> Battery, the orphaned Deer > by Ponyess > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Prologue of Friendship: 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- . I had wandered through the forest for a week, or a few. Being alone, time lose all sense and meaning. I had been living off of what little I could scrape, when I felt the need and desire to. Being alone as an orphan and you tend to lose more than you thought you could or had been prepared to. Yet; I had avoided the Everfree at all cost, once I saw what the forest is like. It is no place for a weak and lonely little fawn, something I can admit now. In the end; I had stumbled across this large, and strange building. The structure looks as if it had been a crystal growing right out of the ground. I guess it does have some resemblance to a tree, but it certainly is no tree I ever saw or learned of. As I came closer, it looks more like a home in the outskirts of a village. Maybe I could dare approach it? In hopes of finding an answer. I would either go down by the hooves of who ever lives within, or be saved by the power behind, whom ever I was to face. I guess it is the only choice I have left at this point. I can not go on in the fashion I am scraping by now. . I still do wear the cobalt blue knee high ornate boots, a matching necklace and tiara on my forehead. Copper and iridium cord ornaments, the only trace of where I had been from. I also wear a leather lined saddle, with twin bags attached on the sides of my body. It contains what little I have, next to nothing by now; a Ruby, an Emerald and a Sapphire key, all I have left. Anything else was eaten, lost or spent in order to take me to where I am now. I could but hope my investments had served me well, I could go no further. . As I knock on the door, something is emerging from the silence I thought I had heard. Not an echo, but distinct hoof steps. These are not the hooves of a Deer or a commoner, she is clearly wearing boots. Once the door finally was pushed out of the way, I could see what was to pass for a light purple Unicorn; only then I noticed the large wings on her back, even when she consciously hide them flat on her back. Looking closer; the horn is taller than expected, and the spiral more pronounced than common with regular Unicorns, as far as I could tell; not that I do have all that much to go on. Then I noticed that mark on her flank; a large deeper purple star on top of a white, encircled by several smaller white stars, just not sure what this all means. As a Deer, I have little to no knowledge or experience of Ponies; our education did not explore the subject, just denoted that this was part of what it is to be a Pony in Equestria. Maybe it is nothing, or it means the world? I had noticed the golden ornate boots on her hooves, the cause of all the noises she had been making as she approached the door. Of course; she is also wearing her crown, I had expected nothing less. This is the Princess herself, not a mere minion or anything like that. . “Welcome to Ponyville. I am Princess Twilight Sparkle!” she promptly presented herself, before I had the time to actually say anything. “Greetings, Princess Twilight Sparkle!” I merely greeted her at first. “Since you are here, come with me; right this way, my little Deer!” she then responded. “Thank you, Princess Twilight Sparkle!” I responded; as I followed her into her castle, and hearing the quiet thud as the door closed behind me, as if by magic. “I am Battery, and a fawn!” I then added, as I followed her deeper into the crystalline castle. “You are quite welcome, miss Battery. But, please call me Twilight!” she then pointed out, in clear syllables. “Okay; thanks you, miss Twilight!” I then responded. “Thank you, Battery. Would you care to share a cup of tea with me?” she inquired. “Tea? Sure beats the muddy water I have been forced to contend with!” I pointed out. “No Pony is forced to contend with muddy water in my castle. No Donkey, Mule or Zebra either. Likewise, that is clearly extended to any Deer who is my guest. However, if the tea would prove not to be to your taste, I have both juice and cider to tempt you with!” she added with a growing smile. I felt hard pressed to present a smile of my own. Being a guest and the offered drink alone was refreshing at this point in time. . She had led me to what was to pass for a moderate dining hall. I couldn’t help but gasp as I saw the room. The style, the splendor. Maybe I had been on my own, trekking the forest and countryside for too long? I made no point out of fortune, or the failing of mine. Why? I had no reason to try to make her feel bad about how fortunate she is; compared with the life I had been enduring, for who knows how long. “I like the style of your Home!” I chanced, as an attempt on what I was hoping should be a safe topic. One such as I, dare not take a chance or change my fortune; when I had a glimpse at something more than I dared hope for any time soon. “My best friends worked hard, in the effort in trying to make this into a home for me!” she responded. “The sense of belonging, can be quite the elusive ghost!” I suggested bravely. “I guess that is where I stand right now. I lost my former home, and much of my former identity. Back then, I was a Unicorn and a Librarian. I lived in a homey and cozy Golden Oak Library. I can never return to that home, or the Unicorn I once was!” she clarified. “I think I can sympathize with you there; I lost my home, and am now an orphan; I can’t return to where I lived, or who I was!” I responded, looking down at the table. . There goes, and the cat is out of the box. I can’t have the words taken back. > First Things First: 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- . I poured myself a cup of tea, before I picked a cup for the fawn visiting me. I chose one for an earth Pony; the one best suited for little Battery, as far as I could see. “I hope the tea will be good for you!” I pondered, as I picked up a blend I thought would go with her taste. “Looks fine by me!” she merely responded. . While I was sipping my tea, I noticed something odd. At first she may have been motioning towards lifting her cup up in the traditional manner; expected from any Pony not of Unicorn origin, but then there is a deep blue glow on the tip of her tiny Deer horns and the cup slowly and stuttering flow from the table and up to her muzzle. Even if there were a few drops of the tea escaping, she soon had the hang of it and managed to have her very first sip of the tea. For a moment; I said nothing, just quietly watching her enjoying the tea, and the practice. Maybe I know of her tiny horns. I have seen horns in action before, even some not of direct Equine origin; like the once I was not quite ready to be reminded of; the once on the top of the head of a certain Centaur known as Tirek, who destroyed my former home. Of course I had seen the Faun from miles away, even if I had not noticed her right away; I had looked at her as I bid her in into my home and invited her on a cup of tea. Casting side glances at her on and off. I had seen the garments she wore right of the bat, how could I not have, or even tried to ignore them. . “How is your tea? Need sugar or cream in there?” I inquired politely. “Oh; it is just fine, thank you. I just never had tea quite like this, Twilight!” she responded. “I guess your folk has a different taste? Besides; I have items imported in from all over Equestria, aside from a few rather exotic items my friends find for me from the forest!” I pointed out. “The forest, as in the Everfree?” she exclaimed. “A friend of mine who just so happens to be a Zebra, lives in the forest; she is only too happy to help me find certain items I may need or desire!” I pointed out. “A Zebra? A Zebra? Did you just say that you have a Zebra as your friend?” she burst out in sudden surprise. “Uh? Yes, she lives close by in her hut. We helped her out and introduced her in the village. She apparently needs to buy herbs, from time to time. She is using them in order to brew potions!” I explained. . “I think you will meet Zecora in a few days!” I continued. “Uh, Zecorah?” Battery inquired. “The Zebra. She is the one bringing in some of the herbs and spices I use when I create the blends of tea!” I added. . “On second thought; I think you need to practice your magic, don’t worry; I will help you out along the way!” I prompted. “Magic? Like with the cup, when you offered me the tea?” she responded. “Exactly; we will start with little, safe and fun things. Just like a cup of tea, together!” I responded, smiling at her. “The tea is nice, and that was fun. It you think it is all right, I guess it is okay!” she responded. “Magic is for both fun and practical use. Besides; if I can teach you how to use what you have to your potential, it could end up saving your life in the future. Naturally; there is little to no risk, while you are with me in any event!” I prompted, with authority and instilling as much certainty as I felt appropriate in the situation. “As much fun as the tea was, I guess that is still a practical application of your magic!” she responded, braving a new smile. “Drinking tea is both harmless and can be fun, yet; it is also a very practical use of magic!” I confirmed. “Since you mentioned it; are you showing me any of the purely fun magic as well, Twilight?” she whispered hopefully. “As far as magic goes, I can help you with that. On the other hoof, when it comes to pure fun; I have a friend you have to see later, you will of course see Pinkie Pie soon enough, if you stay with me!” I pointed out. “Pinkie Pie?” she inquired with a confused look all over her face. “She is a friend of mine. When you see the pink mare, you will see what I mean. You see, there is no mistaking her, no matter what!” I explained. “Does she come over to your castle often?” she responded. “Indeed; at least once a week if she has no other provocation, in which case she may come over any number of times!” I added, incapable of keeping the giggle out of my voice. . “Since you don’t have any Pony else to go to, you could as well stay with me. For as long as you live with me, you will have to see my friends; but then you would have to go to school and make friends of your own too!” I pointed out. “No; I have no Pony else I could go to, who would take care of me. I knocked on your door, when it came before me; more or less as a last resort. I hope you did not mind me to!” she promptly explained. “I may have Royal duties, but as the princess of Friendship; how could I possibly show you the door and push you out now? I certainly have more than enough food to share with you, and if you like reading, I have a large selection of books in the library you could enjoy as well!” I pointed out. --- --- --- > A Jolly day of foalish play in the Castle: 3 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- . The Princess had offered me tea, which I had enjoyed Royally; if you excuse that pun here. Not my fault that she happened to be a Princess, with a castle of her very own; as small as her court may be. Since she couldn’t show me the door in the name of friendship, and I have nowhere else to go; she found herself obligated to extend me a room, for as long as I was to need some place to stay. I guess she is a good friend, but what did I know as the orphaned roe Deer? Apparently, I will be learning the depths of the ignorance on this part soon enough. She had actually promised me as much, even if she had expressed it very differently. . The room she gave me may not be all that large or fancy by any standard; but there is room for a bed and a bed stand on the right side of the door, I have a wardrobe in which to have clothes if and when I have any, so I just slipped out of my saddle bags and stashed them there. Being in a Royal castle built out of a solid purple crystal, I feel safe enough to enjoy the window giving me light in the room. From the feelings I had, the village is safe; even considering just how close it is to the dreaded and dreadful forest I had been so careful to avoid at any and all cost. The mare who imparted the room to me does know powers defying description. I could feel something about her, something that told me she was ready to face down opponents far greater and more powerful than her; even when she had to face them alone. She clearly had learned of magic, and wielded more of it than a Pony her size and age should dare to dream of, from the tales I had been spoon fed; during the time I had had to absorb the love I had been granted. Of course, living on the edge of the forest is not for the faint at heart, or the weak. I had to hoof it to her, she had both guts and a heart to go with it. When you are weak, and alone; you learn to recognize and respect power and the once wielding it, or you are not going to make it through the day. Simple as that. . This crystal palace is speaking volumes, and what I hear is the brute force of power you don’t cross. Maybe she could afford to have a great heart, with the power behind her, aside from the friends she had mentioned before. I have little to no idea as to who or what they are, but if they are her friends; they are bound to be mine as extension. I may be wary of the once I do not know, but I had been forced to relay on someone, and this Pony was the first choice I had available to me. Once I chose to trust her, I could as well trust in her choice, even the once done before I had met her in the first place. In choosing her, I had chosen to trust the once she considers her friends too. She had mentioned one Pony in particular, a pink mare by the name of Pinkie Pie. From the words she spoke, and the way she mentioned her; I have to imagine she is something special, something well out of the ordinary. . There is something to this castle, in which the bed of mine is standing; it is no mare crystal palace for one of power, but is sprung out of the earth, like a tree. I feel a strange and unexplainable connection from the very floor on which my hooves are resting. Even with my boots on; the connection binds me to the Earth, and the Harmony that made the castle manifest. How, why, or could I actually pose these questions? I hide everything I have in a wardrobe, save the boots I wear. The saddle bags are safely hidden out of sight, where none could find them, without opposing the one I had chosen as my Champion. My last remaining connection to who and what I am, hidden within these saddle bags. . She had shared her meals with me, just as she is sharing her meals with a Dragon named Spike. I had enjoyed both the salad, and the tea. I should not deny it, by any means. . I hear a knock on the door, but with an enormously exuberance to it. If it is the mare I had been promised to see, or if it is the reaper herself; who is to say? The door had opened itself, as Twilight applied her magic. There had been a few strange vibrations from the floor; while the pink mare bounced forth, and into the hall. After a moment, the vibration merely vanished; as if the object had slipped out of existence. Yet, something else changed as I feel a difference to the air, from the switching of a long, highly curled up tail. The explanation is forthcoming; in the form of a pink mare, or to the point; Pinkie Pie. ”Flop, flop, flop, flop..” I hear as a pink mare comes flying through the very long hall of the castle.     “Hiya, Battery!” she merely exclaimed, as she lowered herself and set hoof on the floor before me.     “Hiya, Pinkie Pie!” I responded, knowing there could be none other to perform what I had just been the witness of right now.     “A friend of Twilight, is a friend of mine; Battery!” she promptly pointed out.     “Oh; a friend of my friend, is also my friend..” I whispered, quietly; remembering an old lesson, out of a dark and shaded past.     “Pinkie; how did you do, what you just did?” I inquired, breathlessly.     “Do what?  Oh, flying!  Sorry, if I can’t teach you the trick; since your tail is too short, to spin properly!” she responded.     “It is not your fault, my tail is too short to spin!  I am a Deer, and there is nothing to do about it..  Is there?  Either way, I like being a Deer, it is who I am!” I prompted.     “I know, and neither of us can fly like a Pegasus!” she giggled.     “No, I guess we can’t; but we were never meant to fly in the first place!” I acknowledged, with a slight hint of a giggle. --- --- --- > A Jolly Pink Episode: 4 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- . ”Who is to say, what you were meant to do?” she just inquired, as if it had been an affront to her. Of course, she had been a Rock Farmer by family and birth. She had been an Earthpony and a filly, growing up to become a mare well known and respected for her prowess. Not for farming rocks, but for everything she had provided her community with. Who could blame them for the respect they imparted upon her? ”I have no wings, so how could I possibly fly?” I inquire. Feeling the magic of the element playing at the very tips of my horn, teasing and distracting me to the very core. As if she had been trying to make me into a Unicorn just as she had been born to be, just by brute force of her presence. ”Are you asking me, Battery; because I have no wings, but that never kept me down to the ground either..” she promptly stipulated. ”Then, why do I sense the edges of a pair of wings on your back?” I inquired, almost as if I had in fact seen a pair of wings on her back, even if my eyes refused to see the wings she has. Maybe her wings are on a different plane of existence, but they are there all the same; even if I can neither see, nor feel them. ”Would you accept my statement, if I claimed to see the wings on your back?” I inquired, half by half in jest. ”You are talking about Pinkie here..” Twilight exclaimed; making a point of a situation, I had not been a part of. ”What are you saying, Twilight? Because I feel; as if you are implying something I am not aware of..” I prompted. ”You did see me flying, so why should I doubt you?” Pinkie prompted; “I am a Pony, not a Deer; even if I may have friends far and wide, possibly including Deer-folk too!” she continues, her speech slowly turning into a ramble at the end. ”I can as well spill the beans, here and now; there was an incident, where I tried to prove her wrong..” Twilight explained; “but in the end, I turned into a Rapidash; my main and tail aflame in apparent frustration, as I gave up the futile fight!” she pointed out; “There is no point, arguing with Pinkie; her logic operates on a plane separate from Ponies, and I fear this would make her a bit of a confusion even to a Deer...” she then concluded, as if gasping for air, grasping for the final straw. ”Your mane and tail turned aflame?” I inquired, gasping in surprise. ”Yes..” Twilight confirmed; “and it was so adorable; you should have seen it, Battery!” Pinkie filled in. ”I am not sure..” I breathed; “the picture you just conjured up is more than enough for me..” I continued. At this point, Pinkie is just floating in the air, maybe a foot off of the floor; stationary, since there is no wind in the room. As I am looking up, I can clearly see the pink mare floating in the air; patting a tiny miniature cloud, as if she had been petting a puppy. Levitating, like a Unicorn; while interacting with a cloud, like a Pegasus. With that, logic had leapt out of the room, fleeing the battering, under Pinkies hooves. ”You have a pet cloud?” I inquired, as I am looking at her petting the tiny cloud with her fore-hooves. ”Wait, what...” Twilight gasps, as she finally is catching up, with what Pinkie Pie is doing. ”When you put it that way; it is quite fun, and funny...” Pinkie offers, as she continues to pat her pet cloud for a moment longer. Only the next moment, the pink little cloud slips down towards the floor with her in tow. ”Okay, okay..” Twilight exclaim; “Discord would love to see this, Pinkie!” Twilight exclaims, snickering like a crazed out Hyena. ”Word of this can not leave this room..” Twilight pronounced. ”Claudia..” Pinkie mumbles, poking her cloud filly on the right shoulder; you heard that!” Pinkie Pie reiterated, making the cloud respond with a light snicker in return as she was nodding. As if summoned the specter of a Pony identical to the mare known as Twilight Sparkle opens the door to the room to the right of my room; stepping out of the room, slowly trotting towards us. ”Wait, what?” I exclaimed. ”She is the avatar of Harmony, and she should be able to care for my pet cloud!” Pinkie exclaimed, snickering for a moment. ”Disaster averted?” I inquired. ”Yes!” Pinkie Pie Points out; “Disaster, averted..” Twilight concluded. ”Thanks, because I have had my share of disasters..” I mumbled, not quite daring to put too much voice to anything that could jinx my current situation. As a Deer, I had to be cautions; my current situation still uncertain and hanging in the balance, not the time to take bold chances. ”Since Avatar is tending to your Pet, Pinkie; it is time, we have something to eat!” Twilight suggested. ”Yes, Twilight; good thinking, and I'm sure Battery would need a good meal too..” Pinkie confirmed. ”Thank you; something to eat, would be great right now!” I responded. . Pinkie Pie had bounced across the floor, leading us to the kitchen and dining room in Twilight's castle. As we reach our destination, just a few minutes later; it's neat and well ordered, befitting the character of Twilight Sparkle. Well, what had I been expecting. ”Have a seat; Battery..” Pinkie Pie exclaimed; “the guest does not have to prepare the meal!” she concluded. ”I guess, that makes sense..” I pondered, agreeing with her statement. While I had never even considered Magic, before; as a Fawn, it is not what I had been taught. Just that now, I have the faint, tingling sensation in my horns; the strong presence of Twilight's magic, pushing me in a new direction, I could never have been prepared for. The sensation had erupted, as Twilight opened the door; inviting me, into her castle. This had never quite ceased, but remained a constant companion, even if it became much more acute every time she is in a close proximity. How, why? I have no idea. Should I care? Or, just enjoy it for all it is worth. The magic had proven most convenient; when she had offered me a cup of tea, the first time I had entered her home. As a guest. Or, is this making me her adopted child? I am a faun, even if it almost feels as if she is treating me like her very own filly. Is this right? Is it good for me? How could I say? Could I complain? While I plop down, into the seat offered; contently sitting and waiting, they prepare the meal for the three of us. My horns still tingling in the same manner; it is neither fluctuation, nor spiking at any given time. Is she responsible, or is it just a reaction to her presence? Little by little, I realize; it is only Twilight's proximity, and not Pinkie's. Should I find solace, or agitation? Should I fear, or feel relief? Yet, I feel a ghostly pat on my back; is if my mother had been in the room, gently smiling at me where I sit. This is confusing, yet reassuring me; I am safe, I am being cared for. I have friends. --- --- ---