//------------------------------// // Chapter 9 Change // Story: Thief // by conTROLLER234 //------------------------------// Thief Chapter 9 Change A while later after our discussion on the run we were going on, a small group including me was formed inside the barn. There was 5, including me, of us inside. Organizing what we were about to do. “So, if you’re here that means you’re ready for anything. Correct?” I looked down at all four. AppleJack and Rainbow Dash had joined from the group of girls. Big Macintosh, who was the giant red stallion, and apparently was AJ’s brother. The last one was the mint colored mare, named Lyra. They all nodded in answer to my question. I nodded back. “Good, because I don’t want anyone to chicken out in the middle of our run and make us have to go back empty handed. Now first, I ask- no.” I paused to look at them seriously. “You will listen to everything I say if you want to live through this. Am I clear?” They all agreed. “Good.” I finished, grabbing the rest of my equipment and sliding my mask on. “Then get ready.” It took me a few minutes until I realized they didn’t have anything to get. I rolled my eyes and headed for the door. They followed behind as we all walked out, I looked towards the town. Hoping this will be worth it, and that that small town has what we need. I sighed. “Alright, let’s go then.” As then, I started a quick jog towards the distant village. The ponies kept up with a lazy trot, and Rainbow obviously flew. They could definitely go a lot faster then I could, and if I trusted them enough to let them go on their own I would. It’d make my job alot easier. “Ugh, can’t you go any faster?” Rainbow groaned, making my idea a lot bolder. I didn’t turn to her. “You can go up ahead if you want to. But I’m saving my stamina.” I would’ve taken her saying as a challenge, but I already knew she’d be a lot faster than me. “Simmer down Rainbow, we’re stayin’ together. Just be patient.” “Be patient!? At this rate we’ll make it there by sundown!” “Maybe that’s good thing then.” I cut in, slightly irritated by their small argument. “Now how’s THAT a good thing!?” Rainbow continued, I heard AJ sigh. “Because It’s not easy to hide in the day. Though for the dark, rainbows don’t hide very well.” I pointed out, earning a growl from Rainbow. She crossed her hooves. “This was a stupid idea! Let’s just go back!” Rainbow said louder, I shook my head. “Go ahead, if you want to leave you and your friends defenseless be my guest. Because I won’t be grabbing anything for you.” I said flatly, seeing more of the town as we got closer. I could see some of the walkers around, though they were just barely black specs. Rainbow bit her tongue, mumbling something like: you suck. However I ignored it, i was starting to want to just go back as much as she did. By the time we made it there, the sun was still up, but it didn’t look like we had much daylight left. “Alright look, there’s five of us, so two groups of two. You guys pair up and check some of the houses, I’ll try clearing out this town as much as I can. Just yell if you run into trouble.” I ordered, thankfully they didn’t argue, and nodded. AppleJack obviously paired with her brother, so Rainbow and Lyra teamed up. Now realizing she should be ready to defend herself, Lyra picked up a large rock nearby with her magic, nodding to Dash. The two pairs went their separate ways, and left me on my own. I sighed in relief, at least I didn’t have to worry about having to look after someone else besides myself. I concentrated and looked for the first house I would head to, and went out to search. - - - - -Later- - - - - The sun was down now, and the five of us had just gotten back to the barn with the others. Who seemed to have started a small fire, and had a small bushel of apples to eat. When we came close enough, Twilight spotted AppleJack and Big Mac, putting down her apple and getting up. “AppleJack, I-I’m sorry to take your apples without permission, b-but we had to get something…” She looked down. AJ nodded and didn’t frown. “Ah understand, I would’ve done the same thing.” AJ sat down, unloading the stuff off her back that she had collected from the town, then grabbing an apple for herself. Everyone else did the same. I sat down and took off my backpack, but didn’t grab an apple. I laid out my stuff with the other things the rest collected. Their collections were man made objects, like knives and other things. My stuff, however, were more random, building tools and scraps. To anyone it would look like trash, that’s why I’ve learned to work with it. “You want one?” I looked up at AppleJack, who held out an apple. I turned it down, staring at my assortment. “I’d rather keep my habit of getting my own food, thanks.” “Then be my guest to go out there and get yer own.” AppleJack took a bite, realizing I was a bit hungry. I stood, taking out my bow and walking towards her orchard. “I think I will.” The ponies watched me walk away, then went back to what they were doing. No one really spoke, all that was heard was the crackling of the fire, and the munching of apples and a s'more that Pinkie managed to get her hooves on. Fluttershy was the last to still be looking as I disappeared into the darkness, deciding on whether she should follow or not. She was suddenly surprised as she heard Princess Luna whisper in her ear. “Maybe thou shalt follow him and keep an eye on him.” She muttered, causing Fluttershy to nod and get up, silently flying away after me. I walked in the quiet for a while, beginning to feel relaxed as I listened to all the sounds around me. My quiet breathing, the soft wind blowing through the tall grass and trees and my footsteps like a beat, and the crickets creating the melody. I made it to some apple trees, and spotted a perfect apple a little ways away from me. It wouldn’t take long for me to walk over there and just pick it, but I wanted to try something else. I stood at an angle so the tiny stem and branch was in front of the trunk of the tree, so my arrow wouldn’t fly out of sight as I brought my bow up. Breathing carefully, I aimed precisely, aiming for the step that attached the apple to the branch, and I was just about to fire when I hear a quiet snap of a twig behind me. Quickly turning around, I was aiming at whatever it was, on a knee, in the blink of an eye, though I lowered my bow when I realized who it was. “What are you doing here, Fluttershy?” I stood. Fluttershy was shivering on the ground from my sudden movements, and I rolled my eyes before walking over to her to calm her. “Come on, stand up.” I spoke, waiting for to move but she didn’t. I let out a long sigh as I sat down beside her, my hand moving up to her head to pet her. She quickly calmed, her fear disappearing into thin air as she tilted her head up, a dopey smile on her face and a faint blush. I couldn’t help but smile myself and let a quick chuckle escape my lips as I scratched under her chin. “You really like that, huh?” I asked aloud, not looking for an answer, thankfully she didn't, either. I suddenly started thinking to myself. A rush of thought and emotion ran through my mind as I thought of Fluttershy, and without thinking. I started speaking. “Fluttershy. I need to tell you something.” I said, biting my tongue as if I felt her answer would burn like lava, though when she looked up at me her eyes glistened in the most relaxing, refreshing way. “W-What is it?” I sighed, knowing I had to finish was I wanted to say. Pulling my hand away from her head, I graced my face with them, then rested them atop of my knees as I pulled them up. I looked back down at her. “I-I want you to know that… Out of all the, ponies here...I…” I groaned internally. Just spit it out already! “I trust you the most, and I feel more relaxed around you.” I finally spilled, and I saw her blush grow profusely as she turned away to look at the ground. “..O-Oh...w-well...Thank you…” She stared up at me. “I-It’s nice to know you feel the same way I do about you.” Great, now you’ve done it. All I hope now is that she doesn’t want a relationship or any of that shit. But hold on, actually… It is nice to know that. I cleared my throat. “R-Really?” Jesus, this is sappy. She nodded, nuzzling my hand. She giggled. “See? I knew there was some pony nice under all of that… Determination.” I thought about what she said, and I never really realized how much I’ve changed ever since I’ve been with these ponies. It’s been what, 3 days? Maybe less? Before that I barely even spoke, now look where I am. I don’t know whether to feel defeated to accomplished. Maybe a bit of both. “Yeah, I guess so.” I shivered quietly, but it was enough for Fluttershy to notice. “We should get back to the others.” She pointed out, standing up. I agreed, not sure if I wanted this to go on any further. We still had plenty more days ahead of us to talk and live. Live… I won’t keep my hopes up.