The recollection of days long past, and contentment in what the future may bring. A story for a friend. May he find the contentment he so seeks in life. So say we all.
A short story for "Red Sage" from Vermilion and Sage that I wanted to put together as a surprise for him and his "marefriend". It took some time to put together, but as always I enjoy what I do regardless of the outcome. This was the first MLP writing I've done and I enjoyed seeing it come together. ~~~~ This story charts Sky Sage and Ash as they travel forward in search of new opportunities. From the memories of events long past to the hope for a future of their choosing, Sage and Ash journey together content in the knowledge that they shall face life as one.
We choose our own paths regardless of the roads we follow. Both the start and end is known to us in life, the question is which route we may take. That is the adventure and the true testament to all that we are and all we seek to become. Never quit searching.
Sky Sage grunted as he heaved the heavy saddle of the cart to the ground. He had been pulling all day down the same road since Celestia raised the sun and was ready for a well-needed break.
He lumbered off to the side of the road and began to stretch out his aching joints and muscles. Sage took his time to stretch everything. Starting with his neck and moving down to his rear hooves he groaned, his body responding to his efforts with discomforting cracks and pops.
I must have put that harness on wrong or have been off balance somehow. Why do I hurt so much!?!?
Sage groaned again realizing he was far more sore than he originally thought and deciding it was for the best, let his legs go numb and gravity carry him to the ground in a well-sounding *thump*.
Oh this feels great.... I think I'll just lay here.... for awhile....
As he lay there, Sage took a moment to soak in the scenery he had been forced to ignore since starting out; he felt the coolness of the dirt path below his hooves and the warm summer's breeze as it gently tussled with his mane, he smelled the faint scent of honeyblossom flowers on the wind from the field next to him as they danced along the breeze, and listened to the birds as they flew along the fields singing songs with such chipper and cheer. All perfect elements of the summer day he had long yearned for.
Yawning, Sage thought to himself that this was an opportunity he couldn't waste, being best to take a few hours before continuing on. Stretching his wings out he curled up and let his eyes grow heavy. Focusing only on the warm summer breeze and the scent of honeyblossoms he too began to join them in his dreams on their ethereal dance amongst the winds. ><><><><><
Sage slowly awoke from his deep and refreshing nap. As he rubbed his eyes he checked the sun to see that it was still up though definitely lower than what it had been when he had nodded off. Confident he had only been asleep for 3 or 4 hours he spread his wings and pushed off the ground to take a quick lap or two around the meadow and wake himself up.
Banking around a stray cloud he took a look at the long, winding road ahead before returning to his original liftoff point. Satisfied he was once more awake and alert he walked over to his cart to inspect it before getting back on his way.
It was a simple wooden pull-wagon with four wheels and a pulling harness. It wasn't spectacular or flashy in any way, but it had managed through all the years of wear and work he'd put it through and to Sage that was all that mattered. As long as those wheels kept turning it'd get him to where he needed to go.
Content with his analysis he went to check on his cargo. Hopping up onto the front of the cart Sage parted away the tarp covering all of his possessions. Books for his correspondence engineering courses he was taking for his Master's program, small bales of hay and wildflowers, water canteens, parchment and quills, -- Sage went down the list. Everything seemed to be there and in order, except for one thing. Turning to a hoof-knitted blanket in the front corner of the cart Sage gently grasped a loose corner with his hoof and lifted it up to expose a small gray unicorn mare curled up and asleep next to the supplies. It may have been 3 years since they first met, but the memory of that day was still fresh in his mind.
Sage couldn't help but smile as he remembered back to that night at the Appaloosa Summer Sun Celebration. The melding of sweet aromas in the air as they traversed down the streets, the wondrously endless dishes of food and drink, the delightfully energetic atmosphere of the town and that grayish little mare dancing around on the community dance floor. Her orange and black ponytail spinning as they dodged and weaved together through the crowd, her soot-colored hoofs stomping the ground with glee as the band began a new song, and her warm, smoke-colored muzzle as they shared a kiss lasting until dawn. It was the most perfect night a pony could have dreamed for and he couldn't think of a better time in his life than that night he first met Ash-Sheathed Shadows.
With that night what had started as a simple town visit quickly turned into a life-long partnership and concluding that they could find a more fulfilling life if they left Appaloosa, they packed up their belongings and set their sights on a new and upcoming town of opportunity, Ponyville. ><><><><><
Returning his thoughts to the present Sage kissed Ash on her forehead, replaced the tarp upon their belongings, and lovingly wrapped the blanket once more around his beloved marefriend taking extra care to do so without waking her from her sleep. With renewed vigor he stretched his legs and donned the saddle of the cart once more -- this time so that it didn't hurt his back. They still had at least 4 week's-worth of travel down the road, across the desert, up the mountains and through the Everfree Forest before they'd finally be in sight of their goal and taste victory, but every step taken was one less they had to make.
Sage took a deep breath and looked up at the evening sun as it began to set and join the distant mountainscape in preparation for Luna's night. Closing his eyes, Sage said with confidence, "Four weeks. Just four more weeks and we'll get a chance to start a new life together."
He looked back at his beloved still asleep in the cart, "We'll make it there I promise you that. I might not know what we'll find when we do, but I will always be here for you and we'll make it work."
And with that Sage turned back towards the road stepping off to continue their long journey towards a new life, but unbeknownst to him he didn't see the faint grin develop on the face of his passenger in the cart nor see as she opened her eyes and silently whispered, "I know. And I can't wait to share it with you."
And as they traveled into the waning sun she closed her eyes and returned to sleep and both Sky Sage and Ash-Sheathed Shadows continued once more on their adventure towards a new life and opportunity in Ponyville. ><><><><><
