//------------------------------// // The Denim Blue Yonder // Story: Tales of Another Ponyville // by Paradise Oasis //------------------------------// Howdy there, everybody! The name’s Denim Blue, and I’m Ponyland’s resident cowpoke! I’ve been out in the badlands, rustlin’ up outlaws, and now I’m finally back to good ol’ Ponyville! Seems like not much has changed ‘round here. There’s Scootaloo, ah hope she doesn’t run me over with that crazy scooter. There’s Fiesta Flair, seems she’s already started plannin’ a welcome back party. She’s always been so organized, but not as organized as- Ah, darlin’ Rainbow Dash. That elegant mare always puts a smile on mah face. She’s always got somethin’ kind to say to everyone, even the ponies that ain’t always nice. Plus, she’s really pretty, an’ smart, an’ amazing, an’- oh no, did ah say that out loud? Ah hope she didn’t hear that… Anyway, ah’ve been out in the badlands fer the past year. It’s pretty crazy out there, but I can take it. That’s what a’hve been born to do, after all; this here mark on mah flank- a denim patch with a thorny rose on it- symbolizes mah talent for bein’ one o’ the roughest, toughest cowponies in the west! Ah suppose ah should tell you about some of mah adventures in the wild west! After all, what’s a cowpony with some interestin’ stories to share! A couple o’ days ago, me an’ mah fellow cowponies were huntin’ down an infamous pony outlaw called October Calendula, but she’s better known as the Yellow Blitz. She’s the fastest draw in the west, and she’s got the looks to show for it- that mare distracts ya with that yellow flower on her flank, and then yer out before ya know what hit ya! Anyway, me an’ the others were in the local cider bar, havin’ a generally good time, when that nasty mare comes in all friendly-like. She goes up to the bartender, a shy lil’ stallion by the name o’ Sunrise Ocean, an’ asks for some cider like any normal pony would. O’ course, Sunrise is blushin’ an’ splutterin’ like a fool, and I don’t blame him for it. He might not know it, but ah’ve known about his crush on her ever since her wanted poster appeared on the bar wall that fateful day. Ah think he has it hung up on his bedroom wall! Anyway, she comes an’ sits down next to a pony, a tall blue feller with a teal an’ yellow mane; the sheriff o’ this little town, Sheriff Countryside to be particular. Ah knew right away what she wanted, and it wasn’t purty; she wanted him dead. And she was good at doing it. Ah got up and walked over to their table ta see exactly what was goin’ on. Sheriff Countryside says that they’re jus’ talking, but I can see that he’s got a bit of unease in his eyes. October Canlendula is wearin’ a flowy orange gown with some strangely puffy sleeves. Strangely puffy sleeves that were just the perfect size fer holding a gun. Sunrise is still starin’ as her, practically fallin’ over the edge of the bar. It’s quiet fer a few moments (although it felt like an eternity), and then October spoke. “So, how long’ve ya been in this town, Sheriff?” she asks in a seemingly casual manner, her back hooves positioned in such a way that her flank was in mah face. It was disgustin’, and ah saw Sunrise blushin’ again outta the corner of mah eye. “ ‘Bout 5 years or so,” the sheriff answered, taking a sip of his cider, “ever since that ol’ sheriff Braeburn died, ah’ve been the peacekeeper ‘round here. Though, ah’ve gotta give credit where it’s due: now that Denim Blue over there’s come ‘round, he’s been a better sheriff ‘n I have!” He gave a lil’ chuckle at that last remark. “Izzat so?” she asked slyly, turnin’ towards me. “You’re the main peacekeepah ‘round these parts?” “Yeah.” Ah reply nonchalantly, tryin’ not to let anythin’ on. “Ah’ve been around here for a few months.” “Well, ah’m not sure ya should stay!” she says, pullin’ a lil’ shotgun from her sleeves. Ah knew it! Ah thought as ah pulled mah own gun from the holster on mah saddlebag. She fires right away, and I jumped up on the bar, dodgin’ it. Sunrise Ocean’s cowerin’ again, shakin’ and shiverin’. Ah feel real bad for him sometimes; the mos’ jittery guy in town workin’ at the cider bar of all places. Maybe ah can get ‘im to talk more often someday, but ah think he’s perfectly OK to stay behind the cider bar counter. Anyway, ah fired at ‘er, and it was a big bunch o’ firin'. Kinda hard to tell ya it clearly, since gunfights are usually pretty fast and crazy, but she got away b’fore we could catch ‘er. It was still pretty shaken up in there, an’ ah want over to comfort Sunrise. “Y’alright?” ah ask, trotting over to the nerve-wracked stallion, who slowly gits up an’ nods nervously. He ain’t much of a talker, so ah don’t push ‘im to talk, but ah know that as a witness he might have to talk more than he’d like. It was a pretty normal day fer the both of us, and now ah’m back here! Yeah, believe it ‘r not, I actually live here, in good ol’ Ponyville! Ah do visit Appleloosa more everyday, but ah’d never leave mah home. Especially if ah couldn’t see Rainbow Dash again! What? No, ah don’t know anypony named Applejack. Ah mean, ah’ve heard of her; she’s apparently th’ one who organizes the picnics in Ponyville, but ah’ve never really talked to ‘er. Why do y’all humans always associate us country folk with ponies named Applejack? Eh, ah guess it makes sense, since we do mostly come from Appleoosa. Shore is interestin’ how you human readers work, but ah’m not judgin’. Anyway, ah should probably go an’ greet everypony! It’s nice to be back in this sweet little town after bein’ in the rough an’ tumble west fer a while. Maybe sometime ah can get Sunrise Ocean to talk to y’all someday, but ah’m not gonna bet on it. See y’all! guest chapter by Thefanficpony, many thanks!