//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: Welcome to Ponyville // Story: A Hero’s Origins // by MlpHero //------------------------------// I trotted down the road for a bit, looking around. The grumble in my stomach soon turned to a growl. I groaned, and continued walking. As I did, however, I noticed a small camp a few meters deep into the surrounding woods. I walked over, not thinking much of it. Then, I saw it. They had food. I was still starving. I couldn’t take their love while they were awake. I snuck over and took a few bags of what appeared to be potato slices, as well as a water bottle. I trotted back to the road and continued to follow the trail, snacking on my weird potato slices. I chuckled. They tasted great! “What the heck are these?” I asked myself. I continued trotting for a while, before spotting a town. I immediately ran towards it, changing into my pegasus form. I looked around, smiling. Civilization! I ran through the town, looking around. I eventually found a building in the shape of…. …a cupcake? Um… okay? I thought. I continued walking until I found a general store. I opened the door, and was greeted by a pink pony carrying a lot of flour. And sugar. And other baking ingredients. “Um… you need some help there, fella?” I asked them. I heard a gasp, then they rushed off, somehow not dropping their stuff. I blinked and trotted in. “Hello?” A stallion looked over. “Ah, hello.” I trotted over. “Hi, um… Ah’m lost. I need a map.” The stallion frowned a bit. “I’m sorry, kid. But maps cost money. And… business is business…” “Oh… well, could you at least give me directions?” “To where?” “Um…” I didn’t think this through… I didn’t think this through. I shook my head. “Nevermind. I’ll just go find my bags…” I walked out. I sighed and looked around. As I walked, I noticed a cloud of dust. I blinked in confusion. There isn’t any wind, so how was the dust— I got my answer in the form of that pink pony tackling me. “Argh! What in?!” “Hiah! Ihaven’tseenyoubeforewhat’syourname?! Huh?! Huh?!” Huh, ten words in five seconds. Zenex has some competition. “Um… what?” I asked. The pink pony began bouncing up and down like a hyperactive three year old. I blinked. “Well?! What’s your name?! What’s your name?!” “Um… Hero?” I managed to answer. I looked at her for a bit. Was she on something. I couldn’t think that well as she grabbed my hoof and began shaking it. And I mean really shaking it. I managed to pull away. “Um… thanks for the welcome.” “Of course! I’m always happy to make a new friend!” Friend. Such a word. Such a very used word. A word so sweet, it attracts all the bees. I hate it. I’m sorry, but I hardly have friends, other than Zenex. Why? Well, I’ve been betrayed by literally all of my friends. Whether they rat me out for their mess, take advantage of me, lie, steal, etc. It’s annoying. I chuckled a bit. “Heh… uh… thanks?” I pulled my hoof back. She continued bouncing. “So tell me, where are you from?! What are you doing here?! How old are you?! Who are your parents?!” I sighed. Unlike before, I kind of accepted that Ma and Pa died. But, I honestly didn’t care at this point. “Nowhere, came to visit, I’m thirteen, and dead.” The pink pony continued bouncing. “Ooh, neat! Well, except for your parents being dead, I’m so sorry!” “It’s fine,” I reassured. I looked around. “Say, do you happen to know somewhere a kid like me could get some money?” “Hm… ooh! I know!” “Really? Where?” “The bank!” I blinked, before facehoofing. Of course she’d say that. “Although… I do believe Aj is looking for a new hoof to help around the far—” I took off before she could even finish. I continued running, ignoring whatever else she said. I continued running, accidentally bumping into a lavender unicorn. I fell to the ground and shook my head and sat up. “Ugh…. oh, sorry about that.” She looked down. “Sorry, it’s my fault. I have been more careful.” Well… okay then? I blinked a bit. I stood up. “Um, do you know where the farm is?” “Sure. It’s that way.” She pointed towards what appeared to be a few fields. I nodded and bolted off. I don’t think I’ve been so eager to work like… ever. I guess that’s what happens when you’re close to starving. Before you ask, no, we don’t completely rely on love. Normal food can sustain us. But we do sometimes get indigestion and stomach cramps, but at least we’re surviving. I eventually made it to the farm. It was quite big, at least compared to the other buildings in town. I chuckled and walked in. ~~~ “So, ya mind explainin’ why ya wanna be a helper around here?” I was sweating nervously. It’s not the questions that were getting me, oh no. It was more of the fact that I was staring at an orange earth pony who looked like she took her job very seriously. I’ve heard that earth ponies are a force to be reckoned with. I guess it makes sense, though. “Well you see, my Ma and Pa died recently, and I’ve sorta been on my own for a while. Not much to eat or anything.” “Ah see…” “Mhm. So, I was wondering that if I picked up some slack, maybe you could pay me and I could buy some food. Even if it’s for a day or so, I’d really appreciate it.” She smiled a bit. “Why, a’course.” “Really?! Thanks! I promise I’ll make it worth your time!” She chuckled and nodded. “Ah’m sure ya will.” She stood up. “Come on, I’ll show you around.” I nodded and followed her. She began introducing me to her large family. And I mean, large family. Too long; didn’t read: we have Applejack, the orange earth pony with green eyes and a braid (ayy!), Apple Bloom, her little sister, a yellow earth pony filly with a red mane and a pink(?) or light red ribbon and orange eyes, Big Mac(Intosh), a big red earth pony with orange mane, green eyes, and what I can only assume is one of those Arabian horse collars. Finally, there’s Granny Smith, who I assume is their (sorta) matriarch, she’s a green earth pony with a white or grey mane, orange eyes and an orange bandanna. I’ve actually been growing a sorta bond with Big Mac. I don’t know why, but we were getting along quite well. Maybe it’s because we’re both a bit… quiet. I look up to him as an older brother. Quite a kind feller. “So Mac, do you talk much?” I asked, carrying one of the hay bales. “Eenope.” I chuckled. “You’re a shy feller, ain’cha?” I asked, smirking. He blushed slightly. “Eeyup.” “That’s all you really say, ain’t it buddy?” “Eeyup.” I smiled. He smiled back. I chuckled and set the hay bales on a wagon. He gave me a pat on the back. “Heheh, thanks Mac.” “Eeyup.” I chuckled and looked at the cow pin. “So, milking time, correct?” “Eeyup.” I nodded and smiled. “Eeyup.” He smiled back and wrapped a hoof over my shoulder. I chuckled and followed him towards the cows.