//------------------------------// // Signs of No Return // Story: Echoes of the Old World // by Ultima75000 //------------------------------// Chapter 3: Signs of No Return “Who am I? The better question is what am I? Or what I have become too protect who I care for? I barely know the answer but there is a point… a point of no return where I remember that I chose to become what I am and who I will defend. Ask the question again: What am I? Nobody important just the last of my kind…” It was early morning when Applebloom opened her eyes. The sun had barely shown over the hills casting a shining ring of gold over Apple Acres. Rubbing and her eyes and yawning she uncurled herself from the blankets and got onto the wooden floor. “Wonder what time is it…” Applebloom said with a rather sheepish look on her face “Maybe I shouldn’t have done that skydiving at night. Told Scoot we needed see where we we’re going.” Wiping her eyes again Applebloom took a quick look over the slowly approaching sunrise out the window. “Wonder what today going to be like?” Looking over she caught the shadow of a stranger walking through the fields. “Who’zat?” Applebloom said “What is anypony doing out in that field all alone so early?” Applebloom took a quick walk through the up stairs bedrooms. “Applejack is still sound asleep” She said quietly closing the door. “And I can hear Big Mac snoring again.” She took a glance into Granny Smith’s room. She wasn’t inside. “Maybe Granny is the one out there.” Applebloom said looking around for her. “Wouldn’t be the first time…” Applebloom took of her pajama hat and quietly went down the stairs. “Funny… doesn’t Granny Smith normally yell when we’re having zap apples?” she reached the bottom and look around. Granny Smith had fallen asleep on her rocking chair. Applebloom put a hoof to her face. *facepalm* “Never mind that, Granny Smith fell asleep in the chair again and I wonder why she has a bed” Applebloom stopped for a moment in front of sleeping Granny Smith “If Granny Smith is here, then who in Equestria is out there?” Applebloom thought. A mixture of fear and mystery clouded Applebloom’s thoughts; “I might as well see who it is.” Putting on her bow nice and tight Applebloom made her way out of the house, through the barnyard and into the Apple Fields. By now the sun had covered most of the field in golden yellow rays of light, casting shadows over each row of apple trees. Applebloom looked around for the stranger again but didn’t see him anywhere. “Hello?” Applebloom said softly “Hello!?” raising it higher “Is anyone out here?” Slowly Applebloom made her way through the row of apple trees. “Hello!?” She said almost yelling now “Anyone here!?” She tripped right after “What in tarnation-“ Applebloom said looking down. She had fallen over because of a single fallen red apple. “What’s an apple doing on the ground at this time?” there was a rustling of leaves nearby. Applebloom alerted picked up the apple and slowly approached the largest apple tree; hiding behind its trunk. “Somepony is stealing our apples!!!” Applebloom said to herself quickly. In her quick surprise and anger Applebloom got a wicked smile on her face. “More than one way to use an apple.” She grasped the apple in her hooves. “1…2...3- GO!” Diving from around the trunk, she tossed the apple as hard as she could forward where it made a loud bonk. “Ow!...” Applebloom looked at the intruder. It was a stallion, a winged unicorn stallion. In one of his hooves was a recently plucked apple. On his head was a nasty red bump right above his horn. His mane was a very dark blue with a coat of light blue periwinkle. “What was that for?” The stallion asked slightly irritated “Who are you and why you stealin our apples!?” Applebloom demanded. Though angry and equally brave, Applebloom felt a little out of place staring in front of the stallion that was nearly double her height. “Stealing?” the stallion said confused “The only apple I’ve seen off the branch is the one you threw at me?” Applebloom calmed down a little “You weren’t trying to take our apples?” “I was walking along for a long while and in my absentmindedness I found I walked straight into an acre of apple trees. I’ve been trying to find my way out.” “You we’re lost?” Applebloom said in a bit of disbelief. She then took another look around. “Your right you can get lost in here if you don’t know where you are. Are you new around here?” “My name is Atom, and yes I am new in town. I’m not here long though.” “Alright, the name is Applebloom, I’m part of the Apple Family.” “Apple Family?” Atom questioned for a moment “As in Applejack’s family?” “Yeah, she’s my older sister.” Applebloom answered “How did you know that?” “Twilight Sparkle” “OH!” Applebloom said very loudly “Your one of Twilight’s friends from Canterlot aren’t ya?” “Sort of…” Atom said scratching his mane “Well I guess your not used too this many trees in one place. Follow me. I know this place like the back of my hoof!” For a short while Applebloom lead Atom to the other end of the Apple Acres where the barnyard was. During that time Applebloom had shared what she a filly did around the place and herself as a Cutie Mark Crusader and the Apple Family. “Doing crazy things I suppose?” Atom said in relation to the Crusader’s wild antics “Something like that.” Applebloom nodded “Skydiving a night definitely not it.” Atom made a few chuckles “I noticed you’re a winged unicorn.” Applebloom said “Why couldn’t you just use magic or fly out?” “You can’t use magic for everything Applebloom.” Atom said “That’s true. My cutie mark couldn’t be conjured by magic buts can’t you still fly?” “My wings…” Atom slowed down a little and took a breath “They don’t exactly grant flight like they used too any more.” “Meaning…?” Applebloom continued “Well I still have wings yes but I have a very hard time using them like I used too.” “Did you forget how to fly or something?” “Oh no I didn’t forget I just… couldn’t anymore.” “You just couldn’t fly one day…?” Applebloom repeated “Did something happen.” “Something like that…” Atom said with a nod “APPLEBLOOM!!!” Applebloom and Atom turned their heads to find a charging Applejack heading their direction. She made a quick stop sliding right in front of them. “Thank Celestria you’re ok! Now where in Equestria have you’ve been!?” “I was just in the apple fields talkin sis.” Applebloom said with a sad smile “Applebloom what did I tell you about talking to strangers?” Applejack said angrily “Aww come on Applejack, He’s not a bad guy he was lost in the fields for pony’s sake.” Applejack finally took a better look at the stallion Atom, finally realizing that there was someone else there. “Sorry about my little sister here and what is this hoodlum about?” “Nothing really” Atom said shaking his head “I wandered off to far and got lost in the fields, your sister here found me and led me out.” Applejack looked back at her little sister “Is this true Applebloom?” “I told you. I found him and we spent most of the time talking.” Applebloom said a bit annoyed “Alright I’ll let you go this time little missy.” Applejack said sternly “but next time wake one of us up!” “Yes sis.” Applebloom said trotting off with a slight pout. “I apologize for not giving you a proper introduction around here.” Applejack said politely “My name is-“ “Applejack. I know your sister told me everything.” Atom said “Really?” Applejack tilted her head “Your name is Applejack, you’re the older sister of Applebloom, younger sister of Big McIntosh, granddaughter of Granny Smith, niece to your Aunt and Uncle Orange in Manehattan and cousin to many other ponies the Apple Family including Braeburn, Apple Fritter, Apple Bumpkin, Red Gala, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Caramel Apple, Apple Strudel, Apple Tart, Baked Apples, Apple Brioche, Apple Cinnamon Crisp-“ Atom took a very deep gasp of air and stopped with an equally loud sigh. “And that’s all I remember. Did I miss anyone?” Applejack gave the alicorn a rather dumbfounded look before nodding “That’s the fastest I’ve seen anyone learn the names of the Apple Family.” “Your little sister has had quite the adventure around here. She seems very proud of being your sister.” Atom said “Aww shucks she didn’t…” Applejack said slightly blushing “I’m just an apple bucker that’s all.” “Quick question, does she really do all those ‘activities’ with her friends?” Atom asked with frown “Them all looking for their Cutie Marks. They’ll do anything and I mean anything.” Applejack said “If I may ask a question what’s a fancy stallion like you doing out here?” “Fancy? I don’t find myself anywhere near fancy.” Atom said shaking his head “Well you must be important. I’ve never seen any other winged unicorn other than the Princesses, so I guessed you we’re royalty.” Applejack took glances between the wings and the unicorn horn. “Applejack!!!” Applejack and Atom turned back towards the barn. Applebloom was yelling to them in front of the house door. “I thought you had to go to a picnic today!!!” “Sweet apples I forgot! I was supposed to bring the food this time!” Applejack made a quick dash inside the house grabbing a picnic basket and as many apple treats she could fit before rushing straight out. In her haste she tripped over a large rock. Applejack made a giant gasp of fear as the basket flew out of her mouth’s grip sending the quickly tossed in treats altogether flying in midair. “Are you ok sis!?” Applebloom replied making a quick dash towards her. Before she even got far she saw a blur of blue and mane of many colors fly past her, ascending past Applejack and catching the basket. “Someone call for help?” The proud Pegasus declared in a heroic manner “Rainbow Dash!” Applebloom called stopping in her tracks. “Watch out!!!” Applejack pointed behind her “Huh?” Rainbow Dash turned around to find the many apple treats still falling from mid air in random directions. She made a quick glance at the basket. It was empty. She only stopped the basket. Acting quickly Rainbow Dash accelerated towards the treats that we’re the closest to her. Catching each one of them by using the empty picnic basket. Several dives and pivots later Rainbow Dash stopped and floated mid air in front of both of the ponies with a full basket. “Thank you, thank you. Applause please?” she said proudly “Look out!” Applebloom cried pointing to a single falling apple pie aimed straight for Rainbow Dash’s head. No pony could react in time. Rainbow Dash had barely turned her head and almost readied her mouth to scream and eyes shutting for impact. This time another blur of blue flew past them. But the mane that followed was that of midnight blue. Rainbow waited for the impact. But it never came. She didn’t feel the gush of apples all over her face. She finally opened her eyes. In front of her was an alicorn holding the pie with his left hoof. “What in the…” She gasped “Oh thank goodness…” Applejack sighed from the ground “Thank you kindly that would have been one nasty incident.” “Hey I helped out too.” Rainbow Dash said with a slight sneer turning her eyes on the stallion in front of her. “Who are you and why did you butt in like that?” “Rainbow Dash, have some respect will ya. He just saved your face from being covered with apple goo.” Applejack said sternly “I could have caught the pie myself!” Rainbow Dash said abruptly “But who is he!?” “His name is Atom. He one of Twilight’s friend from Canterlot.” Applebloom said with a big smile “Canterlot huh?” Rainbow Dash said judgingly “Well that explains the wings and horn. So I guess it’s possible that he could fly like that.” Atom tossed the apple pie back into the picnic basket. “I wasn’t flying. I told Applebloom I can’t fly like others normally do.” “Well if you didn’t fly how could have you caught that apple pie so quickly!?” Rainbow Dash demanded “I ran here…” Atom said a bit confused “Ran from where?” Applejack asked getting up. “You we’re still back in the inner fields when I got the basket. You’re telling me you ran all that way that quickly?” “Um… yes…?” Atom said “I know why!” Rainbow Dash declared “You used magic! You have a unicorn horn so you must have!” “If I wanted to use magic I wouldn’t have bothered trying to catch it with my own hooves.” Atom said Rainbow Dash thought for a second. After a short pause she stopped floating above them and placed herself back on the ground. “Alright so you made a quick dash and caught it. Big deal; I got the rest of them.” “Ok… I apologize to you miss…?” Atom said “Rainbow Dash. The one and only! I’m the most awesome flyer in all of Ponyville and everyone knows it.” “Alright Rainbow Dash next time I’ll let you catch the pie.” Atom said with a slight grin “In the meanwhile I think I should be going. I need to get something to eat.” “You wanna join us at the picnic?” Applejack offered “I hate to intrude on social events.” Atom said “Oh you’re not intruding. We’d be pleased to have a gentleman like you come along.” “-So long as you leave the action to me!” Raindow added pointing at the stallion. “Alright, alright chill…” Atom said not wanting to drag the little commotion any further. “Can I come?” Applebloom asked with big sweet and watery eyes. “Applebloom, you go back and help Big Mac before your friends show up for your crazy antics again.” Applejack said forcefully “I’ll not be having you slacking off the family business even if it is for ya cutie mark.” “Yes sis.” Applebloom took with a sad face and turned back around to Apple Acres. Applejack picked up the reloaded basket of treats and led the way towards town, followed closely by Atom. Rainbow Dash however kept a close hovering watch over the stallion, still mildly suspicious. It didn’t take much for Atom to notice that he was constantly being examined by the pegasus. Rainbow Dash even made occasional loops around him while whistling to herself. Finally she asked him a question: “So you really can’t use your wings huh?” “My wings we’re heavily damaged a long time ago. Flying is not as natural as it used to be for me.” Atom said still walking onwards “Well you can still use em right?” Rainbow Dash said lifting the left wing examining them. The wings fell down on his side like a fallen leaf. “You’re dragging them quite a bit.” “It’s different now. I retain my muscle memory but many of the tendons on the wing muscle no longer function properly so I have to work much harder to simply move them.” “You said you can’t fly naturally… does that mean you still have the ability to fly?” “Yes.” “With wings like those?” “Yes.” “Then why don’t you?” “It takes a lot more effort than walking does.” “How so? Show me!” Rainbow Dash demanded “Rainbow Dash really?” Applejack said turning around shaking her head Atom stopped walking for a moment and took a breath. “Alright then” At that moment his horn and eyes shimmered bright with light, covering his entire body, his wings extending as the aura surrounded it. Wind billowed from him as the magical force gathered around his body. The wings took a couple flaps before lifting him off the ground where he hovered for a moment, his coat still was glimmering with magical aura and his mane flowing from its concentration. “Satisfied?” Atom asked the pegasai “Yeah…” Rainbow Dash said with a tiny pout “You can stop showing off now.” Atom let down his concentration allowing the magic to subside. His mane stopped flowing and his wings floated down like blown paper as he fell back down onto the ground. “I’ve seen anypony do something like that before.” Applejack said still amazed “Pheh, I’ve seen better light shows.” Rainbow Dash said a bit jealous “Are we almost there yet?” Atom asked abruptly ending the issue “Oh right, its just over that hill” Applejack pointed Atom continued following without much of a fuss, Rainbow Dash trailing behind him with a slightly jealous look on her face. The mood subsided when they met the rest of group over on the picnic mat. Rarity the regal unicorn wore a rather oversized summer hat with an intricate ribbon on top. Fluttershy the shy Pegasus was neatly unfolding more of the picnic mat alongside her pet bunny Angel. Pinkie Pie being well Pinkie was apparently busy looking VERY closely at a ladybug on the grass. She murmured “Ooh” and “Aah” several times moving and twisting her head getting a better looks at the ladybug’s red shell. “Sorry we’re late everypony!” Applejack yelled coming down the hill “Nearly dropped the food on the way here “ “Which I saved by myself!” Rainbow Dash quickly and loudly proclaimed “In which you nearly had an apple pie land on you…” Atom chuckled making Rainbow Dash make a quick glance back at him “Oh who is this gentlecolt that has come along?” Rarity asked tilting her head to get a better look “Well bless me if I haven’t forgotten.” Applejack laughed putting down the basket “This here is Atom, he’s one of Twilight’s friends from Canterlot!” “Canterlot!?” Rarity all of the sudden stood upright sending her hat off in the process and on top of Fluttershy, covering her entire head. “Canterlot!?” Pinkie Pie suddenly made an appearance behind Atom making quick glances at him. “If he’s from Canterlot then there’s probably a big party coming to town!” Pinkie then caught a glimpse of Atom’s horn and wings. “Hey are you related to the Princess?” Fluttershy finally got Rarity’s large hat off of her “Well, he is a winged unicorn.” She said taking a look at Atom. “The only other pony I’ve seen like that was Princess Cadance.” “You must be royalty then!” Rarity said with her eyes wide and sparkling “Well I… uh…” Atom started “Well you what? Tell us!” Rainbow Dash asked before he could even continue “Are you royalty of some sort?” Applejack asked Soon they we’re simply ladling questions all over him. Atom could barely fit a word in-between the questions or Pinkie’s random quirks. (“Maybe he’s from the circus! Or maybe he’s a magician! Oh no wait! He could be a famous movie star!) “So there you are!” Atom took a glance over the others, catching a glimpse of Twilight Sparkle down from the far side of the fields “You left without letting Spike or I know about it. I thought you would have been to Canterlot already.” “Twilight is this friend of yours from Canterlot?” Rarity asked sticking her nose very close to Atom’s face “You must all be confused.” Twilight said calmly “He was heading TO Canterlot. He’s not FROM Canterlot.” “But that’s what Applebloom told me.” Applejack put out quickly “Applebloom… but what would…” Twilight stopped to discern the confusion a bit further. “You said you would tell me where you we’re from today last night. Care to let us know?” “I wasn’t expecting a crowd…” Atom said a bit glum “Don’t worry these are my best friends. I trust them completely. Right girls?” The rest of the ponies nodded in agreement. “Well I guess better later than never.” Atom said taking a seat. “To begin I only arrived here last night. I crash landed into what you ponies call the Ghastly Gorge.” “Wait crash landed?” Rainbow Dash put out instantly “The only thing that crashed into the gorge was that meteor.” “Yeah that was me with absolutely crappy landing?” Atom said embarrassed “It’s true, Princess Luna and I saw him rise from the crater!” Twilight clarified “So he’s from outer space or something!?” Applejack blurted “ALIEN! COOL!” Pinkie Pie started hopping up and down. Rarity at the sound of the word ‘alien’ nearly fainted. Then suddenly: “You almost crashed into poor Fluttershy’s cottage!!!” Rarity screamed “I apologize for that misdemeanor on my part.” Atom said making a solemn bow “My mission was urgent so I did not pay careful attention to my speed during the dissent.” “That’s alright. At least you’re not hurt.” Fluttershy said as the stallion continued to bow “Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold on a second!” Rainbow Dash yelled “Mission what mission!? Are you a spy!?” “If I was a spy I wouldn’t exactly be talking to you about it would I?” Atom said raising his voice a bit “My duty was to deliver an urgent message to Princess Celestia. Sadly I arrived when the ruler of Equestria was still asleep.” “Why didn’t you tell Princess Luna then?” Twilight asked Atom stopped and paused for a moment. “This message is for her eyes alone, afterword she may disclose it as she pleases. As the messenger I am duty and honor bound to follow those instructions.” Twilight and the others took a look at each for the moment. “So why are you still here then?” “To tell you the truth, that’s actually a really good question.” Atom said scratching his head a bit “I’m not used to being in such a peaceful place for such a long while. I should be going then…” “But you haven’t said where you came from!” Rainbow Dash pleaded angrily “You’re just leaving us only with more mysteries!” Applejack added also irritated “Can you not tell us anymore?” Twilight politely asked Atom took a look at the others and then back at Twilight. “If you really want to know, then come with me to Canterlot. From there I’m quite confident the Princess will tell you everything I shall tell her.” “But what about us!? We can’t just leave!” Rarity cried “It’s all so sudden and I want to know!” “We have other obligations here in town sir.” Applejack explained “Truth be told all of our free time was invested into this here picnic.” “I’ve got flying practice to do.” Rainbow Dash proclaimed proudly “Can’t let any goofball beat me in flying!” “I got to take Angel to the doctor today” Fluttershy said “Babysitting the Cakes again!” Pinkie Pie said “Can’t leave those two bouncing around without me!” “I’ve got to clean up Sweetie Belle’s mess in my wardrobe…!” Rarity sighed “That’s really an issue?” Applejack asked her “OF COURSE IT IS! I will not have a messy wardrobe to look at when I’m all plum and tuckered out. I want to be in and out without a fuss!” “Well I got to buck apples to catch up with the rest of my family. Big Mac told me he’d do my share today so I could come.” “I guess that just leaves me then…” Twilight said with a weak smile “Twilight darling you don’t have too go.” Rarity said putting her hoof on Twilight’s “Enjoy the picnic!” “Girls we have had plenty of picnics, and besides don’t you want to know?” Twilight asked to rather troubled stares of the others “I have thousands of questions to ask and I bet all of you do too. So the only way to get those answers is if somepony goes to Canterlot and that somepony is me.” “You’ll tell us right after tight girl?” Applejack started with a smile “Absolutely” Twilight said with confidence “Then get going already!” Rainbow Dash said with an evil grin and a smile “The sooner you go the sooner we’ll know!” Twilight made warm and almost tearful goodbyes to the others before setting out with the stallion towards the train station. “The train is the quickest way to Canterlot.” Twilight said approaching the ticket booth. “Twilight, are you sure you want to come with me?” Atom asked “What kind of question is that?” “Never mind…” Atom said shaking his head “Just needed to know if you had any second thoughts.” “Alright, I got us the tickets. Let’s go before the train leaves without us.” Twilight and Atom entered the back the train. It would take almost a full day to reach Canterlot by train so Twilight had reserved some rooms in the back. “We have bunks 12 and 11. Till then we might as well enjoy the view.” Twilight said with a smile “Right, thank you…” Atom said before staring outside the window, his face in the form of a sad frown “This is it…” he said to himself “I can’t return now… I can’t look back…”