Disclaimer: I own nothing from the My Little Pony Friendship is magic franchise, I only own the story and the OC that I created.
Chapter 4
I am now on my way to Ponyville. Wow, just... wow! How many Bronies out there, back home, can honest to God say, 'I just went to Ponyville'? I am both insanely happy, yet very, VERY nervous. Why? Why are you even asking that? I already explained the situation in chapter two did I not?
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(Full apologies for the fourth wall break there. Totally unacceptable. Brief summary; An Orc God has sent this pony to Equestria to take down some rogue Entity. By Entity, You can assume rightly, that they meant a rogue God. Please enjoy the rest of the tale.)
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What just happened? Did I have some sort of existential crisis? Who am I really? Just some Character in some story created by some transcendental entity? By some sick, twisted mind? (Oi.) Huh? what was that? (Nothing. Do your mission well and you will be rewarded.) ... What sort of reward are we talking here? (You'll see.)
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...Great. I am now talking to myself in my head. Is this how insanity starts? My thoughts are brought back from the brink of posible sanity, back firmly onto the comfortable plains of the sensibly sane. How? Twilight, thats how.
"Are you alright?" She asked seemingly concerned for my well being. Something I find rather nice really, I mean she is part of the 'mane 6' after all.
"Yes. Yes, I'm alright. It's... just memories now. After recalling my first kill, they all seem to be... just popping up." I bluff rather well don't I? I think rather smugly. Now, Please don't get me wrong here, I am not a big fan for lying to her, nor will I like lying to all the other ponies, but this place will be my home from now on. I have to set a strong backstory or I will always be under their suspicion, that basically means that I will not have the freedom I need to tackle this Entity.
I find myself with a fair bit of time to actually look at Twilight, and I only now seem to notice something about her. For one, she is a little under a foot shorter than I am. Secondly, she is a unicorn pony with a light purple colored coat, with her mane and tail being mainly dark magenta in color, with a single streak of pink and purple through it. They are both styled quite similarly; well groomed and straight, with the exception of her mane, which curls lightly to rest over her left front shoulder. Thirdly, her eyes are deep purple in color, they sort of hold your attention without you even realising it. Fourthly, her Cutie Mark, it is a large pink star with smaller white ones around it. I have to admit that I do find her to be very attractive. Hmmm. Is it just me or am I more sexually active as a pony than I was as a human? Wait. I can say that I was human? I can't curse or swear or any of that good stuff, but I can now say arms!? What the FFFFF...! I don't know what I have to do to do it, but I will find a way for me to swear again! Upon my soul I swear it!
Ahem. Last but not least.
... She is a cartoon.
A cartoon.
I honestly thought that this would be slightly more realistic than this. How does that work anyway? It doesn't make sense! We are all cartoon characters in some barmey... kids show. Barmey? Well... any alternative I guess. I Sigh heavily. I am about to have a crisis.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Twilight says quietly.
"No. I'll get over it." I sigh. "Still, I do have to show you my magic trick after all." I reply happily. I will be honest here, but his is all so I can taste the food from Sweet Apple Acres. Geh. I'm drooling.
"Well, if you say so." She says, sceptical of my magic. Can't really blame her for that can you. I am after all an earth pony, and we don't use... Ooooh! Now I am nervous; can I use magic from earth here? How can I find out without her noticing? My panic seems to show as Twilight glances at me from the other side of the chariot.
"Twilight. He said to bring him to some food so that he can show us his magic right?" Spike adds in almost as an after thought.
"Yes he did. Your point?" Twilgith asks.
"Well, the first stop on the 'Official Overseers Checklist' has us checking up on food preperation going on at Sweet Apple Acres. So he could show us his magic whilst we're there." Spike points out, rather prudently I might add, their reason for going to Ponyville.
Of course I already know this, but, lets play along shall we?
"That sounds rather official, what are you doing there?" I ask out of curiosity. Despite knowing whats happening.
Over the course of our journey, she recounts what her duties are, but that she would like to get them over and done with with as much speed as she can. All beacuse of the prophecy, regarding the Return of Nightmare Moon. Once I heard that part, I do confess to feeling a great twinge of regret. Of all the ponies in Equestria, I confess to liking Princess luna the most. It does pain me to see her in this state. I wonder though? Now that I am here, maybe...? Is it possible to get her to change back peacefully? Such a thing would require a great deal of care and affection, not just that but patience and love. Can I really pull something like that off? My thoughts must be showing on my face because Twilight brings me back from my brooding.
"Um, are you alright?" Twilights concern for my wellbeing is rather touching considering we've known each other for less than an hour.
"Yes Twilight, just thinking." I respond slowly, should I tell her why though?
"What are you thinking about?" She questioned.
"... Twilight, answer me honestly. Do you hate Nightmare Moon?" I need Twilight to be honest here. I know that she and all other ponies are scared of her, but, I need to know if they 'hate' her. There is a key difference between hating somepony and fearing them.
"Wha? What do you mean by that?" She is confused by me question. I mean who wouldn't be? It did come out of nowhere after all, still, she has not given me an answer.
"Twilight, please answer the question." I look into her eyes, and implore her. Wait...? Is she blushing? Whatever for?
"We-well..." She stuttered "I-I-I... I don't really know. Her return will bring about an endless night for all equestria. I also belive that she will return, tonight even! And that scares me." I can see the fear in her eyes, but I also detect the courage to face that same fear. "You asked me if I 'hated' her right?" I nod. "Well... No. I may fear her, but I don't hate her. It may seem contradictory, but I can't bring myself to hate her. I can't even explain why?" I cannot detect any falsity in her words. My gaze softens and a small smile displays itself. OK, why is she blushing now?
"Thank you for your honesty Twillight." Is it me or is her blushing getting worse? Her whole face is turning red. "I needed to hear that. I also want you to know that I will help you however I can with regards to this matter." With that I hope I can...? She just went a whole shade redder? Is that even possible? Not only that, but she is biting her lower lip whilst avoiding my gaze. "Um... Twilight? Are you alright" I asked out of concern.
"YES!" How is it possible for her whole body to turn red?! "I mean yes. I am alright. Whew, is it hot up here or is it just me?" Now where have I heard that line before?
"Are you sure your alright? After what just happened a little while ago, you could be experiencing shock?" I am very concerned. As I just stated, many do go into shock after the adrenaline has died, it matters not whether they were a part of it or not.
"Yes! I am fine!" She is a little short with me for some reason.
"If you say so." Wait, did our roles reverse themselves?
"Hey. Um, why did you ask that question?" After turning back to purple, she questions me about my own question.
"Well, knowing that Nightmare Moon is coming back-" As I was speaking, Spike brings me up short.
"Hey! Look! It's Ponyville!" His voice is filled with childish excitment.
"So we see kid." A chuckle at his childish antics.
"Hey! I am not a kid!" He pouts in a childlike manner. It is actually adorable, I never thought I would ever say that. I laugh a bit before speaking.
"Sorry Spike!" I apologise while laughing, which only make Spike pout more. "It's just that you were so adorable! I couldn't help myself!" Oh! My! God! Spike is BLUSHING! Turning his purple and green scales a rather peculiar color. Twilight's laughter is not helping very well.
"OK! OK you can stop now. We're about to land." Twilight points this out for us both whilst chuckling herself.
Still smiling, I look upon one of the most recognisable locations in all of Equestria. My heart swells with insane levels of joy. Oh, I can hear the howls of Bronies everywhere! The hate is real here ponies! I cannot believe it! That right there is Sugarcube Corner! There is The carousel Boutique! OH Hohoho! And that right there, is the Ponyville Library! I am GEEKING OUT RIGHT HERE! Thank you God for for the ultimate poker face. OK we are nearing the grou... Oh god! How could I have forgotten! I am scarred to heck and back! How will all the other ponies react to this!? While I am having a moment, the carriage final touches down, with the guards whinnying. Twilight, Spike and I get off, with Twilight approaching the guards.
"Thank you gentlmen." She says... wait what?
"Hey Twilight. Since we are here, you could try making friends with other ponies. Pehaps the ponies of Ponyville have interesting things to talk about?" As Spike is saying this, a certain Pink Peppy Party Pony, is approaching us. This is the One, the Only, Pinkie Pie! An earth pony with a pink colored coat, with her mane and tail a darker shade of pink. Her eyes are blue, and her Cutie Mark is composed of three ballons, two blue and one she approaches us Spike gets twilight to try to speak to her. Not really the best option, but, you take what you can get.
"Uh, hello?" Twilight attempts to start a conversation, but... Pinkie gasps while hovering in mid-air, then dashes away at great speed.
"Well, that was interesting." I say. In response, Twilight groans and holds her head low at that failure. "Hey. Cheer up Twilight. There are still plenty of ponies with whom you can still talk to. Don't let this one hold you down." I try to console her, but I am not sure it worked as she just started to walk away. I sigh sadly at that while Spike jumps upon Twilights back.
As we make our way through Ponyville, we start to attract all kinds of attention. And by we, I mean me. Well, who can blame them, I am an armed, scarred and bandaged pony walking through their town after all. Speaking of which, I only now realise that I am not feeling any sort of pain. None whatsoever. I like it. While I am think about this, Twilight also notices the ponies staring at me and begins to fidget and fret about it. A smirk appears on my face as I think of a way to distract her. My eyes widen as an idea presents itself. I start to hum a tune, then as momentum builds I start to sing a song, adapted for pony kind.
[PLAY 'FULL METAL JACKET - FINALE - MICKEY MOUSE]
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E
We play fair and we work hard
and we're in harmony
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E
With the first verse, I had grabbed not only Twilight's and Spike's attention, but the attention of many of the ponies around us, I just continue walking through Ponyville with Twilight and Spike follwing behind me.
Mickey Mouse (MICKEY MOUSE)
Mickey Mouse (MICKEY MOUSE)
Forever let us hold our banner high.
High! High! High!
Fillies and Colts from far and near
you're welcome as can be.
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E
Who's the leader of the club
that's made for you and me.
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E
Who is marching coast to coast
and far across the sea.
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E
Twilight and Spike seem to enjoy it. Not just them though but everypony who is listening to it is humming along to the simple tune.
Mickey Mouse (MICKEY MOUSE)
Mickey Mouse (MICKEY MOUSE)
Forever let us hold our banner high.
High! High! High!
Come along and sing a song
and join our family.
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E
Who's the leader of the club
that's made for you and me.
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E
Hey there. Hi there. Ho there
You're as welcome as can be.
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E
At the songs conclusion, I hold a smile on my face as Twilight, Spike and numerous other ponies who heard me sing cheer and stomp their hooves in appreciation of the little tune a threw out. I rub the back of my head with a blush on my cheeks, I didn't really sound that good after all. I was never much of a singer, but, perhaps, cartoon logic gave me a good singing voice. Another bonus for random aaaaaa... random logic. I am going to find a way to curse, you mark my words.
I give a wave at all the ponies around us as we leave Ponyville and make our way to Sweet Apple Acres. This is hopefully where I can show off some of my magic. If not, then I will be full to burstin' because of all the food that will be before us. Oh god. I am drooling again. As we are walking Twilight praises me for my singing.
"That was amazing! I did not take you to be a singer. How long have you beens singing for to get so good?" Innocent questions to be sure, but I can't help the blush that creeps onto my face.
"Aww. I ain't so good. It's just that... when your alone on your way from place to place, you find yourself with a lot of time on your hooves. So, in order to help pass the time, I started to sing." Both Twilight and Sppike are listening with rapt attention. "Sometime I would meet other ponies, and would entertain them with a few songs just for the company. As traveling is often a lonely profession, nevertheless, it did not stop me from making many friends on my journey. It may not be for everypony, but I loved it. And I enjoyed every second of it." As I speak, memories of my past travels as a human... make their way to the surface of my consciousness. I smile at all the memories, both good and bad, for they were the best times of my life.
The mood between us is rather friendly, I kinda hope that this makes us friends. With this idle thought, we make our way through the arch that leads to Sweet Apple Acres. As we pass through the arch a loud YE-HAWW! sounds around us. We look for the voice to see none other than Applejack. An earth pony with an orange colored coat with her mane and tail being yellow colored and tied near the ends with a red band. Green eyes and a Cutie Mark consisting of three red apples on her flank. On top of this is her ever present light-brown stetson hat. You can't really have Applejack without that hat.
She is running around her orchard, bucking trees, which causes the apples to fall into the barrels at their base, without spilling even one. After her little show she takes a pose. Twilight sighs in resignation.
"let's get this over with." She steps forward with Spike and I following at her sides.
"Good afternoon. My name is Twilight Sparkle-!" Thats as far as she got, due to the fact that Applejack is now holding her fore-right hoof in both of hers, and is shaking them at some speed. I riase an eyebrow while a small smirk at the position she finds herslf in.
"Well, howdy-do miss Twilght. A pleasure makin' yer aquaintance. I'm Applejack. We here at Sweet Apple Acres sure do like making new friends." She speaks in a Southern American accent, a rather thick southern drawl, this only serves as a reminder of how much a down to earth pony she is. At least in my opinion it does.
"Ffrrieennddss? Aaacctuuallyy IIIII-!" Poor Twilight, the amount of shaking she is experiencing is making her voice sound funny.
"So, what can I do yeh for?" She says, winking. Poor Twilights leg is still shaking, atleast it was untill Spike stopped it for her, it would have gone over better if he didn't chuckle at that. In response to his chuckling, she glares at him before clearing her throat to speak.
"Ahem. Well, I am in fact here to supervise preperations for the Summer Sun Celebration, and you're in charge of the food?" She asks wanting to know if this information is correct.
"We sure as sugar are. Would ya care to sample some?" Applejack asks her own question. Oh boy, my stomache is ready for this. "Oh my gosh, I do apologise for leavin' you out there friend." Wait. What? I blink then look around, seeing nopony else, I point to myself. She Nods.
"Well, I am a friend of Twilight and Spike here. They kindly helped me out when I was injured about two hours or so ago, they even went so far as to give me a lift to Ponyville." I reply to Applejacks stare. She reaches forward without thinking and grabs my injured right leg and shakes it vigorously. Pain flare through my body.
"Well, once again, I'm Applejack. Pleasure to make yer aquaintance. Might I know yer name?" Her eyes are closed as she shakes my hoof. But when she opens them, she sees my face set into a grimace due to the pain I am feeling. She then hurriedly lets go and starts to apologise. I'm not really paying too much attention, but I am vaguely aware of Twilight supporting me. Holding me up as my legs just want to collapse beneath me.
"Oh my Gosh! I'm so sorry! I wasn't really thinkin' and-!" Applejack began before Twilight interrupted her.
"Wasn't thinking?! He is visbly injured! How could you not see THAT!" Her temper is flaring. This could ruin her chances of becoming firends with Applejack! NO WAY! I will not let thier future friendship be ruined because of a small mistake like this!
"Look, I'm sorry I don't know how-!" Apljack begins to apologise, but this time it's me who interrupts.
"AH, don't t'ch worry yourself lass. T'ain't nothin I canea handle." I pull out a thick Irish accent to throw Twilight for a loop. It seems to work, as she now resembles a gaping fish. Mouth opening and closing due to my sudden accent chage.
"It's might kind o' you to say so, but I must still apologise for causing you harm like that." I can't say no to that honesty of hers. So I give a reasuring smile, hoping that I can give her some comfort.
"Then I forgive ye, 'twas not your fault tha I be injured. No harm, no foul says I." That accent is so thick, you could cut it with a knife. But I can tell that she seems to like it. Hmmm. She likes the Irish accent, didn't know that. I offer my uninjured hoof. "Friends?" I ask, a little hopeful.
"Friends." She smile and takes my hoof and shakes it lightly. YAY! Two whole friends in as many hours! My stomache choses this point to make it's prescience known. "Heh, sorry about that. Soon as I heard food was on offer, I couln't really help meself." I respond back a little embarressed using my normal voice. Wait. Why is Twilight glaring at me like that?
"Still, though. You never did introduce yerself. So, who are you?" Extremely valid question. One that brings a rather interesting flaw to the (brilliant) plan. I don't really have a name. Oh... Nuts and shoes.
"I... I'm not really happy with my name." All of them look at me in confusion. Can you blame them? I don't like my name. Oh who am I kidding? I don't have a name! As I look down Spike speaks up.
"Why's that? Everypony is named after they are born. What is it that you don't like about your own name?" The girls both nod at this question. Time to pull some God levels of B... out of my A... Huh, that seems to be a little loop hole. Only for mental thought perhaps, not for verbal use. Maybe?
"Well, to be honest? I was never given a name." Cliched much? I look up as the three of them gasp at this claim. "What?" I ask a little confused.
"Oh my gosh! I am so sorry for hurting your feelings! Please, I didn't-!" Spike was on the verge of crying because of what I said, so I draw him into a hug. I feel a little ashamed of myself now.
"Don't you worry about it Spike. I have had many years to come to terms with that fact, but due to not having a name, I was able to meet somepony who would later on be the one to give me my current name." With this, he brightens up a little. I am not able to keep myself from wanting to dry his tears. Heh, guess this means that I am very weak towards the tears of children.
"Thanks." He blows his nose with a... handkerchief? Where did that come from? Is this more cartoon logic? I thought that I was done with that? "So, um, what is your name" He is nervous, not sure how I will respond.
"Yeah, it's rather embarrising really." Oh blessed Lords of Imagination don't fail me now! "The name my friend gave me is..." Oh god, my face is turning red. I can't belive that THIS is the best I could come up with! "... Ranger le Forge!" I close my eyes, just waiting. Waiting for them to call me up on how stupid that name is!
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...
...?
I do not hear the sound of mocking laughter? Nor do I feel an unpleasant gaze? What does this mean? I slowly open up my eyes. Looking them in the eyes, they are just standing there. Come on the suspense is killing me, just say something! As I am panicing, Twilight steps towards me with a small smile on her face. I gulp. I done goofed.
"Oh, you! That name is lovely. I don't know who has been telling you otherwise, but they are wrong about that name. It suits you rather well, I might add." Eh? What did she just say?
"I have to say that it does fit you good and proper." Applejack gives her two cents on the matter.
"Well... I thank you for that, I always thought that that name sounded ridiculous. It's good to know that I can walk proud with it instead of feeling embarrassed about it." It's at this point that my stomache made its feelings very clear. A loud grumble emits from my belly. It actually seems to echo. How!? Oh! My! God! The embarrassment is real here ponies! I can feel the red!
I close my eyes to the loud peals of laughter that errupt around me. I never thought that there would come a day where I would want to did a hole to bury myself in it. Yet, here it is. It takes a while for the three of them to get their breathe back, but a few chuckles still get through.
"I, I, Hehehe. Sorry, sorry, but I belive that is my cue to bring ya'll somethin' to eat." Applejack... Please spare me further torture. Just please forget that it ever happened. Please!?
"Well, how can we pass up on the opportunity? Especially when someone has exressed how hungry they are?" That smug grin of yours Twilight! I wish there was a way to remove it, but I cannot bring myself to hurt you. You are just too cute to hit! What? She IS cute! I brand anyone who says otherwise, a LIAR! That is just not the case, I mean all her reactions in the show are just too CUTE!
WAIT! Wait! Wait! Lets keep on track here. Applejacks farm, food, the family re-! As I was bringing my thoughts into order, Applejack begins to ring a bell. Calling out that 'Soups on Everpony!' At this, a whole herd of ponies stampedes towards us. In a flurry of motion and random movement, Twilight, Spike and myself find ourselves seated at a table with a red and white, checkered patteren tablecloth. In a gazebo like structure. How the Hay is this possible? Oh, wait. Cartoon logic. This is going to be a 'thing', isn't it?
Whilst we three are sitting here, Applejack starts to introduce as many members of her extended familiy as possible. Ending in the three who we would see more often than not. Big Macintosh, a stallion earth pony standing at around my height, with a red coat, and orange colored mane and tail styled short and a little spikey fashion. Green eyes, with three white spots under his eyes and yellow colored hooves. His Cutie Mark consists of a green apple, cut in half with the insides exposed.
Apple Bloom, a little earth pony filly about three feet high, with a yellow colored coat, a red colored mane and tail with a pink bow tied into the mane. Her hair is styled in a sort of 'poofy' manner (for lack of a better description). Her eye color is orange, but, just like in the show, she has no cutie mark. But I know when she will get it. All she really needs to learn is a little bit of patience.
Lastly Granny Smith, another earth pony, whom was asleep in her rocking chair, atleast she was untill Applejack woke her up. Leaving her a little disoriented. Her coat is green in color, with her mane and tail bieing white in color. Her hair is styled in a bun for both her mane and her tail, with some strands stuck out in place. Her Cutie mark looks like... an apple pie? Or some sort of apple related food product.
I now sit behind a large pile of food. My stomache grumbles greatly in appreciation of the veritable feast that now lies before me. All the ponies laugh in good humor, but my mind is in full 'Consumer' mode. I mean seriously, who wouldn't want a taste of the sweet nectre from Sweet Apple Acres!
... Was that a double entendre? I did not know that we could use those? Hmmm. I mentally smirk in an evil manner due to finding out about this loop hole. Maybe if I word things correctly... Mwahahahahaha! I think this is going to work! Wait, why is everpony staring at me like that?
"What?" I ask all innocent like.
"Well, that laugh of yours was rather sinister..." Spike responds trailing off in the end.
"Oh! Sorry about that. I just lost myself there." They give me curious looks. "I haven't eaten anything in the last four days, and coupled with the fact that I'm injured. Hehe, well. Lets just say that I see myself eating almost all of it, leaving very little for everypony else." I say rubbing the back of my head, again my stomache growls, lending some much needed credibility to my statement. At this, all the ponies give a small laugh and the good mood returns.
"Well, as appetizing as this all looks, I'm afraid we can't really stay for too long." Twilight gives a little downer to the moment. All the ponies give off a disapointed, 'aww'. Wow. That was rather... How do I even? As I am thinking about random things, Apple Bloom, steps up.
"Aren't you goin' to stay fer brunch?" Oh good God no! Those upturned puppy eyes! Twilight give in! Now! Save yourself! Twilight just stares at her for a second before giving in. At this, everypony tucks in, helping themselves to a serving of this and that. Whilst this is happening, I too, am eating my fill. But, as I am stuffing myself stupid, my newly aquirred injuries begin to itch, irritatingly. Must resist temptation! The more I eat the longer the itch lasts. After eating a bit, I remove some bandages, all to the collected shock of the ponies around me. Their gasps clearly expressing their shock and horror at my injuries. After giving myself a once over, I note that my injuries are in fact healing. Haha! Good to know that that magical enchantment still remains.
In case you're wondering, this enchantment was given to me by a friend of mine who is a powerful mage in their own right. This enchantment allows me to heal up if I use my own bodies energies to provide the power. But, I had my friend modify it, so that I can heal with every bit of food that I eat. This one enchantment brought them a great deal of fame back home, as practically everyone wanted the very same enchantment. This even made others seek to make better meals, for as all the world knows, 'A good meal keeps the doctor away!'
Pleased to see this, I continue to eat, slowly healing my recent injuries, turning them into scars. I am so focusedd on this, that I miss the faces of everypony around me as they watch in astonishment, as the more I eat, the more I heal. It doesn't take me too long to get back to full health, and I burp in full contentment. I now look upon all the ponies around me. Finnally noticing the quiet, awestruck stares they all bear. I blink, and look all around me, it's pretty much the same face everwhere I look.
"Uh...? What are you all looking at?" I ask a little unnerved at thier looks. Twilight opens her mouth a few time, before finally finding the words.
"I...you...what was that?" Her question finally comes out. I blink for a bit before my eyes widen, finally realising what she is talking about.
"Remeber when I told you that I would show you my magic?" Her eyes widen at that as she nods. "Well, this is my magic. A friend of mine enchanted my body allowing me to heal my body off any injuries, by eating food." Her eyes cannot get any wider.
"NO WAY!? I have never heard of such a spel;l before! Who is this unicorn that gave you this ability?! Maybe I have heard of them." What she asks is pretty much impossible. So I gave her an unsatisfactory answer.
"Sorry Twilight. I swore an oath to keep their identity secret. There are bad ponies out there who would use my friend for dark purposes, should they ever get captured." This is something that almost happened back home. Before my other friend and I interfered.
"Oh... Ok... I will respect your oath. But I would like to talk to you more on this matter as it may help bring me some insight. Is this alright with you?" She is disappointed, but she does rally a little. Still, I would like to talk with her a little more, so this gives me a good excuse to be alone with her. I... wait what? I want to spend more time with Twillight? We have barely met! Oh for cryin' out loud! This is getting ridiculous! You cannot expect me to fall 'head over hoof' in love with Twilight Sparkle in only a day! That is just not done! It is a Blooo... an absolute disservice to her! I cannot bring myself to let it happen like this, if there is to be anything between us, then It will be after we have come to know each other better.
...What just happened? OK! Slow it down a bit. I breathe deeply a few time as every pony looks at me. In this moment, I figure that it would be in my best interests to say yes to this, if only so I can get to know Twilight better. I mean, I know what she's like in the show, but, this is real life here. There are bound to be things I don't know about her. So I nod giving her my assent. She smiles at that; her smile is still cute.
We remain here for a while as we chat about random things, briefly going over how I got my injuries. I gloss over a great number of things regarding the fight. But I leave them enough to get the general gist, basically, dragon attacked me, we fought, I won. Simple right? After our 'little' meal, Twilight, Spike and I head off to check next upon the weather. Spike is in front with me and Twilight following behind. Though this time around, she does nt have a bulging belly. If only due to my ravenous self eating the dragons shre of the food.
"Huh. There is supposed to be a pegasus pony clearing the coulds right now?" Spike asks the world at large bringing our attention to the, as yet, unclear sky.
"Well, she's not doing a very good job is she?" Sarcasm does not become you Twilight. As I was thinking this, I feel a disturbance in the air. As I look over to it, I see a rainbow colored streak about to crash into us. Acting fast, I push Twilight to safety, taking the full brunt of the out of control pony that crashes into me. resulting in both of us getting a mud bath. With me being face down in the mud with the other pony on top. Nice.
I feel the weight ease off my back. Followed by a femine voice chuckling at my current predicament.
"Hehehe, uh, excuse me?" I pull my head out from the mud and try to stand up to recieve more chuckling. Nice to know that someone finds this amusing! "Here, let me help you." As I turn around and open my eyes, I feel something above me. So I look up at a cloud hanging overhead. Which then proceeds to unleash a heavy shower upon me, cleaning me of the mud that stains my body. Leaving my soping wet mane dripping infront of my eyes. Even more chuckling from the voice above me leaves me feeling a little peevish. Not really an emotion I'm used to.
"Oops, I guess I over did it." I part my hair to allow me to see who is speaking, although I have a good idea. "Um? Uh? How about this?" Next thing I know, I am in the middle of a rainbow colored mini-tornado.
"My very own, patented, 'Rain-Blow-Dry'." Decent name for it. Although, you would have to employ some hairdressers to sort out your customers hair after this. "Nono, don't thank me, you're quite welcome...!" One is not amused. You can see why she is about to laugh herslf into hysterics can't you? Both my mane and tail are a bushy afro styled mess. Coupled with my deadpan face this makes for a leathal comedic combo.
I look this mare full in the face, and my assumption is correct. Rainbow Dash, a pegasus pony; her coat is blue in color,which includes her wings. Her mane and tail are rainbow colored. What do I mean? I mean that it is red, orange, yellow, green, dark blue and purple in color. It's also style in a wild, spikey manner. Something that matches her tomboyish attitude. She also has magenta colored eyes, which house a sense of youthful childishness that one does not expect to see in a pony of her calibre. Her Cutie Mark consists of a plain cloud with a rainbow-colored lightning bolt.
As I stare at her, head on, she scrunches her face, trying to hold in her amusement. But to no avail, as within seconds she caves to her own sense humor and laughs outright at he messy afro that I now sport. Spike caves in as well. So, I then look to Twilight, daring her to laugh as well. knowing full well, that it would have been her in that situation, all she does is smile and thanks me for saving her. Awww. I can't stay mad at those upturned eyes of hers! She is just too Cuuute!... Ahem! Right! Uh...back to Rainbow Dash please. Twilight steps forward.
"Let me guess, You're Rainbow Dash." Nice deadpan.
"Theee one and only." So saying, she spings back onto her hooves throwing Spike some small distance away. Before taking to the skies. Then getting in Twilights face, making a little uncomfortable. "Why? You heard of me?" She asks questioningly.
"I heard that you're 'supposed' to be keeping the sky clear!" Nice one Twi. Keep up the pressure and she will crumble...? Wait a second? Since when do I call you Twi? Twilight sighs before continuing. "I'm Twilight Sparkle, and the Princess sent me to check on the weather." Simple and direct. Should get through easy enough.
"Yeah yeah, that'll be a snap. I'll do it in a jiffy, just as soon as I'm done practicing." That leaves Twilight a little confused.
"Practising for what?" She asks slowly, before RD respons with great emphasis. (What? Do you expect me to honestly write their names in full? I'm calling 'Authors Privileges' here. So HA)... Who the HAY is speaking!? This is getting ridiculous! NO! NOnononono! Focus here Ranger! Do not let this disembodied voice get in the way. It will only lead to Trouble, Trouble, Trouble. With a capital 'T'!
"The Wonderbolts!" She says pointing towards a poster on a nearby wall. "They're going to perform at the celebration tomorrow. And I'm going to show them my stuff." She says with a flourish before landing on a cloud.
"The Wonderbolts?" Twilight says with emphasis.
"Yep." Says RD
"The most talented fliers in all of Equestria?" Twilight questions further.
"That's them." responds RD.
"Pfft! Please, they'd never accept a pegasus who can't even keep the sky clear for one measily day!" Wow! Twilight! I never new that you could sound so deviously smirky. Way to throw down the gauntlet. RD looks pretty offended at that.
"Hey! I could clear this sky in ten seconds flat!" OH! Nows the opportunity to see if her claim is really true! At this, Twilight accepts the challenge.
"Prove it." Nice smirk there Twi. I have to say, it does look good on her.
With this RD, proceeds to rush around, dashing through clouds by the ton. Bucking them ramming them or outright crushing them.
"Loop the loop around and...WHAM! What did I say? Ten. Seconds. Flat." Look at that smug grin she is wearing. Just wait till she hears my little declaration about her performance! "I'd never leave Ponyville hanging."I take a glance at Twilight and Spike and to my amusement, they are gobsmacked. Their mouths are just hanging open, wait where'd that sheep come from?
"He, you should see the look on your face!" She swims around us but come back in close. "You're a laugh Twilight Sparkle! I can't wait to hang out some more." As she is about to take off though. I decide to speak on my observations.
"Ahem. Before you leave... You did say that you could clear the sky in ten seconds flat. Yes?" I ask.
"Yeah... So?" She asks a little confused.
"Well, I timed you there and I do have to agree that you did take ten seconds to clear the sky. However! You would have done it in seven seconds if you didn't add that flourish at the end." With this, lets see here reaction.
"What!? You...!? How!?" Hehehe. She is incredibly flustered now. So I let a smug grin form on my face. Oh. She then brings her face in close to mine, glaring at me for my criticism. We are pretty much nose to nose here... Hmmm. Would it be rather bad of my to give her lips a quick kiss? We are pretty close after all, this would make her blush to no end! As I am thinking about how to fluster RD even more, Twilight gets in between us, pretty much wedging herself in the middle to try and seperate us.
"I am sorry about my friend! He is not normally like this." She apologises to RD for my actions before giving me a VERY pointed look. I just give her a look that pretty much says 'What did I do?' But I do realise that I was being rather snarky with RD, so I had best apologise.
"True. I'm not normally like this, but, you do have to admit Rainbow Dash. That the wonderbolts are professionals, who will be looking for that same degree of professionalism in any possible recruits, no? This is something that I believe any organisation will be looking for in a recruit. Sure you can be who you want to be, but they will be looking for someone who will do the job they are given properly." I say in a mollifying manner.
"... You do have a point. But, you could have told me in a less snarkey way." What RD says is true. That was not really very nice of me was it?
"Yes. I was out of order for saying it in the manner in which I did. I apologise for offending you." I lower my head in apology, to show my sincerity.
"Ok. Apology accepted. Well, see you around." With this she takes off.
"well. You certainly offended her. If I hadn't stepped in, who know what would have happened?" Twilight speaks to me. Getting her point across loud and clear. Huh. This is actually helping her to work out friendship problems isn't it? I smile in my head, but keep my face neutral.
"Indeed. You know... for someone who hasn't got many friends, you do seem to have a nack for handling friendship problems." I point this out carefully. Not trying to give too much away.
"Who, me?" Twilight points to herself, and I nod in confirmation. "Oh, you're just saying that. Outside of Spike and yourself, I don't really have any friends." Hmm. Is that a regretful tone I detect there? It probably is, but, she should just be a little more patient. She'll get a number of friends here in Ponyville.
After this little meet with Rainbow Dash, we then proseed to the Town Hall where we will meet up with Rarity putting up the decorations. Spike, being on the ball states as such.
"Decorations." He starts normally, before his tone changes into one of adoration. "Beautiful."
"Yes, the decor is coming along nicely, this oughta be quick. I'll be at the library in no time. Beautiful indeed." Twilight says in a cheerful mood.
"I don't think that's what he was refering to Twilight." A small smile on my face as I see his love struck face.
"Oh? What was he refering to then?" Twilight asks back, a little confused. Spike speaks with a very adoring tone.
"Her." With that, Rarity, a unicorn pony like Twilight now stands here before us. Her coat a very pale grey, practically white in a certain light, with her mane and tail color being purple with different gradients, ranging from a deep purple to a light purple similar to that of Twilight's coat. She has it style up in curls, starting large and ending small tight curves. She also has dark blue colored eyes and her Cutie Mark consists of three light-blue colored diamonds resting upon her flank.
She is currently a little bit preoccupied with sorting out the finishing touches to the decorations inside the town hall. Should I help her out here?
"How are my spines? Are they straight?" I... words...Little pink hearts are floating from his head as he stares dreamily at her. Another bit of that 'loco' cartoon logic. I don't think I'll ever come to understand how it works. Twilight just rolls her eyes, smiling and walks forward with me at her side.
"Good afternoon-" Twilight begins before being politely interrupted.
"Just a moment please, I'm 'in the zone', as it were." Fully focused on her task she asks us to wait for her to be finished.
"Oh, yes. Sparkle always does the trick, does it not? Why Rarity you are a talent." Oh yes, she does have a habit for speaking in the third person doesn't she? Oh, pooh! She is going to scream-! "Now how can I help you...AAAAAAAAAAHHHHH! Oh my stars, darling! whatever happened to your coiffure?" That... wasn't what I expected to come from her mouth. Wait? Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Rarity didn't bother reacting to my injuries untill I made them known. Will I have to deal with being sidelined in a number of circumstances? Well...? It's probably for the best that I don't get too attached to any ponies around here. Don't want them being used against me.
"Ranger, Are you there?" Twilight brings my mind back to the here and now.
"Sorry about that, I was miles away." Looking at her, I can see that my words have not had a very good effect on her, if the slight tightening of her eyes is anything to go by.
"Well, now that you are back with us, she has asked about the state of your mane. Would you care to answer her?" Twilight. This tone does not become you. Leave it outside, and away from your thoughts, your mind is needed to handle the task that you were sent here to complete.
"Oh. Right. Um, well? Just get me a brush and I'll be good to go." I'm not very happy with the current style tha RD put on me. Still, nothing a quick brush down won't cure.
"Oh no! I could not just let you go with just that, come with me!" With that being said, she then gets behind me and starts herding me out from the building. WAIT! This is not how this should be! This should be Twili-! OH SHHHH...! Rats!
"Wait a-! Where are you taking me!" My question goes unanswered, I look back at Twilight and Spike and call for them to help me. Spike, just floats in the air and uses his tail as a propellor to provide forward momentum. And Twilight... I am not sure her eyes should be twitching like that. Nevertheless, they both follow on, both in polar opposite moods.
*Some Time Later*
My mane and tail are now styled in a more gentlemanly fashion, more straight for one! But lets be real here. I don't suit this style, and rarity actually agrees with me. Isn't that odd? So I just mess up my hair, returning it back to the state it was when I first met Twilight. Rarity, as much as she hates to admit it, does admit that this does suit me more than any others she had planned. In self defence, I ask her if she can find a suitable outfit for my friend Twilight. Twilight glares at me at what she belives to be a form of betrayal. Oh boy, I'm going to have fun explaining myself on this one aren't I?
No! No. Uh-uh, too green, too yellow too puffy, not puffy enough, too frilly, too... shiny. 'Gasp'. Now go on my dear, you were telling me where you're from" After a very fast outfit montage, rarity finds one that does suit Twilight quite well. Things only get worse for Twilight when Rarity grabs the corset strings in her mouth and draws them ever tighter, seemingly in an effort to stop Twilight from breathing.
"I've...been...sent...from...Canterlot...to...!" That's as far as she got.
"HUH! Canterlot! Oh, I am so envious! The glamour, the sofistication, oh I have always dreamed of living there! I can't wait to hear all about it. We are going to be the best of friends, you and I." I never realised how much of a drama queen she is. It kind of changes your opinion about somepony when you meet them for real and they are a bit more or less than what you percieve. And isn't she getting a little too close for comfort Twilight? I can't help but notice that you do seem a bit uncomfortable with how close she is. Maybe it is just me, and I am reading into it too much. Most likely she finds the idea of being friends with Rarity a bit much.
"Emerald! Oh, what was I thinking? Let me get you some rubies!" With this she moves off, giving us some much needed space for free thought. Or in this case, a very quick escape route.
"Quick, before she decides to dye my coat a new color!" In fear of the fashionista, she runs right past me and Spike, leaving us both behind. Spike just stands there sighing happily staring at Rarity, I see what he is staring at and grab him by the scruff of his neck and throw him on my back and make to leave the building. Not before giving her our apologies due to us both having official business here, and the fact that we were on a tight schedule. She readily forgives us and sees us off, but I give her my word, that when we have the time, we'll come by for a proper visit. With this I run into town, looking for any sign of Twilight. Eventually spotting her on a path leading out of Ponyville, I storm off after her, not very keen on leaving her alone.
After eventually catching up to her, I just walk alongside her, giving her some room but letting her know that I am still at her side. Spike lets loose yet another sigh.
"Wasn't she wonderful?" Those eyes of yours are clouded by a childs first crush. Whether it will actually go somewhere is up for debate.
"Foucs, Cassanove." What the HAY! You can reference things from EARTH! How come I didn't remember that!? Am I so thick headed that I missed out oon something as simple as this!? "What's next on the list?" Both her tone and way of speech bring Spike down from cloud nine.
"Ahem. Oh, uh, music. It's the last thing on the list." After he said that, we then hear music. From somewhere? We all look around, then at each other, before deciding to follow the sounds to find the source. Eventually we find it; a group of birds set up in as choir, being conducted by Fluttershy. A yellow coated pegasus pony with pink, sort of loosely curled pink mane and tail. She has aqua colored eyes and upon her flank are three pink butterflies represtenting her Cutie Mark. As we are watching, one of the birds goes slightly out of tune, causing Fluttershy to call a halt to the preceedings.
"Oh my, um, stop please everyone. Um, excuse me sir? I mean, no offense, but you're rythm is a teenie, tiny bit off." After saying her piece she flies back to the ground, leaving Twilight and me to move forward so that we might speak with her. Oh joy.
"Now follow me everyone. A-one, a-two, a-one two three-!" Twilight interupts loudly
"Hello!" Fluttershy sqeeks out an OH! With her bird choir flying off in differnt directions. "Oh my! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to frighten off your birds. I just came here to check on the music, and it's sounding beautiful." Her apologetic voice does help ease some of the pegasus ponies nerves, I can see that. But as Twilight continues, the others nervousness, keeps her from speaking freely. Leaving an awkward pause which leads Twilight to glance at me for help. I stare at her for but a moment, give her a reasuring smile and take a pace forward to try and get some sort of dialogue flowing.
"Hello, I'm Ranger le Forge, and this is my friend Twilight Sparkle. We do apologise for interupting as we have, but we couldn't help ourselves." I speak slowly, calmly and with quiet reasurrance, so as to provide Fluttershy with a more stable atmosphere, one hopefully, where she can speak with us. Even if only a little.
"We originally came to Ponyville to check up on the progress of all the varied preperations going on here. The music just so happened to be last on the list, and when we heard the music... I'm sorry, but we just couldn't bring ourselves to interupt it. It was honestly one of the most beautiful sounds we had ever heard." She is looking at us both, I hope that what I say is getting through to her, I'd hate for us all to feel awkward in each others prescience.
"Do you, have a name?" I speak slowly and quietly, with a small friendly smile on my face.
"I'm... I'm Fluttershy." Her voice is quite, but it is still distinguishable. Hah! That was different in the show. She isn't hiding her face, and there is the fact that she is looking at us both with a small, nigh imperceptible smile touching her features.
"Fluttershy. Cute name." I am happy at the fact that we were able to make some progress (however small) with her. Getting her out of her shell is not easy when you are first introduced to her...Wait, is that a blush? Twilight then speaks in the same tone of voice that I have, getting what I am striving for.
"Well, looks like your birds are back. Keep up the good work, and once again, I'm sorry for my interruption." A calm voice holding genuine emotion on her part. Good on you Twilight, keep her comfortable.
"It's alright." The small voice of Fluttershy responds, again with that faint hint of a smile on her lips.
"Ok." Twilight turns away, with me leaving with a bow of my head in a sign of farewell. "Well, that was easy." As Twilight is speaking to Spike who walks out from behind the bush, Fluttershy suddenly gasps.
"A baby Dragon!" She declare loudly, all before she moves with such speed, that it would impress RD. This speed however comes at a cost. Both me and Twilight are rammed aside, with me landing beneath Twilight to make sure she does not injure herserlf.
"Oh, I'd never seen a baby dragon before, oh, he's so cute!" She is all gushy over him, I cannot help the frown that creeps onto my face. Spike meanwhile, enjoys the attention, and rubs it in our faces as we lie there on the ground.
"Well, well, well!" Don't you take that tone with me laddie, not if you want to keep your scales the same color.
"Oh my, he talks, I didn't know dragons could talk? Thats just so, so... incredibly wonderful! I, I just don't know what to say!" Even when quiet you can still hear the great amount of enthusiasm she holds. A purple aura surrounds Spike, and he floats all the way over to Twilights back, who then declares that it is time for us to go.
"Well, in that case, we'd better be going." She adds a subtle tone to her voice which flies right over Fluttershy's head.
"Wait, wait! What's his name?" Heh. Wow, she can be quite persistant can't she? I confess, that I do find this little trait of hers to be rather endearing.
"I'm Spike." Spike replies to Fluttershy's question. Looks like this will take a while.
"Hi Spike, I'm Fluttershy." She is speaking a heck of a lot clearer to him than she had to us. "Wow! A talking Dragon!" What? She's still hung up on that part? "And, what do dragons talk about?"
"Well... what do you want t otalk about?" Spike asks, wanting some clarification before he starts to talk.
"Absolutely everything." With this declaration from Fluttershy, Twilight gives a heafty sigh of resignation. A small frown on my face I trot up to walk side by side with her, to try and give her some semblance of companionship in what will be a rather long walk.
"Well, I started out a a little purple and green egg..." Spike begins, before trailing off on his life story to date.
*Some Time Later*
Just walking in silience, listening to somepony talk about their whole life can be a bit dull if you are not paying that much attention to it, can be rather taxing on ones patience. Twilight, seems to have reached the end of her rope by the time we arrived at the library.
"I am so sorry, how did we get here so fast? This is where I'll be staying while in Ponyville, and my poor baby dragon needs his sleep." Layin' it on a bit thick there, aren't you Twilight, I thought with a smirk clearly visable on my face.
"No I don't." Twilight then bumps him off of her back. "Aaah!" And thumps back onto the floor.
"Awww, wook at that? He is so sweepy, he cannot keep his wittle bawance." Ok, I take back what I said before. This is laying it on very thick, I have seen better attempts at lying from a kid who's hand has been caught - quite literally - in the cookie jar. Fluttershy flies down and picks him up and cradles him, as one would cradle a new born baby in her arms.
"Oh you poor thing, we simply must get him to bed." With that, she then flies into the library with Twilight following in a near panic. I just stand there and wait, with but a few seconds Twilight pushes Fluttershy out the front door. Rather rude of her if you ask me.
"Yes, yes. We'll get right on that, well, good night!" Twilight then shuts the door closed, quite firmly in our faces. Leaving Fluttershy wide-eyed at what just occured. I clear my throat to show that she is not alone. She flinches then turns to face me.
"Sorry about that. She has had a rather trying day and the events have probably just caught up to her, leaving her a little tired. I hope you can forgive her rather... blunt manner of speech this past minute or so." I say on behalf of Twilight. Fluttershy is a nice pony and I wouldn't want any of this to make her feel bad about herself.
"No, it's quite alright, I was rather forward myself, and I didn't really give her much personal space." Saying so, her ears flop down in a gesture of sadness.
"Don't you worry yourself none. Belive me when I tell you that there will come a time where the two of you can call yourselves friends, if not the best of friends." I give as much assurance as I can, wondering if it will help her feel better.
"Thank you for your kind words. Um, I know it is rather rude of me, but, um you see...?" She trails off, eyes glancing away from me. Well, lets head this off before it can get uncomfortable.
"Is it about my scars?" I ask bluntly. At this Fluttershy flinches and seems to try to make herself smaller. In response, I place a hoof reasurringly on her shoulder, drawing her attention to me. I give a small, friendly smile and she smiles in turn with a faint blush on her cheeks...? What is it with these ponies and the blushing?
"Don't you worry about them. They are as old as I am, carrying tales from my youth uptill today. They are my medals and badges of past triumphs and losses, I do not begrudge anyone for staring at them or for asking where I got them. It is all 'par for the course' as they say." I give her my honest opinion on my scars and what I think about everyone who stares at them.
"Really? You don't really mind all of those staring eyes?" She appears to be shocked at my nonchalance. As I am about to answer, we hear a loud 'SURPRISE!' come from inside the library, surprising us both. Oh, right. Pinkie Pie's surprise welcome party for Twilight is going on right now. I step back to allow Fluttershy to step up to the door, she pauses and turns back to me.
"Aren't you joining the party?" She asks.
"Thank you for the offer, but I think I'll pass on this one. I have never been one for parties of any sort, I am what you would call a 'party pooper'." Wait! Pooper! Poop!? I can say 'POOP?!
Awesome.
"I'll just be a drag, and most likely make other ponies upset with my attitude, so I'll just wander around Ponyville untill the celebration starts. Now don't let me keep you from the party, you go in there and have some fun. Trust me, I'll be fine." I smile, knowing full well that everything I said is the honest truth. I have never liked parties, and I always make others depressed due to the atmosphere I give off. Fluttershy looks a little unsure of herself but in the end goes inside. Leaving me alone for the night.
I take this opportunity to think of everything that happened today as I walk towards the town hall, waiting for Her arrival. While thinking of Her, I start to think of how and why she turned from Luna into Nightmare Moon. Yes they do explain it, but they never really give any actual details do they? My interpretation of events is that Princess's Luna and Celestia, were each others only friends, and that after they had grown into their powers each of them started to drift apart from one another. Their royal duties only exasperates matters as they cannot get as much time for themselves, not even for them to talk about any insecurities that either of them may be having.
Way back then, Luna saw all the ponies that followed the pair of them, and like her sister, most probably sought to make the days of their subjects happy and peacful. Her sister gave the ponies a bright and beautiful day, whilst she gave them a calming and sheltered night. She must have felt pride in her work as she hoped that others would enjoy the night as suredly as she does. So when, as the days and nights passed, she noticed that all the ponies were awake and playful during the day, they went indoor and seemingly to her, shunned her beautiful night. This must have caused some anxiety with Luna as she may have started to see herself as having no real worth, other than being a pony who brings about the night. Maybe she wanted to convey her insecurities to Celestia but, agian royal duties kept them seperated so she was left to herself. Alone. I feel a lump in my throat as I try to imagine how she must have felt at the time, but... I just cannot.
I think that, after a great deal of time had passed, Celestia may have finally come to the realisation that her sister was being sidlined if not outright ignored by the other ponies. So she may have gone to talk to her but, alas, it was already to late, as Luna had given up all love for her sister and gave into her dark emotions. She then fought to gain control, one way or another, just so that she could get the attention she so sorely desired. Now don't go on thinking that she did this all for power. No! I think she did it becuase she was lonely, yes she wanted someone to pay attention to her and this was the only way she saw that would work.
I grit my teeth as I think of how she must have felt. It is saddening to think that she just wanted someone to talk to, is it really too much to ask for someone to confide in or ust someone to vent your frustrations against?! As my own emotions reach a boiling point, I raise a hoof and slam it down to the ground, causing a spiders web of cracks to spread around me for a few feet. I then breath deeply, and continue on my way, aiming to wait at the town hall for Twilight and all the others to turn up.
Eventually, I reach my destination, feeling more hopeless by the second as I try to com up with some sort of plan to get Luna back without violence. Insofar, I am having no such luck. I just plod on into the building, right now, just looking for a quiet place to think, to calm down and prepare for the night and all the events that will transpire here. I eventually walk upto a wall and lean against it and close my eyes, just letting time pass and waiting.
*Some Time Later*
I did not have to wait for too long as proups of ponies start to show up inside the hall, all smiles and happy due to the recent festivities. I just crack the bones in my neck, shoulder my warhammer and move out into the press of bodies, knowing that there will be a space kept around me. I give myself to the air and the elements around me to see if the mane six are all here, just letting my senses go, I feel Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie are all here. Leaving Twilight the last one to arrive with the last few straglers.
I look over my shoulders as I feel Twilight and spike arriving, nodding at their arrival I turn my attention back to the stage as Fluttershy has her bird choir prepped and ready to go. I the feel Twilight and Spike come up to my side, so I turn to se them.
"I had wondered where you had gone." Twilight begins. "Why didn't you come inside the library back then?" She asks.
"I was having a quick word with Fluttershy until I heard a loud noise inside followed swiftly by the sounds of merriment. And as I had told Fluttershy, I do not do well at parties, they are something that I am not a big fan of." Twilight opens her mouth but... guess who shows up.
"WHAT!? You don't like parties!? How can anypony not like parties!? They are sooo fun!" Yeah, real subtle there Pinkie.
"Look, miss I have my reasons for not liking parties but I am not willing to talk about them right now. Suffice to say that I have nver had a good experience with them." There is some truth to my words but also plenty of B... involved as well.
"Why not?" Pinkie asks quietly. I am not very comfortable telling a lie like this, but saved by the chorus...
Fluttershy's bird choir starts to sing their music at her instruction as spotlights shine upon the stage revealing Mayor Mare who steps to the front of the stage where she waits for the music to end. She is a tan colored earth pony with wavy styled mane and tail coloed grey with a light grey streak throught it. She has blue eyes, and her Cutie Mark is a tan colored scroll tied with a blue ribbon.
"Fillies and Gentlecolts, as Mayor of Ponyville it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration." She announces in a clear and concise voice, which results in the crowd cheering in joy. "In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise , and celebrate this, the longest day of the year."
Twilight looks out the window to the sky, her eyes expressing her concern. I raise an eybrow to this and follow her line of sight, what I see is four stars moving behind the moon which then which then flashes revealing that there is no longer a pony shaped shadow upon its surface. A frown mars my features as I realise exactly what this means, Slowly I make eye contact with Twilight and I see that the fear is taking hold. Moving slowly, I move close to her side, giving her some confidence.
"And now, it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land. The very pony who gives us the sun and moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria..." All the ponies around us are holding in their excitment, waiting for the grand reveal. Oh yes, a grand reveal it will be! "Princess Celestia!" The bird choir sings out an introductory fare as the spotlights light up the place where she is to appear. Rarity pulls a cord to unveil... nothing. As all the ponies around us start to question the Princesses abscence, Twilight mutters aloud.
"This can't be good." Way to point out the obvious.
"Remain calm every pony, there must be a resonable explanation." Mayor calls out to the assembly.
"Oh, oh I love guessing games. Is she hiding?" Pinkie Pie announces to Twilight before looking at the floor...? Why would she be there?
"She's gone." Rarity calls out to us all, causing a great gasp to come from the crowd.
"Oooh, she's good." Pinkie... yeah. "AAAAAH!" That got my attention, as indeed it got everypony elses. And for good reason, I mean there is now a blue-purple colored fog appearing upon the balcony where Rarity is standing. It then disperses to reveal...
"Oh no, Nightmare Moon!" Twilight hushedly intones, enough for me and Spike to hear, but not every other pony. Spike then faints, collapsing onto the floor, unconscious.
Nightmare Moon is a black colored alicorn pony who's mane and tail are blue in color with a translucent blue border, there also appears to be, what looks like stars in her mane and tail. She has teal colored eyes with slit irises akin to those of a cat, and her Cutie Mark consists of a crescent moon on a purple background. She is wearing a light blue colored helmet and chest guard adorned with her Cutie Mark.
"Oh, my beloved subjects, it has been so long since I've seen your precious, little sun loving faces." Nightmare Moon speaks out in a controlled fashion.
"What did you do to our Princess!?" Rainbow Dash calls out before trying to fly into combat. She doesn't get too far however, as Applejack catches her tail in her mouth and speak with gritted teeth.
"Whoa there nelly!" Good save Applejack! Do not let her go, fore if you do, then she will most likely be hurt. Nightmare Moon just chuckles at their antics.
"Why? Am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am?" She is a little agitated by the end there.
"Oh, oh more guessing games. Um, Hokey Smokes? How about Queen Meanie? No, Black Snooty Black Snooty-!" Again thank you Applejack for the quick save. Cupcake to the mouth will shut her up for a bit. Nightmare ignores this in favour of flying towards Fluttershy.
"Does my crown no longer count, now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years? Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?!" She flies over to Rarity and hold her chin up with her mane, that is until Twilight gets her full attention.
"I did! And I know who you are. You're the Mare in the Moon, Nightmare Moon!" With this declaration, all the poines attention is drawn to her and they gasp in shock.
"Well, well, well. Some pony who remembers me." As she speaks, I focus all my attention on her, gauging her reactions and emotional state and from what I can tell, she appears to be happy that some pony has remembered her. She also seems to feel happy due to the attention she is getting from every pony here. "Then you also know why I am here." This comes out as a statement, rather than a question.
"You're here to... to...*gulp*." Twilight... ok, this is where I come in.
"You are here to bring about eternal night to all of Equestria." I call out with some force, drawing yet another gasp from the audience and gaining the attention of Nightmare Moon.
"Well, well? Another pony who remembers me?" She does feel a lot happier about that revelation. Hopefully with this, I can help facilitate her return as Luna.
"Indeed, I do know who you are. I wonder though? How many of the ponies here know of your true origins?" I call out to the masses, wondering if any of them know anything about Nightmare Moons past history. As I look about the hall, I see a great deal of confusion on almost every pony, with the excpetions being Twilight, Nightmare and myself, nopony else seems to know anything. Well... that's disappointing.
"Apparently not." Disappointment laces my voice. "Allow me to educate you a little with regards to her identity. She was once known as Princess Luna, younger sister to Princess Celestia!" Again the crowd gasps, with Twilight staring at me in shock. Why though? She should know that because of the book she read.
"Hmwahahaha, indeed you are correct, but I gave up that name when I became Nighttmare Moon! As for the rest of you ponies, you had best remember this day, for it was your last. From this moment forth, the night, will last, Forever!" Her laughter rings out, while her mane and tail cause lightning to lash out from the air above us. Causing the ponies to tremble in fear.
Twilight flinches and cowers along with the other ponies, I just stare strongly at Nightmer Moon wanting this to end peacefully. I can not however just let this moment stand, I reach back and grab the haft of Sternguard, and draw it forth. Raising it high, I bring it down with geat force! CRACK! A network of cracks spreads out from the impact point reaching many meters away from me. Nightmare Moon gasps lightly and stares at me, not just her though, all of the ponies stare at me.
"Nightmare Moon!" I call out. "I honestly want this encouter to end as peacefully as possible, but know that I will defend my fellow ponies with all that I have! Do not let this day end in violence, let us part for now in peace, so that in time we may speak to each other and help one another sort out our differences." I never let my eyes leave hers as I speak my mind. I really want to help her, but I cannot do that in these conditions. She stares at me, mouth slightly agape one hoof slightly lifted.
"Who are you to speak so to me?" Her brows furrow a little, showing her displeasure.
"My name is Ranger le Forge. You wouldn't be the first royal I have interacted with, nor are you the first one I have been rather blunt with. Nightmare, I will not pretend to understand your feelings at the time of your transformation, nor will I think of your actions as being evil." I can feel the stares coming from everypony, including Nightmare and Twilight.
"What I see before me is a pony who is terribly lonely." A slight gasp escapes Nightmare's lips. It is so quiet that everyone seems to have missed it. "I see a pony who has had to deal with being overshadowed by one whom they loved. Nightmare... I just want to talk to you. I just want to help you through this. I-!" As I speak my mind, she interupts.
"ENOUGH!" She shouts, causing lightning to scatter through the air. While all other ponies drop to the floor, I remain standing, not even flinchin. She then jumps down to the floor of the hall and storms upto my face. "Enough of your words! Your word means nothing to me, I will bring about an endless night, and there is nothing you can do to stop me!" She glares at me, but I don't back down. I only release my hammer, dropping it to the floor with a clang, then bringing my hoof up and giving her a comforting hug. Why? I did it because I saw tears in her eyes, small ones yes, but tears all the same.
I hold her tight, feeling her body tense up at my unexpected movement. I don't speak, not making another move other than to give as comforting a hug as I can. I can feel her tense body slowly relax, easing into my embrace. Am I getting through to her? It is possible, but I cannot get overconfident, this is one heck of a difficult thing I am trying to accomplish. But it will be well worth the effort. In a sudden movement, Nightmare pushes me away from her, I stare her in the face, and see tears falling down her cheeks. As I step up, she steps back shaking her head, her horn lighting up preparing for a spell. I stop my advance wanting her to trust me. She looks at me again in the eyes, tears still falling, she speaks to me.
"I-I cannot accept this. You are not going to get me to fall for that so easily!" She cries tears staining her feature, she then turns into a cloud of fog and flees outside through an open window. I follow her with my eyes, my heart feeling heavy. Knowing full well, that I had missed in all probabliltiy the only chance at turning her back without violence.
"Ranger... are you... alright?" Twilight slowly walks up to my side as I gaze at the place Nightmare had fled.
"...*Sigh*... I... I don't know Twilight. I thought that I could end this without any need to resort to violence, I thought I had her, if only for a moment!" My frustration is clearly evident. "And now, I don't even know where to find her, nor do I know HOW to turn her back! IF I had only been able to convince her..." I clench my teeth and stare at the ground, feeling beyond frustrasted at my failure. I then feel a hoof on my shoulder so I turn to see who placed it there. It was Twilight. A gentle expression adoring her features.
"Ranger, you did everything possible to end this in as peaceful manner as you could, yet I do not think that this is the end of it though. I still think you have a chance, and I want you to know that I will be there to help you do that." I stare at her, blinking. My expression then softens, with me nodding showing my understanding. "Still, I think that the Elements of Harmony will be a key factor in turning her back into Princess Luna. Can you help me look for them?" I stare at her hard.
"Twilight. I told you this morning did I not? That I would help you with every fiber of my being? I intend to keep that promise, so... Where do we get started?" I give a determined smile, full prepared in my heart for the upcoming confrontation.
A/N
Phew! This took me a while to write up! I really hope that you are all enjoying it as much as I am.
Incase anyone is wondering, I had drawn up inspiration for Luna's past from watching the songs 'Lullaby for a Princess' by (Dane Larson - ponyphonic) and sung by (Christina Ellis), and 'The Moon Rises' written by (Dane Larson - ponyphonic) and sung by (Kristen Calvin).
I had felt far more sympathy for Luna after watching them both, so there is my reason for my OC acting as he had.
I hope you will enjoy any and all future chapters that I have instore. Please feel free to review and comment on how I have done so far, any and all critique is welcome as I want to make this story as interesting as I can.
See ya around!