Chapter 9
First costumers
Inside the old rickety town of Shores-a-lot, the fellow travelers notice that there are not many ponies that live here. Most of the houses have boarded up windows and roofs, and the market didn’t have much food. There wasn’t any grass or flowers just empty gardens; making the town seem very desolate Helpful notices some foals sitting on the ground bored not too far from them. He decides to leave his friends and see what their problem was. “I just don’t get it.” Twilight broke the silence as she watched some ponies walk away. “I thought this town would be filled with ponies since the Door Keeper said we could rest and refresh here. How come it’s almost like a ghost town?” Applejack watches a pony at her stand in the market throw her rotten apples away sadly.
“I don’t know, Twilight, but their food here is scarce,” Applejack answered. “And I doubt they even make a good profit here.” Then an indigo Earth Pony mare passes by and stops; noticing the newcomers.
“Why, hello there.” The mare greeted kindly. “Welcome to Shores-a-lot.”
“Why, thank you.” Rarity greeted back. “It’s good to meet another friendly pony here unlike the others.”
“Oh, that’s because we don’t get many visitors here.” The mare assured. “They’re just shy, but in reality they’re really a good jolly bunch; like your friend over there playing with the foals.” Everypony else turns around curious to find Helpful bouncing a ball to one of the foals; who giggles passing it back. Helpful flip kicks the ball and it bounces off a wall and back into his face; slamming him onto the ground. “Helpful!” Fluttershy gasped as she and the others ran to him. Once there, she lifts up his head worried. “Helpful, are you okay?” Helpful spits out the ball stuck in his mouth and laughs.
“I’m fine, Fluttershy.” Helpful assured as he stood himself up in front of Fluttershy.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m fine.”
“Well, since you’re here, my husband and I own a hotel not far from here.” The mare explained. “Would you like to stay for the night?” Twilight looks back to her friends; who all nod in agreement.
“We’ll be delighted.” Twilight answered.
“Perfect! By the way, I’m Mrs. Key, and you are?”
“My name’s Twilight Sparkle, and these are my friends: Spike, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Helpful the Selfless, and Sunny.” Twilight pointed to her friends. “If we may, the day’s getting short and we’re really tired.”
“Of coarse, Dearie. Follow me.” Mrs. Key agreed.
“C’mon, guys.” Twilight motioned for her friends to follow; Helpful followed, but then a small filly tugged on his wing grabbing his attention. “Excuse me, Mr. Welpful,” The filly named Jellyroll whistled for she had no two front teeth. “But could you play with us some more?” Before Helpful could answer, Sunny grabs his ear and pulls him down.
“I’m sorry, Honey, but Helpful needs a nap.” Sunny apologized. “He’s got a long trip tomorrow, and I do mean a long trip.”
“But you’ll be back, wight?” Jellyroll asked Helpful again.
“I can play right now, Jellyroll.” Helpful tried to pull his ear from Sunny, but she pinched it; making him grunt in pain.
“Oh, no, you don’t!” Sunny pulled Helpful away from the filly ahead of everypony else. “I am tired and I want to go rest now!” Mrs. Key watches curious as Sunny pulls Helpful by the ear.
“Is that…?” Mrs. Key started to ask.
“Normal? Yes.” Twilight answered her calmly. Mrs. Key then shrugs and leads the rest of the newcomers to her hotel. Inside, a tall red Earth Pony stallion stood at his desk holding his head up with a hoof bored. “Another day without a costumer.” The stallion thought out loud. “Sooner or later I’ll go coo-coo in the head.” Then his wife walks in with a great smile which brightens the stallion’s day.
“Oh, Sugar bear!” Mrs. Key announced gleefully.
“Yes, Love muffin?” The Earth Pony stallion answered delighted to know what was making his wife so gleeful today.
“We have guests!” Mrs. Key allowed the rest of the fellow travelers inside; Sunny kept pulling Helpful by the ear and once they stopped, she lets the ear go; snapping it back in place. Helpful rubs his ear.
“Welcome to Lock and Key Hotel; where all our rooms are under lock and key.” The stallion greeted. “My name is Mr. Key and you’ve met my wife Mrs. Key; we own this hotel.” Helpful looks around the room and finds it all filled with cobwebs and dust and he wasn’t sure how safe the stairs were for Fluttershy; he was thinking of his friends too, but mostly Fluttershy.
“Excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Key.” Helpful started.
“Yes, sir?”
“I know you run a hotel and all, but how sa-?” Sunny kicked Helpful’s shin; making him shout in pain and hop in front of Fluttershy for her to take a look.
“Never mind him, Mr. Key.” Sunny excused Helpful. “He’s just a little grumpy about me taking him from the local foals.”
“Okay, well, I’ll tell you what.” Mr. Key pulled out a small golden key from the shelf behind him and gave it to Twilight. “You’ll all have the best room in the whole hotel since you’re our very first costumers.”
“’First costumers?’” Twilight accepted the key using her magic.
“Yes, you see, we don’t get any visitors here in Shores-a-lot.” Mrs. Key explained.
“I’m starting to see why.” Rarity replied blowing some dust off a nearby shelf into Pinkie by accident; who sneezes.
“It’s really dusty.” Pinkie rubbed her pink nose.
“We’re actually very sorry.” Mr. Key apologized. “Shores-a-lot isn’t a very clean town and we can’t even make a good profit. We keep waiting for visitors to come, but nopony ever shows. Say you’re from the outer lands, aren’t ya? Could you help our town become a better place? We’ve just lost all hope, but maybe you can help us.” Twilight thought for a minute, but, before she could contemplate the situation further, Helpful answered for all of them.
“Sure we can all help you!” Helpful answered delighted. “We’ll all make this town a better place! I promise!” Everypony gasps at Helpful surprised and Sunny facepalms herself.
“So you’ll help?” Mr. Key asked to be sure.
“I guess we are.” Twilight sighed. “I guess we are.” Soon the fellow travelers find themselves helping on repairing homes of local townsfolk. Twilight checks her list on how far they’ve cleaned the town so far. They had only the Capital and the Mayor’s home to clean now and it wasn’t that close to sundown; they could finish the entire town in one day. Twilight puts the list in her pack and turns to Helpful and Applejack. “Helpful, Applejack, I need you two to get more lumber from the forest so we can repair the roof on that Capital.” Twilight ordered. “Yes, mam.” Applejack agreed.
“Gotcha!” Helpful saluted, and then the two disappeared into the forest. A handsome stallion named Luckyshoes then walks over to Twilight curious.
“Excuse me, lass, but I’ve heard that you’re all going to a mountain across the ocean, is that true?” The stallion asked curious.
“You heard right, mister!” Pinkie answered before Twilight.
“Is that so? Well, that mountain isn’t named Joysong by any chance, is it?”
“Why, yes, it is.” Rarity answered surprised. “How did you know?”
“I own a ship at the bay near here. She’s the most beautiful vessel ever.” Luckyshoes replied proudly. “I hear many rumors at the trade; including the one about Mount Joysong being cursed.”
“C-Cursed?” Fluttershy stuttered nervous. “But don’t be alarmed. Rumors aren’t always what they seem.” Luckyshoes assured them calmly. “Me and my crew can take you there in three to four days.”
“Really? That would be great!” Twilight exclaimed in surprise. “I was going to look for a ship to take us there tomorrow, but I guess you beat me to it. Say, what is your name?”
“My name is Captain Luckyshoes,” The sea captain introduced himself. “But you can call me Captain.”
“So, Captain,” Rarity began; it was obvious to her friends that she fancied him. “Since you do own a ship and everything, do you have stories of your vast ventures in the wide ocean?” Before the Sea Pony could answer, he spots Applejack and Helpful coming back from the forest. He notices that Helpful carried two heavy Oak trees and didn’t even seem to be struggling.
“Howdy, Twilight!” Applejack greeted. “We got the lumber you needed right here!”
“That’s great, Applejack!” Twilight replied delighted, and then Luckyshoes walked away from Rarity; making her disappointed, and walked up to Helpful curious.
“Say, lad, aren’t you getting tired from hauling those huge Oak Trees?” The Captain asked Helpful, but, before he could answer, Applejack explained for him.
“Oh, that’s just Helpful, Mister.” Applejack explained. “He can carry anything.”
“Now, Applejack, I wouldn’t say that.” Helpful protested. “I’m not the strongest.”
“Extraordinary and modest.” Luckyshoes pointed out. “You’re quite the trooper. Would you like to be part of my crew, Helpful?” Everypony looks over to Helpful; who just smiles back.
“Well, as much as I think it’ll be fun to be part of you crew; whatever that is, no thanks.” Helpful answered staying with his friends. “I must stay with my friends,” Helpful looks toward Fluttershy. “They mean more to me than the spoils of the world.” Fluttershy blushes and bends her gaze toward the ground and rubs it with her hoof. Captain Luckyshoes’ expression turns to disappointment. “Oh, I see.” The Captain replied sadly. “Extraordinary, modest, and loyal to a fault, you are one of the few special ponies I see every once in a while, but I could never get them on my crew. They’ve always found their calling; like you Helpful.”
“Oh, I’ve never found my calling.”
“What do you mean?” Luckyshoes asked Helpful confused.
“I’ve found my treasure; my friends, but not my calling.” Helpful explained thoughtfully. “I’ve somehow forgotten my past and, well, my Cutie Mark also left with it.” Helpful continued showing his blank flank to the Sea Pony. “So I don’t know what I can do really, but, whatever it is, I’ll always be with my friends till the end.” The Captain thought over Helpful’s explanation. He knew that Helpful could not be persuaded by anypony to be anywhere away from his friends. So he thought of something to celebrate. “Tell you what, Helpful,” The Sea Pony began. “Me and my crew are having a party tonight at the Lock and Key Hotel; would you like to join us.”
“A party!” Pinkie Pie jumped in-between Helpful and Luckyshoes excited. “Don’t worry, Captain. We’ll be there before you will!”
“Uh…, that’s good to hear.” Twilight grows curious about Luckyshoes’ party at the Lock and Key Hotel even though Mr. and Mrs. Key said that they don’t get any costumers.
“Excuse me, Captain, but I thought Mr. and Mrs. Key don’t have any costumers.” Twilight pointed out.
“Aye, lass, they don’t, but my crew and I go there every night we come back to Shores-a-lot to celebrate our voyages.” The Captain explained. “They don’t charge us anything. It’s always been on the house.”
“Well, that makes sense.” Applejack thought out loud.
“Well, we’ll be there at seven sharp. Till then, farewell.” Luckyshoes waved as he continued on his way.
“See ya!” Everypony waved back as they watched the Sea Pony disappeared.
“Oh, what an astonishing stallion Luckyshoes is,” Rarity sighed not watching her work. “So very controlled and handsome. He’s like some mare’s Dream Boy.” Twilight rolls her eyes and turns her gaze to Helpful.
“You can put those logs over there, Helpful.” Twilight pointed to the local lumberjacks near the Capital.
“Sure thing, Twi.” Helpful hauled the logs toward his destination, but then his wings’ black-tips glow a light orange and Twilight watched surprised as Helpful threw the logs up high and used his wings to chop them to small usable planks of wood in mid-air. He caught them before they hit the ground, and then the lumberjacks applauded Helpful’s show of skill and strength. “Thanks, guys. You’re too kind.” Helpful thanked the burly lumberjacks, and then walked to Twilight; who looked astonished, and laid the planks beside Rainbow Dash; who was nailing the roof. “Here ya go, Dash! This should be enough to patch up that roof, right?” Rainbow takes a gander at the planks.
“Sure, Helpful, that’s more than enough.” Dashie picked up a small plank and nailed it into the roof covering a hole in the Capital. “Uh, Helpful…could I talk with you for a second.” Twilight grabbed Helpful’s attention. He walks over to Twilight curious.
“Yes, Twilight?”
“How…how did you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Your wings they glowed a bright orange,” Twilight explained pointing at his wings. “And at Canterlot Castle; they glowed a bright yellow. Do you think that it’s got something to do with your past; where you came from?”
“I don’t know, Twilight.” Helpful answered thoughtfully and examined his outstretched wing. “I think it may have a link to my past, but it doesn’t tell me anything at all. I only wish I knew what it meant.”
“Who knows, but I think that it’ll come in handy in the future.” Twilight shrugged. “We need to get back to work. We’ll be done before sundown that’s for sure.” Helpful nods in agreement and returns to his work.
Meanwhile, inside Envious’ dark twisted world or dimension, the Cursed Prince closes the portal that showed him what his enemies; Helpful and company, were up to. Behind him, inside a box-like cage, Shining Armor grunts in pain as he stands himself up; he was tortured by Envious in so many ways it would be considered a miracle that he survived it all. Envious turns to meet Armor’s attention. “So I see that you’re still alive.” Envious laughed. “Good. I still need your help.”
“I’d never join against Princess Celestia.” The hardened stallion replied. “You can forget such things. I’m Celestia’s Captain of her Royal Guard, and I’ll never leave her side unguarded.”
“Ah, still as stubborn as ever, aren’t you?” Envious placed an armored hoof on Armor’s cage. “No wonder you’ve lived through everything I’ve thrown at you.”
“You can keep me caged here forever; torture me as you will, but you’ll never break me.”
“Oh, I’m not going to break you, Shining Armor.” Envious explained. “I’m going to make an example of you toward your precious Ruler of Equestria, but it seems that you are too stubborn to die,” Armor gasps shocked toward Envious. “But you’re just what I need really. You’re loyalty to the princess just shows how loyal you are going to be toward me once I’m done with you.”
“Hear me, Envious.” Shining Armor growled. “Do what you want, but, as I said, you’ll never make me turn against Celestia.”
“Oh, I believe once this is finished you’ll think otherwise.” Envious laughed darkly. “Any last words?” Shining Armor thought for a few seconds.
“I have just one question.” Armor replied. “What happened to my soldiers?” Envious uses his magic and black, fanged, and bat-winged non-pony creatures appeared before them. Armor gasps in disbelief. “No. You didn’t!”
“What’s the problem, Shining Armor?” Envious joked. “Aren’t you happy to see your friends again?”
“Envious, you monster!”
“It only took a matter of moments for them to be…‘newly reborn’ into something more than just pathetic ponies.” Envious explained. “Have you ever wondered what they might be thinking inside those small heads of theirs?”
“You’ll never get away with this, Envious! Twily and her friends will stop you!” Armor ignored the question.
“Stop me?” Envious pretended to be dramatic. “Oh, I’m in so much trouble. A little filly and her tiny little friends are going to stop me.” Envious laughed so loud it felt like there was an earthquake to Shining Armor. The gray armored Alicorn then pulls the Captain of the Royal Guard out of his cage in front of the ugly sleeping creatures. He tried to get up and fight, but he was too weak to do it. Envious spreads his wings far apart. “Let us begin.” Envious used his magic to lift Armor off the ground and darkness leaked from his armor into the Captain’s face; making him scream in enormous agony, but soon regretted it after he let more of the shadow slip into his mouth; silencing his shouting. The darkness covered every inch of his body, and then it disappeared; leaving Armor unconscious, but then bat wings broke out of his back, fangs grew from his mouth, and his coat changed from white to black instantly. He was Shining Armor no more, but now one of Envious’ newly reborn minions. Envious stood his newborn servant before him. It opens its blood red eyes awake. “Listen, my servant, I am your master, and they are your brothers.” Envious pointed toward the rest of his minions. “You are their leader and you will only answer to me.” The new minion bowed to Envious.
“Yes, Master.” The minion replied in a ghastly voice.
“Envious!” Shouted a voice behind the dark entity; who turns around to see his counterpart: Merciful.
“What are you begging for this time, Prince Persistent?” Envious joked.
“Stop this now!” The Alicorn pleaded cross. “You’ll only make so much suffering in the land that nopony will be left for you to rule.”
“Oh, I believe you know that from all the useless school and duties you finished; trying to be the future prince of the land that, instead, your younger brother received isn’t for you to try to protect.” Envious shot back coldly.
“I told you, Envious, I don’t care about what happened anymore.” The old prince replied. “You just want the crown because of me.”
“Exactly, Merciful!” Envious shouted cross. “So don’t be whining about what I’m doing when this is your entire fault!” Envious blasted a fireball at Merciful flinging him backwards onto the ground hard. The dark Alicorn turns back to his new minion. “Join your brothers in sleep. When I call you…you’ll know what to do.” The new minion nods and fell to slumber beside one of his brothers. Envious disappears into a black flame; allowing Merciful to stand up. He looks at the once ponies of his precious land with sadness. “He’s right.” Merciful told himself. “This is my entire fault. I never… I must find help from the other side.” Merciful flies off from the horrid minions of Envious deep into the twisted dark realm.
Soon, at the Lock and Key Hotel, Pinkie Pie hangs some steamers along the walls of the Dining Hall as Mr. Key brings in the refreshments. He brings out some bread and water and sets them on the table; making Pinkie confused. “Hey, don’t you ever have any cake or punch at your parties?” Pinkie asked confused.
“Cake? Punch?” Mr. Cake replied confused. “We don’t have any of that here.”
“No cake or punch??” Pinkie dramatically gasped. “Then how do you even enjoy your parties?”
“We drink water, eat bread, and Captain tells stories of his adventures with his crew.”
“What?? That’s just crazy! You need more than just water, bread, and boring old voyage stories!”
“Why, what do you mean, Pinkie Pie?” Mr. Key asked concerned that this party would become a total bust, but then was confused to find Pinkie pushing him out of the dining room and into the kitchen.
“All we need to do is all in here!” Pinkie pointed at her noggin.
“In your hair?”
“No, silly.” The pink Earth Pony laughed. “In my memory!” Pinkie Pie pulls out a mixing bowl and some other kitchen utensils; Mr. Key was very curious now. “What is all this for?” He asked again.
“For cupcakes, silly!” Pinkie replied cheerfully as she poured in some flour and water. “It’s all very easy! I can teach ya!” Later, Mr. Key pulls out some cupcakes from his old trusty wood stove and set them on top the countertop for Pinkie Pie to see. “How are these, Pinkie?” The cheerful Earth Pony takes one of the normal-looking cupcakes out and tastes it.
“Mm!” Pinkie exclaimed in delight. “It’s very good; better than the few hundred other tries you made.” Pinkie points to the pile of burnt cupcakes covering the trashcan.
“At least you like it.” The red Earth Pony sighed; trying to keep a positive outlook on things. “And now what next?”
“Punch!” Pinkie replied excited, and then she pulled out a small jug and filled it with water then settled it on the countertop. “Could you pass the sugar?” Mr. Key gave Pinkie Pie the bag of sugar they’ve been using lately and she pours the sugar into the bowl. “Now, where’s the punch powder?”
“It’s over here.” Mr. Key grabbed the pink mare’s attention as he took out a small packet of powder from the cabinets and gave it to her.
“Thanks, Mr. Key!” Pinkie poured the powder from the packet into the jug and mixed it with a spoon. Soon, she pours some of the liquid mixture into a cup and gives it to Mr. Key; who stares at it confused.
“What is this?” Mr. Key asked the kinky mare trying not to be rude.
“It’s Punch! Strawberry flavored. Mm!” Pinkie replied delightedly. “Try it!” Mr. Key just stares at the cup of punch curious and nervous; not sure how it would taste, he couldn’t find the courage to try something new. “C’mon, Mr. Key!” Pinkie kindly encouraged him. “It’s just some old-fashioned punch. Nothing new.” Mr. Key carefully sips the punch from the small glass cup, but then was surprised to find how sweet the drink was, in fact, it did remind him of strawberries. So chugs he the rest of the delicious drink; surprising Pinkie Pie greatly. “Wow! You really like that?”
“I’ve never tasted something so…so…delicious!” Mr. Key replied enthusiastically. “Such a drink would be considered a strong medicine!” Then the hotel owner started to jump up and down excitedly. Pinkie couldn’t understand what was going on, but nor did she care, instead, she joins the Earth Pony’s excited rush of energy.
Meanwhile, outside in the Shores-a-lot market, Twilight, Fluttershy, Spike, Rarity, Applejack, and Mrs. Key stroll down the road of newly built shops and stands; each had very delectable foods now unlike earlier thanks to Applejack’s eye for ripe and ready food, and others had very interesting souvenirs. Twilight begins to grow curious on some items at one of the stands. She trotted over curious and gave them a better look. They were all basically made out of wood, but they were also painted several colors. Some took the shapes of small eggs and others took the shape of small cubes. The designs of paint on them were cute to Twilight reminded her of Spike when he was just a small little tyke. “May I help you?” The stand keeper asked kindly; bringing Twilight out of her memories.
“Oh! Uh, I was just wondering…” Twilight replied. “What are these adorable items you’re selling?”
“They’re Good Luck Charms; made special from scratch.” The stand keeper mare explained. “They’re very potent in what they do. Like for instance,” She points at one of the wooden eggs with a night-like design painted on it. “This one keeps you safe from monsters at night time,” Then she pointed to a cube with a sun design painted on it. “While this one can keep you safe from monsters in the daytime,” She then pointed to another cube with a road design painted on it. “And finally this one can keep your journeys joyful during and after it. Is there anything that you are interested in?” Twilight scans the rest of the nifty little charms, but then notices one different from the others. It was indeed an egg like some, but it wasn’t painted, neither was it wooden. It was made of what seemed to be a more crystal-like substance in several different colors. “What’s this?” Twilight pointed at the odd Good Luck Charm. The stand keeper looks down at the crystal egg and chuckled.
“That is a very delicate Good Luck Charm. A Master Piece of professional craftsmanship.” The pony picked up the egg and held it up proudly. “It’s very powerful, but…”
“But?”
“That’s just it; I have no idea what it does.” The stand keeper explained. “Originally I wanted to make something both beautiful and useful, but instead I don’t know what it does.”
“Well, why are you selling it?” Twilight asked her confused.
“I’m not. I’m only hoping that whatever it does will just happen out of the blue.” The stand keeper explained. “But until then I’ll have to wait.” Before Twilight could ask how she made the charm, Applejack grabbed her attention.
“Twilight!” Applejack waves from another stand that was owned by a stallion. “Come on over here and take a look at these neat little crystal balls!”
“Coming!” Twilight replied. “My friend’s calling me. Thanks for explaining your inventory.”
“Not a problem. So long.” The stand keeper waved. Twilight left the mare and walks over to Applejack curious on what she wanted to show her. She finds several small crystal balls for sell on the stand; each was the same unlike what Twilight saw at the other stand. “Would you look at these little glass balls.” Applejack picked one the items on the stand. “Aren’t they just precious?”
“I guess, Applejack.” Twilight replied still thinking about that crystal egg at the stand she was at earlier. Applejack looks into the crystal ball she held, but then was surprised to spot somepony inside it, but it was only for a brief moment. She gasps as it disappeared from her vision. Twilight notices her response and grows curious. “Applejack?” Twilight started. “Are you okay?” Applejack broke from her trance into the translucent sphere.
“What? Huh?” Applejack returned to reality. “Oh, I’m fine, Twilight.” She turned her gaze to the fit Earth Pony. “How much for the crystal ball?” “Three bits.” The stallion replied. Applejack reaches into her pack and pulled out three gold coins and gives them to the stand owner.
“Will this do?”
“Yes.” The stallion puts them into his old and usually empty chest. “Pleasure doing business with you.”
“You’re welcome.” The hard-working mare replied as Twilight and her friend left. Not far from them, Rarity and Spike walk up to a stand full of many priceless gemstones of different variety. Some hung from the ceiling, while others were piled inside a small tub for them to see. Rarity was so astonished to find so many various gems in one spot she was tickled pink; while Spike began to get hungry. His stomach growls; making Spike laugh uncomfortably. “Sorry. I guess the tons of crystals are making me hungry.” Spike apologized to the white unicorn; who only smiles at him.
“It’s quite alright, Spike.” Rarity assured, and then an idea came into her mind. “You know what? I’ll buy you a gem; if you’d like.”
“Really??” Spike exclaimed in surprise. “That’ll be great!” Rarity looks around the stand for a gem for Spike to eat, but they were all so beautiful she couldn’t pick one for him. “You know what, Spike? I’ll let you pick this one out.” Rarity replied a little awkwardly.
“Uh…okay, Rarity.” Spike looked around the stand for a gem he could eat, and then he spotted a fairly large Fire Ruby hanging above the old unicorn stand owner. It seemed pretty old and tasty. “How about that one?” Spike pointed out for Rarity to see. She finds the Fire Ruby hanging from the ceiling and turns her gaze back to Spike; who smiles back.
“Um, okay, Spike.” Rarity assured the baby dragon. “Excuse me, mam.” Rarity tried to grab the old mare’s attention, but she continued her nap. “Mam? Excuse me, mam.” Finally the old mare begins to awaken from her deep slumber.
“Huh, oh, what?” The stand keeper stuttered sleepily. “Oh, yes, pretty lady? What can I do for ya?”
“Hello. My name’s Rarity and this is Spike,” Rarity introduced them humbly. “And we were wondering how much that Fire Ruby costs.” The old mare looks up to the above average sized gem above her.
“What? Oh, this old thing?” The store keeper pulled off the gem stone from the ceiling at and settled it in front of her costumers. “It’s one of my family’s most greatest finds; though nopony was able to afford it yet.”
“Your family?” Spike asked intrigued about the old mare’s history.
“Why, yes, youngin’. My family’s been diggin’ for gemstones since …uh, who knows.” The store keeper shrugged. “But anyway, this here Fire Ruby is fifty years old and is worth fifty pounds.”
“Fifty pounds!” Spike gasped astonished from the gems expensive price then he turns his gaze to Rarity saddened. “I’m sorry, Rarity. I guess I’ll have to wait till the party soon.” Rarity’s expression turns stern. She couldn’t let a small, innocent dragon, like Spike, starve; she had to buy that Fire Ruby for him no matter what, but she didn’t have the money to buy the gemstone either. What was she going to do now? Then an idea pops into her mind. Helpful has a lot of money he received from Celestia; surely he could buy it for them. “Oh, Helpful!” Rarity called in a sing-song voice for the tan Pegasus; making Spike confused.
“Uh…Rarity? Why are you calling for Helpful?” Spike asked, but then was startled to find Helpful running through a crowd of other ponies.
“Excuse me!” Helpful shouted as he dodged a few ponies. “Sorry about that.” Finally he stops in front of Rarity and Spike with a smile. “Yes, Rarity?” “Wow, Helpful! How did you hear that?” Spike replied before Rarity.
“I was just near enough to hear it I guess.” Helpful laughed, but then turned his gaze back to Rarity. “Is there something you need me to help you with?”
“Yes, Helpful.” Rarity replied delightfully. “In case you haven’t noticed, Spike’s starving to death and I thought about buying a gemstone for him to eat,” Rarity pointed to the Fire Ruby. “But, sadly, the Fire Ruby he wants is much too expensive for me to purchase. Could you buy it for me, please? It would be such a help.” Helpful pulls out a small bag of gold from his saddlebag.
“Well, okay, Rarity.” Helpful agreed with the white mare. “I’ll see if I can buy it.” Helpful turns his gaze to the old mare. “How much for the Fire Ruby?”
“It’s fifty pounds, son.” The stand owner replied.
“F-Fi-Fifty pounds?” Helpful stuttered dumbstruck, and then he smiles at Rarity uneasy, but he looks back at the old mare. “You think could lower that price a bit?”
“Nope.”
“So you’re saying that the price is fifty pounds and you’re not going to slash the price by a few pounds?” Helpful asked to be sure.
“Yep.”
“Uh-huh.” Helpful replied serious. “Oh well, I guess that Fire Ruby is too expensive for us to buy, but it is a dragon beacon.”
“A dragon what??” The stand owner exclaimed a little surprised.
“Well, yeah. That Fire Ruby looks awfully delicious and it may smell unbelievable to many dragon far and wide. It may even lure some here.” Helpful explained. “But, since you want to deal with that, we’ll just be on our way.”
“Um…” The old mare thought for a second; if what the tan Pegasus was saying is true, then she’ll be dragon food in seconds. “Here!” The old mare tossed the Fire Ruby toward Helpful; who almost dropped it. “You can have it seventy percent off!” Helpful and Rarity exchange smiles to one another. After Helpful paid for Spike’s Fire Ruby, the dragon chomps deep into the Fire Ruby.
“Mm!” Spike exclaimed in satisfaction. “Thanks, Helpful!”
“Actually, you should thank Rarity.” Helpful pointed to Rarity. “It was her idea to buy it for you and it’s the thought that counts.”
“Oh, right!” Spike swallowed his red gem. “Thanks, Lady Rarity.”
“You’re welcome, Spike.” Rarity replied with a smile. “Helpful, how did you make you such an unbelievable tale.”
“What tale?” Helpful asked. “I was just telling her what was possible.” Rarity stops surprised at Helpful, but she then shrugs and continues to follow Spike and him through the market. Fluttershy, not far from them, was looking around some stands and found a small silver coin on the ground. It wasn’t like all the other silver coins at Equestria, in fact, it was etched with ancient writing from years ago, but is very unreadable. She even doubted that Twilight would be able to read it. As she picked it up, a dark brown unicorn stallion noticed. “Hey!” He shouted; startling Fluttershy; almost dropping the coin. “You’ve found a Luck Coin!”
“A w-what?” Fluttershy stuttered nervous.
“A Luck Coin.” The stallion walked up to her. “Rumor has it that it’ll give luck to whoever holds it. You must be a very special gal.”
“Oh…uh, maybe…” Fluttershy stuttered flattered by the stallion’s comment, but, before the stallion could continue, Helpful runs in-between them from some foals; who all laugh and giggle excitedly. The unicorn watches confused as they ran around the market, and then he turns his gaze to Fluttershy; who watches Helpful with entertained eyes.
“Who’s that?” The stallion asked curious.
“That’s Helpful the Selfless.” Fluttershy answered still watching Helpful and the foals play around. “He’s a servant from our princess: Celestia and he’s aiding us in our quest.” The shy Pegasus turns her attention back to the unicorn. “Anyways, my name is Fluttershy, what yours?”
“Oh, my name?” The stallion replied surprised. “My name’s Slipknot.”
“Slipknot? That’s a very unusual name.” Fluttershy giggled.
“I would say the same about you. Fluttershy’s the name for a very silent and unsocial type, but your neither, aren’t you?”
“Well, you see…ever since I met Helpful, my life’s changed.” Fluttershy explained thoughtfully. “I’m not what I’m used to be, why do you ask?”
“Oh, I’m just the type of pony who likes to meet new ponies in town,” Slipknot answered. “Even though this town doesn’t get many visitors.”
“Oh, I see.”
“There’s many other towns and there’s several other folks living in those towns.” Slipknot continued. “You see, I’m a sailor and I’ve been to many of these places, meeting and getting to know others is like second nature to me.”
“Oh.” Fluttershy looked over to Helpful still playing with the young foals, and then he noticed her staring at him and smiled back. The shy mare waves back as the tan Pegasus gets tackled by a young colt; making Fluttershy giggle.
“I see that you have feelings for this stallion.” Slipknot grabbed Fluttershy’s attention; who blushes and tries to cover her smile with her hair. “Oh, uh…I-I-I…” Fluttershy stuttered nervously.
“You do, don’t you?” Slipknot replied.
“Y-Yes… I do.” The emerald eyed Pegasus sighed. “He’s different.”
“I see. Tell me about him.” Slipknot insisted.
“He’s very…different.” Fluttershy tried to explain.
“And, by different, what do you mean?”
“He’s more…unique than the other stallions.” The shy Pegasus continued. “He can’t remember his past, and he’s still curious about it, but he still makes time for others. The way he acts around everypony is very weird, but it’s more of a caring and childish nature and I enjoy it, you see.” Fluttershy sighed. “I believe he likes me too.”
“Why do you say that?”
“He’s been protecting me ever since we left Ponyville…o-our home.” Fluttershy explained. “He’s also been very kind to me ever since we met… It’s a long story.”
“I see.” Slipknot then turned to leave. “Well, it was nice meeting you, Fluttershy. I enjoyed our conversation we had and I hope that we’ll meet again soon.”
“Oh, so do I, Slipknot. So long.” Fluttershy waved as the Unicorn continued his merry way.
“Hey, Fluttershy!” Helpful grabbed the shy Pegasus’ attention. “Watch this!” A small chubby colt named Haybale, Helpful, and Jellyroll all sat in front of Fluttershy and gurgled water to an old song Helpful could barely remember, finally, after they finished, they spat the water straight up; raining on top of them in the process and making them wet. It was touching to Fluttershy; in a weird, gross, and childish way, but that’s what she liked about Helpful, besides the gross part. The emerald eyed Pegasus laughed and applauded them all cheerfully; making Helpful even more pleased. “You really liked it?” Helpful asked excited.
“It was adorable, Helpful.” Fluttershy giggled. “How did you get the foals to do that?”
“Um, well…they actually taught me. I only remembered the song.” Helpful smiled at her widely and innocent; making roll her eyes and giggle. Helpful looks up and spots the sun getting lower in the distance. It was getting close time for the party. “C’mon, Fluttershy. We’re gonna be late for the party.” Helpful trotted toward the hotel and Fluttershy followed close beside him; leaving the young foals to play with one another.