
"You knew you would eventually fail, so you made sure that it was't forever?"
And here I thought you were the smarter of the two Luna, yes I did exactly that, and as soon as those shades reach me, I will be able to escape, and take my revenge. It won't be dancing Buffalos or chocolate rain. I will make sure it rains ACID ON YOU ACCURS-
Celestia and Luna both flew away from the statue before Discord could start his rant.
"Luna, ready the Army, call all reserve battalions in Coltstantinople, ready the defenses of that city, if they cut us off from the ocean we are doomed."
"What are you going to do sister?"
"I am going to call the Bearers, and have them resurrect a friend of ours."
"You mean..."
"Yes, I do."
----------------------------------
Oh this is starting to get so EXCITING don't you think so? I can't wait to tell you the rest of the story. Feedback of any kind is appreciated. You know if anyone actually GETS this far.
|
The-Jefe
|
1236
| 2 |
Big Macintosh,Discord,Main 6,Original Character,Owlowiscious,Philomena,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Spike,Zecora,Dark,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Gore
|
Harmony
|
Harmony must save Equestria once more, but this time it won't be the elements
|
incomplete
| -1 | -1 |
<p>I have observed these creatures, these ponies of Equestria since before they were simple, dumb animals with nothing more than a desire to find good grass. I have seen their "problems." Really, they are just crybabies. The things you humans have gone through would make them cry just reading about it. I can't imagine what would happen if they had even a taste of what has happened to humanity. </p><p>Well actually I can.</p><p>Simple fact: I will be everywhere, at all times very soon.</p><p>Only until very soon, even now if you will, as their problems have increased slightly in severity as of late, but are in no way "tough to deal with." No, their problem will not be solved by waving around a few magical rocks with less power than my pinkie. My collections will become frequent, their wails will be followed by my arrival, War, sickness...anguish, pain , all the good tidbits that keep my poor self busy in many worlds.</p><p>Chaos is coming to Equestria, and so am I.</p>
|
teen
|
2011-11-10T03:25:11+00:00
|
2011-11-10T03:25:11+00:00
| 1,252 |
Twilight was woken abruptly by the sound of Spike belching out a message. She had grown quite accustomed to the sound, and reacted with a calm demeanor. She yawned and climbed out of bed, then giggled at what she saw. The little purple and green, fire breathing lizard hadn't even woken up, and the scroll was perched perilously on his chest, rising and falling with his breathing. She gently lifted the scroll emblazoned with the Royal Seal. Its kind of early for a message princess. I'll read it in the morning. She was about to put the scroll away when she noticed the "Urgent Message" symbol on the binding red ribbon, Twilight opened the the letter and read its contents.
My Faithful Student Twilight Sparkle,
You and your friend's presence is required in Canterlot effective immediately. They have all be sent letters magically and should be reading them, as you read this. There is a great crisis at hand, and I am afraid it involves Chaos once more. Gather what you need for a long journey, you will be leaving almost as soon as you arrive.
P.S. Bring the Elements
Your Mentor and Friend, Princess Celestia.
Twilight began packing her things, namely a brush, parchment , a quill, and of course her pretty little tiara. She floated it in front of her, staring into the representation of her Cutie Mark, the purple gem shined even in the dull light, the gold metal a cool temperature no matter its surroundings. How could chaos break out again without Discord? If my calculations are correct, it will take him another 2000 years to break away from the stone. Twilight wrote a note for Spike, telling him where she was going, and that she would not be back for at least a week. As soon as she put the quill down her entire world disappeared in a flash of white, then darkness filled it for a few seconds.
Twilight's world came exploding back into her vision, replaced with her mentor's study, and 7 more ponies. Her friends, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and the still sleeping Rainbow Dash. (I really don't like her)
"Good, you are all here," she paused. "RAINBOW DASH, WAKE UP NOW." Rainbow Dash shot straight up into the air, or should I say the ceiling, putting a crack in the ancient marble.
Ouch.
She fell back down to the ground, stars floating about her head wildly, her eyes floated about in her head like the gray and yellow Pegasus. She shook herself back to normalcy and took a look around the room, with everyone staring at her she asked; "Hey how did we get to Canterlot?" Celestia rolled her eyes at the not so bright Pegasus, well as long as you are talking about her wits, being every single color of the rainbow and then some makes you rather bright.
"You will need to awaken an old friend of mind using your elements. This particular infestation of Chaos cannot simply be cleansed by a magical rainbow and requires someone of equal power to Luna and I." Celestia stared at the six ponies, as if daring them to ask questions. "You will be escorted by 4 Pegasi guards, one of them being Emerald, Luna's personal Guard. "
"In addition, 2 unicorns will be with you, Corporal Mason, and Captain Mohandas." Twilight's eyes went wide and she smiled with delight.
Mohandas was a friend, the personal guardian of Twilight Sparkle while she lived at the castle, more often than not when Twilight was little, she would find ways to outsmart and escape the old pony, often resulting in elaborate games of hide and sneak which eventually ended up in a tie. When Twilight moved to Ponyville, she promised him that they would have their tiebreaker the next time she visited Canterlot for personal time.
"Princess, can you tell us where we are going?" Celestia was a bit nicer to her student, but it was comparable to a biting wind, than an arctic sea.
"You and your escort will be going to Mount Armonia..." Celestia stop, remembering who she was, and who she was talking to. She might never see most of Twilight's friends... or even Twilight herself ever again, yet she was talking them as if they were soldiers, not friends. " You my faithful student, will be going to Mount Armonia to find the being with the power to help us take on chaos...It is on the border with the Dread Lands." Celestia winced at the look Rainbow Dash was giving her.
"You mean the Dread Lands filled with dangerous creatures twelve times the size of a pony that sometimes cross into Equestrian land? Who can rip apart entire squadrons of Pegasi?" Everyone looked at Rainbow Dash with a shocked look. "What? I have flown near border before, I saw one of those big monsters take out an entire Pegasus Company. It was horrible." She sucked in a breath of air. "It had like 3 heads, one was like a Manticore's, a Dragon, and a Buffalo, and its tail was a freakin snake! It had bat wings and its body wa-"
Rarity interrupted, "OKAY! Rainbow we get it! It looked positively ghastly and did ghastly things." Celestia raised an eyebrow at Rainbow Dash, then gave her the "I approve look."
"You will be leaving shortly, and even though I feel like I have been saying this quite often as of late... The fate of the World is resting on your backs my little ponies. You cannot fail"
Luna spoke up. "If you do, what you saw with Discord would not the half of it, you think it might mean more Buffaloes in tutus and Chocolate rain with Cotton candy clouds," She glanced at Pinkie Pie, she heard the stories about how reluctant the pink party pony was to trap Discord again, "It will be death and destruction, the land will die and will likely stay that way. Not only that but we will become their trophies, the first world to truly fall to Chaos."
"The thought that the Elements alone can save us this time would be ignorant. We are not talking about a single being, there is an entire army of creatures who love Chaos, just like Discord. They have no physical being in this world, and must take control of ponies, by ripping the soul out and replacing it with their own." She looked down to the floor, a solemn expression played across her face. "It is also likely that they would only possess the viable soldiers... a relatively quick way to die compared to what they do to those who are not."
"They... They kill the old ponies and the young ones?"
"I'm afraid so pinkie pie, they torture the ones who cannot fight to death."
"Princess Luna... If you may, can you tell us where they attacked first?" Rarity stared pleadingly at her, hoping it was not Fillydelphia, she had friends in that city, very close ones she could call family."
"No Rarity, they attacked Manehattan." Luna shifted her eyes toward Applejack, her sorrow was apparent, Applejack's Aunt and Uncle Orange lived in Manehattan, they are dead not doubt about it, I carried their souls off before I came here.
"Last time I saw mah relatives... They were tellin me how much they love me, tryin' ta get me to stay with them in Manehattan just a little while longer. But I was so dead set on going back tah Ponyville I didn't think about their feelings... I never even told em I love em." Applejack had tears welling up in her green eyes, she blinked making them fall away towards the red carpet. The salty water made dark red spots appear, and seemed to make a resounding thud as they made contact with the floor, Rarity put a hoof around Applejack's shoulder.
"Princess Celestia..." Twilight looked at Applejack, "do we have a plan to defeat Chaos?"
"Take a note Twilight."
This is why you humans are better at war, you try to make sure no one is listening to your secret plans.
A shade was on the other side of the room, it was lurking in the shadows cast by the tall bookshelves. It hurried into the next set of shadows closet to where Celestia was. It listened to their plan.
"...Take the main jet stream north for 90 miles then you will split off and head due west, it will be the tallest mountain on the border, so you can't miss it. At the top of the mountain there will be a very small entrance, barely large enough for Captain Mohandas to fit through...." that was all the shade needed to hear. It disregarded stealth and shot off towards the door. Luna noticed it and shot off like a rocket, firing a ball of energy at the shade, missing it.... but blowing a huge hole in the wall, and knocking the door way off it hinges. "Luna! what are you doing?!" Luna ignored Celestia and sped into the hole, galloping after the shade. It darted along the red carpet floors, with every five feet behind it a crater, or many craters caused by Luna's excessive power use. The shade tried to outrun Luna by dodging through a window and going down the side of the castle. Luna's horn glowed she began to teleport.
But she was stopped. She opened her eyes only to see she was suspended in a glow of a light yellow levitation spell. "Luna! What are you doing? You are de-"
"SISTER!!! LET ME GO NOW!! IT WILL GET AWAY!" Luna struggled against the magic.
"What will get away?"
"THE SHADE! There was a shade! It heard everything!" Celestia dropped Luna as the panicked words came out of her mouth.
"What have I done..." Celestia dropped to her knees and stared at the window where the shade had surely gone. A forlorn expression was on her face. Then it grew determined. "Our plan is unchanged. You all need to leave now." Celestia spoke out loud to noise of 10 hooves running up to her. "Luna, tell the escort we are leaving now."
"Princess..."
"There is no time at all Twilight, go to the south take off ramp, now."
"But..."
"NOW!"
*******
Heheheh...Oh that Celestia gets sooo upset sometimes. Hurry back little shade, and make sure you bring your friends."
********************
Within an hour the shade was back in Manehattan, the largest city in Equestria had become a nightmare. There was gore all over the streets, bodies of ponies were strung up on poles and buildings, their dull hollow eyes stared blankly at the street or the sky, some of them no longer had eyes. As one got close, they could see that the bodies were not adults that were simply discarded, no.
They were all Foals.
Foals did not have strength, they did not have the power to be soldiers. The whole reason for possession was so that the shades could operate machines and weapons. So that they could fight against soldiers that would not be caught off guard like the citizens of Manehattan were. Foals had no place in an army, and for that they were slaughtered. Most of them had not even found out what their special talent was, most were murdered by their possessed parents, the last things their living eyes had seen were the crazed expressions of their supposed guardians.
The shade slithered past the Carnage, looking at his brothers who had already possessed ponies of their choosing. He was not allowed to take a host until he had gotten information. It may have almost killed him, but it was better than being an intangible ghost. He increased his speed as he neared the Empire State Building, it was covered with a large black chain snaking along it side, from the top of the spire, all the way down to the floor where it was chaining the device let chaos into this world, chained to the ground.
It was a large sort of machine, it had two magical rippers on it, like a hand with 3 fingers that were all very sharp, but intangible nonetheless due to being magical in nature. It worked by driving its claws into the fabric of reality, and ripping it open. Think of a giant tear in the sky, right above the Empire State Building, you could stare right into the depths of the Chaos Realm. Quite terrifying.
The shade collapsed back into the ground and shot up the side of the building, he went halfway up then slid himself into the building though a broken window, and into the corner office that served as the Chaos leader's operations command. The Master Shade had possessed the body of the Mayor of Manehattan, and it was a fitting choice, the mayor was a former Royal Guardspony, a master Unicorn who used to protect Celestia. But no matter how strong he was, he was not strong enough to resist the Master Shade, was now a puppet.
He spoke with a thin raspy voice that seemed scar the air."Soooo litttllle shaaade. Whaaat do you haaave to repoooort?
"They aaare moving the cursed Elements to aaaa Mountaaaaain caalled Aaarmoniaaa. They seemed to waaant to waake someone with immense power."
"Aaaand Whaaat doo they plaan to uuse that power for?"
"To defeaaat our Aaarmy sir."
"Dooo you know whaat route they aaree taaaking litttlleee one?"
"Yes. They will be taaaking a jetstreaaam north until they begin to see a mountaaaaain range."
"Taake a laaance, Iiinterceept theem at that mountaaain raaange....Your hoost is tied uup in the neext rooom."
The shade shot off through the door. There was a wild scream that rent the air, and another soul was left for me to sweep up.
"Sooon Diiscooord, We wiilll releaaase you. Sooon indeed."
**********
Rainbow Dash was bored, like really bored. Mason wasn't letting her out of the carriage to fly, and she had already taken 3 naps.She was sitting at her head and looked over at the unicorn, his eyes halfway closed, staring at her. He was a dark gray color, charcoal if you will, with a completely black mane. He had Maroon eyes and was rather skinny. Rainbow stared back at him, determined to make their little stare-off some sort of competition. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie both observed them. "I bet Mason is going to win"
"Oh I'd rather not take sides. They are both nice ponies."
Rainbow stared at Mason with maroon eyes, intent on winning.
He stared back, his eyes clearly displaying the amount of care he has. None.
Rainbow's eye started watering, and she blinked. Mason smiled and blinked himself.
"I win."
"pffft Who said it was a contest?"
"You didn't have to, but clearly I won."
"Whatever..." Rainbow moved to sit down on her rump, the blood was beginning to run to her head, and it was beginning to feel like a bloated balloon. She stared at the window, longing to fly in the fabled jet stream the most restricted Airway in Equestria, it was a current of air that flowed faster than any other winds in the world, a Pegasus could easily reach Rainboom speeds in it, and here Rainbow was, unable to fly. She imagined the wind rushing past her mane, the vapor cone beginning to form around her hooves and the with a loud bang.
The carriage was hit by something very solid, going very fast. Suddenly the Pegasi Guards pulling the Carriage went into evasive maneuvers. "Mason! I don't care what you say! I am going out there!" A sense of duty permeated about Rainbow, not a want of enjoyment. Mason nodded and opened the carriage door, Rainbow Dash flung herself out, extending her wings, letting the air catch her, and she began to fly.
Rainbow halted herself midair, she observed what was attacking them, lots and lots of Pegasi, with devilish looks and some wielding crude weapons. They were chasing down the Guardsponies, some going after her carriage, a lot more going after Twilight's. Rainbow thought about how helpless Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were and shot off in the direction of the ponies attacking her carriage, hitting them with the force behind her wings, the bulk of them were sent off course. One of the Pegasi guards from her carriage broke off and started fighting midair with two Chaos Ponies.
He was spectacular. He drew his sword in his teeth, doing a combat roll to avoid one of the Chaos ponies while simultaneously striking down at its back, severing its spine and killing it instantly. He barreled into the second one, sending it reeling, he then darted forward and gorged the pony in the chest causing it to fall dead to the ground below.
Rainbow flew next to him. "Nice moves! Whe-"
"Talk AFTER we get away, or kill these things!" he bellowed. Rainbow nodded and charged forward head on into a group of Chaos ponies, knocking some unconscious, a Chaos Pony flew up in her face and swung with his makeshift ax. Rainbow ducked under the blow, she was too quick to kill with weapons. She threw a kick into his chest and knocked him out of the fight as well.
Rainbow looked in the direction of Twilight's carriage while she flew towards the Pegasi Guard who was fighting 7 of the corrupted creatures alone. And saw something purple glowing from the window.
I recognize that spell.. She immediately started flying away from Twilight, making a loop to grab the Guard.
"Now what are you doing?!"
"Saving your tail!"
*****
We are under attack. Of course we are under attack, nothing ever goes right! Twilight shot another bolt of purple magical energy at a group of Chaos Ponies that flew too close, the spell chained across them covering them with purple streaks of electricity, killing all of them.
All Applejack could do was sit in the carriage, she was no good in an aerial fight, seeing as she does not have wings, or a horn. While Rarity was using her light spell to blind the Chaos ponies, usually sending them comically flying headlong into each other, or into the sights of Twilight Sparkle. The Pegasi Guards were doing their best to avoid the Chaos ponies but were beginning to tire and were getting injuries from the few monsters that did get close enough.This isn't going to end well if I don't do something! Twilight racked her brain for anymore combat spells she learned.
Combat spells were indeed taught to Unicorns, but the chances of having to use them were a million to one, so the professors rarely reinforced their study, and never quizzed on it. Twilight had been one of the smart few who did in fact study combat spells. She remembered that she had one, powerful combat spell that was taught to her by Princess Celestia herself. She had once practiced it with Rainbow Dash, seeing if the "Fastest Flyer in Equestria" could fly against it.
She couldn't.
Twilight began firing up the spell, her horn was glowing a bright purple color, the first energy level for spells. She poured even more energy into her horn, a second layer of magic formed across her purple horn. But Chaos was beginning to close in without the Purple Unicorns lightning scaring them away. They began swooping in just as Twilight finished forming the last energy level. And released the spell.
There was a large explosion, akin to the Sonic Rainboom that sent every Chaos Pegasus into the ground, spiraling into the air unconscious, and the ones too close to be affected ran away in fear, fleeing back to Manehattan. Twilight slumped back into her seat, panting. The exertion from the spell had burnt her out.
"Note....to...self...Practice this... spell more... often." And with that Twilight Sparkle passed out.
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pmcollectorboy
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1238
| 1 |
Angel,Big Macintosh,Bon-Bon,Cheerilee,Lyra,Main 6,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Spike,Comedy,Random,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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Twilight Sparkle and Friends and the Incredibly Disastrous Re-enactment Project
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Twilight puts on a show
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cancelled
| 14 | 2 |
<p>Twilight and her friends are given an unusual task by Princess Celestia--to celebrate the one year anniversary of Friendship is Magic by putting on a stage version of My Little Pony The Movie.</p>
|
everyone
|
2011-10-06T05:47:42+00:00
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2011-10-06T05:47:42+00:00
| 1,440 |
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Twilight Sparkle and Friends and the Incredibly Disastrous Re-enactment Project
Rated: G
Themes: Comedy and parody elements
by Mario Rodgers
Author's Note: A short side project to celebrate the anniversary of Friendship is Magic. Extremely random. And as usual, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and its characters are copyrighted by Hasbro.
I Ain't Going To Sound Check!
Rainbow Dash squinted her eyes and stared out into the gloom. Before her stood a microphone and a section of a wooden stage. She reached out with her right front hoof and tapped on the mic a couple times. She then brought her mouth closer to it, and it hummed briefly with feedback before quieting down.
"Is this thing on?" Rainbow Dash said. "Mares and stallions. Fillies and gentlecolts. The story you are about to read today is a horror beyond compare. It is a complete and utter disaster in which, I am ashamed to admit, I took part. To this day, I am still trying to pick up the pieces of what's left of my dignity. I won't sugarcoat it for you. The next few hours will probably be fraught with lost lunches, and many good ponies will probably die. . ."
A pink hoof stretched out from Rainbow Dash's left side and pulled the mic away.
"Of LAUGHTER!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie into the microphone.
"Or at least walk out of the auditorium," Rainbow Dash added. "At any rate, let's get on with the show. Such as it is. . . Oh ponies I've got a headache."
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pmcollectorboy
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1238
| 2 |
Angel,Big Macintosh,Bon-Bon,Cheerilee,Lyra,Main 6,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Spike,Comedy,Random,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Twilight Sparkle and Friends and the Incredibly Disastrous Re-enactment Project
|
Twilight puts on a show
|
cancelled
| 14 | 2 |
<p>Twilight and her friends are given an unusual task by Princess Celestia--to celebrate the one year anniversary of Friendship is Magic by putting on a stage version of My Little Pony The Movie.</p>
|
everyone
|
2011-10-06T05:53:30+00:00
|
2011-10-06T05:53:30+00:00
| 1,163 |
In The Beginning
Twilight Sparkle had her chin resting on her desk, her eyes half-lidded and her hair bedraggled. It was an autumn afternoon, bright and sunny and unusually warm for the time of year. She had spent the better part of an hour trying to think of something to do for herself and Spike, who was busy working the end of his quill pen into a scale at the end of his thumb. The astronomy calendar for the week was bereft of interesting activity. And she didn't really feel like reading any of her books. Discouraged for the lack of ideas, she had simply given up. Twilight Sparkle was finally bored.
"Wow. Is this what we've finally been reduced to? Sheer laziness?" Twilight huffed.
Back in the corner on his basket, Spike shrugged half-heartedly. "I dunno."
Twilight couldn't be bothered to even turn her head to glance in his direction. "I just wish something would happen. Like. . . even a monster attack. Or even the odd random task by Princess. . ."
Spike sat up quickly and heaved. "HUUUUURP!"
In a puff of magic smoke, a letter materialized.
Twilight finally roused herself and wiped away her drool. "Wow. Freaky."
Spike snatched the letter from the air and set to his task of reading, giving his telltale reader's cough first. "Ahem. My dearest most faithful student, Twilight Sparkle. Please gather all your friends before I send my second letter."
Twilight and Spike both blinked once in confusion.
"Odd," Twilight added. "But you heard her. Let's get Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie."
Oh! That's me! Hey I know! Suddenly there was a knock at the door!
Knock knock!
"Now who could that be?" Twilight mused. "One of our friends already?"
Pinkie Pie! That's NOT what happened!
Twilight approached her front door and threw it open and jumped nearly five feet in the air when she spotted nopony on the other side.
Spike raised his right arm and pointed with an index claw. "Now THAT'S freaky."
Twilight did her best to shake the willies from her body and then continued out the door. "Let's just get this over with."
Hee hee hee! Oh that was hilarious!
Twilight and Spike went out into Ponyville, spending about an hour tracking down their friends and bringing them to the library.
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pmcollectorboy
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1238
| 3 |
Angel,Big Macintosh,Bon-Bon,Cheerilee,Lyra,Main 6,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Spike,Comedy,Random,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Twilight Sparkle and Friends and the Incredibly Disastrous Re-enactment Project
|
Twilight puts on a show
|
cancelled
| 14 | 2 |
<p>Twilight and her friends are given an unusual task by Princess Celestia--to celebrate the one year anniversary of Friendship is Magic by putting on a stage version of My Little Pony The Movie.</p>
|
everyone
|
2011-10-06T05:58:32+00:00
|
2011-10-06T05:58:32+00:00
| 2,223 |
In Case of Emergency, Please Break Fourth Wall
"So what's this all about, Twi?" Applejack said as she walked through the front door of Ponyville Library. "I'm missin' some fine applebuckin'."
Twilight shrugged as she closed the door after the last of her friends had entered. Behind her, Pinkie Pie was bouncing up and down more furiously than usual.
"I don't know, Applejack," Twilight finally added. "I just received a letter from Princess Celestia telling me to retrieve all of you before waiting for the second. . ."
Spike doubled over and grabbed his stomach then jumped up in the air and belched. "HUUUURMPH!"
Poof!
"The second letter," Twilight finished. "It's like Princess Celestia is a mind-reader or something."
"Ahem!" started Spike as he read. "My dearest most faithful student, Twilight Sparkle. I have a rather unusual task for you and your friends to complete, and it is important that all of you are here for the package I am sending. But for now, please listen to my words. Hopefully you can learn something from this event. In honor of the upcoming one year anniversary of My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, I would like you and your friends and whomever else you can find as extras to do a stage adaptation of My Little Pony The Movie for Cheerilee's class. I've included a VHS tape, a tape player, a television, and a version of the movie's script. You have five days to put together your play."
Twilight furrowed her brows. "Friendship is Magic? One year anniversary? What in Equestria is Princess Celestia talking about?"
Oh I know! I know I know I know!
Pinkie Pie looked up and started shouting at the ceiling. "Hey! If anypony's going to be breaking the fourth wall around here, it's going to be me!" She then turned to Twilight and gave a really broad grin that seemed to unnerve her, as it seemingly stretched from one side of Pinkie's face to the other. "Well you see, Twilight. It aaaaaaaall started looooooooong ago when Lauren Faust was pitching her idea for her project called Milky Way and the Galaxy Girls. But the big, super mega-corporation Hasbro came at her with their own ideas. . ."
Pinkie Pie then spun her discussion into a somewhat long essay, bringing up various odd topics like the previous "generations", chibi ponies, the "current remake", "internet memes and bronies", the "prototypes" for each of them, and finally the show in question and what made it so popular.
"And that's how Equestria was made!" Pinkie Pie added with finality, looking mighty proud.
And don't forget to visit Equestria Daily!
Pinkie! Shh!
SPROING!
Applejack lifted up her right hoof, placed it on her chin, and then closed her gaping jaw. Turning her head, she saw Twilight had adopted a vacant stare. One hair in her mane was out of place, and the pupils of Twilight's eyes were shrunken and a little bit off-centered.
"Okay!" Twilight finally added, her volume increasing and her tone shaky and frantic. "Thanks for that, Pinkie! That was. . . uh, informative! Yes! Informative!"
"So now what?" Applejack asked, glancing back at Pinkie Pie.
Twilight shook her head. "I guess we're supposed to be waiting for some kind of. . ."
Spike doubled over again. "MOTHER OF. . .!"
He promptly belched out several objects of various sizes and collapsed on the ground.
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pmcollectorboy
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1238
| 4 |
Angel,Big Macintosh,Bon-Bon,Cheerilee,Lyra,Main 6,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Spike,Comedy,Random,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
|
Twilight Sparkle and Friends and the Incredibly Disastrous Re-enactment Project
|
Twilight puts on a show
|
cancelled
| 14 | 2 |
<p>Twilight and her friends are given an unusual task by Princess Celestia--to celebrate the one year anniversary of Friendship is Magic by putting on a stage version of My Little Pony The Movie.</p>
|
everyone
|
2011-10-06T15:14:19+00:00
|
2011-10-06T15:14:19+00:00
| 1,453 |
The Wonders of Another Universe(AKA The Stupid! It Burns!)
Twilight Sparkle stared at the strange contraptions before her, unsure of what to make of them. One seemed to be a box with a glass front and several buttons. Another one had a slot for some reason or another. All her other friends were equally as confounded, staring at the objects with mouths agape, but Pinkie Pie, without missing a beat, picked up the package, tore it open, slid the object inside into the box with the slot and pressed some buttons.
Pinkie. How are they watching a television without electricity?
Hey! We're My Little Pony! I ain't gotta explain. . .
"Shh! The show is starting!" Pinkie Pie said, shushing the ceiling.
As the ponies watched the box with the glass front, it took a while for the idea to register with most, save for Pinkie Pie, that they were watching a show, a show made of moving images. The show went through several advertisments and a disclaimer of sorts. Then the main show started up with a chipper song.
"My Little Pony! My Little Pony!" the show sang.
"Oh my!" Rarity squawked.
"Heavens to Betsy!" exclaimed Applejack.
"I think I'm going to be sick," muttered Rainbow Dash.
Twilight watched intently, hoping to learn as much of the movie as possible, eager to do a good job for Princess Celestia. As she watched, she levitated the script and flipped through it, dividing her attention between it and the movie.
"Who in the hay is Danny De Vito?" Twilight asked. A name in the script then caught her attention. "Cathy Cavadini? Why does that name sound familiar?"
Oh! I know! Twilight! You know her from being a voice actor for. . .
POMF! TUMBLE! CLANG! THUD!
Fillies and gentlecolts, I apologize for my friend's rude behavior. There will be no more distractions.
The show wove its theme song through various scenes. Pinkie Pie watched intently, humming along to the theme song. Rarity smiled and rubbed the back of her neck as a bead of sweat pooled on her forehead. She seemed to wobble back and forth between being mildy embarrassed and somewhat entertained. Applejack merely stuck out her tongue. Rainbow Dash looked physically ill.
Spike frowned and pointed at a particular scene. "Is that supposed to be me? Why do I look so. . . weird? Why do I SOUND weird?"
The rest of the show played on in relative peace, with most of the rude comments coming from Rainbow Dash. After the show ended, Twilight ejected the "tape" and flipped through the script.
"Wow. That was. . . somethin'," Applejack muttered vacantly.
"We're supposed to make a stage version out of THAT?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, her face still pulled into a grimace.
"Oh I don't think it was all THAT bad," Rarity added, although her half-sideways smile suggested she was uncertain of her feelings.
"That's what Princess Celestia asked of us, Rainbow Dash," Twilight said, never taking her eyes off the script. "I guess we'd better start by building a stage out somewhere." Twilight looked up. "Rarity. Do you still have that stage you used for the fashion show?"
Rarity shook her head. "I'm afraid I dismantled the thing, and it didn't seem big enough for a full blown play."
"Oh. Well then I guess we'll just have to build a stage from scratch."
Applejack stepped forward and puffed out her chest with pride. "I'm the pony for that job!" She then tapped her right front hoof to her chin and looked up in thought. "Although I may have to call in a favor from my handypony cousin for help."
Rainbow Dash glanced from the "tape" and then back to Twilight. "Hey shouldn't we pen our own version of the script before we do this thing?"
Twilight shook her head. "No time. We're doing this thing on the fly, but I'll make a list of whom I think should be cast as which character."
Rainbow Dash still looked queasy about the whole idea, but Applejack placed a strong hoof on her shoulder.
"Come on, everypony. Let's get this thing started and put on a good show!" Applejack exclaimed with pride.
As all her friends departed, Twilight slumped to the ground, the odd nature of the task and the weight of her responsibilities finally catching up with her. "What have I gotten myself into?"
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pmcollectorboy
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1238
| 5 |
Angel,Big Macintosh,Bon-Bon,Cheerilee,Lyra,Main 6,Princess Celestia,Princess Luna,Spike,Comedy,Random,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
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Twilight Sparkle and Friends and the Incredibly Disastrous Re-enactment Project
|
Twilight puts on a show
|
cancelled
| 14 | 2 |
<p>Twilight and her friends are given an unusual task by Princess Celestia--to celebrate the one year anniversary of Friendship is Magic by putting on a stage version of My Little Pony The Movie.</p>
|
everyone
|
2011-10-09T04:33:52+00:00
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2011-10-09T04:33:52+00:00
| 1,124 |
The Gathering Storm
When Twilight finally had gotten around to heading outside to meet up with her friends, she had been studying the first couple scenes, getting ideas for character roles and task assignments. Even as she walked outside, she levitated the script in front of her, glancing back and forth between reading the script and watching her path. She studied and studied until she couldn't take it anymore.
"Ugh. Spike," Twilight said as she glanced over at the baby dragon on her back. "This script is all over the place. The pacing, the structure, it's all terrible. What am I supposed to make of this mess?"
"Well think of it this way. The movie was obviously loved by some back when it was made. If you play to a big enough crowd, odds are that at least one or two ponies might love it. Plus you're only playing to children. Just relax."
"I wish I could, Spike, but this is a task given to us by Princess Celestia. I want to make sure that everything is perfect!"
Spike sighed and shrugged his shoulders in defeat. He had lost track of how many times he had to lecture Twilight on perfectionism. With a project as big as a play, he expected a few ponies to go crazy before everything was said and done.
Twilight wound her way through town and found herself near the town square pavilion. Applejack and her cousin were building a stage nearby and had already had it half completed. Rarity was there as well, preparing some of her fabric and a couple dresses. She had a couple of her bolts of fabric and some racks out. Twilight smiled as she approached Applejack.
"That looks great, Applejack. Keep up the good work."
"Thanks, Twi!" Applejack exclaimed with a triumphant wave.
Twilight then headed over to where Rarity was hard at work sorting through her wares. Twilight sadly shook her head. "We won't be needing any dresses for the play, but I'll probably have you make up some costumes if need be."
Rarity had been rifling through her dresses and accessories hanging up on her rack, shoving them this way and that with her muzzle, and she hadn't seen Twilight approach her until Twilight opened her mouth to speak. Rarity pushed her face all the way through the rack of dress to glare at Twilight on the other side. The corners of her mouth were down-turned.
"Twilight," Rarity pouted. "Are you saying we're going to put on a play and we can't look fabulous at all?"
Twilight shook her head. "None of the characters in the movie wore any dresses, so that's the way it's going to be. This is my play and my vision."
Rarity reeled in abject horror, and she could do nothing but gawk with her mouth agape like a flap from a torn window drape. Twilight however, naively oblivious, walked away and headed towards Fluttershy. The yellow pegasus animal-lover was cowering underneath a nearby tree.
"Hey there, Fluttershy," Twilight greeted. "Why do you look so scared?"
Fluttershy almost looked like she was trying to pull her head into her shoulders, and she stared meekly out from underneath her twin bangs. "Um. . . Well, Twilight. I'm not so sure about being in this play. I'm afraid I might get stage fright."
Twilight cocked her head closer to Fluttershy. "What was that?"
"I'm afraid I might get stage fright."
Twilight inched even closer. "You might get. . .?"
"STAGE FRIGHT!" Fluttershy exclaimed.
Twilight patted Fluttershy on the shoulder and smiled. "Oh don't be silly, Fluttershy. You were a model. Remember?"
"I never had to memorize any lines, then."
A thought then seemed to cross Twilight's mind, and her expression lifted with the pride she felt. "Oh! And I've got the perfect role for you! You will be Lofty! It's great! My first casting decision! Yay!" Twilight's height nearly doubled, and she clapped her two front hooves together in exuberance.
Fluttershy, however, uttered her famous "eep" on a register so high that Twilight never heard it. She gasped out the words that were forming in her throat. "Lofty? But Lofty is. . ."
"Well that settles that," Twilight exclaimed with certainty and trotted away, unknowingly leaving Fluttershy to stew in misery.
Twilight then found Pinkie Pie, fallen face first into a large box of metallic junk and wires. Pinkie Pie was rummaging around, as was evident by the shifting sounds of metal clanks.
Twilight raised an eyebrow and cautiously approached, barely dodging a flying whachamacallit that was ejected from the box. "Do you need help, Pinkie?"
"I know it's in here somewhere," Pinkie called, her voice muffled by the depths of the box.
"What are you looking for?"
"Ah ha!" came a triumphant shout. Pinkie emerged from the box and pulled out one of the strangest contraptions Twilight had ever seen. Pinkie held it high over her head like a trophy. "I have the power!"
"Wha. . . What IS that thing?" Twilight said.
The thing that Pinkie held seemed to be an oddly shaped metal cylinder of sorts with multiple light bulbs and colored filters and spinning parts and metal arms aplenty.
Pinkie Pie turned it over and over in her front hooves, looking at it from all sides. "I haven't found a good name for it yet. But this baby will give you the BIGGEST lights display you've ever seen! The lights will be all like ZOOM! KER-POW! Swirl swirl swirl! Flash flash flash! Zimmity zimmity zow!" Pinkie Pie then looked up and saw Twilight in a state of what could be described as "shell-shocked". Pinkie half grinned. "But you know. Something like that. I just hope this thing still has batteries."
Twilight had to struggle to find the words in her throat. "That sounds terrifying, Pinkie Pie. And too distracting. We will keep the lights simple. Sorry, Pinkie Pie."
"Aww," said Pinkie, crestfallen. She immediately tossed the strange object back in the box.
"By the way, I haven't thought of a good role for you yet, but. . ." Twilight glanced over her shoulder then back at Pinkie Pie. "It looks like Applejack and her cousin have finished the stage, so we'll all head on over there and go through first orders of business."
As Twilight walked away from Pinkie Pie and headed over to the stage that Applejack had built, Spike released a persistent and extremely accented cough. Twilight looked over her shoulder at the baby dragon.
"Trouble, Spike?" Twilight asked.
"Well. . ." Spike repeatedly tapped the ends of his two index claws together. "I know you're in charge of a big production and everything, and I'm sure you're going to do a good job and all, but. . . Don't you think you're being a little too. . .?"
Twilight raised an eyebrow. "Focused?"
"Pushy?" Spike finished before slinking his head into his shoulders.
Twilight scoffed. "Nonsense, Spike. I have a clear vision of how the play is going to run, and I'm the only pony organized enough to get the job done."
"But don't you think you should. . .?"
"You want this play to be a success?"
Spike swallowed and looked away. "Well yes, but. . ."
"Well then you should trust me. Anyway, we're here, so quiet down a bit."
"Hmmph." In a huff, Spike hopped off Twilight's back.
Twilight approached the stage and looked around at her friends. Fluttershy was tracing circles in the dirt in a corner. Rainbow Dash was lounging up against a cross piece. Applejack was putting away her tools. Pinkie was dragging over her box of lights and hardware. Rarity was fussing over sashes. Twilight smiled, hopped up on the stage, and put on the tone in her voice she had adopted when she was trying to deliver her speech at Applejack's award ceremony.
"Thank you so much, my friends, for helping me with this wonderful opportunity," Twilight said, her chest puffed out in pride. "I am sure if we all work hard and work together as a team, we will have a perfect performance. But now let's get down to the first orders of business."
Twilight looked around again and frowned. Something seemed off to her, somehow. She couldn't shake the feeling that what was available to her at present was extremely sparse.
She turned to Fluttershy. "Fluttershy. This movie has a bunch of animals, and the opening scene has a couple squirrels. Do you think you could get some of your animal friends over here to help us out?"
Fluttershy kept tracing circles in the dirt and never looked up. "Um. . . Well, sure, Twilight. I could try to see how they feel about it. But remember, they're only woodland creatures."
"I understand. Thank you, Fluttershy. And we might also need music. In fact we need a LOT of music, so if you could also invite some of your song birds, I'd greatly appreciate it."
Fluttershy nodded and flew off.
Twilight then turned to the rest of her friends. They were all doing their own things, and to Twilight's eyes, looking decidedly unorganized and restless. "We're going to need a lot of work," she said, rubbing her forehead. "Okay. From what I've gathered from the movie, there are two main characters. Spike? There's only one role for you, and that's to be Spike."
"Naturally," Spike exclaimed, sounding very proud.
Twilight then turned her head towards Pinkie Pie. "Hey Pinkie? Would you like to be Lickety Split?"
Pinkie Pie made a dismissive gesture. "Nah. Lickety Split is kind of a big shot. I think Rainbow Dash would make a better Lickety Split," she said as she pointed to the lounging Rainbow.
"But Rainbow Dash is a pega. . ."
Upon hearing Pinkie Pie call her name, Rainbow Dash bolted upright and glanced over at Pinkie Pie then to Twilight. Rainbow's eyes glistened with anticipation.
Twilight threw her front hooves up in defeat. "Fine. Rainbow Dash is Lickety Split."
Rainbow pumped her right front hoof. "YES!"
"Let's practice the first major scene."
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HopeFox
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1240
| 1 |
Pinkie Pie,Rarity,Comedy,Romance,My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,Sex
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Advice from Pinkie Pie
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Rarity seeks advice from her friends before her first time with a stallion. Pinkie Pie helps!
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complete
| 298 | 9 |
<p>Rarity has a new coltfriend, and she couldn't be happier, but she isn't sure what to do if their next date proves more... intimate than the last. She seeks guidance from all of her friends, but the best advice comes from a most unexpected source.</p>
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teen
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2011-10-06T10:44:00+00:00
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2011-10-06T10:44:00+00:00
| 10,872 |
Rarity whipped her tail back and forth in excitement as she read the latest letter from her new coltfriend. Topaz Gleam had just moved to Ponyville from Canterlot, and if that alone hadn't been enough to catch the young fashion designer's attention, this new unicorn stallion was an up-and-coming jeweller, and they had spent long hours discussing the finer points of geology and gem craft over dinner, or on long walks through Ponyville's parks and meadows. He was charming and witty, not to mention handsome and wealthy, and unlike her disastrous date with the Prince, this stallion was actually treating her like a lady, even down to opening doors for her.
In short, Rarity had fallen head over hooves for this new stallion, and each day at work, she found herself distracted with thoughts of their previous date, or their next one. Joyfully, she slit open the envelope of his latest letter with her emerald-encrusted letter opener, and floated the paper in front of her face to read.
Dearest Rarity,
As always, the mere sight of your hornwriting fills me with joy and anticipation. I gladly accept your invitation to dinner at your residence tonight, and am most eager to experience your culinary skills. I look forward to a magical evening.
Your devoted servant,
Topaz Gleam
Rarity sighed blissfully and fell back onto her bed, feeling Opalescence jump onto her legs. "Oh, Opalescence, this is all so wonderful!" she gushed, pouring her heart out to the cat, who could obviously at least sense her happiness. "He's going to let me cook for him! I mean, I'm not a very good cook, but that's not the point! We'll have dinner, and I can show him my latest projects, and then we'll...
"We'll...
"Oh my."
Rarity lurched to her hooves again, re-reading the letter. Opalescence yowled and ran to her basket.
"I look forward to a magical evening."
Rarity read that sentence over and over again, her breath catching in her throat. "Opalescence, I think... I think he's going to want to... to... to have sex."
Opalescence mewed disinterestedly and rolled over in her basket.
Rarity paced around her bedroom, the letter now lying on her dressing table. She spoke out loud to herself as she paced, while Opalescence looked on, her ears perked forward in concern for her little pony.
"What should I do, Opalescence? After all, a lady never offers herself to a stallion before she's married, or at the very least engaged. But on the other hoof, that's really quite an outdated concept, and as a modern mare I should be able to make my own decisions about how I spend my evenings and with whom. But I don't want him to think I'm too forward. Or too frigid! But what will the other mares in town say? On the other hoof, what a mare does in the privacy of her own home is nopony else's business. But on the other... no, I'm running out of hooves! What should I do?"
The cat stared at Rarity blankly, until she trotted over and scratched under her chin with one hoof. "Of course you're right, darling. I should just do whatever makes me happy." She tilted her head to one side and mused on that thought. "But I don't even know what that is! I do love him, and it would be wonderful to make our night complete that way, but... if we waited until we were married, it would be even more special. What if it hurts, the way it does in my books? What if he's not very good?" She stopped dead in her tracks. "What if I'm not very good?"
The thought of embarrassing herself in her first time made her twitch with nerves. For all that she talked about stallions far more than any of her friends did, she had never actually been intimate with one. Her knowledge of matters of the flesh came almost entirely from her collections of novels and magazines, and she was wise enough to know that they probably weren't a very accurate reference.
"There's just so much I don't know, Opalescence," she sighed, throwing herself back down on her bed. "Things that I won't know until after I've done it. How am I going to make a decision when I don't know these things? I can't exactly go asking other ponies for help on this one!"
She stopped, and looked down at her hooves. "Of course I can. I have wonderful friends. I can ask them about anything. Even... that. Sex! I can say the word. Sex. I'm going to talk to my friends about sex, and they're going to give me advice about sex."
Rarity pressed her face against a pillow. "This is going to be the most embarrassing day of my life."
Rarity strode through the streets of Ponyville, looking for her close friends. It was still mid-morning, so she had all day to get this... situation under control. But where to start?
I don't think I can handle talking to Pinkie Pie about this, she thought to herself. This is a serious problem, and I need serious answers.
Well, as much as I hate to pay any credence to rumours, I do hear things about Rainbow Dash. What's that they say about the Weather Patrol? "They work hard, and they play hard"? Even if that's not true, she might be able to help me.
Rarity trotted towards Rainbow Dash's cloud home, watching the sky in case her pegasus friend was out working. There was no sign of Dash in the sky, though, nor was there any answer when she tugged the bell-pull dangling from the cloud. Sighing, she turned away. Rainbow Dash was probably having a nap on some cloud somewhere, and there was really no way she could find her at short notice.
Where next? she asked herself. Who can I trust to give me a straight answer?
"Well, howdy there, Rarity! Fancy seein' you all the way out here!"
Applejack waved and galloped over to Rarity, two baskets full of apples bouncing on her back. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your fine company on my little old farm?" Nearby, Big Macintosh was hauling old timber to use as firewood, while Granny Smith relaxed on the porch in her rocking chair.
Rarity gave Applejack an overly elaborate bow and dip of her horn, in playful mockery of both her friend and herself. "Why, Applejack, you know I would cross the length and breadth of your farm twice over merely to enjoy your charming presence, and hear your dulcet tones." The two friends shared a laugh, then Rarity sobered. "But truth be told, I am in need of advice."
"Advice? What in the world could you be needin' my advice on? I'm glad to help, but unless it's about apples, animal wranglin' or bakin', I don't see as I can help y'all."
Rarity lowered her head, finding it difficult to look her friend in the eye. "Well, it's about... stallions. You see, I have a date with Topaz tonight, and..."
Applejack tilted her head to the side, squinting at Rarity. "Let me get this straight. You are asking me for advice about stallions? You're the one who reads Clothes Horse and Canterpolitan all the time! I can't help you with clothes or makeup... maybe if'n you wanna cook for him I can help ya..."
Rarity shook her head. "Oh, no, it's not that... although a cooking lesson would be much appreciated now that you mention it. No, it's about a... more... intimate matter... physically speaking, that is..."
"Oh, you're talking about sex!" interjected Applejack helpfully, making Rarity blush and stare at her hooves. Alright, maybe I can't do this after all, she thought to herself. Still, the topic's been raised, I can see it through.
"Um... yes. Indeed. I'm not really familiar with the... that is to say, I have yet to... um..."
Applejack laughed softly and nudged Rarity's neck with her head. "Don't get your mane in a knot, sugar-cube. I ain't never 'um'ed or 'ah'ed either, it's no big deal."
Rarity returned the gesture, still blushing. "Oh, thank Celestia. Sometimes I worry that I'm the only vir... maiden left in Ponyville. But really? Never? I would have thought there were plenty of colts out here in the farming country who'd be happy to... assist you."
Applejack pursed her lips thoughtfully, resting her head on one hoof. "Well... there was this one colt, his pa runs a carrot farm a few miles from here. We met at the market one day and hit it off pretty nice, and he used to come around and take me out walkin'. Then one day he stopped showin' up, and the next time I saw him, he started avoidin' me as if he was afraid of me! Now why do you suppose he'd do that?"
There was a loud crack from behind Rarity, and she turned to see Big Macintosh bringing his hooves down on a bundle of thick tree branches, stomping them into kindling. On the porch of the farmhouse, Granny Smith cradled her pitchfork, using her mouth to run a whetstone over the tines to sharpen them to wicked points.
"I'm... sure I can't think of anything that would scare a colt off from seeing you, dear," said Rarity hastily. "So there's been nopony else special in your life?"
Applejack shook her head. "Sorry, Rarity. Wish I could help ya, but the only action I've been gettin' lately is from good ol' Doctor Hooves."
Rarity brightened at that. "Oh, you mean that brown earth pony who lives in the little blue box?"
"Actually, Rarity, that's what we call a 'euphemism' in these here parts? If you take mah meanin'?"
Rarity blushed once more and shuffled her hooves awkwardly. "Oh! Oh, I see. Well, thank you for... sharing, Applejack! I'd best be... going. I still have a lot of questions I need answers to before tonight. But thank you so much!" With that, she retreated back up the road, trying desperately to keep that last image out of her mind.
Rarity trotted back up the slope into Ponyville proper, shaking her head. I don't want to hear about anypony else's sex life ever again, she thought to herself. But if I don't, I might never have one of my own. I'm lucky to have five such close friends, so I should trust their advice.
She spied Sugarcube Corner in the distance, and hastily turned aside. Not Pinkie Pie, though. I can't handle another over-sharing conversation, and I don't think she actually knows anything that could help. That only left Fluttershy and Twilight Sparkle, though, neither of whom Rarity would have picked as the most sexually active ponies in Ponyville. If only Rainbow Dash weren't so hard to track down! Perhaps she's up on a cloud with some fine pegasus stallion right now... alright, I really don't need to think about that.
Rarity looked up to see that her trot had brought her to the door of Ponyville's library, so she shrugged and knocked on the door. Even if Twilight didn't have much experience, she at least trusted her fellow unicorn to treat the subject with the appropriate delicacy.
Twilight was just sitting down to lunch when Spike answered the door. He smiled brightly for an instant when he saw her at the doorstep, then just as quickly turned sullen. "Twilight's in there," he muttered, gesturing with one claw towards the dining table, where Twilight was levitating a large book in front of her while munching on a plate of hay. "I'll be in the kitchen."
Rarity frowned as Spike trudged off, then moved to greet Twilight, nudging her friend's flank gently. "Good day, Twilight. I haven't upset Spike, have I? He's been avoiding me ever since I started dating Topaz."
Twilight looked up and smiled, floating her book over to her lectern and bringing up a second small bale of hay for Rarity. "Rarity, thank you for coming to see me! I've been cooped up in here by myself for too long. And don't worry about Spike, he'll get over it. I hope," she sighed, looking at the kitchen door. "Won't you join me for lunch?"
"I'd love to, dear, thank you so much!" said Rarity as she settled by the table. "I've been running all over Ponyville to get some advice from Rainbow Dash, but I can't find her anywhere. And then I went down to Sweet Apple Acres and back, but Applejack wasn't much help."
Twilight cocked her head thoughtfully. "I haven't seen Rainbow Dash all day either. I think this is her day off, too, so I can't think where she might be. Maybe I can help you, though?"
Rarity smiled awkwardly. "Maybe you can, Twilight. I'm seeing Topaz tonight, and, well... you're a Canterlot mare, you know how the world works. You've... been with a stallion, haven't you?" she asked, hurriedly hiding her blush behind her bale of hay.
Twilight neighed in surprise, dropping her hay back onto her plate. "What? Stallions? Me? Oh... of course I have! I'm not some recluse who spends all her time studying and would rather read a book than go on a date! Not at all!" Her eyes darted from side to side as she lowered her muzzle to her hay again.
Rarity breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh, good. Then maybe you'd be so kind as to share one of your... experiences with me? I know it's a very improper question, but I'm not sure what to expect with Topaz tonight. Could you, perhaps, tell me what it's like?"
Twilight chewed her lower lip nervously, blushing. "Oh. Well, of course! What are friends for, after all? Well, there was one stallion... he was a unicorn, Sir Coppermane, he was actually from one of the noble families back in Canterlot." Twilight closed her eyes and smiled in reminiscence. "Our eyes met across the crowded ballroom at the palace. It was my first dance after my social debut, and I didn't think anypony would pay attention to me, being from a poor family and all, but he had eyes for only me. We danced all night – I was the envy of everypony in the room. Just before the stroke of midnight, we stole away to a balcony overlooking Princess Celestia's private garden..."
Rarity sighed along with Twilight. "Where he pressed you up against the railing with his muscular forelegs and mounted you, his lilac-scented breath hot in your ears? And then you lay together in the garden, and he groomed your mane with his teeth while he told you he loved you?" Rarity chuckled softly and nudged Twilight's nose with her own. "It's alright, Twilight. He's my favourite character too."
Twilight groaned and put one hoof over her eyes. "Oh, you must think I'm pathetic. The other mares at the School always teased me about being a virgin. You wouldn't believe how much attention some students pay to sex and alcohol and everything except studying! I just try not to mention it now, I don't want everypony in Ponyville thinking I'm just that sad, lonely, nerdy virgin filly, like they did in Canterlot."
Rarity shuffled around the table to lean her flank against her friend's. "Oh, Twilight, how could you think such a thing? I can't speak for the rest of Ponyville, but to me you're nothing but a wonderful, brilliant, warm and caring friend, and I know our friends feel the same way. I couldn't care less about your... history, so to speak."
Twilight looked up from the table, a tiny smile on her lips. "Really? It's so nice to hear that, especially from somepony as popular as you, Rarity. I've never felt as accepted as I do with you five. I don't know what I'd do without your friendship."
Rarity laughed. "You'll never need to find out, dear. You know, I do know most of the eligible young stallions around town. If you ever do fancy a date, I could find you a fine young gentlecolt at a moment's notice."
Twilight blushed again, but smiled at her friend. "I appreciate the offer, Rarity, but, well, I actually would rather read a book than go on a date. He would have to be a very special stallion to take me away from my studies."
"I understand, darling. And there's always Sir Coppermane, isn't there? Speaking of which, I didn't expect you'd be a Summer Moonlight fan."
Twilight grinned. "He's a guilty pleasure of mine. I have all of his novels, and he even signed my copy of Everfree Passion when I ran into him in the palace library!"
"Wait, Summer Moonlight is a stallion?" Rarity groaned and backed away from the dining table. "Wonderful. There's a stallion who understands mare sexuality better than I do. Thank you so much for lunch, Twilight dear, but I must press on. Maybe Fluttershy can help me, although I'm not going to hold my breath on that one."
Twilight waved goodbye to her friend, then turned her attention back to her books. She started to lift her latest textbook off the lectern again, then grinned to herself and set it back down again, instead levitating a slim novel from a row of similar-looking volumes and hovering it above the dining table. She took another mouthful of hay and settled in for an afternoon with a very special stallion indeed.
Rarity took several deep breaths to calm herself as she walked up the path to Fluttershy's front door. She felt reluctant to raise the topic with her shy friend, knowing how sensitive she was, but the afternoon was wearing on and she was becoming desperate. She resolved, however, not to press the issue if Fluttershy proved reluctant to discuss it.
She knocked on Fluttershy's front door and waited. A few moments passed without any sound from within, and then she heard a faint shuffling, and Fluttershy peered around the half-opened door. "Oh, Rarity!" she greeted her softly. "I wasn't expecting to see you today. Is everything alright?"
Rarity smiled at her friend, but wondered why she wasn't simply ushering her into her cottage as she usually would. Perhaps she was busy with some animal patients. "Oh, yes, everything's quite alright, I'm just looking for some advice, and I was hoping you could help me. About, um, stallions."
Fluttershy ducked her head, averting her eyes. "Oh, no, I don't think I can help you, Rarity," she whispered. "I've always been very nervous around stallions, you know that. I think Topaz is very sweet, though, and I'm glad he makes you happy. I'm sorry I can't help."
Rarity sighed softly. "It's alright, Fluttershy. It was a bit of a shot in the dark. I won't keep you from your work. I'll see you at the spa next week, if not before!"
As Rarity trotted back down the lane towards Ponyville proper, Fluttershy closed the door behind her with a sigh of relief, and Rainbow Dash looked up at her from her bed. "You know, Fluttershy, we could just tell her."
Fluttershy swallowed nervously. "Oh, no, I couldn't! I wouldn't want anypony looking at us, thinking... things! It would be dreadful, all that attention..."
Rainbow Dash nodded. "Okay. It's up to you, Fluttershy."
Fluttershy fixed her fellow pegasus with a disapproving stare as she trotted back over to the bed. "What was that, pet?"
The cyan pegasus bowed her head and shrank back from Fluttershy as far as the ropes around her fetlocks would allow her. "I mean, it's up to you, Mistress."
"That's better," purred Fluttershy as she slipped the loop of her riding crop around a front hoof. "Now, my little pony... you're going to love me."
"All the ponies in this town are virgins!" fretted Rarity to herself as she hurried back into Ponyville. The sun was on its way towards the western horizon, so she only had a few hours left before her date, and after all this running around, she would definitely need a bath first.
Rainbow Dash must still be tied up somewhere, so whom else could she ask? One of the older mares of her acquaintance would be more likely to have the experience she needed. The Mayor was usually too busy for social calls, though, and even if she could bear the thought of bringing such a question to Princess Celestia's attention, Canterlot was too far away.
Sugarcube Corner came into view again as she made her way through Ponyville's streets. Rarity felt a pang of guilt for being unwilling to trust Pinkie Pie with her dilemma, but after the awkwardness of the day so far, she couldn't see such a conversation doing anything other than making her confusion and nerves worse.
But Sugarcube Corner also had Mrs Cake. Rarity had been to enough parties at Sugarcube Corner to get to know the proprietors fairly well. Cup Cake was patient and always had time to listen to the ponies she felt motherly towards, which seemed to encompass everypony up to and including Princess Celestia. And she had been married to Carrot Cake for as long as Rarity could remember, so she was bound to know enough to help her. She certainly couldn't think of anypony else who was likely to be able to. Rarity pushed open the door of Sugarcube Corner, her heart feeling lighter than it had all day.
"Hi there! Welcome to Sugarcube Corner, your number one place for all things sweet and delicious! How can I... oh, hi Rarity! What'cha lookin' for?"
Rarity forced a smile onto her lips and trotted in to greet Pinkie Pie, her urge to unburden herself to her good friend warring with her urge to shave her mane, swear a vow of chastity and join the Sisters of the Sun nunnery. "Pinkie Pie! How lovely to see you. I was... actually hoping to speak to Mrs Cake. Is she in?" She arched her neck and peered past her friend, trying to see if Cup Cake were in the kitchen.
"Nope!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie, dancing around to stay in Rarity's field of vision. "Mr and Mrs Cake are in Manehattan talking to suppliers, so I'm running the shop today! I'll be closing up soon, though, so if you want anything for your date tonight you'd better get it now!"
Rarity's heart sank. "Actually, I really wanted to talk to Mrs Cake about tonight. If she's not here, I'll... try somepony else, I suppose."
"Ooh! Are you worried about what you're going to cook for him? Because I can definitely help you with that!"
"No, Pinkie, my cooking's not that bad, really..."
"Oh!" Pinkie squeaked, bouncing over the counter. "Are you worried about what music to play for him?"
"No, Pinkie," Rarity replied with a sigh. "Listen, I'm really not in the mood for your guessing games, so..."
"Ooh, ooh, I know! You're worried that he's going to want to stick it in you and you won't know what to do!"
"Pinkie, I'm not... wait, what did you say?" Rarity took two steps backwards and tilted her head, peering at her friend as if she'd grown a second tail.
"You heard me, silly!" exclaimed the earth pony as she hopped forward and stuck her head directly in front of Rarity's. "He's going to be all 'Hey, Rarity, why don't we go to your bedroom and have some fun?', and you'll be all 'Oh, but I mustn't! I couldn't!', but you really do want to, otherwise you wouldn't be here asking me for advice about sex!"
"Pinkie Pie, I'm not asking you for advice about sex!" insisted Rarity, but then she sighed and hung her head. "But I should. You're my friend, and we've been through so much together. I should trust you when you want to help. Can you... help?" she finished, in a small voice. "Please?"
"Can I ever?" Pinkie squealed, bouncing over to the front door and hanging up the "Closed" sign. "I know everything there is to know about stallions! And mares! But Topaz is a stallion, so we'll stick to that for now. Come on!" she urged, nudging Rarity towards the stairs up to the loft.
Stallions? Mares? Pinkie Pie? thought Rarity as they climbed the stairs, moving past the familiar small party room into Pinkie's own bedroom, where she couldn't recall having been before. It occurred to Rarity that Pinkie Pie really didn't have a lot of living space to call her own, not compared to Fluttershy's roomy cottage or Rainbow Dash's home in the sky. Working and living with the Cakes must be confining for her high-spirited friend, no matter how much she loved her work.
"I must admit, Pinkie Pie, that I didn't realise you led such an... active social life." The absurdity of that statement immediately struck Rarity. "I mean, of course you have a lot of friends and throw a lot of parties, but I thought they were all, well... cake and ice cream and balloons sort of affairs."
Pinkie giggled. "Of course not, silly! Those are just the parties I invite you guys to! I wouldn't ask you to come to parties like the one I had last Wednesday, you'd just get embarrassed, and I wouldn't want that, you're my friend!"
Rarity blinked. "You said your party last Wednesday was so you could show your friends some new toys you'd bought."
Pinkie grinned and nodded, bouncing over to an open chest near her bed. She leaned in and pulled out an odd rubbery object, tossing it to Rarity, who caught it with her magic. "How very... intricate," Rarity ventured, regarding the object with a critical eye. "May I ask how this is used?"
Pinkie trotted over to her friend and explained, in detail.
"Really?" said Rarity, slowly. "How... ingenious. And this is something that ponies do? At your... other parties?"
Pinkie Pie nodded rapidly. "Mmhm! You should have seen me at work the next day, I could hardly stand up straight!"
Rarity lowered the toy into the chest gingerly, taking great care not to look at what else it contained. "I think I can get along without any... um... toys, Pinkie Pie. I just want to know what to do, and what to expect."
"Oh, I understand now!" said Pinkie, jumping up onto her bed. "You want to know about positions!"
"Positions?" squeaked Rarity. "Well, I suppose I was just going to... well... just sort of stand there, really. Isn't that how it's done?"
"Mmm mmm mmm mmm, hmm hmm hmm hmm, add a teaspoon of vanilla," sang Pinkie quietly. "Oh, Rarity, you just sit down there and let your Aunt Pinkie explain how it all works."
"And he's going to want me to do... that?"
"He might! Some stallions really like that. Others, not so much. Actually, some don't like it at all. Better wait to see if he asks."
"Is that even legal?"
"Weeell... I asked Princess Celestia about it, and she said that while it was still technically illegal, she didn't care about what I did in the privacy of my own home, but if I taught anypony else how to do it, she'd banish me and throw me in a dungeon in the place I was banished to. So, um, forget I told you about that trick, okie dokie?"
"And that's when Mrs Cake came in, and I had to tell her that we were practising for the Running of the Leaves. He sure did some running once she was gone!"
"... and I never did figure out where he got that royal guard uniform from, but he said I'd been a baaaad Pinkie and he'd haul me off to Canterlot if I didn't do everything he said." Pinkie giggled, sprawling on the bed next to Rarity. "That was a fun night, all right!"
Rarity's expression had oscillated between thoughtful and shocked all throughout the conversation. "This is all very..." Horrifying? "Fascinating, Pinkie Pie. And enlightening. I never dreamed there were so many different... ways of... making love."
Pinkie nodded excitedly. "There are! It's so much fun! So have I been helpful? Have I? Huh?"
Rarity opened her mouth to say No, I never want another stallion to so much as breathe in my presence ever again, but instead found herself agreeing. "You have, Pinkie Pie, and I'm very grateful. I think I can imagine what he'll do now, and I'll know what to do myself. I don't need to be nervous anymore." She sat up and ran a hoof across her mane. "But I still don't know whether I should do it at all."
Pinkie flopped across Rarity's hind legs. "Oh, silly, I can't tell you that!"
Rarity's face grew long. "You can't?"
"Nope! I can just tell you what'll happen if you do. Only you can decide if it's the right time!"
Rarity sighed and threw herself back down on the bed. "How can I decide, Pinkie?"
Pinkie Pie rolled over and nuzzled her friend's shoulder, her face growing serious. "You just have to follow your heart, Rarity. I can tell you that I have a whole lot of fun with all my colt friends and my mare friends, and I can't imagine going without that. But maybe you're more of a one-stallion mare, and that's okay too! If Topaz is the stallion you want to be with, then you should be with him! And you can have sex as early as you want, or you can wait as long as you want. I just know that you'll have a great time when you're both ready!"
Rarity sat up again and hugged her friend. "Oh, Pinkie Pie, you're right. Thank you so much for your advice. No matter what happens tonight, it'll be good for us both. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Oh, Rarity, I don't know what I'd do without me either. That would be weird! Now go get ready for your date, and remember everything I told you!"
Pinkie Pie watched from her window as Rarity cantered off to the Carousel Boutique, and grinned happily. "You have a great time, Rarity!" she said to herself, hoping that she'd given the unicorn enough to work with for one night.
Pinkie woke up with a jolt in the middle of the night when her tail started twitching. Startled, she looked up at the ceiling, expecting one of her lamps to fall, but none of them were lit, so the worst that could happen was a mess to clean up in the morning. She snuggled back under her blankets and closed her eyes, only to open them again as her nose started itching.
"Twitchy tail and itchy nose... oh no! That either means half-price apples in the marketplace, or a friend is heartbroken! I hope it's floppy ears next, and not twitchy front hoof!" She dragged herself out of bed and sat watching her hooves intently.
A few seconds later, her front left hoof began twitching.
"Oh, poor Rarity," she sighed, standing up and running to her chest of toys, rummaging until she found her Laughter necklace. The balloon-shaped pendant fastened itself around her neck as she ran downstairs, throwing things from the shop into her saddlebags. "She's going to need me more than ever after this. I'd better get over there right away."
"Leave me alone!" cried Rarity as Pinkie Pie knocked on the front door of the Carousel Boutique. "I vant to be alone!"
"Rarity, it's me, Pinkie Pie!" she called in response, hammering on the door again. "Please let me in!" She could feel her friend hurting, and hated to be apart from her any longer than she had to be.
There was no response, but the door glowed with a light blue aura and swung open. Pinkie ran through the boutique into Rarity's bedroom, jumping onto her friend's bed.
"Don't look at me!" Rarity shrieked, pulling her fluffy pink dressing gown tightly around her body. Her voice caught in her throat, and her eyes were red from crying. "I'm disgusting, you don't want to see me!"
"Rarity, what happened?" Pinkie asked as she tugged open her saddlebags. "Something went wrong, didn't it? You can tell Aunt Pinkie all about it. Look, I brought ice cream!"
"I don't want ice cream," Rarity mumbled as she levitated a spoon from Pinkie's saddlebags and started tucking into the ice cream. "I want to stay in here forever and never let another stallion see me again."
Pinkie Pie put a hoof on Rarity's shoulder and emptied out the remaining contents of her saddlebags onto the bed. "Did Topaz call you ugly? Is that what happened?"
"YES!" sobbed Rarity, burying her face against Pinkie's neck. "He said I was an old, ugly mule and he wouldn't have sex with me if I were the last mare in Equestria!"
Pinkie looked angry for a brief moment, then suddenly started to giggle. She fell back on the bed and laughed uproariously, rolling around in mirth.
"Why are you laughing?" shrieked Rarity, shaking Pinkie by the shoulders. "How can you possibly laugh when my love life is ruined forever?"
Pinkie Pie wiped away a tear of laughter and grinned up at Rarity. "He couldn't get it up, could he?"
"No, he couldn't!" Rarity cried. "He said I was so ugly he could never find me attractive or sexy, and now nopony will ever want to have sex with me! I'm going to be alone for my whole life and stop laughing!"
"Oh, Rarity," Pinkie gasped as she sat up. "That's the oldest excuse in the book! Some stallions will say anything rather than admit they can't keep up with a mare. You're not ugly, he's just a jerk."
Rarity snuffled into her handkerchief, then looked at Pinkie through red-rimmed eyes. "Really? That's... just something stallions say? And this is something that... happens to stallions a lot?"
Pinkie nodded. "Yep! I had a colt try that on me once, but I just laughed at him! I don't care if a stallion can't perform, there are sooo many other things we can do if he's creative, but blaming it on me just isn't okay!"
Rarity hugged her friend tightly. "So it's not my fault? Thank you, Pinkie Pie, that's just what I needed to know." She sighed heavily. "But my love life is still ruined. My first time having sex was a disaster!"
Pinkie giggled again, digging into the ice cream. "Well, duh! Everypony's first time is a disaster!"
Rarity blinked. "Really? It's not supposed to be a perfect expression of two ponies' love for each other?"
"Nope! Well, maybe it's supposed to be that, but it never is! I remember my first time, he was as clueless as I was. He was all 'Where am I meant to put my hooves?', and I was all 'Is that the right hole? I don't think that's the right hole,' and then I lost my balance and fell over and he fell on top of me, and then his mother came home early and then it got super awkward."
Rarity's sobs dwindled to a quiet snuffle as she listened to Pinkie's story, and she even managed a tiny laugh at the end. "That sounds dreadful, Pinkie Pie! How did you ever manage to try again after that?"
Pinkie grinned. "We laughed about it, Rarity! Sex is ridiculous! Ponies' bodies are just silly, and when you try to put them together it's double silly! Or triple silly. Or quadruple silly, like last Wednesday. Any more than that and it's just too silly to handle. We got better with practice, but when it didn't work, we just laughed it off and tried again another night. Or afternoon. Hey, I know a song about that, do you want to hear it?"
"No singing, Pinkie. I don't think my nerves could handle it. But thank you. I guess I'll just have to find a new stallion to... practise with. One who'll treat me like a lady no matter what his body does." She covered her mouth with one hoof to stifle a giggle. "Or doesn't do."
"That's the spirit, Rarity!" Pinkie laughed, and nudged a few items on Rarity's bed. "Hey, I brought some of my special records – you want to eat ice cream, listen to ridiculous porn and make out?"
"No," mumbled Rarity, shaking her head. She then looked from her friend, to the tub of ice cream, to the small stack of records sitting on her bed.
"Alright, maybe a little bit."
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Discorded Q
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1241
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Alternate Universe,Comedy,Romance,Sad
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Jabbing Point
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Steven Greys' parents have died, and now he must travel across dimensions with his new ones.
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cancelled
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<p>What is music? It's the sound of the soul, Just like a painting is the picture of the soul. How is it possible to control that? What would you do if you had the power to do what ever you wanted through music? What would you do if you lost it?<br /><br />This story follows the tale of Steven Greys. A 16-year-old human boy who has never even heard of the show. <br /><br />Steven has school, between his daily beatings, but with the help of his father, will he finally beat his nemesis? With both his parents dead, how is that possible? Is his father who he says he is? And now with his parents out of his life, who would take him in? And where would they go?<br /><br />And what would you do if you were positioned in [spoiler alert]?<br /><br />PS-> MORE CHARACTERS WILL BE MET LATER ON IN THE STORY.<br /><br />(To the person who wrote "Oh, Octavia", I had this Idea a while ago, but I just want you to know that in no way am I ripping you off.)<br /><br />EDIT: Removed derps in description.</p>
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everyone
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2011-10-18T22:40:03+00:00
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Disclaimer:
I do not own ponies, My Little Pony, My Little Pony: Friendship is magic is owned by Studio B Productions, Hasbro, The Hub, Lauren Faust and anyone else who I forgot to mention, I am super duper ooper sorry for any inconveniences caused.
Also… Everything in this story is falsified. Nothing is true (Mostly regarding the letter he gets in the first part.
Now… ON WITH THE STORY!!!
Part 1:
I have dreams, strange dreams, they're pretty regular, only I've noticed something off about them, whenever I am about to wake up I see one of 3 little horses, playing an instrument. Whether I am walking in a subway, passing a forest, going through a concerto hall, or passing a rave party. Those three horses are there, playing their instruments. There is a green one, a gray one, and a white one, but I never get more then that, I am always waking up.
Steven Greys was a strange 16-year-old; he was lonely, quiet, and the main target for harassment at school. His mother was a doctor, supporting him while his father was away in the army. It had always pained him when his father left the house to go fight, but it had to be done. Steven would always sit away from people to eat, but that would never work. Stacy and his gang of two hooligans would always, ALWAYS find him.
“Look it’s mister lonely!” Called Stacy whilst I was sitting at a table, by myself. I just looked away, I’ve had enough of him already, and it was only the second week back, “What? You to weak to do anything about it?” I stayed silent, but it was true, I was a weakling, a sand wall compared to a brick wall. “Aww, Mister Lonely is lonely!” He walked up to me laughing, “Hey buddy! Whatcha eating?” It wasn’t much, just a vegemite sandwich, and I hadn’t even started it. I stayed quiet. “Hmmp, not answering? Well I know how to find out!” He then grabbed half my sandwich and shoved it in his mouth; he was taking my only lunch. “Mmm! Tastes like vegemite, I think I’ll take the second half as well!” He took the other half and shoved it in, chewing loudly. “MM-mmm, Com-pli-ments to zee chef!” He said in a bad French accent, I was still silent, seconds past, “Hey, bozo! Are you deaf?” He asked mockingly. No I wasn’t, but I wish I were, “I said compliments to the chef!”
“Thnkyu…” I mumbled under my breath.
“What? What was that?” He said cupping his ear.
“Thank you…” I said louder.
“I can’t hear you!!” he sang, earning a chuckle from his gang.
I had enough I stood up from my chair and yelled, “THANK YOU, YOU ASS! LEAVE ME ALONE!” I exploded, but this was different explosion, I felt strange, like I was powered up or something, I had never felt it before, but I couldn’t feel it long because…
“DON’T YELL AT ME!” He then punched me in the gut. I clenched where he hit with my arms, and hunched over, he grabbed my hair, and pulled my face up to look at him, “I was mealy giving my compliments, gees!” He smacked my head down and I fell to the floor and cried in pain, he put one foot on my back and knelt down to me and said, “Or didn’t you make it?” I just shut my eyes, and kept quiet, wishing this to be over, and then the bell rang.
Thank god, saved by the bell.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
School had finished and I caught the bus home, but when I made it home… It… It was just terrible, I saw my mother, she was crying, and holding a yellow letter. I knew what this meant, but I didn’t want to believe it. I walked up to mum and she looked at me, her eyes were puffy and red as if she had been crying for a while, she motioned for me to sit down next to her, she hugged me then she showed me the letter.
Army KIA Notice
Date: Friday, 5th November 2010
Recipient: Doctor Alexandra Jess Greys, PhD
From: Colonel James Sanders, Australian Defense Minister
Subject: Sargent David ‘Shadow’ Greys (KIA)
Dr. Greys, we regret to inform you of the tragedy that occurred at 2000 hours last night.
During an assault against the enemy, your husband, Sargent David Greys was Killed In Action. Our medics did the best they could to revive him, unfortunately he was too gravely wounded, he did not make it. We extend out greatest apology to you and your family; your husband died a great man. His funeral will be held tomorrow at the ANZAC Memorial Cemetery at 1200 hours.
Lest we forget,
Colonel J. Sanders, ADM
‘no… No… NO!!! I thought, DAD NO! NO!!’ I looked at mum and started crying, she held me and we cried together. My father was never to return and she would never see her husband again.
Please come back home dad.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
The next morning was the funeral and my family was there, uncle, aunty, grandpa and grandma all turned up to see the burial of my father. I looked into the hole as my father’s coffin was being lowered; I threw my rose in and wished him safe travels into the after life. My mother stood next to the hole as she grabbed the golden band on her finger and held it in her hand, she grabbed my hand and put it on top of hers, she looked at me and nodded, she swung her hand and dropped the ring into the hole. It landed with a ping. “Until death do us part,” she muttered with a tear trickling down her eye. The priest said a prayer ending with “Amen,” then said, “Lest we forget,” to which everyone replied, “Lest we forget.” When the priest finished his speech a line of soldiers fired off a 21-gun salute.
Lest we forget.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Next was the will reading because my father’s possessions had to be given out. Not a lot of people turned up to the reading, but dad never had much to begin with. My uncle received his watch, “To My brother-in-law Jason, I know you have been eyeing my watch a lot, so I give this to you, keep it clean… It was expensive.” My cousin’s family got lucky, “To my brother, I don’t have much, but I give you and your family $1000 dollars, treat it well, and spend it in good health, and make sure that little Dave gets a share as well. To my best friend, greatest ally, and brother-from-another-mother Daniel, I give you the thing you wanted a long time ago, though it might not be much now, but you said that I would give this to you anyway, my first 15 watt amp for my electric guitar, treat it well buddy.” Next was an army soldier I didn’t recognize, “I once heard someone say that a soldier has two families; the one you raise, and the one you raise hell with, to my brother-in-arms Magnet, I know it’s not much, but It would make me proud, and I would be honored if you had my combat knife and my shades.” The soldier went forward and collected his new possessions. The will reader then looked at the will funny and looked towards us and said, “The will says that everyone but his wife and child to leave, including the will reader.” With that everyone left, the reader gave us the paper and left the room, I sat next to my mum and read to note along with her.
…arling wife and my precious child, everyone else please leave including the will reader. ~David
To my wife, my dear Alexandra, I give you a 12-carat diamond ring I have been saving up for since I was 12. Though it’s not here at the moment, it’s in the box in the attic marked ‘Army Possessions’ inside a small felt box. And to my dear son, my only Steven, I give you 4 things, my bikers over coat and my abacus necklace passed to me by my father. I will also give you Gilda, my first electric guitar (help yourself to the equipment too) she resides in my study, she is a black Fender Squire Affinity series, and she is around my desk, somewhere… And my last gift to you, the thing I have only told 4 individuals so far, my real name, you were named after me, my son, my given name was Steven. Your mother, Daniel, my brother and my first love are the only ones that know. If you want you can stay just Steven, or be named Steven Greys Junior. The choice is yours, my son.
~Steven Greys Senior
Mum and I went home afterwards, we both went upstairs and mum went into the attic and I went to dad’s study, I went over to his desk and searched for Gilda, sooner or later I found her in a guitar stand, leaning against the wall behind his chair. I picked up Gilda and put the strap over my head, and adjusted it. It felt heavy in my arms but felt right, just at the feet of the guitar stand there laid a medium sized box. I slung Gilda around my back to make free my hands. I opened the box and found a jack cord, a tuner and a box of picks. I found I small portable amp and I moved these items to my room, the amp was surprisingly heavy for it’s size but that was to be expected.
I picked up a random pick, it was a stylized pick, it was a clear yellowish orange plastic with random swirls of red and black, kind of like a tiger pattern.
I swung the guitar back around and held it normally. I held a random set of strings and strummed the guitar, Dad kept his guitar well tuned; I didn’t need to tune it today. I plugged the jacks into the guitar and amp and I played a little melody, and to tell you the truth, I was kinda good at it, like a natural. The melody started out slow, then got faster, to a normal-ish speed, I decided to make the notes higher, I played a volley of high notes then suddenly went low and slow again. I hit a few chords and let the last on drag out long I then hit a high note and dragged it down and abruptly ended. Playing felt… Cathartic…
Gilda is amazing.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Monday came, I was still sad for my father, but I had to go to school, I packed all my books and homework and everything else, but my lunch. I wore my dad’s overcoat, it felt heavy and strange, like the guitar, but it felt right. Something felt different, I couldn’t point it out but it felt wonderful, I didn’t wear it normally I just had it over my shoulders with the top button done up.
Lunchtime, yay.
I sat in my usual place away from every thing, but I had no lunch to eat. I just laid my head on the table and waited for the imminent arrival of Stacy and his crew. Sure enough, “Hey! Bozo!” He called. I just turned my head the other way and stayed silent, “What, no lunch today?” I couldn’t care less for his annoying remarks, so I stayed quiet. “Helllllooo? Booozooo!” He sang again. He didn’t like being ignored so he hammered the table, “HEY! IM TALKING TO YOU!” He yelled.
“an’I’mnottalk’n’back…” I mumbled into the table.
“What?” He questioned.
“I’m not talking back.” I simply said. I couldn’t care less what he had to say next. He grabbed my hair and pulled it up to make me look at him, I kept a monotone face and sadness filled my expression.
“AH HA, MISTER LONELY HAS BEEN CRYING!!” He taunted, I just stared at him, then he said the unthinkable, “Why don’t you cry home to your daddy?” he smiled.
Something snapped, “what?” I said, “What did you say?” I saw red.
“I said, cry home to your daddy!” He taunted again, unaltered by my anger.
“I wish I could…” I said, waiting for a response.
“And whyyyyy’s that?” He mocked.
“CAUSE HE’S F*nope*ING DEAD!” I yelled in his face and that earned a few looks from other school kids. I felt that power again, I let it take over, my hand jabbed the soft muscle under his forearm, his grip went limp and his hand lost all function as I ducked out from under it and stood, the overcoat made a cool swishing sound and stayed on my shoulders. The look on his face told me he wasn’t expecting that.
“Wha-?” He said quizzically.
“He died on Friday,” I commented menacingly, interrupting him. He snapped out of his quizzical expression, and swung his good arm for a right hook, I dodged underneath it and chopped just above his elbow then ducked and jabbed under his armpit, and his entire arm went limp, “I BURIED HIM THE DAY AFTER, HE IS GONE NOW!” I smacked the lower part of his spine with my left hand, and jabbed the back of his neck with my right hand, “I WILL NEVER SEE HIM AGAIN!” I then elbowed the area where his jugular resides, he fell on the floor and I stood over him. I looked at where his hooligans were but they weren’t there anymore, figures. I put my left foot on his back and knelt down to him, “Or did you already know?” I grabbed his hair and pulled his face up to look at me he was… smiling?, “And by the way? My name is Steven. Greys. Junior.” I sharply spat out the last word as I smacked his head down, stood up, and left him there. Everyone that watched went up in cheer, this broke my mood as I looked around all the kids swam around me congratulating me on the triumph, everyone was smiling around me, at me, patting me on the back, high fiving me and laughing at Stacy, I realized what I did, and reveled in the moment. I was having so much fun, and then I felt someone tap my shoulder. Everyone quieted down as they looked at the people behind me, I turned and two uniformed police officers stood there, the one on the left spoke, “Mister Steven Greys?” he said.
“Yes?” I shyly said back.
“We need you to come with us.” The one on the right simply said, he put his hand on my shoulder then said, “It’s about your mother.”
Oh god no. Please god, no.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
NO! THIS CAN’T BE HAPPING AGAIN! My mind screamed. As I looked at my mother in the hospital bed a tear rolled down my cheek. The only thing that I could hear was the slow beeping sound and the breathing machine. “She was attacked at the super market, and was bashed half to death, I’m sorry.” The doctor said but I stayed silent, and looked at my mum, her eyes slowly opened. She was weak. I came closer to her and she looked upon me with a tear in her eye, she mumbled something, I went closer to her and she whispered in my ear, “Check… the attic… crate… code… 1996… meet princess… Luna… I… L-Lo…” A long sigh fell out of her mouth followed by a long beep, she was gone.
They both left me.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
“Are you alright Princess?” one of the royal guard pegasi asked.
“Yes, I’m fine, but while your there, fetch my sister please,” the princess of the moon said to the guard.
“At once your highness.” He bowed and left.
“Alexandra Greys, I hear your plea. Send him here.” She said with her eyes closed.
“You called for me sister?” Celestia walked through the door to her sister’s quarters.
“Do you know Alexandra or David Greys?” Luna asked her sister.
“Yes, I remember. Is there something wrong?” Celestia asked her sister.
A treacherous tear escaped Luna’s eye, “They’re gone.” She said forlornly, barely above a whisper.
“I’m sorry Luna.” Celestia comforted her sister.
“David died a few days ago…” Luna began.
“I know… I felt it too.” Celestia said, and sat next to Luna on her bed. They just lay there for a while, until Luna broke the silence.
“She’s entrusted him in my care, but I’m not sure if I can take care of him.”
“I could though. Why don’t I be his ‘legal guardian’?”
“Yeah but, I don’t know, Alexandra entrusted him to me.”
“I know, but you could always give him to me, and I’ll take care of him, giving you some free time with him.”
Luna looked up at her sister and found her smiling at her, “I’d like that, I’d like that a lot.”
“So… How is he going to get here?” Celestia mused.
“Should I get your student to help?” Luna suggested, trying to keep the spite out of her features, but failing to do so.
“Now that’s an idea!” Celestia exclaimed, but then softened down and whispered into her frustrated sister, “But I think his new guardians should pick him up.”
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
I was still at the hospital, waiting for my new guardians to pick me up, ‘was it going to be Uncle Rob? I’d sure love to live with my cuz… and those thousand dollars… Maybe Daniel? I would like to match Gilda to her first amp, that’d be great.’ A smile crept on my face as I thought about the possible outcomes to pass time.
I waited in the lobby as two strange people came in, a woman and a man and they looked normal, but felt different; something about them irked me to no end. The woman was tall and had a long styled multi-colored hair evenly split with lavender, purple, emerald and aqua colors, the hair was distracting but she was wearing a white robe of sorts, with suns on either side of her hips. The man wore what looked to be a suit, his hair was short but was colored strangely, it wasn’t full back but it was more of a navy-blue color. Now he had what looked to be two crescent moons at the end of his tux. “Hello we’re here for Steven. Is he here?” The woman asked the receptionist, the lady looked up and pointed to me. I stood up and made my way over to them, the receptionist handed the woman a piece of paper, “What’s this? Oh legal papers!” The woman placed the paper down and said, “My… Husband has the papers.” She said putting a small amount of emphasis on husband.
“Hmm? Oh right.” He reached into his tux and pulled out a similar piece of paper with writing on it, “Would this do?” he asked.
“Thank you Mister and Missus… Lunaris? Isn’t that?” The receptionist began to say, but the man cut her off.
“Latin for moon, yes it is.” He said proudly.
“Well alright then, Steven?” I looked up when I heard my name.
“These are my new parents?” I asked the receptionist.
“Yes, um… Have fun?” She was at a loss of words; she didn’t know what to really say in this situation anyway.
“I’ll make sure of it.” I said and turned to my new mum and dad, “You two look funny… Now that I got that off my chest let’s get home.”
They looked at each other and nodded, “Ok, but first let’s get to your house.” The man said.
“My house? Why?” I asked them.
“Umm…” The man didn’t know how to react.
“To get your things, of course!” The woman told me and left the room and the man followed her.
“Well, okay then…” I said and walked out the door after them.
There is something strange about these two.
|
Discorded Q
|
1241
| 2 |
Alternate Universe,Comedy,Romance,Sad
|
Jabbing Point
|
Steven Greys' parents have died, and now he must travel across dimensions with his new ones.
|
cancelled
| 19 | 0 |
<p>What is music? It's the sound of the soul, Just like a painting is the picture of the soul. How is it possible to control that? What would you do if you had the power to do what ever you wanted through music? What would you do if you lost it?<br /><br />This story follows the tale of Steven Greys. A 16-year-old human boy who has never even heard of the show. <br /><br />Steven has school, between his daily beatings, but with the help of his father, will he finally beat his nemesis? With both his parents dead, how is that possible? Is his father who he says he is? And now with his parents out of his life, who would take him in? And where would they go?<br /><br />And what would you do if you were positioned in [spoiler alert]?<br /><br />PS-> MORE CHARACTERS WILL BE MET LATER ON IN THE STORY.<br /><br />(To the person who wrote "Oh, Octavia", I had this Idea a while ago, but I just want you to know that in no way am I ripping you off.)<br /><br />EDIT: Removed derps in description.</p>
|
everyone
| null |
2011-10-13T23:53:35+00:00
| 1,697 |
Disclaimer:
I do not own ponies, My Little Pony, My Little Pony: Friendship is magic is owned by Studio B Productions, Hasbro, The Hub, Lauren Faust and anyone else who I forgot to mention, I am super duper ooper sorry for any inconveniences caused.
Now… ON WITH THE STORY!!!
Part 2
Class is in Session
They didn’t have a car to get home in, but luckily my old house was close to the hospital, but that didn’t change the fact that it took us at least 30 minutes. We made it to the house and ‘dad’ said, “This was your house?”
To which I replied sarcastically, “Yeah, it’s big isn’t it?” My house wasn’t big, it was quite small and a little run down. The attic window was boarded up, and Steven was not allowed to go up there.
I got a response from ‘mum’ but it wasn’t what I was expecting, “So Steven, do you have any friends here?”
“Not really? Are we going away from this blasted place?” I asked excitedly.
“To put it simply, yes, but you only need to pack what you want to bring.”
“Are we going far?”
“You could say that…”
“Cool, I only have little though, come on I’ll let you in.”
“One more question… Did Alexandra tell you anything before she died?” Said asked ‘mum’.
“Yeah- wait… I’ve never seen you before now, how did you know my mum?”
“Typical,” said ‘dad’.
“What?” I objected.
“It’s typical, for people to only think of what they think they know, you only know of after you were born, not before then, time extends for lo-“ ‘Dad’ was about to go into a whole lecture of time, but was thankfully interrupted by ‘mum’.
“What he means to say… Is that we knew Steven and Alexandra from before you were born.” ‘Mum’ simply said, but I caught her on something.
“Wait… Steven? As in Steven Greys Senior?”
‘Mum’ caught her mistake as well and said, “Yes…”
“My real dad’s will said that he only told 4 people of his real name, My uncle, my real mum, Daniel, and his ‘first love’, does that mean…”
“Yes, your father and I were in love before he left.” ‘Mum’ said dismissively as ‘Dad’ looked annoyed at her, “But we must be getting along now, will you let us in?”
“I guess so…” I said walking to the door, realizing that I didn’t have a key, “Bad news guys, I don’t have a key.” I looked back at them with an apologetic glance, my ‘dad’ walked up to the door and looked at it for a while then put his hand on the handle and said.
“No need, it was unlocked.” He opened the door, I swear the door was locked, I thought, “now, what was it you mother said?” ‘Dad’ asked.
“Well she told me to look in the attic, for a crate, and a code, also to meet someone named, Luna?” ‘Dad’ eyed his wife at the mention of the name.
“Huh,” He said, “Well I suppose… go get your possessions and meet us in the attic.” They both went into the house and made their way upstairs; I went to my room to get Gilda and my necklace. I took my coat off and put my necklace on under my shirt, then I put Gilda’s strap over my head and slung her around my back, after that I put the overcoat on my shoulders and over Gilda. I winded up the jack lead and put my arm through it, and then I put the box of picks in my pocket and picked up the portable amp. I went into the attic and saw my two ‘parents’; it was dark, but not to dark. ‘Mum’ and ‘Dad’ were waiting for me next to a create by the looks of the shadows on the wall and on their faces, it was almost like light was emanating from the box itself. ‘Dad’ turned when I made it up.
“He has the coat, and Gilda, but where are the shades?” I looked at ‘dad’ funny how did he know of Gilda, and the coat, AND the shades, and before he even got a good look at me, and besides only the woman would even have a slight clue of the items because my real dad would have shown her.
I had enough, “Ok look, I need some answers NOW, who are you two and how do you…” I pointed to the man and continued; “… know about Gilda, my coat and more confusingly the shades before I even showed you?”
“All will be revealed, I just need 10 more seconds of your trust, and I need to know. This crate is the one correct?” She pointed to the crate behind her.
I put my hand down to my side and moved slowly towards it giving a sideways glance of uncertainty towards the woman, “Yeeeees I believe so…” She looked at it and opened it but it was empty.
“It’s empty.” She simply said.
I knew vaguely what to do, she closed the lid and stepped aside letting me pass then I put my hand on the box and it made a magical flashing sound as it flashed dark blue, I stepped back in surprise I looked to my ‘parents’ and they didn’t seem to falter one bit, as if this was normal for them, then the light died down and a holographic keypad of sorts popped up. It had the numbers 0 through to 9 all in a row, then I remembered what my real mother said, “…crate… code… 1996…”
I pressed 1 and the keypad flashed and moved up by one and was replaced by another of the same, I pressed 9 and the keypad repeated it’s action now 3 rows of keypad were present, I pressed 9 again and It moved up, the last number… Would I trust these strange people and press 6? Or should I press another number and fail it… The choice was mine. What would happen when I press 6? Would I finally get out of this blasted place? Will this woman actually tell me what’s going on? ‘Only one way to find out…’ I finally thought then I pressed 6 and all four keypads disappeared… Then nothing, “Nothing happened?” I thought allowed.
“Now, open it please.” The woman’s voice was commanding but nevertheless remained kind. I opened the box to find a small crystal sphere on a golden stand. The woman took out the ball and placed it on the floor, despite it’s shape it remained still. The man and the woman stood on the opposite side of it to me and joined hands holding their other hands out for me to grab them. I stepped towards them skeptically I put my hand in theirs. All of a sudden the world sped by like a blur of colors, then as quickly as it came, it stopped.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
I looked around the room I was in and I was alone but I had all the things still, Gilda, my coat, my necklace, and so on. I examined the room and found a neatly made king-sized (Jackpot!) bed, a window that illuminated the room with the first bit of sunlight that started the day, a table and a candle on that table. What in the world is this place? I thought.
“Welcome to your new home my son.” I heard the woman’s voice say.
“I prepared it, do you like it?” A different voice said.
“Where am I, Who’s there?” I forcibly said.
“Why, you’re in my castle, my son.” The woman said, the door opened and I looked towards it expecting to see my ‘parents’ but instead found two strange looking horses one was rather tall -her head was about ten centimeters high then mine- and had a white body that was right about where everything normal about this horse ended, she had a long multi-colored mane and tail that seemed to flow without the need for wind and even more strange was that she had a long horn out the top of her head and had wings, also she had what looked to be a sun on both sides of her flank. The other horse was about half the first one’s size had wings and a horn, but was a dark blue color and had short light blue hair that decided that it would be nice to make sense and stay in place and a crescent moon on both sides of it’s flank. I didn’t believe this for a second.
“HaHa very funny, alright I had my laugh, now I think I’d like to get off the crazy gas now.”
“Crazy gas? w-?” The short one objected.
“Be calm my sister,” The taller one said, “Steven is just a bit disorientated. That comes naturally after an inter-dimensional warp…”
“Inter-dimensional~?” I parroted.
“Yes, welcome to Equestria, my new son.” The tall horse bowed her head.
“OK, so I’ll wake up soon… Hopefully, but while I’m here I might as well get some answers.” I said matter-of-factly.
“You’re not sleeping, this is as real as it’s ever going to get.” The small one said, “You are my sister’s son, and I am your aunt, I guess.”
“Alexandra entrusted you in my care, so literally speaking, that makes you my son.” The taller one said as she said that, the smaller one seemed to wince. I walked around the room then to bed, I decided that I would play along, I put my over-coat on the bed and then I put Gilda on top of it and the box of picks out of my pocket on the bed.
“Well, I don’t know about you but I’m rather tired…” Pausing for a fake yawn, “You know, um… Inter-dimensional warping and such…”
“The day is young my son.” The older one stated.
“Umm… Inter-dimensional jet-lag.” I shrugged.
They looked at me skeptically, “Then I suppose you should get some sleep.” The smaller one said. They backed out of the room and the door closed, I didn’t know what to do next, I just went to the bed and sat on it, “The covers feel real enough… And comfortable.” I laid my head on the pillow and just rested on top of the bed, and sighed, “As soon as I wake up from this dream I suppose I have to go back to school tomorrow.”
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
I dreamed. I dreamt that I was in a forest, and there was a lake. I jumped in the lake and swam.
I heard music, then the water changed, into notes. Not writing notes but music notes. I was swimming in a stream of endless notes. I got out of the stream because it leads to a fork. The fork went in three directions; at the ends of the streams I saw 3 horses the same 3 from my strange dreams. The one to the left was a dark gray, with a straight black mane, and amethyst eyes. She was playing a giant violin... no, that isn't a violin… it's a cello? She also had what looked to be a purple treble clef on her flank. The one in the middle looked like a minty color, it had a horn on it's head, it was shimmering a greenish color and a harp was floating next to it, no, that isn't a harp, harps are huge, this was just small, my music teacher had a name for it; Lare... Lair... Lyre was it? It's mark looked like the instrument and she had topaz eyes. The one on the right looked like a DJ, she had a neon blue styled mane and was colored white, she had purple colored oval shaped glasses around her neck, she had piercing ruby red eyes and what looked like a double quaver as her mark. Then they all spoke at the same time, "The jewels of music." When they said that they all turned into gems, the left one turned into a amethyst, the middle turned into a topaz and the one on the right turned into a ruby, "Find us. Help us."
"You need our help. We need your help. This land needs your help."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
I woke up several hours later but I was still in the strange room. I rubbed my eyes with my wrist and slid up to put my back on the wall section, pushing my strange dream to the back of my mind, “Huh, so this isn’t a dream?”
“Why would this be a dream your highness?” I heard a voice call out to me.
“Highness?” Now I knew I was still dreaming, I opened my eyes and looked towards the door of the room… And saw a small brown horse standing there, this one was fake I knew it, ‘cause it had a horn on it’s head. I stared skeptically at the horse for a few seconds then it spoke. IT. SPOKE.
“Yes, Prince Steven Greys the second.” She simply said, I thought it was a ‘she’ because of the voice she had.
My eyes opened further in shock, as I darted back up my bed with my back against the wall and my hands on the bed, “Whoa! Did you just talk?!” I couldn’t believe my ears, or eyes, a horse, TALKING?! As if it was NORMAL?!
“Yes? Well I’m your personal maid assigned to you by your, umm… ‘Mother’.” She stated.
"And you can talk?" I reinstated.
"Yeah, like you can." She simply replied.
"Riiiiiiiight, and you are real?" I said as I checked to see if there was a horse, if I was still dreaming and if my hand was a sandwich.
"Yes. As real as you are." She started to get slightly frustrated, but maintained her composure.
"So I am not still sleeping?" I asked.
"No, you just woke up. Are you alright?" She asked with concern.
"Well if I am real then I am not 'all right', I am indeed half left." I joked
She chuckled, "You are indeed real, I am indeed real and that bed you are sitting on is- in fact- real."
“Ah huh, Well if you are actually real you would have a name. So do you have a name?” I asked the brown horse calming down from the fact that it’s a horse… and it talked... with a horses face... with a horses mouth... and a horses tongue...
She did what I thought was a shrug and said, “Well, you can call me servant, maid, or what ever you want really.”
Did she really just say that, to give up her name to me, just because I may be higher then her? This wasn’t going to pass, I sat on the edge of my bed and turned my head to look at her, and sighed, I stood up I realized that I was like, twice as high as her, That might be intimidating her… I decided to kneel down to her on one knee, and she did what I thought was a bow to me, her face was on the floor and her eyes were shut tight and her teeth were clenched, this put a smile on my face as I put my hand under her chin to rise her up to eye level and I said, “I’m no prince to me, you don’t need to surrender your name to me, just because I may be higher then you.”
She looked at me with an uncertain glance and I put on the kindest smile I could. She smiled back, looked away and appeared to blush, I think. Then she said, “No one has ever treated me like that before, or said anything like that to me. M-my name is Pann.”
“Well hello there Pann, now do you mind telling me where, exactly, I am?” I stood up and sat back on my bed, and looked at her. She shook her head slightly as if snapping out of a trance, “Ah yes, umm… You’re in Canterlot, in the castle of the rulers of this land, Ruler of the day, Princess Celestia, your umm, ‘Mother’, and ruler of the night, Princess Luna.”
“You mean the white and dark blue horses I saw earlier?” I inquired.
“I suppose, if you want to talk to them, they’re in the chambers to the left of yours.”
“All righty then…” I said as I rubbed my hands together, considering what to say next, “What time is it?” I asked as I reached for Gilda and coat.
“Umm, It’s getting late, Luna should raise the moon soon.” She stated.
“Wait, you guys have someone to raise the moon?” I questioned as I pulled Gilda and my coat towards me.
“Yeah sun as well, don’t you?” She asked back.
“No…” I said as I slung Gilda around my back and continued, “If I remember correctly, the world I come from obits around the sun while the sun stays still, and the moon orbits around the world, while the world spins on a tilted axis…” I then put my coat on my shoulders and over Gilda.
“Really? Wow, you hue-manes are weird…” She then opened her eyes quickly as if shocked and backed off slowly in fear, as if she said something wrong.
“Humans.” I corrected her, “…And one might say that, but most of us might say that you horses are weird as well, where I come from, horses don’t exactly… Talk.” I shot her a playful smile and she relaxed, “Where can I get some fresh air?”
“I can lead you to the closest balcony…” She said as the opened the door and ushered me out, “Mind you, not all ponies here like the idea of a, hue-mun, in royalty.”
“I think can understand that, I wont be too hot on the idea of having a horse run our government either… but then again, it might be less corrupt if it was.” I forced a small laugh. She looked at me puzzled as I heard a quiet objection.
“Corrupt?”
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
I should be in the circus.
The amount of stares I got from these ponies I passed suggested just that. Talk about sticking out like a sore thumb but seriously, any more obvious and the metaphorical elephant would be so big that it would be crashing through the roof. So many times I heard the ponies around me quietly say, “Is that what Princess Celestia calls a ‘hue-mane’?" or, “He has the body structure of a diamond dog, but why is his fur gathered onto the top of his head?” Or worst still I heard one person, no, pony say, “Oooh hideous, and why on Equestria does this hyue-mane bean, beast, or whatever walk on his hind legs not on all fours like the rest of us.” This statement was particularly loud so that he made sure I could hear. I had half a mind to turn to him and throw the other half of my mind at his snobby face and watch him squirm, luckily saner heads prevailed.
I merely talked to his noble ass. I kneeled down to Pann, tapped her shoulder (if that’s what you call the joint between the top of their leg to their body) and whispered to her, “Just who was that?”
She whispered back, “That’s Prince Blueblood, the most awful equine noble to roam this fine palace."
I thought about it for a second, “Does he know who I am?” I whispered to her.
“By the sound of that, I’m surprised that he recognizes his servants, and he never listens to his aunt the Princess Celestia of Equestria.” (Is it just me or was that made to rhyme?)
“Ahh… so that makes him my cousin?” I knew how to deal with cousins, and this would make quite the joke on our friend Mister Blueblood here.
“Fairly sure…”
“Then just stand back and watch, I’m going to give him a lesson in ‘Nobility’ that he will not soon forget.” I said as a devious smile came to my face.
This is going to be fun.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Author’s note: AH HA CLIFF HANGER! Any way, this is my first ‘Human in Equestria’ Story and to tell you the truth, this (Out of the two that I read) would be the only one that the main character was NOT a Brony. I do hope you enjoyed it.
*Reads Arddum Lleuad*
EDIT: Never mind. :|
*Reads Recon*
EDIT2: All right STFU. But it’s still the only one that the person doesn’t turn into a pony! (Aside for Arddum Lleuad, of course!)
REAL EDIT: Fixed up some minor derps and did a last minute proof-read.
REAL EDIT 2: Made some changes on how Steven reacted to Pann, and how the ponies first reacted to his appearance. Thank you Baked Bads for the help.
|
Discorded Q
|
1241
| 3 |
Alternate Universe,Comedy,Romance,Sad
|
Jabbing Point
|
Steven Greys' parents have died, and now he must travel across dimensions with his new ones.
|
cancelled
| 19 | 0 |
<p>What is music? It's the sound of the soul, Just like a painting is the picture of the soul. How is it possible to control that? What would you do if you had the power to do what ever you wanted through music? What would you do if you lost it?<br /><br />This story follows the tale of Steven Greys. A 16-year-old human boy who has never even heard of the show. <br /><br />Steven has school, between his daily beatings, but with the help of his father, will he finally beat his nemesis? With both his parents dead, how is that possible? Is his father who he says he is? And now with his parents out of his life, who would take him in? And where would they go?<br /><br />And what would you do if you were positioned in [spoiler alert]?<br /><br />PS-> MORE CHARACTERS WILL BE MET LATER ON IN THE STORY.<br /><br />(To the person who wrote "Oh, Octavia", I had this Idea a while ago, but I just want you to know that in no way am I ripping you off.)<br /><br />EDIT: Removed derps in description.</p>
|
everyone
| null |
2011-10-10T23:13:51+00:00
| 986 |
Disclaimer:
I do not own ponies, My Little Pony, My Little Pony: Friendship is magic is owned by Studio B Productions, Hasbro, The Hub, Lauren Faust and anyone else who I forgot to mention, I am super duper ooper sorry for any inconveniences caused.
Now… ON WITH THE STORY!!!
(This story is marked "Romance" for a reason.)
Part 3:
I stood up from talking to Pann and turned towards Blueblood he was just shorter then me when I stood up. He towered over all his servants, but I was still taller. Time to put on a show neither him nor his servants would forget, and there was like 10 or so of them surrounding him. I put on my best Southern accent I could, cleared my throat and called out to him, “CUZ!”
I ran up to him to put an arm around him, “Whoa nelly it’s been donkey’s yonks, since ah’ done seen ya last. Remember that thar rodeo that done happened last year? Man those t’wer good times.” Then I put on my best snobby noble accent and said, “But I dare say, how is it exactly that you managed to get yourself cleaned up from all that filth and muck.” I stepped away from him, turned around and held my hands out wide and said in the voice that most would find in a lawyer, “Ladies’n’Gennelmen of the jury. I’d like you all to know that said rodeo never actually happened… That was just me making my point.” I paced back and forth with my right hand on my face and left hand on my right elbow in front of the line of servants that gathered to watch the spectacle. “But I’d like to have you know on why I’ve made such a point.” I then stopped to look at Blood and pinch my chin with my thumb and index finger in pensive argument with my self, “It is evident to me, and the rest of the people here that Mister Blueblood here doesn’t follow up on current affairs, that of my witness, who has decided to remain anonymous, has charitably informed me that this member of the equine species doesn’t know who I am, Isn’t that correct?” I pointed to Blueblood and waited for an answer.
I was expecting a huge OBJECTION but instead I got a, “Umm yes?”, what a buzz kill.
“I thought so, but I’ll get back to that later…” I dropped my act like an anchor, and spoke normally, “From what I have heard; Blueblood here doesn’t know that noble and nobility are two different words, for one can have nobility…” I gestured my hand towards the servant audience and continued, “Without the need to be a noble.” I pointed my finger towards Blueblood and continued, “The way I see it, is that these servants, maids, butlers, or what ever else people/ponies here, guards included…” I looked towards the white horses with wings and golden armor that had joined the group of servants and I continued, “… have higher nobility than us two combined.”
“Hardly likely.” He mumbled.
“Hardly likely? I find that hard to believe, Sir Blueblood. I don’t see you defending members of the royal family…” I gestured to the guard audience, they seemed to nod but I wouldn’t have a clue, these guys sure know how to play poker, “… Or cleaning the stained glass that represents your history…” I gestured towards the supposed cleaners, “… And from what I’ve seen and heard from my short walk, having the decency and loyalty to stay by you even with all the taunts and commands that you yourself give out.” I paused for a bit and waited for a response from the Prince.
“G-Guards! Put this beast in the hold!” He commanded the white pegasi. They advanced towards me with a serious look on their faces.
“Well… I can see where this is going, ALTHOUGH! I’m not sure if my mother, AKA. Your aunt would approve of such shenanigans.” The pegasi stopped advancing as they realized what I meant.
“How dare you mock my aunt Princess Celestia like that? Guards I will not ask again-“ he began to say, with a stern look on his face.
“Then don’t, and I hardly say that mocking my mother would be a very wise action giving the place I am currently in.” I interrupted him.
“What do you mean; mother?” He inquired.
I sighed, “If you must be told again, my birth mother and father were… Unfortunately, killed in the corrupt world that I lived in, however, being the thoughtful and kind mother that she was, bless her heart, she gave me to Princess Celestia, knowing that she will take care of me, had you listened in the past few days even you might have the slightest clue of what I’m saying-”
“What is going on here?” Came a regal voice from out side the group, the group parted leaving a line that the princess of the sun can walk through.
“Princess! This beast is insulting royal honor!” Blueblood called out to his aunt, I merely stayed quiet awaiting the princess’s response, while bowing on one knee of course.
“Prince Steven? Is such claims true?” She asked, I then replied.
“Not entirely, I was not insulting royal honor as he had said, I was just giving credit to the working forces of this castle.” I then heard a murmur of agreement from the crowd, “I only hope that over-exaggerating is the only trait that Blueblood and I share.”
“That’s Prince to you Hyeu-mane Bean!” He objected.
“I don’t think you have even EARNED the title Blueblood, oh and it’s Human Being.” I simply restated. His face was Priceless! He was giving off enough hot air out of his ears he’d replace the furnace on a hot air balloon. I then saw Pann up next to the princess talking to her. After a few seconds of silence the princess came to a conclusion.
“Steven, my son, I believe that Ms. Pann was showing you to the balcony, meanwhile I would like to have a chat to my nephew, in private.”
Thank you ladies and gentlemen you have been a wonderful audience!
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Pann was walking me back on the track towards the balcony, however unlike last time, this walk didn’t have all the ponies staring at me in disgust, only respect and admiration for what I had done.
Pann directed me to an archway, and said “That one has the best view out of all of them, I’ll leave you to it.” She turned around and started to walk away, and she called back, “Meanwhile I have rooms to attend to, best of luck!”
I looked towards the archway as I anticipated the fresh air, I moved towards the balcony, but I heard steps that weren’t my own. I looked around but I was the only one here. I heard a heavy sigh and someone speak, “Another day gone, another night to be.” I stood against the wall and peered out the archway and saw Luna there standing at the rails of the balcony, “And Steven is gone, and his son will never know.” She faced up and began to flap, her horn seemed to shine as she rose of the balcony, the flaps became less constant as pure magic levitated her there; and then I saw the most wonderful thing. The sun lowered below the horizon as a greyish yellow disk took its place, the moon lifted a bit more and what appeared to be a cloud of purple smoke appeared behind it, the purple smoke then dissipated throughout the entire night sky then disappeared, revealing a beautiful starry night sky. I was too engrossed in the sky that I didn’t notice the weeping princess on the ground until a few seconds after she had landed.
“Princess?” I quietly said.
“Wha-?” She shot up from her position and looked towards me, with her cheeks stained with fresh tears. Her teary eyes reflected the moon’s shine as she looked at me, “Oh… It’s you.”
I went towards her and she went back to her curled up position. I kneeled down next to her and she seemed to curl up further, I hesitated, but I asked her, “Princess… What would I never know?”
She looked up at me, with those eyes, those perfect round teal blue eyes, I could get lost in those forever, she closed them and looked to the floor. I sat down cross legged next to her, Gilda complained against my back, I just took her off and placed her next to me; there was a woman in need. I didn’t really know how to deal with emotional women, but with all the shows and movies I’ve seen I concluded that emotional women just need someone there for them. I lifted my hand and moved it towards the night princess, it was a few seconds of deliberation but in the end I decided that I should give her a comforting hand. I put my hand on her back, her fur felt nice between my fingers, and swayed it back and forth.
“Shhhh, it’s alright.” I softly comforted her; all I wanted then was for her to be ok.
She mumbled something, “Plmm orr geetah” she quietly commanded but I couldn’t decipher her mumbles.
“What?” I quietly asked, she lifted her head up, but didn’t look at me.
“Your gee-tar, it amplifies what you want inside, concentrate on what you want, and play it.” She told me, and then she put her head back down.
“Umm, Ok?” I skeptically said. I reached for my guitar, I knew I couldn’t play it without the amp; I positioned it in my lap anyway. Think about what you want, and play. I reminded myself, I thought about it, and I realized I wanted her to be happy, to stop crying, but then a deeper thought crossed my mind. Do I want her to? No, she just needs to be happy; I want her to be happy. I locked that thought in my head, and strummed the guitar.
To my surprise the sound played as if it had an amp already attached, I continued playing, and it felt natural. I wanted her to be happy, I played a slow low series of notes, then I elevated pitch and speed, and started playing a happy volley of medium toned notes. It was a surreal feeling playing Gilda, I wasn’t just hearing the song. I was… Feeling it?
She lifted her head and turned to me, she was smiling softly. I continued playing and she got up and shifted her position, then she laid her body around me and I felt her warmth on my lower back, a cool warmth, and I continued playing my guitar. Her head was at my right knee and her flank at my left, I kept playing as I looked at her tail, it was swishing back and forth in time with the music. She shifted her head again, her muzzle was at my knee, and I felt her breath against it. It felt good. I kept playing as I let my thoughts drift. She put her tail on my left leg and started moving it along the length of my shin. Her soft tail, her soft fuzzy playful tail was rubbing my shin, I liked it, and it felt nice. I looked down at her head as she put it on my right leg. Mmm… This feels nice. I thought to myself, I stopped playing Gilda and put my right hand on her head, I moved it down her head and over her cheek, then down underneath her chin and started to rub under her jaw. She closed her eyes in bliss as a lazy smile emerged on her lips. She lifted her head away and straightened out on the floor. She looked at me with her tired loving eyes, and beckoned me to do the same.
I wanted to make her happy. I took off my coat, put it on the floor and put Gilda on top of it. I then adjusted my position and laid down facing her with my right side to the ground. I looked into her teal eyes and she looked into mine. This moment could not be more perfect… I lazily thought. Then I remembered something.
“Now, what was it I’ll never know?” I kindly asked her. She looked at my eyes and replied.
“Who your father loved before he left me.” She said softly. I knew what she had meant.
“I thought he loved Celestia?” I questioned. She frowned.
“When you asked that question, in the human world, I couldn’t answer then and tell you the truth. Because I was the male.” She laughed lightly and smiled, “It would have been awkward then.”
“Oh…” I said, I tuned on my back and looked up, “My father fell in love with the night…” I realized out loud, but said it softly. She shifted across to me and lay next to me. I put my arm around her head and neck and we just lay there for a time. I could feel her forelegs pressing against my right side and one of her back hind legs on my thigh, and her tail…
I just realized what was happening, and why it was so wrong. She was a horse. I was falling for a horse.
I felt her snout on my neck. My dad probably did the same thing. Now it was more awkward than before, I was falling for a horse that my dad fell for.
I turned my head towards her and looked at her, and she looked at me. The doubt was evident on my face. Realization struck her features and she backed away and frowned.
“Oh… I’m sorry, I-I got carried away.” She hesitantly said.
“No, it’s alright Princess.” I put my hand on her head; my fingers were on her cheek and my thumb was on the top of her head. After a bit I sat up and crossed my legs, I tried to get what just happened out of my mind. She shifted her position she laid stomach first with her forelegs underneath her. (What? You expect me to describe her back legs? What do you think I am? A pervert?)
I thought a bit and I remembered I had some more questions to ask, “Princess?”
“Yes?” She replied lazily with a hint of disappointment.
“I know it seems odd but, how did you know about the three items?” I asked her, willing to pry her from the information.
“What items?” she curtly responded.
I leaned back and put my hands behind me for balance, “The -uh-, my coat, Gilda and the shades.”
“Oh those.” She paused for consideration, “Well, before your father left this land to live with Alexandra on earth, and to raise you, he asked for 2 things. The first was that he asked both Celestia and I for a favor, he didn’t want to forget this beautiful land.”
“I can see why.” I agreed.
“The day before he left he asked if he could be connected to us in any way at all, I suggested dream sharing, but Celestia refused, she wouldn’t be able to do that. So instead, Celestia suggested a permanent thought link between us, a thought link is tricky stuff, it enables the connected to share thoughts and senses, it needs a rune symbol to help so we went to the garden and drew the rune into the grass. The spell worked brilliantly and as soon as the light and smoke died down, I felt, connected, to both Alexandra and Steven, it was an idle connection, but it was there nonetheless. I could still feel your father with me when he left.”
She paused for a bit, “The second favor however, he asked only me, the night before he was to go. He wanted me to enchant three items for him, the three you mentioned. I gave the three items specific traits: The coat, I enchanted so that only you can take it off, so it stays on no matter how much the wind disagrees with it, it also protects you from all destructive magic (y’no, fire, water, ice, air, super awesome laser thingies, ect.), except for levitated objects, unless it’s been summoned, but it also provides your body with an extremely high pain tolerance if it hasn’t.” I nodded when I recalled my recent battle with Stacy, “Oh yeah, and it also dissipates levitation auras used against you, so you don’t get picked up and tossed around yourself.”
“Gilda was a special enchantment, there are some not-so-magical enchants then there are the most magical, some of the not-so-magical ones is that it doesn’t need an amplifier for ponies to hear it being played. Also another one is that it will always be tuned right. The most magical difference Gilda has that other gee-tars don’t is that it uses the power of music to amplify what the user has willed, also the gee-tar will control your hands, sort-of-like an automatic feature, but you also learn from it.”
“So I can do pretty much anything with the guitar?” I asked, slightly confused.
“Not pretty much anything, you can to any and all with it.” She assured me.
“So… I can make other guitars or instruments play by themselves?” I wandered (Think of the possibilities!).
“What ever it is that you will it to, it will do it.” She said slightly annoyed, but she continued, “But it can only be used by you or whom you alone allow. However, it is strong and magically protected while you use it, but, if someone was to try to use it without your permission or you had forbid them from using it and they still try, it will break as a safety feature, it is far too powerful to be used by someone who cannot control it.”
“Wow, that’s kind of, over-the-top don’t you think?” I asked.
“Not if the top has been raised to reach it, this is a very powerful instrument.” (Ha get it? Instrument!) She assured.
“What about the shades?” I inquired.
“Luna?” I heard a voice call, it wasn’t Celestia, it was a deeper, menacing voice. I moved my head to look at the speaker, my face brushed against something in the cold night air, sending a shiver down my spine. I shook harder. I quickly moved my arm under my body to get my coat from underneath me as I let out a grunt. I fell to my side onto the unforgiving tiles as my motor controls were dwindling. I felt the unforgiving cold of the night air. It felt like something was picking away at me, tearing something out of me, at the same time I felt like something was entering me. My necklace started to tighten. I coughed as my air supply was cut off.
I tasted blood.
“NO!” I heard Luna yell, “GO AWAY!”
I heard a low evil laugh as I blacked out.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Author’s notes:
I deliberately left out the shades for a side story I will make… Remember Magnet?
Fixed some minor spelling derps, Thanks Moggle451.
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Discorded Q
|
1241
| 4 |
Alternate Universe,Comedy,Romance,Sad
|
Jabbing Point
|
Steven Greys' parents have died, and now he must travel across dimensions with his new ones.
|
cancelled
| 19 | 0 |
<p>What is music? It's the sound of the soul, Just like a painting is the picture of the soul. How is it possible to control that? What would you do if you had the power to do what ever you wanted through music? What would you do if you lost it?<br /><br />This story follows the tale of Steven Greys. A 16-year-old human boy who has never even heard of the show. <br /><br />Steven has school, between his daily beatings, but with the help of his father, will he finally beat his nemesis? With both his parents dead, how is that possible? Is his father who he says he is? And now with his parents out of his life, who would take him in? And where would they go?<br /><br />And what would you do if you were positioned in [spoiler alert]?<br /><br />PS-> MORE CHARACTERS WILL BE MET LATER ON IN THE STORY.<br /><br />(To the person who wrote "Oh, Octavia", I had this Idea a while ago, but I just want you to know that in no way am I ripping you off.)<br /><br />EDIT: Removed derps in description.</p>
|
everyone
| null |
2011-10-18T09:45:02+00:00
| 1,143 |
Ok I have some good news, and some bad news...
The bad news goes first, B goes before G. ANYWAY.
Bad News: This story, cannot be continued... Thus I am canceling it.
Good News: Here is a bit of chapter 4 and I will REWRITE IT!
...
The story was going well so far, but what I have planned for BlueBlood, Steven, and David alike did not fit with what I have written. I'll explain later but for now... A bit of chapter 4.
Disclaimer:
I do not own ponies,blah blah blah anyone else who I forgot to mention, I am super duper ooper sorry for any inconveniences caused.
Now… ON WITH THE STORY!!!
PART 4:
“Find us.” The voices from my weird dream spoke to me.
“Who are you?” I asked.
“We are the voices of the jewels of music; four types of music, three jewels, two eyes and one unity. Find us, help us, and unite us.”
“How do I do that?”
The topaz showed itself and turned back into the mint colored pony, she came close to me and walked past me, I turned to follow her movements. When I completed my turn I saw a ghostly figure of Gilda and myself standing next to an outline of a pony.
“With a duet…” The green pony said.
“How do I find you?”
She looked at me with an emotionless expression, “Fate.” She said, she then turned back into the topaz, and floated away, “You need to find me first, but right now, you need to wake up.”
“Wake up.”
“Please wake up…”
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
“Please wake up… Please, Please wake up.” I heard a voice next to me say.
I opened my eyes slowly to look at who it was. It was Luna.
“Prncss?” I mumbled.
She gasped and looked up, “Steven!” She reached across and embraced me, “You’re okay!”
“Wht happnd?” I mumbled again, I couldn’t speak properly.
“Huh? Oh. You were attacked.” She moved her head in the embrace putting her face across my stomach.
“I was?” I asked, renewing my ability to speak.
“Yes. By something I thought was taken care of.” She moved her head up and looked at me, “The nightmare, the Miasma or that dumb cloud of annoying starry smoke that decided it was cool to take control of me and put this land into night time eternal.” Her eyes turned into one a look of concern, “But are you okay?”
“For the most part, what do you mean by thought it was taken care of?” I asked.
“Well, it’s been blasted by the Elements of Harmony, twice, and it still isn’t down.”
“Maybe the Elements of Harmony aren’t enough.” I suggested.
“What do you mean?”
The Jewels of Music. Find us. Help us. Unite us. I thought for a moment, those words kept on popping up in my head. “The Jewels of Music?” I put forward.
“The Jewels of Music?” She asked.
“Yeah, The Jewels of Music, I keep having weird dreams about them in my sleep, they keep saying for me to find them, and unite them.” I explained my dreams to the puzzled princess.
“That sounds like an ‘Element of Nature’.” She instated.
“An ‘Element of Nature’?” I inquired.
“Yes an ‘Element of Nature’. When my sister, brother and I created this land and the balance, we created three groups of Elements; The first, the six Elements of Harmony; Honesty, Loyalty, Generosity, Laughter and Kindness, the sixth however, was a manifestation of the five, with those combined, Magic was created. The second was the six Elements of Nature: Sight, Sound, Scent, Taste and Touch. The manifestation of those came the sixth element of sense, Life. But the last Elements are what my sister and I detested the most, The Elements of Anarchy, the natural opposite of The Elements of Harmony. Dishonesty, Betrayal, Greed, Sadness and Cruelty, The combination of those came to Discord.”
“Wait, earlier you said that it was you, your sister, and your brother?”
She nodded, “Atlan was our older brother, he created the land, and the plant life, while I created the creatures, the stars and moon and Celestia created order, harmony and energy with her sun.”
“What happened to him, why isn’t he here?”
“He is here, but he isn’t what he used to be. When my brother discovered the Elements of Anarchy, he wanted to test them, to meddle with them, to use them. The Elements cannot be controlled by anyone, not even those who created them. When Atlan messed with the Elements his mind became bent, he was twisted into a horrifying evil creature of chaos. Just like when the nightmare took control of me. We called it a ‘draconequus’, but he called himself Discord, he was the manifestation of the Elements of Anarchy. His mind was completely corrupted; he started to torment his subjects. Celestia and I saw this, and put a stop to it. We used the Elements of Harmony to try to overpower his corrupted mind, but there was something else, the Elements of Harmony couldn’t overpower their counterparts, they couldn’t reset our dear brother’s mind or form, the Elements of Anarchy were too deeply engraved into his persona, so the elements trapped him in a stone prison.” She paused as a tear rolled down her face.
“Luna…” I softly said.
She scrunched up her face and put it on my stomach again, “Celestia couldn’t bare to banish him so she turned him into- into a-“ She choked, “A statue, to be PUT IN THE GARDEN!” She began to cry on my stomach, I put a comforting hand on her head, “But she sent me-“ She clenched her jaw but continued, “-to the moon, for-“ She paused and began to sob, “F-For a THAOUSAND YEARS!” Those words rang in my head, a thousand years? She cried openly and I couldn’t bare it anymore, I sat up suddenly and embraced her neck with my arms, and held her tight. She cried into my shoulder but continued her story, “T-the nightmare invaded my mind for a th-thousand years, and now it’s after you!” I kept holding her but she continued, “I fought it off, and it’s gone for now, but it will be back, it will always be back.” She sighed, and coughed. We stayed like that until my back protested against my position.
I broke the embrace and laid back down, “Where is Celestia right now?” I asked.
“I don’t know, I think she is off with Blueblood.”
“Still? Wow… how long has it been since my performance?”
“A couple of hours actually.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, she did say that it was important. Besides, you were unconscious for most it.”
“Oh, heh heh, right, what about the Jewels of Music?” I refocused.
“Right, well, The Jewels of Music are parts of the Element of Sound.” She told me.Now I know what you would probably be thinking...
This is bad! He is giving up on Jabbing Point! Of all the things that could happen... this is THE. WORST. POSSIBLE. THING!!!
As I said before. I will rewrite the entire story. This is going to be my idea foundation. Judging by this I hope you have realized that I planned to have Steven 'as' the Element of Sound, but no. He doesn't sound like the Element of Sound... He FEELS like something else.
I still have to fill some major holes in the plot and add some new groundbreaking, earth-turning, turn-your-perspective upside-down, princess-has-to-intervene Ideas that will burn your house down! With lemons!
Any complaints or concerns? There is a comment section below...
EssMan out.
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