Author's Note: We're getting close to the end now! I know that you guys probably wanted more chapters, but fifteen is enough, for now, not to mention that we're working on a sequel which would be explained more in the epilogue on the title and the plot, though it'll focus more on the next-gen of the Mane Six, and as well as the CMCs since writing definitely my passion and I want to explore more of the fandom that I adore and working on stories for my favorite characters of MLP.
This chapter may have been short, but it was fun to write so I'm rating it M for a reason. Although it may not contain sexual content, there will be foul language and words that may be offensive to some, so it's a warning to those who may come across it and may not understand the strong language presented in this story. I do have plans to publish it on FimFiction as well, but I'm not sure when will that be so you guys better be on the lookout for it in the near future.
Ascending Across Time
Chapter Eleven
A week had passed since the arrival of Hugo and Louis to Equestria, and the two friends both started to get used to their new place, noticing that the two places were vastly different from each other. While he was here, Louis went back through the portal a couple of times to get some of his equipment, since he wanted to get away from the war-torn area of France. In retrospect, he'd never thought that he'd assimilate and adjust to life in Equestria so quickly.
He became good friends with Twilight Sparkle after his arrival and told her the differences between his world and hers. He wasn't a history buff completely, but he did focus well on the subject and explained to Twilight and Starlight about the American Civil War and why Daniel's family was upset at the loss.
"Did you get all that?" He asked, after finishing the tale, "They were just money hungry like everyone else was in the South."
"The gentleman you described," Twilight mused, "it wouldn't happen to be the same one that had the bushy beard and the large tophat, right? I may have seen his picture before in some books in the library back where you're from."
Louis nodded, "That's the one, Abraham Lincoln was his name. He's probably one of, if not the most important figure in America's history."
"I wouldn't have thought that myself," admitted Twilight, "from the books, I didn't think he was that important. Shame that I won't be able to ask him questions about that America places you speak of; he sounds like someone filled with all sorts of knowledge!"
Starlight chuckled, "That's what history books are for, Twilight." She began to blush, twirling around one of her hooves on the ground, "I've been reading a lot of these mystery books, Sherlock Holmes."
Louis smiled, chuckling lightly in the process, "That makes sense, though to be honest, I didn't think that you'd be able to read British literature."
"I found that British and Ponish were the same, to be honest," Starlight said, showing her a book herself.
Louis saw the book and nodded, "Ah, then that makes sense completely. Well, I'd better get back to my work now. It was very nice talking to you both."
Starlight and Twilight both got up as well, walking away separately towards their rooms. "Nice talking to you, too, Louis!"
"Come back soon!" Twilight added.
"Will do!" Louis beamed, exiting the castle.
As for Hugo, it took him a little while to get adjusted to life in Equestria, since everything was quite foreign and different to him. With the help of Sweetie Belle, he'd bought himself a house that even came with appliances. He even decided to bring his plants, but he gave them to Fluttershy, as a symbol of their new friendship.
Fluttershy thanked Hugo for the kind gesture and offered him the chance to visit and take care of the plants any time he felt like it. Hugo gracefully accepted the terms and happily obliged the request.
Presently, he was assisting the Flower Sisters with a beautification project near Town Hall. The town was preparing for a festival, hoping to raise money for some much-needed repairs around the town itself. Offering games for the small ponies and beautiful scenery for the older ones, as well as the local shopkeepers assisting with the festival, Mayor Mare believed the plan to be a well thought out one that offered a high success forecast in the future.
Hugo was finishing up the final touches on one of the beds of flowers he had planted around the base of Town Hall. Using his hooves to gently place the flowers, he tried his hardest not to disturb them from their time absorbing the sun's rays.
"Nice and neat for you," Hugo said in his native tongue, "grow up big and strong. There's nothing that you can't do."
He smiled happily at the flowers and continued to position the flowers just right when he heard hooves stepping nearby. Looking up, he saw that it was the mayor herself approaching the hard-working earth pony. She beamed delightfully at him and the Flower Sisters, pleased with the hard work they've all been performing lately.
"I know that the ponies of Ponyville will appreciate all your hard work as well," Mayor Mare insisted, "the flowers you've planted do look marvelous indeed."
"Thank you for your kind words, Mayor," Lily smiled, holding up one more pot with her hoof, "just have one final touch to add and then we're all done."
"Ooh," Mayor Mare replied, gazing at the flowerpot, "what kind is that one? It looks so beautiful."
"This is my favorite flower," Lily answered back, "a lily of the valley."
"Of course," giggled Rose, "it comes second to roses." She was only teasing, playfully winking at Lily in the process.
"You say poe-tay-toes," smirked Lily, "I say Poe-tah-toes." She glanced at the lily once more and excused herself to go plant it in the ground.
Mayor Mare then turned her attention to Hugo, "And you, good sir, I can't say that we've had any newcomer show up and impress quite as you have. Perhaps Twilight Sparkle, but you come in a very close second."
"Is my pleasure," Hugo responded, trying hard to speak clearly.
"I must say," continued the mayor, "your accent is quite interesting. Where did you say you come from again?"
Hugo hesitated. He wanted to explain himself completely but the fact that he came from an alternate world, coupled with his inability to speak clearly in English, was a detriment to himself. He tried explaining once more, but couldn't manage to say anything outside of an "uhh" sound.
"He comes from a very small subset located just outside of Saddle Arabia, Mayor Mare."
Hugo turned around and saw Sweetie Belle approaching Town Hall. He let out a sigh of relief and then nodded at Mayor Mare, agreeing with what Sweetie Belle said.
"He's very shy when it comes to talking about where he comes from," Sweetie Belle explained, looking towards Hugo briefly, "it's very spotty around that area."
"Very unsafe," Hugo agreed, feigning nervousness slightly, "that why I come here."
"Why here?" Mayor Mare wondered, "Why not with your family? You have family here?"
"Not necessarily," Hugo admitted, "my family gone."
"Oh," the mayor replied, understanding Hugo incorrectly, "my poor colt, you're an orphan?"
Hugo nodded slowly, thinking that the mayor would probably accept that knowledge rather than him having to explain his whole situation, especially since that situation was left in France with his old life. Sweetie Belle rubbed Hugo's side softly, pulling him away gently while excusing themselves from Mayor Mare politely.
Hugo sighed out of relief again once he and Sweetie Belle were far enough away from Mayor Mare, feeling the nervousness leave his body completely. Sweetie Belle giggled to herself and smiled at Hugo.
"It's okay, Hugo," she insisted, "you don't have to be so nervous."
"I know," Hugo responded, "it just hard not saying where I from."
"I have a feeling of what that may be like," Sweetie Belle nodded, "but I'm sure if you give it enough time, the others will come to accept it. That's kind of how it went for Starlight initially, but if you want to know more about that, you should ask her."
"Perhaps I would," Hugo thought, walking with Sweetie Belle more, showing her his work so far.
Sweetie Belle blushed when Hugo placed a lily of the valley flower behind her ear. Adjusting it slightly, he looked at her lovingly.
"What would I do without you, Sweetie Belle?" He asked quietly, "You are perfect and sophisticated and I fall in love with you each day, while I just a normal boy." He felt himself starting to look away from her.
He was very happy and enthusiastic to know that they were together, believing that he was even happier about himself and Sweetie Belle than Twilight and the others were, including Louis. After all, she was a famous singer while he was simply a gardener.
She was touched by his words, but she did feel sorry for him, "Hugo, I love you for who you are and it doesn't matter what your background or social status is. You have proven that you're a hard worker." Sweetie Belle walked closer to Hugo and stared at him for a moment before reaching up and kissing his cheek.
Hugo chuckled and blushed slightly when she pulled away from him, to which his cheek had been left with a kiss mark plastered on it, "I have to get used to this."
Hugo hadn't become surprised, even when she nuzzled him and he nuzzled her back. As they were enjoying their moment, they both became blind to the social life happening around them. They were blind enough to the point that neither of them realized that Daniel Berkshire had witnessed the entire scene unfold before his eyes. Fueled by jealousy and rage, Daniel glared at them murderously, especially when they both walked side by side.
"I will kill you, you son of a bitch," Daniel growled dangerously, "I had my eyes on her before you, bastard. As for you, Sweetie Belle, you will be taught a lesson." He started to plan out a way to exact his revenge on Hugo.