Several Days Later
Steve sat up. He hadn’t slept in days, fearing he’d encounter Luna in his dreams, and, honestly, he was starting to feel a little tired. However, today he decided he would check up on an old friend of his. He began his trek to the town before remembering Jean. He quickly pulled out his journal, that he always kept on him, ripped out a page, and scribbled a note with the quill.
Jean, if you’re reading this, then I have gone to Ponyville to check up on my good friend Derpy, before you have woken up. Do not be alarmed, I will be fine.
Your friend, Steve.
He put the paper down, and turned to the exit. Jean was still sleeping on the ground and he didn’t want to disturb her. He began to quickly make his way to the small town.
Once he made it to the tree line, he slowed down his sprint, and snuck by the barracks. He went around the barracks and decided to go through an apple orchard. He snuck by the barn just in case there was anyone inside. Once he got into town, he had to make sure he was out of sight, as he didn’t have anymore invisibility potions. He used the tall grass as cover, and slowly made his way to the nearest building. Then he pulled out his fishing rod and ascended to the top. Then he began his house hopping campaign. He jumped from house to house before finding the one he was looking for. Luckily, the hole in the roof was still there, so he could just climb in. He fell into the room and took a quick look around, before calling out the mare he was looking for’s name.
“Derpy?” He called out. “You home?”
He got a quick response, “Steve? Is that you?”
“Yeah.”
“Well come on out.” She said.
“Alright.” Steve opened the door and stepped out of the room. “Hey, Derpy. Haven’t seen you in a while. How are you?”
“I’ve been fine.”
“That’s good. Where’s Dinky?”
“Oh, she’s at school.” Derpy said. “By the way, what are you doing here?” She asked.
“Oh, well just came to check up on you. I haven’t seen you in what, four days?”
“Five.” She said. “Would you like some muffins?”
“Fuck, yeah.” Steve said. “I’m starving. And those muffins are dangerously delicious.” Steve laughed.
“Alright, I’ll get a batch ready.” She told him before turning to the kitchen. Steve looked around the house. It was the first time he actually got a good look at the interior. He stood looking around the living room. There was a couch, a coffee table, a bookshelf stacked with books, and a small counter. On top of it say several things, including a key chain, several currency, and a lamp, but something in particular stood out. There was a picture. In it was Derpy, Dinky, and what appeared to be a stallion. They were all smiling as they hugged.
“Must’ve been her old husband.” Steve whispered. He stared at it for a second. “Don’t worry, I’ll look after them for you. No matter what. I promise.” He whispered as if he was talking to the stallion himself. “And I never break my promises.” He looked up when he heard a Ding!
“Muffins are ready!” Derpy called out.
“Alright!” Steve said. He left the room and headed to the dining table. He sat down across from Derpy. “So,” he started, “how have things been? I see you haven’t fixed the roof yet.”
“Yeah, honestly I’m pretty tired. I’ve been working two jobs and taking care of Dinky. This is one of my few days I get a break. Luckily, I got Applejack and Big Mac to fix the...” she trailed off. “Wait what day is it today?” She asked Steve displaying a worried tone. He looked over at a calendar.
“Tuesday.” Steve said. Derpy looked at the clock.
“9:28.” She said.
“What’s wrong Derpy?” Steve asked.
“Applejack and Big Mac offered to help fix my roof, so I accepted because I was busy. They’re set to come today in two minutes!” She said really alarmed.
“Oh, shit. I better get outta here.” Steve said.
Applejack was on her way to Derpy’s with Big Mac. They were happy to help Derpy fix her roof because everyone knows how busy Derpy is. They were coming up on the house when they saw something strange through the window.
“Tall, muscular, tan, wears a light blue shirt with dark blue jeans, and has brown hair with a short beard.” She whispered quickly. “That’s the creature.” She said to Big Mac.
“Eeyup.” Was all he said. What would she do? Tell the guards? There’s no time.
“We’ve gotta save Derpy.” She said to Big Mac. They stood right in front of the door. “On three. One. Two. Three!”
“Three!” Was all Steve heard. He looked as the door was sent flying down. In stepped two ponies, both earth ponies, who charged right at Steve.
“Don’t worry, Derpy!” The orange one cried out. “We’re gonna save ya!” Steve rolled over to dodge and attack. Clinging onto his muffin for dear life. He then jumped an attack by the red one before talking.
“Wait. Wait. Wait! I’m not here to hurt Derpy!” He told them.
“Save i-.” The orange one tried to say.
“He’s right.” All their heads jerked to the side. “He’s right.” Derpy repeated.
“Wait, then what is he doin’ here?” Applejack asked.
“Let me explain,”
Fifteen Minutes Later
“Then you guys decided to pull some FBI shit on her door.” Steve said, eliciting a laugh from everyone.
“Well, sorry.” Applejack said. “To the both of ya.”
“It’s all good. You didn’t actually hit me. And I still have my muffin.” He said.
“Ah should probably tell my friend, Twilight.”
“The librarian?” He asked.
“Yeah, she has a direct line to the princesses. Hopefully she can help clear your name. Although, knowing ‘em, I’m not sure it will be that easy.”
“Of course.” Was all Steve said. He turned to them. “Well, Applejack, Derpy, Big Mac, while it was a pleasure being here, I gotta head home. Got another friend to check up on.”
“Alright, bye Steve.” Derpy said.
“See ya, partner.” Applejack said. Big Mac didn’t say anything, he just nodded and waved.
“And by the way,” Steve said turning to Applejack, “sorry about shooting you. I swear it was an accident. Maybe one day I’ll get to know those friends of yours.”
“It’s okay. Bye.” She said.
Steve climbed up, through the roof, and began his sneak home.
Jean nearly had a panic attack when she woke up. She looked around for the crafter, who had been up all night for the third night in a row. She was practically hyperventilating until she found the note. He was in Ponyville, checking up on a friend. She sighed.
That was an hour ago. Now she was sitting down, with a piece of meat in her claw, chewing it slowly.
“You know that would quench your appetite more if you cooked it.” Someone said. She whirled around and saw Steve, climbing into the cave.
“Hey, Steve.”
“Hey, Jean. Have you ever tried cooking meat?”
“Cook it? Never tried that.” She told him.
“Well you should. Not only does it restore more hunger, but it also tastes better and reduces the risk of food poisoning.”
“Alright, I’ll think about that next time.” She said. “Anyways, how was your visit?”
“It was good. Took an unexpected turn, but it was for the better. I made a new friend. Plus, if everything goes well, we might not have to hide out here anymore. But, knowing my luck, it’s probably big on a work out.”
“But it’s still worth a shot, right?”
“Yep. Anyways, what do you want to do, today?”
“Princess,” a guard started, bowing.
“You may rise.” She said in a rather annoyed tone.
“Yes, ma’am. Princess Luna has been discharged from the hospital.”
“Good. Now prepare the carriage, I’m going to oversee the capture of the creature, personally.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Princess Celestia and the guards made their way to the carriage. Right before they got in another guard came running up.
“Ma’am! Wait!”
“What is it?” She asked.
“You just received a message from your student.” For a second Celestia froze.
“I’ll,” she started, “I’ll read it later.”
“Yes ma’am.” The pegasus mare ran to put away the scroll.
“Set course for Ponyville.” She told the guards.
“Yes ma’am.”
“You know, at a certain point, you can tell this base wasn’t made for this number of troops.” Sargent Stone said, annoyed. He, the Corporal, and the Captain all looked at the new troops arriving at the barracks. The total was now over 200.
“You can say that again.” The Corporal agreed.
“Sir,” a guard said trying to get the attention of the Captain.
“Yes?” He asked.
“The princess is coming.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.” He told him.
“She’s on her way right now.” The guard said.
“Good. The sooner she gets here, the sooner we can deal with this threat. We’re wasting too many supplies on this one creature.”
“Let’s just hope nothing goes wrong.” The Sargent said.
“Yeah.” The captain agreed.