//------------------------------// // 2 - On Foot // Story: What You Deserve // by DarkHooves //------------------------------// Cozy Glow was getting better and better at walking on two legs. She probably could manage without Sunset’s help by now. But she still kept holding onto her hand. She’d never admit it to anyone, but this new environment scared her. It was loud, smelled awful, and everything zoomed past them so fast she could barely move her neck in time to see it. But the worst thing was the other humans. There was just so many of them! No matter where she looked, her field of vision was filled with these strange creatures. If they had banished her here for almost taking over Equestria, then what had all these done to end up here? Unconsciously, her grip on Sunset’s hand tightened. “I something wrong, Cozy?” Sunset asked. After a short moment of weighing her options, Cozy decided to bite the bullet and ask directly. ”Are all these ponies prisoners too?” “No,” Sunset replied. “They’re not ponies. They’re humans born in this world. Now, there are some Equestrians who live here, but those are few and far in between.” That relieved her somewhat. “And this isn’t actually a prison,” Sunset continued. “Equestria just have a bad habit of dumping its criminals here.” “Like us?” Cozy deadpanned. “In a way, yes. Though, I wouldn’t exactly call us prisoners.” “Why not? Would you be here if you didn’t have to?” “Of course!” Sunset smiled at her. “I live here now. It’s my home.” Cozy snorted at that. “Well I can’t leave, can I? So by definition, that makes me a prisoner!” Sunset mumbled something to herself, much too low for Cozy Glow to hear. They kept walking a while longer until Sunset pointed to a glass cubical next to a sign with some numbers on it. “That’s the bus stop,” She explained. “Just in time too! It’ll make the trip easier for us.” Several other humans stood about the area, but Sunset made sure to stay a few meters away from them. Interestingly, everyone at the spot kept some distance from each other as well, never talking or even acknowledging each other existence. Nothing like what Cozy Glow was used to back in Equestria. Then the bus arrived. It was a huge, loud thing, with every window filled with humans. The doors opened with a loud hiss, causing her to instinctively cover her ears. The mere thought of stepping into it made her stomach churn. Once everybody else had gotten on, Sunset turned to her. “I know it looks scary, but it’s really safe, if a little cramped.” “I am not getting on that thing!” She declared. “Are you sure? We’re still a long walk away from my apartment.” “I don’t care! I’m still not getting on that thing with those disgusting, stinking creatures. It’s bad enough that I have to be around you!” Sunset didn’t look the least bit offended at her choice of words. In fact, she smiled at her. ”That’s okay, Cozy. I’m not going to force you if you don’t want to.” She turned to the driver. “Sorry to keep you waiting, but we changed our minds. We won’t be going with.“ The driver closed the bus door with a grunt of annoyance. The bus made a loud growl as it drove away. When it disappeared around the street corner, Sunset crouched down in front of her and gave her a short hug. “Sorry about that, Cozy. I didn’t think about your feelings at all. I should have realised it sooner.” As far as Cozy could tell, Sunset looked genuinely concerned for her. But she didn't understand why. Sunset was her jailor. She shouldn’t care about her. This had to be some sort of trick! “Whatever! Let’s just go,” she said as she walked away.