//------------------------------// // Chapter Two: Are we there yet? // Story: A new beginning // by Da Bunnana King //------------------------------// A new beginning By Da Bunnana King Chapter Two: Are we there yet? === I trotted up the stairs to a relatively empty deck let alone for some ponies who were moving boxes back and fro from the cargo hold to the docks. Some were moved by magic seamlessly through the air and others were carried by pegasi. I was still amazed how they defied gravity, and I felt kind of glad that I turned out as a unicorn. I trotted to the gangplank of the ship being careful not to be hit by the various boxes that flew through the air. I trotted down the wide wooden that had long blocks of wood that were supposed to be improvised steps. I scanned the darkened port that was only lit by the light given off by the pale white moon. I could see the various dock hands that were unloading the cargo and placing it in wagons that were empty waiting for somepony to pull them along. It was hard to make out but I could see a large Earthpony’s standing over near the edge of the long wooden docks in something that glistened when ever moonlight struck it. I could barely make him out but it must have been Aegis because of how large the Earthpony was. I walked up towards him along the dock which creaked and moaned with each hoof I set down. It felt like the dock was ancient but felt as stable as solid ground, but I didn’t want to take my chances so I picked up the pace. The earthpony turned his head towards me and I could see his white teeth shine in the darkness as he smiled at me. “Aegis, is that you?” I asked as I slowly approached him. “Yes, who else would be waiting for you at the end of the docks,” he smugly commented as my eyes slowly began to adjust to the darkened conditions. Instead of seeing Aegis’s dark red coat all I saw was a heavy silver metal that was polished to a near on mirror sheen. His armor also seemed to have dings and various scratches from battles he must have been in but the strangest thing was his helmet. What was strange was that it wasn’t like the other helmets I saw the Royal Guard wear, it was still the same color as the rest of the armour but had two large horns on the muzzle that made him look like a rhinoceros. “Well, I don’t know,” I said as I pawed the ground, “I guess I would say something that didn’t look like it was going to rob me.” “Why would I...” he said as he looked at his armor and the spikes on his helmet, “Well, point taken but it’s easier to wear armor than carry it around.” “I know that feeling far too well,” I said as I remembered how heavy that tactical vest was, I never dared carry it around in my hands in fear that it would dislocate my shoulder because of its weight. “Well, lets get this show on the road and head out. We have a long journey ahead of us,” he cheerfully said as he began a brisk trot. I followed as well and had to near on gallop to catch back up to him. “Well have any idea how long the trip is going to take?” I asked as I kept a steady pace with him. “Well it usually takes me half a day but I think we will make it there tomorrow morning.” “Alright, well I guess we have a lot of time to kill,” I said as I prepared myself for the long journey with a small filly on my back and two saddle bags that felt like they were weighed down with cinderblocks. “I guess so. Well, want to tell some stories to pass the time?” he asked. “You read my mind,” I said as I began to grin. “So I’m guessing you want to know what the war spikes are for on my helmet.” I sighed as I waited eagerly for the story. “Well I was doing a mission with the Royal Guard in Africa and I met these rocks... well they weren’t really rocks but rhinos. They were the friendliest ponies I’ve ever met, and I admired their strength and armored hides. The horns seemed useful for everything and they also had a practical role in combat.” “What kind of roles?” I asked as I felt the cold breeze hit my coat. “Well first of all I can ram into anything and make them turn into a pancake. It's also like a lever attached to my head and it also makes for a good poking device,” he said jokingly. “A poking device, couldn’t you just use a stick?” I asked as I knew that sticks were the best poking device. “No, sticks sometimes sticks break when you poke stuff.” “Not unless you get a big one.” “True but this big horn,” he said pointing to the largest steel horn that looked almost like a small curved sword sticking out of his face, “is made of steel, so why would I need a stick?” “Because sticks are good, and stuff,” I said in defence. We both started laughing like mad colts in the silliness we had turned the conversation into. “Oh Blue, you’re such a silly pony,” he said as he began to slowly stop laughing. “Yeah, I had that effect on people when we used to be on recon missions,” I said as I felt Remi roll over and bury her muzzle into the back of my mane. “Well, I wish we had more like you in the Guard to make missions less of a bore.” “I don’t think I’m going to touch any form of military in my new life. I’ve already had enough of it to last a lifetime or two,” I replied as the moon was nearly the highest point in the night sky. “Oh, it couldn’t have been that bad,” he replied waving a hoof in dismissal. “I just didn’t like it, too many raids on gang hideouts and civilian houses, that and I have Remi here to look after,” I said, motioning to Remi who quietly slept on my back, “So I think I’m going to stay away from the Guard.” “Ah well, it was worth a shot,” Aegis said as he stared into the night sky, “Wow we're making great time.” “Groovy, so I’m guessing we're nearly there,” I guessed as I could see the massive mountains that I saw in my conversion dream. “Well we’re a bit shy of half way but you can see the mountains of Canterlot from here,” he said pointing towards the mountains. “Sweet, so I’m guessing those are the mountains I saw in my dream,” “Yeah, I think most newfoals see the Canterlotian mountains in their dreams. If I may ask, what was your dream about,” he asked, seeming to be genuinely curious. “I... I don’t want to talk about it,” I said as a tear rolled down my muzzle in Rose’s passing. I missed her, she was always there telling me to not blow my fingers off or not to look down the barrel of my rifle. Her presence may have been brought on by the thaumatic radiation but she was probably the only one who cared about me in that wasteland. “I see, a touchy subject...” he said as we progressed on in silence. === The small township of Ponyville began to appear just as the sun began to peek its head from the distance, lighting up the small valley township in a warm inviting light. It was a long night of walking but we had made it, and I could say that. “Dear Celestia, how in Equestria can you do this so easily?!” I moaned as I could feel my legs ready to buckle underneath the weight of the two saddle bags and Remi, who continued to sleep on my back and sometimes hug my mane. “I’ve been all over Equestria with these legs, and I think I’ve perfected the art of distance traveling... and the Guard keeps you in shape, but I’ve seen a lot of newfoals give up in half the distance we’ve traveled,” he said as he inhaled, taking in the fresh country air. “Ahhh, smells like home.” “I thought you were from Snaffleton?” I asked as I near on dragged myself down the small hill that led towards the town. “Oh I am, but Snaffleton is just a stone’s throw away from Ponyville,” he said as he began to speed up in front of me. “Cool, would you mind slowing down a bit,” I said struggling to keep up. “Alright, I think you deserve some rest,” he chuckled as he slowed down to a near crawl. “So, since you're from around here. Do you know much about Ponyville?” I asked as we slowly began to pass a farm that had a long winding path up to a large barn. It was set right in the middle of a massive orchard full of all kinds of apple trees. “Well we’re passing one of the largest apple farms in Equestria now. Ponyville is a nice town. Everypony there is friendly and there’s this nice bakery that has the best donuts,” he said as my ears perked up. “Donuts?” I asked as it seems one of my old vices as a human carried over to my new pony body. “Yeah. What, have you never had one?” he asked as we slowly began to enter the outskirts of the town. “No, I love donuts. I used to buy a box of a dozen and I used to eat them while I cleaned the rifles at the base. That and they used to give me boxes if they wanted their rifles fixed or if they wanted me to throw on a laser pointer or place a telescopic scope on their rifles,” I said as I nearly began to drool at the memory of all the donuts I had eaten. “Wow, sounds like you had it made.” “Yeah, well it was worth it when thats all I did all day,” I said as the town began to fill up with various ponies of all the different races and colors of the rainbow. I nearly felt out of place with my navy coat, but never the less I liked it. We trotted up to what seemed to be the middle of the town where it seems like an administration building of some sort sat. “So this is where I must part ways Runey,” he said smirking, “I guess I’ll see you around.” “Yeah, you too mate,” I said extending my hoof as we met in a hoofshake. It was strange because it felt like we were shaking hands even though we had no fingers. I just shook it off and passed it off as just some sort of Equestrian magic. He trotted off into the sun rise as I waved him off. I then turned towards the building and nudged Remi. “Wakie wakie Remi, were here,” I said as she yawned loudly and unwrapped the blanket around from her deep slumber. “Mmmmm, you better not be lying,” she moaned as she rubbed her eyes with her forehooves. “Why would I lie to you, now up on your hooves so we can see where mum is,” I said as she sluggishly slid off my back and onto her hooves. “Because you want me to walk everywhere,” she yawned out as she stretched out her back from all the sleeping she had done on my back. “Well you’re going to have to walk yourself around one day and not have to break my back, but come on we have to get moving because I need to sleep at some point this week,” I said as I pushed Remi towards the stair of the building. “Stop that, I think I can take it from here,” she said as she struggled up the stairs while I just bypassed them with a leap. “So Remi, how was your little nap?” I asked as I picked her up with my mouth and placed her on the wooden veranda. “It could've been better if your mane was more fluffy, then it would have been a better pillow.” “Very funny,” I said as I approached the local town clerk who was busy doing paperwork, “Ummm... Hi, I’m looking for somepony.” “Buah!” she scream as all the paperwork scattered all over the place, “Sorry about that, I wasn’t expecting anypony this early in the morning, so what can I do for you?” I looked at the cream colored earthpony with a coffee colored mane in confusion not knowing if she had heard me or not. “Yeah, well I was looking for somepony,” I repeated. “Okay, let me just pull out the ledger and I’ll see what I can do,” she cheerfully chirped as she pulled out a big book that seemed older than the building itself, “So who are you looking for Mister...” “Rune, Blue Rune and it would be my mother. She’s a newfoal from Australia,” I said as I straightened my neck and back. “Oh, you must be Coco Cream’s son. Your mother and I are good friends. Anyhow, she lives on 10 Mane street, it’s just around the corner from here,” she said smiling. “Oh and tell your mother that the book club meeting was moved to Tuesday instead of Monday.” “Oh, alright. So I guess I’ll see you around miss-” “Coffee and Cream,” she chirped back. “Alright, I guess I’ll be seeing you around then,” I said as I walked out the front door with Remi, and around the corner as I faced down the main street that was, ironically, dubbed Mane street. === Author’s Notes: I made a fanfic, what Uganda do about it? Editor’s Notes: I Rwanda off and hope not to see any more. Author’s Note: You know you love it. Editor’s Note: It’d take a ‘Merica-l to get me back here again