//------------------------------// // Chapter 52: Newcomer // Story: How Did I Get Here? // by k12314 //------------------------------// CHAPTER 52 AUTHORS NOTE: Adding another OC to the story. His name may seem familiar from the comments, and from a past chapter... And, lemme give a shout-out to Nathan Traveler, author of Omnius's Travels: Equestria. "Oh no oh no oh no oh no..." I frantically walked the streets of Cloudsdale. I had forgotten to get Scoots a present for Hearth Warming. "Oh I am SO DEAD..." I couldn't think of anything. "THINK, you twit! She's your adopted daughter! You HAVE to know what she wants..." "Hmmmm..." I walked by a hardware store, and looked through the window. I saw new parts for a scooter. "Processing..." "LIGHTBULB!" I ran inside, pulling out my coin purse. The stallion at the counter smiled when he saw who it was. "Ah, well if it isn't the hero from a month back... Ponies're still talking about what you did, saving the Wonderbolts and all that. What is it you need?" "Oh, I just wanted the new scooter parts." "Ah, I see. Well, normally they would be 500 bits, but for you..." "I couldn't possibly take a discount. Here, 500 bits." "I was gonna say 250 bits, but sure. You're a kind soul." He grabbed the parts, and put them in a box, which I promptly took. "Thank you. Happy holidays!" I left, walking as fast as I could without risk of dropping anything. But, at the WORST of times, guess who showed his face again... "Ah, well if it isn't the loser." Coffee shop punk... 'Well, hello there, punk..." I looked at his Cutie Mark... Basket balls... "I think I'll call you 'Hoops.'" "What the- How did you know my name?" "Wait, that's actually your name? Wow... So, how close to dying do you want to be today?" "Oh, I don't think so..." I was then tackled by a brown pegasus with a dumbbell as a Cutie Mark. "HOW MANY FRIENDS DO YOU HAVE?" We wrestled for a bit, but this pegasus was just too strong for me. But then, a white pegasus with mechanical-looking wings, with red stripes, and a white-with-red-stripes mane and matching tail. His Cutie Mark was a golden sword with an obsidian hilt and red handle. I recognized him as the kind guard from when I was arrested. I barely knew what was going on. But eventually, I snapped back into full consciousness, and the guard pony helped me up. "You OK?" "Yeah... Thanks, Rendan." "Ah, I see you remember me." "Yeah, well, I have a good memory." "So... What are you doing out here this late?" I pointed to the box. "I bought a gift for my kid, and then those guys jumped me. Where are they anyways?" "I gave them a good thrashing, and they flew off. The punk didn't look too tough, what happened?" "It wasn't him who hurt me, it was his friend." "Ah, the brown one. Well, I hope they don't give you any more trouble." "They won't. And if they do, I will personally put them six feet under." We laughed. "Hey, you know, you could escort me home." "Sounds good. I'm not even on patrol. I was just wandering when I saw what was going on." "Well I'm glad you saw." "Heh... Well, I'm glad I saved you. You can tear that punk a new one later." "Yeah... His name is Hoops, actually." "Ah. Well, now I have a name to add to the list." "Same here." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dashie, Scoots, Rendan, and I sat at my dinner table, chatting about the holiday season. "...Well, I plan on getting him an action figure or something..." Rendan was talking about his son. "Nah, that's lame! We need to make it... 20% cooler!" Just guess who that was. "Oh Dashie..." I facepalmed. "OH! I have an idea!" Scoots jumped up on the table. "We should make it a doll of Mommy! Then it would be MUCH cooler!" "That's a GREAT idea, squirt!" "My entire family is insane..." Rendan just laughed at all of this. I couldn't help but chuckle as well. Rendan leaned in to whisper to me, not wanting to interrupt the ego-stroking going on. "You've got yourself a nice family. A kind wife, and a cute little kid. Be proud." "Trust me, I am. I know I would NEVER be able to lead a life like this back on Earth. I don't wanna go back now." "Well, if you can't have this, I wouldn't either." I began listening to Dashie and Scoots' conversation. "... And she would have amazing rainbow hair, and have a string that makes her say your catchphrases!" "Scoots, you're a genius. I'm proud to be your Mom." D'awww... "Yep, nice family." Rendan smiled at me. I stood up, and stretched. "Alrighty then, I think it's about time for bed. Scoots, say goodbye." "Bye mister!" Scoots waved her front leg frantically. "Seeya, Rendan." Dashie smiled at him. "Later. I'll see you all another time." "Wait, Rendan." I caught him by the shoulder. "How would you like to come to our Hearth Warming party tomorrow? You can bring your son. He can play with Scoots!" Scoots jumped up. "YAY!" "Are you sure? I don't wanna intrude..." "Nonsense. You HAVE to come. I won't take no for an answer." He grinned. "Well, alright then. I'll see you then." With that, he left. I yawned, and I stretched my arms. "So... Ready for bed everypony?" Scoots ran up to her room. Dashie and I curled up in our bed. "So, he saved you from Hoops' friend?" "Yeah. He practically saved my life." "Hmmmm... I'll have to thank him later." She smiled seductively, her eyes half closed. She scooted in closer... "What is she- HELLO!" Another sleepless night.