//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: New home, Old pony // Story: The Tale Of Two Friends // by The_Unknown_Creators //------------------------------// Hours later, Boost woke up. With a yawn, he began another day in his new life. He then remembered that he is in the Canterlot castle, in that very comfortable bed. "Its been so long since I slept this good," He said with a smile. He got off the bed and went to the door, then he opened it and peeked outside. There were two guards stationed at his door. One of the guards bowed and said, "Sir, the princess awaits you in the dining hall." "Well... thanks," He said, and then proceeded to the dinning hall. Currency and the Princesses were sitting at the end of a long table, and talking in very content voices. Currency was laughing, a sight that brought joy to Boost's heart. He smiled and said, "Hello there!" "Good Morning boost! Did you sleep good?" Currency asked. The Princesses beamed at Boost." "Yes I did. Ive never slept in a bed this comfortable before. Thanks for your hospitality princess!" Celestia, smiling at Boost, beckoned to him. She said, "Thank you for the compliment Boostrot, please! Join us! You must be hungry!" "Thanks Princess." He got in a chair, with a bit of difficulty because of his size. After one of the best meals boost ever had, he eventually stood outside with Currency and the Princesses at the gate. "This day can't be better. I can't wait to see Blue again." Currency looks over at Boost. "Blue?" "Oh, That's my friend, The only one I had before I met you. You've got to meet him, He's very intelligent!" "Alright, sure!" she agreed. Celestia, smiling at the pair, said, "Now you must decide your own path Boostrot. Currency is going to live in Ponyville, to start her life over again." Luna put in, "Yes, if you wish to live with her for a while, it could all be for the better!" "Well... I used to live with my friend, he replied, but his house was a bit small for the two of us." Currency, troubled by this, said, "Well, we don't have to live together, we can probably live near each other though!" "Now that no one is trying to capture me," he said, "maybe i can find a small job and get money to but a house for my own." "Perhaps," Currency said with a smile. "Really Currency, I can't thank you enough for what you did to me." "Aw... Thank you Boost. You saved me too though... This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship!" She smiled at him. "Well, I think its time to go home. Thanks for everything Princesses!" Luna declared, "Fare thee well you two! Wherever you fare!" They headed to the train station and took the train back to Ponyville. Currency stepped off the train, and took a deep breath. "Time for a new beginning..." "Yep... Well its time to see Blue," Boost said. "Do you want to come with me?" "Of course! Then maybe we can take a tour of this town?" "Yeah! And maybe you can meet the Princess that lives here!" "Another princess..." She sighed. "Ok lets go," He said. And then, they headed to Bluespark's home. They ended in front of a small house. It wasn't the best looking one in Ponyville, or the cleanest, but it seemed suitable to house at least one pony. "Hm..." "I told you it wasn't the biggest house," said Boost. "Oh, I don't mind," she replied back. He proceeded to knock on the door. A voice from inside yelled, "Coming!" Currency exchanges looks with Boost, He just smiled at her. Then a blue pony with an arranged brown mane opens the door. Obviously it was BlueSpark. "Boost!" He yelled with joy. Then he hugged him, to which Boost returned. "I saw the news! You're longer wanted! And who is she?" He asked while looking at Currency. She blushed. "Blue, This Currency Compass. She is the one who made this all possible!" Boost said excitedly. Currency, with an embarrassed smile, said, "Well... I wouldn't say that..." "Oh, really!?" You helped my friend miss? You have my eternal gratitude! My name is BlueSpark, Nice to meet you!" he said while shaking her hoof in a pretty formal way. Currency, a little timid, returns the shake, smiling nervously. "Is there something wrong Currency?" Boost asked. Snapping out of the moment, she replied, "Oh, yeah, I'm fine Boost, thanks. It's a pleasure to meet you too Bluespark!" Blue smiled at her. "Well... What brought you to meet my friend Miss Compass?" He asked. "Well, its a long story," she replied. "I can tell you inside. Hm, Boost told me that your a scientist! is that right? "Well... I don't consider it as a job, But more as a hobby. So i guess yeah, I'm a scientist!" "Fascinating..." Her eyes drifted around the room inside. "What if you show her your inventions? It'll be fun!" Boost said. "Oh, sure!" Currency looked interested in what he had done inside, trinkets of all sorts dotted the room here and there, all foreign to her. It could be compared to a kid who was brought into a brand new toy store. Just that she is 30 years old. "Well, ok." He said with a smile. "Over here." They go to another room in the house. It was all messy and filled with scrap metal. Currency was filled with bewilderment at all the new sights. "Sorry for the mess," said Blue. "If i knew you were coming, I would've cleaned." "Oh, it's no bother..." She tapped a piece of metal sticking out of a pile, and it wavered up and down like a rubber band. "Oh yeah. I also like robotics too. But let's say... I'm not too good at it," he said while rubbing the back of his neck. "Robotics? What's that?" She asked curiously. "Well, Let's say they're automated devices. Commonly known as robots." "Automated? Robots?" She looked at Boost with uncertainty. He just shrugged at her. "Let me show you." Blue said, Then went to a cabinet and looked inside. Then he took out a small humanoid looking robot. "I made this thingy a while ago. The only thing that it does now is walk." Currency stared wide eyed at this thing. He put it on the floor and activated the switch on it's back. The robot started to walk around, nothing more. Despite this, Currency jumped back, and launched a blast of magic at it, barely missing it, but causing it to tip over, leaving it to continue functioning on it's side. She fell backwards from the scare. Clearly, it might take some time for her to get used to the new era. "I don't think your used to this Miss Compass," Blue remarked. "No... I'm not... Sorry..." "Don't worry," He said, putting the robot back in it's place. "It's just that... Well, I'm not from this time period..." she said. "Oh... You seemed younger. How old are you? Like, 40?" "Well, about 30 really... Or 1030...". "Heh, Thats gre- wait, what?" She smiled nervously at him. "Lets just say that we had a very... peculiar meeting.," Boost remarked. Blue just tilted his head in confusion. "Let me give you the short version..." Then he proceeded to explain what happened from the moment he found her, to their time in the Canterlot. "I don't think that was short Boost.," Currency laughed. "At least he understood it." He replied. "Indeed, So you know the princess'es?" asked Blue. "Of course i do! I was their student!" she said. "That's so awesome!" he exclaimed. "You know the princesses in person! Oh god i have so many questions! How are they? What are they like? "Is it true that Celestia has an addiction to pastries? Its true that luna has a videogame addiction? Oh! oh! Do you-" But then Boost putt his hoof over his mouth. "Heh, Relax dude. She is still trying to process all that's happening." "Oh..." He cleared his throat. Then rearranged his mane. "I'm sorry miss, I guess i got a little carried away." "No worries Bluespark," she replied. "Ooh, what's that?" She pointed at the nearby potion stand, where a white potion was settled. "Oh... Just a little potion I am making," he replied casually. "I noticed that paralyzing potions where too hard to make. So i'm trying to do a substitute of it, with different effects but with the same purpose. But its still in its making, so the effects are unknown now." She backed away a bit, just to be safe. "That's... Nice." She said. "Well... Now I got to go back to work. These inventions are the only thing that makes money for me. Feel free to stay here if you want." "Hm, I think its time think its time for us to go," said Boost. "Currency still needs a lot to learn about this town. Right Currency?" "Heh, yes." She replied. "Well we better get moving then. Good luck with everything Blue!" "Thanks Boost! And have a nice day Miss Currency!" "Thank you! you too!" She yelled back. They went out of the house. "So... Before you went to Canterlot you got a glimpse at the new princess. Maybe you'd like to meet her?" Boost asked. "Oh, I'd love to! Where does she live?" "Come with me and I'll show you!" They proceeded to where Twilight Sparkle resided, and they soon were dwarfed by the shadow of a huge castle shaped like a crystal tree. "What in Equestria... This is gigantic!" she exclaimed. "Yes, it is!" he replied. "You know... I've never met Princess Twilight before." "Never?" "Yeah... Since i came to Ponyville, I was already known as a criminal..." "Oh..." "Well, Here we go..." He knocked at the door. It resonated to everywhere in the castle. After a few moments of waiting, the door opened, and Spike the dragon stood in the middle of the doorway. He was casually snacking on a bowlful of gems. "Umm... Hi there..." he said uncertainly. "Can I help you two?" "Well...hi, I am Boostrot and this is my friend Currency Compass. We would like to meet the Princess." Spikes recognized his name, and dropped the bowl of gems." "Oh... um...just one second...um..." he backed away slightly again. "Don't panic sir. all this trouble was just huge misunderstanding. If you let me in I can clarify this!" "Your... Not going to eat me?" he asked with uncertainty. "Wait... what? No. I'm not going to do that. Ew..." Currency then asked, "Is princess Twilight here?" Spike replied, "Well... She's... Not here right now! Yeah! heh..." "Hm... Are you sure? Look, I'm not bad mister. I just want to clarify this with the princess." A voice from behind spike said, "Spike? Who is it?" "Hm?" Boost peeked inside. Princess Twilight Sparkle was standing the middle of the atrium, looking towards the door curiously at the visitors. She takes notice of Boost. "Oh... You must be Boostrot!" "Finally someone who's not afraid of me." "Well, Princess Celestia told me about you two! Come in!" "Thank you." They entered. After walking through the castle a bit, they reach the map room, where the huge map of Equestria sat in the middle. "Whoa..." said Boostrot in amazement, "So this is the map thingy they talked about." Twilight smiles, "Yes! It contains a full layout of all of Equestria! Even the neighboring lands." Currency stares at the map in amazement as well. "Wow... I wish I had something like that..." "Me too," stated Boost, "But we hardly deserve such a thing... "Yeah..." she muttered. Twilight, sensing a bit of doubt, said, "Ms. Compass, all of us in Equestria owe you our lives and freedom to you, you've done so much to prevent the victory of Nightmare Moon, and you made it possible for us to defeat her once again! And for that, you certainly have my gratitude!" She bowed to Currency, who in turn was startled by this move. "I'm just a simple unicorn who did what needed to be done princess Twilight, I did what i had to." "A simple unicorn!?" Boost proclaimed, "You were the student of Celestia herself! You can mind control ponies, create illusions, and who knows what else! And you call that simple!?" Twilight, surprised by this second statement, exclaimed, "Oh my Celestia! You were a student of her's too!? How was it back then? Did you live in the castle? What did you learn!?" The two mares began to gossip, leaving Spike and Boost to watch on. Spike lets out a yawn. "You know, I've never seen a dragon before," remarked Boost. "Oh, you haven't?" Spike replied. "Heh, Let alone a baby dragon, right?" "Yeah, So... How does it feel? To be the only one of your species around here?" "Well, I'm used to it." he explained, "I'm used to not being around other dragons... For...several reasons." "I can guess. I didn't know that the Princess of Friendship acted like this. Heh, So much for royalty right?" "Well, she's catching on..." muttered Spike. "You'll get used to it." They rejoined listening to the conversation. Currency said, "Well, yeah, I suppose you could call me a collector, of some sorts. It's a unique hobby. Twilight exclaimed, "That is so cool Currency!" Boost and Spike exchanged looks. "Well... Its nice to see her having fun," continued Boost. "You know, Ive never had this sensation of joy for years." "Sigh... I'm glad to hear that...", Spike replied. "Not that you've never had it before, but because it's your first... Ugh, nevermind!" "Heh, Really. Finally i can stop running and enjoy life for once. And all thanks to that kind mare." At last, Twilight and Currency stop their gossip. "Enjoyed your conversation?" asked Boost. Currency smiles at Boost. Twilight said, "Well, its good to meet someone new, especially someone of your caliber Currency! Come on, we can take you around the town, and give you a tour maybe!" "That will be great. Having to run from the guards really was an obstacle for enjoying this nice town," confessed Boost. "I can only imagine." replied spike. Twilight yelled from the door, "Come on you three! Maybe you can tell us about yourself on the way Boost!" "Well, Ok." He said and then went with her outside. When they got outside, they began to explore all of the town, from town hall, to the spa, the post office, and more. They eventually arrived at a curious building shaped like a carousal ride from an amusement park. A closer look at the display windows revealed it to be a fashion shop. "What is this place?" Boost asked. "This is the Carousel Boutique! A good friend of mine runs it!" said Twilight happily. They entered the shop. "It looks pretty." He said. Dresses and suits of all sorts were displayed in this circular shop, and at the counter, a white unicorn with a vivid purple mane was sizing a yellow Pegasus with a pink mane into a brand new dress. Upon seeing the shop owner, Spike lets out a dreamy sigh, and only Boost noticed him do that, thinking that there may have been more than meets the eye. Then Boost said, "Um... Hi?" The two ponies look towards the group. The unicorn jumped out and exclaims, "Twilight darling! Spike! It's good to see you two again! And with visitors I see!" The two recognize him. The Pegasus muttered, "Um... Rarity? I think we should go now..." "Don't worry Fluttershy, it's all been a misunderstanding!" Twilight said. She explained to the two briefly about what happened with Boost and his "Incident". Rarity exclaimed, "Oh! My apologies dear!" "Dont worry! I'm used to it..." He replied glumly. Fluttershy then said to Currency, "You were in the forest all that time? Was it scary?" Currency replied, "Well... not really" Rarity jumped up and shouted to Boost, "Oh I am so sorry darling! I should have been more receptive to you! Welcome to the Carousel Boutique! Fluttershy muttered, "Um... Rarity?" Rarity went on, "So, do you see anything that you might like dear?" "I would love to buy something here," he said sadly, "It's just that i'm in a rough time now. And i don't have any money." He had used all of his available money on the train ticket to Canterlot. Fluttershy muttered again, "Um... Rarity?" Rarity continued on, "Well, I suppose I could give you something on the house, I daresay you might need it! How long have you had that hoodie darling?" He was wearing his usual grey and slightly tussled hoodie. "This thing? I suppose like a couple of years." Fluttershy muttered again, "Rarity?" Rarity asked a bit impatiently, "What is it Fluttershy?" Fluttershy replied, "Can you finish this dress first please? If it's ok..." She was still wearing the large dress. Rarity told her, "Hold on for a moment Fluttershy dear, let me attend to these two!" "Um... ok..." "But, Are you sure that you want to do this Ms. Rarity?" asked Boost with uncertainty. "I mean, I don't feel well when someone gives me something for free. I feel like i am... stealing." "Nonsense darling! You need one! This is a fashion emergency!" "Um... What?" Before he could process what happened, she rushed him into a nearby dressing room. A few minutes later, Rarity pushes the group out of the Boutique, and bade them goodbye along with Fluttershy. He now wore a brand new hoodie. "Well, I have to say. Rarity has talent." he said proudly. Spike says dreamily, "She sure does..." "Wow..." Said Currency, "That was interesting... Such radical designs from my era...." "So what's the next place?" "Hm... Why not the market?" suggested Twilight. They arrive at the market a few minutes later, with all sorts of booths and stands there for fresh goods and merchandise, some of the best that Equestria had to offer. "It looks nice!" said Boost. "Yeah! I'm just amazed at the prosperity of this town..." said Currency, admired by the variety of all the items. Boost started looking around. Looming over the entire market, was a huge building that from afar could be mistaken for a giant gingerbread house, for its exterior was decorated in the likeness of candies, icing, gingerbread, lollipops, and about anything one could think of for sweets. , "What an interesting design." He muttered, while looking at the structure. Twilight replied, "Oh, that's Sugarcube Corner! Another one of my friends works and lives there. Come on, I'll let you meet her!" "Sure." He said. Then they got in. The bakery was empty, for it was after closing time. An earth pony was cleaning the counter, humming a little tune to herself. She had a frisk and excited look about her, with a bubblegum pink coat and hot pink mane to match. Upon seeing the group, she took a sudden dramatic gasp, cartwheeled over to the group, and proclaimed, "Hi guys!" "Umm... Hi." Boost said. Currency, taken aback by this introduction, said as well, "Hi...there..." He just looked at her. Intrigued by her personality. He never knew a pony with this type of emotions or hyperactivity before. "What do you want?" She asked excitedly. "A cup, a cake, A CUPCAKE!?!?" He backed away at that. It seems that that was not a very good impression of her to him. A nearby voice in a rural accent says, "Now calm down there Pinkie, ya don't wanna scare the livin' daylights out of em." Over at a nearby table, sat two ponies, an earth pony with an orange coat, golden hair, and a rural hat, and one with a sky blue colored coat with a rainbow colored mane. Upon seeing this choice of hair design, Currency squinted at the latter pony. Pinkie replied, "Oh, yeah! Sorry Applejack!" "She is always like that..." muttered Spike When the ponies at the table got a closer look, They noticed Boost among the throng. "Um, Heya." He said. "Howdy there Sugarcube," replied Applejack eyeing Boost. Twilight jumped in and said to Boost and Currency, "Guys, these are my friends, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie!" Pinkie gets a wild smile at her face at the mention of her name. "Nice to meet you all!" he said. "Finally...someone reacting normal..." Pinkie giggled at this. Rainbow looks at Boost and says, "Heh, You'll get used to Pinkie." "I don't know how can someone get used to her..." He muttered. Pinkie suddenly appeared right behind Boost, and said, "Well, I'm an acquired taste! Speaking of taste, want a cupcake?" She held out a cupcake to him. Currency looks confused again. "Um, Thanks?" said Boost awkwardly. He looked at the cupcake, and took a small bite out of it. Then his eyes widened. "Wow! This is amazing!" he exclaimed, and in just a matter of seconds, he finished the cupcake. Pinkie Pie responded gleefully, "Hehe! See, I told you!" Currency looked at her. "I've never heard of a cupcake before..." Rainbow stared wide eyed at Currency. "You've got to be joshing me!" "Jo- What?" Boost looked at her confused. "What?" Currency said. Then Applejack said, "Don't mind her, it's a figure of speech..." "I can see that..." "Well, it's nice to meet you Boostrot! And you too... Currency?" With a closer look at Applejack, Boost remembered something. "Wait... You seem familiar... Are you the one who runs the Apple farm not far from here? Applejack tipped her head towards Boost, "Yup, I am! Well, partially anyways..." Then his eyes widened, and he slowly backed away towards Currency. He then whispered to her, "Umm.. Currency. Can we go now? You see... During the time i was wanted, I used to steal apples and other things from her farm." Applejack looked at Boost in a sort of way that makes him feel uneasy. Currency whispered, "Oh..." . Nervously he said, "Well, I- I think its time for us to go. Thanks for everything you three!" Rainbow Dash, looking confused, said, "What? So soon? But we only just met you!" "Yeah!" agreed Spike. "You haven't even tried the pies here yet!" Applejack replied, "I think I know why, and I thought I'd know your face Boostrot!" He started sweating while his heartbeat went up. Currency took notice of it. She replied, "Boost?" Applejack said, "Now don't you worry sugarcube, I know it was you, though I don't hold any grudge really, seeing the circumstances now..." He let out a sigh of relief, then collapsed on the floor while holding his hoof to his chest. Pinkie Pie yelled, "Stand back everyone!" She hopped on Boost, and began to do CPR. He began to yell. "WAIT! ITS NOT THAT! STOP!! YOU'LL TRIGGER IT!" His heartbeat rose even more. Pinkie hopped off, and whispered, "Sorry..." He struggled on he floor screaming. Clearly, Pinkie has made a horrible decision. "What do we do!?" yelled Spike frantically. Currency rushed over to him, put her hoof on his forehead, and sent calming pulses through his mind with her magic. "Rest... Rest..." He started to calm down, and finally stopped struggling. "What just happened!?" Twilight shouted with confusion. Applejack replied, "Well, he had a heart attack I'd reckon." Breathing hard, Boost said, "No... It wasn't a heart attack... Just because the Princesses forgave me doesn't mean my curse is gone..." He tried to get up with difficulty. "Curse?" said Rainbow Dash confused. "Ooh..." Replied Pinkie, "Is it like the Twilight Saga?" "The what?" Asked Twilight. "A long time ago," began Boost, "A horrible pony had a son, and did horrible things to him. He cursed him, and forced him to carry a beast within him. Every time his heartbeat reached his limit, the beast was released. Me." The others stood silent. "What?" Replied Applejack. "I dont know why," he continued. "One day, he just left me in the desert on my own...alone and scared... I walked for hours...then days....I found very little water, and I was hungry...very hungry...always hungry. I went from town to town, but i could never control my emotions. Every town i set foot in hated me soon afterwards... and then I ended here... in Ponyville." More silence followed. He let out a sigh while he looked down at the floor. "I think its time for me to go... Thanks for everything..." He walked to the door. Twilight walked slowly to him, and put her arm on his shoulder. "Please Boost... stay, you've nothing to be afraid of here." "But i'm afraid..." he said despairingly. Afraid that i can loose control. I almost lost it a few moments ago. I don't want to kill more than i did..." Twilight looked over at the group. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry... "he finished, Its just... my abnormality makes impossible for me to stay close to any pony..." Currency walked to Boost. "Boost... You don't have to be alone..." "I don't have to. I need to be," he said resolved. "You will only get yourself killed if you stay close to me..." Tears started to fall down his face. "Boost..." More tears fell down his cheeks. "I hate this... I hate this so much..." "We can help you Boost..." "How...? Its impossible... I tried everything... And nothing works... I have to carry this... Forever..." "And we will help you carry it..." Currency then moved to hug Boost. He tried to resist returning it, but instead broke down into tears, crying into her shoulder. The other members of the group joined them. He knew..somehow... The wonderful friendships he had made, with wonderful friends who would always be on his side. He knew they could help him to break the curse somehow. The miserable tears turned into tears of happiness. He kept crying until they were no more left. Then he stepped back. "You can really help me to take this thing off me?" "Without a doubt", replied Twilight. Thankfully, Sugarcube Corner was closed, no other pony was there to spectate the moment. Then a smile crossed his face. "Thank you, Thank you so much... You are really doing too much just for a colt, I can't thank you enough..." The group broke away, and smiled at Boost. "It's what friends are for", muttered Currency, who was smiling the biggest. It seemed like he wouldn't have to carry the curse for the rest of his life. Finally, a future looked bright enough to go through. Everything would just fine. As long as he doesn't appear.