//------------------------------// // Chapter Twelve - Results and Coffee // Story: Summer Bound // by Windsocks //------------------------------// For some people, it may have seemed like the end for me. Touching an object laced with high voltage electricity with just the amount of amperage to kill a human. Of course, these were all rumors told to me by the sun goddess of this planet in order to keep me out of harm's reach. Sadly, the young -at least in her perspective- tend to not always do as they are told. In fact, it is that soul reason of being forbidden that spark the curiosity to venture and discover if what was told was true. Of course, in my experience, I should've followed the sun goddess’s words of wisdom. For now, I hear the familiar sound of a heart monitor beeping, shuffling blankets, and people -or in this case ponies- coughing. A tell tail sign that River Breeze's experiment didn’t go according to plan. “You can open your eyes now, I know you’re awake,” Came the motherly tone of Celestia. I could already tell from the way she worded that statement that I was about to get a good talking to. Before opening my eyes, I let a small smile escape my lips, “Ah, you caught-” A sharp pain erupted in my back as I attempted to sit up in my position. The action was thwarted as soon as I thought of it and I landed back down on the hospital bed. “Sneaking off in the middle of the night to continue your research. A noble yet idiotic idea, you think I would not find out sooner or later?” Celestia commented as I just laid there looking at the white marble ceiling. Turning my head towards hers, our eyes met. Her soft gentle irises fixated on me, laced with worry. The magenta orbs that floated in the white plane was like a gateway to her soul. “Idiotic? We made some great progress me, Luna and River,” I started with my raspy voice. Celestia rolled her eyes, “If you’re referring to your attempts to bring down the lab wall. Then yes, you did make great progress.” Letting out a large sigh she continued, “Either way, Luna has told me everything. This was not the first time you came at night to help her in finding a solution to our weather problem.” The jig was up, and it was Luna of all ponies that tattled on me. I will remember this, and save it for a rainy day. With nothing left to hide I come clean, “It was the only way I could both help in discovering the solution and assist you in your daily chores.” For a moment, I saw the faintest tremor in her eyes, accompanied by a small genuine smile. This, however, was lost moments later with a scolding look, “I have my position for a reason, Ken. I can do my job fairly well without help from others. The sleep you have lost in doing so is not healthy.” “I wasn’t doing this for you,” I commented causing Celestia to give me a confused look, “I was doing this for myself. I just wanted to see that beautiful smile of yours.” And with that being said her muzzle adorned a nice shade of scarlet as she covered it up with her hoof. I was almost sure I saw a small tear come to her eye, but before I could look again she was gone with a loud pop. This left me alone in the room once again with one of the nurses. Hearing the sudden pop, she quickly turned around and looked in my direction. “What? Don’t look at me, I just complimented the mare.” The nurse scrunched up her expression in confusion. Clearly, she was trying to make out what I had just said to her. Leaving her to deceivers ‘Kenneth's Code’ I turned back around and attempted to get some more shut eye. Hell, if I was here might as well make the best of it. In her chambers, the wind picked up as a light that shone brighter than the sun made itself known. The final pop made itself known to Luna’s ears causing her to fall off her bed. “How infuriating! I try to warn him, sister, I truly did! And what does he do? He goes ahead and does what I warned him not to do!” Taking a breath Celestia continues, “I go to scold him, and I come out completely… completely…” Celestia trailed off as she paced around the room. “Flustered?” Luna added in as she groggily got off the floor. “Yes! Wait no! I’m not flustered!” Celestia stomped her hoof hard on the wooden flooring. Luna let out a chuckle as she made her way towards her sister, “I’m sorry to tell you this sister, but you’re clearly flustered. Not only that but you’re quite red in the face.” A small smirk crept onto her own, “I have not seen you in this state for quite some time. I wonder if it was Kenneth that caused this?” Walking towards on of the mirrors, Celestia gasped causing her face to glow an even darker red than before. It was all Luna needed to know to cement her theories, “You’re wondering if Kenneth saw this embarrassment?” “Nay sister, that was not on our minds at all!” Celestia retorted as she took a minute to calm herself down. Sadly, Luna had other plans for the poor mare. It had been so long since she had the upper hoof, she was going to enjoy this time she has now. “Would thou like to join us for a walk?” It’s always the perfect time and place where you find yourself unable to sleep. I laid on this bed for two hours, eyes wide open with not even a single yawn coming from my lips. I guess all the excitement that lead up to now finally caught up to me. “Oh, look you’re still alive!” Chimed River as she walked into view. Shifting my position on the bed to get more comfortable I reply, “Yeah, that forty-two percent got nothing on me. So, you here to just check up on me? Or did that experiment of yours actually yield results?” River smiles sheepishly, “A bit of both actually.” “I feel so honored, so what did you find out?” I ask cutting right to the chase. “Okay, you want the good news first or the bad?” River asked walking up next to the hospital bed. “Save the best for last, I always like to say.” “Alright, so that experiment that you did, caused the magical energy inside you to be ripped out and absorbed by your ‘phone’. This proves my theory that's it’s not causing the weather, but fuelling what is. Like one giant magical drain.” “I fail to see how that is bad news?” I question River with a confused expression. “Did you not just hear what I said? The ‘phone’ as you call it has just ripped out your magical essence. You’ll no longer be able to teleport back and forth between worlds.” River restated. It was a weird feeling being told that I couldn’t go back. When she relayed me the information I just felt empty inside. I didn’t know how to react, the last string between me and my home planet finally got cut. “So, if that's the bad news what's the good news?” I questioned River to whom smiled back at me. “It’s a lovely day outside, I think I might take a little stroll.” Was all she said in return. A ‘little’ stroll! Was she nuts! “Are you crazy River, the storm outside will…” The words of her last statement echoed throughout my mind. ‘It’s a lovely day outside’ “will…” River nodded her head, “Yes, that is correct. Since you have been severed from your home planet the rift closed naturally. You were like a door stopper on an intergalactic scale! Too bad you never seem to find them when you need them the most.” “It’s all over?” I asked, unable to believe this news myself. “No,” River continued, “While the weather did seem to calm down, it’s still uncontrollable. The ‘lab foals’ are still hard at work trying to solve the problem.” Rubbing my temples I let out a large sigh, “Well, at least working towards a solution will be less stress driven.” “Indeed, but I’m still going to go on like nothing happened. This sudden change could be misleading. Maybe this is just another, deeper, stage of what is happening.” River stated as she walked back towards the door. “Very perceptive, I’m happy you’re on our side.” I stated in a demonic tone that seemed to come out of nowhere. Before I could say anything to River she answered, “Yeah you’re lucky to have me.” And just like that, she left. It was as if she never even heard the change in my voice. Even the nurse in the room didn’t react. Now I know she doesn’t even know English, but I’m pretty sure you would pick something as strange as that up. Strange thing is, I myself am starting to have second thoughts about if it actually happened in the first place. Unable to come to a logical conclusion, I let the topic go for another time. With the nurse now leaving the room to check on other ponies, I was left alone in the room with my thoughts. Which is never a good thing, seeing as I almost went insane last time in the padded room. As a laid there sideways looking at the clean counter and walls decorated with medical posters my mind wandered towards what River said. I was severed from my old world for good. The magical energy inside me had left during that experiment. An event that I still am unable to react to, and how could one? I guess the ‘normal’ reaction would be to cry, or to lose it, but was that really ‘normal’? My mind this early on from receiving the information was still confused if it was the truth, or if I heard it right. “Kenneth,” Came that same smooth voice. Shoving my thoughts into the corner for later. I take my gaze off the wall and towards Celestia. One of which was standing under the door frame. “Looks like I’m popular, ponies keep coming in.” I comment with a small chuckle, “So, you finished with… well, whatever it was that you teleported off to?” I asked. Nodding she entered the room, “I was wondering if you would like to take a walk with me through the city?” “Um that would be all nice and dandy, but my back-” was all I was able to say before her horn fired up. Seconds later a warm feeling moved its way up my spine pushing and pulling at different kinds of muscles. It was a weird feeling, but one that left me feeling amazing afterward. Once the feeling faded, and the glow from Celestia’s horn vanished. Looking her straight in the eyes I said, “and you couldn’t have done that sooner?!” “I wasn’t one-hundred percent sure that the spell would even affect you. Seeing that you are resistant to magic.” She commented as I took a couple of test steps. When no pain came to me I proceeded to lean from one side to the other. Once again there was no pain that shot through my back. “What made you attempt it anyways?” I asked walking towards her. With a sheepish smile, she answered, “Today is the first day I can actually see my sun rather than those pesky storm clouds. To go around alone would be rather dull. The guards don’t really make good conversations.” Either she was a good liar or this thought was genuine. Nevertheless I responded with, “You know if you have any ulterior motives you should just say them.” “Are you saying you do not wish to join me?” Celestia questioned with a small smirk. “I guess if you like the hospital's food that much I can always reverse my spell.” As her horn started to glow its beautiful golden glow I quickly corrected myself. “N-Now, I never said that I didn’t want to come. I was just curious.” “Curiosity killed the cat, Ken,” Celestia stated with a little chuckle. Her horn and my body ceased to glow and my worries on how she was going to ‘reverse’ the spell vanished. “But the satisfaction brought it back,” I mumbled to myself as we both left the hospital. It wasn’t long after that when we exited the castle altogether. The nice summer breeze wafted by my face as the bright sun bathed the land in its glow. “It’s about damned time that the rain stopped,” I commented out loud as I stretched my arms. With a small pop and a satisfied smile on my face, I continued to walk forwards. Following my lead, Celestia caught up, “My point exactly, it would be a shame to let this day go to waste.” “So where are we going?” I questioned as we walked down the cobblestone path and passed the large castle walls. What I was not ready for was the sight that lay beyond the walls. Canterlot, the jewel of Equestria in all its glory. Buildings of stone and marble rose high in the sky as the roads filled with ponies cut through them. From building to building banners were strung as large oak trees created a canopy over the street. The whole place had a natural feeling to it, almost as if the city was destined to be placed here. Even the small shops that littered the side of the streets accented the atmosphere nicely. The views I got from the castle's windows definitely did not do it justice. Never in all my life did I think a city could be this beautiful. Celestia watched on with an amused smile on her muzzle as I continued to walk down the street. My eyes darted from store to store, tree to tree as I took in the city. Before I could say anything Celestia spoke out, “Beautiful isn’t it?” She questioned. “More so than any city I’ve seen on Earth,” I commented as I broke my trance and looked over to Celestia. “So, like I asked before I got side-tracked, where are we going?” “One of my favorite coffee shops,” She stated with a little too much excitement, “Then after I’ll show you around the city.” “Huh, even the almighty goddess of the sun needs coffee in the mornings,” I joke. Celestia lets a little chuckle escape her lips, “Do not underestimate the power of caffeine. If I don’t get my morning cup, I’m quite the different mare.” “I can only imagine what you would be like without it,” I commented as we continued down the street. Ponies everywhere were cleaning up branches and leaves that the storm tore off the trees. Even a couple of banners were ripped out. Every now and then one or two would stop what they were doing and looked over at me. Genuine curiosity masked their faces, while others seemed to be rather angry. “I guess the news got leaked that I was the cause of the storms,” I stated as I looked back over to Celestia. Nodding her head, she replies, “No matter how hard you try and hide something, it's always revealed at one point or another. I’m sure that in a couple of weeks everything will be back to normal.” “Whatever the ‘normal’ is in ponyland.” I joked. Looking over to me Celestia’s right eye twitched, “It’s called Equus not ‘ponyland’,” Celestia corrected. “Whatever you say, princess,” I stated causing Celestia to scrunch up her muzzle, “Heh, you look adorable when you're annoyed,” I added on with a little chuckle. Shaking her head, she turned her attention back forwards, “Anyway, the shop is right on this corner.” Just like she said as we arrived at a four-way intersection, the shop on our corner was a coffee shop. It was a pretty average looking shop, hell even the name was pretty average. I mean, you don’t catch a lot of eyes with the name, ‘Coffee Bean’. As I expected, when we entered the establishment not many ponies were here. In fact, I and Celestia were the only ones here. Despite that fact she continued towards the counter and spoke to the mare manning the register. When she was finished talking the mare in the back bowed and went to prepare what she ordered. “So what makes this place better than any other?” I questioned looking around the normal coffee shop. The smell of coffee beans was strong, just being in the building I was starting to wake up. Walking to one of the window seats in the coffee shop Celestia sat down, “It's better, simply because it's quiet. A coffee should be enjoyed while one relaxes, rather than one being pestered all the time from fellow ponies.” “I guess it would be rather annoying to have to deal with ponies always coming up to you to chat,” I replied taking the seat across from her. As I sat down, the mare that Celestia was talking to walked up to the counter and set down two filled coffee cups and two plates with croissants on them. After she had the items down on the table she bowed, said something then took her leave. “I hope their coffee is good,” I comment taking the cup and plate she set down. Placing the plate in front of me I took a small sip from the coffee cup. Instantly the bitter taste of the coffee hit my tongue. I never really liked to drink coffee straight, but I felt like after what I’ve been through I needed it. Celestia on the other hand -or hoof as it was- took a couple of four sugar packets and dumped them in her coffee. After which she delicately picked up the mug and proceeded to down it in one fatal swig. “I thought you said in order to drink coffee you had to be relaxed,” I commented with a little chuckle. It completely came as a surprise that a princess that is usually so elegant would down a cup of coffee that fast. “The second cup I will enjoy, the first was to keep me from going crazy,” She stated as the mare came back with another cup and replaced the empty one. Placing my mug down, I pick up the croissant. “So are these just plain croissant?” I asked flipping it around in my hand. “Take a bite and find out,” Celestia commented as she once again dumped four packets of sugar into her mug. This time, however, she picked up the mug with both hooves and took a small sip of it. After which she smiled contently as she looked out the window of the coffee shop at ponies cleaning the streets. Following her statement, I took a large bite out of the pastry to find out that it was indeed filled with something sweet. After playing around with the taste a bit I finally gave up and asked Celestia what it was. “It’s a cross between strawberry and blueberry. I myself thought it was strange the first time I ordered it, but was pleasantly surprised by the results.” “Yeah, it’s actually pretty good,” I replied as I slowly ate the rest of the croissant. Celestia followed, eating her pastry and drinking her second cup with a lot more grace than previously. Before long both our plates and mugs were empty. Our conversation had seemed to dwindle to nothingness as we simply sat there and enjoyed the street side view our seating gave us. “What's the first place we’re going to?” I questioned bringing Celestia out of her stupor. “I’ll take you to the outskirts first. If there’s one place you have to see while in Canterlot it's that” Celestia commented as she placed the required bits onto the table. Getting from my spot as well I ask, “And why is that? Is there something amazing on the outskirts of Canterlot?” Celestia smiles at me, “Why don’t we go and find out ourselves,” with that said she grabs my hand with her magic and pulls me through the streets. It seemed like the caffeine has started to do its work on the princess. Road after road we passed till we came to the end of an alleyway. From the looks of it, I could see that beyond the alleyway was some sort of open area. I, however, was unable to get a good look as Celestia stopped in her tracks and turned towards me. “Alright now close your eyes,” She stated with a wide smile. I gave her a confused look but nevertheless followed her orders. When my eyelids closed I felt her take my hand again as she led me forwards. Before I could ask any questions, my hand was dropped onto some sort of railing. “Can I open them now?” I questioned feeling a bit uncomfortable having my eyes closed this long. Not to mention being in a completely different area now. I could hear a small chuckle come from Celestia’s lips before she replied, “Yes, you may now open them, Ken.” Cracking my eyelids open, my breath was taken away from me. I was standing up against a railing that lined the small cliff I was on. Beyond the cliff was a perfect view of a large valley nestled nicely in the mountain range. A large river snaked in between the mountains till it settled at a nice large lake at the base of the mountain. I could see the houses that bordered the waters as well as some small fishing boats bobbing in the water. The mountainside was just as beautiful. Canterlot was apparently not only limited to the large plateau that the main castle rested on. Even from here I could see multiple buildings and streets built on the mountain side. Even the main road that I and Celestia walked on to get to saddle lake was there. However, this time it was packed full of ponies both making the journey up and down the mountain side. I must have been gone off in my own little world for a quite some time as Celestia stepped in, “And you thought the city was beautiful.” I felt like I should reply, but the view in front of me was so mesmerizing that even Celestia’s words couldn’t break me from it. It was just what I needed, a little bit of time to relax and enjoy the world I’m in. Here I was so worried that I would never get home when all along a fresh new slate was here in front of me. Breaking my gaze from the scenery, I looked over to Celestia who was resting her head on her two hooves looking out onto the valley below. A small smile resting on her lips as her ethereal mane blew in the summer breeze. She is the sun, she’s my friend and she at this very moment, she was perfect.