//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 // Story: A Strange New World // by Dark Dienen //------------------------------// As I walk through town I looked around as the other ponies went about their day. Some are selling food and other goods in the market. While others are tending to their gardens. The pegasi seem busy putting a few clouds here and there. As I walked I smiled and noded at those that waved to me. I soon found myself outside a small red building where a lot of colts and fillies have gathered. I guess this is the school Applebloom spoke of. As I started to walk away from the school I stopped at the sound of somepony calling my name. I turned around to find Applebloom, two more fillies and an old mare walking toward me. “Hi Sartir. What are ya doing way over here fer?” “I was just walking around town and found myself here. Is this the school you spoke of?” “Ya it is. Oh, hey I want you to meet my two best friends. This here is Scootaloo,” She pointed a hoof toward the orange pegasus with the purple mane and tail. “and this here is Sweetie Belle .” She was now pointing at a white unicorn with a two tone pink and purple mane and tail. I gave a polite bow “It is a pleasure to meet you.” “Are you the one that helped save my sister?” “Yes I am.” The filly ran up and hugged my fore leg. “Thank you so much. You saved Rarity’s life, thank you!” “Think nothing of it little one, it is what I use to do.” I am saddened by the fact that I am no longer a guardian. “Um excuse me but are you ok?” I looked up to see the mare that was with the little ones had a look of concern on her muzzle. “Ah, yes I am fine. Just a bit homesick is all.” “I see that does tend to happen when you live your whole life somewhere and then move all of a sudden. Oh, I’m Miss Cheerilee. I’m the schoolteacher here.” “Nice to meet you I am Sartir.” “We know. Appleblooms been talking about you since she came to school. She told us you are a…. kirin is that right?” “Yes I am a Lightning Kirin to be exact.” All of a sudden there was a loud ringing from the school. “Well it was nice to meet you but it’s time for class now.” “Good bye!” I watched as all the colts and fillies went into the building before walking off. As I continued to walk through town I came up to the City Building where Twilight said the Mayor and Town Council would be. Just as I walked by I heard Twilight calling to me. I looked up to see her hanging out a window on the second floor. “Sartir I’m glad you were walking by I was just about to go looking for you. Would you please come to the meeting room here on the second floor?” “I’m on my way Twilight.” I walked inside and up to the second floor where there was only one door. As I approach I could hear a few ponies inside speaking to eachother. As I walked in Twilight looked to me and smiled. “Everypony this is Sartir, the pony I was telling you about.” I gave a short bow. “A pleasure to meet you.” “Well he is a bigin fer a unicorn and so well mannered ta boot. Do ya really think he can do this by himself Twilight?” “He is a Kirin Granny Smith and yes I do. As I said he is strong and brave he is perfect for the job. Oh, ah Sartir this is Mayor Mare,” He pointed to a tan earth pony with a two tone silver mane and tail. “Granny Smith,” This was the older green pony with the white mane and tail that spoke before. “and Filthy Rich.” This stallion was brown with a slicked back black mane and matching tail. I looked to them all making sure to show I am strong but showing them the respect they deserve. “These are the members of the Town Council?” “Why yes dear we three” Mayor Mare waved her hoof from her to Granny Smith then Filthy Rich “made up the town Council but since Twilight became a Princess and still lives here in Ponyville we insisted she join the council. Oh, and may I be the first here to say welcome to Ponyville.” “Thank you but I must ask why was I asked to come here?” Filthy coughed to get my attention. “Well you see my good fellow. Twilight her has asked us to make you our Town Guardian. Seeing as we have yet to set a police force to stop the attacks and Twilight here has no guard of her own to stop the attacks. She also told us this is what you used to do where you used to live and told us of how you saved the Element of Generosities life. I will be the first to say I would not want to be on your bad side. As it stands we first wish to see how well you work guarding ponies and keeping order. This will be but a few things you would be doing as the Town Guardian.” “And how will I be doing this?” “Well ya see there are some college ponies coming here from Canterlot to go inta the Everfree Forest. They are here to study some of the plants in them woods but there are dangers in them woods. So we need ta keep them safe, that’s where ya come in. Ifin you do a good job we will let ya be the Town Guardian fer a time to see how everypony likes the idea. After a while we will ask the town ifin they want ya ta stay on the job or get the boot.” “I see. I would love to take you up on this opportunity but I have promised to help the Apple family on their farm to earn bits.” “oh don’t ya worry bout that. I’ll let my kin know yer doin something for the Council here and ya can come work for us when ya get back. We will be paying you for keepin these youngins safe but anything that happens ta them comes out of yer pay. Also ifin we do make ya the Town Guardian ya will be getting a nice pay and ya can still do other work on the side. Plus anypony you go work fer will be told that ya can leave as needed ifin it deals with keepin the peace.” “Thank you so much you truly do not know what this means to me. I will not let you down.” “Good then this meeting is adjourned.” Twilight slammed a hoof on the table and everypony got up to leave. “Sartir if you would come with me.” I followed her closely “Yes Twilight what is it?” “Tomorrow you will need to be by the woods near the bridge you seem to like so much. There you will meet a friend of mine her name is Zecora. She is a Zebra that talks in rhyme. You will wait for the others to show up and tell them of your job. As Zecora leads them through the forest be on guard. There are many dangers in those woods and they will do all they can to kill and eat you all.” “I promise you Twilight nothing will harm your friend or these young ponies while I am there.” “I know Sartir and I trust you. Also before the meeting started I got a letter from the Princess. She has learned that the Diamond Dog you killed was part of the rogue group that has been attacking ponies on the road and Ponyville. They will not take kindly to the slaying of their own so they will come after you.” “Thank you for the news Twilight. I will be sure to dispatch them should they try anything or should I just disable them and try to bring them in.” “By order of Princess Celestia and myself you are hereby given permission to kill anything that may bring harm to yourself or the ponies under your care while inside the Everfree forest. Should you be made Town Guardian that same right will apply to all of Ponyville. Also since you have not met Zecora or the others on this trip before, you are to tell them to make a report on how you did to turn into the Council.” I give her a deep bow to hide my grin “Thank you Twilight I will do as you say.” Before I even realized it I found myself at the park. I layed down and nibbled at the grass as I watched the colts and fillies play with their parents. As I layed there some of the other ponies took notice of me and came over for a chat. It was not long before I had a group of little ones settled around me listening to tells of my life before I came to Equestria. Even some of their parents stayed to listen. They were a fantastic audience, gasping, smiling and laughing at all the right parts. They cried as I told them sadder things, and some screamed when I described the attacks I fended off to safeguard the valley. As I was nearing the end of my third story I looked to see the sun was starting to set. I looked to see some of the parents had returned to gather their little ones. Soon my story came to an end. “Ok little ones that is it for now. Time for all the good little fillies and colts to head home.” The little ones gave protest and begged for one more. Their parents told them it was time to go and that they could listen to more stories another day. I told the little ones of my job the next day and promised them more stories once I had returned. Everypony thanked me and began to go their own ways. I walked over to the stream and got a drink as I heard two ponies walking up behind me. “I’m sorry but there will be no more stories today.” “That’s too bad I’d love to hear another.” “Oh ya that last story was so awesome!” I turned around to see the two pegasi I met when Twilight came to calm me down. “Ah hello again you two. So you liked the tales of my life. What part did you like the most…..hm. I don’t believe we have ever been properly introduced.” “Oh I’m sorry I am Cloudchaser.” this mare had been blushing quite a bit since we started talking. “And I’m Rainbow Dash! Fastest flier in all Equestria! I like the part where you and your siblings along with your father teamed up to beat your evil uncle and his kids. that was way cool.” Cloudchaser scuffs a hoof on the ground blushing more. “I liked where you saved that mother Anteka and her foal from that avalanch.” I smiled brightly at them both. “Thank you, both stories are ones I like a lot myself and are fond memories. As it stands it is late and I must be going. I have guard duty tomorrow for some ponies going into the Everfree forest.” Cloudchaser grew a bit concerned by my remark. “Why are you going into that horrible place?” “The Town Council asked me to as a test. To see how well I’ll lead others and to see how well I can keep them safe. If I do then they will think about appointing me the Town Guardian. Now I am sorry ladies but I must go rest. See you some other time.” With that I headed to the Library and fell asleep outside yet again.