The day started as normal. Woke up to the Roosters crow and helped at the farm. When all that was done I headed towards the Mines. Pickaxe and a baseball bat in my saddle bags as I stared at the hole in the wall leading down.
“Well, best get on with it then.”
I could use some coal, rocks, and for fixing the little Junimo but itself I need at least one copper bar, so I need to find five copper nuggets.
Walking down into the mines the darkness quickly gave way to an area lit by torches. A rail cart leading down one way. The other was an old elevator, big enough for a cart and a few ponies. It didn't seem to be working though.
I put some weight on the elevator making sure it’s stable. The elevator made a creaking sound but it was strong enough to hold.
Without power I headed down the slope heading down. Soon I was in a large, cavernous space. The squeaks of bats and some slimy squelching could be heated in the distance. Around me we're several rocks and stones.
I made sure to watch my step as I made my way, but it was kinda hard to see in the dark, plus I kept stepping on rocks that nearly cut my hooves.
Eventually I spotted a large rock and pulled out my pickaxe. A few good swings and it crumbled to some smaller bits and two lumps of coal rolled from the gravel over to me. I smiled, picking them up and putting them away.
Soon I began picking up coal for half an hour before deciding to go deeper in the cave.
Entering the next floor I had thirty six lumps of coal. I still need five copper nuggets. "Shouldn't be this hard…" I muttered as I was looking for more large rocks.
I yelped as I heard a squelch noise behind me. Turning I spotted a small green ball of… slime? Huh…
I raised my eyebrow in confusion as I looked closer. It looked like it was glowing. Narrowing my eyebrows, I moved my hoof to touch it.
"Ouch!" I yelped. It's… body, felt like a hot stove. While my hoof was fine the fur was slightly singed. I huffed, pulling out my baseball bat.
I began to do what a sensible pony would do…..I began to beat the crap out of it repeatedly, but the bat somehow caught on fire.
Despite this I managed to hit it a few more times before my bat broke and the slime finally died. In a surprise puff of vapors that smells of sulfur, I spotted a small ball of slime.
It was about a quarter of the size of the original monster. Touching it, it felt fine so I picked it up. Huh…
I still felt some heat as slime looked dead in my hoof and it looked like it stopped glowing too.
It was very squishy, and not as sticky as I expected. It actually kinda felt like a…
Looking around, I spotted a nearby wall and tossed the slime ball at it. The slime ball bounced from the wall, to the floor and back to me. Heh, it's like a bouncy ball!
I put the slime ball in my saddle bag and I continued to stroll my way through the cave.
I managed to find more large rocks and breaking it open, thankfully gave me my first two copper nuggets. "Two down, three more to go." I nodded as I looked around for more large rocks.
It took awhile but I managed to find a set of large rocks as I began to break them down. Though some didn’t have any nuggets.
When they were finally broken up I had twenty two copper nuggets, thirteen more coal lumps, and five iron ones too!
With this haul in tow I headed topside.
Emerging from the mines and heading home, I spotted Guff piling wood next to the house. "How went the mining Ms. Days?" He asked.
“It was fine, kinda hard, but fine.” I answered.
"Run into any monsters? Usually the first five floors only ever have slimes and bats."
“It was just that, but I found this slime ball though.” I said pulling out the ball out of my bag.
"Heh, not bad. Most monsters drop parts of themselves when killed. Slime balls are fun for a quick toy, but their real value is in making sealants and weather resistant oils."
I was playing with the ball but I was also paying attention. Who knew something so small can be so helpful. Well everyone said don’t judge a book by it’s cover.
I put the copper nuggets in my furnace and set the coals on fire.
While that’s smelting, I went inside my house and looked through the Junimo book. Hmm. For the Hut I need Plant Fibers, five of them. Wood, ten of them. Any twenty berries. And one copper ingot. Well, looks like between the berries Guff got me and now the ingot on the way, it looks like I can get the little hut fixed up tonight.
I grabbed a book to preoccupy my time as I waited for the copper. “This is gonna take a while…” I hummed musically to myself.
There wasn't much new in the book, more of the same so far. I really should consider getting a radio… or tv. Wonder what channels I'd even get out here?
“First of all…how the hell am I going to get a TV?” I wondered, not remembering seeing a TV either in the shop’s or in the book…maybe there’s an electronics shop nearby that I missed?
I lazed about before deciding to head outside. I spotted Guff cutting trees, a large section of the land was already cleared out. Guess I can plant… something.
“Gonna need to think about what to plant…” I muttered. “Jeez, this is getting a lot more complicated than I thought…I mean, I literally threatened a demon so what in Tartarus am I talking about?” I shook my head ruefully, getting up as I needed to do something and went out to talk to Guff.
Another tree fell down as I approached Guff. "Need something Ms. Days?" He asked.
“Someone to talk to cause I am honestly bored..” I sighed. “Mostly needing to wait on the copper ingot to finish to start working on some things I need.”
"Heh, smelting takes time. It's why Blacksmiths always smelt the ore while they can work on other projects. But what do you want to talk about?"
“Anything really.” I shrugged. “What’s got you cutting down these tree’s?”
"Making room for when you want to grow crops or commission a building." He stated simply. "Can't plant or build anything with trees and rocks in the way."
“That’s fair.” I nodded. “Anything you want to talk about Guff?”
"Nothing in particular. Is there anything you'd like to talk about?"
“Is there a store that sells Radios or TVs?” I asked curiously.
"Hmm, the carpenter, Trilla, sells furniture. If you are okay with something old or pre owned, the Second Hoof store probably has something. But if you want something new and something quick the Barnyard Bargains will have it all."
“Jeez, even this far out can’t escape Barnyard Bargains.” I chuckled at hearing that old place.
"Heh, yeah they built a mega store here a long time ago, they're the only real competition most of the other businesses have."
“Sounds about right.” I nodded. “Which I’m gonna need a lot of bits if I’m planning on buying a new radio or tv…” I frowned, trying to think of the many jobs here to get me some extra bits.
"If you're okay with old or pre owned just try the second hoof store, it's run by old Pinkerton."
“I’ll try them first.” I nodded. “Might also be cheaper…hopefully.”
"It should be." Guff stated.
With a nod I headed off into town. The town proper outside of the farms I wasn't too familiar with. I only really knew the path to the tower and back. Well, shouldn't be too hard to find the stores… I wonder… I pulled out the book, flipping to the page with the town map. Hmm… so there's my farm, there's Hopper's family farm, there's the tower. That giant building must be Barnyard Bargains. Now, which of these buildings is the second hoof store?
“Hmm…” I looked around carefully to see if there was a specific sign for the place. “Second Hoof…where in the world are you?”
I looked around until I spotted an old building, looked almost like it was maybe the oldest building in town. All stone bricks and no clear modernization. An aged wooden sign with seemingly newish paint read 'Pinkerton's Second Hoof! Followed by several crossed out names under it reading it was formerly Pinkerton's Pawn, Pinkerton's Scrap Recycling, and Pinkerton's General.
"Uh…huh…" I started, walking up to the front and walking in. "Hello?"
The inside matched the outside, save the modern metal pipes and light bulbs signaling electricity was present here. Various shelves and hanging racks held odds and ends and clothes and all kinds of items.
Behind the counter was an older Pegasus stallion, a shaggy pink coat and thinning blue mane, and a faded green hat atop his head and a smile as he saw me. "Why hello there youngster." He spoke with a surprisingly deep and hearty voice that was practically bursting with wisdom, experience and life. "Don't believe I've seen you around before? You passing through?"
“Just moved into the old farm not too long ago actually.” I said. “Names Lovely Days."
"Pleasure Lovely Days. So, what brings you to my shop?"
"Got any Radios or TVs for sale?" I inquired.
"All kinds, all makes and models and all in working order." He confirmed, walking out from the counter and leading me to a small side room with wall to wall electronics from various generations. "Prices are on the sticker." He informed before heading back to the counter.
I looked over all the prices carefully to see what is in my price range or just how much work I had to put in.
Most were thankfully quite cheap. They were also older but if they worked then it didn't matter.
I looked around for a while before I spotted a radio. It was old, able to also play cassette tapes and records, but what really caught my eye about it was the small Junimo painted on it, painted to look like it was dancing with music notes painted around it.
“Hey, what’s this radio?” I inquired, pointing to the Junimo Radio.
Old Pinkerton quickly trotted back over. "Oh, heh. That was donated by the former mayor long ago. One of our residents, a filly who used to own the farm you're living in, this was hers. Heard she left a lot to friends but not everything, so the Mayor donated the rest to my shop here. This here and that TV up there are all that's left if I recall. " He said, motioning to the small, dial operated box TV, slightly bigger than a microwave with two metal antenna sticking out of it. It also had a Junimo painted on it, this one holding a remote. "Rest got sold over time."
“Hmm…” I hummed, looking over both the radio and tv. “How much for both of them?”
"Both? Hmm, well, Radio is fifteen and TV is twenty five but I'd be willing to sell you both for thirty bits."
“Alright.” I nodded, digging through my bag to see how many bits I had left after everything, cause while I did bring a god amount, it was running a tad thin due to everything I needed to buy.
Thankfully I had sixty bits on me, so I paid for the radio and TV and old Pinkerton helped me carry them back home. "So, how is Melody's old house? Last I saw the yard was overgrown with weeds and trees." Pinkerton asked.
“Took a bit of work, and with some help it’s been coming along nicely.” I said honestly. “
"That's wonderful. I remember seeing that farm back when it was just that small house, then Star moved in and it was turned into the most amazing farm. No idea how she managed it given all the variety she kept there. Crops, animals, fish ponds. Hard to believe one filly managed all that."
She probably had help from Junimos. I thought to myself. “Well, from what I hear she was a very hard and determined worker, and loved this place more than most.”
"Heh, could say that again. Sad to say I never knew her very personally, back when I was a younger colt I put all my time into the business, changed it several times to try and keep it competing with the town's local shops and the Barnyard Bargains. In the end a Second Hoof Store worked out cause a lot of the wealthier residents replaced old stuff with new stuff and donated the old stuff to me and I sell it to someone who don't care if it's used."
“Fair enough.” I nodded. “Never underestimate the power of a pawn shop, you never know what wonder’s you’ll find in it.”
"The Pawn Shop was nice but I lost a fair amount of bits. So, what brought you here anyways Lovely Days?"
“I…needed to get away from home.” I answered vaguely. “Wanted to do thing’s for myself ya know?” I said, trying to keep my reasons vague cause I really don’t want people to know what my history was.
"That's fair. Let me guess, overly suffocating parents that yes they love you but they didn't let you be you?"
“You…could say that.” I answered carefully.
"Heh. I can relate. My ma and pa, loved them dearly, but Celestia's Sunburn were they overly protective. My first slumber party as a foal I went to, they packed me enough safety supplies to survive a fall off Canterlot Mountain." He said with a laugh. "Bright side, that inflatable boat made a nice mini pool."
“That sounds hilarious.” I chuckled.
"It was, was also embarrassing but I usually made the best of it. Never understood why they were so overprotective until my own foals came into the world."
“Oh you have kids?” I asked.
"Well, they're adults now. Daughter lives up in Manehattan, working in some big fancy bank, and well, given where you live, you've already met Copper Pot."
“Yes, I have met Copper Pot, really nice.” I said with a smile.
"Heh, yeah, he took after his mom. In species, color, and size." Pinkerton said with a chuckle. "Pink Berry, my daughter, took after me in all that. I remember Pot's wedding day, and the day they brought home Cloud Hopper."
“That sounds great.” I nodded, wishing so bad that I could have experienced this kind of emotional fun before.
"It is. They say no adventure compares to making a family, and they are right. Sure, ponies might explore all around the world, but to finally settle down, plant some roots and make a home, well, that's when you really live your life."
“Yeah…I’ve heard it said many a time…” I sighed out, wishing I could have something like that but knowing there’s not really any possibility of that becoming real.
"Feeling like that ain't in your future?" Pinkerton asked. We reached Hopper's family farm and we're now nearing my place.
“Sadly…” I said honestly. “Don’t really think I’ll find someone special due to…a whole host of personal reasons…”
"Heh, don't worry. I used to think like that. Heck with me keeping so busy with my store it's a miracle I ever met Night Flower. But it happened in the most impossible way."
“How so?” I inquired.
"Heh, well, it was during the annual Flower Dance, whole town celebrates the first spring flowers with a dance, couples dress up all fancy and dance in town. Well, everyone dresses up in case ya get asked or wanna ask somepony. And while I was sitting alone, looking over inventory lists, up trotts this filly dressed up in a beautiful white gown, mane brushed to perfection down and her eyes sparkling like diamonds. And the first words out of her mouth were 'come on nerd, let's dance.'" He said with a laugh. "Night Flower was a notorious trouble maker, and tomcolt of the town. Seeing her look so… beautiful like that, when she spoke it nearly knocked me flat on my back."
“Sounds like you had a wonderful night.” I chuckled.
"After the initial shock of her appearance died down I did really. Turns out she promised her mom she'd dance with one stallion at that dance and it ended up being me. Didn't expect her to ask me out on a date a week later, or the others to follow. Somehow, that one dance turned into a lifetime of happy memories."
“Glad to hear that.” I nodded, slightly tilting my head down to see how true his love for this mare was.
It was rose red, just like Copper Pot and Bricks. This one was different though. It took a shape, a small, almost Junimo sized shape of a mare, floating around him.
I blinked at seeing that weird tiny Jumnio. “You must have really loved her throughout your life.”
"Yeah… been hard since she passed." Pinkerton said, the small mare shaped silhouette floating over to seemingly hug him. "Sometimes I swear it's like I hear her voice, or see her in the corner of my eyes. Copper thinks I'm just getting too old and should move to the farm with him, Bricks and Hopper."
“I wouldn’t be too sure.” I said honestly. “All I can say is…don’t stop believing, she’ll always be there for you…and if you look the right way, maybe you will see her.” I said, trying to keep the fact Junimo’s exist a secret but wanting to at least give him some hope that he’s not going crazy or senile.
"Think if I did, I will take the boys up on their offer." He chuckled. We arrived at the farm and he helped me put them down inside.
"Good to see you again Pinkerton." Guff said as we exited.
"Nice ta see you too Guff. How in Luna's mane do you keep from looking as old as you are?" Pinkerton asked.
"Griffon secret." Guff replied with a grin, earning a chuckle from Pinkerton.
“Old friends?” I inquired.
"I grew up seeing this old bird fight off Mantacores, Hydra's and all kinds of monsters back when the town was young." Pinkerton said.
"And I remember saving a tiny little pink Pegasus from Timberwolves because he thought they were puppies." Guff replied with a chuckle.
"I was six… and a baby timberwolf is adorable." Pinkerton replied with a smirk.
“I mean, puppy’s are always adorable.” I added.
"Less so when they can grow up into magical tree hounds." Guff said, finalization in his voice. "So, what brings you here old timer?"
"Heh, you're older than I am Guff, don't even try and deny it." Pinkerton chuckled.
I looked back and forth between the two. Guff looked old but not that old really, and Pinkerton looks like he's gonna be pushing a hundred… and Guff is older than him?!
“Hold up what?” I asked in shock. “How old are you two?”
"I'll be ninety six in a few months." Pinkerton said with a smirk.
"A gentle creature never reveals their age." Guff said with a grin.
“Ah, yes, the Gentle Creature that can bench press an entire tree.” I rolled my eyes with a small grin.
"Pst, a tree ain't nothing." Pinkerton goffed. "I've seen this bird lift a boulder the size of this house and throw it into a cave opening. That's how he and the old Adventures Guild stopped the Manticores back in the day."
"To be fair I was magically augmented at the time to make it easier for me." Guff informed.
“Sweet Luna…” I muttered at that.
"Heh, well whatever you use to keep looking so young, when ya wanna share it you know where to find me." Pinkerton laughed as he walked off.
Guff and I just stood there watching him head off, soon out of sight.
“So…I learned a thing today.” I said to Guff. “And that’s Pinkerton has a Junimo…of his wife.”
"That isn't a Junimo." Guff said with a sigh.
“Then…what is it?” I asked worriedly. “Cause it looked like a Junimo…but it was shaped like Night Flower if that’s what she looked like.”
"Because in a way, it is." Guff said, Turing to look at me. "You know how they say, the ones we love the most are never really gone, so long as we remember and cherish them in our hearts and memories? That, is what that was. I call them Fragments. Little bits of the people you hold dearest that remain with you even when they themselves are no longer amongst the living."
“Jeez…love so strong it literally manifests into a little spirit…” I said.
"Yes, it's quite nice and… humbling, in a way. So, you got what you wanted?"
“Yep, which apparently both of them belonged to Star.” I said. “Had Jumino’s stickered onto both the Radio and TV.”
"Really? Wow." Guff said, looking inside the house and seeing the radio and TV. "I wasn't expecting to see those again. Not after the mayor cleared out the rest of Melody's items that weren't given away."
“Yeah, was surprised to see them in Second Hoof to be honest.”
"Well, your metal finished a while ago, it's just cooling now. Another hour and we can pull it out safely."
"Sweet." I nodded. "Can't wait to see what I can make with it."
With an hour to kill before the metal was cooled I decided to mess with the radio. Plugging it in and looking the multiple nobs and buttons that make up its controls, I noticed something. There was a cassette in the cassette player.
"That's strange…" I muttered, trying to turn on the cassette player to see what was on the mysterious cassette.
I quickly found and pushed the Play button, the tap began rolling and A simple yet pleasant song began to play.
It was a short song, barely over a minute long but I really enjoyed it.
"That was nice." I said warmly, making this place feel a little more like home.
I was a little upset the music was so short, but It didn't take long at all to rewind the tape and play it again. I did this several times before switching back to the radio option.
So far there was one music station, one local station telling about events and news, and one that seemed to be running nonstop adds for Barnyard Bargains, broken up by the music they must play in that store.
"We get it Filthy, you have a big business…" I shook my head at the Barnyard Bargains radio station. "Now, let's see what's on TV…or find out if it even works…"
Plugging the TV in I initially got static. But after messing with the antenna on it I managed to get in the free channels. There was a channel all about cooking, one that apparently tells viewers their fortune, one that is all about nature, wilderness survival and even farming, one that tells the news, and the last one was a TV shopping channel for, you guessed it, Barnyard Bargains. Yeesh that franchise is everywhere.
“Well…at least a few of the channels are worth watching.” I muttered. “Need to learn to cook, and any of the nature tips I can get will be lifesavers.”
I decided to settle on the nature show. The host, a young stallion named Big Sugar who was going over the basics of farming. He even shared a quick recipe for baked apples. Just bake the apples in an oven.
The hour was up and I went outside to pull the new ingot out of the furnace and put in some more raw ore. "Ms. Days, come see this!" Guff called from a bit aways. I looked around and was honestly amazed at how much of the property he already cleared.
“Good lord Guff, did you even take a break?” I asked worriedly.
"Of course, I am an old bird after all." He said with a laugh. "But enough about that, this is what I wanted to show you." He said, moving the stump from his lated chopped tree, uprooting it and tossing it aside. Behind it and many other trees was a small pond. It wasn't but at all, maybe the size of a jacuzzi, but it looked oddly deep.
“What’s with the…weirdly deep pond?” I inquired.
"There's another a lot further into the trees that's a lot larger. But fun fact, all the ponds, lakes and even the nearby ocean are all connected through underwater tunnels." Guff informed. "From here, we can fish up lots of interesting aquatic life, seaweed, and sometimes even treasures."
“That…sounds like a horror story waiting to happen.” I said nervously.
"Don't worry, the tunnels under the ponds on this farm are too small for anything bigger than a catfish to swim through."
“Well… that’s at least a positive.” I nodded. “Well… better set up a fishing spot.”
"If you want fishing supplies, then no better than Captain Rusty. He has a shop set up on the dock at the beach."
“Ah yes, the best place to find fishing equipment, is from the Captain themselves.” I chuckled.
"Heh, yes well, he is a ninth generation Fisher pony, or so he says."
“As long as he’s a respected Fisher pony than I’m all for it.” I nodded.
"He is, nice, a but odd but so is most everyone else in this town. Oh, and since I saw you don't have much food left I went foraging again. Found a wild apple tree."
“Fantastic.” I nodded. “Was going to have to go shopping soon but that’ll at least help stave that bit off.”
"They're in a box by my tent, help yourself when you want. Once you set up this farm proper with some products growing you can talk to the mayor about a sales bin."
“Works for me.” I nodded. “Thanks again Guff…no idea what I’d do without your help.”
"Probably struggle, panic a bit and all that." He said with a chuckle.
“I mean…yeah.” I admitted sheepishly.
With a chuckle I walked over to Guff's tent, picking up a few apples and washing them off before eating them and then heading back inside. I decided to check the book and there was some new things here. A page of recipes, a page of what I think are the items that used to belong to Melody that were donated, given it shows the TV and Radio here. A page showing the cassette tapes… there are seventy?! And I also had a small section in friends with Pinkerton. Wow, three hearts already? That was… fast. Then again he was really sweet and friendly.
“Well…so far so good…” I muttered. “Wonder if I can get cable here?”
The farm was as it was when it was in it's prime again. Back when Melody owned it. Looking around, I could see I was alone here again. Not even my Junimo was here oddly.
I walked around the farm, then to the Junimo Tree. It was how it used to be too. Hm, strange. Usually when I come here it's for a talk or to show me something important.
“Hello?” I called out through the Tree. “Anyone here?”
Nothing. I left the tree and headed back to the farm, but stopped. I looked back the other way, to Hopper's family farm. I wonder, if the Tree and Melody's farm is like that, maybe the rest of the town is too.
“Hmm…” I hummed, walking along towards Hopper’s farm and wondering what I could find there.
Upon arriving I was slack jawed. It was so… different. Most of the animal coops were here still but painted differently. The variety of crops was also less, focusing mostly on gords, melons and carrots it seemed. The walkway was also gravel, not the dirt I'm used to.
The farmhouse was the most different, painted a dark blue on the walls and a dark grey on the roof.
“What in the world…” I muttered in shock at what I’m seeing. “This…how is it so different?”
"Well, it is from when I was alive." I jumped, looking behind me as Melody was suddenly there. "Glad to see you here."
“Uh, hi there.” I said to Melody. “Glad to see you're still here Melody.”
"Well, yeah, I live here."
“That’s also true, but I didn’t see anyone else around the normal spots so I wasn’t sure.” I shrugged. “So how’ve you been?”
"Good, was just visiting some friends in town."
“Really?” I inquired. “Oh, I also found your radio and tv.”
"Really? Wow, wondered what happened to those things. I have all my stuff here so I just wondered where they went. I know I left a few things to friends in my will."
“Yeah, Pinkerton was keeping them in his store…and also did you paint those Jumnio’s on them?”
"Oh you met Pinkerton?! How is he, Night Flower has been so impatient, she knows he'll get here eventually but she wants her husband now and has been so needy."
“I can tell because of that weird Jumino of her always by his side.” I said honestly. “And…well he’s stubborn, so I don’t think he’ll be dying anytime soon.”
"That's what I tell her, but she's in her prime here so she's mostly looking forward to him getting here, in his prime. She has been planning those activities for the last five years."
“Yeah…that sounds about right.” I nodded. “Glad you didn’t get…explicit.”
"Yeah, well I've walked in on them one time and I don't want to dig those memories back up. So, since you're here, want a tour of the town?"
“Yes please.” I nodded. “Also, how old is Guff?”
"I don't know." Melody shrugged. "He was already in town when I moved there so, no idea. Tried asking back in the Pioneer but they didn't know either, he and his friends just kinda showed up shortly after they got to work building."
Wait what?
“Hold up, that would make him well over a hundred wouldn’t it?” I asked nervously.
"Probably." Melody shrugged again.
“Oh boy…” I muttered. “And he’s currently helping me get the farm back up and running…he also found a neat little pond.”
"Oh I love the ponds, always pulling up a fish or something weird. Once pulled up a fossil of a starfish."
“That’s really cool.” I said. “I thought it was a horror story waiting to happen when I was told it connects to every body of water through underground tunnels.”
"Heh, I thought the same thing when I moved there. It's why I asked Guff and the guild to make sure none of the ponds tunnels would let a shark or something through."
"Hopefully." I nodded. "So…I might have done a bad thing recently…"
"What did you do?"
"I may have…threatened a demon…" I said nervously.
"Come again?" Melody asked with a raised brow.
“Exactly what I said…I threatened a fire demon that burned a Jumino tree…because it thought it could sass and threaten me and the new life I wanted.”
"Well, because it can." Melody said, making me recoil. She sighed. "Follow me." I followed her back to the farm, the inside of her small home was so neat. The TV, radio and all other decorations and furniture were here. She gave me a bottled soda and we sat down. "The demons that escaped the Junimo world are extremely dangerous. Like the end the world kind of deadly."
“I kinda got that when it was talking all that good shit.” I commented. “Being ‘the hatred of the world’ and all that nonsense.” I said. “But one thing he was ever so kind to tell me, is that the power of friendship and love can defeat him.”
"Well he is a creation of the Wendigos, so of course he shares their weakness. The thing is, unlike them, he doesn't have your normal physical body. He can only possess a physical body, and from there influence their host and the world around them. They can readily and quickly swap between hosts too."
“Crap…” I frowned. “So…we can only lock them away or something?”
"With great difficulty both magically and in finding them to begin with. Plus finding their host and that will be a hoof full given they probably influence someone within a seat or group of power."
“Right…” I said carefully. “So it’s going to be a massive pain in the ass all around…but I could just wait for them to come to me in all honesty.” I shrugged. “They want me dead, and they’re serious enough to do it personally.”
"Oh they won't do that." Melody said, taking a sip of her drink. "They don't want creatures dead, that was their makers, the Windigos job. They want us to be miserable. They gain power from our misery."
“Fair…” I frowned. “Jeez…this is gonna get a lot more complicated…”
"They will attack you through the ponies and people you care most about though." Melody added flatly.
“Well…good thing I have a way to notice when that asshole is acting up.” I said honestly. “Cause just like in the Neighpone novels, I have special eyes.” I said with a minor flourish for the dramatic.
"Look, I can admire the confidence, but are you sure you aren't biting off more than you can chew?"
“Considering…what I’ve had to deal with for a majority of my life…” I sighed. “Probably…”
"Well, for your sake I hope they don't do anything too soon."
“Hopefully…” I sighed out. “So how have you been?”
"I've been here so all in all fine. How about you? I can only imagine how much Gravel's farm has changed, let alone the town."
“Well, for starters Barnyard Bargains has both it’s own channel and it’s own radio station.” I said honestly.
"Heh, wondered if that happened. I remember when that store first came to town. Every creature swore it would be the death of the local business. Ended up being a healthy competition and they purchased a lot of local products to sell to travelers and tourists."
“That’s true…if anything I’ve heard, Filthy does extremely care about the local businesses and people.”
"Yes, his brother Dirty Rich ran the store back before. His son took over shortly before I… passed. Economy Rich was the colt's name. Such a sweet Colt."
“Well that’s good to know.” I nodded.
"So, discovered any of the town's secrets yet?"
"Not yet, but fought a slime though in the mines." I answered.
"Oh I hate those things. They're all over the place and they burn like a hot oven when they touch you."
“Yeah, I found that out real quick from touching one.” I said. “But hey, the slime they drop is interesting enough.”
"Oh yes, it has a lot of uses. It's a waterproof glue, extremely strong once applied and can sell for a fair amount."
“That would be fantastic.” I said happily.
"I recommend storing them in a jar, oh, and the different breeds of slimes all give different types of slime balls."
“Fantastic to know.” I nodded. “Is there anything else in the mines I should be worried about?”
"Well, aside from the main mine, there are some others I know of and one I've heard of."
“Please tell me before I somehow find a giant worm down there.”
"Well, nearby the main mine entrance is a second cave, it's not that big but it's almost like a maze, and the monsters there are way stronger than the normal ones you find. Plus the ever present darkness and sense of dread and terror in the air doesn't help. Then, a short train ride to a town near the badlands has another mine, but this one is more of a dungeon. No idea how deep it goes, never made it to the bottom. Then there's some islands off the coast Rusty talked about a few times."
“I’ve heard about Rusty from Guff, but not too much.” I said honestly. “Is he a more ‘see to believe’ kind of pony?”
"Well, it's less see to believe and more 'Has stories to tell'."
“Oh boy, can’t wait to see how an entire day disappears listening to him.” I chuckled.
"If you do, I remembered talking to him at the Pelican Salon. Just about everyone in town goes there when the day ends and hangs out. It's how I met just about everyone."
“Sounds like a bar.” I said. “Which…honestly I need a drink for a lot of reasons…”
"It's a salon, while yes they serve beer and such they also serve sodas, lots of good food, and they have a game room."
I perked up at hearing that. “Game Room?”
"Yeah. Before I passed, they had a large pool table, darts, chess table, and they got a few arcade cabinets too."
“Oh thank Luna I can play some video games.” I sighed out thankfully.
"Yeah. I remember they came with some competition thing or something. Wonder if anyone won it?"
“I’m sure someone did.” I shrugged. “Can’t wait to play some games after this…hopefully all the farm work hasn’t made me rusty…”
"Hopefully not. Well, all that aside anything you wanna know about Stardrop Town from my time?"
“Anything and everything that can help.” I said readily.
"Hmm, well, there was a few projects I was never able to complete. Some things I never found and some plants I never got to grow. But you probably want more helpful information. Hmm… I got it, my old book."
"Which I have and am using a lot thankfully…unless it's another book I probably haven't found yet."
"No, that's not my book. The Junimos make a new book for each creature they choose. My book is still out there."
"Where was your book last?" I inquired.
"Well, I remember in my Will I left all my books and such to the Library/Museum. So odds are that's where it ended up."
"Alright." I nodded. "Time to look there…but if it's at a museum I might be unable to get to it…"
"Well, it's both a museum and library. Started off as a library but the owner at the time wanted to expand and added the museum to it. Odds are since so few creatures can even see the contents of the books they probably kept it in storage or something."
“Ah, yeah that makes sense.” I nodded.
"Aside from my book, you can try and look into other possible creatures like us, chosen by the Junimos and see what they were like."
“That would help a lot.” I nodded. “Maybe Guff would know?”
"Maybe." Melody said with a shrug.
I awoke to the rooster that had become my alarm clock, yawning as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and grabbed a few apples for breakfast. I decided to sit and watch my new TV. Let's see'
"Trottingham Mafia heads Cloudy Days and Stormy Afternoon were arrested late last night following an anonymous tip given to police about the locations of several mass grave sites."
I nearly choked on my apple. Mom, dad?!
“Hold on what!?!” I shouted in absolute shock.
"Upon their arrest police also found countless documents pointing to crimes in drug trafficking, kidnapping, felony tax evasion, and many more. The two are being held in custody, but many are already declaring they will receive the maximum punishment of Petrification Imprisonment for their crimes."
“Oh shit…” I muttered.
I mentally panicked. How, mom and dad are always so organized and efficient and… that spirit… shit, this is what Melody warned me about…
“God damn it…” I muttered. “I mean…to be honest they deserved it for doing all those illegal shit…but who’s going to look after all the other people in Manehattan? A quarter of it was going to orphanages!” I snapped.
This is not good, this is not good.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The knock of the door scared me witless until Guff's voice spoke. "Morning Ms. Days, you have a package."
A package? How? What?
“Uh…sure…” I started. “Thank you Guff…”
I opened the door and slid the package inside. It was unmarked, no postage stamps or anything. Just nothing. I opened it carefully and inside was a box, a file folder packed with documents, an information storage crystal, and a recorder.
“Alright…I’m pretty sure this has something to do with my parents…” I muttered as I took the box over and brought out the recorder and storage crystal and tried to get that set up to see what message was on it.
I pushed play on the recorder, and my dad's voice spoke from it.
"Lovely. If you are hearing this then, well, then it means you're alive and your mother and I… aren't, or won't be, depending. I hope by the time you hear this, you're old enough to be on your own, and old enough to know what your mother and I do, or did, for a living,"
“More than you two knew…” I frowned. “You have no idea how often I had to sneak away just to see some of it…and thankfully it was some of the good…”
"I hope by the time you've learned the truth, you've learned the bad also came with the good. Just know that, for every live ended, two, or more, were saved. For every fortune stolen, someone's life got better, and for every drug smuggled, someone in need of medication got it. It don't justify all the death and blood on my hooves, but it's helped me live with it,
“Yeah…” I nodded. “I understand dad…”
"When you were born, we looked into why your eyes are the way they are and given your own curiosity, the odds are you might know what they are. Special remnant of old magic from long ago before Equestria was founded. The power to see love and watch it grow in ways no pony else could ever understand, not even Princess Cadence. A gift like that doesn't belong in the world your mother and I live in. So we tried to keep you away from it, both to protect you, and selfishly, us. A gift like yours, our enemies could have used you or sold you off. Your mom used to joke that best case scenario, you'd be Princess Cadence's student or something and end up a princess. Heh, course if that did happen then I don't think the world would like a Princess whose parents are well known Mafia heads."
“Anyone that wasn’t under your protection wouldn’t be…too keen.” I said carefully. “Tartarus knows what everyone in town would think…”
"By now you're probably wondering what's in the storage crystal. Simple. It's a map. All across Equestria, hide outs and supplies the Mafia kept in case the law caught up with us. Now that it has, I imagine a lot of members will be fleeing to them. Go there or don't, your choice. The file folder is filled with all your information. Social security, birth certificate… we thought it would be best if we replaced our names on it, best chance for you to start your own life with no paper trail to us. There is also legal, yes legal, documents leaving various accounts and stock holdings in a few business to you. Use them or burn them, the choice is yours Lovely."
I sighed out. “I’m not going to burn them…first of all, that’s a buck ton of money if I remember some of your stock holdings, and the accounts probably hold just as much…” I muttered. “But…I might need to travel around, gather up the gang…Celestia and Luna’s non-existent love child, what am I even thinking?”
"Now, I'm gonna let your mother say some words."
A short second later, my mom's voice began speaking through it. "Hello sweetie. Oh I hope wherever you are, you're safe and have a roof over your head."
“Not that hard to get one where I’m at mom…” I muttered.
"Lovely, I just want you to know that… when you ran away… I was so terrified, and so proud. Finding out you were planning and being sneaky behind our backs. A normal mother would be mad, but I'm proud. The skills we used to stay alive in the Underworld of Equestria, you used to flee from us, and it seems it couldn't have been at a better time. It tells me you'll be alright without us, on your own. No jury or judge in this or any kingdom won't sentence us to the Petrification Imprisonment, and odds are it will be for a lifetime. Just… if you want to, visit us, when we end up in the Garden of Prisoners from time to time."
“Damn it mom…” I couldn’t help but tear up at the fact that I was hearing my own mom say ‘come visit our petrified corpses from time to time, displayed for all to see in some sick twisted form of humor’.
"Your father already put all the financial and identity paperwork in there, well, I put in all the recipes of all your favorite foods. Even some… special, recipes. In case you ever get bored or need some quick cash, though given your father's gift I doubt it."
“Well…at least I have that…”
"Just stay safe, and live your own life sweet heart. And remember, just because you can see others' love doesn't mean you can't find it for yourself. We love you Lovely. Never forget that."
With that, the recording ended.
I tried my best to stay standing, to stay strong, for mom and dad…even as I heard my own tears hitting the floor. “Damn it…”
I cried into my pillow, getting it all out as much as possible. I still had my work on Hopper's family farm, and I need a distraction… I guess… I'll live… it's what they wanted for me.