//------------------------------// // The Old // Story: Trail Blazer // by MagicS //------------------------------// Equestria was the kind of place that made friends traveling through it just want to break out into song sometimes. The sky was bright and clear, the temperature was perfect, the flowers were blooming, and the birds were chirping a chorus of perfect harmony. The unicorn, pegasus, and earth pony all thought that this was the best it ever got. In the breadbasket of Equestria, walking side by side with your two friends, what could be better than this? To Lustrous everything looked even prettier than normal and he had taken the opportunity to try his hoof at poetry again. Truthfully it wasn’t very good but he didn’t get rid of it this time, he wanted to keep his poetry regardless of the quality. Steel Wing seemed to be smiling more lately too. His former stoic self was slowly shedding away with each day and each game of cards, now he was at ease talking and joking with his friends. Poker was a nightly occurrence for all of them now before bed. And even Trail Blazer was more positive nowadays, the good feelings from Lustrous and Steel Wing proving infectious. She didn’t get angry or short with them anymore and while she could still tease them or make a sarcastic quip it was all in good humor now. Her map was starting to take true form now and the hard work they had all put into it was making her proud. Right now since there wasn’t much to look at or analyze landscape wise she was cataloging the different flowers, plants, birds, and other animals she saw. Lustrous and Steel Wing were helping her with anything they saw too. It was good that none of them were allergic to pollen or anything like that, with the season it was and all the flowers around them it would be miserable for any pony that was. Lustrous seemed like the type that would have allergies or get sick easily but the unicorn proved surprisingly resilient to the outside world so far on their journey. He still almost stuck his head into a beehive but Trail Blazer was able to stop that. The countryside wasn’t always flat and they often had to traverse small hills or cross narrow streams and brooks but it was easier on their hooves than a large portion of their journey had been. Thick bushes and clusters of trees also proved difficult to get through at times. But maybe it wasn’t just the weather and the pleasantness of the nature all around them that made things easier. Maybe it had to do with how much better they all got along now. The three travelers weren’t just at peace with themselves but with each other. That spark that had ignited only a few weeks ago had brought three ponies, so completely different, into a strong friendship. They really had become the trio that Bright and Cheese wanted them to be, a symbol to all of ponykind of three young ponies from each different tribe that worked together and were now the closest of friends. For the overly optimistic Lustrous it was perfect. Even if his optimism had been dampened a bit by some of the experiences they had been through he was proud to say that it had not been broken and he had a more than positive outlook on Equestria and its future. Trail Blazer as well had come a long way from her pessimistic self, this journey turned out to be just what she needed in more ways than one and the formerly alcoholic and horribly despondent on the inside mare was getting a new lease on life. Steel Wing was Steel Wing. But even he was happier and more open than before. “Do you know how much longer we’ll be on our journey?” Lustrous asked Trail Blazer after sniffing a blackberry bush. “We must be close to being finished up by now.” “We are, more or less,” Trail Blazer responded. “A few weeks to a month at most. Once we’re finished traveling through the heartland we’ll head straight north and then eventually get back over to where we started.” “How far north is “north”?” Lustrous inquired. “Slightly into the snow and mountains, won’t be the most pleasant way to end the trip but that’s all there is to it,” Trail Blazer shrugged. Lustrous thought about his distaste for snow and mountains after their earlier foray on top of that mountain peak back southwest. It certainly wouldn’t be his choice to have more of the same of that be the last kind of place they traveled through before completing their mission but like Trail Blazer had said there was nothing they could do about it. He’d still take that over a blazing hot desert or being accosted by criminal ponies, Diamond Dogs, or some kind of monster. He had to remind himself that they thankfully had not encountered any horrible monsters on their journey so far, despite knowing that quite a few foul beasts lived in the land of Equestria. The unicorn looked around at the idyllic scenery around him, the soft grass of the rolling hills stretching for miles, a dirt brown mountain ridge rising up ahead with a lazy river flowing down from it. He got the feeling that he wouldn't have to worry about a monster attack anytime soon either. Not in a place as peaceful as this. “You know I almost want to just camp here for another day or two but that would be wasting sunlight and such fortunate weather now wouldn’t it?” Lustrous said. Trail Blazer laughed. “You’re becoming a real adventurer, Lustrous.” He grinned. “Maybe I’ve got it backwards? Maybe it would be a waste of such a gorgeous place for us to just breeze through it like we are.” “Well it’s not like we’re actually on a schedule...” The map mare got into the fun, grinning at the thought of it. “What do you think, Steel Wing?” Lustrous asked the red pegasus, who had been strolling behind them and looking out through the bushes, as stalwart as ever when it came to his duty of protecting his friends. Steel Wing now took the time to mull what Lustrous had asked over. “Honestly even if the two of you are just playing around that doesn’t really sound like a bad idea to me. This place is safe and comfortable and getting plenty of rest somewhere like this will be good for all of us.” Well, that was all that needed to be said. So while the birds continued chirping in this pleasant afternoon the three adventurers went about setting up camp in the middle of one of the many thickets of trees. Trail Blazer got the tent set up while Steel Wing gathered up berries and Lustrous went to fetch some water from the nearest stream. Suddenly their adventure had turned into a picnic/camping trip. “You know I think this is fine, we’re really experiencing Equestria doing something like this. You can’t learn everything just by walking through it, right?” Lustrous said upon returning to their campsite with water. Not really trying to justify himself but just making an observation. “I guess I’m with you on that one,” Trail Blazer said. “It’s been a long time since, well, since I really bothered to enjoy myself on one of my map making jobs.” She set down all her bags and even took off her coat too, shoving it all into the tent before stretching and rubbing the sore and worn parts of her body. Trail Blazer was a strong and well-experienced earth pony but she got tired from walking and carrying all those supplies too. And there was a difference between just plopping down in a bed when you were tired and really taking the time to relax and massage your muscles. Steel Wing came back a second later too, a tightly wrapped cloth full of berries sitting on his back. Trail Blazer pulled out one of her raggedy blankets and set it on the ground for the pegasus to put his catch on. It was mostly blackberries when he opened up the impromptu bag but there were also some blueberries and raspberries. “Looks delicious,” Lustrous said as he licked his lips. “I’m sure we could find more kinds of fruit around as well if we get tired of berries,” Steel Wing said. “Along with plenty of edible flowers,” Trail Blazer chimed in. “Is there anything else you want to explore or look at while we’re here?” Lustrous asked Trail Blazer. “Or do you just want to relax?” Trail Blazer shut her eyes for a second, listening to the buzzing bugs and the humming birds. What did she want to do? Normally, just a few weeks ago, her mind would be full of unpleasant memories. Anger, despair, annoyance, anxiety. But now that was all gone. She didn’t even feel that old burning desire to drink. Times like this, where there was nothing to do, used to be so horrible for her because she had nothing to keep the dark cloud in her head away. Yet now she was full of nothing but positive thoughts thanks to her friendship. She opened up her eyes to smile at her two stallion friends. “Let’s just… rest.” Lustrous and Steel Wing smiled right back at her. That’s how the rest of the day was spent, Trail Blazer decided to park herself up against a tree and just napped while the stallions got into another game of cards. They kept things quiet for her sake but Lustrous still let out a frustrated grumble every now and then. No matter what the unicorn did he just couldn’t beat his foe at cards. “Are you holding extra cards beneath your wing or something? That’s the only way I can think to explain it,” Lustrous muttered. “I am a completely honest card player,” Steel Wing didn’t even bother trying to hide the smile on his face. Trail Blazer slumped down the tree trunk and shifted onto her side, almost curling up into a ball as she got more comfortable. Seeing this, Lustrous decided to try and keep his voice down. “It’s quiet besides the two of us. Let’s not accidentally wake her,” Lustrous said to Steel Wing. The red pegasus nodded. And then frowned, his ears perking up and his eyes looking around the small thicket they were in. “Hold on. Why is it quiet now? There were birds and bugs making noise all around us a second ago, but now they’ve all gone silent,” Steel Wing said. He stood up, on alert, and quickly checked over the perimeter of the clearing they had made camp in. “I made sure there was nothing dangerous around… why have all the animals hidden away?” The pegasus looked back at Lustrous. “Lustrous, wake up Trail Blazer.” “R-Right,” Lustrous decided to listen to Steel Wing since the pegasus seemed to think this was very serious. He trotted over to the sleeping mare and started shaking her. “Trail Blazer? Wake up.” While that was going on Steel Wing continued to try and spot anything that might have been the cause of the sudden silence. He didn’t like this. He had been as careful as always so could something have really snuck up on them without him realizing at all? And it made him even more worried that no matter where he looked he couldn’t spot anything unusual. Which just made him more anxious. All of his instincts and the quiet around him were telling him that something was coming or already here but he wasn’t picking up on any other signs or where or what it might be. “You’re as sharp as ever.” Steel Wing froze. That voice from behind him was a voice he wasn’t sure he would ever hear again. But he was not the type of pony to fall apart from such a thing. With the same inner calmness and stoic look he wore most of his life he turned around. “Hello, grandfather.” It was easy to see the family resemblance. Steel Wing’s grandfather was of a similar build, age clearly having taken its toll on him but he retained an athletic physique that others his age could only dream to possess, his coat that was once a lustrous red had become a faded salmon and whatever color his mane might have been was now a dull gray. On his flank rested a Cutie Mark of two crossed wings. His sharp amber eyes pierced right into his grandson’s soul, returning the stoic gaze with an emotionless one of his own. “It’s unfortunate for you that I taught you everything, and know exactly how to sneak up on you. And your friends,” Grandfather glanced over to Trail Blazer and Lustrous. Steel Wing followed his gaze and scowled to see half a dozen other pegasi holding an assortment of knives and spears up to his two friends. The sight ignited a white hot blaze within him and he nearly flew over there to rescue them this instant. “You should calm down unless you want them to get hurt. I’m not kidding around here,” His grandfather narrowed his eyes at Steel Wing. “I know exactly how to beat you in a fight too, if it comes down to it.” Steel Wing’s face snapped back to his grandfather. The angry glare he wore would’ve melted a lesser pony. “What do you want? Why are you doing this?” The corners of Grandfather’s lips lifted upwards slightly. “So much. You and your friends along with this silly mission you’re on will be the catalyst for the revival of the old way. Steel Wing, you can finally be useful to me after you proved to be such a failure those years ago.”