//------------------------------// // Chapter III: "The Road Most Traveled" // Story: The Rupture // by Tama_N //------------------------------// Breakfast was quite succesful: in the house, surprisingly, was stored, though not very much, but enough provisions for one time. However, there was no point to stay here anymore, unless they wanted to starve themselves, because after breakfast they found that there was no a single crumb left. They need to move. But where? Do they have friends who can help them and shelter at least for a while, until the situation is clarfied? Of course, they probably would have been warmly received in any city or village, but residents can have a lot more troubles, than they are, if this rupture affected their region. But, if they'll stay here, they will starve themselves, and this is not the best prospect. Nopony knew what to think as Falcon spoke. "I'd like to confess it under different circumstances, but I don't seem to have a choice. Just promise to react less violently, okay?" Falcon asked imploringly. Still not quite understanding what he was talking about, but suspecting something, Scootaloo and Cheerilee nodded, what mean consent. Falcon waited for a couple of seconds and continued. "Remember when I said I was born in Las Pegasus? I lied..." He got silent. By his lips it was easy to understand that he was hesitating. On his tongue twirled some words, that he didn't dare to pronounce. Finally, taking a deep breath under the mares' testing gaze and once again rising his soft fur on the chest, he quickly rammed. "I was born in Hollow Shades..." This name, like a bolt from the blue clear sky, struck them. Hollow Shades, a batpony's town in the middle of forest. Not surprisingly, he used a very bad reputation among the residents of Ponyville and other cities, especially given a gossip of the old mares, which they told to their grandchildren. There was a lot of rumors about this place, but not even a single hint of hospitality. That's why the life of batponies still well known only by Princess Luna. I must say, most ponies treated them unfairly, but this will be discussed later. Let's return to our characters. As it was said before, this name made them shudder and even jump up a little. But nothing more. They instinctively also shared the fear this place was catching up, but they didn't understand and didn't share the prejudices. Cheerilee is due to the fact she had a logical and mathematical approach for everything, so she delved into the very essence of the question and wanted to go into this place for a long time, but couldn't because she had to look after the class. Scootaloo wanted to look cool and awesome in front of her friends and classmates, so if they'll threw her this challenge, she would without hesitation went there. Besides, she was familiar with one batpony-guardian and he seemed to be not wild and bloodthirsty, as it was expected. Unfortunately, the secret fear in the heart will not go anywhere and even the closest acquaintance or relationship is unlikely to be able fix it. Although our characters were not afraid, but were a little shocked. "You was born where?!" Scootaloo exclaimed. "In Hollow Shades. My parents told me not to tell this to everypony, but... I see that we have no other choice." Cheerilee pitched her brains and weighed all pros and cons, before she spoke. "In my opinion you're right, Falcon. But I don't understand one thing. In Hollow Shades batponies are living?" asked Cheerilee. "Yes, but what's the problem?" "You're a pegasus! Maybe it's just prejudice, but how can other type of pony live without a sunlight?" Falcon didn't seemed to anticipate such statement, but then quickly remembered something. "My mum and dad are batponies. They say I was born that way to my late grandfather. He was pegasus. Sometimes nature gives us such surprises..." he said, not understanding all parabolas in Cheerilee's head. Cheerilee knew examples of such oddities. Just look at Cake family: despite the fact parents are earth ponies, their children are pegasus and unicorn; what is pretty strange. However, the fact remains and they must accept it, what they did a long time ago. Genes love to fool around. "I believe you," said Cheerilee and Scootaloo in unison. Falcon's eyes flickered, his lips curled into a sweet smile. Meanwhile, the morning dew had evaporated, the sun was slowly approaching its zenith, so little by little it was to move on the road. After collecting all the things that they thought could be useful on the road, they bitterly left the house, like somebody or somepony leaving the house of the deceased after the last meeting. It was especially painful to see an empty house without the owner for Cheerilee. Berry Punch was good friend of her, though teacher didn't like the fact that Berry drinks too much alcohol. "Farewell, good friend of mine! Thank you very much for you hospitality! I'm sorry we had to take some of your stuff, but there's nothing we can do against. You're in better world now, and I hope you feel good there and you'll don't get angry for us. Thank you again, and when the time comes, we'll meet again. Your sworn sister and friend~ Cheerilee." Writing such a letter-confession, she attached it to the door of the house, and went without looking back, knowing that if she'll look again, she would not be able to go away. This place was very dear, almost sacred for her. It was home of her sworn sister who oathed always protect younger purple filly no matter what. And yesterday herself the defender fell into the abyss, that consumed her completely indifferent, not giving to deaths even a single value. But this is only a cataclysm. It is his destiny - destroy, separate and kill. All these thoughts about powerlessness and unawareness infuriated Cheerilee, so that she even had to go behind foals to not to inadvertently dispur her stress and anger on them. Fortunately, over the years of teacher job she learned to control herself, so therefore she relatively quickly calmed down. Falcon led this small squad of three ponies, because at the moment only he knew the way to Hollow Shades, and the map wasn't in Cheerilee's hooves. From the outside it was pretty interesting sight, but let's delve deeper into our characters' minds. If you remove all shells and facades, everypony was occupied by one similar structure of though: as soon as possible to get up there, where they all were going. However, Scootaloo and Cheerilee also wanted to meet Falcon's parents, and indeed look at Hollow Shades, where they wanted to go a long time ago. All this time they moved in parallel to the rupture and, judging by the look of Falcon, everything was arranged favorably. Ahead of the hill trio could see the thickets of the forest, which was a mad fusion of decidous and coniferous trees. Indeed, such a wild crossbreed can't or can hardly be found anywhere else in Equestria. There was everything: common oaks, pines, blue spruces, redwoods, cypresses, lemon trees, mangos, avocados, junipers, lurch... The list goes on forever, discovering more and more new species of flora. It was like the Eden garden: every fruit grew as if didn't need polination. From afar they noticed the chipmunk, who immediately picked up some hazel's nuts and disappeared. It was when then that this heavenly place struck them with its magic and regeneration. In just a few seconds in place of broken nuts there are grew a new beginnings of fruit! It's difficlut to even imagine the surprise of our characters at that moment. Scootaloo because of this attack even stumbled and fell into a bush, scaring away all the flock of bats who apparently decided to spend the day here; they realized it when they saw a giant orange pegasus filly falling into their lair. The fauna here was no less diverse. Here's only a small part of all those animals, which they met on the way to Hollow Shades: squirrel, partridge, red deer, eagle owl, raven, varan, viper, osprey, oriole, buffalo, and even the one they did not expect - tasmanian devil and at least one condor! But I can not say that predators were very aggressive. Tiger, that blocked the trio's road, very gently and obediently walked away at the first Falcon's request. Scootaloo and Cheerilee was ready for anything, but this mutual paradise they didn't expect and couldn't. The sun was slowly setting under the horizon as our characters got to the village. There was almost no sunlight at sunset and there would've been a total darkness around if the village had not been illuminated by the hung kerosene lamps, which surprisingly acted no worse than a standard bulb. Cheerilee didn't come up with a single logical explanation for this phenomenon, so she decided to leave this mystery for later, promising to get even with it. In addition, she was waiting for a meeting with Falcon's parents, so that strangeness can be forgotten for a while: she had seen enough of them in the forest. "So, who are your parents?" "Oh, my dad is a conductor in the temple choir and at the same the chief cleric. He is also very respected pony here. He sometimes spends day and night in his cell at the temple, but I can without obscures go there if it's not locked." "Whoa! I'd love to meet him. And what about your mum?" "She is a dressmaker. She sews clothes for everypony, and by my father's request she has learned to make clothes for worship. It's now just the time of the evening service. Do you want to come into the temple? The whole village must be there." "No, thanks," Scootaloo broke into the conversation. "I'm an atheist and wouldn't want to violate my principes, though I'm very curious to see this." she said sincerely. "I'm sorry, Falcon, but I will stay with Scootaloo." Cheerilee responded. "Sorry for what? It's your choice and also you're my teacher. Anyway, do you wanna wait in the house of mine?" Both mares nodded in unison and Falcon led them into his home. The house was a complete copy of the ponyville houses, except it was made in pronounced gothic style. All the houses were extinguished and only the lights of the street lamps with its dim light illuminated the road. Falcon went into the house and first of all pulled the rope near the entrance, then the light in the lobby lit up. The room was very spacious and well furnished. It was impossible to say that this family bathed in gold, but they were clearly not below the poverty line. Right behind the lobby was a living room, where Falcon led the mares. This room was furnished no less beautifully, than the previous one and left behind the warmest feelings and impressions. As soon as they entered the house, they already felt a sense of warmth, but then in air was feeling of happy family and kindness. On the floor was planted a scarlet carpet with gold ornaments. On the walls hung two paintings by the famous artist Ponitan. In the right corner on the top of wardrobe layed a cigarette case and ashtray; obviously, they belonged to the father. Also nearby was a soft light green armchair, beside which stood a high coffee table with one leg, on which stood a photo in frame with a young batpony couple and a four-year-old pegasus. It's not difficult for the reader to guess it was Falcon's family. In the left corner there was a large soft sofa, and a little further a helix staircase leading to the second floor and to the roof. "We've arrived. Terminal station. You're hungry, aren't you? I am gonna get something for you, and then I have to go back to the temple, okay?" Without waiting for an answer, he retired to the kitchen, and a minute later brought out a delicious-smelling apple pie and a can of sea buckthorn and gooseberry. "Well, I need to go. Make yourself at home. I'll come back soon!" And with that, he ran out of the home, leaving duo in the complete silence. Has not passed even a minute as Cheerilee cut a piece of the pie that the top was drizzled with strawberry jam for herself and for Scootaloo. They never met before such a beautiful blissful taste. The perfect combination of dough, apple puree and strawberry jam... This feeling was intensified by by a brutal hunger due to the fact they didn't eat anything in the period of 10 AM o'clock to the present time. In this bliss they waited for arrival of Falcon and his family.