//------------------------------// // Chapter XXII: The Ballad of Carnegie Porter // Story: Four Ponies & A Time Machine // by SkelePone //------------------------------// “Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.” ― Carl Sagan * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Carnegie Porter was born in Great Bridleton to Jonny Deep and Ocean Deep, an acting couple well known in many popular Bridlish and Equestrian action and romance films. He was well off for a young colt, although severely neglected. He was raised by a butler, Alfalfred. Beyond that butler and a few servants, Carnegie had no friends. He was lonely. His parents were always away getting drunk, going to parties, and working in films. They didn't have time for foals. As Carnegie grew up, he began to realize things. Small things. He was an Earth pony, but his mother and father were unicorns. He learned from a few tabloids that his mother was not exactly the most faithful wife. His father, Jonny Deep, was probably not even his real father. Jonny had named his colt after his favorite alcoholic beverage, a sign that his father did indeed know that he was a bastard. Eventually, Jonny managed to get Ocean pregnant this time, confirmed his. A baby filly unicorn was born, Angel Dust. She was a beautiful foal, pale like her mother, with her father's blue hair. Carnegie loved his baby sister, more than anything. She was a new friend. But the filly was a sickly one. Late into the night she would cry and cough, the air rattling through her underdeveloped lungs. Carnegie took care of her as well as a colt could. He would give her medicines and soups. At night, when she couldn't sleep, Carnegie would sing her lullabies and melodies. She was quick to learn how to talk. And Angel and "Carney" became the closest siblings that siblings could be. They ate together, played together, sang together. Angel would always tire out before Carnegie did, but he would carry her about on his back, using his Earth pony strength to help her in almost any task. Her condition worsened. She couldn't sleep. She began coughing up blood, refusing to eat or drink for fear she would vomit. Their mother and father ignored their pleas for their assistance, and at night she cried and called out to her big brother. "Cawney, it huwts... Pwease Cawney... Make it go away..." "I'm sorry, Angel... I wish I could... I really do..." That night, she passed away. Carnegie cried at her bedside until dawn. Then they came to take her body away, and once more in his life, Carnegie Porter was alone. He blamed his parents, and struggled to let the outside world know that it was them who killed his sister. Of course, the Deeps couldn't have any of that. They had careers. So they introduced little Carnegie Porter to alcohol. He was wary at first, but quickly grew addicted. He became regular drunk. As long as they provided him with alcohol, he wouldn't even be able to form coherent sentences. The colt was learning to brew as well, and Carnegie, who was expected by many to get a cutie mark in music and singing, got his mark after his first successful brew. And that day, instead of laughing and partying like any other foal getting their mark, Carnegie Porter did the last thing anypony expected him to do. He cried. "Porter?" "Porter!" "Carnegie!" "CARNS?!" Roseluck was getting nervous. Carnegie had been gone for a full twelve hours. She was worried for him. Yes, he was big, strong, and could definitely take care of himself well-enough. But without her, he was more likely to destroy things. The more she thought about it, the more she felt insecure. Carnegie was in trouble, she knew it. Rose blinked tears from her eyes as she anxiously paced the TROTIS. Every now and then, she would put her head outside, tearfully calling for her lover to return. Time Turner had driven the blue machine into Fillydelphia, and parked it in front of the town's sign, the large on in the Square with the odd triangle symbol etched under the lettering. The Doctor had spent a good five minutes studying the carving. He had told her that he had seen that symbol before somewhere. Rose had grouchily replied that unless he had seen it on a map telling her where in Equestria her beloved nincompoop was, she could care less. Derpy continually flew out and surveyed the town. Rose was boundlessly grateful to her new best friend, the pegasus at least showed more concern for Carnegie's safety than the Doctor did. She ducked her head back outside. The rush hour seemed to have halted, less ponies wandering the streets. Rose noticed a small group of about four or five robed figures. They all bore the same triangle design on their robes, their entire bodies covered. She felt like they were watching the TROTIS. She shuddered and ducked back inside. Unknown to her, the hooded ponies approached the TROTIS slowly. After Angel Dust died, the Deeps and their single foal moved to Equestria, upon invitation of Princess Celestia. They had moved into a spacious manor in the center of Canterlot, right beside the castle. In his admittance to Equestrian citizenship, he had gotten to see the Princess. Alicorns did not exist in Great Bridleton. The monarchy there was entirely unicorn. When the little colt had seen her, he was in awe. She was tall, elegant. Beautiful. When her eyes met his, they grazed past his cutie mark. And he saw pity in her eyes. He wondered why she was feeling sorry for him, then he remembered. His cutie mark was a mug of beer. And he was only a colt. It didn't take a genius to know what that had to mean. Derpy was horrified as she watched from high above as the group of hooded ponies attacked the TROTIS, dragging away the carriage, Rose, and the Doctor. Nopony else was witnessing it. Nopony else could save them. And Derpy was terrified. She followed them stealthily on unsteady wings, trying to stay in the cover of the clouds. The group shoved the TROTIS and the bound duo down a dark alleyway. Derpy landed softly on the rooftop, and followed them as silently as possible for a notorious klutz. Thankfully, Time Turner and Roseluck were making such a ruckus that they muffled any falls or stumbles Derpy made. When the hooded ponies shoved Time Turner and Roseluck down a hole, Derpy plopped down onto the filthy pavement just as the hole sealed itself off. The TROTIS, the Doctor, and Roseluck were gone. Carnegie grew into a strong, healthy stallion. He had frequented the bars and pubs around Canterlot for some time, and getting into fights had helped him build up an infamous reputation. "The Cockney Colt", as he was called, had a rather enjoyable few years in Canterlot. Until he grew up, and the Deeps were no longer required to support him. They kicked him out of their manor, and he was tossed to the streets. After a tearful farewell with the only pony he ever knew as family, Alfalfred, Carnegie left Canterlot. He had heard about a town called Ponyville. A small, quiet town with cheap housing. As Carnegie left the city of Canterlot, it began to rain, heavily. He had turned to look upon Canterlot one last time. From the highest tower of the castle, he saw a white figure watching him. Celestia. He felt the same gaze of pity she had given him all those years ago. Then and there, Carnegie Porter decided he would never be pitied again. Never.