//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 - Arrival, Plans and New Faces // Story: On The Wings of Wind // by Chazonic //------------------------------// "Arriving at the Ponyville station in fifteen minutes." I woke up slowly as the announcement rang through the train compartment I was in. How long was I out for? I could of sworn I only fell asleep for ten minutes. I guess time flies like that when you are least expecting it, not that it's necessarily a bad thing. I stretched as I re-positioned myself in my seat. The travel time between Manehatten and Ponyville was about 5 hours long, give or take an hour since I can't remember exactly. When I looked outside, I saw plenty of trees and hills decorating the view outside of the window, homage to how rural Ponyville is compared to what I am used to. I had left Manehatten primarily because I wanted to "broaden my horizons," as I put it in front of my adoptive mother. While I grew up in Manehatten for most of my life, I have no idea where I was actually born. I was found unconscious on the edge of a nearby forest with a bleeding welt on the side of my head and some grip marks that most likely came from a particularly large creature. Because of what had happened before that, I had lost my memory except for my first name and one obscure, yet somehow gruesome quip from my previous life. The shrouded stallions, the falling, the scream. Especially that scream... Anyways, I was adopted by the mare who had found me and nursed me back to consciousness. The authorities attempted to find my real family, but without any leads and me being amnesic, they ran into too many dead ends. They decided to simply let the one who found me raise me as her own colt. I learned all of this one year ago from my adoptive mother; Harpsong Earthwing, a local celebrity singer and harp player. She apparently found me after visiting the grave of her late stallion who had perished a few years back. Despite my coming into her life as abruptly as I did, she loved me like I was her own flesh and blood, and tried to raise me as best as she could. Sure, I was slightly peeved at her for not telling me until "I was old enough," but thinking back at how much she cared for me during all the years I CAN remember, it was hard to stay that way for long. Sadly, as hard as she tried to raise me to be, well... 'normal,' my colthood is something of a painful memory as well. Because of how special I am... I quickly shook my head. Thinking about it will only reaffirm its existence. The thing that caused me so much pain. Caused me to get bullied at every turn. The reason I believe friendship is just a word and nothing else. "Now arriving at the Ponyville station." I sighed as I forced all my current thoughts out of my head and picked up my saddle bags. I wanted to move from Manehatten to escape all of the memories that haunted me, as well as start a new life. However; Ponyville isn't going to be my final stop either. My plan was to travel to all of the cities and towns around Equestria in an attempt to find a place where I can lead a normal life. Yes; normal. no excitement, no drama, not even romance. Just a plain old existence. Is there something wrong with that? "You sure you got everything in order, Zephyr Earthwing?" A nearby conductor I somewhat knew approached me with a bit of a smirk on his face. I simply roll my eyes. "Yes I got everything Coltuctor. Sheesh, you accidentally leave an item on a train and you're marked for life." "Don't be like that! this may very well be the last time I see you if you don't plan on returning to Manehatten. I godda bug you at least a little bit, don't I?" I snort and start grinning at him. "What are you; an insect collector?" Now it was his turn to roll his eyes. "Oh, ha ha ha, you and your puns." his smile turns into a bit of a frown. "Admittedly, I'm going to miss them. as bad as some, or most, of them are, they at least brighten up my day a bit." "Glad to know I made a difference in somepony's life. Now, I've got to go before the train tries to leave with me still on it." And with one final farewell nod, I step onto the station. "Alright, first things first: find a place to stay for at least one night. After that, find something to eat, as it's almost time for lunch. Not much else after that besides looking at any major landmarks around this place." This is my basic to-do list for every new town and city I go to next. I have more than enough bits to last me through this journey, counting days spent at a hotel (or anything similar), food, and travel via train. Always nice to have a bit of an action plan when doing something like this. I don't feel like walking around this place too long for a hotel. I exited the station on that thought. looking around quickly, I spotted a grey pegasus mare with what looks like a mail bag. If she's the mail-mare, then my course of action is clear. "Excuse me miss, could I ask a quick question?" Approaching from the side should prevent me from scaring her too much. Wouldn't that be a wonderful start... Looking around, she quickly spotted me and smiled. "Anything I can help you with, sir?" "Yes I was wo-- whoa." So that's what it looks like to be wall-eyed... When she tilted her head in confusion, I quickly caught myself from staring for too long. "I was just wondering if there was a hotel in Ponyville. If there is, could you give me directions, please?" She grinned and said, "there is a hotel called the Hay and Stay just down the street from the station. You can't miss it." "Thank you kindly miss..." "Ditzy Doo, but most ponies just call me Derpy." That's a little mean... "Zephyr Earthwing. Pleasure to meet you, and thank you for your help." "It's fine, but I got to get back to work, or I'll be behind again. See you around." And with that, she flew away, albeit rather clumsy. Must be because of her condition... The rooms at the Hay and Stay were relatively cheap by my standards. Heck, I could put more money into food at that rate even if I stayed one night extra. Speaking of food, my stomach started growling after I had unpacked what little I had with me. One saddle bag contained my bits for the journey, all stacked and wrapped in a way that prevents them from clinking together while trotting. I simply shook my head at my mom when she was packing them away for me, letting her OCD with bits take over her. All I had in my other bag was my water bottle, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a quill, ink, some parchment, and my wind harp. The harp acted like most other harps, except that you can outright change it's tone using some magic or by manipulating wind and air currents around it. I picked it up and gave it a few strums before putting it back. I had learned how to play harps from my mom, not because I had to, but simply because of the fact that harps are a soothing instrument. Despite it not being part of my cutie mark, I was very proficient in using one. Deciding to clean myself up before going anywhere, I went into the bathroom and stared at myself in the mirror. I was an average sized green pegasus with a dirty blond mane and tail, with my eyes being a deep blue colour. My cutie mark was a ball of wind flanked by a wing on each side. there is also a hole in the middle of the mark shaped like a mic. This basically meant that I was skilled in wind and air-current manipulation, flying, and singing. I must be both a wind bag and an air head. Snorting at that thought, my eyes fell on one spot in my reflection right behind my wings, which had a similar build to alicorn wings. Bandages covered all around that one section. The only thing between Equestria and my secret... I sighed, washed my face quick, and headed out into the street once again. Now to find either a place to eat, or a place or stall that sells food. On the way to what I believe is the plaza, a pink earth pony spotted me, jumped into the air with a long and loud gasp, SOMEHOW breaking the laws of gravity, then dashing off to Celestia knows where. Needless to say, I was a bit disturbed. Too bad she didn't hang around longer... hah. One bad pun later, I spotted where there were stalls selling various wares. One stall seemed to... stand out more than any of the other ones, probably because it was dead in the middle of the road. Wait... is that stall selling what I think it's selling? Apples... Lots and lots of apples. Being a colt who grew up on the stuff, saying I was ecstatic was a bit of an understatement. I swear there was a miracle in the works, since I prevented myself from bolting right to the stand. "Howdy pardner! haven't seen you round' these parts." The orange earth pony mare behind the stall had a thick accent that sounded... homely? Must be. Could be just the stetson hat she's wearing, farmers like those hats for some reason. "I just came in from Manehatten; currently looking around town. Quite the stock of apples you got there." She grinned. "Care to try one? we at Sweet Apple Acres grow the best apples 'round Equestria." "Somepony's confident. Looks like I'll have to take you up on that statement. How much per apple?" "Bag of' apples cost three bits. Still, since yer' new in town an' all, why not try one on the house?" I deadpanned. "You're simply giving away a potentially hard earned apple purely because somepony is from out of town?!" What kind of community structure did they have here? When she gave me a puzzled look, I shook my head and stated, "if you're offering me, I guess I'll take you up on that." Receiving the apple, I gave it a once-over. It certainly has more of a shine to it that the ones sold back in Manehatten. Farm fresh? Regardless, I took a small bite. "..." "Uh, par'ner? You ok there?" "This... this is..." I took a deep breath. "The skin is wonderful and provides an excellent crunch while the flesh has a very sweet red-delicious taste with a very complimentary hint of sour all in one big juicy package that is not only filling but is sure to leave the consumer both happy and satisfied. Holy star apples, I said a mouthful." Now it was her turn to deadpan. A few other ponies looking my way as well I simply grin sheepishly at her. "Sorry, I grew up on apples, so I get a bit... over the top when I find a very tasty specimen." "Well, ah'm' glad you like it so much. Still, yer' the first one to go on that kind of a rant after taking one bite." I raise an eyebrow. "That was a little short to be a rant, but I digress. two bags of apples for me please." "That'll be six bits." As she's putting the apples away for me, I count out the money and place it on the stall. As I walked away with my apples in tow, I slyly slip a couple more bits onto her stall without her noticing, considering it my rather generous tip to her family. As I round the corner, I hear her say, "now where did these extra bits come from?"