//------------------------------// // The Start of a Ponyville Tour // Story: Shooting Star // by Omegathyst //------------------------------// “Hey Gallus, I think your Mom is at the door.” “Which one?” Gallus’ eyes flickered open as he lifted his head from the pillows on the top bunk bed he was sleeping in, looking down as Sandbar stood beside the door to their dorm room. When the School of Friendship reopened, Gallus ultimately decided to spend the weekdays in his dormroom and the weekends with both his mothers. Whenever asked on why he made the decision, Gallus simply told the creature asking that he liked having his independence, nothing to do with the stallion roommate that nearly lured him into sharing a bathtub, or constantly gave him that half-lidded stare. Certainly not. As Gallus’ gaze drifted towards the windows of their room, glancing at the bright sunlight shining on the water fountain at the School’s fountain square, Gallus remembered it was still Friday and the weekend wouldn’t kick off for several more hours. Standing up, Gallus flew off the top bunk bed and walked to the door, feeling Sandbar’s pelt brushing against him. Gallus’ brain went back to when his mother had given him that book full of different terms, and processing the possibility that males could fall in love with each other. But Sandbar hasn’t expressed which way he felt, whether it was for stallions, mares, or both. He just seemed to be the same smiling dork with everycreature he met, Gallus was 95% positive that it was just Sandbar being a bro as they put it in Ponyville. So why couldn't he just accept that? Gallus opened the door and Starlight Glimmer stood there with a gentle smile. Gallus felt himself getting warm, the fact that she was now his mother was still fresh, and something told him that he wouldn't get used to it anytime soon. It was the gift that gave everyday, and knowing that made him smile as he stepped forward and embraced his Mom. "Mom," the word came from Gallus' mouth, not for the first time, but it still made his heart swell the same. "What brings you here? I wasn't expecting you for another few hours." "Well, I realized with all that went on the past few weeks, you didn't even get a tour of Ponyville!" Starlight pointed out. "I was hoping to fix that right now and get an early start on our weekend." "Oh?" Gallus looked at the area around Starlight. "And where is Trixie?" "Off performing one of her magic shows," Starlight told him. "Though she did say she'd be meeting up with us at Sugarcube Corner later, if all that sounds good to you?" "Absolutely!" Gallus chirped, feeling Sandbar's eyes staring at him. Wincing as he glanced over, he realized that Sandbar was actually smiling despite his roommate's early departure. “Is it cool that I head out early?” “Dude, it’s your family,” Sandbar snickered. “And she’s got a point, I would’ve done it myself a long time ago if it wasn’t for…well…a fun first few weeks of school, shall we say.” “Yeah, thank fuck that’s over with,” Gallus chuckled, fist-bumping Sandbar’s offered hoof before turning back to look at his mother. “Lead the way, Mom. I’ll see you later, Sandbar.” “Of course, I have no doubt about that,” Sandbar winked, causing Gallus’ face to go redder. Rushing out the door and closing the door behind him with his tail, Gallus didn’t speak a peep as he followed Starlight down the hallway and out of the building. It took Starlight glancing over at her wide-eyed son for a few seconds before the silence was finally broken. “How has everything been going?” Starlight asked Gallus. “I’m hoping you have a much higher grade in Kindness class now.” “Yes, Mom,” Gallus smiled while rolling his eyes. “I’ve got a B plus in it now, and most of my classes too. I’ve finally got an A in one class.” “That’s awesome, which one is it?” Starlight asked. “Loyalty, Rainbow Dash even pulled me aside to tell me,” Gallus admitted. “Said she was really proud of me for doing better on my assignments.” “As she should be, that seems fitting of you too,” Starlight smirked. “Shame we’re not showing you her place.” “What do you mean?” Gallus asked. “Well, we’re actually visiting another teacher of yours, a mare of the Apple family,” Starlight clarified. “Twilight told me that when she first visited Sweet Apple Acres, she had a whole group of ponies invite her to a potluck!” “Is that what we’ll be having?” Gallus’ beak dropped as he began salivating at the thought of eating endless apple cuisines. As he realized shortly after arriving in Ponyville, there was very little meat to eat due to most of the residents being vegetarian, except for the occasional fish. Gallus adapted just fine due to there being many other sources of protein, and even took a fancy to some of the dishes. However, he stopped salivating right away when Starlight chuckled and shook her head. “No silly, we won’t get a full feast,” Starlight told him. “Although when I asked Applejack if I could show you around, she did say she wanted to treat us to dinner. You haven’t had dinner yet, have you?” “Nope!” Gallus grinned. “Hey, I have an idea. We shouldn’t keep them waiting too long, so how about I help?” “What do you-” Starlight watched as Gallus leapt into the air and grabbed her sides with his talons, lifting her into the air with little effort needed. “Oh wow, I didn’t think you could carry me!” “Neither did I!” Gallus laughed. “I was just going to play it off as a joke! But might as well fly us there, right?” “If you’re able to!” Starlight pointed a hoof in the direction of a red barn and a lot of apple trees in the far distance. “Sweet Apple Acres is that way!” “Right on it, madam,” Gallus flapped his wings with all his might, flying them over all the town buildings as they made it to Sweet Apple Acres within a matter of minutes. As they reached the hillside near the barn, Gallus released his mother onto the grass and flopped on his back, gasping for air. “That was…harder than I thought it’d be,” Gallus wheezed. “Don’t worry, we can go inside the barn and get some water,” Starlight placed a hoof on his shoulder. “It’s just a quick walk, do you think you still need a minute?” “N-No, I think I’ll manage,” Gallus took several deep breaths before hoisting himself back up onto all fours. “Thank goodness, I need to cool off.” Gallus followed Starlight to the red barn, walking near the apple trees as he heard a faint moaning sound nearby. Turning to face the trees, Gallus saw two ponies in the distance, the orange one kissing the white one’s neck and… …wait, were those his teachers? “What’re you-” Starlight began to ask as Gallus moved towards the two ponies, freezing up as he saw it was indeed Applejack kissing Rarity’s neck, the unicorn gasping and giggling as she smiled down at Applejack. “C’mon Applejack! They’re going to be here anytime now!” Rarity tried to scold the farmpony, only for Applejack to pull back and smirk at her. “Sure we don’t have time to make out s’more?” Applejack suggested. “Ah mean, the food’s already ready and they’re still not here, so why not?” “Um…” As the sound came out of Gallus’ beak, Applejack and Rarity flinched and turned to look at Gallus with wide eyes and dropped jaws. After a minute of silence, Gallus spoke up. “So I take it this is what Grampa Gruff meant by shagging?” Gallus remarked, watching as the mares both scowled at him. “Oh Celestia, help me,” Starlight groaned, slapping her face with her own hoof.